A Christmas Song

When Madison was 4 years old I taped her singing this same sweet song, in the exact same place, in front of our Christmas tree.  Now it is Peyton's turn.  She has a cold so she is a little stuffy sounding, but I think she did great.   

Deck the Halls

I look forward to the day after Thanksgiving because it means it is time to decorate our house for Christmas and start celebrating the Christmas season!  We put up our tree, decorate it and get out all of our holiday decorations!  I love my house during Christmas!  I love the way the white lights on the tree shine, the greenery and lights on the mantle and banister give the house a warmth and glow.  I love the way the decorations fill in the empty spaces on the walls and how everything is all tied together with a theme.  I just love Christmas!

 

Peyton's little Christmas tree in her room... Thanks Grandma and Papa!

Porter getting into the Christmas spirit!

 

Grandma brought over a fun ornament making craft!

We put strands of beads in clear ornaments.

She also brought glitter and floor polish... look at the beautiful ornament Peyton made!

 

I also love all the special times and traditions with family and friends.  I love the arts and crafts, the classic Christmas shows on tv that I remember watching as a child, holiday bazaars, the advent calendar, baking yummy goodies, drinking hot drinks, reading Christmas stories and going on special outings to events like 'Follow the Star' and 'Zoo lights' (to name a few).

 
I love coming home at night and seeing all the Christmas lights that shine in our neighborhood. 

I love turning on the radio and hearing Christmas music in the car and at home. 

I love giving to others and teaching my children the importance of giving to others and helping those in need.  I love the way our church has poinsettias lining the stage and how we sing Christmas songs at the beginning of service.

I love celebrating the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of  Jesus.           

Peyton's Rapunzel Birthday Parties

Peyton wanted to have a Rapunzel themed party for her 5^th Birthday.  Rapunzel is her favorite right now and she was Rapunzel for Halloween.  This all worked out great because she already had the costume.  We have a big family and Peyton wanted to have girl friends from school over too, so we had 2 separate parties. 

Both parties were a lot of fun. 

The pictures are a mix of the 2 parties.

The big 5!  We decorated the railing with glowing rapunzel hair made from yellow yarn, purple ribbon, and a strand of white rope lights.

Rapunzel Donut Tower.  I painted the top of a wooden bird house purple.  Bryan made a "dowel" tower to put the donuts on.

Cupcakes with blooming flowers. 

Floating Paper Lanterns filled our vaulted ceiling.

For the Friend's party the girls started out coloring Rapunzel and playing with their Pascal party blowers. 

 

Uncle Jon dressed up as Flynn Ryder.... what a great Uncle!

Grandpa MacKender

Papa and Aunt Caitie

 

  

Auntie Errin made this great Repunzel blanket.

Family Party

A Cute Baker outfit for Peyton's Doll, Julie

Pin the Pan on Flynn Rider

 

We played throw Pascal in the pan.

Pretty Princesses

Happy Birthday Peyton!

 

I enjoy planning parties for the girls and am happy to do so!  It is fun to get creative and see what I can do and create on a small budget.  I know the girls will not always want a theme party as they get older.   So, for now I will continue to enjoy planning!  

I have 6 months until Madison's Birthday!  J   

Madison's GREEN belt!

Madison is really enjoying Taekwondo.  She is now a Green Belt!  This test was pretty difficult!  The form was double the length.   To pass her test she also had to break a board and spar.  She did great and worked so hard to get her Green belt.  We are very proud of her!  Great Job Maddie!

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Peyton!

On November 13^th Peyton turned 5!  Wow… I can’t believe that she is 5… she was born 5 years ago.  Time has really flown by and it feels like, in a blink of an eye, she has gone from baby to little girl! 

Peyton is a very sweet, sensitive, and gentle soul.  She is very good at entertaining herself and is happy playing with her toys for long periods of time.  She loves baby dolls, books, painting, writing, games, friends, animals, dresses, her sister, anything girly, dancing and singing.  She has a contagious belly laugh! 

She can be sweet and sensitive then the next minute strong willed. 

She likes cucumbers, peppers, milk, green apples, pretzels and suckers. 

Peyton does not like bugs, amphibians, the dark,

Daddy going to work, brushing her teeth, potatoes, hamburger, and cooked carrots.   

I am so blessed to have her in my life.  I love you  Peyton and I am so proud to be your mommy!

Halloween 2012

Halloween is always fun!  We have family and friends over for a pizza dinner then we head out into the neighborhood to trick or treat.  This year Madison was a vampire and Peyton was Rapunzel!  By the end of the night they really had a lot of candy.  It was fun to see them sort all of their goodies.