Cleaning and scrubbing will wait ’till tomorrow, but children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs! Dust go to sleep! I’m rocking my baby. Babies don’t keep. – Ruth Hamilton

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Ice Skating on Christmas Eve


Two days before Christmas Eve we loaded the car and headed to my parents.  I wanted to have time to do some fun things with the kids.  First stop was the pool.  My parents live in a hotel and they have access to the pool on the roof top.  The kids love swimming and it keeps them in the water throughout the year.
I'm not sure why my camera was so fuzzy, but the next few pictures are not the best.  On Tuesday night we loaded the car and headed to the zoo.  The kids love to spot the Arch first!
The zoo is so neat this time of year.  They have music playing, hot cocoa ready, lights displayed, and story tellers.  Once we got in the zoo, and loaded them in the stroller, our experience was great!

The next day we were going to have the kids rest since Christmas Eve is a late night with my family, but then my brother asked if we wanted to go ice skating.  I have always wanted to ice skate in Forest Park and I was even more excited to take the kids.  Growing up in Chicago we always ice skated!  There were two ponds behind our house and the dads would snow blow them off for us, then the neighborhood would skate.  In my head it sounded like a fabulous idea!

Avery did great after a lot of time.
The boys gave up pretty fast! Lincoln was like a turtle on his back and couldn't stand up and Mack took a pretty hard fall!  This in turn lead them inside with snacks.
By the end, these four didn't want to leave...I was ready!  You get such a workout skating with kids!  My whole body hurt!
The atmosphere and time with family made it special.  Christmas music was playing and it brought me back to my younger years.  Hopefully we can try it again soon to keep them going!

Thursday, December 18, 2014

This Holiday is Fun

Wow! Holidays get more fun as your kids get older! We do more, get them out more, and include them more!
We went to our first tree lighting since they've been older...the magic tree!
My kids school created art work which was displayed in the house of the president of Stphens College!
We have had our sweet cousins over to eat pizza, watch Polar Express, and drank hot chocolate!

Mark had a date with his little girl:) they went shopping and had lunch. She dressed herself and even had a purse ready!
I spent time with these cute boys!

Then our kids spent more time with their cousins at aunt Heidi and uncle Scott's house. This allowed mark and I to attend our friends reveal party. We wrapped the box with balloons and I swear I had peeked...
But I was so wrong!!!!

The next day was not seasonal! 70 degrees and the boys finished all the things outside we didn't get to do!
It's the holiday season... Dededado!

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

One of the Coolest Events

After our busy weekend with the family Christmas party, we spent Sunday together.  Mark and I took the kids swimming in the morning, then it was off to brunch with Santa and Fred Bird.

My parents got us all to go to brunch.  Not only was it pure deliciousness, the kids had so much to do.  They could get their face painted, create crafts, have a balloon made, and take a picture with Santa.  After their picture they received a Cardinal back packs and new jersey!

It was the first year they were excited to sit in his lap.  The actual picture shows Avery's face!
The kids ate so much!
Then we got a picture of all 6 of them for the grandparents.
Ballpark Village is so neat.  You can watch the games outside of the stadium!  The kids like looking out to the field. 
By far one of the coolest events we have attended.  Hopefully it will work out next year too!

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

TREE SUCCESS? NOT SURE!


Since having children we have been cutting down our tree.  I love the idea and I love the build up, but it hasn't always gone smooth.  This year went fairly well...

It was a beautiful day!  The kids got fresh air and were enjoying the time running around.

We were lucky to have Papa H. and Nanny join us in this event.


Family pictures-always fun!





After a long time we (Avery) found the one.  Then we hauled where we could get picked up.


I love their conversations.

Lincoln says YIPPEE!!!


This is a tradition we will continue and the kids love it.  I'm pretty sure this was our best year yet.  Now hopefully our tree makes it through the next few weeks:)
Happy tree decorating to everyone!