New Years Eve

I can't believe that it is time to turn the page on another year.  Where did you go 2014 and how are you already behind us?  So many things have happened over the past year - some good, some bad - I have learned from them and look forward to growing and learning more in the coming year.

As I write this, I am the only one still awake and ready to ring in the new year.  2015, you are coming whether we are ready or not.  I will toast you with my favorite champagne and I am open to all that you hold for me.

I hope that 2015 is a year of growth, knowledge, health and happiness.  I will accomplish new things and learn to let things go.  I will try to be more present and a kinder, gentler person.  This year will be filled with family and fun, so come on in 2015, I am ready.

Discovery Place Children's Museum

We received a membership to the Discovery Place Children's Museum last Christmas and we never used it.  Mainly because it was located in Huntersville, about an hour away from us and traffic can be a nightmare.  We decided we should at least get one visit out of it and since the membership expired today, we made the trip north.  It was fun and also busy since they were doing New Years Eve activities for the kids.  It is a great museum with lots of hands on learning for the kids - both Arabella and Max enjoyed it - I just wish it was closer.

Arabella spent a lot of time in the Pet Vet area...go figure!

Max loved the construction site area!

Arabella worked on a car!

And they had a balloon drop for the kids at noon.  It was very loud but it was fun with all the balloons falling all around!

Working With Dad

I believe that in our organized abyss of photos, I have one of Arabella and Jay and Uncle Mike doing the same thing....

My Tree Hugger

Arabella and I went on a little nature walk today.  We enjoyed the fresh air and break from being inside.  I just love how into nature and how is loves to protect the world around her.

I Told You She Was A Bookworm

I love her voracious appetite for reading.

Treats For Our Feathered Friends

Arabella is a lover of animals and nature...a little Dr. Doolittle.  One day, I am sure she will be a conservationist.  I just love her caring spirit.  She decided that she wanted to make treats for the bids that live in the trees in our backyard...and she wasn't going to be happy until she did.  So we found pine cones, got peanut butter and birdseed and made them treats.  The birds thanked her by wasting no time in enjoying them!

Making Juice with Grammie

We are so lucky!  Grammie brought two huge baskets of oranges from her orange trees.  We have been enjoying them for breakfast and as yummy snacks.  She brought her juicer with her and the kids love to make juice with her!  Arabella made juice with her once when she was about 2 on a Christmas visit to Florida...she loved it then and she loves to help now and Max is following in her footsteps!

Flippin'

We had beautiful weather today and we decided to enjoy it.  The kids drug their new tumbling mat out to the back yard and played around on it.  Arabella practiced her back handspring, while Max and Bennett tried to stay out of the way.  We try to spend as much time as we can outside when the weather is nice - it gets too hot to be outside in the Summer and then sometimes it gets to damp and wet in the Spring and Fall.

I love watching the progression of her tumbling...

Max decided to just hang out....

Merry Christmas!!

The day is here and Santa visited our house!!!  Max and Arabella were super good this past year and have loved having Jack visit and watch them over the past 6 or so weeks.

Max and Arabella both fell fast asleep and must have been dreaming of sugarplums!

They were both so excited in the morning to see that Santa came, but Max wasn't sure what to make of everything.  It took him a few minutes to figure things out, but after watching Arabella, he was totally into it!

We all had a fun morning of opening presents and being spoiled by Santa and family!

Jack made sure to leave a special note for the kids to see!

And it didn't take long before they were playing with their new toys!

We had a relaxing day and took at walk after dark to enjoy the Christmas lights in our neighborhood.

I am so lucky and blessed to have such happy and beautiful children.  I always love this time of year and I hope that I can pass on that love to them.  Thank you Arabella and Maxton for showing me the beauty of Christmas and for giving me joy and happiness,  Merry Christmas.