The first post of 2014

Wow, I can't believe that I haven't posted a new blog for almost a year. I CAN believe it's been a ridiculous year, one that's been personally challenging to me. I have been blogging in my mind every time my girls do something cute.

Just in case you were wondering, we have NOT had a house-warming party. I am sad we haven't had an official party, but it has been fun hosting various holidays with closest friends.

Here's just a slew of photos from just an INKLING of stuff since last October.

  We went to an art show in November where we bought plain ornaments. The girls decorated different ones for the grandparents. They had a blast using new arts and crafts materials like glitter glue, sequins and loose glitter.

 Halloween evening, downtown Calhoun shops hosted a trick-or-treat. Gran-Gran accompanied me with the two oldest. Poor Lizzie was not feeling all that well, but she had a good time.

November is a big birthday month at our house with Dad and Cora's birthday. This is Cora's first family birthday. We really celebrated with a trip to a mountain resort for the whole family. (Thanks Auntie Fey for the awesome cabin!)

  

Thanksgiving was pretty low key but we did decorate Turkey Cookies. It's one of my favorite traditions. Thanks GG! We did a big dinner with just the local family and loved every minute. Of course this is my favorite holiday because of all the food!



 

Cora's new vanity toy. I can't keep the pieces together, but she loves it.

Emily helped decorate the house for Christmas this year!

 I know these seem a bit out of order, because they are! We're back in October when we hosted a Pumpkin Carving Party. It's a new annual event with Sawyers and Phebus'. Everyone had a blast, especially the kiddos who got inside early to eat ALL the sugar cookies and had hot chocolate before I did! :-p

 Our lovely doggie, Zoe. She's two years old now, but still doesn't like to wear costumes. She does, however LOVE our new fence. I'll get some pics of that up soon.  Well, soonish....well....one day! I promise!

 I have finally gotten into a routine of taking Lizzie and Cora to storytime at the Library every Tuesday. Lizzie has been doing wonderfully at Crafts and we all love Ms. Linda, our Storytime Lady. Even Cora does her own  dancing. Our little Adairsville Library is truly a hidden treasure. I'm always nervous when I take my noisy little ones in there because it's so intimate, but the librarians always smile and are helpful; we've never felt like we were missing something. It has become endearing.

Goofy Sisters

 I want to take this moment to brag about Len. He's just really grown into his Daddy role. Here he is doing a science project with Emily. It's a homemade spectroscope. Len has also traded in his motorcycle for a Hyundai Accent. It's a four-door hatch-back. With this he has taken the resposibility to take Emily to Pre-K three times a week. From what I hear it's a highlight in Emily's day and they just chat away. Len has even introduced her to some anime theme songs. It's truly a bonding time for them. With Lizzie and Cora, Len has displayed more patience. I'm just so proud to call him my husband and father of our children. His constant attention for them all and for our family is inspiring. It makes me want to do more with him and them and just try harder on everything. Basically, I'm saying HE'S AWESOME!

One of the beautiful views from our new house.

Lifesized Candyland with our friend J.S.

 Among our various activities, we met up with some puppies for sale with our friends, the Sawyers. No, we didn't get one, but it was certainly cute to watch the girls play with them.

 I called this my Princess Parade. Not that I'm a big fan of Princess Overload, this was just cute. Belle, Cinderella, and an unnamed Ballerina Princess marching around the couch was just adorable!

 Emily started Pre-K last August. She brought home some "homework" about sorting fruit loop cereal. We had to use some Capn Crunchberries instead. Lizzie got into the sorting too. Emily amazed me with how well she did this. Not only was it sorting, counting, labeling, comparing. It was fun.

 Another activity was occasionally visiting GG on bowling night. (Daddy Alert) Len and I helped Em and Liz bowl. (Emily beat us w/o bumpers!) GG and Cora just kinda chilled out on this particular trip.

We love our Auntie Fey!

We had TWO heavy snows this year. We built snowmen and had snowball fights. The only bad part was by the time the last person was dressed in three layers to brave the cold...the first ones out were ready to come in to the heat! All told, it was a great time to have a yard to play in and a fireplace to come back to. The chocolate chip cookies and hot chocolate weren't too bad either!

The circus came to town! Emily and Lizzie loved it. The horses of course, but also camels, lions, tigers, and elephants! The acrobats were mesmerizing! The food was delicious. And we got to share a snocone. We can't wait for next year!

 Before we had a fenced yard, We'd take many outtings to the park so Zoe could run off-leash inside the baseball fields. Sure, it got cold, but it was fun too!

Well, if your computers haven't bogged down yet, great! We'll see if mine can upload this many photos fast!   Thanks for catching up with us and I hope to have another post soon. This weekend is Easter and I'm sure we'll have a great time.