The Fighter's

Jet came over for a visit. We tried to snatch a few pictures of the two munchkins but as you can see they weren't very cooperative:-) Jet was focused on the TV stand (takes after his father) and Olivia was upset because I dressed her in an outfit that had pandas on the feet. I love these two little ones...

We took a trip down to Grandpa Fighter's this weekend. The girls had a ball...feeding ducks with Grandpa F, playing with the gardening kits he picked out for them and ransacking his place:-) Katelyn can't quite say "Fighter" yet...so she calls him Grandpa "Fire" (much like Ava did when she was little!). It was such a fun visit! So thankful the girls get to experience these fun memories with all their grandparents!

It seems like yesterday Rob, Pat and I were young, watching Smurfs together Saturday mornings on the couch. So when I get glimpses of my little brother as a dad...it just blows me away. I have always been a very protective (and they may say bossy) older sister. I have never had trouble sharing my opinions with them on what I feel they should/should not be doing. For some reason I have always worried and thought about them...almost as much as a mom does her own children. Must be the oldest child thing. But as I see them forming their own lives...and as we've been given the opportunity to experience "grown up" life together...it has been so much fun realizing what great guys my little brothers have turned into. I guess I can let go of that oldest child syndrome a bit. They both have picked amazing girls, they are hard workers, kind hearted, thoughtful, loving and fun...and I couldn't have asked for better. And now...to watch my brother as a dad with his son. It just war

Came for a visit...and the girls couldn't get enough of him!

I must have drank the right coffee today. Up at 7AM (that's sleeping in for me!). got an hour of work in. got dressed, girls up, got them dressed, breakfast, cleaned kitchen. trip to Costco (went for coffee & trash bags...walked out with 10 million other things, including pickles. Kate insisted on pickles:-)). trip to Hobby Lobby (trying to find frames for some of our family photos...walked out with stickers for Ava & Kate and smarties...bringing the pics next time to choose a frame). home for lunch and play time. moved the furniture in family room to attempt to steam clean the carpet...but found that Doug needs to fix the steam cleaner so.... called Stanley Steamer who is coming on Thursday (I like this idea better anyways!). put the girls down for a nap. did 3 loads of laundry. started my spring cleaning of the laundry room by pulling everything out and cleaning and organizing the cabinets and closet. made spaghetti (with homemade spaghetti sauce...so easy and so yum!)

One of the greatest gifts I was given throughout my childhood is the gift of a fun and amazing family. I really do feel so incredibly blessed in this department. My aunts, uncles & cousins are spread out geographically from us but...our parents always made a point of getting together a few times each and every year. Trips to each other's houses, the beach every summer (one of my favorite childhood memories), Thanksgiving, etc...even though hundreds of miles apart, I always grew up feeling the warmth of a close relationship with them (and still do). Kacy (my cousin) is now Ava's Godmother. Kacy is one of the most kind, witty, fun loving persons I know. She is a great role model for my girls, she is a great friend for me...and I really am so thankful to have her in my life. She sent the cutest little valentine gifts for the girls. They absolutely loved them. Ava didn't want to sleep on her real pillow that night...she opted for the owl pillow instead:-) So sweet of Kacy t

We had a fabulous Valentine weekend with the girls... Out for burgers with the girls on Friday. They insisted on sitting next to each other (which I loved:-)) Both wore their new headbands...I got them a pack of 6 at Meijer and they spent they day "trading" them. Kate wore hers across her forehead most of the day. Saturday, daddy got them dressed (...the girls totally dictated what they wore) and we went out for breakfast, a trip to Lowe's and the grocery store. Sunday was church. The girls made special Valentine headbands, and the Sunday school class sang Jesus Loves Me in front of the church during service. It was the most adorable thing ever:-) Kate hanging out with a few of her buddies from church. I just love the headbands! After church we relaxed and gave the girls their Valentine presents...which included umbrellas...which they played with the entire day. Daddy also got us these adorable cupcakes...yum! I love my Valentines...the best ever!

We broke out of the house today to the bouncy place where the girls ran, jumped and Olivia had her first swing. I LOVE winter, but we are ready for spring and running, playing, jumping outside. In the mean time, yay for the bouncy place! Loved these pics of Olivia's first swing and my adorable hubby pushing all three of our super girls:-)

Kate puts everything in her mouth. We are continually working on it...I'm not quite sure why she thinks crayons are tasty...but this is about her 50th time eating crayons. She got in trouble...but then I couldn't help but take a picture. We will rid her of this habit eventually...we will. :-) She's a cutie though isn't she? Blue mouth and all:-)

After being cooped up all week with croup, we escaped to enjoy the sunny day outside in the snow. We headed over to our town's "big" hill for some sledding. I love snow, I love sledding and I love being outside with the girls. It was so refreshing and fun. Ava acted like an old pro...sledding down the hill all by herself. With no apprehension, she hopped on that sled and slid down...so proud of herself when she got to the bottom. She walked back up that hill with the biggest smile on her face! Kate had never been sledding before, so we we plopped her in between Ava & I for a few trips down the hill. She squealed the whole entire way. It was SOOO much fun and I can't wait to do it again!

Olivia discovered her feet this week. She loves holding on tight to her toes and rocking back and forth. I love her tootsies so much...I had to get some feet shots. And...as you can see...she is liking her rice cereal a lot more than she did the first time around. She gets angry when we don't feed it to her fast enough!