Thanksgiving 2013

It was a wonderful day spent at my sister's house hosted by my parents.  It was a beautiful day with so many things to be thankful for.  

The family quilt that was made back in 1999 and passed through generations each year.  

The kids had a blast outside.  

The guys enjoyed some football after watching the Macy's day parade. 

The house was filled with family and friends. 

Lauren took a picture of us!

Aunt Renee and my Mom enjoyed looking through the family quilt photo album.

I snagged my Aunt Jeannie to snap a picture of us...much better!

Lauren found Uncle Marcus's hat.

She wore it for a while!

Addison quickly found Jessica and was thrilled. 

My cousin, Aaron (Harry from One Direction) was a hit! 

My two girls.  I hardly saw them all day.  At least Mark and I got to enjoy dinner with them.  

I love this picture.  After dinner.  Everyone relaxing, watching football, talking, and catching up.  

Lauren made her self comfortable with my cousin Raquel and John.  

Aaron played with the kids all day.  

 The passing of the family quilt with all the girls in the family.  

Lauren begged Mark to come outside and play kickball.  I love this picture.  

We stuck around for a while after everyone left and enjoyed some time with Gramps and Nana.  

All the girls!  They had fun together these last few days.  It was a wonderful Thanksgiving.  

A Christmas Photo Shoot

My favorite picture of the day.  More to come! 

Muffins for Moms

Last Friday Lauren's school had their annual Muffins for Mom's breakfast.  It is something I look forward to every year!  Lauren mentioned that this will be the last year that it is just Lauren and I.  Addison will be joining us next year!  So, Lauren and I enjoyed our last solo Muffins for Mom's day.  We got there early, so I could hang out with Lauren for almost 1 1/2 hours.  We enjoyed muffins, and donuts.  

Mark volunteered that morning so it was nice to see him there as well.  Although, Lauren said she did not want Daddy near us...it was Mommy and Lauren time.  It was very nice to have several of the teachers and school staff notice that Mark was volunteering and I was there enjoying the morning with Lauren.  They thanked Mark several times for his time that morning.  

After muffins, we could go to the classroom for a tour and a little project that Lauren did.  She loved showing me the classroom and I enjoyed meeting several of her friends.  

I took her art work to work and hung it up in my office.  It says

"My Mom is the best Mom in the entire world.  She helps me with my homework when I have trouble.  She shows me how to make cookies.  She plays games with me.  My Mom loves me very much!  And I love her!  Love Lauren"

Perfect.  I love Muffins for Mom's and spending time with Lauren in her classroom.  It was a great morning! 

Daddy Days With My Girls

Today, I (Mark) will be Ashley's guest blogger. Every year I try, once in the spring and once in the fall, to spend a day each with each girl individually.  Over the last month or so, I have had the pleasure of having some one on one time with each girl.  I have told Ashley recently that I am stealing a saying from one of the ladies at work who tells her grandson "let's go create some memories".  

Lauren was first off, in mid-October.  We started out by running an errand or two, then heading to Paradise Park.  We only spent about 45 minutes there, but it was time enough for about 14 holes of miniature golf and...

Doing the Zombie maze.  I absolutely love the picture below.

We then headed to the Olive Garden.  Lauren has been asking to go there.  Since I absolutely love their bread sticks, I was happy to oblige.

After lunch we headed to the dollar theater (which is now $2.50).  As you can see from the pic below, we went to Smurfs 2.  We were the only ones in the theater!

And finally, we had to make a stop at Orange Leaf.  Anyone that reads this blog knows that is probably Lauren's favorite food place (if you call fro-yo food).  It was a great way to end the day.

On Veteran's Day, I had the day off (sweet bank holidays).  So Addison and I planned Monday Fun Day, which she named.  We started out our day by dropping off Lauren at school, then heading out for a few quick errands.

Pay special attention to Addison's earrings.  They are fake princess earrings Nana gave her over the weekend.

I had to show everyone this picture, because it cracks me up.  

After our errands, we headed to the movie.  Addison and I went and saw Cloudy With a Chance for Meatballs 2.  We, just like with Lauren and her movie, were the only ones in the theater.

After the movie, Addison was still full the Reece's Pieces she ate during the movie. So it was off to the dollar store to buy some toys for our "home dollar store".  The girls both get allowance and have to save some and can buy some from the "dollar store".  But Addison had to buy something there and decided on a dress up skirt.

After finishing up at Dollar Tree, we headed to Chick Fil A for lunch.  Addison picked it, but much like Lauren, got no argument from Dad.

The final picture is Addison wearing her dress up skirt she just bought with some kind of top and a tiara.  This one cracks me up.

If these two days accomplished anything, I hope they created some memories.  See....I know these girls know they have an incredible Mom that is always there for them no matter what.   I am ok with them always wanting to spend time with Mom, because Mom is always more fun than Dad.  But I hope they realize Dad isn't so bad too.

What Have We Been Up To?

The weekends are filled with running errands...

I completely redid our hall bathroom.  Paint, shower curtain, towels, lights.  

The girls had fun helping me paint.  

Addison went in for her 5 year well child check last month and got her Kindergarten shots!  She was a trooper.  

We went to Lauren's school carnival.  

Lauren is in that hamster ball.  

We have been watching a lot of football this fall.  Go Chiefs! 

Addison sleeps in many places in her room.  None of them are her bed.  

I went to visit my Grandma after my Grandpa died.  It was a good visit.

Zoe, waiting for Lauren to get off the bus! 

A gorgeous fall afternoon spent playing with the neighbors.  

We cheered Mark on for his 1/2 marathon! 

We attended a Friday night High School football game.  

The girls got to go down and cheer the the cheer leaders.  They were thrilled! 

We carved pumpkins. 

We had slumber parties.  

We went here....the girls went crazy.  I think Santa is going to make these girls very happy this Christmas.  

We played outside again...

I finally got a steroid injection in my hip.  I am really hoping I can start running again...real soon.  I have some ideas in mind for the Spring and I really want to start training.  

We enjoyed a bowling birthday party.  Lauren enjoyed it more than Addison did.  

And Addison...this kid is super smart.  I posed this on Face book.  She insisted on working on her 1st grade math book that Mark bought her this weekend when Lauren was working on her homework.  Addison is really showing us how incredibly smart she is.  Mark has worked with her a lot over the last few months.  She know all her Kindergarten sight words, and can do math in  her head.  It is pretty amazing to watch.  

Things have been busy.  Busy at home, busy at work, weekend are crazy busy, but fun.  I am trying very hard to keep my head above water these days and Mark has really stepped up around the house.  I will blog when I can....but time just seems to get away from me!