if the exception proves the rule, i guess its true.

Notes to myself for next Christmas (because if I jot it down somewhere, I'll never find it again):

1.) Don't buy cheap wrapping paper.

2.) If you can't resist buying cheap paper, make sure to buy DARK paper, so as not to expose the gift inside because the cheap paper is tissue thin.

3.) Whether cheap or quality, buy paper in solid colors or in patterns that won't dictate how the gift should be wrapped (case in point: I bought paper with snowmen on it... Half of my presents now have upside down or sideways snowmen. ugh).

4.) Don't put the bows on until right before placing gifts under tree. Bows WILL be lost.

5.) Only buy symmetrically-shaped presents. Otherwise have them wrapped professionally.

Count all the bees in the hive, chase all the clouds from the sky...

Our little man is one!! Judah is always busy getting into stuff, taking his sisters toys, and making us laugh with his sour faces :-) He's walking more often than crawling now, and even trying to run to keep up with his Erin. He's drinking from his cup most of the time now, and eating pretty much everything we eat. He says Uh-oh, Dada, Mama, Cuh cuh (for cracker), and a few other things that we're not sure about right now... and he loves to play Dad's guitar!

I wish this picture didn't include the pacifier (for some reason I shudder at non-sleeping children sucking pacifiers!!) but evidently Erin found it for him right before I got the camera out.