Our crazy elf... and a congratulations

Our elf, Joshua, came back this year and he is as naughty as ever!  (but yet, he is supposed to tell Santa if the kids are behaving?  Makes complete sense, yes?)  The kids love Joshua and can't wait until the morning when they can see what he has been up to all night.  Sometimes he leaves notes, other times he is having too much fun destroying our house to leave a note.  He has made snow angels out of salt, parachuted off the balcony, toilet papered our tree, ziplined from the clock to the tree, drank some hot chocolate and left the mess everywhere, etc.  The kids are going to be really upset when he goes back to the north pole.  Kate is already experiencing anxiety.  Seriously.  It's pretty pathetic.  She is going to have to be in therapy because our "elf" went back to the "north pole".  Well, she probably would have ended up in therapy anyway, after all, she is my daughter, so might as well give her a jump start!  ha! Anyways, here are a few pictures of the madness:

Now, for more important news, one of my dearest friends has added an addition to her family.  She and her husband has welcomed a sweet, precious, baby boy by way of adoption.  There really are no words to express how excited and thankful I am for them.  They have waited so long, and ever so patiently for this little boy.  I am humbled and beyond blessed from watching this miracle take place.  This little boy is so blessed and loved.  I can't wait to watch him grow up and watch my friend enjoy every minute of motherhood.  Congratulations, my friend.