Snow Day!!

I am going to be honest... snow days are not my most favorite thing in the world.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE snow- love to play in the snow... love to make snow men... love to come in and drink hot chocolate-  I just don't like getting everyone "ready" for a snow day!  It feels like it takes hours to get everyone dressed.  Then 15 minutes later, after all that work, everyone wants to come inside.  And then 20 minutes later, they want to get dressed all over again.  

But with each snow... this year, 4 snow days... I try to take it all in and remember that one day they are going to be grown up... they are going to want to spend snow days with their friends, instead of with their parents... and one day their little bodies won't need my help getting clothes together.  One day, they will be able to do it all on their own, and they won't need me.  I try to remember this with each "snow day" I see!  Even though the process of getting ready for a snow day isn't my most favorite... spending them with my 3 most favorite little faces makes me a happy mom!  Always leaves a great memory after all is said and done.  :)   

I caught you!

At Ava's birthday party, all the girls got VERY into the "Just Dance" video.  It's a game for the Wii that has you dance along to different songs. 

It's so fun...even if Manley always beats me!

Well, after all the girls had left, I walked into the den and saw this...

It definitely MADE my day! 

So fun to watch!  Every time I hear "Viva Las Vegas", I will remember my boy and his rodeo moves! 

Happy Birthday Ava!

Ava Larkin, HOW can you possibly be 7 years old???  Some days I feel that you should still be my sweet baby girl who loved to be held... loved to snuggle... and the little miss who loved her passie!  But then there are days when I feel you are 7 going on 17! Now my days with you include talks of Justin Bieber and how cute he is and how you want to marry him... hearing you sing Taylor Swift while standing on your bed... watching you read books on the couch... finding notes from you all around the house... hearing you talk on the phone to your friends... watching you grab your daily bowl of cereal for snack... and my most favorite- all the time I get to spend with just you!  These are the times when we are able to sit and talk... just you and me!  I love our chats more than anything and LOVE my special time with you, sweet girl!!!  I wouldn't trade those moments for anything in the world!! 

You are such a treasure in my world Ava!  There are so many times a day when I hear you say something or watch you do something that just simply makes me a proud mommy!  You are so sweet to Lily... always letting her sleep with you and always reading to her.  You are so protective of your family... anytime Parker is getting "talked to"... you always stick up for him- even when your "two cents" are not asked for!  Ha!  You adore Lucy and give her countless hugs each day!  You have such a sweet and precious heart that I see each day and I love you more than words could ever express!  God blessed us greatly when he put you in our lives and I thank Him everyday for you, sweet girl! 

Happy 7th birthday!!!

With your best friend, Riley

With all your girls for your sleep over!  I still laugh because we weren't even doing big birthdays this year since we went to Disney, and somehow your sleep over of 3 turned into a sleep over of 12!  Too funny!  You sure do know how to win me over!

With your sweet friend, Piper.

Mia and Ava

Ava and Isabelle

With sweet Madison

Ava and Kendall... this was Kendall's first sleep over! 

This girl is hilarious!

Olivia, Halle, Ava, and Zoe

Ava and Halle

I think it's safe to say that good times were had by all!!  :)

The Reason for the Season

Christmas morning...

Oh, I have the best memories of Christmas morning growing up!  Getting to sleep my sisters room on Christmas Eve... being able to eat the LAST hershey kiss on our Christmas count down tree...knowing my dad was always going to pretend that he needed a quick shower before seeing what Santa brought us..I could go on and on (I think I have before!) 

I just love Christmas morning! 

Each year just gets more and more fun with the kids!  They get so excited to track Santa on Christmas Eve and love getting to sprinkle the reindeer food in the front yard... Reading The Night Before Christmas and then getting the cookies ready for Santa... and seeing what Santa brought!  

For Parker... He was so excited to get Halo, a BB Gun, and Madden 11...

Ava was pumped to get a portable DVD player, pillow pet, and MAKE UP...

And Lily... she LOVED her princess collection, new robe, and art supplies...

So many wonderful memories for them- but also for us!  And yet with all that excitement that is running through our house-with ALL the excitement about Santa-I try to make sure that there is just as much excitement about what Christmas is truly about! 

For most kids, it's all about what the big man is bringing them on Christmas morning. 

Yet with every "Santa" conversation... I also make sure to talk about the real meaning of Christmas.  I talk about the baby that was born so many years ago... for US!  I talk about His purpose for coming and how important His birth was for us!  I know there is excitement of the big guy, but the most important "Big Guy" is the one who was arrived on Christmas morning...not in a sleigh, but in a stable.  He is the "reason for the season"... and when my kids grow up, I hope they add this to their memory bank.  I hope they remember all the conversations we have had about the night Jesus was born!

My favorite song is from the group Lonestar and their words are perfect...

The shepherds are lit
A star in the sky
On the outskirts of town
A new baby cries
No room at the end
No crib to be found
Oh but look at him now

He is the reason for the season
He is the light that shines on our lives
The baby Jesus born in God's grace
So we all might rejoice on this day
He is the reason for the season

It is a time for presents and toys
Tales of Saint Nick
Tidings of joy
As we celebrate the miracle birth
Oh right here on this earth

He is the reason for the season
He is the light that shines on our lives
The baby Jesus born in God's grace
So we all might rejoice on this day
He is the reason for the season

He's the reason for the giving
The joy thats never ending
That comes on Christmas morning

in the eyes of a child
It's what it means to me and you
That's the true meaning of this time

Pretty much sums up how I feel about Christmas morning!  So much to be thankful for... a baby that changed everything... and a family that means more to me than words could ever express! 

I am blessed beyond measure! 

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

Christmas Eve... So much fun rolled into one day! 

First, we head to Mimi and E's house for lunch.

And of course get together for some group photo opts...  :)

there are exciting moments when little ears hear that...

presents are ready to be opened...

Then we head to Grandmama's house for round two...

(And even more photo sessions are made!)

And more...

And just one more with Joey and Andrew... :)

And then more exciting news...

it's time to get home before the big guy comes to town!

Christmas is full of running around

and making stops here and there...

And I wouldn't change one thing about it! 

So many fun memories made!

Jolly ole St. Nicholas

My most favorite visit of the year!!

There is a "Santa" that is dressed to the tee, sits on a sleigh in his front yard (a sleigh that is pulled by 9 trusty reindeer of course), and the best way to describe him...

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

There is simply no better way to describe him!

He is, without a doubt, my MOST favorite Santa to visit!  He spends so much time seriously talking to the kids... asking them how good they've been and what they want him to bring them.  And not just what they want... he'll even ask what color they want of something.  He takes any picture you ask him to take and hugs each neck so sweetly!  He is just a dear man and makes the best of memories for my kiddos!

The Christmas Star

Tonight was Lily's Christmas program at school.  I was a little worried at first because I know how Lily is when she thinks all eyes are on her... she's gets a little "camera shy" so to speak.  She puts her arm over her eyes and thinks that it will shield her from anyone watching her.  She's does that during soccer games, birthday songs, and when she has to go up to someone she doesn't know.  Now this is usually not the case with Lily!  Normally, she is my child that will speak to anyone, sings loudly, dances often, and never has a problem speaking her mind.  Just NOT when she thinks people are watching!  So needless to say, I thought I knew what was to come on the night of Lily's program. 

Boy was I WRONG! 

This little miss... the same little girl who can get so shy... shined so bright and was SO much fun to watch!  She knew all her moves for the songs, she knew all the words and sang them LOUDLY, and she had a big bright smile on the entire time!!

Such a fun night!

The star herself!

With Mimi...

With Grandmama...

With her teacher, Mrs. Brenda. 

This is the same teacher who taught ME

when I was Lily's age!

 

Such a sweet teacher who Lily LOVES to pieces!

With our girl!!

With her E! 

He wasn't able to come to her program the night before,

so he came to chapel the next day to watch his girl. 

Unfortunately, she didn't have the same "fire"
at 8 in the morning...

But she was SO glad he came to see her sing!