More everyday life

Elizabeth and I flip flop kids so we can each
volunteer weekly in the kid's classrooms. We like having Eliza over!

Kelsey painted a tooth fairy.

and a picture of me!

Taylie painted with a paintbrush for the first time.

And liked it!

Taylie THOUGHT she was ready to potty train and insists on going in the toilet and has been successful, but after two very small potty accidents in 5 hours, I already gave up hope on her. Sorry Taylie, you'll have to try and convince me again in a few months.

This sweet boy, Oliver, turned ONE today so we threw him a party here!

9 kids and 5 moms

We had a lot going on!

But had fun!

Everyday Life

I'm trying to take more pictures of our "everyday" life. More of the not perfect pictures, messes, laughter, kids being kids, and also happy times together. These are the things I'm going to miss when they get older. So here's some to start.

Jason and Mace had a snow day on Friday!

Can you see both girls on top of him?

It's a heavy load to run with...trust me I've tried it, therefore I am always glad

when he's up for going outside!

Plus their dad is a bit more "fun" outside than me.

Macey and Kelsey's idea: "Let's see how many

puzzles we can do while Dad's at basketball

practice and surprise him when he gets home!"

Lots of snuggle time during Christmas break. It was a

nice relaxing two weeks all together at home.

Girls got into my preschool stuff while I was making

dinner one night. Always nice to have them

kept busy at that time of day :)

Mace reading to Taylie.

Candyland is a favorite these days.

These two love babies.

and playing tea party together.

Whoops!

Christmas Eve Day

Tradition changed up a bit this year for Christmas Eve. Usually we come into Holland and go to church at 6pm then to my dad's to do gifts, food, etc. But since my girls normally go to bed at 6:30 and we still have to travel to Dorr that night, it has been all a bit too rushed in the past. This year, we got to Holland by 11am and did half of the presents, then ate lunch, opened more presents, and relaxed! We got to actually see what we opened and enjoy some of them. We took the girls to go see Grandpa, the guys watched football, and snacked all day. Not sure if this tradition will stay or not, but it was definitely more relaxing and less rushed!

Brenda's famous Christmas cookies (just like Grandma's!)

Macey eyeing the presents and trying to be patient.

Watching the dogs outside...she liked them more from a distance, that's for sure.

Excited about the blanket Aunt Brenda made.

More watching the dogs.

Annual family picture.

The bottle JUST dropped! Whoops!

"Thanks Aunt Brenda!"

Buff Brenda!

Very excited about a new hat.

"Yes! It twirls!"

Trying out the new nail polish. A good job for Aunt Brenda.

Can you tell my girls get a bit spoiled from their Aunt Brenda and Bumpa? :) I tell them EVERY year, "The girls don't need much at all!"