Family Day: 5 Years

Daddy

Mommy

Lily Grace

Molly

Matt stayed home from work, Lily Grace stayed home from school and I stayed away from usual daily duties to spend today together as a family.  It's hard to believe that 5 years have passed since that blessed day in China.  God is so good!
We have enjoyed lunch out, playing, looking at old photos, sharing memories and most of all, being together.  

100 Cats and Dogs

Cats and Dogs- 50 on the front and 50 on the back

Friends enjoying the 100th Day of School

The Parade Wave

Today, Lily Grace's school celebrated the 100th Day of School.  Her uniform was a little different for such a special day.  Her class was asked to decorate their own shirt with 100 something on it.  Lily Grace wanted to do cats and dogs, so we got busy printing, cutting and ironing them on.  She was so excited about wearing her shirt today.  
Once at school, her class decorated a hat for a parade to show off their shirts.  They also enjoyed a special 100 days snack and many other fun activities.  
What a fun way to spend the day at school!!

Happy New Year!

That's right!  She made it!  Yes, Lily Grace our early to bed, early to rise, hard sleeper had one goal in mind yesterday and that was to make it to midnight for the first time.  Matt and I agreed to let her try, but I must admit that by 9:00 pm, Matt asked me if I could just move the clocks ahead. HA!
With the help of some karaoke, games, a movie and some popcorn, she did just that. I will say, we all had a great time.  What a wonderful memory.  
Well, I'm off....Lily Grace and I are on our way to take a nap. :-)

Merry Christmas!!

So many of you may be wondering how I am already putting up a post at 11:30 am.  Well, when you have been up since before the sun, it's pretty easy.  We have unwrapped, eaten, played, played and played some more, filled a few trash bags and gone back to playing. Molly is certainly enjoying her first Christmas and new toys.  She has even passed out she's so tired from the excitement.  The rest of us are still going strong around here and having the best time.  
Lily Grace was up at 6:00 am and squeals filled the living room as she made the corner.  Christmas has been absolutely magical this year with a 5 year old.  Lily Grace's excitement has completely filled our home.  To hear her get excited about our visiting elf, predicting what Santa might bring or talking about the birth of Jesus, it has just been so special and wonderful.  We are so blessed.  I could go on and on, but who am I kidding?  I know you just want to see pictures of Lily Grace so.... from our home to yours, Merry Christmas and may the joy that comes from the true spirit of the season be yours today and all throughout the new year.  
Merry Christmas!!!  

Christmas Eve breakfast at the Peabody

Lily Grace with the Duck Master

Spreading her reindeer hay from one end of the yard to the other.  This year she declared that she was big girl enough to do it herself.  

We made cowboy cookies for Santa.

Priceless first looks at goodies left by Santa 

A telescope was one of her big wishes this year.

Her very own camera, in pink of course!

Her double stick tape from Santa was a big hit.

She named her cat Pearl and her American Girl doll, LG.  She's a just like me doll so of course he name should be LG.

One of our favorite gifts

We are so proud to have our first "school gift."

New pink cowgirl boots

Her first real purse

Molly enjoying her Christmas goodies

Two cute, funny and happy girls

I see many shows in our future

Once cleaned up where we could move about, Matt and I got quite the performance.  And yes, her daddy rigged her a guitar strap until we can go and get her one.  Only at our house would climbing rope serve as a meg shift guitar strap.  Oh! And no, we've never been climbing. ??

Cold, Icy Fun!

Today we met friends at the zoo for ice skating.  We had a great time and Matt kept us all up off the ice.  Thanks Matt!

After fun at the rink, we warmed up in the cabin, took a peek at the grizzlies and wolves and then we were off to lunch.  

It was a great way to spend the day and I'm pretty sure that Lily Grace and Mia will sleep quite well tonight. 

All set to go and just plain CUTE!!!!

Two cute girls ready to skate

Matt took a turn holding all of us up today.

Warming up by the far after a fun but cold time skating

Here's something you rarely see, just Matt and Me.(We don't look nearly as good without Gracie in the middle.)  Lily Grace snapped this picture of us.