Starting off December

I have a love/hate relationship with December. I get SO excited for the holidays - especially because of my girls - but get major anxiety about all the commitments. By the time the holidays are here, and almost over, all I want to do is just be home. But, there are so many things to love about the holidays. It was a busy December, but so much fun.  The girls were ecstatic that "Poppy" our elf came back! Poppy had to report to Santa once, because of bad behavior. I call that a success! They wrote letters to Santa - and even got one back! The holidays with my little bugs makes all of it so exciting!
 

Lilly asked for an American Girl doll, and Calico Critters. Claire asked for Spiderman stuff and Batman stuff.
 

 

Woodward Refugee project!
 

Owl Chorale concert. Oh, how I love those two little faces!
 

Thanksgiving 2013

For Thanksgiving this year, we went down to St. George to spend it with Anton's family. It was so beautiful down there, and spending time with Anton's family is always so much fun. We didn't see Anton's parents hardly at all, except for at Thanksgiving Dinner, because they were moving. So, we ended up spending almost the whole time with Anton's sister Nicole and her family, and his grandparents. We always have the best time with Nicole and Jeremy. Our kids play so darling together, we basically don't see them while we are there because they are so busy playing dress up, jumping on the tramp, coloring - it is so fun. Lilly and Prentice were so sad to leave each other. Claire and Cardon were probably glad to see one another part ways :) Nicole and I went black Friday shopping together - what an experience. We had our bag of rolls, and diet coke - we were set for a successful night of shopping! We laughed and laughed - even though she tried to kill me ("Nicole, are your lights on?!"). I feel so lucky to have such great in-laws. In particular, I feel so lucky to have a great friendship with Nicole. I feel like, even if we weren't family, I would still want her as a close friend. I admire so many things about her - every time I leave from being with them, I want to be a better mom/spouse. We laugh and laugh when we are with them...it's good therapy! We are really looking forward to them coming up over Christmas Break.
It was also really fun and nice to be with Anton's grandparents. They are so wonderful, and Anton has such a special relationship with them. We cherish the times we get to see them, and feel grateful that our girls know them and they know our girls.
It was beautiful in St. George. The sun was out, but it was still a little chilly. We took the kids swimming, went on a really neat hike up to an old volcano, played at the park, let the kids stay up waaayy too late with their cousins, ate delicious food, laughed...it was a great weekend.
Words can't begin to express how Thankful I am for my little family. I love each of them more and more every day. I am so thankful, and so very blessed.
 

Had to pay a visit to Nana & Pops before we left!
 

3 little beauties! They have so much fun together!

Do you think we had enough pies?

Fun for Truman! I am sure he loves when Uncle Anton comes into town :)

The girls were troopers on our hike. They are so fun to take on little outings like this!

November

 

Claire learning how to put in her service hours!
 

Someone got in trouble for coloring all over herself with permanent markers. She was none to happy about getting scolded.
 

After school movie with popcorn!
 

Lilly's school had a Thanksgiving feast on Monday, and they made these cute little crafts. She looked so cute in them I could hardly stand it!
 

 

Claire Bear absolutely melts my heart. Truly, one of my very favorite things in the world is to pick her up from school. She is always so excited to see me and show me the crafts she made. She tells me all about her time at school, and always wants to stop and get a treat, which of course I do!
 

It was anti-bullying week at Lilly's school last week. I didn't get any pictures of the other days, but got one of pajama. Regardless of her goofy smile, she looked so cute!

Be Still My Heart

Anton's co-worker, Becky Green, who also happens to be an amazing photographer came to our house a couple months ago and did a "lifestyle" session with the girls. I just got the disc back from her, and wanted to cry. She captured them so perfectly...doing what they do every single day, no poses, just them being them. I am so in love with them, messy hair and all! I will cherish these forever.
 

 

 

 

 

 

Time for a change

I had had enough of Claire looking like a ragamuffin constantly. I would do her hair, and 10 minutes later, it would be ripped out. I had finally had enough, so one morning I asked her if she wanted a hair cut. She was all for it. So, off it went! I LOVE it. It looks so darling on her. It makes her hair look a little more thick.
Cute Claire Bear. Love that little bug.
 

 

 

Halloween Festivities 2013

This Halloween was certainly one of the most fun! The girls loved everything about it. We were excited about being in our new neighborhood, and actually having tick-or-treaters, and to be in a neighborhood where there are people out and about. Anton said the girls ran and ran and ran...they loved it!! They certainly looked cute enough!
Both girls had programs in the morning. Halloween can be a busy day for parents, so I was exhausted by the end. Lilly had her school choir concert...DARLING! She sang so well, and really seemed to enjoy it. After that, both girls had parades at their school. I made homemade chili and cornbread, and off them went. They came home with way too much candy!!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bozeman

We took a trip to Bozeman, MT a few weeks ago. It was so fun, and so beautiful. Anton works quite a bit up there, and has really fallen in love with Bozeman. And, he loves the people he works with. Elizabeth and Jurgen are like family to him, he just adores them. They were kind enough to let us stay with them. I am sure we (meaning, the girls) wore them right out. The trip started a little rough with my car giving us fits (again!), and then once we were up there, Claire fell and gave herself a black eye. No surprise there! Jurgen had a clever idea for a photo op:
 

 

They took us to the Missouri Headwaters State Park. It was stunning. The girls could have stayed for hours throwing rocks, and collecting rocks with Elizabeth.
 

 

 

We stopped at what looked like a charming little burger joint on the drive up there...so disgusting!!
 

Claire organizing all her toys to show them off.
 

They also took us to the Museum of the Rockies. It was incredible. The dinosaur replicas were so life like, Claire was shaking. It is a great museum!!

It was so much fun, and so beautiful up there. I can see why so many people love Bozeman. I am really looking forward to spending a lot more time up there!