Busy girls

Sort of in a blogging funk, which snowballs into getting myself overwhelmed and not sure where to begin. I don't like it when it becomes a chore and I fall behind. But I'm about to pull myself out of it and get back on track... maybe it will be motivating. I think that part of my problem is I'm back to taking a picture a day for Project Life, and I have tons of pictures. I know it will all be documented in my album, so maybe I'm less motivated to blog it? Another part of my problem is TIME. There isn't enough of it. Especially when you are researching appliances and bathtubs and kitchen cabinets for a soon-to-be-built house. Whatever the reason, it's time to get back at it. The girls have been busy with all kinds of activities lately...

Symantha is doing Upward basketball (Derek is her coach). 

Addison is her biggest fan.... as long as she has a sucker in her hand. I love suckers.

We've been swimming and skating. Symantha is loving Saturday morning drop-in lessons at the skating rink.

Addison had a teddy bear picnic at preschool, which she LOVED.

Hailey started My Gym (which she chose instead of Upward this year. It's nice so all of us can be gone at practices on one night of the week). Every week is so super fun for her.

Symantha had her third grade musical performance, complete with instruments and speaking parts. 

 I almost had one of those crazy "Mommy moments" when this blonde haired lady went up right in front of my excellent seat when it was time for Symantha to say her part. THE NERVE!! Right down the aisle and in front of everyone to get more pictures of her kid hitting a bongo on the side of the stage. I tried to crop her head out as much as I could, but I was NOT happy with her. (Am I actually saying these words? Am I actually that crazy mom? Yes, I guess I am)

So, that blogging process was not painful and actually a little therapeutic... I am feeling more motivated. We'll see how much more gets done in the near future:)

As Seen on TV

Make fun if you will, but I am pretty sure this is the greatest invention ever for little girls with longer hair. They love it, I love it, we are all winners.

Best little Christmas presents ever.

Turbie Twists rock.

The Tooth Fairy is on her way

Hailey finally lost her first tooth, and the second one is just about to fall out.

Ten on Ten: January

Almost forgot about this, and then almost didn't do it because my pictures are not super beautiful this month. But then I decided to anyways, because I love the little tidbits about our day that it recorded.  Here goes...

Grocery shopping with mcnuggets for lunch

Volunteer work for Kindergarten

The beginning of a project for Hailey

Practicing for gymnastics

"Let's hide, Daddy!" over and over and over

The finished project for Hailey

Discovery of a Taylor Swift video on youtube... they are mesmerized. 

Addison's painting addiction

Homework almost done

A mobile she came home from school with (just for fun). It was supposed to be her hopes, dreams etc. and all she wanted to write was this. Keep dreaming, Symantha.

This Christmas, I loved...

...Christmas Eve. I loved just our own little family, being relaxed and not rushing. I loved our birthday party for Jesus, praying over our World Vision gifts (a goat and two chickens, picked out by the girls.) and for our sponsored child Francis, watching a part of the Nativity movie, and Christmas Eve service. Symantha was so excited to finally be chosen to be a part of the Christmas story (she was one of the angels).

...my animated girls and how they show their excitement and joy over presents - giving and receiving.

... how Addi rocked this outfit the entire time she opened presents at Nana's house. So glad the tutu was the first present she opened. I only wish she had a shirt:)

...the family joke at my Mom's house of it being our "turn" to get a tv for Christmas. I wish I had a picture of the poem she had the girls read us and the surprise when we received it. 

...matching nightgowns made by Grandma for each of the girls. They think they are like Laura and Mary wore in Little House on the Prairie and they LOVE that.

... Beanbag heaven from Grandma and Grandpa D. Especially since they double as a landing pad for Addison.

... special presents handmade by the girls and the thought that went into who they were going to give it to. They both did a sewing project with Grandma (thank you grandma, since I can hardly sew a button on a shirt:)). Symantha gave hers to me, and Hailey gave hers to Nana. I know it was a tough decision for them!

 

... this picture, as we were trying to get a good family shot. This was not set up, just real life:)

Even though THIS is a little more of what we were actually going for.

Thanks so much to our family and friends for helping make this Christmas such a wonderful one. I loved it all.

In search of the perfect Girls Breakfast picture

Every year we take pictures at our annual girls breakfast - it's been going on for I think 13 years (ask Amy Jo, she always knows). It's always a process of how we are going to do it, since all of us are in it. And it is usually pretty funny, whether we are surrounded by presents in a booth at Coco's Restaurant (about 10 years ago) or surrounded by babies/toddlers or just racing to get in the right spot with a self-timer. I didn't take the time to scan any of the really old ones, but here are a few from past years... they may kill me for some of them, but they crack me up.

 2004

 2005

 I especially love this nice primping one. Classic.

2009

This year's photo shoot was no exception, and I love the "pre-perfect shot" pics I got. Sorry girls, but I really love these and they make me laugh. Especially the laughing one. Because that is generally what we do throughout these photoshoots.

 Until we get a decent one and finally call it good.

Looking forward to next year's shot already!!

I love these girls.

Ryann's baptism

Last Sunday, my sister Ryann made a commitment to Christ and was baptized at our church. I was so glad she decided to do it here so we could see it, instead of Spokane where she now lives! She asked Derek to baptize her, which was so cool. We are excited to watch her journey of faith and we know that God is going to do some amazing things in her.

Congratulations, little sister! We love you!