{ merry making }

So tonight I made my second batch of Christmas cookies, this batch is getting sent to my Grandpa, all excpet for one tray. The one David and Annabelle joined the fun on. And let me tell you it was a jolly sight. That, and a mess ( courtesy of precious 21-month-er ) . Sparkles of red and green everywhere...cookie dough...smashed and crumbled... everywhere... but you should have heard the delighted sighs she gave when David cut out three ginger bread people, a daddy a mommy and a baby, and linked them holding hands together...or the giggle when she saw the imprint of her tiny hand, made with the red and green sugar you sent to us, Leslie. If I could have, I would have frozen time in that moment. I guess that's why I am here right now, writing it down.

As you can see, we've also hung up Christmas lights, me for the first time ever, on the outside of our house. Our oh so thoughtful next door neighbors who offered for us to use their extras. Of course the very best part of it, is hearing Annabelle say when we leave the driveway " bye, bye house, bye, bye kitty, bye, bye twinkey-yites. "

And must share this with you because, Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without the silly little faces Grannie Annie draws on baby oranges for all of us.

Now for some Christmas tree show and tell:

I stayed up late tonight to among other things, wrap presents. David and I exchange stockings and so I have this shoe box that has TOP SECRET written all over it, which I keep it taped shut at all times. But I have to spill my secrets to someone...and I know they are safe with you, right?

• gummy worms


• LED light w/compass key chain sort of thing


• smoked salmon


• milk chocolate


• Blue Diamond Bold Wasabi & Soy Sauce Roasted Almonds


• one black Ipod


• kippered snacks


• a enormous pack of gum to help with the fish breath


• and a note from me, which is actually a quote by Edgar A. Guest that I've adapted..." I am wishing at Christmastime that I could but repay a portion of the gladness that you've strewn along my way. " Except I am changing the last three words to read " throughout my every day."

All wrapped up now, incase he is tempted to peek. And now I better hurry off to bed before it's time to get up again.