Christmas Eve 2015

Christmas Eve

Christmas was wonderful as always. We planned on traveling this year, but plans changed and my mother and sister came here instead. We had a small group, but a great time. Christmas Eve ate marinated flank steak with chimichurri and delicious sides! After a great meal we made a gingerbread house and read about Jesus's birth. The kids were excited to go to bed for once, knowing that Santa was on his way! 

Josh wasn't interested in a group picture

Mama, Amy, and I stayed up a while chatting and wrapping presents. Greg was busy putting together a scooter for Josh. The tree was beautiful and sparkly while we worked. 

Christmas morning was so fun! Bailey came and woke us up with news that Santa had come. She wouldn't admit it, but we knew she had already gone through the stockings and had an inventory in her head of what everyone was going to receive. Josh received some big boy underwear in his stocking. He looked at them and promptly said, "no thank you!" and threw them! Even Santa can't get him interested in potty training! We all got a good laugh out of his reaction. He did love two Dollar Store trucks in his stocking and was very satisfied with that! The kids were so happy and grateful as they took turns opening their presents. I was so happy at their behavior. Santa came through and brought what the kids had asked him for.

Bailey-A Zoomer Kitty(robot cat)

Ella-A Cotton Candy Machine

Josh-An Excavator  

Birthday 2015

We had some wonderful celebrations for the girl's 5th and 7th birthdays! Josh and Mom delivered donuts to both of their classes. We went to dinner at Buca Di Beppo, and then the annual Best Friends Birthday Black Bear Breakfast the next day!

My Trio

Sometimes being a mother is exhausting, and I know I am not alone in that feeling. When I have had a tough day, looking at pictures of their cuteness is just the cure I need. My husband took these snapshots after church a couple of weeks ago. I think he really captured their personalities in these shots. They are growing and changing before my eyes. I know I am so blessed to be their mother.

Join the Linderman's Fight!

My friend Erica and I have been working on an online fundraiser for our friends, the Lindermans. Trevor Linderman is 31 years old and battling aggressive brain cancer. Trevor is a wonderful husband and father of two young children. Please share his facebook page and add the "Join the Linderman's Fight" widget to your blog. Every penny counts. 

http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/join-the-linderman-s-fight-/303310#.VNlzGEpXY3f.facebook

18 Months...We made it!

At 18 months you...

-make giant messes all day long
-love going to nursery at church
-dance when you watch "Yo Gabba Gabba"
-want to eat fruit snacks "nacks" constantly
-are a terrible sleeper, you wake up a lot at night
-you cry for Bailey at night
-only get to have your binky "minky" when you sleep
-love the book "Busy Bugs", especially the page of flies
-still wear size 3 shoes
-love socks but freak out if they aren't on all the way
-repeat what everyone says around you
-love to say "apples","bubbles", "diaper", "buckle" and "poop"
-love to snuggle with Dad when you are tired
-point at your shoes when you want to go somewhere
-love to be out and about
-empty the low kitchen cabinets
-love light switches and watching lights go on and off
-are so popular with the neighborhood kids
-love animals
-know ears, nose, eyes, knee, elbow, teeth and hair
-despise your high chair
-love playing with Ella and Bailey
-like to eat macaroni and cheese but call it "noodles" 
-eat a waffle every morning for breakfast
-love other kids and babies
-get jealous when Mama or Bay are holding other babies
-love to play with Mega Blocks
-give your family lots of hugs and kisses
-love the duck statues and owl statue next door
-you love to "quack", "moo", and "roar"

weight 20.41 pounds (1%)
length 31.65 inches (29%)
head 18.2 inches (13%)
 
 

Welcome 2015

Big Josh and Ella at dinner

An intense interpretive dance to "Let it Go!"

Lexy and Big Josh enjoying fireworks in the snow

Snow!

Bay loving the snow

Little Josh in the snow

2014 was a great year for us, we were very blessed in many ways. Some great moments were; Josh turning one, Ella going to her final year of preschool and Bay starting First Grade. We had no idea that on New Year's Eve we would get snow! We celebrated with the Marshall Family. We went out for a great dinner and then to the Marshall home to hang out. We watched some of the performances in NYC on TV. The kids all loved the live performance of "Let it Go!" We also went out to do fireworks in the falling snow.  None of us knew that Little Josh had made his way outside in his socks! We quickly remedied the situation and enjoyed the fireworks! Once we came in we played on the Wii and rung in 2015 with sparkling apple cider! Thanks 2014 and welcome 2015!  

14 Months Old

Josh is so incredibly fun right now. I am constantly chasing him around everywhere we go. He is talking more and more all the time. He looked so cute at church on Sunday that I decided to take a few pictures when we got home. His hands are full of rocks(he is obsessed with rocks). This was the first time he had worn his tie and he looked so great!