bloomington christmas

I miss the days when my Mammaw used to come down to Louisville, Kentucky for a week in late December. I miss her sitting in the rocking chair at my mom and dad's house drinking her coffee in her deep purple robe and matching slippers. Despite missing the way things used to be, I am mostly just thankful to still have her in our lives, even if we have to go visit her these days. She refuses to move from Indiana to Kentucky to be closer to us, even though my mom is her only child. I guess I know who passed on the stubborn gene to me.

The little one in the middle is my four year old niece, Carley. She is currently obsessed with that GAP kids commercial, you know, "We want comfy sweaters!" and "How cute are these boots?!" Clearly, I'm getting her a sweater and cute suede boots (with tassels!) for Christmas, and I'm going to learn the song in the commercial so we can perform it together on Christmas Day. (Formal Attire/ Officially Retired!... I've got a ways to go.)

The little bundle of joy in Mammaw's arms is my six month old nephew, Clayton. He seems to be enjoying his first Christmas season, even though my sister did try to lop off his finger with nailclippers Sunday morning. If you peer closely at that tiny thumb, you'll see a band-aid. My sister cried. She felt horrible. Clayton bled, but he was a trooper. Someday, IF I have children, I am sure I will harm them in some way. At that time I shall allow my sister to verbally slaughter me.

I love my new purple scarf, a gift from one of my favorite coworkers who went to India this fall to visit her family. Also, my hair looks pretty in this picture. Doesn't it?