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!  

The Music City Bowl- Go Big Red

Back in December we traveled to Nashville for the Music City Bowl. Nebraska was playing Tennessee. Mark had never been to a bowl game and of course he loves Nebraska football. Usually bowl games are some where warm and somewhere you have to fly too.  Innocently one morning Mark mentioned "tickets are only $35."  Wheels started turning and in no time I had the trip planned!

Let's just say....WE HAD SO MUCH FUN! 

We dropped Ginger off and then hit the road.  It is a little over 8 hours to Nashville, so easily a day trip.  We are planning a trip to Colorado this summer, so we told the girls it was practice for Summer vacation. 

After we got checked into our hotel we hit a local restaurant for dinner! 

Then we hit the hotel pool....which was freezing!  The girls swam for a short time!  Why do kids love a hotel pool so much? 

Then the fun began Friday morning.  Mark mentioned that he wanted to get to the pre game festivities early and I am so glad he did.  They were so much fun!  We started in the VIP Nebraska tent.
This tent included drinks, TV's, couches and chairs, and all kinds of Nebraska decor!

We took lots of selfies! 

There was a pre game pep rally complete with the Nebraska marching band and cheerleaders.  It was fun to be surrounded by Nebraska fans. 

Addison and I spent some time together walking along the river.  The stadium overlooked the river.  

Then it was time for lunch, which was basically the best part of the day in my opinion.  There was a huge street party with several streets blocked off for the events.  This particular food line was the longest....and the girls whined about it being so long.  But, all the food was free.  All of it.  There were burgers, ribs, chicken, duck, dumplings, vegetables, and more.  It all tasted amazing. 

We stood there in line and watched them cook everything.  The time passed very quickly.  Coke was a sponsor of the bowl game, so drinks were free as well!  Score.  Free lunch (drinks included) and an amazing lunch at that.  

We headed inside and found our seats and were ready for the game.  We ended up being in the shade the entire time, so when the sun went down, it was a little chilly! 

The game was not the greatest, but the half time performance was fun!  

Then we turned around the next morning and headed back home.  Addison was thrilled to see the Arch on the way to Tennessee and asked if we could stop on the way back through.  Sure! Why not?  So we did!  

We had fun taking lots of pictures and creating memories. 

Then we had to spend some time along the river skipping rocks and checking things out.  

We kenneled Ginger at a new place we found.  It is an in home kennel and we absolutely love it!  Ginger had a blast and we got several pictures of her while we were gone. 

Isn't Ginger beautiful? 

Ginger was so exhausted for days after we got home.  I know she had so much fun and so did we! 

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!