Do you want to build a snowman?

We have snow!! It snowed for hours yesterday and we kept peaking out the window watching the huge flakes fall. As soon as Nick got home, Carli was dragging him back out to build a snowman. There were at least half a dozen kids outside throwing snowballs, making snow angels, and building forts.

It looks like a winter wonderland outside. The trees look beautiful and the snow is sparkling (literally, Carli said it looks like there is glitter in the snow). She told me on the way to school today that Jack Frost came last night! Although, I would take sunshine and sand almost any day....there is something special about snow around Christmas!

Dear Santa....

Carli wrote her letter to Santa and added Kennedy's wish list too. She also drew a really sweet picture of her family for Santa. Parent fail for not taking a picture of this before we mailed it.


Her wish list is quite long this year...if we see it in the store or on TV, it's on the list. Santa is going to have a very hard time narrowing down what her favorite items are because SHE WANTS IT ALL!


We are trying to teach her that Christmas isn't all about presents but also bringing good cheer and helping others. We adopted a family and took her shopping for the 3 year old girl and 5 year old boy. I am not entirely sure she "got it" but she does like to give gifts to the people she loves and has a very generous heart.


Santa wrote back!!!

Kennedy is 2 months old!

Our baby girl is already 2 months old! She is growing and changing so much every day. We gets lots of smiles and giggles. She especially loves watching Carli and her eyes sparkle when she sees her.


Carli is a great big sister. She gets very excited when she gets a reaction from Kennedy. We are still working on "gentle hugs" and being extra careful with the cuddles. Overall, she is very patient when we have to tend to Kennedy. I think she is most jealous when I have to feed Kennedy. It has to be an adjustment for her to share Mommy and Daddy but she is doing really well and we are so proud of her.

Kennedy was 11 pounds and 22.5 inches at her appt. She is in the 52nd percentile. We are pretty much done wearing newborn clothes but most 3 months outfits are a little big. Some days we just stay in jammies which is ok with all of us!

Oh, Christmas Tree!

We have tried to take advantage of the warmer December weather by venturing out to tree lightings and holiday festivities.


We got really lucky for member preview night at the zoo...it was nearly 70 degrees that day so we put the girls in the jammies and headed to look at lights. As always, the zoo did not disappoint. Carli talked dad into an overpriced Christmas necklace and we all had hot chocolate.

Ivy-our Elf on a Shelf came back and has been playing tricks and being silly every day!

Kennedy loves being strapped to mommy!

Although it was a little colder outside we also went to Holiday in the City in Springfield with Nick's side of the family. We visited the candy store for hot chocolate and loved the fireworks display. Carli's favorite part of the evening was a tie between the dance party she had with Grandma in the tent or the iced Christmas cookie she got to eat on the way home (also thanks to Grandma:)

My little girl looks so big here!

A few days later we went into downtown Hilliard to watch the tree lighting and have some holiday fun. I was really impressed with the set up our little town put on. They had kids caroling, live reindeer, Christmas cookies, free hot chocolate, and lots of other activities we couldn't even get to. I think this event will definitely be a tradition in our family for years to come.

Everyone was crowded around the tree singing Christmas songs. It was such a cool moment that brought the whole town together. I loved it!!

Mailing her letter to Santa!

We even had time to finally decorate our own Christmas tree!!





Thankful

Everyone says it and it is SO true..."the days can be long but the years fly by"


We are 2 weeks away from Christmas and I am just posting about Thanksgiving. Trying to find the time in my "long days" to blog. My maternity leave seems to be going even faster now that we are smack in the middle of the holidays. I am making a conscious effort to really savor each special moment this year. It is so precious to see the wonder and excitement through your children's eyes and Carli is the perfect age and in a constant state of amazement with twinkling lights, Christmas songs, and fun all around!


We had a wonderful laid back Thanksgiving at my mom's house. We had a HUGE meal with all the extras...I think we counted 11 side dishes! Crazy deliciousness. Kennedy was just taking it all in as we passed her around the kitchen. Carli loves when family is together. The more the merrier is her motto. She was happy to help  in the kitchen while watching the Macy's Parade and drinking her "wine" aka apple juice in a fancy glass.

My heart is so full I could burst!!

After dinner and pie, we headed to Nick's parents house to visit. They had a house full! Kennedy was pooped and slept almost the entire time. But we did manage a few smiles after we changed her into her "thankful for my family" PJ's.

Nick carving the perfectly cooked bird!

Little turkey

It is so easy to get caught up in the stress and hype of the holidays but I read something the other day that caused me to step back and pause, "most people would be happy to have your bad day".

It really got me thinking....I know we all have "bad days". Too much traffic, not enough sleep, ornery kids, something going wrong at work, the list goes on, right? But aren't those all such small things?

I am so thankful for a healthy family, a beautiful home, wonderful friends, great jobs,  once again...the list goes on. So many blessings. My bad days really aren't too bad at all.

With a thankful heart, we say Happy Thanksgiving!!