11 months of Elaina

Happy Birthday Lauren!

Someone turned 3 on Saturday! And she was all about a quick little photo shoot. I think 3 is going to be a good year for Miss Lauren - I'm excited to watch this little girl grow up!

Happy Birthday Lauren - we love you!

and finally Christmas Part 3

Christmas feels like forever ago... yet we still have our decorations up here - I think this weekend is the weekend they MUST come down! Here are some photos from the last leg of our Christmas journey to Wisconsin. Our time was filled with relaxation, snow mobiling, presents & ice fishing. As always we had a wonderful time!

And now I must officially say goodbye to Christmas and hello to 2013!

10 on 10 January

6:00 - we are doing a 'cleanse' at our house - so instead of coffee I get this (just not the same) 

7:00 - my key chains make me happy - going to the dentist does not

8:00 - this stuff works miracles!

9:00 - baby dolls and forts - a daily occurrence

10:00 - got this for a friend... am really enjoying reading it daily... I haven't mailed it yet - sorry friend! 

11:00 - vacuuming is no fun - but my socks are :)

12:00 - lunchtime mess

1:00 - I like to put on a clean table cloth, light a candle and hide in this little space when the house is a mess and the kids have laid down for naps - happiness

2:00 - E's new trick

3:00 - This sign is taunting... I walk by, but stop to take in the aroma and a photo...

4:00 - rain + rush hour = a lot of singing in the car

Happy January 10!

A resolution

One of my resolutions (or hopes for the new year) is to take more pictures of our 'everyday' - This post by Paint the Moon is inspiring!

Though I know I won't do the picture every week I need to remember every picture does not need to be perfect. Capturing the little moments is what matters. 

Happy 2013!

10 months of Elaina

Christmas - Part 2

Part 2 takes place in Iowa and begins with a flashback to my early 20's. It was called something like 'christmakwanzapalooza' or something whacky like that. Kelly's brother Cannon organizes the bus & route around the area... Brett & his friends were all there and then there was - the over 30 crowd. They stuck us on the front of the bus & insisted on us doing Jello shots... not really a good idea - though I will admit we all had a great time!

I recovered and we spent the day at the new 'cabin', 'cottage', 'ponderosa' - Only time will tell this home's name but it is perfect and we had so much fun just hanging out together here. 

The boys created a sledding chute.

Curt takes these things very seriously. There are days I truly believe he's a 10 year old trapped in a 34 year olds body. And he tells me I'm a 50 year old trapped in a 32 years old body. I guess that's why we're good for each other! 

warming up!

And there were a few presents to be opened of course. I didn't take any other pictures inside... it's cozy, warm & has my mom's creative touches & pieces of Grandpa's cabin all over it. It's perfect and 'lovely'!

 

Then we just spent time hanging out at mom and dad's together - these kids always have a blast when they're together. Look at how well behaved all 5 children are.. oh wait we bribed them with opening their gifts after the picture :) poor Reese didn't get the memo about the striped shirt - sorry Reese! (I'm kidding, it wasn't planned)

I just love these smiles!

and here are some Christmas Eve photos. I had a wonderful birthday - slept in, went to the gym with dad, got treated to a coffee from 'Em's', went to church with our family, opened presents & ate angel food cake - it was perfect as always. I just love having a birthday on Christmas Eve - I am always surrounded by people I love and the spirit of Christmas is always in the air. I am blessed!

Then there were presents from Uncle Brett after church of course. Lauren got a cat piano that plays different notes of 'meow, meow, meow, meow...' you get the hint and there is a microphone - thank you Uncle Brett! 

and we ended with another night at the Cottage with Grandma and Grandpa before we had to leave on Wednesday. 

We love you and had a wonderful Christmas. Thank you for everything Grandma and Grandpa!