heartache

My heart aches today.

I grieve for those young innocent souls who were robbed of all their possibilities.

I hurt for the families facing the holidays without their children and all the magic they add to the season.

I pray for those connected to those responsible for this devastating day.

I'm blessed.  I will go home to my healthy family and hug them tight.

 “In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can’t build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery and death.” ~ Anne Frank

Sweet

I haven't taken actual Portraits of my girls since Lila turned 3.

I typically favor outdoor, and a little more candid.

However, the other day I had my "studio" set up for a shoot and 

the girls asked me to take their picture.

So I obliged.

They put on their pretty little Christmas dresses and I snapped a few.

Sometimes, a nice portrait is just perfect!

The craze of the holidays is in full force at our home, but through it all... I'm truly enjoying myself!

My girls are full of the magic of the season, and I'm getting to bask in their glow!

I may not have time for deep thoughts and well designed blogs... but I'm living it!

At some point, I'll take a breath and share with you the fun times we're having!

Christmas-y Stuff

Santa and Christmas trees... it doesn't get much more holiday than that!

This year is going to be Fabulous!  I just know it!

Crazy, yep!  A little stressful, absolutely!
But I'm so excited!

We are hosting 3 holiday events in 3 weeks, and although that gives me a touch of panic, 

I also remember how nice it is to have everyone at my home!

Plus, it gives me good reason, to really go out and decorate the house!

Last week I took the girls to see the Big Guy in red and this was the first year they both

really ENJOYED it!  

A few nerves at first (I mean honestly... he's a little "intense"), but then they were

chatting and high-fiving Santa!

They both voluntarily sat on his lap at his request, and yes, I did purchase the ridiculously overpriced $17 single photo, but they loved it, so it was well worth it!

We supported our local Boy Scouts and purchased our tree on Sunday!  I think this is the Best tree we've ever had!  It's tall and full, yet slim... so it doesn't take over our entire porch!

Last night was time to decorate!  

I did the lights and garland, and the girls and Ry helped in putting on the ornaments!

Lila was after my heart with "oohs" and "aahs" and exclamations of "Oh Mommy, It's BEAUTIFUL!"  She was so into the whole thing... magic I tell ya!

Ellie enjoyed it too, just in a little less attentive way.  

She only broke 2 ornaments, not too bad ;)

I think it must be hard to pay attention when your pants keep falling off.

I think this is the most beautiful ever!

I love Christmas!

Hubers

A lovely co-worker of mine asked me to snap a few pictures of her lovely family.

It was hard to stop at just a few.

So I didn't.

And I would like to mention, that sometimes it's very handy to have train tracks in your backyard!

Preschool Feasts, Our day of Thanks, and a cousin sleepover!

Last Wednesday, Lila's Preschool had a little "Feast with a Parent".

I tell ya... you would never think a little macaroni in a styrofoam cup could be so sweet!

They did a few of their usual activities, sang their prayers, then showed us parents to our seats.

They had colored us placemats, and then (with help from their teachers), they served us our Feast!

It melted my heart!

We also made a little Turkey magnet to put on the fridge!

Ryan celebrated Turkey Day in Wisconsin with his Dad, Grandma, and extended family.

I spent the day with my Mom and family and although we missed each other, it was nice that we each got to see our families.

The day was nice, the girls did well, and I was reminded of all the things I have to be Thankful for!

(My mom does a wonderful job hosting, everything looked So Pretty!)

Black Friday was spent with me at work, then rounding up my nephews for a weekend of kid-crazy chaos!

As Ryan was still in Wisconsin, it was just me and the 4 rugrats until Saturday night!  

While I feel I managed fairly well, and all the kids has fun, and we remained without major injury...

I'm confident in my choice to NOT have 4 children!

Whew!

Pizza, Pancakes, Bounce Houses, Playgrounds, and Play-Doh... there wasn't a dull moment!

Sunday, Ryan took the boys home and my Dad came for a nice visit!

We had a good lunch and got some work done in the garage. (THANK YOU DAD!)

We're off to visit the Big Guy in Red today and then it's BASEMENT COMPLETION MODE

until it's finished!

I can't wait to show a few pictures... it's going to look Great!

pooped

it's been a wild few weeks.

and it's only going to get worse!

A day of Thanks, cousin sleepover all weekend, and finish-the-basement project in full force!

We made the decision to not only host both Christmas and a New Years party, 

but to finish our basement before that time

(yes, we're completely nuts)

I had my two nephews stay with us for the weekend,

and Ryan was gone hunting for 1/2 the time, so I managed them solo!

The holidays are here and everyone is in tinseled Chaos...

blogging has fallen to the lower portion of the "to-do" list.

we're pooped.

I currently have the intention to follow up on our

recent events with individual posts...

we'll see how that goes ;)

November odds and ends

Ryan was gone this past weekend.

It's hunting season you know.

The girls and I hung out, tackled some housework,

and put out a small chunk of our Christmas decorations.

The weather was phenomenal and overall, it wasn't too bad a weekend.

(not that I look forward to two more weekends of it, but whatever.)

I was working on some holiday gift projects and found a few picts

from this month and threw a few in from this weekend.

No rhyme or reason... just a smattering of this and that.

My dad's friend, Konny, made this for Lila.  So cute, right?!

Ellie likes to put Daddy's hair in ponytails... future stylist?

I love Boone

We like to sit on the table and do puzzles.  They actually worked on them together for almost 30 minutes~! It was the most quiet I had all weekend!

They had so much fun decorating Lila's little tree!  Don't worry, I bought E one too, we put that up tonight!

Konny made E's blue one too.  Seriously, so cute!