Tuesday, March 5, 2013

The Lodge!

We got together with our dear friends, the Bells and the Kikers, at Great Wolf Lodge this week.  The adults had all gone to Orlando in October, but we decided to bring the kids along this trip :)
Bunk Beds!
 It was fun to get our whole families together- I did a terrible job at taking pictures when we were all together- because I was busy visiting with my buds ;)




William celebrated his birthday with us!

Stephen and Zach and Lydia, Cora, Noah and Charlotte

Casey, Amy and I

Lily Kate wearing Zach's hat


Worn slam out!



Thursday, February 28, 2013

Vacation to Iowa in February??

Yes, we are a little crazy.  Many would ask why we would travel to Iowa, in February...the answer is easy- My family!  Here are a few of the things you can do on a vacation to Iowa ;)
Fly on an airplane
This is the face she makes when you ask her to smile
 Visit Bass Pro Shop




 Play in the snow
Yes we tied bags over their shoes- that is how we roll




 Go to your cousin's 3rd birthday party



 Hold your new baby cousin
Aubrey Jane and Paisley Jane
Have your first sleepover!
Lily Kate, Izzy and Wylder


 Do Bead crafts- Even GrandLes got in on the action!
 Enjoy the Wildlife (or become the wildlife)

Feb 2013
March 2011
 Get Snowed In!!!
 Hang out with some fabulous grandparents

 Ride on a bus at the airport
This was one of the main highlights of Aubrey's trip!
 Ever wonder what you do when you are snowed in and you have a large box??  Find out:


February Fun

First Fun Dip!

CuddleDuds for Iowa!

Aubrey's First Swimming Lesson

They both love swimming!

I hate it when you fall off your chair and land in a laundry basket!

We have a strict dress code at our house!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

What I Like About You?

...you really know how to dance!  You love sweeping your girls off their feet (me included) and participating in our "Dance Parties".  You also know just when I need a slow dance and a long hug after a hectic day.
You are an amazing father.  No matter how long your day happened to be, you still make an effort to make memories with your girls.  You lead our family in a Bible story and bedtime prayer.  You play games, read stories, and have tea parties even when there is a ball game on!
You set such a great example of loving others.  You genuinely care for people.  You try to help others when you can and use your gifts to help those in need.

You are an amazing at what you do and providing for our family.  You are so loving and caring.  I love hearing you check on a patient after hours or call parents to make sure that they got the lab values.  I love hearing my friends talk about how they enjoyed seeing you in clinic.  You spoil me rotten and are always looking out for the well being of our family.


Your smile.
Your sense of humor- You always keep me smiling.  You know just how to interject enough humor to keep us all on our toes.  I love hearing our girls giggle from the things that you say and do.  I also love seeing them develop their own sense of humor (that they obviously get from you!)
Even after almost 10 years of marriage, you still love me!  You send me texts just to say you love me.  You take me on dates; you still pursue our relationship.  You put up with me and my mood swings.  You love me even when I'm difficult to love.  Thank you!
 You are always up for an adventure!  You love to explore the city we live in, love to travel and go on "family adventures" together.
 You are chivalrous!  You still know how to treat a lady.  You take the time to date your daughters and show them how they should be treated and how much they are loved.
I am so blessed to have you in my life.  To walk along side of on this crazy adventure.  To laugh with and cry with.  I love you.
I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine.   Song of Solomon 6:3

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Kid Tested, Mother Approved

We're Back!  While I loved the fact that Wordpress allowed me to blog again (for free) and that it snowed on the blog for the month of December, having used Blogger for so long, I just know how everything works on here!  Huge shout out to my sister  Rachel who discovered "the fix" (resizing the pictures).

A few recommendations I have to share with you today:
Target brand Up & Up Baby Wipes are so much better (and cheaper) than the name brand kind!  We have had some tummy trouble at our house and those wipes make life so much easier!

Fondue Night is always a hit at our house!  I'm about to share with you one of the simplest fondue recipes: Take a can of chocolate frosting- dump it into your fondue pot, heat and enjoy!  It's so good and it doesn't taste like frosting at all.  We love to dip bananas, marshmallows, cherries, strawberries, pineapple, mandarin oranges, and cake!
Everyone knows that kids like games.  But after my first round of Candyland with a 2 year old, I learned that in order for me to enjoy it, I had to stack the deck.  The girls were given Uno Moo for Christmas.  It is a fun game that the whole family can enjoy!  It's simple enough for our two year old to play (with some instruction).  The girls won without me stacking the deck!
Disclaimer:  I don't always let my children win.
I'm so thankful that dairy prices didn't increase to $7 a gallon for milk.  Let me let you in on a little secret for traveling with kids (who drink milk)  Trader Joes sells a four-pack of milk cartons Here's their description of their chocolate variety, we always get regular milk :)
We know what you're thinking… milk you don't need to refrigerate? Can it possibly taste good? It does. Very chocolatey, very creamy, very yummy. You can certainly refrigerate it if you like, as it does taste quite excellent cold, but the beauty is that you don’t have to keep it cold. Bring it with you for lunch, toss it in a backpack for a late afternoon snack, take it on a late summer camping trip, or simply save it for when that unexpected chocolate milk craving inevitably strikes. Each four-pack of 8.25 ounce cartons is a mere $2.99, every day.
We take these when we go out of town for the weekend and don't have to stop when we get there to get milk for our cereal and don't worry about transporting the unused portion back home!  Great, great, great, great, GREAT!
My youngest is all about accessories- especially shoes.  I caught her today trying on every shoe in her closet when she was supposed to be napping.  She loves flip-flops- but has outgrown all the pairs from this summer.  Hence we are looking for flip flops in the middle of winter- they aren't out yet!  Huge thanks to Disney Store- who always has what you need whenever you need it (well at least in this case).  She has a Minnie Mouse pair set to arrive this week!  Yes, I know it's too cold to wear them, but she wears them around the house all the time!

Friday, January 4, 2013

10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman


Since the first time I heard this song, God really spoke to me through the lyrics.  I pray that every day, no matter how the day goes, that I will be singing His praises when the evening comes.  The girls really love it too, but every time I tried to catch them on film singing it, they would stop singing.  This time I bribed them (with Goldfish and Teddy Grahams :) )  I’m such a good mom like that.
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name
The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes
[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name
You’re rich in love, and You’re slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find
[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name
And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore
[Chorus x2]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I’ll worship Your holy name
Lord, I’ll worship Your holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I’ll worship Your holy name
I’ll worship Your holy name