Our Year

January

The Blizzard of 2016!  We hunkered down and enjoyed some downtime together and prayed we did not lose power (we didn't).  It was fun playing in the snow when the blizzard was done and during a good lull.

February

The premiere of the Grandpa, Audrey, and Celia show happened.  I took the girls for a weekend trip to visit Grandma and Grandpa and they came up with a show.  We were busy just with life- gymnastics and fencing, choir, and school work.

March

Easter, Celia lost a 6th tooth, a nice school break.  

March was fun!  

April

I took the kids to Nashville and we had an amazing time!

It was the first time the girls took a plane trip and both were very excited and well behaved.

As you can see the dolls and Fluffy made the trip.

The cousins all had fun together and the weather was nice.

We visited a Science museum (and my shoes fell apart), went to an awesome musical at the Nashville Children's theater, and just had fun hanging out with family.

May

Hmm... When I think back to this month it was sort of an awesome month for Audrey.

She had her best friend's petting zoo birthday party and we also took her to the zoo while big sis was in school.

June

Schools out!! 

 

Auds graduated from Pre-K and left a school we have been involved with since Celia was 1!

Celia finished up her first year in public school and it was great!

July

Swim team!!

Auds was 5th in mini champs in Free style

Celia medaled in breast stroke and freestyle and we endured the monsoon and mud at championships.

When Celia and I looked back though that weekend was one of our highlights.

It was fun but WET.

And a visit from Aunt Vickie, Emmett, and Katie!

August

It's all about the beach.

Okay so we had VBS and that was amazing as Celia had a solo and school TECHNICALLY started in August but really August is the beach.  We even found out the girl's teachers while we were at the beach and Celia got the teacher she wanted.  I loved seeing her expression when I told her.

I also found out that Audrey's daycare buddy was in her classroom.  But our whole family loves our vacation in the outer banks.  

September

Yes, I know TECHNICALLY school started in August but I am declaring September the start of school.  It just feels right.

We welcomed a new member of the family

Beta Max the Beta fish

Celia turned 9 and had a fun Percy Jackson party with minute to win it games and a showing of a Percy Jackson movie.

September was a busy month but I also just remember some stress made me soak life in a bit and I took time to enjoy the little things.  Auds and I had some awesome afternoons just playing outside

October

Aud's took me for froyo for my birthday

And really October was all about pumpkins and Halloween

November

We got some leaf raking and jumping in

The house earned a new roof.  When you pay that much, you need to put it in the year in review

Miss Audrey turned 6!!  A kitty Cat Cake for her on Thanksgiving

December

We started it off with out town's Christmas parade and a party before it.

Then the next morning we had Pete's company Children's Christmas party and met Santa.  Our Christmas mouse (like elf on the shelf but Christian based) sent us on a fun scavenger hunt.

Audrey had her holiday birthday party.

It was her first kid's party and I would say it was a success.

She collected toys to donate to a little boy.

Celia had her dance performance and she did an awesome job

Then Christmas happened

We have not jam packed Christmas break and will be sad to see it end.

We did Dutch Wonderland after visiting with family on Monday.

Then on Wednesday we headed into Philly for the Academy of Natural Sciences and to the Reading Terminal market.

Time with friends and family has occupied the remaining moments.

Here's too an Awesome 2017.  Audrey already told me she thought it was next year so it might not be as exciting for her.

Christmas Day

So yeah, sat next to a Wookie on Christmas Day during services.  

Christmas services were "pajamas encouraged" attire. 

I thought it was just for kids and honestly would have been much more comfy in pjs.

I wore this.  The blanket scarf was a Christmas gift from Pete.

It really does keep me warm!

  

This was right when they came down the stairs.

The girls basically got up at their normal wake up time, maybe even slightly later?

Pete got up early and so I was able to head down stairs and make our annual Christmas cinnamon rolls.  Thank you very much Trader Joes.

Also, you can see just 2 of the many pictures displayed up our stairs now.  

Walgreens had these wood panels and I had a 55% off coupon so I scored a bunch this holiday season and that is my little Christmas gift to myself.  I still have a few more to hang.

Flick'n Chickens game.  

Audrey's big Santa gift was a doll tent, doll sleeping bag, and doll camping gear.

She also scored a Calico Critter camping kit (thingy, not sure what to call it).

It is funny what ends up being the favorites, a tiny dog that came with the camping theme gift and stocking stuffers from bath and body works seem to be the favorite.

Celia got a Welly Wisher named Camille.

She also got Star Wars Guess Who and New Fuzzy slippers.  A Wii game from Pete and a new Star Wars iPad app seems to be her favorites too.  

Behind her is the tent I made for the girls.

Aunt Vickie made this awesome sewing machine cover for Celia's machine.

Celia could not figure out what it was at first however she loved it without even knowing the purpose because it is so cool!

I just had to snap a picture of this.  

This is Auds with the tiny puppy and Calico Critter set with toothbrush hanging out of her mouth.

We were getting ready to go to church.

My big gift to the family this year will be appreciated more later I think.

I gave them a family fun coupon file with gift cards, coupons, etc.  Included are coupons like breakfast in bed, a family dinner out, movie outings, trip to Washington DC, trip to the Aquarium, dates with Mommy/Daddy, special sleepovers with grandparents, etc.  I was excited about it but at their age it is more understood when the events actually happen.  I had fun creating it so that matters.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve

The day started a little before 6 am.  The girls and I headed to Wegmans for our Christmas Eve discount ornaments and breakfast.  The food was yummy the ornament selection sparse...  But Audrey chose a Dory ornament and Celia a gorgeous butterfly.  I had sushi for breakfast and it was delicious- avocado rolls and some cooked crab rolls.  Try it for breakfast sometime.

Then some laundry, tv/ipad vegging, cookie baking and decorating, to church at 2 for the 3:00 service.  Pete ushered, Celia sang and read (and designed the bulletin cover!!).  Auds and I hung out and enjoyed the service.  I bravely allowed both girls to hold candles for Silent night.

Back home we went for some Wii playing, laundry again, dishwasher emptied and breakfast for dinner!!  My excitement is that scrambled eggs are finally back in Auds life.  She is now a pancake snob and will only consume pumpkin pancakes which we had to night (thank you Trader Joes for your awesome pumpkin pancake mix).

So I leave you with Miss Audrey and Fluffy.  Fluffers has been by her side constantly lately.  She is quite the little cookie decorator lately and not as much a cookie eater!

Pretty dancer

Celia has been taking Praise dance at a local church since September.  It is a free program and the only request they make is that we perform for the church during certain times of the year.  This past weekend was the first performance.  Celia danced in their Christmas fest and then in the Sunday services.  Although we really feel that our curtain church is the best fit for us right now, we really enjoyed this church service.