Lily Fest: A Sleepover

Let me start by saying that Lily Grace requested this post title and I am happy to oblige.  It truly has been a Lily fest around our house.  
This past weekend, one of Lily Grace's best friends Lily B. spent the weekend with us.  Lily B.'s parents were out of town and we had Lily B from Saturday to Monday morning.  This was also Lily Grace's first "official" sleepover.  According to her, it's made official by the fact that Lily B slept over without her parents.  
These two had the best time!  Our house was constantly filled with giggles and all things girlie.  They stayed up until about 10:00 Saturday night, (well that is when they were told lights out anyway) and we could still hear giggles and chatter from upstairs.  They enjoyed sharing the queen guest bed Saturday night and they looked like quite the sight with AG magazines, books and stuffed animals piled in bed with them.  
We slept in a bit Sunday morning and enjoyed late service.  Afterwards we enjoyed a snack at  Starbucks and then a little shopping.  They were too cute as they wore matching hair do's with flowers, strapped on their purses and flaunted huge smiles.  
Once back home Sunday afternoon it was more play after getting their studying done and off to separate beds on time at 7:30.  They woke with smiles Monday morning and it was back to reality at 7:45.  
Matt and I enjoyed hearing their laughter and feel so blessed that Lily Grace has people she can call friends and enjoy special time with.  It truly has been another one of those firsts that Matt and I will cherish.  

Thank you gracious God for this blessing.  This precious girl we prayed for and for all the memories that we share in with her. 

As soon as Lily B arrived, they wasted no time getting busy.  This fort evolved over the weekend into a prairie wagon.  

Showered and ready to play into the night and poor Molly just wanted to be a part of the fun

Nothing like a milkshake and cookie to get the night-time fun started

Getting ready to enjoy a movie

Lily Grace made Lily B a "suite" sign and even gave her an old hotel key to insert upon entering her room.

Though there were laughs, they managed to get their Science and Religion homework done Sunday morning before church.

By Sunday evening this fort was really evolving

Off to school bright and early Monday morning

2016 Happy New Year! 2016

Ringing in the New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!  Our house sprung to life about 5:30 this morning. Gracie was beyond excited to get downstairs and we have all had a wonderful morning.  
We've had so much fun watching Lily Grace!  Hearing hear play and seeing the delight on her face is truly something special.  
We thank everyone for your beautiful Christmas cards, warm wishes and gifts.  
While we have exchanged and unwrapped gifts this morning, we know that the greatest gift isn't under the tree.  Our greatest gift is and always will be the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ.  Thank you Jesus for loving us so very much!  
May the peace of our Lord be with you today and always!  

Santa made his way to our house.  No matter how old she gets, it's always those first moments that capture my heart.  

LG loves mysteries and this detective kit is sure to get a work out.

LG and Maryellen

Matt and Lily Grace commissioned Ashley to do this beautiful church piece for me.  I have been so excited to unwrap this thing.  I can't begin to describe how beautiful it is in person and this photo doesn't do it justice.  I wanted a new piece for the upstairs hall and LG and I fell in love with Ashley's churches.  Once opened, I looked on the back to see she had titled it, "Blessed Beyond Measure."  Needless to say I teared right up.  I say this often and feel it even  more.  Thank you Ashely for this beautiful piece.  Your love for God truly shows through it. I love having your work hang in our home.

Lily Grace has really been hoping for the Grace's American Girl Patisserie.  She's looked at this large box sit by the tree for days.  I simply told her that it held gifts for her from the family.  This year, instead of several gifts under the tree, her gran, grandma, grandpa and Matt and I went together to give her this very special gift.  She knew getting it was more likely not to happen.  I can't begin to tell you her excitement and how much play this thing has already seen this morning.  She wasted no time getting out one of her American Girl catalogs to see how they had set it up.  Thank you so very much to both sets of grandparents for making her wish come true.  I know this is something she will remember and  cherish.   

This is the priceless look on her face when she finally realized what was in this box.  She looked at me as if for reassurance that it truly was what she thought. 

Wasting no time setting up shop

All in the mix of course

About mid-morning, Molly finally started to wear down.

Beautiful!!  Thank you Matt for going out yesterday and getting the hardware to hang this.  You know me so well and knew that I would want to see it up right away.  I love you!

And on to fashion designing and another nap for Molly.  Side note:  Molly isn't the only one asleep in this picture. (Matt)

Oh What Fun!

Gracie and has been out of school the whole week, Matt's been off work and Bob has been keeping us entertained.  
We've so enjoyed all of this family time and had fun baking, playing games, bowling and hanging out.  What a blessing to have this extra time together this special time of year. 

Bob left us a gingerbread kit.  Gracie did a great job and declared this her favorite house to date. 

LG and I did some baking and made one of our favorites, Red Velvet Cake.  Jessica sent her this new adorable apron for Christmas which made cooking a little extra special.  

Gracie camped out in the living room by the Christmas tree one night.  

Bob made his way to Matt's office upstairs and photocopied himself and left little friend behind...

a snowman built with toilet paper and a pair of Lg's socks.

The snowman themed continued when we woke Christmas Eve to find Bob in the kitchen chandelier, a large snowman on your door and presents left behind with a goodbye note for Gracie Cakes. He left us two games which we enjoyed playing all morning Christmas Eve.

Bob certainly does keep her laughing during his stay.

Putting our her goodies for Santa before going upstairs to bed

This year Santa was treated to Macaroons with his milk.  Lily Grace also left a goodbye thank you note for Bob.  It's always hard on her heart when it's time to say goodbye on Christmas Eve.   Until next year....

Christmas Card Out-takes

It's always fun to go back and look at all the  pictures we took to get that one that will eventually grace the yearly Christmas Card.  Going back and looking at the our-takes has become one of my favorite things to do.  Now, throw in a dog and well.... that's probably enough said.  
This year proved to be no different.  We raced a camera timer, changed positions a few times, got lost in the moment, laughed a lot, got frustrated some and found out that a glass of water set right down in front of Molly is interesting enough to hold her attention.  It even brought a smile to her face for our final picture. 

From our family to yours,
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Christmas fun at School

The last week of school before Christmas break was one of my favorite weeks when I was teaching.  There's tons of excitement, lots of laughter and a few casual days mixed in.  Well, things haven't changed and Lily Grace is having a fun and exciting last week of school.
She got two dress down days this week.  On Wednesday, she shined nice and bright in her festive Christmas colored outfit.  On Friday her class was allowed to wear pajamas for a cozy day filled with cocoa, sugar cookies, Polar Express and laid back FUN!

She loved wearing this bright and colorful outfit to school and while this picture doesn't do the brightness of those pants justice, she was as always, cute as a button.

I had to go in and get cocoa simmering for her class party and caught her and her good friend Lily relaxing in their PJ's with a book on my way out. How fun and cute!