January 2017

I am going to do something new with the blog this year.  I am only going to post once a month and the pictures will be random day to day things from my I-phone.  I struggle with keeping up with the blog, but I love to look back at old posts and see what was happening in our life.  Some months will be full of pictures and events, and others not so much....

So here is January 2017:

We had lunch with Mark over Christmas break one afternoon.  We love going to lunch with Daddy every chance we get (which is not often enough.) 

I successfully completed the Whole 30 challenge this month.  If you don't know what it is, google it.  It was a lot of work, but totally worth it. 

We had lots of lazy days this month, Ginger included.  The old couch in the basement is the only one Ginger is allowed to be on...

We had a birthday party for Ginger.  She turned 1 on January 4th!  We celebrated with doggie ice cream and some new toys. 

The toys were destroyed within minutes. 

The girls had a snow day! 

It was so cold, they only lasted about 15 minutes outside sledding in the front yard. 

I found this awesome picture on my phone.  I love it! 

We traveled to Omaha to celebrate Christmas.  We tried to travel in December, but an ice/snow storm kept us at home. The girls had a blast with their cousins...they always do. 

Addison put together an awesome Daddy Daughter dance outfit. 

These two went to the Daddy Daughter dance together.  Mark even bought a new tie, at Addison's request.  The girl's dress and the boy's tie must match.  They had a great time together! 

The girls took about 20 selfies on my phone that all looked like this! 

We had a slumber party in the living room one Friday night.  Addison planned the event.  She even made me sign a contract so I would not forget that I had said yes to a sleep over many night ago.  Her contract said "Mommy had to be there.  We will have fun, talk, watch movies, and stay up late."  It was fun! 

We were shocked by the news of Yordana Ventura passing away.  It was so sad and still is. We watched a lot of coverage of the event and talked a lot about what happened.  We have become quite the Royals fans the last several years.  

Lauren's choir performed at the Mavericks hockey game.  Most of her class was there! They sang the National Anthem and enjoyed the game.  

I cooked a lot this month....

Because of this.  Now that the Whole 30 is over, I am planning on maintaining a paleo like lifestyle. There are so many foods that upset my stomach and effect my body overall.  This was a wonderful reset and an eye opening experience on how food effects our entire body, head to toe, physically and mentally.  

So there you have it.  January in a snapshot.  See you in February!  

Christmas Day 2016

Santa was good to us this year.  He brought the girls almost everything they wanted for Christmas. 

Addison wanted the Lego Amusement park, which was put together in 2 days and still adorns our dining room table.  That was her big gift from Santa.  She also wanted the Plush Craft pillow kit and the spy bag.  She was thrilled on Christmas morning. 

Lauren wanted and needed a new bike.  She loved the one Santa brought.  Lauren also asked Santa for a unicorn onesie PJ's.  I have no idea why the kids love these PJ's these days, but they do!  She also received some Converse high tops.  Lauren was thrilled as well.  

She put it on right away and wore it most of the day! 

Matching PJ's for Addison and her teddy bear.  His name is "Protector Elf, or techty."  Techty has been around since Addison was 4.  She received Techty for Christmas that year and has slept with him ever since.  

After looking through stockings, we enjoy monkey bread for breakfast before opening the presents from Mom and Dad.  It is a tradition we have had for almost 11 years now.  Lunch on Christmas day is always the same as well.  Roast beef sandwiches and chips and dip. 

Later in the afternoon we headed to Gramp's and Nana's to celebrate.  

Lauren loved her headphones. 

Nana made all the girls quilts for Christmas.  Such a wonderful present.  

So happy to still have my Grandma in my life.  85 years old and going strong! 

Gramps made all the girls a piggy bank that locks.  It is like an old mailbox at the post office.  After several days of practice, the girls are able to open their banks.  

While Addison was busy putting together her new Lego set, Lauren was busy organizing presents.  

This Christmas this picture is by far my favorite.  Last year the girls asked for a new puppy from Santa for Christmas and Ginger has brought us so much joy this past year...even though she is still in the crazy puppy stage! 

Merry Christmas From Our Home To Yours

It's Beginning to Look A lot Like Christmas

My absolute favorite time of the year.  I love Christmas.  Mark and I go way over the top for the girls and for each other, but we love it! This past weekend it snowed (and iced) and we stayed in all weekend watching movies (some Christmas, some not) played games, and ate junk.  It was wonderful!

We finally broke down and bought a new tree last year after Christmas and I love it.  It is soooo pretty all light up at night. 

We went and saw Santa a few weeks ago.  I love keeping the magic alive.  

Both girls had several requests for Santa...

Their smiles are just precious.  

They both wrote a letter to Santa.  

Lauren agreed to pose for several pictures for me (the girl that will never cooperate for pictures unless it is a selfie...lol)  I love this one.  She is growing up way too fast.  

Oh, and we can't forget Ginger.  She is almost one year old (January 4th) and we love her dearly.  She has been an incredible dog to our family this past year.  

Christmas is less than one week away and we are all very excited. Stay warm and Merry Christmas everyone! 

Christmas Traditions

For the past several years we have gone to see The Nutcracker.  It has been a fun Christmas tradition for our little family.  

This year we changed it up and went to see Trans Siberian Orchestra at the Sprint Center.  It was quite the show!  Mark enjoyed it the most, but us girls liked it too.  

We had fun talking selfies waiting for the show to start.  

Then we headed down to the Plaza to have dinner at The Cheesecake Factory.  We waited...and waited...and waited for 2 1/2 hours to be seated.  Lauren insisted that we stay and wait.  It's tradition.  

It was a gorgeous night, so we walked around for about an hour.  We went to the Russell Stover store and got some chocolate to snack on until dinner.  We browsed through Way Fair and then Barnes and Noble.  

Still waiting...LOL.  Finally at 8:30 we were seated...and starving.  We got a bread basket and an appetizer and we were good! 

Last night I took the girls to Christmas in the Park at Longview Lake.  The girls were sad we missed it last year, but apparently were a little bored this year...so maybe this was the last year?  Who knows! 

Then we stopped at the Magic Tree.

But I told the girls they did not need to bring coats...they were freezing...So we left! 

I love the Magic Tree.  Maybe next year we will bring coats.