And so it begins....

I'm determined this holiday season to enjoy every moment that I can from the decorating, to the I WANT THAT, to the pure joy of watching the girls get excited over their stockings- I'm doing it and planning on being in the moment as much as possible. In the past few years it seems like everything has been so crazy and hectic- travelling here, running over there, doing this and doing that. I'm determined to still do as much of it as we can but I'm planning on really doing it- make sense? With that said, I heard that in Olympia they have a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and parade to kick off the holiday season. My mom and I bundled up the girls and headed out to watch the parade. It was dorky, simple, but fun! With hot chocolates for the girls and my mom and I's favorite holiday coffee drinks in hand we clapped and cheered as Santa and Mrs. Clause came by and even got to see some former students which is always fun. After the parade we decided to venture into a few shops. I always forget how great the shops are in downtown Olympia! We sauntered from store to store and eventually ended up at the toy store where the kids played until we begged them to go back to the car. I got in the car and felt happy and relaxed and like we really had fun...I think were off to a good start to our busy holiday season!

I didn't take very many pictures but this one stood out. So protective of one another. I love it.

And keeping with my motto of the season, when Taylor asked me tonight if she could paint by number her new polar bear Christmas picture I replied with an enthusiastic Yes! (Even though under my breath, I was cursing my mother who bought them for the girls!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

We started our Thanksgiving morning with a yummy breakfast shared with Carolyn and Jerry. I had to take a picture...we have snow in the background- a first!


Sweet girls who I'm so very thankful for!


Maddie made Dave and I this centerpiece at her preschool to use for our breakfast....thank goodness we finally got to use it- not sure how much longer it was going to last :)

Taylor made this at school! In Love with it! Certainly something that will be on my table for many years to come!

After breakfast, we actually got the Christmas decorations out! The girls had fun looking at all the things we had packed away and their rooms are officially decorated for the holiday! (they are anxiously awaiting a tree though!) We then headed out for Everett around 3 and I was anxious to arrive to meet this sweet baby girl!

Kylee Kathleen Bjella! Welcome to our family!
Born November 20th

Taylor seems so old all of a sudden.....

And it wasn't long ago that we were all holding Miss Maddie!




We had lots of fun visiting and eating. Connie and Richard had lots of fun things for the kids to do- one of the highlights? Making turkeys!

I think I've already mentioned how Thankful we are to have this sweet pea in our lives but just in case you didn't hear it the first time, I'll say it again...SO THANKFUL!


And this one? Just as Thankful! Her smile and laugh light up our lives daily!

And Miss Emilie...this year I'm thankful she actually likes me :) I think I'm officially loved by my niece and I certainly hope she knows just how thankful I am for her and all the joy she brings to our lives!

As for the rest of the family? Well, John was too busy last night to stop and get his picture taken and Trey? Well, I held him for a good portion of the night and honestly, I didn't grab my camera! Dang.

It was so much fun to be with the entire family- we filled that dining room up good and plenty- a first in quite a few years. So much to be thankful for...Dave- my ultimate husband who supports and loves me in all that I do. Taylor and Maddie- 2 great kids who are fun loving, kind and full of life. My job- love those 6 year olds! My mom- an amazing person who is so giving and loves her grandkids with all her heart and for Grandma's health, 2 new babies born healthy and happy into our family, my list could go on and on....

Snow Days!

As most of you know, I LOVE the snow! So, as Monday came to a close and it was a winter wonderland at our house I secretly went to bed hoping for at least a 2 hour delay for school the next day. And now, here I sit two days later with snow still on the ground...and I haven't been to work in two days! Lovin it!

The roads were extremely bad yesterday- so bad that even Dave got to stay home with us (administrators are expected to still be at work no matter the weather conditions- don't get me started on my thoughts about this!). We had a fantastic day of doing just about nothing (my favorite!). The kids had a great time sledding- so much fun in fact that they pretty much stayed outside from 10 a.m. until 7 at night with only a few pit stops for lunch, hot chocolate and cookies! One thing that I love about our neighborhood is that when snow comes, everyone is around- literally! By the end of the night we had lots of the neighbors over and about 15 kids out back sledding. Love, love, love days like yesterday! Dave and I managed to play some crib, read and play in the snow with the girls.

I've told myself today that I will do at least one load of laundry, pick up the house a bit and possibly put the Thanksgiving stuff away but so far I've been on the computer (kids are already outside!), talked on the phone and read a few pages in my book. Have I mentioned yet, that I love snow days?? :) Okay, I leave you with pictures of our day yesterday! Enjoy!

The ultimate sledding girl! The faster, the better!

The girls did a lot of snow eating...ICK!

We ended the sledding marathon with our good friends- the Glocks and the Meconi's!
From left to right...Mason, Addy, Mateo, Ellie, Taylor and Maddie

I was lucky enough to go down a very steep hill of ice with Maddie- can't even begin to tell you how sore I am today...SaD! And, I'm on the look out for a cute girly hat like the one I'm wearing...this is my first winter season with glasses- stocking caps don't work with those darn things! Let me know if you find any cute one's like the one I'm wearing (which is Dave's!).

We had two very happy, tuckered out kids last night! Let it snow! (some more!)