Wrapping up 2011

It's new year's eve and another year is coming to a close. On this day, I can't help but reflect on all of the blessings that 2011 held for us and all of the excitement of the coming year. Mainly...

This Christmas season held lots of fun for our family. For the first time, Lily really started to "get it." Unfortunately, "getting it" meant a paralyzing fear of Santa Clause.

Christmas morning, our girl ran out to her presents with excitement... until Daddy and I announced "look what Santa brought you!" I've never seen such a quick turn around. Our little girl made a quick beeline for the bedroom at the suggestion that Santa could be anywhere in our house. Forget presents, this was serious!

Finally, however, when the coast was deemed clear from any Santa Clause sneaking around, we had a great time opening presents. Lily opened them one at a time, methodically, true to her norm. She wanted to play with each and every toy before moving onto the other, which made for a slow, but special morning. Kitchen sets, playdough and duckies...oh my!

We also got to enjoy Christmas with all of our family. It started with "Christmas in Michigan", an annual Conley tradition.

We spent Christmas Eve at Auntie Diane's enjoying good food and great family.

Christmas included family and even a special night with friends, too.

We have been blessed with so many wonderful things this year, but most importantly, all of our wonderful friends and family.

Happy New Year!!!

Daddy's Girl

It never ceases to amaze me, my girl's love for her Daddy. A special kind of love like none other. Sure, she comes to me for confidence and comfort, but she goes to Daddy for fun, for adventure, for a special kind of adoration that is all its own. This special love comes out most in these precious weeks when Daddy is off and is all hers. My girl's absolute devotion to her Daddy really shows most in these weeks.

On these "off" weeks, Daddy is all Lily's and any deviation from this is noted and fought. This morning, Lily woke up to Daddy out running errands and she immediately informed me that she was not happy about it and waits for the "beep beep beep" that his car makes upon his arrival. When he came home to some outdoor house chores, she had to drag her stool to the window to supervise.

She's always Daddy's shadow and wants to be a part of everything he does. Whether it be cleaning the dogs ears (yuck!) or playing on the ipad, she's Daddy's Girl. Mommy tries for days to get her to wear certain shoes, a simple request from Daddy and the wish is immediately granted. This girl's ready for a fight when the comb comes out to do her hair, but Daddy tries a "pony" and she walks around showing it off proudly. It's just the magic that is Daddy and it is wonderful.