Chili willi, pooty smooty!

Yes, that is what you get when you mix ALL the spices from the pantry all together into some water and stir it up. Jared and I decided to let the girls get creative in the kitchen this morning. Emma is really into rhyming these days and it was fun listening to her try to tell Ellie what they were making. It was so much fun watching them...but not so much fun to clean up. So worth it though!

Ahh, warm clothes!

There is nothing better on a cold & snowy winter day than to take a dive into clothes right out of the dryer...and that is exactly what Edyn did! I thought she was going to take a nap in the laundry basket...she didn't move for about 5 mintues...which is a LONG time for a one yr old on the go!

Snow Angel

I can't believe this is my baby's first Christmas...it was snowing the night she was born but this is the first time she has actually gotten to play in the snow! She REALLY wanted to be outside in the snow so I took advantage of a great photo opportunity! She was crying until I sat her down in the snow and she just sat and looked at it (I think she was too cold to do anything else!) Oh, the beauty of snow...she was just taking it all in!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow....

The best part about being a teacher is...(according to mom & the girls!) snow days and summer! The girls were more excited than they probably will be at Christmas when they found out that Daddy was going to stay home today...and he took them sledding and they came in to make slushies out of coke and snow...don't worry, they ate around the yellow snow. We weren't planning to take Edyn out but she stood by the door laughing...I took her outside and every time I came in (while holding her) she just cried because she wanted to be in the snow too! They had a blast and Jared couldn't think of a better way to spend his birthday! Happy Birthday to the best dad and husband ever! Love you so much!

...and more new wheels!

Ellie also got a new power quad for her birthday (thanks to Aunt Theresa, Uncle Bill and cousins Ceresa and Shellie and family) and it is such a hit at our house! Edyn can climb on it by herself and when she does, the girls are so eager to hop on and give her a ride! (she hasn't figured out how to get it going herself...thank goodness!

New Wheels!

Ellie got a new wagon for her birthday (thank you Uncle Curtis and grandma and papa!) and Edyn LOVES being pulled along...when she gets fussy, I just throw her in the wagon and we take a little ride around the house...now if it was just always that easy, ha!

Our new baby-sitters...

Jack & Maggie...our neighbor's dogs! just kidding. Our neighbor Tina has been such a lifesaver for us! She is always watching our girls and helping us out so much when we need someone. It's so nice to have someone next door that we trust and who the girls ADORE! Tina can make anything out of Play-Do and has the best treats (the kind mommy won't buy!) She watched Edyn one night while Jared & I took the girls to a play and Edyn crashed with Jack and Maggie :) Thanks again Tina, for ALL you do for us!

What a girl wants...

...lots of make-up, hairspray, body glitter and dancing...does it get any better for a 3 and 4 yr old? The girls performed in the Nutcracker Suite and also did several of the numbers they've been working on this year in dance class including, "Good Ship Lollipop", "Teddy Bear", and "Hula Baby". They were so adorable and SO excited to get to dance on the "big stage that Rosie danced on" when we took them to see "Bye Bye Birdie" about a month ago! The girls had the time of their lives (so did mom, re-living her childhood, ha!)

Knoettgen Family Christmas!

It all started with these few...
and GREW and GREW!
We had the best time squeezing 60 people in one house and celebrating Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Knoettgen's! The kids had a blast playing with their cousin's and Emma took a special liking to one of the newest members of the family...Tori. Emma still asks when we can see her again! Hopefully we can make a trip to DC in the near future :)

All I want for Christmas is a...

BOX! Oh, yes, this can provide hours of FUN entertainment for all! Mommy's new idea...Mommy gets BIG presents more often, then the kids have a nice big new box to play in...it's a win win for all! Except dad, who wasn't so fond of the idea, ha!

Happy Birthday Ellisyn Grace!

Ellie turned 3 on November 29th and she celebrated in style with a Tinkerbell Party! Ellie worked so hard to be able to hold 3 fingers and she has become such a PRO at it! We had her party a week later so all of her friends could come! Grandma Deb made Ellie's Tinkerbell cake complete with Tink's special fairy friends. Tinkerbell made a special visit to her party! She gave out Tinkerbell Tiaras, treats to the kids and tattoos and hair glitter...not to mention, LOTS of pixie dust! (Thanks Cara for your willingness to dress up for the girls...they LOVED IT! We have the best baby-sitter EVER!)

Mommy's Little Helpers!

The girls had a blast helping me decorate for Christmas. They wanted to put ornaments in every nook and cranny in the house. They started hanging ornaments together that matched and called them twins...they are so creative and it was fun watching them! We made rice krispie ornaments for Ellie's birthday treats at the Knoettgen Christmas! They LOVED getting messy!