Family Party!

 We had so many birthdays in the month of January and February (Ethan, Lucas, and Clayton) we decided to celebrate at the bowling alley. We had so much fun. The kids loved it - even the "babies" loved taking their turn rolling the ball down the ramp! It's nice to live by family!

Alisa still managed to bowl (half a game!) even at 8 months pregnant!

 Let's just say it's a good thing I wasn't trying to impress anyone or trying to get myself on the bowling league! Gone are my "good" bowling days!

 Jane and Wyatt had lots of fun eating pizza, drinking soda, making silly faces, and laughing a lot at how funny they were!

 Jane, Wyatt, and Owen

 Lucas was so proud of himself each time he'd bowl!

 Here are the Birthday boys!!

Happy valentine's Day!

It's just not valentine's day without some sugar cookies......right? Lucas and Jane had lots of fun helping me make a valentine after school snack. Well let's just say they thoroughly enjoyed frosting one cookie, eating it, and licking their hands clean!
Andy came home with flowers. He was putting them in water and Lucy was watching his every move. Just as he turned around to give them to me (or so she thought) she turned to walk upstairs. Andy said "Lucy, come here. These are for you. Happy Valentine's Day."
It was a priceless moment. The look on her face was complete shock and she got this goofy sweet smile. She was so so happy in that moment and it carried throughout the rest of the night. You could tell she felt so special. So, Andy gave flowers to Lucy and Jane and they both loved them. He also gave me flowers which I loved but I loved even more that he thought of his cute little girls on Valentine's day.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

We always look forward to finding a little treat or surprise in the mail from Grandma and Grandpa around the holidays. The last couple of valentine days we have been given a gift card to enjoy ice cream at cold stone which is a huge treat for our kids! Thanks Grandma and grandpa!

Alisa's Baby Shower

It is really fun living close to a sister so I can be part of things like throwing a baby shower for her! When does that happen? In my life - never. I have never lived close to my siblings and now I live close to two of them. I helped Camie along with two of Alisa's friends throw a shower for Alisa. It turned out great.
Lucy and Lydia felt like very BIG girls being invited to Alisa's shower

Happy Birthday Lucas

Lucas is my sweet little boy who just turned 5 this month!! It is hard to believe he is already FIVE!! He really is the funniest kid ever. Not because he tries but because of his funny remarks and crazy stories. He is my child to fall off of chairs while eating or is so innocent to everything. He LOVES to create and loves to follow me around all day. I don't know what I will do without him once he starts going to school. Other than making cookies, our favorite thing to do is play games like Stratego, Memory, and Uno. We also love to hide in the closet and pretend a bear is chasing us! These are the daily top picks!

If you give him paper,pipecleaners, scissors, or tape he can make anything! Here are a few of his creations made out of pipecleaners.

Goodbye Crib and now what do we do with Jane?!??!

Almost ten years ago (yes, that is a LONG time ago!) we went on a search for a crib for our first child (lucy). This is the crib we found and who knew that once it went up it wouldn't come down for nearly ten years! And who knew that it would last as long as it did! Over the holidays I put Jane down for a nap in her crib and within a few minutes she was standing by my side. I was shocked. I have NEVER had kids climb out of the crib! I put her back in her crib and by the time I made it down stairs she was already out of the crib again (this time she didn't bother to come and tell me. She went straight for the playroom!). So, no more crib! I didn't dare put her back in. However, I knew this would be a bit of a problem as I wasn't ready to drop her nap but knew she wouldn't take one if she didn't have bars to contain her. Jane has now tried just about everything. She has slept in a big bed which she claims has scary movies (perhaps referring to the shadows she sees on the wall??!?!). So, then it was back to the pack and play but then she started climbing out of that not to mention she really is too big for it. And most recently she is sleeping just on her mattress so it isn't quite so high. Let's just say I feel like we have tried everything for her. She is a walking beast because she doesn't take naps anymore. She wakes up tired and stays that way all day. Please tell me she will outgrow this phase. I just don't remember having this issue with my others! Ughh!

Good as New

Ever since we moved into our home in June I have been busy with a lot of projects for the house. I have had a lot of fun finding cheap furniture or using old furniture and refinishing it. It takes some time but has been fun to see it from start to finish. Not to mention, I love saving money! Here are some of the things I have done:

BEFORE
this is an old dresser

AFTER
(excuse the mess around it!)

BEFORE
Our old kitchen table
I sanded it down and Andy cut down the legs for me and it is now used as an art table in our bonus room

AFTER

BEFORE
Here is a random night stand I picked up at the good will for under $5

AFTER
(We put it in Lucy's room)

BEFORE

This was my greatest find. I picked it up on the side of the road in Indiana when we were living in our tiny place. I got it for FREE. It sat in our very small dining area for several months and looked ridiculous but I knew I'd be happy to have it once we moved and knew just where I'd use it. Even though we didn't really have room to store it I'm glad we held onto it.

AFTER
(This was Free other than the glass I had cut to sit on top!)

BEFORE
Once again another good will find. Check out the price below!

AFTER
(It goes perfect with the desk I put in Lucy's room!)

This is more like it!

I was fully expecting a FREEZING cold winter with lots of snow. I have waited and waited. This is not to imply that I want the bitter cold I have been dreading but I have been so surprised at how little snow we have had and how "warm" it has been all winter. Well, the warm spell is over. This week has been bitter which is fine as long as you dress for it. Last night with the wind chill it was close to negative 30 degrees (or so my brother in law reported but i believe it because i stepped outside to see just what that feels like. It was beyond freezing!!It's nothing to hope for!!)
Today I went to pick Lucas up at preschool and dumped out some water from a sippie cup in the parking lot next to my car. By the time I returned back to my car (just moments later) it was an icy mess! Yes, I am not going to lie - it is COLD here and yes, I am now happy andy gave me a heating blanket for my feet in bed. However, I am still glad to be living here! We'll have to see if I still feel that way by the end of the winter!