Christmas 2018

I can't believe how little pictures I took on Christmas. I still captured memories but none with our families. 

John likes to display our cards on the pantry door. 

I purchased a cookie kit for the girls to decorate. I'm not a baker and they would never turn out like this! 

The girls did a great job decorating!

We went to visit Aunt Tammy and Aunt Emily at Miller's on Christmas Eve. 

They were ringing the bell for Salvation Army. 

We spent our evening at church for the most amazing service. It was a little long for the girls but they hung in there. I absolutely love this picture!

After church we headed home for pizza and taco salad with Uncle Nate while watching The Christmas Story. The girls set out their cookies and milk for Santa and then off to bed. 

We allowed them to sleep on our floor because we have blackout curtains and thought we could get more sleep out of them. Well, they called the bluff. Ava woke me up at 3:30. I made her go back to bed and she woke up again at 6 and they I made her snuggle in bed until 6:30. 

Uncle Nate got everyone sweatshirts with his new company's logo!

Our annual picture with Liv and Mo. 

We had a wonderful Christmas and the girls made out like bandits! 

Now we enjoy our vacation and downtime. 

My Favorite Things Party!

Saturday we hosted our annual "My Favorite Things" party! 

We had so much fun that the guys even joined in on the gift exchange. 

The girls! 

The guys!

The guys gifts!

The girls gifts!

Some of us chose to wear interesting pajamas!

Such a great night with these people!

Santa Visit!

We ventured out on Saturday morning for the annual visit with Santa! 

This sweet girl insisted on taking a cookie to Santa!

They talked his ear off asking for 13 LOL's and a hoverboard.

The official portrait!

'Tis The Season

We have been busy preparing for the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! 

But we've filled it with fun Christmas traditions!

We build our Gingerbread house!

Mailed our Christmas cards from Rudolph, Ohio!

Addy made Gingerbread Village at school! They made Genoa their village. Addy and her partner were in charge of Rayz Cafe! 

I was able to sneak away for a night and celebrate with my FCC Mama's at our annual ornament exchange!

We delivered cookies to our shut in's from church!

We saw The Grinch in the theatre. It was so good!

Addy had a visit from Santa (Delp) at school!

This busy mama ordered a cookie kit from a girl at work. This is how it came. All we had to do was decorate!

I think they did a pretty great job!!

North Pole Express!

This is something I've wanted to take the girls to for years. 

Back in January, we booked tickets for the North Pole Express in Owosso, MI. 

We drove up the night before and the girls enjoyed some hotel swimming!!

The next morning we made the short drive to the train station. 

We were on the Frosty train. 

We took an hour train ride to a little town called Ashley that was transformed to the North Pole. 

While we weren't on the Comet train, he's still our favorite reindeer! #cometnation 

Once we arrived in Ashley, we joined in the Christmas festivities. 

There was entertainment everywhere! 

The girls wrote letters to Santa, decorated cookies, saw Santa's reindeer, and enjoyed yummy treats!

We had a great day!!

Opioid Forum

A few months ago I was contacted my the Community Awareness at my work. They had decided to put together an opioid awareness forum in the coming months. They wanted to know if I wanted to be a part of it and share my story. I was asked to be part of a video series sharing our family's story. 

I called to ask Nate what he thought and he told me they had asked him to be a part of the forum, as well! He was going to be part of panel speaking at the forum. 

This flared up so many emotions for everyone in our family. But in the end I am so grateful to share our story. If we help one person, then we did the right thing. My mom, Tracy, and John came in the day of the forum. Nate was amazing! My video was shared! It was an amazing day!!