Trimming the Tree!

Look at Ella's eyes of amazement...."My Daddy is Strong!"

Family traditions are very important, and going to get our tree is one of my favorite. Sure, I like our artificial trees that we have in the house, but the decorating in not complete until "THE Tree" is put up and decorated! It is always an adventure, usually cold, and always a challenge to find just the right one, to often come home and find it leans a bit...or a lot! But the joy of family time, hot cocoa, and the Christmas spirit is well worth it all!

Tessa was very interested in all the ornaments this year, and Ella caught on quickly to the fun! We only broke two ornaments (so far :)! My favorite part is sitting back and enjoying...the room dark, the tree lit, and reading Christmas books! Tis' the season, now I really feel that it is that time of the year! Now, if we could only get Ella to stay out of the presents underneath the tree....good luck on that one!

How still are you???

Have you ever had a tough time keeping your little ones still for any length of time.....Have you tried, the game...."Lets see how still you can be, before you giggle" he, he, he The girls made this one up!

It all started while we were playing doctor. Ella was sitting there still as can be, while she was the patient. Then it turned into a game. They are still for only so long, then they get the belly giggles, then it all falls over. It is kind of like Jenga, but a much cuter version!!

Thanksgiving Highlights....

We have so much to be Thankful for! It is not doubt that Thanksgiving is my favorite! I have enjoyed it since I can remember. I have come the conclusion that many aspects of the day make it my favorite....

Family time, preparing the meal and the table, shopping for all the food, relaxing after the meal, have the family to our home, the fact that most places are closed and it is a day to relax, the smell of the house when we all sit down to eat.....

We had a blessed Thanksgiving! Tessa and Ella were thrilled to have everyone coming over, they kept looking out the window waiting for everyone to arrive! We enjoyed the day with "Grandma Sherry", Gamma Marilyn, Pops, Teri, Tony, Aunt Marilyn, Doug and Debbie...

All the food turned out well, we enjoyed our meal, the kids played great together, and everyone seemed to just take in the day enjoy being together! Tessa, Tony, and Ella sent balloons up in the sky with messages on them to Pa-Pa. Tessa thought they might "Fly up really high and may get to Pa-Pa". It was a day that was "All about our time together!" ....Next year I want to be sure to get a picture of everyone together, I wish I had this year....

Shopping ....Shopping....and more Shopping!

I must say our girls are troopers! Today, they enjoyed and I mean, enjoyed, and behaved at we had a shopping marathon! Mom and Dad are in for Thanksgiving. School is out both Wednesday and Thursday for the holiday, so it makes for a nice shopping day!

The highlights of the day...

• Happy girls!
• Enjoys some shopping and sales
• Time with Mom & Dad
• Many laughs!
• Getting most of the Christmas Shopping Done!

There were very few people out and about, which added greatly to the day! Tessa was so helpful, she would help pick things out, and is becoming very picky about finding just the right gift for others! Tessa and I snuck away to Build a Bear to make a bear for Ella's Birthday! She was SO excited to make a night night bear for her sister, she kissed the heart and was in ahhh of making Ella a special gift, she can't wait to give it to her!

Lunch was fun, and the girls were both asleep within 5 minutes of getting in the car, out like lights! It was a wonderful day!

A Happy 7 Years!

Here is a blast from the past photo!

K & K circa 2001

We celebrated our 7th anniversay this week. Seven years ago this week we were in sunny, calm, Kauai, saying "I Do"...it was certainly a calm and enjoyable day! The past seven years have had their calm moments, their busy moments, joyful moments.... It is a blessing to be married to your best friend, and to the my handsome hubby of seven years!

I love to see him walk in the door! I love being a his wife and the mommy to our girls. Our marriage has been the key to some many wonderful doors in our life. While our wedding day was amazing and all we could have dreamed of, the day to day is cherished just as much as November 22, 2003!

While life has certainly changed in seven years, and we have grown as a family, so has our appreciation and love of having a healthy marriage, we make a wonderful team. When it comes time for us to go to sleep each night, we feel blessed by another day of "Us"! It may sound sappy, but I really Love My handsome husband and our marriage! He is an amazing husband, friend, Daddy,...

Happy Seven Years Kevin....I Love You and the life we share!!! I Love your smile and how the thought of you makes me smile!

Lap....Peas!

It seems that Ella is up to something new everyday..... She recently does not want to be more than an arms reach of her sister. In fact, she wants to sit right by her or one her lap. Luckily, Big Sister has been great with this...so far! It is interesting, on a daily basis, to watch the two of them interact. I can only imagine what the future "Sister Times" will bring... we will take the good and the challenging, all part of having two girls....

Fun with friends....Now and Later!

I could not resist taking a photo of these two girls! Eva, Jaden, Tessa and Ella recently had an evening of non-stop play! The four of them played really well! Jamie and I enjoy watching them play, as they get older, they are all playing together now and it is never a dull moment! Especially when Kevin brings home treats....no surprise there, they all cheer when he walks in the door!

We could't help but reflect on seeing the two girls, now 5 and 4, calmly coloring and chatting. Meanwhile, Jaden and Ella were playing in the living room. "Just think Jamie, in 10 years or so they will be begging us to let them go out somewhere, then they will be asking for the keys....and then...." Could that be?...in 10 short years...how time flies!.... How the priortities of a Friday will change in time! What will really be intersting is if it is Tessa and Jaden asking for the keys!?!?

We both took a huge deep breath and took in the moment a bit deeper, and enjoyed the simplicity of two sweet girls, in their braids, coloring and writing notes....ahhh....the simplicity of the moment!

Later years will bring on new moments, experiences, and journeys. There is true value to a true friend to walk with you through life!... at the age of 5 &4, 15 & 16, 30 something, and beyond, I never lose sight of the value of a true friend! A true treasure!

Look at how much they are growing....

Is she is ready?....yes, signs are telling us, Yes!

Dear Ella,

Mommy couldn't resist! You will understand one day! I promise!

The potty training journey is "On"....Ella is convinced she is ready, Tessa is excited for sister...so here is goes. I guess it is "game on". I will add that she learned the reading from some one other than Mommy.??? I will also add that if she was mimicking Mommy she would have had Tessa in there with her. Try as I may I usually have two cuties talking to me, some thing other Moms can relate to perhaps?

Another milestone is approaching, potty training, our baby is growing up so fast! In another month she will be two. Joyous times!

Sharing a grin......

Luckily Ella had been able to wear many of Tessa's clothes. At this point they both get a kick out of it, and they love it! However, I know that reality will hit at some point.... Until it is so fun to see Ella in the clothes that Tess once wore....it seems like yesterday! The dress she is wearing here was not only worn by Tessa but by Mommy as well! My parents shared a smile seeing her in it, as they did when Tess wore it. Brings back some memories?!

Ella "raided" Tessa's drawer today and I had to laugh at the situation. Tessa insisted that she help Ella get dressed. I took a step back and watched it all go down.....They did it all together and I must add that I was impressed with.... Ella's patience, excitement, and giggles. Then, I was impressed with Tessa's fashion ability (she has had it since day once I am convinced), and her persistence in getting Ella "ready for the Day". She had the diaper on backwards but besides that she did a wonderful job. Then they modeled their outfits, and had so much fun!

I can't help but wonder how very different the scene will be in a few years, I will probably need to REMIND them how much they enjoy being sisters and that they do like one another and that sharing clothes is fun ?!?!?

The Many Joys of Girls!!!!

Kid's Cuisine

Our girls LOVE to help in the kitchen. They do a wonderful job of setting the table and helping to clean up! They both love their aprons, and they come running to help as soon as they hear me working on a meal. Yes, it can make for some chaos some times, I wouldn't want it any other way!

Tessa decided since I had made a crock pot dinner, that it wasn't so fun to help with....so she came up with her own menu. I couldn't resist taking some photos of it. She was SO proud of herself. "Mommy you are a good cook, and I like your meals, here is my part for supper. Don't tell daddy, we can surprise him..... She served frozen ice in a bowl (like a jello mold) and apples in water. She was grinning all the while!

A grand birthday......

This past weekend we celebrated my birthday...."32",

It was on a Saturday, I love weekend birthdays!

Friday my Hottie Hubby, took me out to dinner. It was so nice to just sit and talk. I always look forward to just sitting and chatting with him! I had a great time!

Kevin and Tessa were sneaky and went shopping early, and Ella came in to snuggle with Mommy! Kevin and Tessa came back with three birthday balloons, and a bag of goodies including....a key chain, a Disney Princess Ball and party favors....(princess hats, napkins, horns, and cups). The balloons were 2 happy anniversary balloons and a it's a boy blue balloon. She picked them out all by herself and was SO proud!

The girls and I made cupcakes and had lunch together, and snuggled! It was a relaxing day, Mom and Dad came to visit. I also enjoyed the phone calls and messages from my friends! We all headed to Sherry's house for a birthday dinner, it was a wonderful meal and I loved being all together, my favorite!

I had a great birthday! More important, I feel blessed every day of the year to have the love and family and friends to fill my days.....

"Good Morning Mommy...."

Crying....

Tessa had a bit of a tough day recently. It was time for bed and she decided to protest going to bed. After some reassurance that she NEEDED to go to bed and it was the right thing to do, did I mention she protested.....This was her remark after prayers..... "Mama, I am sorry I threw a fit today and tonight" "Tessa thank you, we forgive you, and we always love you, but you need to remember that somethings need to be, and going to bed on time is one of them." "I wanted to cry Mommy" "Why", "Well, little babies cry and they get what they want or need" (Interesting, I couldn't wait to hear where this was going....) Pause..... "I thought I could get what I want by crying and throwing a fit, (frown) but I didn't" "What do you think about that Tessa?" "I should not do it because it doesn't work" "That is good thinking Tessa some times, we have to learn this way, I love you" "I love you Mommy and I think we should have another new borned baby, I like little babies, Ella is getting bigger." -What a thinking little four year old.....I love the reflection of it all!

Our Bakin' and Rockin' Daddy!

What could be better, a guitar playing & baking Daddy?

Kevin clearly loves time with his girls. We came home the other night and he had a surprise for his girls....He had made cookies and the girls (including me :) iced them, added some sprinkles and enjoyed! What a fun surprise!

He has also been teaching Tessa some guitar. Ella is included also, but she is opting more for the singing aspect of music....don't you dare grab for her microphone! Good times with a Rockin' and involved Daddy!

Your girls LOVE you!