Happy New Year!
I’ve been sitting here pondering deep thoughts to share with you for the new year, but I’m afraid today is not a day for deep thoughts from me. Maybe Monday.
I do, however, have a favorite photo for you. This picture was taken on Christmas day, on the beach in Florida. Necco was looking out at the ocean, and I glanced over at her and noticed that the other kids were reflected in her new sunglasses. I had to capture the scene.

What have you been photographing this …

We made it back home from Florida safely, and now I am faced with not only the horrible task of unpacking, but also the overwhelming task of packing away all of the Christmas decorations. My house is a mess. In fact, it doesn’t look too different than my in-laws’ house looked on Christmas morning, which (since you asked) was fabulous. I couldn’t have asked for a better vacation, and the kids couldn’t have dreamed up a better Christmas.

Now that we’re back home and trying to get back into the swing …

We are on our way home today, but in the mean time my good friend, Safire, has a guest post for you. Safire is as good a friend as she describes below. She will be the first person I call when I get back home.
And, can I just say….I’ll be very happy when I can sleep in my own bed again?

 
What words would you describe a good friend? Trust, loyalty, support, fun, comfort. These are just a few of the words I would use to describe a good …

I love that blogging has introduced me to so many incredible people that I never would have had the chance to get to know otherwise. Manic Mother is one of those people. I recently had the opportunity to ask Manic Mother a few questions in preparation for our upcoming Bloggography series. Here’s what I found out:
–Tell me a little about yourself for my readers:
I am a stay at home mom to two boys, Ezra is 2.5 , and Rowan is 5, I also have an amazingly supportive husband. I have …

Capturing a decent family picture is a tricky business. It’s hard enough when you’re working with a photographer. But add the additional element of tripod and timer and it’s an adventure, to say the least. I was looking through last year’s Christmas-season pictures in preparation for I Heart Faces‘ Hilarious Outtakes theme this week. I found this series of photos from the night we decorated our Christmas tree last year. I had the brilliant idea to take a family picture in front of the tree. I set the camera up …

It’s Christmas week, and my family and I are enjoying some warmer weather and time with family in sunny Florida. My friend, Mandy, from The Trenches of Motherhood shared a cookie recipe recently that made my mouth water instantly. She graciously agreed to share it with all of you, too! Enjoy (and as Mandy said, try not to gain too much weight by looking too hard at the pictures!)
(note: I have tried to fix the formatting, but ended up finally having to delete most of the pictures from the post. …

I hope each of you are having a wonderfully peaceful and joyous Christmas today. I am enjoying the day with my family in sunny Florida.  Except for the fact that rain is on the forecast for today. We’ll enjoy it anyway. We already are.
Merry Christmas!

As a child, Christmas Eve meant a busy day of cooking, a 30-minute drive to Grandma and Grandpa’s house, and en evening of food, cousins, carols, and a very entertaining white elephant gift exchange. Christmas Eve was the best day of the year. Much more exciting than Christmas Day.
I knew things would change once I got married, but I didn’t know how much they’d change. Thirteen years ago today, I was in the hospital, holding my newborn daughter, my first child. That day, and every Christmas Eve since, I have …

Brandie from the Rudy Family Rukus is a mom of 3 (you’ve GOT to check out the gorgeous pictures of her family), a fantastic blogger, nurse, and scrap-booker. She’s also a genuine, friendly person. She shared this video with her readers last weekend, and was kind enough to re-post it here for me here while we are away.

Kristina from 3 Under 4 is visiting Better in Bulk today while we finish our drive to Florida. Soon I will be relaxing on Florida’s beaches. It may not be the summer, but even 74° will feel like paradise compared to the snow that we left back home in Maryland. Kristina is a fellow Blog Frogger and mother of several small children (who are pretty dang cute – see below). Please welcome Kristina!
~Lolli

This Christmas has been one characterized by adjustments.  My parents’ divorce went through this year and my mom …