beauty.

as the season progresses at what seems to be lightening speed...i can not help but feel thankful for so much in my life and in the lives of my family. when the days seem long and full of work, i am comforted at night by the fact that we have so much. we need so little. i am so happy and grateful for what i get to call mine...these babies that never stop amazing me, teaching me, and loving on me.

the comfort and security of our little piece of this world...my home... that twinkles with the lights of my tree that illuminates the homemade ornaments stuck together with a surplus of glue, glitter, and macaroni.

...tarts that send waves of christmas wreath and mistletoe through the house- courtesy of yankee candle via bed, bath, and beyond. at two bucks a pop...they are worth every dime!

old movies and candles.

christmas music....baby, it's cold outside makes me want to host a high class dinner party nightly. it just does.

my camera and these photos of cousins...spencer, sophia, and little griffin. i love these little ones and i just adore these pictures...

my fave photo of the session i think. sophie's face and griffin looking on. i just wish i knew what they

were talking about...ADORABLE!

and although we were quickly running out of light...we captured the day. the fun we had. the adventure in trying to keep three little ones

clean, happy, and smiling! they did an awesome job and i am so proud of them.

and after the glitz...

jenn made us homemade pasta...chopping and dicing and laughing and nonstop talking...and this was all after our hour long ride

historic ft. myers. perusing old homes, loving, wishing, dreaming of a "someday, we are going to have a wrap around porch!" yup. it will

happen.

i was so getting into this photographing food thing...i swear it was really fun!

while the noodles simmered, i went outside to cut some fresh rosemary out of the yard...nothing like fresh herbs...

i even took some home!

jenn rocked out this garlic, italian flat-leaf parsley, olive oil, sea salt, with fresh cheese pasta.

grandma would have been proud. delicious.

truly thankful for getting to indulge in a few of my passions that night...fresh food, photography, wine, and true friendship.

on another thankful note:

while singing peyton and beckham a lullaby tonight...hush little baby,

hush little baby don't say a word, mommy's gonna buy you a diamond ring...if that diamond rings turns brass, mama's gonna buy you a

looking glass... (i often make up words, so forgive if they are incorrect, but it's what i sang tonight.)

becks: no, mommy i want a ring, i don't want a glass. no. no. no. i want a diamond ring.

me: okay, sweetheart. you can have a diamond ring.

becks: thank you, mama.

peyton: i want a barbie ring.

becks. i want a batman ring. i want a batman ring, not a diamond ring.

me: okay guys, a barbie ring and a batman ring.

becks: thank you, mama (as he rolls over towards me, fits in the crook of my neck, wraps his little arm around the

other part of my head while i tried to hold peyton's hand all at the same time).

this is what i am most thankful for. not much else matters in moments like these. am i right? life is sweeter.

troubles melt away and i hear myself saying..."i'll stay with you here for just five more minutes!" inevitably i often fall

asleep...which is why it's best when daddy does the tucking in!