Abby's Artwork

February Break Adventures

Our February break was filled with some fun adventures and beautifully unseasonal weather. Our week seemed to be equal parts relaxing and intentional fun!

The girls and I took a trip to the Wapp for a day of grandparents fun, starting at brunch with Papa. Brunch with Papa = all the sprinkles pancakes and extra whipped cream. My dad even drove my car through the car wash for me afterward.

Teaching Papa how to take a selfie!

While my dad was reading the menu, Juliet would tap his hand until he looked up at her and then she would act like it wasn't her. :)

Papa and his girls!

Next stop: bowling with Grandma

We met my mom at the same bowling alley I grew up going to (bowling club in the fifth grade, bowling birthday party at 7, countless Friday nights with friends in high school), which made it extra fun for me to bring the girls there. We spent the afternoon bowling and playing arcade games. The girls were so excited.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7UX6womVL4

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

Juliet making Grandma's dreams come true for the afternoon

Sweet tired baby after all that fun and grandparent love

70 degrees in February has been an amazing gift to us during winter break week. Even sweeter, Joe took some days off, so we could have some family days and we got to spend a lot of it outside!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLsXKGDkbc8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB26VJ0R7lo

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

When the girls are on a daddy date, Cory comes over earlier than expected and is not only willing to come on my three mile walk with me, but says if we reroute the walk to Starbuck...he's buying! :)

We just kept soaking up all the spring goodness while we could, instead of thinking about the 30 degree weather that was headed back the next day.

Last day of winter break and we were all feeling like, "Spring! You can come back now!"

Thankful for all the rest and all the quality time and all of the memories! Thankful for my family! :)

February Snapshots

I love this for a million reasons, but one is that Ella is singing one of her very favorite contemporary Christian songs and two that she is pretending to read it from the hymnal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Nl3pYNY9S8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuwjZ2fVWrs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjSSMCsdE0I

sweet sissies

February arrives and we are all craving more Vitamin D. Ollie is always in search of the perfect spot.

Abby made this family project in Pioneer Girls. It makes me smile every time I look at it hanging in the kitchen.

Friday family dinners with Uncle Cory are definitely a favorite weekly event around here. We are enjoying this special season while it lasts.

One night at dinner, Abby was talking about who she thinks she could marry when she grows up. Ella got very quiet and thoughtful as she pushed her food around her plate. Then, after a significant amount of time and when the conversation had moved on, she looked right at Cory and asked...
Ella: Uncle Cory, do you think you are going to get married someday?
Cory: I hope so.
Ella: Do you think it's going to be soon or do you think you can wait until I'm old enough so we can get married?
(We soaked up all the sweetness of the moment, as we watched her seriously and innocently wait for an answer. Then, we all explained to her that she couldn't marry Uncle Cory because he is her family and you can't marry your family.)
Ella: But why? I mean....I love him so much and he loves me so much and that's why people get married.
Cory: I love you so much, but that's different because I'm your uncle.
Ella: Ok, I guess I'll marry Papa then. 💙💙💙

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zicnmgi9oVY

Abby was invited to a birthday party at the bowling alley and loved it. She had some good beginner form!

Abby and her buddy Christine

Spontaneous night out with one of my faves. Our sweet husbands stayed with all the kiddos (six kids under seven) and gave us the gift of uninterrupted catch up time. What's even better than adult conversation in complete sentences? Having it with a friend who you don't need to speak complete sentences with because she knows you and you don't have to explain. It was just what my heart needed. Every time I look at this picture, I will remember the crazy eye cappuccino and how we laughed so hard in the parking lot that I almost peed my pants.

This face. My sweet girl. It's moments like these that make me want to freeze time and kiss her sweet cheeks over and over again.

February 2017 was filled with faux spring days and huge snow storms! When Spring weather started poking through mid winter and we soaked up every bit of it.

No coats in February!

These days 😊 Lots of trolls and Shopkins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqte9fuklHY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGaBBGHOWW8

The morning after a rough's night sleep most likely caused by all the little ladies sitting on top of me first thing in the morning. :)

Fort building in Juliet's room

Snow day forts and a slower pace with all my babies in one place was such a gift to me.

Ella helped me cook dinner tonight, while pretending to film her Food Network show. She explained boiling and simmering to the "audience", measured out her thyme, whisked her milk and flour mixture and explained how you cn know your cheese is Swiss by its holes. She has been helping me in the kitchen ever since she could climb onto the chair next to me and I never want her to stop! On tonight's menu: Turkey and Swiss Sloppy Joes OR Turkey and Swiss Sloppy Daddies as we call them in our house.

Juliet's signature dance move:

Sick girl just wanted to snuggle her daddy.

And then there's Oliver...

Then, she eventually fell asleep on her mommy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GKrquDfJ-Y

Superbowl Sunday is also a special poodle's 3rd birthday at our house! It was a big party over here, which really just means football food for us and puppy ice cream for Oliver. I'm not sure who loves who more, but we have the best little pup around!  P.S. Ella was also really excited for the "Superball". She was totally ready to watch some "flip ball".

Grammy came to visit and the girls loved every bedtime story, snuggly moment with her!

Two of our favorite Ella-isms: eyetacks (for contacts) and imaginated (as in "I imaginated it!")

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3TNLRzRFgg

Superball!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHMXhJ_7W4I

Pre-Valentine's Day pedicures for everyone = an excited little sister who loved being treated like a big girl and two proud big sisters who are her biggest cheerleaders.

"Why are they out there without me, mom? I'm ready! Let's go!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQkWSiuVf_0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2XVXNsKoM4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OkXtfj1N9Q