Braces on!

Sierra got her braces this week.

This just seems like such a grown up thing.
Another milestone among the many we've had lately.
 

She was so excited to be able to choose her colors.
She and Daddy had discussed the options, in depth, the night before.

The last "before" photo :(
She will never look like this again.
 

The brackets . . . on!
 

 

Big Cow & Little Cow . . . these two stuffies have come along to EVERY

dental appointment Sierra has ever had :)
 

And finally . . . new beginnings.

Now ~ deep breath . . . I have a baby turning 5 in less than a week.
{Sob!}

Milestones

This little Miss . . .

is fixin' to turn 5!!

I cannot wrap my mind around this.
Five.
It's such a milestone, isn't it?
 CRAZY.  Oh, sometimes I wish life had a pause button.

So much going on here!
Sissy gets braces on Monday.
*Another* milestone. Eeek!
And I had every intention of snapping some photos at her dentist appointment last week.
I wanted to capture each moment, every step of the way of our new adventure.
So. I packed my camera in my bag, and hauled it to the appointment.
And proceeded to NOT take a single picture :(
I don't know where my brain is.
Honestly.
I have no memory anymore.
But I do have good intentions.

We have a full week coming up.
Visits with friends, my sister is coming for a visit, braces for Sierra, and party prep for
Miss Kam's 5th birthday party!!!

Ahhhhh, I'm tired already! ;)


 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Rainy Day Photo Shoots

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Lego-Building

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to the Living

Oh.my.goodness.
We have been sicker than sick around here.
A week or so before Christmas all of us started feeling a little under the weather.

But we made it through a crazy, busy Christmas Day.
I love Christmas, and I love Family.
But our Christmas Day is crazy.
It starts bright and early at home where we open our presents to each other.
Then we quickly pack up gifts to head to Jeremy's parent's house.
We spend the rest of the morning and early afternoon there, enjoying our time with them,
and eating a delicious brunch! :)
After that we head home to drop off gifts received, and pick up more gifts that are destined for my parent's house.
We then get to spend time with my parents and siblings and their families.
By evening it's time to stop by the house again to drop off and pick up more gifts.
Then on to Jeremy's grandparents house for our final stop.
And finally we return home, often not before 9 or 10pm.

It makes for an awfully long day.
Especially for little ones.
Especially when  no one is feeling their best.

So it was no wonder that after trying to fight off a virus,
it finally took hold right after Christmas Day.
And goodness, did it take hold!
Tay and I were the firsts, followed by Kam, then Sierra, and Kenners.
And it has been MISERABLE.
But we have been a fever-free house for two days! 
Woohooo!

So, finally . . .
Christmas re-cap:

Christmas morning at our house.
Sierra got a new Remington hat she's been wanting for awhile :) 

 

 

Kenners got a new hat too!
 

Then up to Grandma and Grandpa's!

 

Tay was getting the hang of it by this time ;)
 

Kam loves her nightgowns :)
 

And then . . . we had a surprise visitor!!
Santa stopped by because he forgot to deliver a gift.
Ten gifts, actually.
Each box with a letter that the girls were to unscramble.
 

Hmmm . . . what are we trying to spell?
 

Looks like Disneyland!
 

Grandma and Grandpa are taking the six of us
{and Uncle Josh too!}
to Disneyland in May!

Do the girls look excited?
Just a little ;)
 

Special presents for our trip:
Minnie tees, autograph books, luggage tags, and coin purses.
 

And then it was on to my mom and dad's where Taylor and Monique
had a very intense conversation ;)
 

 

We play BINGO with my parents every New Year's Eve,
but we were so sick this year, we had to postpone.
Finally, a couple nights ago we were well enough to venture out of the house for a mini version.

We even made some super yummy drinks to take with us:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 And here we are.
On the mend.
Getting back in the swing of things.
We started back to school today, with a new and improved attitude!

What have y'all been up to??

Stay healthy ♥

 

 

 

 

The Best of 2013

 

I have been tremendously blessed by my photography business this year.

 

It has been an absolute pleasure to be a part of the memory-making for so many precious families.

 

   

 

 This little guy needed a collage of his own ;)
I cannot handle all of the adorable . . . it's just too much!

 

 It's hard to believe that 2013 is coming to a close,
but what fun to have a whole new year to look forward to!

Can't wait!

 

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11


Merry Christmas to you all!
 

 

 

 

Counting Down!

I can't believe we are so close to Christmas!

How is it that December picks up more speed with each day??

 

We've been busy with outings and activities each day.

 

We met up with friends to watch our dance studio's recital.

We took Fall session off this year because we had so many other things going.

It was strange not watching my own girls dance, but I think they kind of enjoyed getting to see the recital from a different view :)

 

The girls went shopping with Daddy {well, the older two, anyway}.

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned how adorable I think that is.

 

The girls got mani/pedis at the salon.

I've had a gift certificate at our local salon for ages,

and I just didn't see me having the time to go use it.

Besides, how much MORE fun is it to watch your little girls be pampered??

 

 

 

 

 We've been wrapping, and baking, and watching our favorite Christmas movies ♥

 

 Only a few days left  . . . 

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Donut Making

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Countdown to Christmas 2013 ~ Days 13, 14, & 15

 Well, Friday, the 13th was spent at the movie theater.
Going to the theater is kind of a big deal around here.
We don't go often because we always have a little one, and . . .
let's face it, going to the theater is EXPENSIVE.

We went to see Frozen.
Ohhhhhh, it was so great!
We all adored it.
And . . .
Taylor sat the WHOLE way through.
I couldn't believe it!
Big girl :)

 

 

Saturday family came to bake cookies at our house.
Gingersnaps, Sugar cookies, Sandies, and Peanut Butter . . . just to name a few.

 

Sunday was busy, busy, busy.
Rehearsals at church in the morning, followed by the service, and then the program
and annual donut fry that evening.

Today we are watching Christmas movies and staying in jammies all day!
Hooray for a jammie day!

Christmas is nearly here!

 

 

 

 

 

Countdown to Christmas 2013 ~ Days 11&12

Day 11 was a nice, quiet day spent at home.
The girls were surprised with a couple of new books. 

 

And Day 12, we continued our annual tradition of visiting Grandma at work.

 

She surprised each of the girls with a new ornament,
and they drank cocoa, and ate cupcakes.

 

 

 

But I think their most favorite part was playing at the desk.
Grandma's 10-key was a HUGE hit, lol!
I'm pretty much done with their shopping, but I'm tempted to buy a 10-key
simply because it kept them so entertained ;)

 

 

 

 

 Today we are headed to the theater to see Frozen.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Taylor makes it through at least a portion of it! :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Countdown to Christmas 2013 ~ Days 9 & 10

We're counting on down to Christmas!

Day 9 was spent shopping.
My girls could shop all day, every day.
They love it.

I needed to pick up a little surprise at the Disney store,
and then it was off to Walmart for wrapping supplies.
No photos for day 9 because 4 children + 1 disorganized Mama = mess.


Day 10 was Wrapping Day.
I specifically bought a couple extra rolls of .97 wrap at Walmart so the little girls could wrap
{and tape!} to their heart's content. 

 

 

Holly let her hair down yesterday.

 

And in the afternoon, we got a call from my dad
asking if the big girls and I would like to go to a movie.

I'm going to be honest, at first I wasn't sure.
It was a greasy-hair, pony-tail and leggings kind of day,
and the thought of leaving the house didn't appeal.

But I'm so happy we went.
It was nice to get out with just the two big girls.
It was a beautiful drive to an old movie theater in Silverton.
 

 

 

 

And I was pleasantly surprised to find I LOVED the movie
{we saw Catching Fire. I didn't love the first movie, but the second totally made up for it!}
*And ya know, my hair was nothing a little baby powder couldn't fix ;)

 

Once we got home, we had a little dinner, did some snuggling, and put the littles to bed.

And just enjoyed the beautiful sights of Christmas.

 

 

 

 

 Today is a laid back day at home.
Christmas story-reading is on our to-do list.
I'm going to enjoy these quiet moments . . .
the rest of the week is going to be BUSY!