Eat Some, Bake Some

Although it is the perception that it is a season of hustle and bustle, I feel quite the opposite. While not always possible, I try my best to get shopping, decorating, and wrapping done as early as possible. I do this for many reasons, the top reason being.... have the opportunity to take time to enjoy the reasons for the season.

Of course the most important reason is the celebration of the birth of Christ....aka at our house this time of year is "Jesus Birthday", in Tessa and Ella terms. We also try to take it easy, and enjoy the calmness of the tree, Christmas books, and the blessing of a warm and cozy home.

Last weekend we went to Grandma Sherry's house for some Christmas joy in the kitchen. Although, the girls "Tasted" -Ella as much as they baked, it was special girl time! We baked and sprinkled some cookies, then Tessa and Grandma made a gingerbread house. There might have been a roof that caved in, but with some repairs, it was good as new. We had a wonderful evening taking it easy and baking some goodies! Thank you Grandma!

Itty Bitty Baby Turns Two!!!

Two... Itty Bitty Baby Ella has turned two! She learned quickly how much fun Birthdays can be! "Whos Birthday is it?" "Me Birthday" (big giggles)! She blew out her candles like a champ! We were so glad to have our family and friends join in the celebration with us! There was no shortage of love for Ella Bear as we celebrated her, the wonderful little person that she is and joys of our energetic, healthy, and silly little girl! Ella loved the night night bear that Tessa made for her, Tessa was SO excited to wrap it up and give it to her little sister, she said "now we each have our own Beeper bear."

Ella's smiles tell it all, she had a wonderful time with everyone surrounding her with love. When the evening came to a close, we once again, feel blessed by the gift of our little peanut. It is hard to believe that she is two already! It goes fast, too fast, but we are thankful EVERY Day for our girls and the joys of celebrating birthdays, milestones, and precious moments that make us smile!

Happy Birthday Ella Bear, Pumpkin, Ella Bella, Itty Bitty Baby, Peanut, Little Kevin, ....

We Love YOU!, it will be a continued adventure now that you are two!

Dressing Up

Tessa has LOVED dressing up since before she even turned two...

She has MANY different looks. Some of them funny, some of them entertaining, some of them concerning :) The best part is that it is all so much fun. Tess will disappear and say "I will be right back, I am going to change my outfit, and I won't put my clothes on the floor Mom." In no time at all she is back, not only in a new outfit,...but an outfit that has accessories to the hilt, shoe, jewelry, belts, hair bow, you name it. Just another reason why we love Our Dear Tessa! I can't help but wonder, as I do often, what this means for the teenage years? I hope she is as eager as she is now to help with the laundry! I love my little helpers!

Did she really?

We heard a flush and we hoped it was just toilet paper. Ella is working on using the potty. We are hoping that she is learning to use it for its natural function. But leave it to our creative little girl to come up with a new use for it. Now, we had not predicted, that she would be trashing books, especially at such a young age.

"Ella what did you do?", "I put the book in the potty (laughing), uh-Oh?"

Tessa "Oh my, she is such a silly sister?"

Hibernation...

On overview of this past Sunday.... Weather Prediction...COLD and Snowy Health report...coughs, runny noses, sore throats Today's Forecast Includes.... A bow party, Christmas Books, A Warm Fire, Art Projects Today's Reflection... Cozy Family Time!

Christmas Journey....

Grandma Sherry's Church had a special Christmas event....including a live nativity, cookie decorating, Santa, and many smiles from the little ones. With the exception of the tears when Ella saw the sight of Santa Claus. You could probably hear her at the North Pole! Ella certainly enjoyed the live nativity, camels, donkeys, and goats much more then she did Santa. Tessa enjoyed all of it. She wanted to know "How did Santa get here today, did he come on the Reindeer?"

It was enjoyable for the family to be together and the take what they called the "Christmas Journey"! The church did an awesome job making it real and walking us through it all. It was a special afternoon for all of us being able to learn more about the true reason for the season! I never knew that donkeys have a cross across their back in the marking on the hair?? You learn something every day! Thank you Grandma for a fun afternoon!

The Friendship Chain....

We are SO thankful to "Mimi", Bryce and Cam for inviting us over this week to visit. We all had an enjoyable time making paper chains for Christmas. I really enjoyed the after school treat of coffee and cookies! It is always a joy to visit with our dear friends. There are many joys in watching the four kiddos all together. They have not know life any other way. We are so glad to have them in our lives and sharing fun Crafty times like these.

We had to laugh a few times at the fun-craziness of having two four year olds and two one year olds together in one room at one time....it sure is busy! The Christmas joy is always alive at Mimi's winter wonderland! Thank you for the fun and the memories!!