The Fighter's

It has been a cold Winter.  Which makes us even more thankful for cozy blankets and friends to get together with.  We had fun at the Burnett's - the girls were excited about Hedgie the Hedgehog.  Me - not so much - Mrs. Burnett chased me around the house with the Hedgehog.  The kids got a kick out of my screaming and running.  I'm not a huge animal lover - but the kids had a blast!

Jet turned 5 - and celebrated with his cousins up at Detroit airport - in the hotel that sits on the runway.  Kids had an absolute blast...watching the airplanes out the hotel window, eating pizza and swimming in the pool. Doug and I had to sneak away a bit early for his work party...during which we checked something off my bucket list.  We got to walk around the Henry Ford museum with glasses of wine and check out some of my favorite exhibits.  I love Henry Ford - maybe a bit of nostalgia - my parents used to take us here when we were little.  But as I've gotten older - the mechanical side of me loves the history of technology and progress that sits in that museum.  The machines amaze me - some of the best art work on the planet.  And simply amazing.  Doug had never been before - and I felt like a fluttering teenager - flipping around from exhibit to exhibit excitedly showing him my favorites.  We had so much fun walking around - th...

So much fun sledding with the girls today - down the same hill that I grew up sledding on.  We had a blast!!!!  Love the smiles in these pics... Then home and the girls helped take down our second Christmas tree.  Olivia was extra industrious...my little helper.

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.