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!  

Snow Days...5 of Them This Week...

Basically the girls had Winter break #2.  Seriously.  They were out of school all week.

Tuesday morning was when the snow started.  I was watching the weather reports.  They were watching Frozen videos on You Tube.  

We danced and did cartwheels....

Sang....(OMG how is she not freezing...I have no idea!) 

We watched movies....

Had a picnic in the living room....

Made cookies....

Played in the snow...

Zoe did too...

Went sledding with the neighbors...

Drank hot chocolate...

Ate the cookie dough....

Were amazed by the amount of snow Wednesday morning...

Decorated the fireplace....sigh....

Dressed up like a princess....

Ate puppy chow....

Opened a few presents Thursday morning for Lauren's birthday....

Then Mark and my Dad painted Lauren's room Friday while she was at daycare (no school again.)  As you can see, she was thrilled!  

Sledding

With everything still covered in snow around here, we decided to go sledding today.  I can't even believe with 2 back to back snow storms that we did not get to the big hill to sled before today.  

Lauren had a blast on the green sled this time.  She would go very far and very fast down the hill. 

Addison was a real trooper today too. 

She insisted on being pulled up the hills....

until she found Izzy and Chance and she perked right up.  We had so much fun with Izzy and Chance and their Mom and Grandma. 

Lauren and I went down on the green sled...several times.  Then Lauren took Chance several times, and Addison and Izzy even went down on their own.  No fear in these 4 year olds!

Walking up was the hardest part.  Everyone helped everyone out. 

Lauren could have kept going all afternoon.  She had so much fun.  Addison loved going down with Izzy and Chance.  We all took turn sledding....even all the adults...including Izzy and Chance's Grandma!  It was awesome!

 

It was a lot of fun, but honestly I am ready for spring and sun.  After the snow melts I hope that is all that we see until next Winter!

 

 

 

 

February- All the Other Stuff

I had a birthday also...on Valentine's Day.  

Mark and the girls made me feel very loved!  And Mark and I enjoyed a date night last weekend.  

Lauren and Addison are the flower girl and ring bearer in a wedding this summer.  They are super excited to wear these pretty white dresses.  

They looked so beautiful trying on the dresses.  I can't wait till the wedding.  

We built a snow man after snow storm #1.  

Little Ms. Addison had to wear her sunglasses, like the neighbor boy down the street! 

Sometimes Addison could do without ALL my picture taking.  

We loved having Daddy home for the snow storm #2.  

Lauren was very busy with Girl Scout activities this month.  

Her whole troop made these medical dolls for the kids at Children's Mercy Hospital.  My mom came up to help out with the sewing.  

Lauren had her 7 year old well child check with Dr. Gladstone.  I absolutely love Dr. Gladstone.  She spent 1 hour in the room talking to me about various concerns that I wanted to discuss.  She is an amazing physician.  Lauren topped the scales at a whole 51 lbs and she is 3'11" tall.  She will be taller than me before I know it! 

Sometimes I find random pictures on my phone that the girls have taken. I love the surprise.  

Addison has  been doing swim lessons on Saturday mornings for the past month.  This is good.  The girl needs to learn how to swim because she seems to think she can do it on her own and does not need any help in the water.  Scary.  She is doing awesome and absolutely loves it.  

Addison was sick on day with a 24 hour GI bug.  I stayed home with her and Lauren got to ride the bus to school...in real shoes, not sandals! 

Lauren and I had date day and we went down to the Municipal Auditorium and watched a cheer leading competition.  One of my heart transplant patients is a cheer leader/gymnast.  Lauren and I had fun.  Mark and Addison went to Paradise Park for the afternoon.  

These boys are a few of our neighbors.  Mark was probably the only one who went to work on day 2 of snowstorm #1 (last Friday.)  As everyone continued to dig themselves out of the snow and the kids ran around the neighborhood playing, the boys enjoyed some beverages...They insisted that I send Mark a picture.  Not very nice, huh?  So about 20 minutes later, Mark sent us a picture of what he was drinking.  A nice warm coffee from Scooter's coffee house.  I love our neighbors.  We have the best neighborhood.  

Snowed in for several days meant workout DVD's at home.  The girls even joined in on the fun.  I love it!   Now onto March and hopefully some warm weather.  Spring break is a week away and I really want it to feel like Spring.  6 weeks until half marathon #3 and I am no where ready to run with all this snow on the ground.  UGH.  I am seriously considering running around the parking lot at the high school this weekend (for 7 miles) so I don't have to do another long run on the treadmill.  I will keep you updated.