Life With Our Little Ladies: 2014

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Getting Ready for Christmas

The excitement of the Christmas season has taken over our home, so have a bunch of germs that has kept us all sick in some form on and off for the entire month. Being sick may have slowed us down and forced us to simplify some of Christmas plans, but preparing our home and our hearts for Christmas has been sweet for us. Abby has been sharing all of her memories from Christmases past and Ella has been asking lots of questions because she doesn't remember last year.

We've been decorating, crafting, baking and wrapping while listening to lots of Christmas music. I never want to forget this was the Christmas Ella ran around singing, "Rudolph the Reindeer Red-Nosed..." on repeat and the year Abby was filled with joy every time we sat down to do a new Christmas craft together. Abby took so much care and pleasure helping me decorate this year. She was my light helper, because Daddy only does the outside lights. Ella has played for hours with the Little People nativity set. I love hearing her conversations while playing.

E (as Mary talking to Jesus): Come here, honey. Mommy loves you. Do you want me to rock you to sleep, Jesus? I know! I'll sing you Jesus loves me. Jesus loves me...yes he do...for the Bible tells me so...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I084YDDZbfQ

Abby and Joe went to cut down our Christmas tree this year. Ella and I had to stay back because she was sick. It wasn't the family day at the tree farm that we envisioned, but Abby had a special and very important date with her daddy, while Ella and I worked on recovering. Being sick didn't stop Ella from being ready to decorate when they got home. Oliver wasn't sure what to make of us bringing the outdoors inside, but quickly decided under the tree would be his new favorite nap spot.

What's going on here guys?

My sweet light helper

captivated by the twinkling lights

The girls are loving Maestro Mouse. Grammy and G-Diddy gave him to us as a gift last year and he has been a fun addition to our Christmas decorations. It looks like Oliver is waiting to see what Ella's next musical selection is going to be, but I'm pretty sure he wants to eat the maestro.

joy.

Amen!

One of the girls' favorite decorating activities is putting festive window stickers in their rooms.

That red sweater...

A lot of days looked like this: snuggled up together, fighting the sick and resting next to the twinkling Christmas tree.

I've been loving the Pentatonix Christmas album this year. Ollie is too. The red turtleneck, bow tie and twinkling lights in the background get me every time, but on top of that he was sitting like an old man and listening to acapella. He really is the best.

We've been busy with lots of fun crafts this year. It was even more fun because Ella was actually old enough to create this year and keep up with her big sister. We made gingerbread cottages, nativity puppets, faux stain glass ornaments and lots of seasonal pictures made with glue, pom poms and pipe cleaners. These girls can outlast the most serious crafters. Next year, I will plan even more.

One afternoon, Abby and I went on a Christmas shopping date. She walked next to me in the mall like the big girl she is and shared her opinions with me about what to buy. She's my little buddy. Our time together in Yankee Candle was fun. Not only did she crack me up with her need to smell every scent before she could help me decide on one, but she is just like her momma with her love for the "colorful candles" and "pretty smells".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMwMH_YoBFk

We added something new to our outdoor lights. We love the colorful trees on our doorstep.

And I leave you with...

Ollie's first time in the snow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7Dd1TPt6Bo

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Thanksgiving 2014

Our Thanksgiving travels didn't happened as planned this year. A nasty snowstorm threatened our travel day, so we broke our normal rythym and made new plans. We hadn't planned to travel until Wednesday when we go to Papa's house and then on Thanksgiving when we head down to Grammy and G-Diddy's house.

We were watching the weather Monday night. Our Tuesday was scheduled like a normal day around here and it started with a dentist appointment for Abby. Sweet girl had two cavities filled and didn't like it one bit. She loves the dentist, but didn't like "having so many things in her mouth for so long". As her laughing gas wore off, she was pretty emotional and sore, so the girls and I went to Panera for a lunch date.

Look at her sweet numb cheek.

We got home from lunch and Joe informed us that in order to beat the storm, we would have to leave that night around dinner time for New Jersey. We were like tornadoes rushing around doing laundry, folding, packing, making a last minute trip to Walmart and packing dinners to eat in the car. It was a whirlwind, but bypassing all traffic and bad weather made it worth it. The girls were excited to get in their jammies and help me pack their personalized road trip dinners. We got in late and after the girls ran off their excitement and energy after a long car trip, we all collapsed into our beds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5PHsl89ccg

This cracks me up every time. Joe stopped at Target and ran into the store quickly while we waited in the car. Oliver was terribly concerned and stood like this looking for his dad the whole time. He nearly jumped through the glass when he saw Joe coming back.

Since we got to town earlier than normal, we were around for Grammy's cooking and baking day. We spent a lot of time in the kitchen helping and playing while all the Thanksgiving fixings started to come together. The girls made turkey hand print name cards for every one's place setting.

no snow here, but lots of wintery slush and ice

I was swooning over this box of scented Crayola's that Grammy saved from the 90's. I'm sure these are long retired crayons and they were nearly brand new in the box. Abby and I were in our crayon happy place. We colored and then did a 100 piece Disney puzzle together.

It was really nice this year to not have to wake up early and rush to get on the road Thanksgiving morning. We always get stuck in hours of traffic when we travel that day. Instead, we woke up and had a slow morning around Grammy's house. The girls' interactions this trip were especially sweet to me as I was reminded of how grown up they both are and how much they really enjoy each others' company. They spent hours playing with toys together and entertaining themselves all around the house with different games.

All dressed and ready for Thanksgiving

We even had time to rest that afternoon before the feasting began. This is how Ella needed to snuggle me to fall asleep. I never want to forget the sweetness of these moments. When she is tired and trying to fall asleep or needing comfort, she always finds my neck (or hers if I'm not there). Both girls fell asleep for a while and I snuck downstairs with a book and enjoyed the stillness of the house.

all set and ready

The Eagles game started right before dinner, so the guys got geared up. G-Diddy and Uncle Tommy even convinced Grammy to let them put a small TV in the dining room, so they wouldn't miss the game during Thanksgiving dinner. The girls mastered the Eagles fight song and sang it on repeat all day.

Fly Eagles Fly!

Uncle Brad and Aunt Alex got a new puppy named Jax. With two puppies and Greeley, the excitement levels were high as Oliver and Jax got to know each other. Look at all these fur babies.

Grammy and her third grandbaby

hanging out on the organ bench...his daddy's pup

seriously...the turtleneck sweater though :)

Thanksgiving 2014

Grammy brought out tons of little animals and Ella was captivated.

One of the most memorable games Abby and Ella played this visit was called "Hat Sale". Abby took all of Uncle Tommy's old collectable hats and set up shop. She even enlisted promotors, held special sales to market to her customers and then filmed a commercial. This girl has got some skills.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9u0Sm50_j8

before turkey/after turkey

The day after Thanksgiving the grown kids had a date night to see Mockingjay! It was so good.

On our last afternoon in New Jersey, we took a trip to the aquarium. It was the girls' first time. They couldn't believe how close we were to real live sharks and giant turtles. I always love the penguins.

my personal favorite. I wanted to stand here and watch all day.

Ella touched a shark.

with Aunt Cyncy

loving Tori

Look at that sweet daddy painting his girl's nails.

Christmas movie with the pups