Thursday, December 29, 2011

The Last One for the Year

This is the last Friday Fave Five that I will post for 2011.  Thank you, Susanne, for faithfully hosting FFF so we can focus on being grateful for the large and small blessings of the week.

The past week has been symbolic of the way the whole year has gone---busy, busy, busy.  There has been almost no time or opportunity for online time.  But my time has been taken up with much more important things.

1.  We have been down almost at the Mexican border with California being 'Meema' and 'Bapa' to three very busy preschoolers.  The New Boy has been getting to know the two little ones who may become his cousins.

2.  The boys had a special day with Meema and Bapa.  We rode the San Diego trolley around the city.



Watching out the window


Snuggling with Bapa for security

3.  All my children were in the same city at the same time.  This is a very unusual event, so unusual that we commemorated it with formal pictures.

The Four Siblings (in birth order from youngest to oldest)

4.  Morning snuggles with The New Boy.  he tiptoes into the room and peeks to see if we're awake.  Then he jumps up on the bed and climbs in under the blankets to say, "Good morning!"

5.  My Christmas present from The Professor:  it's not something you can see, but it's something you can hear.  He hired a piano tuner.  When we're back at The Cottage, I'll be able to play my favorite tunes (such as Moonlight Sonata) without wincing.  Thanks, Honey!

Happy New Year 2012 to everyone!

17 comments:

Barbara said...

Enjoyed seeing the photos of your 4 children.

Wishing you a very Happy and Blessed New Year.

Dorothy said...

Happy New Year to you too, Willow!

I love seeing your four children together! And the thought of cousins for the New Boy....EXCITING!!

Susanne said...

All together, that is definitely a celebration! Great picture to remember the occasion too!

I can imagine how wonderful the snuggles in the morning have been. So precious. And new cousins! How exciting. Riding the trolley sounds like a fun adventure with little ones.

Happy New Year, Willow!

Lisa notes... said...

A piano tuner. What a great gift. I tried to get my piano tuned a few years ago, but it was so old that the tuner said he didn't think it would stay in tune so it would probably be a waste of money. So I just play it out of tune. ;-) But I'm sure your experience will go much smoother!

Have a happy new year!

Elizabeth said...

Happy New Year!
So glad you got to celebrate Christmas with the new boy.
Our new boy can't say 'g's so calls his grandpa Chuckpa --we rather like it.

Jerralea said...

Great photos! And what a thoughtful gift from your husband!

Enjoy!

ellen b. said...

Oh what a fabulous photo of your four! Love it! Happy New Year Willow and family!

Laura@OutnumberedMom said...

How neat to have all your kids together -- that was us on Thanksgiving! Love the picture. My CA boy drove up to San Diego to spend Christmas with his cousin and family.

A piano tuner -- how thoughtful of your hubby. Have a wonderful New Year!

Barbara H. said...

I can see that getting everyone together will get harder as the years go by. Glad you were able to get your brood together!

Brenda said...

Don't you just love having all the family together? Sounds like you had a wonderful time.

I didn't know San Diego had a trolly, I'll keep that filed away in my brain for the next time I visit.

Betty Jo said...

Such a beautiful family Willow! I adore the photos. So happy for you that you could all be together during this time.

I'm so very thankful to have met you in this big ole cyber world. Happy New Year Willow to you and yours.

Catherine said...

what a fantastic photo of your children. This must have been the greatest gift of all for you! I'm glad you got to enjoy your family, and how your travel home is safe.

Marg said...

I loved seeing the photos of your family. How beautiful. How wonderful for you to spend time with that little one snuggling in bed with you..That's my favorite time. We shared the same experience.
Secondly, I did not know...but I too play the piano and my daughter played the violin as we share the music of Kanon in D Major of Johann Pachelbel. But now I know that my piano needs tuning and I love the song, Moonlight Sonata!
Cheers to all of you in the New Year!

Bethany said...

What a gorgeous (and extremely bright!) family!!! Happy New Year Linda!!!

Tracy said...

LOVELY to see the photos of your family all together, Willow. Hoping you had a sweet Christmastime. Great to be back in blogland after two weeks away for Christmas in the USA, and catch up with you here now. Wishing you all the very best in 2012--PEACE, LOVE & JOY! ((HUGS))

Deb said...

For whatever reason, I got teary reading this post. So much to be thankful for ! And I love the fact that you truly appreciate your family, the love and the small wonders of the world. Beautiful keepsake photos! Happy New Year !

Lovella ♥ said...

A piano tuner. I never thought to ask for that but perhaps I should have.
Oh the photos of your children are wonderful...especially the one all at home.

Happy New Year Willow.