Snowman

As a gift we got a "Build Your Own Snowman Kit". I thought it was so cute. I didn't realize that it meant the I had to be the one to build the snowman. On Sunday church was cancelled do to the windy and snowy conditions. Lilly was going crazy just hanging out inside all day so we decided to let her play in the snow. She then reminded me about the kit we had received. The problem is that Ryan was sick. So I had to build the snowman. Lilly and I ended up having a ton of fun and freezing together.

We build our snowmen on our little porch so the neighborhood kids don't knock it down. Lilly also likes to open the door and say hi to him throughout the day!

Santa

We made it to see Santa on Saturday. The girls were both very excited!

Kate ended up backing out. Lilly still had fun but she was a little nervous at the same time.

She told Santa that she wanted a violin for Christmas. He told her to be a good girl and to be happy with whatever she gets. Lilly has been trying really hard to be a good girl. I hope that does not all go out the window after Christmas.

Lilly's little friends

The other morning I decided to try and get all the germs out of our house. No one likes being sick for Christmas. This included washing all of Lilly's little friends. I guess I did not realize how much these stuffed animals mean to Lilly. She helped me gather them up and put them in the wash. Then she said that they wanted her to stay near and watch them. So that is just what she did!

She was so happy to have all her friends safe and sound again!

Happy Eating!

This Thanksgiving we loaded up the family wagon and drove the 11 hours to Pittsburgh. Ryan's brother Richy and his family leave in Pittsburgh. We love visiting them and Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh has some of the best food. This was definitely an indulgent week.

The girls did so good the whole ride there. (Maybe it helped that for days I have been telling them that we were going to be in the car all day. It made it sound really fun. )

The morning before we left the girls were so excited. As soon as we hit the rode to pick Ryan up from school the girls were out.

We did not make it to Pittsburgh until midnight and we were exhausted.

The next day we went to the fabolus Oakmont Bakery!

The jacked up turkey sandwich.

This was my contribution to Thanksgiving dinner. It has a layer of cheesecake and a layer of chocolate cake. It was to die for!

The girls got turkey cupcakes.

Wednesday night the kids helped to make the brine for the turkey.

Of course Thanksgiving morning we watched the Thanksgiving day parade. The kids were so inspired by it they had their own parade.

Then there was the howling in the smoke as Uncle Richy smoked our turkey.

Lilly just loved holding my new niece Wren. She could not get enough of her.

This was a FABULOUS turkey. I loved the flavor and how moist it was.

Ryan made his heavenly green bean casserole.

We also had a baked stuffed brie.

With the help of Grandma Joy the kids made these turkeys.

Lilly and her cousin Linus!

Richy took Ryan and Linus to a Pittsburgh Penguin Hockey game. They were third row in the corner. They had a blast!

Gotta love Christmas lights!

We were honored to attend the blessing of Wren Elizabeth McAffee.

What a fabulous time we had. We only wish that we lived closer to family so we could see them more often.

My Lilly

Yep this is my little Lilly growing up so fast I can hardly believe it. This is her preschool photo. She loves preschool! I was hesitant to put her in school already. She seems so young but she has just loved it. It is only 2 1/2 hrs a day twice a week. Perfect for me and her. She loves the structure it gives our days and to be able to look forward to something. I rarely post just about one of my girls but this one is dedicated to Lilly.

She loves...

To write her name and do what she calls school work. (Practicing writing letters and numbers)

To play pretend and loves to go on her own adventures all around the house.

To be a helper and check on her little sister.

Kate and really wants another brother or sister.

Art and coloring.

Her daddy. She gets so thrilled when Ryan comes home.

To be outside. Lilly could live outside. She loves the dirt, bugs and the freedom.

Lilly can't wait to be big and grown up. Every morning she asks me if she looks any bigger. She will say " I did a lot of growing last night." I wish I could get her to understand that life is so great right now and being big in not always fun. She often tells me she want to be big so she can be a girl dentist and a mommy.

Basically Lilly is fantastic and I can't believe how truly blessed I am that I get to be her mother!

Halloween

This year we celebrated Halloween for an entire week. The girls loved being able to dress up so many times. We had a Care bear and a Kitty this year. Kate loved her costume so much that sometime she would take it to nap with her.

On Monday we went trick or treating at the Medical College of Wisconsin. It is so nice that the med school does trick or treating. The girls got a ton of candy and we did not have to get cold and go from house to house.

Kate is so independent. I really think she thinks she is 3 years old. She walked the entire time and wanted to hold her own bag even though it got pretty heavy.

Lilly also had a Halloween party at her dance class. It was fun watching all the girls dance in their costumes.

Then Lilly got to dress up for her preschool party. Have I mentioned how much Lilly really loves preschool.

On Friday night our friends the Gabors threw the best Halloween party. Ryan and I even dressed up. Ryan as Mr. Clean and me as a french maid.

My girls love to dance! Good thing their daddy is a good dancer as well.

Saturday we went to the zoo for "Boo at the Zoo". It was a ton of fun. More trick or treating and seeing the animals what more could you ask for?

After church on Sunday we finally got to carving our pumpkins. Lilly thought it was fun until you had to get your hands yucky and then she just supervised.

Kate is at such a fun aged. She is cracking us up all the time!

After dinner we had friends come over for home made scones. I love having people over and cooking!

Happy Halloween!