Christmas Eve

This Christmas Eve the girls and I actually spent most of the day chillin' at home until the afternoon service at church. It was so fun getting them all dolled up...and they just looked so dang cute! It was not the easiest thing to get a good picture of Jac, but this one is pretty cute...showing off her notorious "serious face."
It was even more challenging getting a picture of the two of them together, but here is my best attempt!
After the service, we went over to Nic's aunts house for the annual family Christmas party. This year all of the kids (and me) dressed up to act out the Nativity. Jac was a sheep, Izy was Jesus, and I filled in for Mary.
Here is the whole "cast"...
It was not the greatest acting I have ever seen, but I am sure Jesus and Grandma Anna enjoyed it and that's all that really matters!
We had a great time hanging out with family...until our little lamb was ready to hit the hay!

Family Time

Have I mentioned how much I love Christmas? Well, we wanted to do something festive together, so we started another new tradition this year...gingerbread house making!
Before...
During...
After...

Ode to Miss Kelley

This past week we had the joy of attending Jac's very first Christmas Play. Wow, was it exciting! Izy could hardly contain herself!Jac's class were elves and sang first. They "sang" 3 songs with plenty of motions. Since, the majority of the class is barely 2 there was not much singing going on, but they were surprisingly very good at the motions!
The reason this blog is titled "Ode to Miss Kelley" is beautifully depicted in this next picture. This is Jac's class...ranging in age from about 2 to 2 1/2 years. Well, I should say this is Jac's class minus one sick kid and one kid who was kindly removed from the stage due to an uncontrollable crying outburst. As you can see, not one kid is doing the same thing as another. Much like I am sure they are everyday in class. But the patience that Miss Kelley has to not only love them and teach them on a regular basis, but then go above and beyond by leading them in 3 songs complete with motions in front of a sea of parents, cameras, and video cameras is literally mind boggling! We salute (and thank) you Miss Kelley!
Break time...
Now the Christmas Play gets even more entertaining when all of the classes get on stage to perform the final four songs with musical instruments. My little elf looks a little weary...
She finally found an instrument!
Shortly after that picture, she spotted me, and then gram, in the crowd and it was all over! She did a great job though and I honestly could not have been more proud. Izy had had enough by the time all the festivities had died down...she just laid back!

Way to go Ca!

This past weekend my sister in law, Cara, graduated from college in Florida. Nic's parents, the girls, and I drove all night to get there. And by there I mean West Palm Beach. The girls did amazing...cried a little and slept a lot! She has worked so hard to achieve that piece of paper and we would not miss it for the world...love ya sis!
The girls received plenty of lovin' while we were there. They were pretty much the center of 11 adults attention for 3 straight days. So needless to say, they were happy about that!
The cap seemed so big on Jac...although I know one day we will look back and not believe how little she was!
Cara's best friend, Jamie, and her husband Matt surprised her for the graduation. So nice!
The gang watchin' the Colts on Sunday.
Jac is obssessed with carrying around little bags. One of those bigs that she seems to be drawn to is Aunt Ca's makeup bag, so April decided to open it up and show Jac how to use it. She LOVED it! Seriously, I think she sat there for a good 1/2 hour enjoying her application of makeup...oh how I fear my future!
Thats right, squeeze the massive, freaky lookin, lifesize doll! Ha!
We had such a fun time there, even though it was a short trip and the weather was not stupendous. No one could ever replace our South Florida friends...we love you and miss you all dearly! And Cara, again, so proud of you!!!

Traditions

I love Christmas! And I love traditions, especially at Christmas! So, it is actually one of my most favorite things about parenting...starting traditions with my kids at Christmas! Wow! I sound so cheesy, but I mean it. This has been an amazing week...the girls have worn some sort of festive outfit everyday, we have attended plenty of holiday parties, and even made our first batch of Christmas cookies. I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the holidays as much as we are! Thanks for letting us share our traditions with you!

We went to the museum and attended their Jolly Days of Winter exhibit. It was the first time in a long time that we had made the trip. Good times! Jac thoroughly enjoyed each place we went. Izy even had a great time now that she is crawling and pulling up to EVERYTHING! Here they are standing at the water table. I am not sure if you can tell but this is moments after a little boy accidently dumped a boat filled with water on top of Izy's head! She was dripping wet and completely shocked...but I could not hold back my laughter when I knew she was fine. It was hilarious!
Izy's favorite was the wooden bridge...oh so exciting!
The carousel....all by myself!

We have made multiple trips to see Santa this season. My goal is for both girls to actually like him and not cry everytime we see him!

We spent a night making Christmas cookies. Jac was so into it...she actually sat in the same chair for over an hour to mix the dough, roll it out, cut her cookies, and decorate.


Izy even got in on the action with a little flour.
This was my favorite...every cookie I would cut she would take and smash into her pile o' dough in the corner of the cookie sheet!
Me and my girls...I love them so much!
Did I forget to mention how excited she was to eat her creations?
Check out those sprinkles...

Nic's mom's side of the family celebrated Christmas this past weekend. We always do it earlier in the month, so everyone can come. It is so fun to get together...I married into an amazing family!
This was our 1st attempt to take a picture of all the girls...(6 under 3)
This one was a little better probably because candy was involved!
I hope my girls love Christmas as much as I do always! It is just amazing to celebrate the birth of Jesus...and enjoy all of the many gifts He has given us by giving gifts and spending time with family. I am so thankful for all of you and what you mean to my family!

So Thankful...

I am so thankful for lots of things, but this week for my family especially! I love spending holidays with them! All we do is laugh, play games, and watch movies...perfect. And thats what we did for the past week. My whole family came to town last Saturday. We started off the week with a little Christmas decorating...
Jac's preschool had a special Thanksgiving lunch that my mom and I attended. She was dressed as an Indian, but not wholeheartedly involved in the song she was supposed to be singing!
We headed up to my grandparent's house for a few days. Steph thought it would be a good idea to try a new recipe for cracker-chocolate covered strawberry-hot tamale turkeys. They actually were not to bad.
Jac and I made some table decorations for Thanksgiving dinner.
The morning of we ran the 5K in Detroit...the Stuffing Strut to be exact. It was a fun, new tradition. And hilarious because about 1/4 of the 10ooo runners were dressed up in some interesting costumes. Hence the guy behind Jenni with a Christmas tree on his head...
After the run, we had Christmas with my grandparents, played a game of football, and then feasted. The girls were champs and enjoyed the day thoroughly (in their matching outfits made by my grandma for them)!
The day after Thanksgiving, we hit up a Christmas tree farm to see Santa arrive. Izy could not care less who was holding her at this point. Jac on the other hand was not so sure...
The HCS boy's football team made it to the state championship on Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium. We made the trip...with the girls...and they won!
Jac loved it! She was jumping up and down, clapping, and cheering. Precious! Izy somewhat enjoyed it as far as enjoying football games goes for 7 month olds.
Fun with Aunt Jenni...
And Aunt Steph...
The last day my family was here we celebrated Christmas with them because we don't get to see them on the actual holiday.

The girls were so into the presents!
I love family time! And hate the days they leave. I know that they are living exactly where God wants them, but sometimes I pray that God would change His mind. Until then, we will keep making amazing memories and spending as much time together as we can. I love and miss you all ALWAYS!