Happy New Year!

We ended up having a mellow evening at home this year (but I still insisted on hats and noisemakers).

I hope everyone out there had a great 2014 and that 2015 is even better!

My resolution for 2015:  To slow down and stop stressing and worrying so I can appreciate the little things and live in the moment!  No more being worn down by the daily grind. Bring on positive thinking, adventurous spirit, fun, youthful excitement, and memory making moments!

Another Holiday Gone

Christmas came and went so quickly this year. Chase kept flipping back and forth on the Santa topic this year and Keira discovered the joy of opening gifts. 

We had a lovely Christmas Eve get together with a fun White Elephant exchange that included a Jesus action figure, fish house decor, and other awesome pieces of junk.

Christmas morning was filled with good food and amazing gifts.  What more could anyone ask for?

After that we entered survival mode with the kiddos (over two weeks of no school and long unstructured days is enough to exhaust anyone).

We have hit the movies, the Butterfly pavilions, Grammy and Pops' house, the rec center, the mall and meals out, we have built legos, read books, maximized screen time, played with new toys, what else is there?! We need ideas!

Now the new year is right around the corner and we are saying goodbye to another year...

Part of me is really ready to move forward and start fresh and the other part feels like kids are growing up too fast, I'm not ready to "get old", and that I still have so many more goals to achieve.

Who knows what next year will bring, hopefully joy, laughter, accomplishment, excitement, adventure, hope, health, friends and family, creativity, love, a bit of old and a bit of new...

Annual Holiday Party

We had our 3rd annual neighborhood party, many fun memories. 

Santa even made an appearance. 

Keira was suspicious of Santa...

And she wasn't about to smile for a picture.

But some of the men were up for the challenge.

By the end of the night Keira gave in and let other people hold her.

Happy Holidays. 

My Christmas Wish

Zoo Lights

Every year we hit Zoo Lights...we eat popcorn and candied nuts, buy over priced glow toys, and freeze our butts off. It is one of my favorite activities and gets me in the holiday spirit. 

This year we even rode the carousel!  Keira was a little terrified. 

Chase took a walk on the wild side - chomp!

Keira fell asleep half way through. 

Can't wait until Christmas!!!!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

I can't believe how close Christmas is!  We have already had our work party, most of the gifts are wrapped, and we have an upcoming neighbor party, phew things have been busy!  We thought Chase had given up on believing in Santa this year but out of the blue the other day he announced he changed his mind and that he wants to believe this year. Lol - I wonder if he is afraid he won't get gifts if he doesn't believe. 

This weekend B took me to see the Moscow Ballet perform the Nutcracker as an early surprise. It was really fun - I can see why every little girl (or grown adult in my case) wishes they had a sparkly tutu and tiara to dance in.  Who wouldn't want to be a ballerina??

Keira was so tired she passed out on the couch while watching tv...

Last night we had a little gift giving get together with a friend. He spoils our kids and always thinks of the perfect gifts. They were so happy! They even got a head start on grandparent gifts. It's good to be a kid!

We still have to squeeze in Zoo lights, maybe some baking if we can find the time, and some of my favorite holiday movies. 

Puppy Love

Meet Jaxx...

and Dog...

Keira will not call Stark anything but Dog....

Keira's First Phrase

Keira has looked at B and said "my Dada" three times now!  It is the only time she has strung words together. So cute.

Christmas Decorations

We put our tree up on Thanksgiving this year. I love putting up the tree and sorting through all the ornaments. 

Keira was a big fan of the sparkles on the tree skirt.

She has also been enjoying taking ornaments off the tree...

And lastly a cute Daddy snuggles picture just for fun. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!  

This year I am so thankful for my family.  I have the best children, husband, and parents that anyone could ask for.  I am glad that we are all healthy and happy and I am looking forward to spending the day with everyone.

This morning Keira decided to give us a scare by bonking her head on the coffee table.  Check out that goose egg!  Ouch!

Here is a picture of Chase at almost the exact same age with his own little injury (this must be an accident prone age).

Just for giggles here are a few Chase and Keira pictures for comparison.  Same squeezable cheeks, same wispy mullet, same button noses.  So cute.

Loft

B and I both admitted that as a kid loft and bunk beds were the coolest thing ever. So of course when we found this bed at IKEA we couldn't resist getting it for Chase. 

 Keira of course tried to help put the bed together which wasn't helpful at all.

What kid wouldn't like this right?!

Now if only we can get him to stay in it past 6 AM...