Christmas 2017

Our family loves Christmas! We love cutting down our tree and spending time together. We love looking at lights and getting new jammies. We love to decorate cookies and make treats for our friends and neighbors at Christmas. And we love to read "The Donkey in the Living Room" and are always talking about why we celebrate Christmas to begin with. This year was another great Christmas for us. Any pictures I have are on my phone as I made a deliberate effort to enjoy the moments with my family and not through a lens.

Christmas dresses! Some people were not into the picture! :)

Wreath cupcakes for Jesus' birthday!

Matching jams for the girls and their dolls!

Santa's cookies and milk and of course carrots for the reindeer.

Santa was very good to us this year. 

My special tree! When I was growing up my grandparents had a tree in their living room that had all their gold ornaments on it. They got a new one each year and they were always so beautiful. I grew up with that tree and after my grandfather passed away (when I was pregnant with Ellie) all of us grandkids got a box and letter from my grandmother. My grandfather and her had decided that they wanted each grandchild to receive some of the ornaments. At this point I probably have 30 or so and get a new one from her each year! I love them! They have such meaning for me and I have ones for years that have such meaning to us as a family, such as 2009 (the year Ellie was born) and train ones (which Ben loves trains). This year I decided to get a little tree for them and put it in my foyer so it can be front and center and we can display all of them since our other tree was getting full. I have a feeling this one could get full and I might have to get a bigger tree. ;)

Ellie Turns 8

Sweet Ellie turned 8 on November 11th! Ben and I can not believe she is 8. She wanted to get her ears pierced and so that is exactly what we did. She is the little girl that made us Mom and Dad and she is such a light to us. She is fun and sensitive. She is a GREAT big sister to Quinn and Mia. She is loving and is great at making my hot tea, which she loves to do A LOT! She is super smart and loves to read. She is our thinker. She thinks about all that is around her and hears and really processes it. She looks a lot like Ben and has a personality that is a mix of us both. She is a great example to her sisters and to those around her. We love her so much and are so proud of the little lady she is becoming!

Somehow Mia dodged all the pictures, but she was there!

Fall Fun 2017

We continued our apple picking tradition this year with the girls. It was the first year I was not "wearing" a child and was so nice to get to take pictures and enjoy the beautiful day as a family.

Mia displaying her true personality during most photos. 

She agreed to take one with Mom. Photo credit goes to Ellie.

In October we went to our usual nursery to pick our pumpkins and enjoy the corn pit. Most of our pictures are on my phone, which I will put on the blog later. This year we had a black cat, cowgirl and ladybug. It was Mia's last year with a hand me down costume. Ellie picked her costume last year wanting a costume that was warm. When you live in a place this cold comfort comes before style and she has learned that since she has to wear a coat over her costume she should start picking one that is warm. :) We put on our toe warmers, had our hand warmers, hats, gloves and coats and loaded up the wagon and headed out with our hot chocolate in hand. Mia loved trick or treating this year and would run right up there with them. It was the first year that I hardly had to go to any doors with them! 

These three are a barrel of laughs. We definitely don't have a calm and quiet house most days, but it sure is a fun one!

These two LOVE trick or treating!

A 2nd Grader and a Kindergartener

We finished up summer by checking off the last of our summer list. We always make a summer fun list and make sure to experience all that is on there.

Then our sweet girls started school. It is crazy for Ben and I to think we have a 2nd grader. Ellie is our typical first born. She always follows the rules at school and is always a wonderful friend and example to those around her. She walks Quinn to class each day and brings her to the car every afternoon many times carrying Quinn's stuff for her. She loves to help others and we don't ever worry about her following the rules. She loves school and excels at it. Our girls tell me everything, so I am well informed on her day and all she does. For 2nd grade she has the most wonderful teacher and she is loved and encouraged at school and I could not ask for more as a Momma.

Quinny ventured into Kindergarten this year! She has Ellie's old teacher, who we adore, and she is thriving. Quinn is more of a free spirit and more into social aspects of school. She is all about helping her friends. She has done wonderful at learning and is thriving in her reading. She is all smiles all the time and loves everything about school. She is in class with her best friend, so that is an added bonus that keeps her wanting to be there everyday. 

And our sweet Mia finally gets Mommy all to herself. She is a girl that is feisty and lets her opinion be known. I am never going to have to worry about her. We are getting lots of good time in together and enjoying having playdates and going on adventures. It has been quite a few years since I had only one at home and I am enjoying it. I am sad to see certain times pass, but I always enjoy the next phase as well. She has grown so much in the past few months and she keeps me laughing all day.

These girls are so loved and make us so proud!