New Years Eve

We went to the New Year's Eve Party at church tonight. It was a small but mighty group of people! The food spread was delicious and the games fun! I'm thankful that we were able to get out and spend some time with friends and family to celebrate the new year. We did go home around bedtime, in order to put the kids to bed and be home for Grammy. Anthony and I spent the night watching Princess Bride, drinking sparkling cider and ringing in the new year together. I'm so thankful for a great year and can't wait to see what 2016 brings us! 

Stir Fry/Scarf

I finished my scarf today. We ran to several different stores to run errands, which allowed enough time to finish the scarf. I'm super excited because it's the perfect length and colors! Tonight we had do it yourself stir fry for dinner. Thank you Meidams for introducing us to a perfect dinner. I can see this becoming a regular in our house!

Heading Home/Visiting the Kemens

It's always sad to leave the Meidams. But we're headed home today. The only thing I'm looking forward to is having the children in their own beds/own rooms tonight. Hopefully, they'll sleep better than they did while we were out of town. 

On our way home we stopped at the Kemen's for a short visit. I love catching up with my friend! Unfortunately, Miriam was sleeping so Kaycee got free reign of the toys. She was digging it! Esther was pretty adorable today, I love to hold that sweet girl! 

Also on our way home we stopped to bathe a lizard. Another joyous moment... or not. It is a little disgusting picking the lizard up out of the sink while the water (filled with cricket parts and lizard poop) drains. But I'll happily bathe Buggle for the Smith family!! 

Day 3 with the Meidams

I don't have very good pictures from this weekend. I wish I had more. Today was a low key day, for the most part. We hung around the house, took a trip in a blizzard to Hobby Lobby and crocheted a lot. Kaycee loved all the unending attention she received. It's going to be hard to match that at home. 

Day 2 with the Meidams

Kaycee and I actually sat through most of service today. Usually she has a hard time at the Meidams church and I have to take her out to the extra room to play. Today I brought enough toys/books to entertain her until I needed to feed Tripp. After a few back and forth's with Anthony she came and hung out with me while I nursed. Then we had a delicious pot luck for lunch. Tonight was Christmas celebration night. Kaycee likes to open presents and kept running from gift to gift to open it, even if they were for other people. Kynsey crocheted 2 hats for each of the kids and leg warmers for Kaycee. She made a letter "A" decoration for Tripp's room and soap and a candle for Anthony and I. He's really enjoying the coffee scented candle! Kyra bought a really adorable outfit for Kaycee and a Mouse stuffed animal to match the book "If You Give A Mouse a Cookie." She bought a puppy stuffed animal that goes in the microwave or freezer for Tripp. She also bought me a giraffe mug, that I love! Mr. and Mrs. Brown gave Kaycee the coolest magnetic ABC book and some toys for Tripp. They even got us a set of blocks for the family! I can't wait to start building with Kaycee! Thank you so much for the awesome gifts! We love you guys! 

Heading to the Meidams

We're off to see the Meidams today! We're very excited; Kaycee has been saying "Kyra, Kynsey" over and over again all morning long. She's going to sleep in her blow up sleeping bag (a hand me down from Molly!!!) for the first time, which could be very interesting... We left mid morning and drove almost a straight trip up there. We got to spend the afternoon mostly with Kynsey since Kyra was at a Christmas party. Kaycee had a great time with Kynsey, she's definitely in a happy place!

Christmas

Merry Christmas! 

Today was a great Christmas day! We started off the morning opening presents from Santa. Kaycee really likes opening presents and jumping on her new trampoline. It was fairly difficult to take a picture of her because she kept jumping... go figure. The kiddos were super cute in their Christmas Jammies, so festive!  Mema, Papa, Uncle Jon and Uncle Jamey came over for brunch, present opening, dinner and dessert. Mom made a sausage strata and I made a french toast bake that were super tasty, for brunch along with fruit. Mema and Papa gave Kaycee and Tripp a ton of awesome gifts. Kaycee got bath toys and bubbles, a shopping cart with play food, books, clothes, dress up wings and wand, a giraffe toy and giraffe ornaments. Both Tripp and Kaycee got a sled as well! Tripp got a basketball hoop and a basketball, clothes, books, bath toys, a whale car, and the book Where the Wild Things Are with some wild things clothes! Mom and Dad sponsored a giraffe at Brookfield Zoo in my name and gave me some awesome Giraffe jammies. The coolest giraffes came from Santa. They're beaded giraffees from Feed My Starving Children. Anthony's coolest gift was Lakers tickets from Santa, as well. He also got another year of ACES and a card magic mat from Mom and Dad!!