Life

Life has been great lately.  Have I mentioned recently how much I'm loving this weather?  I do love it.

So what have we been doing?

Raking leaves... it's Fall here.

Playing with fireworks... this is from New Year's Eve.  Ellie was so funny... she just stood far away plugging her ears because she really didn't like all the noise.  Then, after they were done, she'd run to me or Garrett and try to talk to us, and we would talk back to her but she refused to take her fingers out of her ears.  So she just kept saying, "Parn Mom?  Mom, parn?" (parn = pardon).  She couldn't figure out why she couldn't hear us!

Kids eating fondue later that night.

At our favorite park, the "Spin Park".  This round thing spins around and the girls love riding it.

Rob & Haley stopped by for about an hour a few Sundays ago.  They just happened to be driving across the panhandle and came an hour out of their way to drop in... it was SO FUN and we're so glad they came. Clearly, the girls were happy too.

Garrett and a bunch of friends playing volleyball on MLK day (he had the day off).  Ellie playing with cookies.

Playing outside.

Abby loves taking pictures of her dolls.  This is a little Alice in Wonderland doll that Garrett's grandma gave to her for Christmas this year.  It's so cute - it's all cloth, and she came with three different costumes: the Alice in Wonderland outfit, the Queen of Hearts costume (with tights and a black wig, not shown), and a full-on rabbit costume, complete with bunny ears and everything.  Lots of fun.

The park with friends.

I can't believe I have a kid old enough to do tricks that give me heart attacks.  I used to go crazy on these bars (spinning around over and over and over again).  Now all I can think of is her falling and breaking her neck!  Stresses me out. :)

We play a few games of Candy Land every night after dinner.  Some of us are working on becoming better losers..... this picture was taken a few weeks ago.  She's gotten a lot better since then, thankfully.

Ready for Church.... I made them lose the hats though, much to their dismay.

Shopping.

More Candy Land... this time we roped our friends into playing with us.

Sam's Club... man, I hate those carts!  But they keep the kids happy, so what can you do.

81 degrees!

Riding in the car.. that's her doll, "Lilly"

Going.... going........ gone.

We were so busy this past week, I had to run a lot of errands in the afternoon so Ellie missed out on some naps.  She tried to make up for it, though.

I'll post more pictures of Abby's birthday soon.  Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend!!

Happy Birthday, Abby!

It's almost midnight and it's been one of the busiest days I've had in ages.  But I couldn't go to bed without taking a moment to blog about a very special girl!  Our little Abby turned 5 today!  I have more pictures from the day to share, but for now I'll just show the ones from this evening.

I just loved watching her face when everyone sang "Happy Birthday".  She really loved the limelight but seemed a little shy about it, too.  So cute.

Abby has been looking forward to turning 5 for a long time now.  The thing she is most excited about is starting school!  Today she asked me if she would be starting tomorrow, since I told her she wouldn't be going to school until she was 5.  Poor thing wasn't too happy when I told her that she still had to wait at least "180 more nights".

 Checking out her fun new presents.  She was definitely spoiled this year!!   Good thing a little spoiling never hurt anyone.

Abby had a little "party" at the park this afternoon, and then this evening we invited two families over for homemade pizza.  Anthony & Kristi brought Ellie a present too, and she was so excited.  As soon as I told her that she had a present to open, she nudged Abby off the chair and climbed up and sat down, ready to be the center of attention just like Abby had been.

Five years old!!

We love you, Abby!

The whole family-

Sisters.

Five things we love about Abby:

1.  She is very caring and loving towards Ellie.  The other day, Ellie started bleeding on her arm.  Abby immediately went to her side, cuddling her and consoling her (Ellie wasn't crying, she just seemed kind of scared and panicky).  Abby kept saying, "It's okay, honey, you're okay" in a high-pitched, sing-song voice to calm her down.  She never left her side until the band aid was on and Ellie was feeling better.  It was so cute - Abby seemed like a little nurse.

2. She is smart.  Abby is starting to read words here and there, and she loves to write cards to people.  She can even sound out how to spell many words on her own.

3. She is helpful!  Abby is constantly helping me with Ellie.  She helps her get dressed in the morning, helps Ellie get her shoes on, and is always running and getting things for me.

4.  She rarely complains about anything.  She has a happy disposition and is very cheerful all around.

5. She is funny.  She likes to make silly faces and say funny things.  She loves to make people laugh.

I am so thankful that Abby is in our little family.  She is such a little ray of sunshine and we just love her to pieces.  Happy Birthday, Abby!!  We love you!

101 Update

I'm still working on my 101 in 1001..... here's the latest:

37. Make oversized envelopes like this and write love notes to my kids every day for a whole month.
I'm planning on doing this throughout February!  Besides "love notes", I'm also making a bunch of little gifts to give them each day.  I' m really excited about this and will blog about it soon.  Until then, it's in "red" (in progress).


19. Have a fondue night 
We did this with some good friends on New Years Eve.  We did cheese and chocolate fondue.  It was great!

47. Get a new phone (I've been due for an upgrade for over a year now)
I got an iPhone 4s about a month ago.  Love it!

68. Have a nice bed (new throw pillows, new duvet cover)
I love seeing a beautiful bed and I've always wanted one.  You know, the kind that you want to snuggle up in as soon as you see it.  But, I struggled with knowing what my tastes were and what would be "lasting" for me.  My tastes change pretty regularly, so I knew I needed something classic because I can't just go changing the bedding when I get tired of something.  So, after being married 7.5 years, I finally have a bed that I love to see when I walk into the room.  I'll keep it in "red" though, until I share some pictures.  Soon.

83. Do Jillian Michaels's Thirty Day Shred all the way through
I am six days in!  Besides that, I am running/walking 2-3 miles most days with my friend.  Running in January.....in Florida.... in low-70s weather.  Gorgeous.

Abby's birthday is this week so I'll do a post on that soon.... here's to a great week!!!

Instagram Update

A picture a day.....  have I mentioned lately how much I'm loving this project?  I mean, how cool would it be if my own mom had had the ability to take a snapshot a day when I was growing up?  That would be priceless!

 Playing with friends - At a baby shower

 Seeing Christmas lights - Reindeer faces we mailed to grandparents/great grandparents

 (Abby's foot, Ellie's hand)

 Christmas hats - Picking up a play set in Tampa (for the in-laws)

 Baby Lilly's blessing day (friend's baby) - Woodbury Christmas tree

 Ice skating - Midnight Super Smash Brothers

 Girls' shopping trip in Savannah - Kids' tree

 Christmas jammies - Christmas morning

 Hair cut - Bike ride with friends

 Bought a share of organic fruits & veggies - Puzzle

 Yard work - Fondue night!!

 Kids - watching a bowl game with friends

 Pretzel chicken, roasted purple potatoes & quash, bread, rainbow chard - Playing Candy Land

 Painting pottery - Swinging

 Bike ride - Unexpected visitors!!!

Bubbles

2012 has been good to us so far.  We've been keeping very busy with trips to the park, grocery shopping, some projects, taking care of the yard, and taking lots of walks in this gorgeous weather.  We did have to turn on our heat for 2 days during a cold snap, though (and no I'm not just being sensitive... it got down to the 20s at night!).

Looking forward to 2012!

Help Wanted.

I was going through some pictures on the computer and came across these shots from last summer.

What can I do to keep my kids from growing up?  Please help.  I'll do anything.

Remembering 2011

Last year I did a post about 2010 and I thought it would fun to do another one for 2011!  I was reading back on the 2010 post and it was fun to remember some of the things we did that year, so I thought I'd continue the tradition (plus you know I'm a sucker for these types of things).

1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
-bought a house!!  I'll admit, though.... owning a house totally stresses me out!  Sometimes I wish we had just rented, but renting a house like the one we are in would have been a lot more expensive per month.  This way, we are putting a chunk into savings each month.  That makes me feel better. :)  Almost done with our 6-month emergency fund!

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions?  Do you have new ones?
Well I had a resolution to be more organized at home, and I supposed I kind of am.  But this year I want to set more of a schedule (cleaning schedule, errands, library schedule, etc).  I also need to be a LOT better with the food storage blog.  I slacked lately, and I feel really bad about it.  I also need a resolution to get myself excited to have Abby in school this coming Fall.  I am seriously dreading it... I know I'm definitely going to be "that mom" who cries about her baby growing up too fast.  It's funny, I never thought I would be that mom.  I used to roll my eyes at that mom, so feel free to roll your eyes at me.  I would probably consider homeschooling (yes, I'm serious), but Abby is pretty darn excited about starting school so we've got to at least try it out.  And honestly, I think she will love it.  It will be fine, it will be fine, it will be fine.....

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
One of my friends here in Florida had a baby (okay, about a dozen friends at Church have had babies over the last 6 months). 

5. What countries did you visit?
No countries, and we actually didn't travel as much this year as we usually do.  We took a trip to Pennsylvania in April, but other than that we didn't go anywhere as a family.  Moving to Florida was a big trip though, and we've taken lots of little trips to Savannah.  I also took a trip to NH in March, and a trip to Utah in June for my sister's wedding!  So, I guess I traveled a bit on my own this year (which was AWESOME, I have a great husband!)

6. What dates from 2011 remain etched in your memory?
My trip to NH, and also my trip to Molly's wedding in Utah!  Moving to Florida and meeting so many great, awesome people has been so memorable too.

7. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
I think I would like to have more patience.  I have been in some situations lately that made me realize that I really struggle with this!  A lot!!  I would also like to be more scheduled.  Right now I just wake up each day and ask myself, what should we do today?  And then nothing gets done besides working out and emptying the dishwasher.  So I'd like to have a laundry schedule, shopping schedule, etc.  I'd also like to be better at meal planning and staying within my grocery budget (after I raise it a little bit.  I think it's unrealistically low).

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I suppose buying a house (with a down payment that we saved really hard for!) is an achievement.  Moving on our own was also an achievement (we didn't have family help on either end).  I guess we are all grown up now. :)

9. What was your biggest failure?
I really can't think of anything specific.  Either I've succeeded at everything (ha), or I don't set high enough goals for myself (more likely).  Hmmm...

10.  Did you suffer illness or injury?
No, thankfully.  Besides getting strep on Christmas day!  But that's not a huge deal, thanks to free antibiotics from Publix.  Can't really complain about that (but man oh man, strep hurts!).

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Well, we bought a new TV on a Black Friday sale, and it's been pretty fun.  We got a TV when we first got married 7.5 years ago, and to be honest I would have been happy keeping that TV for another 7 years.  But, Garrett had been eyeing new ones for a while and we found a good deal (including a blu-ray player), so we jumped on it..  He never really wants anything, so I gave in and let him get this new "toy".  I have enjoyed it as well.  The HD is pretty amazing.  It's also a 3D TV, but we haven't watched any 3D movies on it yet.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
The kids did awesome with our move, so that was great.  I know some kids really struggle with big life events like that, but thankfully Abby and Ellie took it all in stride and I am so happy.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No one's I am going to blog about!

14. Where did most of your money go?
House down payment.  Moving to FL also cost a pretty penny - especially when you count all the moving-in expenses like setting up utilities, registering cars, etc.

15. What did you get really, really excited about?
I was really, really excited when I found out that I'm going to have twin nephews.  I am STILL really, really excited about it - they are due to arrive pretty soon!!  I'm still a bit shocked too - twins are totally foreign to my family.

16.  What song (s) will always remind you of 2010?
One of Abby's favorite songs is "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry.  She knows a lot of the words and it's really cute to hear her sing along with the radio.  Sometimes we watch the music video on YouTube, which is fun because it's based on a scene from "Ann of Green Gables", one of my favorites.  Of course, any music from Tangled will remind me of this past year, too.  I still love watching the girls dance to it!

17.  Compared to last year, are you:

  a) happier or sadder?  Probably the same.

  b) thinner or bigger?  probably about 7 lbs thinner

  c) richer or poorer?  Hard to say.  We have more debt (since we bought the house, and that med school debt certainly isn't going away any time soon - in fact, the interest is accumulating).  But, Garrett is making a teeny bit more than last year (like, 1k more) so we are putting a little more in savings each month.  So, not really poorer, but definitely not richer.

 18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
I wish I had seen my family more.  I wish I had read more books.  I wish I had read more scriptures.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Less laziness.  Does that count?  Especially lately (last two months or so), I've been really lazy about making meals!  Leftover night is pretty common, but sadly we don't have a lot of leftovers to choose from (remember, not cooking.  Oops.).  So we eat hot dogs.  Sure, we love hot dogs... but let's face it, they aren't exactly balanced. 

20. How did you spend Christmas?
In Savannah, with the family.

21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
I will admit - I recently fell in love with Florida winters.... I am really loving this mild weather, I've decided!  We are outside so much, I love it.

22. What was your favorite TV show?
Hmmm.... I don't think I've watched any great new shows lately.  I still love the Biggest Loser.  I also love Modern Family.  Parks and Rec is pretty funny too.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope!

24. What was the best book you read?
"Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand.  Read it!

25. What did you want and get?
An iPhone 4s!!!  It's fun.  Anyone have any apps they recommend?

26. What did you want and not get?
A big shelving unit for the big empty wall in our living room.  Maybe in 2012?

27. What was your favorite film of this year?
Movies are so bad nowadays!  I truly can't think of one movie I saw and liked, let alone one I would recommend.  Oh, except Tangled.  We love that movie.

28. What did you do on your birthday?
We were in Pennsylvania for my birthday, so I got to celebrate with my family!  It was great.  Emma and I got to celebrate together, just like the good old days.  Wish we could do that every year - birthdays are so much fun that way.

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Spending more time with my family! Selling more quilts, too. To be perfectly honest, I'm a little sad when I sell a quilt because I put so much work into them, but I think it would have been fun to sell more, because then I could use that money to buy more cute fabric and make more quilts.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Hmm.... I wore a lot of cardigans with belts.  I love that look.  I also have fallen in love with cotton maxi dresses, ones that I could still wear if/when I get pregnant again.  Skirts/dresses are always a good option here in the summer, since it's way too hot to wear pants!

31. What kept you sane?
Quiet time.  Every day after lunch, without fail, we have quiet time.  Unless Garrett's on call and not coming home until late at night... if that happens, I don't do quiet time.  Instead, I put them to bed EARLY and have a long evening to myself. :)

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I largely ignore the Hollywood scene, especially lately.  I used to get a kick out of reading the magazines/watching gossip-y shows but they really don't interest me at all anymore.  I can't even watch the awards shows anymore, they really irritate me.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?
Watching the Republican debates has been quite the experience and it's going to be an interesting year ahead.  I am about 90% sure who I will vote for, but I could still be swayed I think.

34. Who did you miss?
I miss so many people!  I miss Abbie! The Ranc's!  The Egberts! My sisters, and my brother and sister-in-law!  I miss my parents, too.

35. Who was the best person you met?
I have a pretty good friend here in Florida - she moved here for her husband's residency the same month we did, and will also be here 4 years.  She only lives about a mile away so that's fun.  Our kids are also the exact same ages.

36. Share a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Enjoy life.  Tell people who you love that you love them.

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In a blogging rut?  Do your own post answering these questions!  It's fun to remember the past year and look forward to the new one.