Tooth #10

Tooth #10 has broke ground to officially join the party! The latest addition is Keely's bottom tooth, to the left of the front middle teeth. Just like it's "twin" on the other side, it too appears to be coming in completely sideways.

Impressive.

Cheese!

Can drive

Back in December Natty, Keely and I joined Ash and her classmates for a walk to a local church's food bank. Each student, including Natty Kat, got to carry a can of food and hand-deliver it to the church. It was a wonderful afternoon of giving back and helping in our own community. 

It was also a test in patience as I helped herd and coral over 100 kinders and their 4th grade buddies. Not only did it not rain, but none of the students got ran over by a car or left behind.

I'd classify that as a win.

Natty was so excited she was invited to participate in the can drive

Ash surrounded by her 4th grade buddies 

Love that smiling face

Keely Q's always good to cruise along

Waiting outside the church, ready to make their special deliveries 

Proudly dropping off her donation

On the walk back all of the students got to shake a jingle bell and we passed the time (little over a 1/2 mile) by singing Christmas carols

Ash and her 4th grade buddy, Casey, built and decorated a gingerbread house

Such a masterpiece! 

Not related to the can drive, but wanted to share this picture. Here I am with all of the fabrics and toys that my loving and generous bunco group donated to the Portland Shriner's Hospitals for Children. Each child is given a brand-new toy during their first appointment; we learned first hand just how much of an impact those toys make when Ash was evaluated there last fall and was given a Barbie doll. Instead of being nervous about all of the docs and big terms, she was able to get lost in Barbie Land. The fabric is given to Daughters of the Nile who then sew shorts for the Shrine Kiddos so they don't have to wear those boring hospital-issued, paper shorts. Ash felt pretty special when she was allowed the choice between 2 different pairs of shorts (she picked the sea-themed ones of course). I am so proud to be a part of a bunco group that willingly gave with warm hearts. I pray that our small donations brought the patients, and parents, a small smile and helped ease fearful hearts and minds.

Little Miss Smartypants

Yesterday Ash came home from school and presented me with a note she wrote to Jake and I. I think you'll agree that it's beyond amazing, absolutely beautiful and incredibly sweet. It still blows my mind the way Ash has taken to reading and writing. Lately her favorite pastime is writing and illustrating books; she takes a handful of paper from the printer, attaches them with a few staples and then gets to work. I'm forever amazed at how quickly Ash became a reader. This is just one of the many reasons she makes me so proud.

It reads: I love you Momey and Dadey yoo or as sweet as love

Translation: I love you Mommy and Daddy you are as sweet as love

PJ's and Pancakes

This year marked the 3rd year in a row Ashley and Natalie have celebrated their birthdays with a PJ's and Pancakes party. If you're looking for an easy theme for a kiddo party, then look no further. I hope they never get tired of sharing a party because it's the perfect fit for a pair of kiddos that have a lot of family who love helping them celebrate. Besides that, it involves breakfast food; our favorite!

Morning-of-the-party-ritual.....

....opening new slippers...

...and PJ's 

Even though it's not her birthday, Keely Q also gets matching jammers

Dressed and ready to partaaaaaay!

Had to roll the waistband and eventually cuff her sleeves - on the same note she wore these same pajamas last night and the rolls and cuffs are still a necessity 

Jake's too cool for school and refused to wear his pajamas. Too bad HE'S the one that looks like a foolio since he doesn't match the rest of us.

Cupcakes!!!

Grandma Marilyn lending a hand in the kitchen 

Selfie!!! 

Keely getting a few bites with help from Nana

Birthday girl!

Love this snuggly (extra) little person 

Present time!

Maybe by her 5th birthday she'll be big enough to NOT fit in a gift bag?

Exactly as it should be; wrapping and bows all over the place!

So much excitement, gotta take a rest before Natty's ballet performance later that night

Sure do love those Christmas cookies!

Back in December I loaded up Ash, Natty and Keely and headed south to Nana and Papa's. We were all in need of an afternoon of snuggles and Christmas cookies.

It's like one stop shopping but in the comfort of Nana and Papa's house!

Keely's dressed for success 

Smiley Kat

Time to get their bake on!

Ashley's smile? Pure awesome. 

Queenie Q

Break time

Rolling it out with Papa

Papa's got his quality control crew

How come when I'm concentrating on things I look so grouchy????

See, I was having a good time!

Wait a second? Where did Ash's pants go?

Our tasty creations 

Nana put down her spatula and cookie cutter long enough to get some Keely snuggles

All that frosting and all those cookies they snitched.....

....has made for a very impressive sugar high

Getting in a few more rocks before we head home

Frozen!

Back in December while everyone else was singing "Let It Go!" from Frozen, at our house we were actually living out the deep Elsa freeze.

Frozen fog. Almost as pretty as Arendelle while it's under Queen Elsa's spell.  

A few pics from around our place

Love the way the fog creates beautiful ice crystals 

Natty Kat wanted in on the picture-taking fun

The birdhouse Chris helped Natty construct last fall actually made it through the winter and is still hanging in the tree today

My favorite oak trees

Our frozen red house on the hill