The Fighter's

Great time tonight at a fundraiser for the girls' school - went with fellow parents from our neighborhood.  So much fun!  Pics from a photo booth below...wardrobe from photo booth as well...Doug does not own a fur or a crown:-)

Olivia somehow always gets talked into sleeping on the floor in her own bedroom - when her and her sisters have a "sleep over".  Ava and Kate usually call dibs on the 2 beds (in Olivia's room), often initially met with resistance from Olivia...but somehow little Lou gets talked into sleeping on the floor.  We came home tonight to find her like this (during another sister sleepover)...sweet little sis. But... this is how Olivia gets them back....Ava's journal writing - a short incriminating piece about her little sis.  Hahahahaha!  Love it!

Every once in a while I like to sneak out with some one on one time with each of my girls.  Today - Ava and I went to the nail salon and had pedicures and it was so much fun.  Look at that smile on my girl's face.  Love her.  And love precious time with them.

The wintery snow days (17 for the girls this Winter!) put my balancing act of working from home/keeping the girls entertained to test!  Usually they're in school on my work days - but Old Man Winter has thrown those arrangements to the wayside!  Not going to lie - it has been tough!  Lots of early mornings/late nights/working on days off to stay up to speed with tasks.  Some bribing during conference calls (to stay out of mommy's office)...but we have been managing and doing quite well.  And I am thankful to have the opportunity to work from home...I can't imagine how hard it has been for parents to find alternative childcare or take time away from their personal time off to manage children out of their normal school routine.  Winter of 2014 has been beautiful - but brutal in some respects!  But we are making the most of it and know it's a time that is filled with lots of warmness that won't ever be forgotten.  Here is my little office buddy this morning.  I think s

We work out inside!  My view from the treadmill today.  Girls were rotating through the horse, trampoline and exercise ball stations the whole time I ran on the treadmill.  And we did this all while watching Gilligan's Island.  Love my little workout buddies:-)  And it felt good to get some pent up energy out!

Building motors and light bulbs on a cold snowy day.  She loves this stuff.  And I love her!

Here was the first day of our 2014 Winter adventure.  This January - our town would hit records for cold and snow.  42 inches in January (normal is 11) and an average ( average) temperature of 16 (normal is 25.5). On this very first snow day (first of 17!) the girls decided to wrap their littlest sister up as a Christmas present... And I made cozy, yummy chicken fried rice.  Perfect for a snowy cold day! And some good words to warm the heart (Ava made this at Sunday school over the weekend).  Always a nice reminder!

Second graders still get tuckered out sometimes too.  Had to snap a shot because it's a rare occurrence anymore that 1) Ava takes a nap and 2) that she falls asleep somewhere other than her own bed.  Love my sweet bean:-) And sweet Kate fell asleep on the way home from school...

The girls saw the movie "Frozen" this month and since then it has been a Frozen Frenzy.  Braids in hair, lots of dancing, gloves on hands, whimsical costumes.  The girls were at it again - singing the Frozen soundtrack at the top of their lungs and dancing to their hearts content.  After that - some snuggles with dad before bed.  I love Winter!!

It's funny how sometimes when a week has been rough - one of my 3 girls knows just what to say or do to cheer my heart/bring me into focus...and they don't even know it!  Ava drew this picture for me this week.  Brought it to me while I was finishing up work one day - and it meant so much and cheered me so.  I truly believe sometimes encouragement comes straight from heaven through the people we love - even the tiniest of people! A reminder and prayer close to my heart - I pray this for family and friends. "The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand.  The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.  The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.  The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore."  Psalm 121: 5-8

Jet turned 4 and girls had a blast at his party!  Bounce houses, games, pizza...cupcakes with gummy worms...the kids were in heaven!  Just love my sweet, curious, smart adventurous nephew.  He always greets me with big happy eyes and an excited "Hi Aunt Kim!".  He melts me.  Love my Jet Jet an so thankful for the joy he brings to our lives!

Kate's girl scout troop took a trip to the fire station...had a great tour, and got to even try fire hats.  So much fun!  Ava, Olivia and I tagged along!

Olivia offering some assistance to her big sis...trying to yank out Katelyn's first tooth.  She was pretty determined:-)

My little Van Gogh....painting on a wintery day!  With her Ellie right by her side...   And one more smile on this Tuesday...my sweet Lou...