Snow Day!

While my sister was visiting from Portland we decided to head up to Baker to do some sledding! Grandma T, Julia and the 4 of us all packed into the Acadia and headed up the mountain. The weather conditions were not the greatest but we had fun and the hot cocoa afterwards was worth the trip! Here are some pics from our snowy adventure!

Julia ready with her tube!

Daddy pulling Ayden on the sled!

Maddy making a snow angel!

Ayden wondering why this white stuff is so cold!

Having fun sledding together!

Holiday Recap...

We started off the season with a new tradition.... "Elf on the Shelf" was introduced to the kids and they LOVED it! An elf was sent to our house from Santa to "watch" throughout the day and report back to Santa every night on how Madelyn and Ayden had been behaving. Since he leaves to see Santa at night, every morning he is in a new spot. The kids had so much fun trying to find him each morning! The book also suggests you name your elf so our elf was named "Taylor". He was a big deal in our home this year and I have a feeling he will continue to be many years to come!






We took the kids picture in front of the tree again this year for our annual Christmas card and as always Mommy and Daddy act goofy to get a smile or laugh from each of them... :)

Madelyn had her preschool Christmas program again this year but this year was very special in that she was chosen to be Mary (or as Maddy called it, "baby Jesus' mommy"). It was precious to watch her take her "role" so serious and watch her motherly instincts come through! She is pretty adorable if I do say so my self. :)

We spent Christmas Eve at Grandma Pam and Grandpa Gerry's house again this year. It was great spending time with almost all the fam, Mike and Happy couldn't make it this year but it was fun Skyping with them and seeing all their outside decorations at their house in Las Vegas. We had a fabulous dinner and enjoyed just being together!

Mr. and Mrs. Claus were up nice and late putting together toys for Christmas morning which of course was all worth it! The kids were very excited and happy to know that Santa delivered on 3 things each of them asked for! :) Bryan had to work Christmas Day but we got up extra early to be able to spend some time in the morning with him.

This time of year is definitely my favorite, the joy, the happiness, and the time with family is truly the greatest gift of all.

Christmas Tree!

Each year we bundle up and head out to the Big Lake Tree Farm to find the "perfect" tree, this year both kids were so excited and really helped look for the best tree ever! It was a sunny crisp day and we indeed found a wonderful tree! Here are some pictures of our day....

I'm back!

Ok.... I know that I have said in the past that I am back to blogging but I really am now!! I was finding it hard to post pictures with my laptop so I bought a wireless mouse and it makes it so much easier that I am now dedicated to keeping my blog up to date! :)

The biggest and best thing that has happened recently is the arrival of our new nephew Owen!! Carly and Brian welcomed Owen Fredrick on October 7 and he is just precious! I was so blessed to be able to be with Carly and Brian during the birth and I truly learned how strong, dedicated and determined my sister really is...I am so proud to be her sister! Here are some pictures of that amazing day....

Easter!

We had a sunny Easter for the first time in a couple years so the kids were SO excited to hunt for eggs in our backyard! The Easter Bunny left baskets for the kids and hid lots of eggs for Maddy and Ayden to find. We finished up the day with an Easter dinner at my mom's, it was truly a wonderful day!

The cupcakes I made for Easter, dark chocolate cake with carmel buttercream!

Ayden hunting for eggs at Gma and Gpa Schuttes

Maddy finding an egg in a fern!

Ayden getting a story read by Uncle Brian and Aunt Carly

Ayden's Birthday Party!

So I am blogging again!! :) Our sweet boy turned 2 so we celebrated at our local Children's Museum again this year. We decided on a train theme since Ayden is slightly obsessed with trains! :) My girlfriends and I planned an adorable and fun party...here are some pictures to share!

Ayden's homemade train invites!

The entrance into the party room!

The party room!

Red Velvet Cupcake with Vanilla Frosting!

All the adorable kiddos eating pizza!

Ayden playing some drums at the museum

Ayden do some work with the crane.... :)

Mommy and Ayden checking out some of his new books!

Sock Puppets!

My sister Julia made a Sock Puppet Kit for Madelyn's 4th Birthday and on this rainy October day it was perfect for some great indoor play! Both kids really got into it, Ayden mainly liked to go through all the fun stuff and toss buttons on the floor but Madelyn was very excited and loved every moment of designing her sock puppet! The kids are so lucky to have such a creative and loving aunt and I admire my sister so much, this blog is definately dedicated to her!! Thank you for the fun activity that I got to share with both my kids!! Here are the pictures of our fun afternoon project!

Madelyn waiting patiently to get started!

The kids checking out all the amazing supplies Aunt Julia provided in the kit!

Starting to create....

Madelyn's finished sock puppet!

Having fun...

Ayden checking out his sock puppet!

The kids playing puppets together...

More fun play!

Madelyn having her puppet and mommy's puppet give kisses!

Thank you again Julia for being such an incredible aunt to both Madelyn and Ayden!

XOXO