The Fighter's

In the whole world...

Mountains, fresh air, beautiful snow, great restaurants, lots of sleep, sunshine, days filled with skiing, pine trees for miles, my Doug and great friends - Breckenridge, Colorado!   Such a beautiful state - I love the snow capped mountains and laid back feel.  I love the breweries and the outdoor opportunities for adventure.  If my loves weren't all East of the Mississippi - my place would be Colorado! We had a blast on this trip!  Stayed in a mountainside lodge where we could ski in/out to slopes.  They had a shuttle that we could pick up and take down to the main street where cute little shops and amazing restaurants and breweries lined the street.  Christmas lights and snow everywhere - mountains in the background.  Breckenridge is straight out of a cozy storybook illustration.  We had so much fun with our friends the Burnett's.  And I love getting away and adventuring with my Doug.  I even did a Black Diamond hill this time (not o...

First of all, I love Olivia's new Olaf hat.  She loves the snowman from Frozen.  I also love Kate's little owl hat...I'll only be able to put characters on their heads for so long... I also love when they get bundled up in their snowsuits, coats and gloves - and then waddle around.  Excited to go roll and play in the snow. And - I love Olivia's (Olaf's) sneaky, deliberate progression here.  Her mischievous smile to give her sister some bunny ears...

Christmas at Mom & Dad's... Warm, cozy.  Family and togetherness.  The most perfect tree in front of the bay window with decades of ornament memories, perfectly strung lights and tinsel garland.  Smells of amazing food wafting from the kitchen.  Grandma's china set on the table.  The little white church with stained glass windows playing music box music - I still imagine there are people inside.  My brothers.  Their wives.  My mom & dad.  Doug.  And six little cousins running around with excitement - peaking at the presents underneath the tree and on their best behavior - with joyful anxiousness. This is Christmas at my Mom & Dad's.  I love it so much.   Celebrating Love that came to earth so long ago in a manger.  We celebrate Him with memories, love, togetherness.  Joy.

With some time off work - Doug and I decided to take the girls 30 minutes North to the town most Buckeyes won't speak of.  Although home to the Wolverines - Ann Arbor has such great restaurants, shops - and Doug and I love the feel of the city.  We took the girls to an indoor play/climb/jump place.  Then we ventured downtown to Arbor Brewing company and enjoyed some tasty drinks from the brewery - and food too of course.   Doug has the girls trained well - all three were muttering words of something stinking as we drove closer to the stadium.  We also heard multiple boos as we drove past M's.  It was such a fun day with our 5 - loved every bit of it.  And I may secretly be hoping that if the girls choose a Big 10 school - it's that school up North - way closer than the others!  But don't tell anyone I said that.  And Go Bucks.

Another New Year!  Bring on 2015!  Our good friends the Elliotts came up to celebrate with us, and Mom & Dad stopped by with the Hammons to ring in the New Year.

"Spread Love everywhere you go.  Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."                                                                                                                      -Mother Theresa 3 of my Loves on Valentines day...so cheerful:-) I got to volunteer in Ava's class for the party.  Here is the crew - so adorable!

A beautiful run through crazy snow piles (thankfully I did not slip and fall...almost...but I managed to stay on my two feet)!  I love the crunch of snow and ice under my feet.  Some of my favorite Napa wine... A cozy night making homemade chocolate covered popcorn.  YUM!

Tuesdays are an off day for me - and I love them!  My Tuesdays always include a whole day of one on one time with this girl...and they usually include what has come to be our favorite Tuesday lunch during this cold winter...broccoli cheese soup from Panera.  Yum! And today we experimented with the craft we're bringing in for Ava's Valentine party.  Mason jars covered in hearts - to make cute little candle holders.  Simple but fun.  Olivia was a great helper!

This winter has been incredible.  Record cold temps - and record snow fall!  This has become a regular site... But at least the girls are making memories with all the weather and snow... And I love love love my view from my kitchen window...my favorite viewing spot in the whole wide world. And it is beautiful to say the very least....(no...we have not gotten all our lights down and it's February.  Don't judge!). And then you have grandpa's who try and build a skating rink in their backyard for grand kids to enjoy.  Love it! And through the cold and snow...this girl is still thinking sun and beach...napping in her sundress when it's 0 degrees outside:-)