Bossy and Grace

I thought it was time for Boston and Grace to say hello again, the naughty mutts that they are.

Hello Bossy, you look so obedient. He's good at looking that way. This is Grace wearing Ayla's fur trim, from her hood, as a wig :) I'm pretty sure she wouldn't look at the camera because she was embarrassed

The World's Greatest Gigi!

We've been blessed with the world's greatest Gigi. She was(is) a great mom but there is no better Gigi, for SURE. She's the Gigi to her neighborhood kids, of course her two grandchildren and any and every kid she runs into. She's the kind of Gigi that always has treats in her pocket or purse. Who gets down on the floor and plays for hours. Who doesn't mind the mess of paint, crafts and play-doh. Who snuggles and loves, tickles and plays and gives in as long as it's safe to do so.

These pictures were taken the night of the SuperBowl....Ayla and close family friend Caleb waking Gigi up from her nap on the couch!

As you can see, she didn't mind one bit. We love you Gigi!!

Just a few pics...

Ayla eating breakfast with her bedhead. Pretending to look at me but watching Dora Isn't this amazing??? I wrote the top line and she did the other two, ALL BY HERSELF!!
Bowling in her clown shoes, the smallest size they had :)

Yeah, it's been a month!

I suck, huh?? We're still alive and kicking, just busy as ever.

In January we.....
celebrated my dad's birthday :)
got buried in snow, again :(
had my fertility cycle cancelled due to low estrogen levels :(
spent lots of time hanging out with family and friends :)
started swimming lessons for Ayla :)
got a big scare involving a brain mass in my 18 year old cousin :(
got SUPER news that the mass was an abcess and could be treated with iv antibiotics :)
remained buried in snow :(

went bowling :)
fell in love with Gymboree's new daisy line :)
made big messes and had lots of fun with play-doh :)
GOT MY CLEANING LADIES BACK!!!!!!! :) :) :) :)
helped Ayla learn to write her name :)
had too many snow days :(
got our dogs to submit to the invisible fence :)

I'll be better. Promise.

Best friends

It doesn't really matter how many fights you get into or who had which toy first.

It doesn't really matter that he may be taller or she may be more angelic.

She doesn't mind that he plays with trains more than dolls. He doesn't mind that she 'bakes cakes' all afternoon in her play kitchen.



What matters is that there are always more smiles and laughter than tears and that every tear is follwed by a hug and "I'm sorry"

It matters that when one is hungry, the other shares their snack and when one is cold the other shares their blanket

Life doesn't get any better than 3 year old best friends!

Isn't she gorgeous??

I mean, she's mine, of course I think she's gorgeous. But, isn't she??

Some Christmasy looking pictures. Church was cancelled because of the weather/snow so she didn't even get to wear her dress except for in these pictures!

Christmas

Christmas was a funny one this year...for us here in the Big-O. It snowed and snowed and SNOWED some more. Church was cancelled, hooking up with family was out of the question...it was weird, really. Darren's parents had come to town the previous Monday so they were here with us - safe and sound in the comfort of our warm and cozy, food-filled, Christmas-decorated home.

On Christmas morning, Tom brought my parents and Grant over with Sabrina and Alivia. Thanks goodness for Tom doing snow removal/plowing/etc and having a BIG truck! We ate, visited, opened presents, played with the kids, laughed, napped and had a really good time. Darren and our dads managed to put the air hockey table together in just under 2 1/2 hours :)

Ayla got more presents than any three year old should ever have and is in HOG-HEAVEN. I already cleaned out her playroom...out with the old and in with the new. Her favorites are her Leapster II(aka 'myyyyy videeeeo gaaame') and all things princess. I'm almost sure that my daughter was switched at birth for some other 2 1/2 lb neonate with red hair. She is the GIRLIEST girl I've ever known. I, on the other hand, am not. At all. Never was either. I have pictures of me at her age climbing trees in cut off jean shorts, no shirt or shoes to be seen. I wore boys underwear until I was 4 because I only wanted hulk and superman....Wonder Woman

was for sissies.

Darren and I had a nice Christmas too. He got an air hockey table and several other man things. I got drapes and home items I've been wanting. Darren surprised me with an AMAZING camera for my birthday/Christmas present. It's a Cannon Rebel something....I even got TWO lenses! I'm taking a class sometime soon to teach me how to use it, lol! I've been playing around with it and took my Christmas pictures with it. I have no idea how to upload them though. I guess that'll be next weeks chore.

Happy New Year!