Gingerbread Houses, Cookies and Naps by the Tree

Sunday it is was all about the holidays. Starting with a gingerbread house. This is something I have been looking forward to all year. I know it will sound strange but this is actually my very first. Not sure why we never made one but we didn't. I had a blast working on it. It didn't end up being as much of a team activity as I thought it would but we were all the table together. Me: Working on my house. Mom and Lyla: Frosting Christmas cookies. We made quite a mess but nothing that couldn't be clean. Lyla had so much fun...so much fun in fact that this is where we found her a little later, right next to the tree, crashed from her sugar high. Great day. Great weekend. (And I pretty proud of my masterpiece.)

Pedis at Savi Day Spa

This weekend my parents came to visit. It is typical that some where in the weekend the boys and girls split. Saturday was no different. My dad and Danny went and golfed and the ladies (my mom, myself and Lyla) went and did a little shopping as well as had a little spa time at Savi Day Spa. It was meant a little early present for my mom's birthday and a little just because. Either way it was a great end to our afternoon and Lyla was perfect. Wish we could do things like this every weekend.

Santa, Movie & Haircut

Saturday Lyla and I had a full day. First stop to see Santa. We like to go to the one at Teaching Toys in Uptown Gig Harbor. It is a secret spot with a super short wait and as you can see the we saw the real deal (not one of those impostors). After our santa visit we went to see the Rise of the Guardians (more santa time and of course the tooth fairy, jack frost, easter bunny and sandman). It was really good and Lyla was perfect. After the movie we decided to see if we could squeeze in for an unscheduled haircut and amazingly we could. Lyla's idea I swear. As you can imagine after all that Lyla was pooped but not a single meltdown. Just home and up to bed. It was a perfect day (of course it would have been absolutely perfect with Daddy but he had a busy day as well). I know I have mentioned this before but truly the BEST christmas to date.

First Report Card

This week we had parent teacher conferences and I was given Lyla's first report card. As you can imagine at three years old it isn't exactly the typical As and Bs type report card I am use to but the summary written was fabulous. Lyla is really do amazing and it is so wonderful to see her thrive. There were so many things noted that she is just excelling in we couldn't be more proud.

Decorated and Ready for the Holidays

I think this has been my favorite christmas so far and there are still 19 days to go. The excitment Lyla has for everything brings me so much joy it is beyond describable. She has helped with the tree, decorating the house, wrapping presents...and she talked about santa everyday...it really is just magical. Can't wait for the actual day to arrive. I am hoping we are able to make it all she is dreaming of.

Alla and Poppa's Christmas Tree

The day after looking for our Christmass tree we headed back up north to help Alla and Poppa (Grandma and Grandpa Savage) look for their tree. The cousins all had a great time together playing in the grass and helping find the perfect one. And the following Sunday they all got to help decorate it.

Christmas Trees

Going to get our Christmas tree the Saturday after Thanksgiving has become a yearly tradition. We always drive around from tree farm to tree farm looking for the perfect one. I am not sure we got the perfect one this year but I do have to say it looks pretty fabulous decorated crooks and all.

Thankgiving Playtime

Every year the ladies after Thanksgiving dinner take a stroll around town. As Lyla and my cousins children have gotten older we don't seem to make it very far in our walk and instead head to the school near by for a little playtime. In the end it is probably for the best and they all have a lot of energy and could use the fresh air (that is if it isn't raining which thankfully as you see it wasn't). Great day. Pics Courtesy of My Mom.

Soooo My Family

I know I said I wasn't going to post anymore photos from our shoot with Jeff Hobson until after the holiday but I couldn't resist just putting up one more. This is Danny and Lyla to a tee! I love it. Makes me smile everytime I look at it. Jeff really has a gift for capturing those little moments.

The Zoo & Instagram

Today was another rare Saturday were we all had nothing going on and it was just the three of us together. Needless to say despite the rain we decided to brave the zoo which was also an opportunity for me to test out instagram on my new iphone(thank you Adam and Jordan). We only made it through half of the zoo before we were all detrenched but it didn't matter we still had a great time and finished our adventure at the carousels as always. For those of you that are instagramers you can follow us at "thesavvys" now too (just another way to see more Lyla I guess). I know I am a little late to the game I have been a droid user for the past year but I think I am going to be addicted.:)  

J.Hobson Photography

This morning I received my photos from our family shoot with Jeff Hobson of J.Hobson Photography. Some of you might have seen me post pictures of his in the past. He shot our engagement photos, wedding, photos of Lyla after she was born and all our family shots from there after. We've known each other a long time and I can tell you as someone that works with photographers on a regular basis he is the best and to no surprise I am really happy with what I received this morning. I do have a ton of photos to sort though and share but because of the holidays and my desire to keep our christmas cards and a few christmas gifts a surprise I am only going to share one for now but it is pretty darn cute and should hold you over until I release the rest.

A Day with Aunt Katie

Because it was Veterans Day yesterday Lyla didn't have school so she spent the day with her Aunt Katie. From the looks of it I'd say they had a blast. Here is a snap Katie took on their way to Wright Park. Love that Lyla gets to have these special days with her Godmother.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

J.Crew Glitter Belt

Green Toy Tea Set

Eboo Alphabet & Numbers Puzzle

Tote Bubble Umbrella

J.Crew Pearl Necklace

BlaBla Mermaid Doll

Pottery Barn Backpack (and matching lunchbox)

Green Toy Jump Rope

Haba Animal Yatzee

As everyone knows I love to shop and this year is going to be a big Santa year. Some things are practical and some things are just for fun. My favorite spots (which I mostly shop online) are J.Crew, Land of Nod, Pottery Barn Kids, Amazon and Gap. Here are just some of the things I've purchaded for Lyla so far. As I am sure you can imagine there is a quite a bit more tucked away in my closet. There just too much fun stuff out there.