Glad to be back

Traveling is fun. It is exciting and always an adventure for us! And when we are traveling to see family, it is super fun! Our Christmas palooza week was just that. A party in itself. We know the true reason for the season. We explain that to our kiddos, but the magic and smiles that fill our house are also something to celebrate. These sweet girls of mine have been nothing short of giddy. Inspired by lights and music and precious friends and family and their generous gifts. Not only lalaloopsy's and lip gloss. No, it goes so much deeper than that. The love and fellowship that we have felt this past week is something I am so grateful for and appreciative of. My heart and family are so blessed to have such wonderful loved ones in our lives.

A little girl on Santa's lap. Oh my sweet heart. She knew just what to do and gave him the look of magic and hope. Just like it should be. So precious! The fun of pre-school parties is like winning the prize. As the parent, you get to not only have fun yourself, but watching that little one of yours smile and laugh and make over their friends, well, that is just the icing on the cake.











Thursday we celebrated two of our favorite men in our lives. The daddy and the Grandpa. Another year, and we are so happy that no one is ever too old for a party!




Sweet pre-schoolers singing and smiling and having a jolly ole time. This particular Friday evening was one of the best performances I have seen in a while. A full house and laughter set this ever so festive evening and I was one proud mamma! My face hurt from smiling so much!



We have missed our "far away" family, so it was time for a short, but sweet visit with them. As always, we fell right into place, Catching up and getting as much in as we could. The kids are so awesome together. I've mentioned it before, but it is important for them to have these relationships. One day, they will all look back on this and remember and know who is on their side. Sweet memories.









We found a great adventure on Monday morning. Ice show? Maybe... Spectacular and COLD, definitely. Wow. The ice in that building was amazing and beautiful. All bundled up, we smiled and wiped our noses. It was a whopping 5 degrees in there. Quickly, we made our way through and at the end, sweet surrender. Candied pecans and a train ride. Life was good and we had so much fun!









So, back at home we are, and we are rounding that third base heading into home. I am so full of joy and faith and appreciation for so many things right now. This life of mine is pretty darn grand. I can't think of anything more to make me happy or complete. Well, maybe one more thing, but that is a surprise and we'll get to that once we head back into the dugout. Happy week. Hope your palooza is grand.

Rounding Bases

At this point in the month of December, it starts to feel sort of like rounding second base to me. Almost to third base, but not yet home. After the end of this week, we will be rounding third base and heading into home plate. Oh, the festivities. They began this evening with a gingerbread man making party at Nana's. Little girls and big girls sipped hot chocolate and created. Of course the best part of making them is eating them. So fun!


















Helping Nana cook dinner was first on the agenda. My Bean makes the best taste tester.



The hot chocolate that followed was so creamy and delicious. It was so funny to watch them drink it. The cup covered their whole face practically as they turned it up for each gulp.







The room was full of love and laughter all evening. These three girls just love being together and have so much fun. It certainly put us in the Christmas spirit. The music combined with the sweet smell of chocolate and cookies didn't hurt either. Sipping and singing and just loving. It was a great way to start us into the home stretch. Thank you Nana for a wonderful evening.

And look who's back and just as clever as ever. Why, hello John...



Coming home at dark is one of  my favorite things about this time of year. Why, you ask? Because it looks like this. And each and every time, two little girls just beam and say, "look at our beautiful house". It melts my heart each and every time they say it. Little do they know, the beauty lies within. Because they are part of it.



I hope your weekend is a jump start to first base or even second. Whatever it may be, enjoy. Create, sing, sip and let the fun begin! After all, part of the fun of getting to home base is the excitement and adrenaline of each and every step.


Good Night....

It's Official

The countdown has begun. Tick Tock. The wrapping has commenced and the music in our house screams Burl Ives and Bing Crosby. Christmas is going to be so much fun this year! We have been busy, busy around these parts. From decorating to dentists and being thankful, packing it all in just like always.

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The Bean's first visit to the dentist was such fun. Big sister had given her the run down, but you would have never known it was her first time. She hopped up in that chair like a big girl and came up all smiles! Hope the next one is as easy.







A long weekend trip to Tennessee got us right in the spirit for Christmas. Everything there screamed holidays and when we got home, well, we just carried that spirit on over. The second week in November.

Getting the house ready for Christmas has been extra fun this year. We got creative and threw in a few extra decorations. I am so pleased and just love looking at it all. Some would say we did it too early, but it is a lot of work and I want to enjoy it as long as I can.










The town Christmas parade was a HUGE hit for two little girls this year. Watching, waiting for the big, jolly man himself, they enjoyed every minute of it.








Thanksgiving this year gave us two opportunities to celebrate. Once on Thanksgiving day and once the Saturday after. Not complaining here. Good eats and laughter are two wonderful things. I don't think you can ever get enough of them. Getting together with family on these special occasions is so much fun. I love watching the girls with their family. Making memories and building relationships is such an important part of their growth.

We have a busy December ahead of us. But, all fun! All festive and most of all full of love, reunions and special friends and family. Bring it on!!


In ending, please say a prayer for some dear friends of ours. The Robinson family had their world turned upside down a couple of weeks ago. A routine visit to the Dr. turned into a trip to UVA for their 7 year old son. He has been diagnosed and is being treated for cancer. He is a strong, sweet boy and has a long road ahead of him. We just love this family and Ms. Laura(his mother), just happens to be the Bear's pre-school teacher. Just another reason to hold those little ones extra tight friends.



Happy Week!

Projects and Carrotts

What a weekend. A little bit of project finishes with a quick trip to the ER. Our life is never boring.

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Andy's office project has finally come to an end. I really hope it will be the last of projects for a while. I am very excited about his/our new space, but he is tired. It has been a big job done in a short time. That is just the way my husband works though. The ending result, for all of the soreness and frustration, is awesome! I am so proud of him.







These pictures have been blown up to 8x10 and framed to be put above the couch. These are all of the places that Andy has worked. From start to finish. So neat!







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Saturday evening, the four of us snug in our pajamas(ok, we were in them all day), awaiting a little Casper the Friendly Ghost action, my sweet Bear decided not to finish the last chunk of her carrott stick. Instead, she thought putting it in her nose would be a much better idea. I have heard story after story of this happening to people. Other people. Not me. Parenthood is full of surprises. After trying to pull it out with tweasers and no luck(in fact making it worse), we headed to the ER where the nice nurse took a small hook like object, slid it up my daughters nose while I lay over top of her holding her down. And bingo, out came the carrott.

She just smiled and asked if it was time to go home. Just like it was another normal part of our day. Unbelievable. I guess I was way more stressed about it than her. Not much different than most things we encounter. We didn't talk about it at all after that. It didn't come up again until dinner on Sunday evening when saying her blessing, she asked God to help her not put things in her nose. I guess they have it all worked out. And we'll leave it at that.

No, there are no pictures of the carrott incident. Stress and worry trumped catching the moment on camera folks. Maybe next time. As I am sure there will be a next time. As most of you are probably surprised anyway, it just wasn't the Bean's turn.



Happy Week!

Pre-School Outing

We have been so excited about our farm field trip. Closely watching the weather, just hoping and praying for sunshine. And boy oh boy did the good Lord deliver.




We arrived to a wonderful field of colors. I mean, beautiful. A hay ride and minutes later, we were part of a scene that is in one word, magical. I love tree houses. I love the woods. Combine them and you have this beauty. This place is amazing. We have been here once before, but my camera battery died. Not this time. I made sure of it. I didn't want to leave. I could have played for hours, imagination on high speed. Running from one side to the other. Watching for peeping heads from behind trees. For that time, we were all fairies or pirates or whatever we wanted to be. I love how having my own children gives me an excuse to be one myself. No schedules. No worries. Just fun. And lots of smiles!











my precious wood fairy


I loved my date with my Bear. We missed Daddy and the Bean, but one on one time is so precious and rare.





thank you ms. laura for taking this picture


Were are so thankful for our wonderful pre-school teachers and the parents of this  beautiful place. One ordinary Tuesday morning in our life, transformed to beauty, imagination and pure joy. It is times like this in our lives that we don't forget. Our children don't forget. This Thank You comes from the bottom of this mommy's heart!





More fun to come. I am in love with Pre-school. And so excited that I get to do it again next year!!
Happy Tuesday!