January Snapshots

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhtDZR4Hau8

Ella and Ms. Margaret

Somebody loves her momma 💜

January brought some really cold days. Ella insisted on sending Nagymama a picture to show her all she was missing out on here in NY! I think it's safe to say she will be in Florida until the weather makes a warmer shift. 

It was so cold! #readyforspring

Daddy was in Arkansas for a week and we missed him a ton. Ella slept with Daddy's shirt every night. On the first morning, Ella cozied up (with her daddy's shirt and Syracuse blanket) on the kitchen floor while I packed school lunches. 

An unexpected pediatrician appointment while Daddy is away 

My faithful buddy when Joe is away and all the girls are asleep

I love these moments. 

this girl 😍

Abby loves to read to her little sisters. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ-S35G0lyo&feature=youtu.be

We were all excited when Joe got home, but Ollie made sure to let him know it first! He was so happy to see his dad behind the door. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ_gcmBOf0k&feature=youtu.be

The girls woke up to this fun reunion! (picture not staged...they really adore their daddy this much)

Juliet had her first dance class. I was the teacher, so Juliet decided she wanted to observe and do very little. She basically did her own thing while I taught a little group of toddlers. By the end of the month, she was participating and following directions like the rest of the class. She was so excited to go to class with her little friends each week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtbffbMYou4&feature=youtu.be

This was how I woke up the morning after Joe got home. Who needs a teddy bear?

Ella went to her friend Gianna's birthday party!

Abby received a Justice gift card for her birthday, which is super exciting in her 8 year old world. It wasn't long before we had a plan for a Friday date night at the mall (just the two of us). She packed her little purse and did her hair. We stopped to get a special drink and then took our time walking through Justice. It was especially fun because it wasn't just another errand we were running. We took our time and she could browse with her "own money". She took her shopping decisions very seriously. We made about five laps around the store checking and rechecking before she decided on an emoji jewelry hanger, a new necklace and pair of earrings and a bath bomb for a relaxing "grownup" bathtime she intends to have with a good book. So sweet! Then, I had to stop at Ulta for some replacement makeup and Abby took it upon herself to apply makeup at every sample station while I shopped. (if only I had taken a picture) Joe called us at about 8:30 and asked it we were lost. Two and a half hours had passed so quickly and we had no idea what time it was! When we got in the car, Abby told me she wasn't ready for the night to end. We had the best night! 

Sunday afternoons are for starting 1000 piece puzzles! 

Juliet had a morning date with Mommy at Barnes and Nobles and read me some books.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxyWb2LQCMw&feature=youtu.be

I love everything happening in this picture. There's nothing like a fresh stack of library books after all our intense puzzle work that afternoon. P.S. When did Abby get big enough to have to study for a science test? 

 Juliet LOVES school!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGotzDNrraU&feature=youtu.be

Making a snowman with Ms. Ellie at school

Ella's rendition of "Bye Bye Bye"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FupfkUb9Ts&feature=youtu.be


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAGc5p4om0U&feature=youtu.be

Countdown to the New Year

After Christmas, we packed up and headed to New Jersey to celebrate with the rest of the family. The night before, Juliet came down with a fever. It was a hard decision to still go because she was struggling and so sad, but we decided to make the trip. I kept our sweet little sickie happy for part of the ride with Snapchat filters.

She was so sad, but as soon as I moved to the back and held her hand, she fell asleep.

We were all excited when the girls opened a special gift from Grammy and G-Diddy--a trip to see the Nutcracker the next day.

Playing with Johnny was definitely a favorite part of the trip!

Story time with Grammy and G-Diddy

"I really love you G-Diddy!"

Organ lessons with Daddy

Johnny learning from Uncle Joe

All the ladies (minus Juliet who took a nice long nap with her Daddy) went into Philly to see the Nutcracker the next day. It was a great afternoon. I loved watching the girls. They not only appreciated the magical performance because they were watching a live show, but because they could also appreciate it on a ballet level. They loved every minute of it. Though Ella did say she wished there was some words and talking! :)

Thanks for the special experience gift, Grammy!

We got home in time to get Juliet in to the doctor before the next holiday weekend. It turned out her cold had turned into a double ear infection. After a few doses of antibiotics, our happy and energetic little girl was back to her usual self just in time for New Year's Eve.

We said goodbye to 2017 with a houseful of little girls, good friends we could relax with and ice cream sundaes! It was pretty perfect. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-bTLERbr28

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bInJCT-N0c

Goodbye 2017...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfgIBrj7sWA

Hello 2018...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ528NGqJUo

2017, you will always be remembered as a total game changer year for our family. The reminder that walking through the hard can bring unexpected goodness on the other side. The reminder that God cares more about the process than the immediate fix. The reminder that His plans for us are better than anything I could dream for myself. Ending 2017 like "Phew we survived!" and looking forward to 2018 like "It's time to thrive!"

Happy New Year! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gf29k5MA-MQ

Merry Christmas 2017

In the morning, we woke up to the first white Christmas we've had in a while. Everything was still when we looked out the window. Ella was quick to make sure everyone knew that God had given us a sweet Christmas gift of a beautiful snowy morning. 

The girls were up before six and I was able to hold them back until about 6:30. Then, they started Christmas morning in their very favorite way...by jumping on Uncle Cory to let him know it was time to OPEN PRESENTS! He really is happy about it...you just can't tell when I take a picture that shines a flash in his face as soon as he opens his eyes. 

First, unpacking those stockings!

Uncle Cory couldn't stop playing with Abby's mermaid sequin flip pillow! By the end of Christmas day, he was wishing for his own fidget spinner and flip pillow. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwzt3YkLWxE

Crazy Christmas morning hair!

These sweet sisters love each other. I loved watching them exchange the gifts they specifically picked out for each other.

In between stockings and presents, we stop for some breakfast. Egg Casserole, cinnamon rolls and fruit salad fueled us for round two.

One of Juliet's very favorite gifts this year was getting her own wallet.

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

Papa and Juliet having a coffee date.

The Christmas morning grande finale was a special surprise from Nagymama.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR6dI3Idblo

The afternoon festivities continued when Grandma, Casey and Bella arrived.

Having Bella with us was a fun new addition to our family this year!

Grandma and her girls

Checking out the very cool gift Bella's mom made the girls.

Heart to heart with Grandma

True love is teaching him how to trim his nose hairs with his new trimmer.

We enjoyed a fancy birthday cake for Jesus this year as Abby read us the last day of our advent devotional. It was a powerful way to wrap up our celebrations.

I was so thankful for all the moments we had together on Christmas. I love every minute we have with so many people we love under the same roof. After everyone headed home, I collapsed on the couch in the middle of all the toys and wrapping paper scraps with a full heart. So thankful for this life.