Watch out world...

We officially have a walker... I have no doubt Madelyn will be close behind. Where have my tiny little babies gone?

Christmas Cookies

Last night we made Christmas cookies. The girls were skeptical at first but they quickly became big (messy) fans. It was one of those days/evenings that I wish I could freeze and save it somewhere so I could pull it out and remember it forever. Beautiful snow blowing, wonderful Christmas music, tasty cookies and family... bliss.

So clean and excited!

I want my cookies NOW!

Yum!

Cookie Monster

Charlie supervised from the living room.

I hope you are all getting a chance to relax and enjoy the holiday season with your families.

Christmas 2010!

Can I just start off with... I am so excited for Christmas this year. The girls will be a little more aware of what's going on and the excitement of it all. They had a great time helping decorate the tree. In a few years I hope we'll do a real tree but for now it's fake.

Madelyn studied Rudolph's house for a few minutes and then escaped with Rudolph in hand.




Im off to hunt for or make a new tree skirt this weekend as  ours mysteriously went missing.

 Merry Christmas everyone... only 22 days to go!

Water Table Fun

Last month when Craig was out of town for work and I was searching for fun activities I rememred the amazing water/sand table the girls were given for their birthday. Well this post is another great big thank you for that. We tried playing with it near the end of the summer but the girls were really only interested in drinking the water. This time... they splashed and played and had a blast.

Snow!

How perfect is it that our first snow of the season came on December 1st. Such a great introduction to winter. I have resolved to embrace the snow this year without complaints.It really is beautiful, and honestly if you're that against snow you don't live in West MI. So, yesterday the girls and I (and Charlie) experienced playing in the snow with twin toddlers for the first time. I under estimated the amount of time and energy it would take to get them ready for the snow and then just as we were headed out... yup Georgia pooped. So the below picture shows Madelyn hanging out and waiting. I had to open her up so she didn't over heat while I undressed, changed and re-dressed Georgia. Whew!

Before we got outside Georgia was not thrilled with the wardrobe choice. She couldn't move and was trying desperately to escape.

Just as I was getting ready to take her picture Madelyn took her mitten off and reached into the snow.

mmmmmm... snow : /

When I brought them in Madelyn was trying to crawl back outside. She didn't make it very far.



Road Trip!

Last week our family took a road trip to celebrate Thanksgiving and my brother Kris' wedding! Here are some shots of our 13 hr drive south.
The drive down was a lot more pleasant than the drive back. I think the uber level of planning involved contributed to the smooth sailing.

Georgia

Madelyn

Craig

myself

and... Charlie!

Yes, Charlie came along for the family vacation. I know, I know - why?! Well mainly because no one else wanted him : (  and also because we love him and he is such a sweetie. Honestly, he did better with the drive than the rest of us.

Part of the planning included healthy snacks so fast food stops could be fewer. We actually only stop at Burger King for breakfast. Lunch was a healthy lunch enjoyed in a parking lot/field area somewhere in MO.

Lunch also included some sugar cookies with blue frosting... maybe not the neatest choice.

When we arrived in AR the girls shared a sucker with their cousins while waiting for Aunt Chezney to finish making dinner.

 It was so wonderful to see my brother in his natural element. It was great to see his home and his surroundings and most of all to see him!

A little family photo op

Sooo... this is what happens when you go out to lunch and forget the bibs. Nothing some soap and water can't fix... and removing her sweater before she started eating.

Christopher and Madelyn hiding out in the tunnel... and I think Madelyn took her cookie with her.

Georgia was in love with Christopher David's mini rocking chair.

Snuggling with Aunt Chezney... Georgia in the rocking chair.

The wedding was beautiful and the bride was gorgeous. They had a wedding that I think 99% of married people would think "that is how it should be done."  They put eachother first throughout the entire thing as it should be.

So sweet.

The girls quickly figured out they loved the watermelon.

I love Georgia's sweet smile here, even if she has a little watermelon on her face.

I think the girls had a little too much fun...






The ride back was a little more complicated. We left after the wedding so about 5:00 in the afternoon and didn't exactly have a plan of action for the ride home. More go with the flow, stop when we get sick of driving. Well that ended up to be 1am in Springfield, IL. Those 6 hours of sleep were some of the most enjoyable.

Unlike the ride south on the way home I think we singlehandedly kept McDonald's in business in 3 or 4 states. Most of this was the result of thinking we could just drive the 13 hr drive through the night.

The girls experienced their first french fry as well as their first chicken quesadilla. They weren't quite sure what to do with it but in the end decided it was yummy. I agree.


 

The trip was great. The girls actually did a lot better in the car than I expected. We took a bin full of their favorite toys and books which ended up being a hugh lifesaver. It was slightly stressful and messy but so worth it.

What a carseat looks like when it is lived in for over 30 hours in one week.