A Countdown to the New Year

With Christmas over and daddy home with us for the whole week, we were looking forward to lots of quality time together. In between visitors, we watched movies, had a Barbie wedding to welcome Kristoff to the Barbie box, did lots of crafts, had a doll lemonade stand, followed by round after round of Frozen Uno. We did everything we could to stay in our PJs a little longer and intentionally "be" together. It was exactly what we all needed.

Then, just like that Abby lost her fourth tooth! You guys...is she the cutest toothless girl or what?

December Pie: Mini French Silk Pies

Ella loves reading books in Mommy and Daddy's bed and she loves it even more when she has company.

We had friends coming for coffee one morning, so I found the coffee cake recipe that Nana gave me the year Joe and I got married. Yum! It was as good as we remembered.

If you could know how I made Abby's world when I let her hold and carry her baby sister to the next room. She insisted that Juliet just needed her big sister to rock and calm her.

Abby helped me change Juliet's diaper and get her down for a nap, then followed me into the kitchen.

A: Mommy, I know exactly what I want for my birthday!

M: But Christmas just ended and your birthday is three weeks away...(sigh)

A: Will you please frame those pictures of me holding Juliet for my gift? I want to put them in my room. 

...and then my heart exploded! #thebestkindofgift #yesyesyes

When you need to run some errands and your friend meets you, keeps you company, pushes your cart around while you find what you need and then holds your baby while you enjoy some adult conversation and Starbucks = :)

Chrissy, Terry and Devon came for their annual Christmas visit! It was a great day together. The girls were totally smitten with Devon. From junior high to babies...I'm so thankful for Chrissy and her sweet family. It's hard to believe we've been friends for 17 years and counting.

Then, Grammy and G-Diddy arrived and it was time for Christmas round 3. The reindeer nose in Joe's stocking for the win!

We had lots of fun opening gifts. The girls loved having Grammy and G-Diddy there to play with them. We even managed to get it together quickly enough to get out to dinner for the first time since Juliet was born.

Thank you Uncle Tommy and Aunt Tori!

Thank you Uncle Brad and Aunt Alex! 

Group hug with Grammy! We love when Grammy and G-Diddy come to visit. :)

Meanwhile, G-Diddy grabbed a quick nap with his little buddy.

New Years Eve at our house looked like homemade Chinese food and a glowstick pajama party, complete with a Netflix New Years Countdown at 7:30. We had big plans of playing lots of board games, but the truth is our girls were TIRED and needed sleep. The best part is they still thought it was the most exciting celebration. They remind me daily that there is so much joy in the little things.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYwTE-2M5mg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upG8pe-GmZg

Cheers to 2016! (with sparkling juice of course)

January 1, 2016

I love fresh starts. Those who know me know there are few things that excite me more than a brand new planner. As I sit here with my colored pens and new notebook...goal setting, list making and dreaming, I'm reminded of the scripture Joe and I engraved on the inside of our wedding bands and continue to pray for our lives and our family. Here's to 2016 and to the God who holds it all in His hands.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." -Ephesians 3:20-21

Christmas Day 2015

It was the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring except our little Juliet who woke up way more times than usual. I don't know if it was a growth spurt or all of the excitement, but baby girl had this momma up ALL NIGHT LONG. Then, Abby jumped out of bed at 5 am filled with Christmas joy right as I got Juliet back to sleep in her crib. I managed to hold her back with a show and some games on my phone while I took a short nap next to her, but then she woke me up at six unable to wait another minute.

These are some excited little girls! They got all the guys out of bed and waited patiently for everyone to gather round while they started on their stockings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmD6YUIv21I&feature=youtu.be 

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVfQFBisip8&feature=youtu.be

If there was a special gift the girls were dreaming they'd find under the tree, it was an American Girl doll. Ella was hoping for Grace and Abby hoped for Mary Ellen. It was such a special gift and they knew it. They were dreaming, but I don't think they expected it to happen. Joe and I couldn't wait to see their faces when they opened them. The moment was especially sweet for me because I had always wanted an American Girl when I was a little girl. Having the chance to give them to our girls was the best. The dolls have been by their sides ever since.

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pqa3Diq6-Q&feature=youtu.be

"What happens at Papa's house stays at Papa's house."

One of my favorite parts of Christmas this year was seeing the looks on the girls' faces as they watched me open the special gifts they made me.

Seriously, is there anything better than this? 

Christmas morning videos always makes me laugh, because they always show just how chaotic the morning becomes when the gift giving gets underway. There is so much excitement and so many voices talking over each other. This year, we even added a Face Time call with Nagymama, so she could be there with us when we opened our gifts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyKncNKUFQ8&feature=youtu.be

With two big dogs around, Ollie needed some moral support when it came to eating breakfast.

Welcome to Grace and Mary Ellen's Sweets and Snack Shoppe!

All smiles over here! Merry Christmas from this little beauty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFSlsLKk2-Y

 The annual Playmobil build with Papa.

Oh those cheeks...

My dad got Joe a really fun little remote control droid that takes photos and videos. The weather was so beautiful that everyone could be outside playing with it after breakfast. My dad and Joe spent at least an hour outside flying it (and crashing it) up and down the street. I only wish I had a video of them learning how to use it. It was really fun to watch. The best part was that my windows were open (due to the crazy 60 degree Christmas Day weather), so I could hear all the fun, laughing and crashing while I prepped the food for lunch.

I had to keep reminding myself that it was Christmas and not Easter, because it felt like spring.

My mom and Casey came for lunch and we feasted. Our table was filled with way too many delicious finger foods and snacks. Then, it was on to round 2 of gifts.

Where it all began....funny face!

Ella decided to decorate Casey!

One of my favorite moments was dessert when we brought out Jesus' birthday cake and Ella led us in song. She surprised us all! :)

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

 Matching jammies!

When Joe and I gathered our girls (and pup) and snuggled up on the couch for a family picture, we looked at each other with a smile and silent understanding. In that moment, we were blissfully aware of just how full our hands and hearts really are. It was the perfect way to end a sweet sweet day! Merry Christmas from this Cassel crew!