Category Archives: Flashbacks

Memory Lane

Someone recently asked me “What is your fondest memory of Christmas?”

I had to think about it because this question triggered me to think back and relive SO many happy memories of the holidays. I don’t think there is just ONE thing.

My Mom always decorated our home to the nines. Toss pillows on the couch were replaced with green and red numbers, a little Brandy snifter made into a Santa by my Grandfather held green and red M&M’s, a big gold basket held all of the holiday greetings from family and friends, kitchen towels were switched out with ones embroidered with holly, etc., etc. I coule go ON and ON!

I remember loving to sit and look at our tree complete with small colored lights and an assortment of special ornaments collected over the years ~ a good old-fashioned Christmas tree. Each year I would look forward to unwrapping the ornaments from the old, wrinkled tissue paper that protected them in the box throughout the year and place them on the branches. On Christmas morning the gifts would spill out into the entry way from under our tree ~ a tree that just had a handful of packages under it the night before. Santa was ALWAYS very generous.

We would always have toasted Panettone on Christmas morning. My grandmother, Gam, would no doubt come toting a box of this stuff. For me, it was an acquired taste. I’ve grown to love it over the years and now I grab a box of it to enjoy with coffee on Christmas morn.

As a very young girl, I remember going to an annual Christmas party hosted by friends of my parents. They would always have a Santa and my parents would bring a wrapped gift for us. Santa would reach into his sack, pull it out, call our name and we would sit on his lap, tell him what we wished for and walk away with our gift.

I also remember going to the mall with my Dad each year and getting my Mom a big box of See’s candy. She would always tell us that “See’s candy is for adults.” I remember believing her. That didn’t last for long.

I recall visiting a little old lady that my parents knew…she lived in an old folks home and I remember smelling that “old folks home” scent every December. My sister and I would go out into the hall and sit by the big fish tank and watch the fish. This convalescent home visit was a SURE sign that we were in full holiday swing!

My Mom would also make lots of baked goods – peanut butter balls, oatmeal bars (my Dad’s favorite), toffee and orange bread. We would deliver to all the neighbors along with wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I could go on and on. I think that is why I love the holidays so much. So many fun memories as a child. Although I may do things a bit differently now, I know that what I experienced as a child made me appreciate the Christmas season and all the magic that comes along with it.

I think my favorite traditions are sending out cards, baking and shopping for small, token gifts for family & friends. I love taking the kids to see the lights in the neighborhood, visiting Santa, shopping for our annual ornaments, sipping the occasional peppermint coffee drink, overindulging in way too much good food and attending Christmas Eve Mass with the family.

I hope that I pass along the love of the holidays to Elliott & Holden. I want to make Christmas something that they look forward to throughout the year ~ a time spent with family & friends, celebrating tradition and the birth of Baby Jesus.

May you have the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Years. May your day be filled with family, friends, food, football and FUN!

Gingerbread hugs & candy cane kisses,

Amy & Co.

Then & Now

Sometimes looking at old pictures makes me sad.

It makes me realize that if you don’t stop and take the time to ENJOY life EVERYDAY that, before you know it, you’ll be so far down the road, looking back and wishing you had taken in more sights along the way.

Here is a picture from 4 years ago.

then

Elliott’s first Christmas. I remember this day vividly ~ like it was just last week.

But it was FOUR years ago! The days and weeks go by so fast.

She is now a big sister and a big girl…

now

Sometimes I wish I could just slow it down a bit, but all I can do is take it one day at a time.

Some days go fast and some go s…l…o…w, but they are all special and lead up to the next milestone.

Speaking of milestones, we are heading to Vegas this weekend to celebrate Jay’s 40th birthday.

Happy Birthday, Babe!

Here’s to the next 40 years…

Before we know it, we’ll be celebrating our children’s 40th birthdays and we’ll look back to this weekend in Vegas and it will seem just like yesterday!

Enjoy all the “THENS” in your life because before you know it, they will be “NOWS”.

One Year Ago Today

Happy Turkey Day…or should I say Happy “Elastic Waistband” Day!

I hope that wherever you are, whatever you’re doing and whoever you’re with that you have a holiday filled with laughter & LOVE.

Feels like we were feasting on “the bird” and all the fixins just yesterday!

Here is a pic of my little cuties from 365 days ago:

kids

cuz

Holden celebrating with his 99-year old great, great cousin!

Little Rascal

I LOVE dachshunds. I grew up with them and always wanted one when I was an adult (I don’t know….am I an “adult” now?) and had a house of my own. In college, I had a picture of one on the ‘fridge. I knew I wanted to name him/her “Rascal”. Well, in September of ’03 after Jay and I had bought our first place, we innocently stumbled into the pet store at the Irvine Spectrum (I know, shame on us for getting our dogs at a pet store) and walked out with not one, but TWO puppies! Rascal (AKA “Rassy”) is now 6 and has been the best dog. He survived Parvo as a pup, had surgery to repair a tear on his ear, has had 2 allergic reactions to his rabies vaccines, but most importantly, he has been a great dog with the kids! I actually thought that after the kids were born that Rassy would take the back seat so to speak, but I’ve always had time for my little Rascal. We snuggle and watch DVR’d shows together (well, I watch and he snoozes!)

Rassy is receiving an early Christmas gift this year….a Pedi Paws nail trimmer. He does NOT like getting his nails clipped and I have tried to do it at home with traditional clippers. Unsuccessful. He was also “kicked out” of a place in San Diego because they just couldn’t do their job. He’s not vicious and doesn’t bite, he just won’t hold still ~ not even for all the treats in the world. Well, it’s been a long while since he’s had a good nail trim so I am going to try this new Pedi Paws contraption that a fellow doxie owner recommended. Wish me luck!

Now, here are some pics of my four-legged baby:

In the pet store waiting to come home.

petstore

Look at that face!

blackandwhite

In the Easter basket.

easterbasket

With his brother, Riggs, a Border Collie. That’s a whole ‘nother post on it’s own!

riggsnrass

So handsome.

backyard

Coming to work with me after his ear surgery.

cone

A true Mama’s Boy. (me passed out at 7pm, 8 months pregnant with Elliott!)

meandrass

I love you Rascal and I hope you still love me after I take the Pedi Paws to those nails of yours!

One Year Anniversary

This past weekend marked our 1-year anniversary here in So Cal. Last November we moved back down south to Santa Clarita from Gilroy/Bay Area in Nor Cal. Talk about time flying! I seriously can’t believe that it’s been 365 days or 52 weeks or 12 months since we moved….proof that life is going by WAY too fast these days and a reminder to enjoy every day, make beautiful memories and appreciate your friends and family!

Our friends, The Sharp’s, recently found out that they’ll be moving to the East Coast…this makes us very sad, but at the same time we are happy that Kev has a fantastic new job and now we have an excuse to hop on a plane and visit Delaware. They came up to visit and say goodbye (sniff, sniff) before they pack up and head across the country. Their dear friends (and now ours too!), The Lundstrom’s, also came up for the night from Simi and we sat around eating appetizers, drinking wine and chatting.

Here is a picture of Holden with Garrett Lundstrom. Holdy LOVES Garrett! (and I think Garrett loves Holdy, too!)

garrett

And here is a pic of Brynn Lundstrom, Elliott, Holden and Sophie Sharp!

kids

The next morning we went to feed the ducks at the lake in our development.

ducks

A hug for Sophie before heading to the playground.

hugs

On our way back to the car, Kevin tried to get a good pic of our fam for this year’s Christmas card. I wanted an organic, candid-type shot. Elliott is NOT liking to have her picture taken lately…sssssoooooo, we will have to try again this weekend, but here is one that was cute and almost the look I was going for. Thanks for your photography skills, Kev!

tesoro

And here are our darling friends Kevin, Debbie & Miss Sophie Sharp.

sharps

We wish you the best as you enter your next exciting chapter in life! You will meet wonderful new friends, uncover new traditions and make many happy memories in your new little part of the world, Delaware! Before you know it, you too will be celebrating your one-year anniversary in your new home. We love you and will miss you lots, but remember this isn’t “Goodbye” it’s “See ya later!” XOXO