Final Visit Shots

Just a few last shots from Frank and Nancy's visit . . .

I love this silly face:

More cards, Addy helped keep score:

 I had my phone ready while we were playing because I was anxiously awaiting news about my friend Amber - boy or girl??

Always willing to help, Frank installed our new faucet:

They got out hours before the true storm started!  Thanks for the great visit, we miss you already.

The Girls

When Addy and Charlotte spend time at my parents house my Dad is so good about getting shots of them.  Unlike me, he takes his time and gets really great pictures.  (I tend to grab and snap while in the middle of things.)

Here are some recents he shared of the girls.  So thankful to have them for our memories.  Thanks Dad!!

This is my favorite.  When I think of Charlotte this is what I picture, so sweet.

Pajama and Pancake Party at Addy's

Saturday we held Addy's First Annual Pajama and Pancake Party.  I shamelessly copied someone's idea from blog land and hosted this very fun party.

The idea is you come over for a morning party in your jammies and eat yummy pancakes.  We included a hot chocolate bar, some crafts, story time and even a recipe exchange for the parents.  It was a blast and we will definitely have to keep up this tradition.

I made menus for the girls.  They got to pick their pancakes and toppings.  There were fresh blueberries, whipped cream, chocolate shavings and other assorted treats.

This was the hot chocolate bar.

Including some very yummy toppings to go with your hot chocolate.

Some treat bags for the girls.

I am not even going to pretend to have made the pajama slipper cupcakes, I got these from a friend of our's Tracy that runs this business.

Enjoying the hot chocolate bar:

Even with all the fun activities somehow our bed became the center spot for fun!

Silly picture time:

Thansk for everyone coming - it was such a fun party to pull together!!!!

The Visit Part 1

Its so nice to have Scott's parents here for a visit.  We've had lots of fun playing games, hanging out, watching football and sharing our girls with them!!

They got to be in snow for the first time in 10 years!

We bundled up Charlotte so she could enjoy the lovely, snowy morning.  Thanks Laura and Chris for her warm outfit!

There is always time to give Charlotte a kiss!

Taking the hill . . .

Crash landing!

Snow angel.

There is something grand about waking up to beautiful snow!!

Addy got to play her first game of UNO.  She won twice!

Charlotte enjoyed watching the action at the table.

3 months

(WOW!!  This is my 500th post on this blog!)

Three months old!!

Charlotte is smiling and giggling all over the place.  She loves to watch her sister, such on her hands and be carried facing out.  She is getting that cute baby fat - the rolls are starting!  She is loves to move.  When we is awake she never stops wiggling and looking around.  Charlotte is such a delight!

We love her so much!

Not Finished Yet . . .

Still finishing up some house changes left over from last year.  Are these new chairs funky stylish or just silly??  They are comfortable I know for sure.  I am thinking I like it!

Before:

After:

I was planning to paint the base of the table something to detract from its whiteness with the chairs . . . but the more I leave it the more I think it might be better to leave it.  I have added a jar of green apples to the center of the table and its my new favorite place in the house.  Weird but the somewhat lower chair backs really open up the kitchen area.

Hodge Podge

Addy reading books to her sister before bath time:

Lazy morning of snuggles:

The domestic goddess is still alive:

My first attempt at the three month photo was not successful, couldn't get the hand down or the hat or dress to stay put . . .

We made cupcakes for NYE:

Addy did so well staying up with her friends Gracie and Gavin.  She was awake at 11:30.  This is her at 11:40.  We woke her up for the new year.

The sweetest card Addy got from her friend Gracie.

Out with the Old (resolution) and in with the New (resolution)

Well it is time again to reflect on my resolution of 2011 and set my new one for 2012.  I love how as the year comes to a close things happen that make it clear what my resolution should be.  Sometimes I don't love what those things are but it helps with focus and purpose for sure. 

 

 

Last year was Year of the Happy Home Maker.  I laugh.  Honestly at the time I set this we were not even close to deciding we were having another baby - in fact far from it.  So it was going to be focused on home improvements of a general nature.  Then January 1st comes - we all of a sudden decide that perhaps another baby is right for us and . . . oh, hello - before we can settle into this decision we are pregnant.  What a blessing.  All of a sudden Year of the Happy Home Maker takes a new turn. :)

 

Even with this new direction we did a ton this year.  Many repairs and updates that were on our list and then added in all the stuff we had to do to get ready for a baby.  Sitting here at the kitchen table and looking around the house - we were able to do a lot.  Of course there are a few things still on the list, a couple of bathrooms that need updating, a utility room that needs to be cleaned out and reorganized . . .but I am going to try to get to those in the next three weeks before I return to work.  I declare a success.

My new resolution is by far the most difficult yet.  In fact it makes me cringe.  Worse, it makes me want to eat large quantities of chocolate.  I have avoided this cliche resolution for years because 1. its cliche and 2. it scares the heck out of me.  But after coming to realize this is the right one for this year I have found peace in the way I have determined to approach this.

2012 is the Year of Health and Wellness.  This is not about weight loss - although if that is a side effect of my efforts - I accept!! :)  This is more fundamental about making some small ( small is important or else I will for sure fail) chnages to create a healthier family.  I have some basic plans I want to concentrate on but I am also open to ideas and finding things that work for our family.

There are a few basics I am feeling very strongly I want to focus on:

Healthy breakfast - no more fruit snacks and starbucks.  At least not most of the time.

Family Acitivities - create opportunities at least once a week for the entire family to get out and move, this might be a trip to the park or a walk.

Helping Addy (and therefore Scott and I) learn about healthy options and consequences of not healthy options.

Stay focused on easy - don't go crazy because it won't last.  Focus on easy, simple and fast when it comes to food and exercise.

Today we kicked off with trying some homemade juice thanks to our friend Jeff, took a walk as a family and started talking to Addy about this new direction.  My biggest concern is not front loading and getting burned out with too many changes.  So, I want to concentrate on one thing at a time.  This month I am going to focus on the breakfast goal.

I feel like success at the end of the year looks like this:

• We all eat a pretty healthy breakfast more often then not.
• We have come up with a routine of doing something physical together as a fun activity about once a week.
• Addy understands about eating healthy.
• We all have a better toolbox of options and opportunities we take advantage of to be a little more healthy.

So wish me luck on this most difficult resolution.