christmas came and went once again, and even after all of my grumbling, i did manage to enjoy it. how could i not with faces like this surrounding me?
yes that is a pink beach cruiser under the tree. i knew jeff had something up his sleeve (even after both of us saying no gifts for each other) and when i came downstairs and saw it there it was such a surprise and so magical that i started to cry.
i’ve wanted a cruiser to replace the one i had in childhood (pink with a flowery banana seat) and again in college (green) for several years but it was totally under the radar and not on the top of any of my must have now lists. even with all my sluething i had no idea, so i really felt that christmas morning magic, right from the get go.
you might notice my house looking different-we’ve rearranged and plan to do more changes in the beginning of the new year. here they are opening stockings.
ah the pretty lights and the fake inflatable tongue to tease dad with….
and perhaps my favorite part of it all-after everything is opened, everyone settles in to enjoy their new things. drew and mckenna, adding music to his new ipod nano.
today we are packing up to leave for hawaii, won’t be updating here again until mid january! until then,
aloha friends….
I thought you might enjoy these… It’s not a beach cruiser, but it’s a dirt road cruiser here in Oklahoma… Anyway, I love it. http://dbakerphoto.blogspot.com/2008/09/need-your-help.html
I have that bike… or one close to it. When I move to San Clemente we can go for rides:) Have a blessed trip Tara.
seems pretty magical to me… so glad you had a beautiful day…
aloha!
Take a deep sniff of the lovely flowery smell of Hawaii for me and soak up those ocean breezes too.
Thank you.
:o)
All of your pictures were great (and I’m totally lusting after your new bike) but that last picture of your son and daughter almost killed me. That is the sweetest, most touching picture of a brother and sister I’ve ever seen. Have a great time in Hawaii (I’m lusting after that as well…).
looks like a wonderful christmas was had by all.. I am glad you were surprised with a gift you werent expecting … thats awesome.. Have fun in Hawaii.
Aloha. Safe travels…
Looks like a perfect magical christmas! Blessings to you this year!!!!
Your’e a beautiful family Tara! Thanks for sharing…
Oh my dogness, a beach cruiser!!!! I had me one of those as a child as well. Mine was blue….with a white seat. I used to ride it from to Huntington/Newport beach along the aquaduct bike trail. *sigh* Sooooo jealous. :)
Oooo. Enjoy Hawaii, not that that’s hard to do.
So glad to hear you had a lovely Christmas day. Your tree is pretty, your cruiser is darling, and as always, your kiddos are pretty damn cute. :) Happy new year!
One of my most favorite things you post when you post pics of your fam, are the ones of the relationship Drew has with Mckenna. I love it. Happy Christmas and have fun in Hawaii. :)
OMG I love your new bike!!! I can’t wait to see pictures of you riding it ;) I’m doing some redecorating in the new year as well–at least that’s my plan. That was, of course, my plan last year as well, so we’ll see ;P Have fun in Hawaii!
LOVE all the pics! So cute! Enjoy Hawaii!!!!! We just got back a few weeks ago. The kids are at the PERFECT age to LOVE every second…be sure to go to the North Shore too, the waves are Out of CONTROL this time of year!!!!
Merry Christmas!! You’re going to have the most awesome weather here–and missed the HUGE blackouts!! Hurrah!!!
What great pictures!
Love the decor in your house too!
Have a great time in Hawaii!
Aloha!
XOXO
Have a wonderful time in Oahu! We are going in April and I can’t wait. It would have been worth rescheduling just to have you take our pictures! Have fun relaxing- what a perfect way to start the year. xoxo
wonderful post. that last photo… a heart melter!
many new year blessings to you all!
aloha! have a blast!
That bike is awesome :).
Seeing your frames reminded me that I wanted to know where you got your photos printed for those IKEA frames. I have them but couldn’t remember where you had them developed! Thanks for any info on that! Have a great 2009! Shelley
looks like a great christmas! the beach cruiser is awesome!!
hello Tara,
I’m always here but almost never leave comments, maybe ’cause I am so far way… but internet is not about that, right?!
So here I go…
I just wanted to thank you for so much inspiration about life and congratulate you on the wonderful family you have.
your strenth, determination and above all love is truly healing.
have a brighter, lighter, lovier 2009.
may the energy of the sun shine above you all this year.
val ayres
I love how each of the kids has their new robe on. I told papa Jamie we need to make robes a traditional XMAS present.
Hope you guys have a safe and wonderful new year.
I just love how you captured the moments. great work and I’m glad you had a happy Christmas!
Happy, happy trip to Hawaii!!! Love the shots Post Christmas…and I agree, in spite of my grumbling, it was beautiful!
The last shot is especially beautiful.
Tara, awesome and amazing as always. Love the new bike! I have to ask, what size are the pictures on the wall above the couch? i LOVE that layout, and was thinking of trying something similar in my living room, when i re-do it here soon….
Oh I adore these photos. Filled with warmth and love and joy.
Have an amazing time in Hawaii… replenishing with your beautiful ones :)
Looks like a fun Christmas! My mom’s been taking about a pink cruise with a basket for years…any idea where hubby got yours? Or what make it is? Its really cute!
Awww, you just made me cry! This post made me realize I have to wait 11 months for the beauty of the season to come again.
I was just wondering where you got your pictures on your livingroom wall printed? And are they in those clear glass frames with the little metal hook/binder things? (where did you get the square ones?)
thanks!
I love the photos on your living room wall!!!!!! Do you mind sharing where you got the frames?? TIA!
Enjoy your escape in Hawaii! We just returned 2 weeks ago from wet Kauai—enjoyed the warmth with a few days of sun and a lot with rain! Hope your vacation is sparkling!! p.s sweet Christmas pics & the photo with your bike & the tree is just fabulous! What a fun surprise!
Hope you had a wonderful trip with your family and happy new year!! :)
please please please tell me where I can get a bike JUST like that!
Please respond! We vacation every year in Newport for a month and I really need to know where to pick up one of those beauties!
TO THOSE WHO WANT TARA’S FRAMES:
She mentioned in her OPAM post from May ’08 (the “before” pics of the photo wall) that they were from IKEA measuring 19 3/4 x 19 3/4. Also, she got the pictures printed from her pro lab, “Color Inc.” at 20×20 and trimmed them to fit.
;)
I loove the Christmas craziness photos! Sounds silly.. but I can’t wait for that with my two new ones. I haven’t visited your blog in a bit (having babies will do that) but your guys are getting SO big. Beautiful family. xo
that pic of Drew and ‘Kenna is the stuff that photo are made of – magic.
I love it, I can see why you do too!
Ok, so its true, Im addicted. Im not in denial anymore. Now, come back! hehe :)
Love the bike. So glad y’all had a good holiday season!
Tara – we miss you!! Hope all is well with your family! ~ J
come back to us!
just love your blog. lots of quirky angle ideas and different ways of looking thru the view finder.
I lurk here often. I have nominated your blog on mine for a blog award. well 2 acutally. pls visit to save the award pics to pop onto yours.
have a fantastic new year.
tiff
Awesome bike!
hi tara,
just like to ask what’s the name of the font you used at the top of your web site that says “tara whitney just be you”.
thanks!
jessie