Jolly good Christmas fun

All the fun leading up to Christmas, is as much fun as Christmas morning to me. All the memories and time we share warms my heart all year through!

We went to the north view Christmas spectacular for the first time this year. What a great show! I was so impressed with the kids and their showmanship. They did a wonderful job. 

Every year the kids write letters to Santa at school and we submit them to the newspaper. Of course they also go to the North Pole!

Christmas parties help get the kids into the spirit of giving. Annie had her first party ( special guest Santa!) and Aiden and I had a mommy daughter morning :)

We found this at the library! Where’s The Doctor!?!

Snowy returns

Our children anxiously await the return of our elf each year, and usually ask about her, wonder about her, and write her letters. Welcome back Snowy!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I know there are plenty of people out there (let’s call them humbugs for lack of a better term) who have no desire to deviate for the holidays. I’m not one of those people. I am the opposite of those people. If I could prep for Christmas all year without missing out on other things, I would. Merry Christmas beginnings!

We found the most adorable tree farm in Bloomington! It even has fir trees- super awesome for people, like me, with everything allergies. Can’t wait to go back next year :)

I think it’s a wonderful memory at Christmas to hang the first ornaments. I will always cherish these moments.

Aiden is such a great helper. This year, it was nice and warm on outdoor decorating day, so we left the coats inside. 

The fact that they are holding stil is amazing. These kids are visibly vibrating from Christmas excitement!

By the time he’s 90, he may need a hover chair for this job. I hope some brilliant person has invented a reliable one by then.


Christmas gooberyness

Annie starts preschool!

After much love in a Homecare setting, it was time to move on to other things. Annie started preschool and is loving it! Dan says she is such a good and sweet girl at drop off too! I can’t wait to see what all she learns!

Happy Vacuum Day

Santa believes in early deliveries in times of crisis. God bless you Santa! We love our vacuum bazuka.

Christmas parade

This is the first year Aiden wasn’t with us for the Christmas parade. Instead, she was marching with her Girl Scout troop! What fun! Annie loved all the lighted floats. Thanks for being awesome, Brazil.


Be forewarned the bottom picture is a great momento of her energy that night, even after all that marching in the cold, but the glowing eyes make it rather creepy...

Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving. Everyone gets together, just to be together. Our tiny house gets so full and full of good memories. This year, I was a bit wicked. I told the masses that they couldn’t eat until we took family photos. It was high time, and the men weren’t about to refuse on the chance they would get their hands on all that yummy food. It was a family tradition started.

Awards Day

It’s been a tough start to the year. You’ve worked through a lot. Good job on your hard work Sweet Pea!

Happy 31 to me

Now that I'm past 30, I feel like it's okay not to completely dread my birthday (I do realize that, to the older folks, I sound ridiculous). It still had its traditional moment of devastation (November 3rd is known as the day of doom in some society somewhere, I'm sure), but I think it will all turn out alright in the end. Here's to living life's ups and downs with the ones I love. You make every moment the best it could possibly be.

Trick or treats

The girls had a grand Halloween. Two trick or treats, homemade outfits, and pumpkin carving. It was grand indeed.

ZooBoo is a wonderful annual tradition.

Aiden carved her very own pumpkin! And Annie asked for a ghost, boo!

My beautiful little ponies, rarity and applejack!

Apple Works is amazing. Go there.

I mean it. They don't pay me for promos. Go there.

Harvest season

Our harvest season has really been flying by, but lots of fun. Harvesting at the senior wisleys is something I hope we do even with our grandkids. Bring your big muscles!

Adventures with Annie

The weeds in the field have grown so tall, it's a jungle in its own right. Annie is doing the same. She brings the excitement and adventure wherever she goes. Keep that wonder my little darling.

Cook banquet, safari style

The cook banquet is always a good time. Even the year we knew absolutely no one else and sat at a table by ourselves we had a great time. Thanks Cook for having a great party planning committee (teach me!)

Happy Birthday, Lil!

Cheers to living in our 30s together, Lil! You're a super aunt to my wee babes and amazing friend!

Irish fest

We drank cider, meandered through highland themed booths, and danced to the High Kings. Best night ever.

Cataract Falls is a hit

We had so much fun kayaking with Cheyenne and Jordan, we decided to take the girls and the canoe. It was wonderful. They loved paddling past the waterfall and looking for fish.

Daddy is 31

Happy birthday to the most wonderful man I know. I'm so glad we've had so many wonderful years together, full of fun, excitement and love.

Science day

Girl Scouts is an amazing way for girls to make friends, learn a lot, and live life in an fantastic way. Science night was super fun and hands on educational. One of our best decisions all year!

Bite to the Face

A terrible thing happened on a night that was just supposed to be a fun time. I was out shopping with chey for banquet dresses when Dan calls to say Aiden took a bite to the face from Mulder, a dog whom she loves and adores and is family. Many, many stitches, meds, tears, and a fainting spell from me later, she is healing and moving on ten times easier than any of the adults. God made her kind, forgiving, and resilient. Perfect in my eyes.