The Fighter's

The girls have been into watching Kids Top Chef and Kids Baking Challenge lately.  I've been trying to let go of my clean kitchen to let them create.  Today they made chocolate covered strawberries with sprinkles.  I think they got more sprinkles on the floor than the strawberries....but the girls are pretty darn cute chocolate strawberry artists - aren't they?  And their strawberries were excellent! And now to my Christmas decor.  Every year I have the hardest time taking my decorations down...I love, love, love Christmas and all the warmth, decorations and trees that come with it.  My trees seem to be going up earlier and earlier each year...and my "Winter" decoration collection that I put up after Christmas seems to be growing.  I've found that my "Winter" decorations (aka toned down Christmas decor) helps me go through the withdrawal process from Christmas.  Here is a Christmas table box that I turned into a Valentines Day box (see the hea...

Our Lou.  She still loves her Ellie.  She still loves her blankie.  And she's still as sweet as can be.  She has a smile, creativity and a happy and whimsical laugh that can light up any room!  She also thinks her daddy is pretty neat.  Love our Lou.

Going to try this blog thing again.  It's 2017 and Fighters are back on blogspot...I've missed writing and journaling and I've realized how much my kids love looking through the "yearbooks" created from this site.  So here we are!  New Years!  It has been 8 years since we moved from Columbus but our NYE tradition with our old neighbors held strong this year!  Love these people.  All of us were newlyweds when we moved in next door to each other.  So many memories...lots of parties, lots of spontaneous backyard fires, lots of new mom chats, lots of meals shared...lots of memories.  Love these people.  Here's to lasting friendships and here's to 2017!   The guys were crazy and decided to put the extra dry Christmas tree in the outdoor chimney.  Boys will be boys... Doug kicking off his 40th year in style.  Love the mullet.

Fun date night with my guy.  I hit par and double bogey tonight...what-what!?!  Watch out Tiger...

At our good friends the Burnett's.  So much fun!  Kids had a blast kayaking around the pond, swimming, fishing (Ava caught 2 fish!), playing with the animals, jumping on the trampoline, sliding down the slide, eating hot dogs...and just enjoying summer.  So fun!!  She is definitely Doug's daughter.  I would never touch...I mean touch...a fish....  But I love that she will.  That's my girl.  Daddy showing her how it's done.  Who needs boys when you have three awesome fearless girls.  Olivia absolutely loves animals.  She wouldn't leave this cat alone - and it was so sweet with Olivia.  Olivia's eyes on the other hand...did not like the cat so much!!  

After a long day.  The neighbors and girls snuggled watching movies on the couch:-)

Another annual tradition!  Love this town.  Love these kids.  And so thankful for what so many sacrificed for us to have days like this. We enjoyed the day with cousins and friends.  And Kate got to march in the parade with her Daisy girls scout troop.  MJ, Collins, Olivia & Jet.  The fearless 4.  Grandpa all dressed up.  Peace out homey!

Memorial Day week is one of my favorite times of year.  It marks the start of Summer.  And my Mom & Dad's traditional Memorial Day party...my Dad smokes ribs, we drink Bloody Mary's, the Indy 500 is blaring over a radio through my Dad's back yard...and we spend the day with friends and family while the kids run around out in the yard.  Last year my Dad about flooded his basement trying to link a hose from his hot water tank - out to the baby pool to make the water warmer for the kids (I blame the bloody Mary's).  We didn't think he'd ever be able to top that memory and party...but he did.  40 people...ribs for miles, tents, tables and a big bounce house for the kids.  It was an absolute blast to say the very least.  My Dad always says those parties are how he envisions heaven being...food, fun...and all of your nearest and dearest around you, celebrating.  Love it. Hanging with my dear friend Lisa...  Uncle Pat taught al...