Winter WonderFest

We had such a fun time with Nate's mom at dad at Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier! This has turned into one of Jade's favorite annual traditions. We finished off the day with a delicious dinner at Magianos.

All ready to go! Kinda liking this whole matching thing! :)

Jade and Grandma riding the teacups!

Definitely her favorite! 

Mommy & Jemmy selfie while waiting for the train ride!

All crammed into one tiny car! (Grandma was in here too!) :)

Jade & Daddy decorating a cookie!

Jade tasting the cookie! Yum :)

Oops, Jemma stole on ornament off the display!

A little game of mini golf!

All of us in front of the tree! Some of us were more cooperative than others! ;)

"Away in a Manger" Program

This past Thursday was Jade's first school Christmas program. The preschoolers acted out the story, while it was being narrated by the school principal and church pastor. Jade was very lively during all of the songs and did a great job with the actions and words.

The cute and supportive sister! Jemma walked around the school non stop for 30 minutes prior to the program beginning. 

Jade's whole class got to be Angels in the program.

Jade walking in.

Listening to the story. :)

Jade performing! She is the one dancing near middle/bottom right in cowboy boots! :)

The Wise Men bringing their gifts.

Singing Happy Birthday to Jesus!

Jemma 15 Months

Happy 15 months sweet silly girl! There is so much personality tucked into that little body. I love how she becomes super shy and timid when she's around unfamiliar faces. She clings to me for reassurance, but once she becomes comfortable a switch flips, and out comes her super smiley and chatty personality. 

Waiting for the doctor! Chewing on my keys is not my first choice, but it beat her licking the garbage can & biting the chairs. :)

Happy & Healthy! 31.5 inches and 24.8 pounds (81st and 87th percentiles).

Jemma loves to look at books, but does not love to be read to. She loves playing with toys and snuggling when she's not on the move. She loves purses and wallets. She loves to explore and not be contained when we are in a waiting/sitting setting (Jade's gymnastics class, doctors office, church etc.). 

She says so many words that I've lost count. She can use please and thank you correctly, and identifies so many things with the correct word (books, toys, spoon, plate, sock, shoe, baby, coat, etc). Here is a little video of her and some current favorite words!

Christmas Tree

I really look forward to putting up our Christmas tree each year. I love the cozy feeling it provides in our family room and I love looking at all the ornaments we have collected over the years and reminiscing the stories behind them. 

 Ready to get started!!

 Our dinner. Quite possibly every one's favorite part of the evening. 

Jemma helping...kinda

 Girls watched Rudolph while Nate finished the branches and I sorted the ornaments.

Ready for ornaments!

Jade was really into hanging the ornaments. Jemma was more interested in trying to throw the ones that looked like balls. Side note, she really hasn't touched the tree too much since we put it up last week! :)

Done!

Happy Thanksgiving

So much to be Thankful for this year. My mom and dad hosted a beautiful celebration at their house and we were so blessed to be joined by my Grandma (Dad's mom), my Aunt Mar (Mom's sister) and my younger cousin Kendall who now lives in Florida! He, along with my dad's help, planned his visit as a surprise to my Grandma. Her reaction didn't disappoint! 

Beautiful Table!

Delicious Turkey!

Sweet Sisters!

Matching outfits! 

My girls! <3

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We also had a fun celebration the day after Thanksgiving with Nate's mom and dad. We enjoyed dinner & dessert and the girls had a lot of fun playing! Jemma was having so much fun, she didn't want to be interrupted for this picture! :)

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

Just Some Pictures

Nothing much to report lately, but it's been far too long since I've shared some pictures of the girls! Our weather has been crazy this month! It's been summer, fall & winter like all within the last week or two. Enjoy :)

This past Sunday Jade's preschool was invited to sing during church! Here is a little video of them singing "This is the Day".

Halloween 2015

To say the girls got a lot of candy this year would be an understatement! We were busy busy beginning with a visit with Great Grandpa, Aunt Mar & Grammy on Halloween morning! Everyone at the nursing home loved seeing the girls running around in their costumes! 

It was rainy, cold & gloomy all day. But we braved the weather and went trick or treating around the neighborhood! Here are the girls in their costumes before they got all bundled up and Jade refused to wear her wig! :)

On Sunday we visited Grandma and Grandpa at their house. Papa and Nana came over for a visit too! The girls got to put their costumes on one more time!