Happy Christmas!

Well, Epiphany is here and my Christmas decorations are finally down, but there are still many memories to report on!  What a fantastic and very merry Christmas season! We started off with the arrival of Lane and Curtie on the 17th. It is always so much fun to see them and what a Christmas Blessing! This event was followed closely by Conway Christmas on the 19th. We always do Conway Christmas the Saturday before or after because there are 10 kids and it gives everyone the chance to spend Christmas proper with the in-laws and everyone can be together. My mom hosted this year and at final count I think we had 56 people, including 2 brand spanking new foreign exchange students – welcome to America! It was such a fun time, as always, and so nice to catch up with all the Conway side.

My brave mom, sister, Haley and I left early for a hair appt. in the Bay the next day.  We had a yummy lunch at Yankee Pier and Haley tried the high chair..

and then there was the cleanup Monday...we were worn out!

One of my best friends from high school, Karen Takeda now Simpson, was in town with her equally adorable husband Greg and daughter Phoebe. Chris, Haley and I headed over to her parent’s house for a visit and were surprised to hear they may (fingers crossed) be moving to Fresno soon! Stu and Charlie were visiting too and it was nice to see some old friends plus Mr. & Mrs. Takeda (I think I will always call them that, old habits…) who are just as I remember.

I love how they are looking at eachother in this one!

We stayed for just a quick visit because we had Christmas Tree Lane next on the list. We’ve decided to make some just us family traditions now that Haley is here and CTL is one of them. We tuned the radio to Christmas music and snuggled Haley in my lap while we chugged along. I hadn’t been in years and it was such a blast from the past. I think Haley loved all the lights and it was a fun thing for Chris to see. We’ll definitely be back next year!

Christmas Eve we bundled up the entire family (Lane and Curtie too) and made our way to the Visalia Richardson’s for Richardson (my mom’s side) Christmas Eve. As expected, it was baby central! 4 babies under 8 months. Haley, Vincent, Brenna and Noah! Mr. Nathan (2yr.) was the oldest of the group and on a sugar cookie high! It is going to be amazing for Haley having so many cousins her age. I LOVED it growing up.

The boys and their babes

Jess, Baby Noah and Rob

The hosts!

Mom was so excited, she found a duct tape wallet for Jason!

My mom and I both got crowns for our exchange gift and LOVE them!

My mom's did come with a picture of Carlos in the crown...mine did not!

On top of fantastic food, family and festivities my cousin Natalie and her adorable boyfriend Jeremy announced their engagement! We are so THRILLED for her. They are perfect together!

A very sleepy bunch, we headed to the compound in search of comfy beds and a good Christmas sleep. Good thing Santa works at night at the Conway home, because Miss Haley was up first thing on Christmas. We were allowed to open stockings, and then attended 8am mass, came home and jumped back into our pjs and got down to the present opening. Somehow, Miss Haley had the biggest pile and was most interested in the boxes and bows!

This is the "what do you mean I got coal" face!

Saturday our little family made for the Bay to celebrate our 4th Christmas with the Comstocks (sans Sarah and Brian). Miss Haley made out like a bandit there too! Kathleen and Mike are always so generous! We got to see the under construction new addition and be treated to a fantastic dinner out at one of our faves in the Bay, Metro. Sunday, Haley, Kath and I met a family friend for an early morning walk, did 8am mass again, and managed to squeeze in some after Christmas shopping before we headed home.

Grandpa putting together a toy!

NYE was a fun one for us this year. Katie, Jason, Noah, Brooke, Carlos and Vincent came over for a baby filled night! We had a yummy dinner (prefaced by amazing stuffed mushrooms (thanks Jay) and yummy champagne (thanks Brooke and Carlos)). We played a board game and made it until midnight! It was the perfect NYE! We are so happy to have family/friends on the same page!

Noah is only a month old and Katie looks exactly like she did before she was prego...rude!

My attempt at NYE chandelier decor

Katie and Noah needed a little nap pre midnight

My modnight kiss

Our very tired family in 2010

Now, Miss Haley news. She is such my perfect joy! She is crawling like a maniac everywhere and interested in everything. She has stood on her own a few times now and I am afraid walking is near! She is 17lbs. 12 oz now and such a good little eater! I am so thankful to be her mother and cherish the times she and I have together!

Haley and one of her gifts from G&G Comstock, her new Haley chair

Lovin the outfit compliments of the Richardson girls, headband by Natalie, outfit by Brooke

Strawberry bottom jeans, boots with the fur...

This pose can be seen frequently around the Comstock home...the lounger I call it

I have to say what an amazing 2009 it has been. I am married to the most fantastic and loving man, God gave us our most precious love and joy, Miss Haley and we are surrounded by wonderful friends and family. In our prayers at night, we thank God for all he has done for us, and what a list it is. Happy Christmas and New Years and may 2010 be especially joyous for you. Loves – The Comstocks

How the Cookie Crumbles....

“Chaos often breeds life, when order breeds habit”....

What a life we've had lately! The weekend started off with a bang with my work Christmas party. Christopher's firm came to speak about our 401k plan and stayed on for the party. It's sort of a fun thing to see Chris in action. I was so proud (personally) and pleased (professionally) with his presentation! He did such a great job! My dad raided his office wine fridge and Steve fired up the bbq. Most people brought their families and Miss Haley was obsessed with a little 10 mo. old named Jack. It was really the perfect time for a little holiday cheer as it has been a slow year for everyone!

Sadly, our little family attended rosary and funeral for our neighbor Pepino Primavera on Friday night/Saturday morning. It was a very sad event and my heart and prayers went out to his widow, Sharla, our dear family friend.

Soon after the funeral mass, Chris headed out to his rugby game and my mom and I settled down to preparing for our annual cookie exchange on Sunday. As is our custom, we polished our silver, dusted off our china and pulled our punch bowls for the event. This is the second year we have hosted the party and it is always such a success. I think everyone enjoys a little "ladies only" time away from the hubbies and babies. Christopher was a big help, coming home early from the rugby party to help finish setting up, making a quick trip in during the party to carve the ham and carefully washing our heirloom china and sterling pieces after. What a fantastic husband I have!

The party was such fun we had about 30 women this year, my sweet mother-in-law even made it down for the event! Here are some pictures from the party...

The yummy cookie table...

My honey with my heart and joy...they crashed the party for a bit so Chris could carve the ham....

and so I could show off my pretty pretty!

Of course, we have tons going on from now until New Years. Lane and Curtie come home tomorrow....I can't wait! We have Christopher's office Christmas dinner at the Palms on Friday night, Saturday is Conway Christmas and Sunday we head up to the Bay for a hair appointment. I am so looking forward to all the family time!

Our little joy, Miss Haley, is doing fantastically well. She has been trying to walk and actually managed a step on Saturday...I can't believe it! She is onto string beans, though she is much more interested in whatever Chris and I are eating, so I've been giving her tastes of a variety of things. I need to take pictures of her next to our perfect Christmas tree...I'll do that and post them next time around. Until next time....merry, merry to all!

Love, Life, Loss and the Perfect Tree

Gosh...what a week. I think I should probably start with the sad news and end on a happy note. Our family friend and current neighbor Sharla Primavera lost her husband, Pepino, on Saturday. It was unexpected; I don't think he was even 40 yet. She had taken their two kids to the store and when she returned, he was on the couch, gone. I can't even imagine what she must be going through and our prayers are with her, their two children and their twin babies she is carrying (due in June).

And so we find solace in the life God provides....

Mr. Noah Flinn Gardner was born last Thursday at 6am in the morning. Alas, no home water birth. Noah was not having any of it! My mom and I visited that same afternoon and Katie, Jason and little Nono all looked healthy and happy, if a bit tired. He is just a beautiful baby and we are thrilled to have him in the family! I've heard the family is home now and doing their best to adjust to lack of sleep, changing schedule and all the joyful chaos that accompanies a new baby! Here are some pictures from the hospital.

Speaking of babies....Chris and I attended the Right to Life Gala last Friday after a quick stop by the AHDC Christmas party.

I always have such a great time at this event. Brooke and Carlos were able to join us this year and the Davies as well! I managed to have the winning bid on some adorable Christmas socks and onesie for Miss Priss. I may have enjoyed myself a bit too much on Friday night because Haley's 5:30am wakeup call was a bit harder than usual to answer Saturday morning. We managed to make a quick trip to Target so Chris could get his dress up item for the rugby party that night and then, Chris left for the game and I joined Haley in her morning nap. It was blissful...so much so that we were actually late to the rugby game. As it was just the over/under game (over 30s play under 30s), I didn't harbor too much guilt. The under 30s won, much to Christopher's dismay (he is an over 30 this year)!

All in good fun, the rugby crew served up their "shoot the boot" drinks (a disgusting tradition that involves serving up a doctored beer in a rugby cleat to the distinguished players of the game...I won't mention the horrible things they add to the boot)

and donned their costumes. Every party has a theme....crazy hat, worst sweater, etc. As this was the over/under game the teams had to dress up as babies or old men, respectively. Here is Christopher's outfit.

Yes, it's a full size footed onesie!

Sunday my mom and I attended the annual SJM tea. Chrissy Hardcastle invited us as her guests and it was a very nice event. They didn't have such a thing when I attended, but it was such a good idea. Moms of SJM students host different tables and invite their lady friends. The hosts decorate the tables and some of the hosts go over the top! It was such fun to walk around and see all the themes and centerpieces. I hope we are invited back next year.

We sent Haley home with my mom and picked up my cousins, Seri and Catherine Toyloy, for our movie date. Chris and I saw the 1st Twilight at home on an off Friday ondemand. I sort of liked it and Chris said it made him feel like a 12 year-old girl. So when the New Moon came out, I called my teenage cousins to see if they would be our beard so we could see it at the theater. We had a ball and I'm definitely on team Jacob. Yummy...Chris said he is nearly 21 in real life so it isn't against the law or anything!

Now...the big news! We finally got our tree yesterday! It is gorgeous...just perfect! I think it may be the most beautiful tree we've ever had. So, Chris and I started a tradition where we go and get hot chocolate, load up the car cd player with Christmas music and head out to somonian farms to pick out our tree. It was even more special this year with Miss Haley. We bundled her up in her cozy bear outfit and she looked just perfect. We were all so happy to find the perfect tree together!

When we first arrived at the tree lot

All bundled up!!

Just the right size!

where is it????

We found it!!!

We're so excited and we just can't hide it!

Haley keeping an eye on the car while the guys load the tree

Now, more Haley news! She is just growing up as fast as can be. We’ve moved her into her highchair, because she has learned how to escape from her bumbo.

She is pulling up on everything, desperate to walk!

Crawling everywhere and putting everything in her mouth – cords, plastic bags, etc. She is such a ball of motion now! We are baby proofing as much as possible, oh what fun!

Well, until next time…love to all!