Garage Hoops

For anyone who can finish this sentence, "If you give a mouse a cookie, ..." you know where this story is headed.

After a fully functional and organized garage was achieved thanks to some impressive handiwork and planning by Toby an Dad, it was clear that the now open space needed to be utilized in a really meaningful way. It didn't take long for the chief planners to stumble upon this one-on-one, free-throw shooting, lay-up laying, home hoop-it-up court, space-utilizing solution.

And with that, I present to you: Garage Hoops.

Cookie Making

Full of anticipation for Santa's arrival, Rylie was hard at work baking cookies for the man in red. Toby suggested that she be sure to use lots of frosting since he thought Santa just might like his cookies that way.

Christmas Eve Service

so serious.

so sweet.

The Dress

In addition to being a beautiful dress, Rylie's Christmas dress was especially special. If you can believe it, the dress was one of many hand-smocked dresses that my mom made for me as a young girl. Twenty-Five years ago I wore that dress to the 49ers Christmas party. Are you ready for a blast-from-the-past circa December 1984??

Here it is...

Me, my older brother Preston, and the good ole' 49er himself!

The Shields family: Laurel, Rebecca, Billy, Preston and Brian

Cookie Decorating

Rylie with expert decorators, Grandpa and Grandma Shields

The Polar Express

"I wish I could hear Santa's bells tonight" Rylie said as I tucked her into bed on Christmas Eve.

Don't Forget the Reindeer

As a Christmas holiday activity, the kids in Rylie's class made reindeer food. It is amazing how exciting a little oatmeal and glitter can be when you mix them together and tell a three-year-old that it is food for Santa's reindeer. So, just before bed on Christmas Eve, Rylie carefully stirred the food and placed the bowl right outside our front door.

To her surprise -and delight- the food was all gone in the morning! That is except for the mess that the reindeers left. They must have been really hungry because the bowl was knocked over and some of the food was scattered around the front door and steps up to the house.

Angels and Bells and a Very Special Day

During one of the busiest weeks of the year, time stood refreshingly still as I watched Rylie and Reagan perform in the annual Mother's Day Out Christmas Pageant. I have to say that I don't typically get very excited for performances and probably -no definitely- underappreciate the work that goes into such a production. While I fully support the event and the excitement it brings for the girls, I was honestly surprised by the amount of joy that filled my heart as I watched. In years past, Rylie has mastered the "deer in the headlights" look as she stood still on stage, wondering what she had managed to become a part of. However, this year was different. Not only did Rylie confidently embrace her responsibility to sing and perform the corresponding hand motions, Reagan lit up as she realized she had the attention of everyone in the room. As a member of the first class to enter and perform, Reagan excitedly walked down the aisle and enthusiastically shook her bells until sitting just wasn't enough. It was then that she stood up in front of all the kids and shook those bells and did a little be-bop dance until one of the great teachers, Ms. Cathy, invited Reagan to sit on her lap where she continued to shake those bells with all she had. How special it is to learn something new about your child as you watch the spark of something uniquely placed in them by God himself.

And while I can't tell you what the songs were that they were actually singing and I believe these shots are evidence to support my theory that it is IMPOSSIBLE to get great pictures at events like this, I hope you enjoy these photos. It was a fun afternoon celebrating the birth of a baby more precious than any other; our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Rylie's very special teacher, Ms. Lori. We couldn't find Ms. Deb, Rylie's other fabulous peach class teacher.

Reagan's loving and fun teachers, Ms. Michelle and Ms. Cathy

According to weather.com...

This is what our house will look like on Friday afternoon. :)