Lily has a passion for necklaces.

See, no necklaces here, and just look at the results.
Oh, this is another subject. Lily was outside playing with her brothers, she comes walking up to me and I realize that I have commited a serious mother crime. A HIDEOUS outfit. Two points taken away from my mother of the year award.

On to the necklaces, Lily can somehow detect a necklace from anywhere in the house. She has been known to use computer cords, watches, ropes, strings anything that she can put around her neck for times of fashion need.

Concentrating, this is SERIOUS (say it in a wonder pets kind of voice)

Taking a beauty break.

I like my camera, can you tell?

Lily likes ham.So does Lucy.

Trying to get it all in, in one mouthful.
Oops, that's a wee bit too much. One day I will be able to use the above photo for some sort of blackmail. I'm sure these moments that I capture now will pay off quite nicely during the teenage years.
I just couldn't leave that barfing picture as your last image of the worlds most perfect, darlingest, (yes that is a word) child. Isn't she glorious?

The candy tree

The candy tree is a new tradition to the Mead home. It's a tiny tree that is decorated exclusively with candy.

Luke was in charge of the gummy worms and was very good about spacing them apart. I did the peach rings. Yesterday the boys worked together to string on the cranberries. They loved this and felt so big that they got to use a needle. Luke kept saying it was magic watching the cranberry float down the clear string.

Owen was in charge of the candy canes and from the looks of this photo it appears that he helped himself to a few.

Yes, he definitely did.

The candy tree. Maybe I'll take a picture of it in a few weeks to see what's left.

P.S. Lily was managing from her high chair. I am preparing her for her future as a mother and homemaker. The art of bossing people around is one that must be developed at a young age to truly be brilliant at it. My mother must have started in utero with me. I am an expert bosser arounder. Many times I feel like a symphony director...you do this, you do that, you do this, no, do it like this, yes yes yes. I'm so good at it now that I can even direct the most challenging of subjects, Mr. Mead himself, (on a good day).

Holiday celebrations

I love this time of year. It is fun to do crafts together, eat a dozen cookies in one sitting, and read stories of magical people who bring you anything you can imagine.

Something elsewe love to do is take our pictures with Santa and display them from year to year and see how the children are growing. We even have years that don't include all the kids because they were too hysterical to sit with a fat strange man. Mommy you always say, not to talk to or let strangers touch you.

It is raining snowflakes above our table. The boys love to eat via candlelight. We give toasts to each other, and fight over who gets to say the prayer. Even though on this blessed night, Owen graciously offered to let Luke say it when they both wanted to say it.

Cheers!

Thank you Lucy

For sleeping here.

And not here, where you love to sleep.

Isn't he the cutest boy you've ever seen? Me too. And aren't these some perfect feet. Luke was very intently watching tv when I took these pics. While I was taking them he looked over at me and asked when I was going to be finished because

"you bugging me!" -Luke's words.

I die

This child has seriously taken over my heart. This picture was taken on the last day that I let her have her bottle. Lily and her bottle were very close. Especially once I took pacy away when she turned one. I let her keep her ba ba until she was thirteen months, one month longer, but (just because I love her). But man, you cannot deny how freaking perfect she is. Just try. And then I will have to kill you and everyone you know. :)

Pie, Thanksgiving, and MY birthday!

The night before Thanksgiving we had a pie party and the only pics I have of the wonderful event are from before it started (I get distracted easily). If you notice the lemon meringue pie has a piece missing, and all I have to say is that I HAD to make certain that it wasn't poisoned.

Apple.

Lemon Meringue

After the boys finished running around with their guns, (we are in Texas after all), they enjoyed a little DS time with their pal Harrison. I don't have any Thanksgiving pics, rest assured that there was turkey, potatoes and all the usual suspects. We enjoyed that day with our friends the Wrights.

But the next day was my birthday! Chaddy did me good too. He got me this pretty cake, (even with lemon custard, ohh I have a thing for anything lemon). He and the children gave me lovely cards with words of affection and strange drawings from Luke... I was treated to some divine quiet time and....a new camera! I have long complained about my old camera, and Mr. Mead took it upon himself to figure out the best camera and go buy it for me! Isn't he swell. So, this is the last picture you will see of the aforementioned crappy camera. It was a great last pic too, the picture of it's replacement. Now if I can only figure out how to work it. (It's a tid bit beyond my capabilities, anyone want to give me lessons?).

Below are some pics taken from my new camera, and for your viewing pleasure.

Miss Lillian is never far from her necklaces.

She is having a little moment here.

Luke is dreaming of eating that cake.

Going down the mountain!