This is my favorite time of the year! That has been amplified ten fold now that I have a daughter at the perfect age of 3 years! It's all about Santa Clause, presents, and baby Jesus for us and she is so much fun to watch. Her favorite thing right now is Christmas lights and ornaments on the tree, even though she is TOTALLY not allowed to play with them. We are blessed this year to be able to share Christmas with The Jim, Jennifer and Lindsay family...literally. It has been really fun to combine our two families at this time of year and I for one am so happy to have the opportunity to do so. I know that this experience is so unique and I will always look on this opportunity as a blessing, and a chance that we probably won't ever get again.

Danny is full speed ahead at work and is absolutely successful. I didn't have any doubts about that. I had another unique experience this month, in that I was able to take a ride along with an officer who put me right next to my husband on several calls. Yes, ladies, I got to see him in his uniform, and I would definitely recommend it! But I also got to hear from Training Officers, and Sergeants that he is safe and doing a fabulous job. I want to go again and will probably schedule another one after the New Year.

Arwen is growing so much and I look at her all the time and wonder where my baby has gone. In her place however, she left a beautiful, articulate and smart smart smart little girl. My only regret is that it goes by so fast. She learned a slew of new Christmas carols this year, one of which she refers to as "Daddy's Favorite" (silent night). It is in fact his favorite for me to sing and we sing it often. She walks around the house singing, "Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells", and "Thanta Cwauth ith Coming to Town". FUN STUFF!!!!

Me, I am choosing this year to enjoy it. I have had so much fun shopping and creating and BAKING! I have found yet another of my passions, and it so rewarding. I have even graced a few of Danny's fellow officers with my own creations. Tonight Arwen and I will be making a "Thanta Cwauth" and an ornament for Auntie Jenn and Uncle Jimmy to put on the tree.

What a blast we had with these pictures and most of you I am sure got a load of our Christmas Cards, "From our home to yours" for which I give Jenn total credit for. It was rather clever. They even included us on their ornament this year.

I hope all of you have found even a fraction of the warmth and joy that this Christmas has held for our family. I love you all dearly!