Goodbye 2012...

Although I wasn't keen on getting up early this morning, Toby had different thoughts, so as I was going to take him out I saw the sun reflecting on the window and went to take a look and behold...a beautiful sunrise I would have missed had I not gotten up!  Good, bad, or indifferent, 2012 is gone and 2013 is on the horizon, just like this sunrise..

A Katniss Christmas Recap...

Here is the evidence left by Santa. He sure did enjoy his chocolate milk and cookies and brownies. It seems the reindeer enjoyed thier reindeer food and carrots. I am sure the Tarheel cup was an added bonus!

Here is the excited girl, but from the looks of it, Toby seems to anxious to get down and see all the presents!

Sweet Christmas Smiles...

Love this girl! Reading her annual letter from HoHo!

Look what Santa brought. A Katniss Christmas... complete with bow and arrow, boots, backpack and jacket!

Walking through the Lights!

Here we are walking through the lights at Grammy and Fuzzpas! We used to do this when Abby was younger and decided since we were all in town, to venture out again. I had to use the flash because it was so dark, but I like the smiling faces in this photo!

Day 25... Merry Christmas!

The big day is here and all the warmth and love and joy is all wrapped up in precious memories! What a great journey it has been to recap 25 days of a wonderful holiday...

 Sweet smirk...

One of many family photos...moving dogs included!

The Glazener Girls...

Charlie loving the Christmas Snow of 2010!!

All smiles... well almost everyone...

Day 24....Christmas Eve...

Here it is Christmas Eve....Wow, where does the time go.... Santa is getting is sleigh ready and checking his list, so here are a few Christmas Eve photos..

Abby is making cookies for Santa. Fresh...just how Santa likes them.

Here is Abby showing off her creation to Grammy!

The plate is ready for Santa and his reindeer. The hot chocolate is streaming and we are ready for bed and the big arrival!

A quick picture before it is off to dream land...

Day 23...Buddies

 Here is Abby with 2 of her favorites..... Casey and Bailey.

This is Abby and Casey sleeping together before Ho Ho arrives!Casey wasn't always the snuggle bug, but he really liked being with someone when he was at an unfamiliar place.  This was our last Christmas at Nana's.

Here is Abby giving Bailey a big hug! She did love her some Bailey!!

3 more sleeps and then Ho Ho makes his way to Pfafftown!

My last post was a little over 24 hours ago and its seems like a week!      8 days and 2012 will be in the books! Funny how quickly the time goes! I love this time of the year, mainly because I get to read all the yearly letters from friends and see how much everyone has grown over the year! The main reason I try not to put myself in my Christmas Card! I will just keep believing that I am not aging and that everyone else is getting older! If only... but we can't stop the clock and with every new day comes a new adventure and new discoveries  I cherish each moment with my family and my friends! And if I don't say it enough, I hope you all know how much you mean to me! This world would be so boring without all of you in my life!

Day 22...Christmas Cooking

One of our favorite things to do is bake at Christmas. One of our staples is Christmas Cookies! Kneading the dough is the best part, can't you tell?

Day 21... Horses..horses..horses...

Horses.. Abby's first love! My how she would eat, sleep and breathe all things ponies! Here is S'Mores, the new addition to the Glazener Stables!

Day 20...Growing Up..

Here is my favorite photo from Abby's last play at Vienna: Elfis and the Sleighriders! She had the best time with the younger kids and doing her "5th grade dance!" Love that face!

Day 19... Sleepy face..

Here is one sleepy little girl who is excited to open presents! I love that look...

Day 18.. Tree shopping!

Every year, for as long as I can remember I have been getting my tree from Grouse Ridge on Robinhood Road. I used to get it when I lived in New Bern and also when I loved in Chapel Hill. I would go with my parents and we would always pick one out from there. We have carried on the tradition since my parents have passed away. The day after Thanksgiving, we go and pick out the tallest tree we can get. Our vaulted ceilings make that an easy choice. Here are a few photos from various trips!

Day 17...Checkers!

One early December Day in 2006, Santa made an early delivery to Cha Cha house. With him he brought a super sweet bunny, who Abby lovingly named "Checkers".  Since we had  Casey at the time, Checkers resided at Cha Cha's house. Every time she was there, Abby loved playing with him, cleaning out his cage and chasing him around! He was a great bunny! What fond Christmas memories!

 Explaining why Santa needed to bring Checkers early!!

Abby Checkers and Cha Cha.

Ahhh, Checkers! You were a great present from Santa and a great addition to The Glazeners! You also got to call yourself a Collins for a little while and how great for a rabbit to be blessed with 2 loving families!

Letters from Ho Ho!

Every year, the first thing we do is read the letter from HoHo! I made this pillow after seeing it in a Pottery Barn catalog. I also made a few for friends and after seeing them recently, I thought I would post the Santa pillow through the years! 

E

 2005

 2006

 2007

2008

2009.. The first Pfafftown Christmas..

No wonder Santa is so jolly!

2010...braces and all!

2011 A new note from the North Pole!!

Day 15...Sassafras

Here is one sassy girl going out to spread reindeer food !! Love the hip action!

Day 14.. cousins and furry brothers!

Abby and her sweet Bailey!

Can you tell who is happy to see her cousin?

Our Casey Dog! I miss that face!

Abby, Pinkles and Russell!

Getting a lift!

Squeezing a little too tight!

DaY 13...FAMILY...

One of the annual  Glazener and Graves family Christmas Photos.

Day 12...Baby Abby

Ahhh, the days of a sleeping baby! Here the wee one is a mere 3 months old and this is what she liked to do a lot of the time...

And somehow this seemed like a really hard life....




And when Abby was a wake, she was usually this very sweet and happy girl!

But I must admit, that every now and then, she did have little fits of anger like the one displayed below, but with that cute little outfit and sweet face, who could get that upset?

That is one little mad cow!