FHE: Gingerbread Houses

We started by singing "Jingle Bells" (there is only so many Christmas songs the kids enjoy haha).

We then started watching a Christmas Video and honestly I just couldn't handle it this week and the kids were being very rambunctious and I gave up and just started playing Christmas songs off of YouTube and we went over towards the table and started making Gingerbread Houses.

We may not have felt the spirit in a Christmas video but the spirit was still there as the kids enjoyed making their houses and eating the icing and candy, can't get much better then that. I love how each of the kids decorated their own houses in their own style. Daddy helped Jake while I helped Andie and Brooklyn just ate lots of candy.

I loved how their houses turned out :)

Zoo Lights

Each year I make a fun countdown for the kiddos and I love the tradition. This year we are falling short even though I had everything planned out but our life has kinda been a tornado lately. We did make it to our traditional Zoo Lights at the local zoo though so we aren't failing completely.

All the kids were layered on up with lots of clothing to try and keep them warm and then we pulled out our wagon and stroller and journeyed out into the cold. It was so fun to be able to catch some new additions with the zoo lights that we either missed in years past or maybe they were new completely.

One of the favorites was the bridge of course and we also enjoyed the sea lions, tigers and lions. These were the hits of the tour this year and we also end with the fun of the carousel too so that is always so much fun.

I love our little traditions even if sometimes years get you moving so quickly and throwing so much at you you feel like you are failing half the time. As long as the kids enjoy their time and feel the Christmas spirit we are all succeeding though. I love my family!

Brooklyn 1 Year 1 Month

Brooklyn is already a month in to her second year of life my goodness is she growing quickly. I feel like Brooklyn's first year was the fastest year yet and now her second year of life is flying by just as quickly. WHY? Brooklyn at 1 year 1 month...

1. Brooklyn hates shoes. Brooklyn has always hated things on her feet, socks have been her worst nightmare. Now Brooklyn is to the point she needs to start wearing shoes and she is HATING IT! Brooklyn is constantly pulling off her shoes and socks as quickly as she can as soon as a moment arises where Mom and Dad aren't watching her. Smart kid!

2. Brooklyn has been taking more steps. Brooklyn is very ambitious and definitely determined BUT she still won't do anything unless she knows she can succeed. Walking is taking her a minute to fully accomplish just because of her personality. She takes steps here and there and surprises us all the time by taking off walking one day and then the next day she would just rather crawl and won't walk no matter how much you try and make her. Brooklyn definitely is very independent!

3. Brooklyn celebrated Thanksgiving. Brooklyn probably has a new favorite holiday because this girl loves her food and all Thanksgiving is about is stuffing your face with delicious food. It was so fun to watch Brooklyn try all her foods especially as she is getting more picky with how the food tastes.

4. Brooklyn celebrated her birthday with extended family. Brooklyn had a family party at her Grandparents house complete with decorations, yummy food, lots of presents and of course cake. Brooklyn had such a great time being the center of attention.

5. Brooklyn has a glare face. As I watch Brooklyn when she is looking at someone she does this kind of glare face. People always tell me I look mad and I always tell them no and I wasn't glaring at them. I think Brooklyn has this face, we just have a killer looking rest face. Brooklyn constantly is glaring at people but not really being mad at them it is just the way she watches people and it is so funny to see that that is what people mean when they talk about me.

6. Brooklyn is always in the Tupperware cupboard. We have had two other kids that have kind of let this cupboard be and not been to interested in it. Brooklyn LOVES playing with all the Tupperware containers and no matter how many times you tell her no she just HAS TO DO IT! I love my Brooklyn girl.

7. Brooklyn went to a Wedding. Brooklyn went to her Uncle Jordan's Wedding and got a new Aunt. Brooklyn was clueless on what was going on but she looked adorable and loved dancing with Mom/Dad on the dance floor. Brooklyn loves music and being able to dance with Mom and Dad all night you can only imagine the kind of heaven baby girl was in.

8. Brooklyn is constantly stacking items. Brooklyn is stacking whatever she can get her hands on, I think the cutest one yet is the boots. Brooklyn is constantly stacking shoes, blocks, Lego, cars anything and everything she can attempt to get her hands on. I love my smart girl so much!

9. Brooklyn has a love hate relationship with her brother Jake. Brooklyn has such a special relationship with Jake. They are constantly laughing at each other, driving each other crazy, smiling at each other and trapping each other. Jake still does his piles and Brooklyn now gets trapped behind them constantly. Poor girl!

Brooklyn Riley you bring us so much joy. Your determined personality is sometimes hard for me as I want you to listen but then I realize just how alike we really are. Brooklyn you truly are my mini me and I love everything about you. Brooklyn I would never change anything about you and love watching as you explore this world we live in. I love you my princess, my baby girl, always and forever!

Andie 4 Years 6 Months

 Andie is four and a half years old, closer to five and all the landmarks that it brings. It is a weird feeling as your oldest gets to hitting all these land marks and you feel like you yourself should still be in high school (okay maybe not that young but still). Andie at 4 years and 6 months old...

1. Andie celebrated Thanksgiving. Andie has been so excited for the holidays rolling around this year and I think it helped that I colored the calendar so she knows exactly which days things are happening. Andie was excited to have thanksgiving because she said she couldn't remember what this day was but knew that pumpkin pie was involved so that is all she really needed. Shopping and Pie. 

I told Andie that when shopping if there was something we were going to buy for Christmas I would need a blanket with us to cover it. Andie decided that that really meant if there is something you want close your eyes and point to it so Mom can place it under the blanket. Andie was constantly pointing and covering her eyes saying I want this when Black Friday Shopping, so cute!

2. Andie is our little designer. Andie planned Moms birthday party and did all the decorations complete will a wall of her drawings and decorating Mom's white cake to something fancy. I love how excited Andie is now to plan Daddy's birthday party.

3. Andie watched the play Fiddler on the Roof. Andie has been loving musicals the last year so I was wondering what she would think of Uncle Nathans play. Andie really enjoyed it and for the most part watched and listened, her favorite part was the nightmare dream scene.

4. Andie wants a baby. Andie has been making so many comments to Mom and Dad about how Jake is such a crazy brother and she would like another brother but this time a calm brother. It cracks us up all the time how she always says she needs a calm brother because we can only have one crazy boy in this family. I love it!

5. Andie loves her My Little Ponies and putting them on display. Ever since a few months back when she liked the My Little Pony song videos on YouTube (which she still loves) then she has been putting shows on with her Pony dolls that she has, it is the cutest thing!

6. Andie loves snow. Andie got some pink snow boots from her preschool clothing drive and she has been wearing them basically ever since. Andie loves her boots and when we got the first snow for the year this last month Andie was ecstatic to say the least. If only we had more time to go out and play in the snow with her.

7. Andie loves the Moana movie. Andie has been crazy about Elena and still is don't get me wrong. Anything Disney with possible princesses involved she is all about it. Moana has been a hit in our home and Andie loves listening to the Moana music on YouTube. They did a fantastic job with the music on that movie!

8. Andie loves dressing up. Andie loves dancing and dressing up and listening to any music possible. I want to sign Andie up for dance classes but she is very anxious when it comes to performing in front of other people besides her siblings and parents. Andie has such a love for dance and performing and I love watching her be so creative in her dress ups and moves.

9. Andie went to her first wedding. Andie went to Uncle Jordan's wedding and she loved every minute of it. She was so excited for the Reception/Party and was counting down the days so she could wear her new dress as well. Andie looked so adorable in her dress and she loved hanging around the princess (bride) and of course all her cousins that came into town. Andie was in heaven!

Andie Noelle you really are amazing. You have such a sweet spirit that is so full of creativity and your mind just won't sit still. You have the energy and imagination to last a lifetime and I love watching as you explore the world around you discovering new likes and interests. I love you my Andie always and forever!