Frosting, cookies, and candy!

We made cookies for Santa tonight since he visits our house early each year. We like to enjoy a day together before we head up north for family parties and let the girls enjoy their gifts from us and Santa while we pack, bake, cook, and load up the van. So anyways, we made cookies tonight and I took a lot of cute ones of them by the fireplace afterwards. I uploaded them so I'd have room on my card for tomorrow's pictures. Then AFTER deleting them from the card, I noticed only ONE uploaded and so here it is. Guess it teaches me to double check the uploads before deleting. Oh well.

Here they are during the process...

taking things quite seriously...

making them perfect for Santa....

and we decided they tasted pretty good!

Last weekend, Jason's parents came down and the girls decorated a gingerbread house and make Christmas trees out of sugar cones.

These two pictures make me laugh.

And apparently something was quite funny.

The finished product!

I should take a picture of the many other things we decorated this year from Preschool, Storytime, etc. We have quite the collection!

Well, the girls are snug in their beds, stockings are filled, and presents are all wrapped so I'm off to bed for a fun filled day tomorow (with a few more to follow).

Have a Merry Christmas!

Snow Day!

Snow Day!!!!!

Chicago Trip

On Saturday, Brenda, and I took Macey and Kelsey to the Windy City! We met up in Michigan City and took the train into town. Aunt Jean and cousin Katie were there to pick us up which was so nice. From there, we headed to Lincoln Park Zoo for awhile. I'd say the carousel ride and the monkeys were the highlights. Then we were off to visit Cousin Rachel, Dave, and one month old baby Charlotte. She is a sweetie and looks just like her Daddy! Before we knew it, we had to head back into the city to catch the train back. We were back home safe and sound by 10pm :) Wish the day could have been longer so we could have enjoyed more. Next time we plan to make it a two day trip I think. The girls had fun....the next morning Kelsey said at breakfast, "I want to go back to visit baby Charlotte" and while waiting for the bus this morning, Mace said, "I can't wait to tell Sophia all about my trip to Chicago!"

Happy Halloween!

I hate to put too much money into Halloween and was glad to pull off three witch costumes for only $2.50 this year. The girls were excited about their costumes and excited to wear them out and about. Macey had a Harvest party at school on Friday, then a Monster Mash on Saturday at school when she could wear her costume. Kelsey and Taylie had a fun Halloween Storytime on Friday at the library and got lots of goodies there. Trick or treating was from 4-6 around here yesterday, which is nice because it's still light out. Here are some pictures!

Fall Fun

(sorry my blogs jump all around...when I realize it's been awhile, I look through pictures and realize they are so random)

This girl loves her picture taken. Everywhere, everyday, all the time.

It's that time of year again...time to rake and rake some more!

This is what our evenings look like around our house. No, Macey doesn't have homework yet, but she wishes she did. She likes Jason to make up math worksheets for her, teach her to draw something new (star, Shrek, elephant, etc.) or enjoys spelling out new words. Sometimes Kelsey joins in with painting or coloring as well, but not as often.

Kelsey got to ride Tucker the other day at Carol's Farm!

Again, Kels begged for pictures so I got out the camera and she was making all sorts of faces. I love this one because it looks like she has attitude. If you know Kelsey, she doesn't know how to get attitude.

There, that's more like it! :)

Taylie at 15 months

Taylie just turned 15 months and here's what she's up to these days....

Still nursing 2-3 times a day

Wears size 3 diapers

Can fit in anything size 6 mo-18 month

If we're home she takes 2 naps a day still

Favorite foods: mac and cheese, cheese of any kind,
yogurt, oatmeal with toast, pizza, and raisin toast.

Can say: Dada, Dodo (Dora), bye bye, ha (hi), pee (please), doNe, pumpum (pumpkin) and Doh (dog)

Loves books read to her, especially Look and Find books.

Favorite "toys" are markers, Lite Brite, card games, and puzzles.

Is obsessed with Barney.

She loves routines. For example, when I say it's time to get Macey off the bus she runs to the door, gets her shoes, wants to get the mail and looks for the bus. When Mace gets off, she runs to take her shoes off into the house, shuts the door and runs to the pantry door for snack and throws it onto her highchair. Same thing with bedtime routine, she RUNS to do the next thing in order.

Still only has 4 teeth.

She's had an ear infection now for a few weeks and we go back tomorrow for another recheck. Since she was up again 3 times last night, I have a feeling something still might be going on in there :(

We go next week for her 15 month appointment, but since we've been at the Dr alot lately, I know she's around 18 lbs which is below the chart so we're constantly trying to get this girl to eat and drink more.

She is definitely an opinionated little girl and knows what she wants. She even threw a few tantrums the other day, which we have not yet experienced much in this house, so we could be in for it with her :)