we had a whirlwind trip to the coast for christmas that was poorly planned but oh so fun!
the girls stayed behind to visit longer so i've been using this time apart to reflect on the passing year and i've never been more excited to see a year come to an end than 2011. it was a long year full of high emotions and hard choices and it has prepared me for the next chapter so i'm anxious to welcome the new year with all the cliches of a fresh start.

on the road

have a beautiful solstice!

i am having such a hard time blocking out the noisy chatter that comes with the holidays. i keep feeling the urge to buy every want, make every craft, and eat every recipe. i seem to have this issue every year but this year the pull is much stronger. the girls are older and have their own opinions and wants and the consumer world has made its way into their world much more than i had hoped it would and i am feeling the tug to get it/give it to them. i know that they will be just fine without it and better, stronger and wiser for learning moderation, value and individualism. but it is hard to say no now for the sake of tomorrow. but as we get closer to the 25th all of the "stuff" is fading as we anticipate seeing our family and friends again on the coast, and for that i am grateful.

it may only be the first weekend of december but

the holidays have settled right in.
we watched the tree lighting at the park,

shopped the stores of downtown during the north pole stroll,

and went downtown again for the annual christmas parade.
the park and the small downtown district have quickly
become our favorite places here. 

and during our little outings i realized how different
these experiences are when the area and people
are unfamiliar.  it was fresh and more animated
and i found myself embracing this anonymous life we currently have.

it has me feeling very peaceful.  there are no expectations and 

i am free to create an entirely new holiday

experience for my family.  the possibilities seem endless and so
exciting.