Photo Dump Wednesday: Family Fun

Happy Thursday! The title reads "Photo Dump Wednesday" but unlike other weeks where I actually type this up on Wednesday and forgot to post, this week, I am actually doing it on Thursday due to other commitments. 

I FINALLY picked up my new glasses a couple of weeks ago. I wear glasses...used to wear contacts  until I had kids and then I didn't feel like dealing with the routine in the morning. 
Anyways, I got my prescription for new glasses back in February. And I have been going WITHOUT my glasses since then because in my mind, I figured "hey, the ones I have now aren't effective so technically, I don't need them." 
Well, I honestly am singing a new tune now after picking up my glasses cause I didn't know how much clearer I could see until I wore them. 
So here you go...me with my new glasses. I promise to do better about wearing them. I should say though that I ALWAYS have them in my bag. I just get lazy about wearing them :-).

So if you recall last year, we did matching PJs. I ordered bigger sizes for the girls this year. Well, wouldn't you know I ordered ANOTHER of the same size JOE was wearing last year. It didn't occur to me until MUCH later that JAE could wear the PJs JOE wore last year. 
Oh well...now I have an extra pair of PJs.

I'll be going to get my hair straightened on Monday. In anticipation of that, I decided to do a length check. You should know that I couldn't figure out a way to take a picture and do the check so I used a pin to hold my hair at the base. So technically, it is slightly longer than shown but not by much. 
I'll do a progress update at some point in the next couple of weeks.

I get to wake up to their beautiful faces every morning. THE BEST feeling in the world! Yes, I am still a member of the "wear your retainers at night" community.

This was a recent order from AyoBE Boutique. I love this onesie set so much, I can't wait to see the recipient in it.

And of course, this matching cufflinks for an adult male. 

Last weekend, J took me out to celebrate my birthday. Incase you are wondering, yes my birthday is in September. However, as they say "life happens."  
We went to one of my favorite restaurants Fogo de Chao and enjoyed the adult time.

It was good company...

Good food..

Good drinks...

Yummy bites...

And of course, the "i-tis" afterwards :-) .

They didn't have anymore of my usual creme brulee. But the flan was close enough and delish.

J got his usual. We were STUFFED!

It occurred to us that evening that 7-years and 1-day ago, J asked me to marry him. So in some ways, we were also celebrating our engagement anniversary. FUN!
On our way home, we saw this beautiful tree close to the Capital.

Every year, one of the houses not too far from our town puts up A TON of outdoor decor for Christmas. I love driving by each year to look and take a picture.This picture doesn't do it enough justice. The entire place is LIT!

On Sunday, before Church, JAE was intently watching the iPAD. Look at my little girl with her feet up. Looking so grown!

And of course, our usual car selfie. JOE was in a mood on our way to church but her mood improved with a bribe...I mean motivation :-).

 

I guess I should start a blog post about JAE's church pics because here is another one of her in the sanctuary. I often give her my phone to play with and find stuff like this. There were a few blurry shots but this was the best one.

Later that night, JOE put on a show for us. She is a Cowboy (hat) Owelette (mask) Princess (shoes). Yup...she has quite an imagination.

Her sister who didn't want to be outdone decided to wear her own hat as well and give a good show.

Howdy Sheriff!

Last year, my family started a new tradition of a family game night on Christmas where each family participates (the singles play on the same team as my parents) and tries to win a prize. Last year, our family won and we got a very cool wireless speaker! This year, we are upping the ante and the winner will get this trophy and possibly other stuff. 

J and I are READY!!! We want to come home with the award this year! Oh and wondering about the name of the award? It is a childhood joke about our grades. 

I'll be baking cookies and packing for Christmas. Until my next post, have a FABULOUS weekend and remember now more than ever to be kind to strangers!

Photo Dump Wednesday: Transition

We are going through a childcare provider transition with the girls. Last week, their new provider started. She's great with the girls but JOE is having a bit of an adjustment phase but we are getting there. The process of transitioning kids to new child care arrangements can be very fragile so I am thankful that so far, the girls are adjusting. 

Since the new provider started last week, I wasn't really expecting much as far as arts/crafts from the girls since I figured they'd be learning/building their relationship. So of course, it really gladdened my heart when I got home one day and JOE told me she had made me this bracelet to wear to work the next day. 
Yes, it is made of pipe cleaners but honestly, it is the thought that counts. Even though it didn't match anything I was wearing to work the next day, I chose to wear it to show her that I really appreciate it. 
Of course though, the minute I got home, she wanted it back. Go figure!

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I have been posting about my rides. Well, I was especially proud of myself last week because we had one particularly COLD day! I didn't want to go bike riding but J said "bundle up and you! You'll be glad you did". I can honestly say that I am glad I did. I love the little progress I see here and there so I want to keep up the momentum.

We FINALLY finished decorating our home last Sunday! WOOHOO!!! It was a LONG process and I am glad it is done. The one positive is that we decided this year to split it up over the course of 2-weekends instead of 1. That made things A LOT easier because we could spend time as a family and not get too stressed out trying to cater to the girls while putting up decorations and stopping them from breaking the fragile stuff. 
I think we'll do this from here on out as far as splitting the process into 2 weekends as opposed to 1. 

Outside..

The tree. This was a VERY labor intensive process. This is a pre-lit tree and the directions say it should only take 15-minutes to set up. I don't know who lied to the makers but 2-hours later, we were struggling to get all the lights connected. Needless to say, there is a section that's still not working but after both J and I got cut all over our arms (we were actually straight up bleeding!!!), we decided to just decorate the tree without dealing with the section that wouldn't light up.

JOE helped to put up the ornaments this year and I really love that she placed each one with so much care. JAE slept through most of it and was surprised when she woke up to a tree in the house. She has been pretty good though and hasn't really touched the ornaments or the train. Like JOE was at her age, she is a little scared of the train. Can I say I am kinda glad about that? Because it means she won't be touching the tracks and messing it up :-).

The fireplace. Last year, we put the Nutcrackers on the morning room buffet so JAE won't get to them. This year, we were able to display it by the fireplace. JAE touched them a bit but after we corrected her, she hasn't really bothered them since.

The stairs...Can you tell I LOVE Christmas? :-)
 

The morning room. 

This is my favorite area because JOE put together this set up. She really is very proud of her little village and I am very proud of her. 

As I said earlier, I know the transition has been a little tough on JOE because she really loves her former childcare provider. So to help with that, I decided to organize a "mommy and me" date. It was JUST what the doctor ordered. 
I'm wearing a wig. My hair was in flat twists since I washed it the day before and I didn't feel like taking it out :-).
We went to get our nails done. Then went to pick up dinner and JOE got to pick up a treat. After that, we went to Five and Below and I let her pick up a toy for herself and one for her sister. It was definitely a very successful time and I enjoyed it. 
But ummm...why is 90% of the stuff at Five and below actually $5? Shouldn't you get a lot more options for BELOW $5? 

 

 

Took out the flat twists and love the way my hair turned out. Heading to Church on Sunday...I love our car selfies. Looking forward to next April when JAE is front facing so she can start being in the pictures.

 Me and my #1 girl.

While JOE was at Sunday school, JAE was playing with my phone during the Church service. I didn't realize I had this picture until I started importing pictures for today's post. Yeah...that's JAE taking pictures on my phone!

Tis the season!!! If you are looking for a cute gift for your little one or a little girl in your life, go check out this newly listed item. Perfect for holiday dress up! There are tons of other items so be sure to check out the store for gift ideas.

Have an awesomely blessed week and remember to be kind to strangers!

Photo Dump Wednesday: Thanksgiving 2016 - Celebration, Tradition and Creation

Happy Thanksgiving! I know I am a little late. I hope you had an awesome Thanksgiving celebration with your family. We had a great time and enjoyed the long weekend as a family. 

Celebration:
My mother in law cooked up a feast for Thanksgiving and we all had a great time indulging in the yummy goodness. I completely forgot to take pictures of all the delicious dishes :-(. However, I did get this picture of our traditional breakfast of eggnog french toast. John and I LOVE it :-).

Tradition:
On Friday evening, after work, J and I took the girls out to see the Christmas light at the part. This is a family tradition every year. This year, our back seat driver (aka JOE) called out all the pictures she wanted me to take. We often go to the same place so the show doesn't change much but it was nice for her to really get to appreciate it this year. The first time in 4 years :-). 

The next day, we took the girls out to see a movie after breakfast. The girls had breakfast by the warm fire place. We saw Moana and absolutely LOVED it! JAE to our surprise was very quiet and watched THE ENTIRE movie! She really loved the movie and I think it is because she sees a little bit of herself in the main character. 
JOE enjoyed the movie too although, she found some parts scary. I didn't think it was though. But what is scary to a toddler is likely not scary to an adult. 

Then we went to see a tree lighting not too far from us. We went to the same place too last year. The girls enjoyed the free hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies. 

On Sunday after Church, we decided to put up our Christmas decoration. Because we knew how long it would take, we only planned on doing the outside. However, JOE was so helpful that we were able to also do most of the inside. So next weekend, we will be able to spend more time putting up the trees and taking pictures.

After we got a chance to relax, we got cleaned up and headed to the mall so the girls could take pictures with Santa. They were too cute! JOE wants a pony! She doesn't even ride so don't ask me. We will get her one from the My Little Pony collection. 

JAE on the other hand wanted NOTHING to do with Santa. I count the visit a success though because neither of them cried. #winning!

We feel very thankful for our many blessings and being able to celebrate with family. 

Creation:

On a side note, AyoBE Boutique has had a good year and I feel very blessed to be able to bring a dream of mine to reality. It hasn't been easy but I am very thankful for the gift of creativity. If you haven't already done so, please go check out the site. There's LOTS to choose from and something for everyone. Here's a quick video of some gift ideas/stocking stuffers. 

Have a fabulously blessed week and remember to be kind to strangers!