Christmas is coming!

Each year the girls and I brave the frigid cold Michigan weather to await Santa's arrival at the Free Church Park in Sturgis. Usually we're there first thing and wait forever. This year we decided to go at the tail end. Thankfully the weather was warmer than usual, but still chilly. We still had a wait, but it was shorter than past years. You could tell Santa was hurrying everyone up at the end because he and his reindeer needed to fly off. They had other cities to visit and get back to the North Pole I am sure. Both Olivia and Mia were excited to see him and tell them their hearts' desires. Olivia quickly told him she wanted a Fancy Nancy doll and art supplies. Mia was a little apprehensive at first, but quickly warmed up and let the big guy know she would like a camera and tractors.

The girls were both thrilled to get to open a gift early before Christmas. Nana Sharon and Papa Dave Smith had left the girls each a package at our backdoor. Olivia got her favorite Kevin Henkes book about Lily who gets to be the flower girl in a wedding.

Mia was thrilled to find a John Deere Tractor book and some tractors to go along with it. Thank you Nana Sharon and Papa Dave for always remembering our girls!

Anticipation was building in our house those last few days leading up to Christmas. I'm sure it's what a volcano feels like before it errupts. Christmas is such a joyous time to celebrate Christ's birth and spend time with family, that I really tried to sit back and enjoy it and not get caught up in all the hustle and bustle that seems to have replaced much of that peace. I wanted to savor every holiday moment with my family. Christmas times are some of my favorite cherished childhood memories. I don't remember it being stressful and constant running around. Maybe it's because I was a young, naive, little girl wrapped in the awe and wonder that is Christmas. Or maybe it was simply because there wasn't as much of that chaos going on in my family back then. Whatever the reason, I want that for my girls too. I let the house remain messy, only cleaning when we ran out of dishes or clean underwear. I don't think they'll remember piles of laundry or dust bunnies floating around the floor, but they will remember the time we spend together.

And Mia will forever remember her skinned up nose as well, since I have many photos to savor that memory. It was the 23rd and we'd stopped by the Community Pool to see Andy briefly. She wanted to take the handicap ramp down, (as she always does), and I specifically told her not to run. As I looked up I saw her sweet little face planting into the pavement in the parking lot. A mouth full of dirt, a little blood dripping, and a few tears shed. We cleaned her up and she was quite a trooper.

I decided we were going fancy for Christmas Eve attire this year. The girls both had new dresses from Steve and Heather's wedding so we got use out of them a second time with just a few accessory changes to Christmassy them up a bit. The girls enjoy getting gussied up so I snapped a few photos prior to church to make sure we could remember the moment.

Such sweet sisters

And of course, I made Andy sneak in for a photo too.

A Wedding to Give Thanks for

Mia got her wings on Tuesday, November 22nd! We headed Monday evening, also Andy's birthday to Detroit to stay at a hotel to catch our 6:30 A.M. flight the next morning. Mia has been talking about flying on a plane for over a month. She always says, "Me fly plane, Stevie's wedding?" The day had finally come and I was quite impressed with how well she did especially the times we flew. After arriving in Miami we picked up our rental car and headed south for the Keys. Of course Mia got her usual car sickness, but other than that, nothing too eventful threw us off course.

We were in Florida for Steve and Heather Lung's Wedding. Andy was the best man and Olivia was the proud flower girl. We wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Olivia, proudly doing her job

This is how Mia acted throughout the wedding, or at least what parts we managed to stay in the sanctuary for. Thankfully the ceremony was short and sweet.

The wedding party, (From L to R: AnnaBelle, Heather, Steve, Andy, Olivia, and Asher)

The beautiful bride and her sweet flower girl

Stevie, with two of his favorite little people. Olivia was excited that Steve's nephew Asher was the ring bearer along side of her.

The wedding party again, plus my cheesy Mia wanting in for a quick photo. I love her silly smile for photos.

After the wedding we had a nice and casual reception at a little restaurant called the White Lion Cafe. It was definitely the tropical feel there. We occupied the outdoor space, which was wonderful, because the kids could run around and play, but still be within an enclosed space. I regretfully did not get my camera out for any of the dancing action at the reception, but a good time was had by all.

We took in some sights in Key Largo while there. Thanksgiving day we headed to Pennekamp State Park to take in views of the ocean. We enjoyed walking down a mangrove trail and dipping our toes into the water.

My girls on the beach

Gorgeous palm trees on Thanksgiving Day. This was definitely not our typical Thanksgiving Day celebration, but we were definitely thankful.

Mia in the water

Another highlight of our trip were the manatees! We stayed at a very nice hotel, while the rest of Steve's family stayed at a house about mile from us. The house was located on a channel which the manatees came to visit daily. You could always lure them in with running hose water into the channel. They'd swim right up for a drink of fresh water. They were mesmerizing to watch, especially in their natural habitat. We got up to nine at the house at one time.

After Pennekamp State Park, the majority of our Thanksgiving Day was at the Lung's rental house. We enjoyed too much food, wonderful company, and relaxing in the pool. It was heavenly.

All the kids taking a break for a Capri Sun

We had to laugh that Mia and Anna had the same swimsuit

Olivia making waves

Mia floating in her inner tube. That was a well spent $3. It gave her so much independence in the water, but we were always nearby to help if she needed it.

This was our home away from home for the few days. We headed home late Friday evening on a Red Eye flight back to Detroit. A unique Thanksgiving it was, but we are so happy we could be a part of Steve and Heather's blessed day! Congratulations to the happy couple!

Halloween 2011

Halloween brought forth a delicious scoop of ice cream and adorable pink flamingo to our home this year. Mia really got into dressing up this year, as Olivia always does. We did our usual routine. Our friends the Moores brought their two little guys over and went trick-or-treating throughout our neighborhood. I then stayed home and had the passing out candy duty. It was also a semi-sweet event this year in our neighborhood. The sidewalks and yards are always flooded with many eager trick-or-treaters, especially at our next door neighbors for their annual balloon launch and entertainment they put on. Well, this was their last year. Wanda the Witch is hanging up her broom and retiring. So we soaked up all the excitement that fills our little block this year and hope that future Halloweens can bring as much fun and fond memories.

Mia strutting her pink feathers

Getting ready to head out for some candy

The last year for the balloons to fill the skies in our neighborhood

Mia hanging out with some of our neighborhood kids

A Mad Scientist's Birthday Party

And She's 6!

Our six year old princess getting her royal beauty treatment.

Yesterday, Olivia turned six years old. I found myself pondering how fast those years went, but cherishing all the memories we have made. I couldn't help, but spend yesterday distracted, lost in thought about all those precious little moments with her in my life. Moments I wouldn't trade for anything. Even moments of tantrums, sickness, or attitude. Those moments make up our Olivia and I love the whole package.

She started out her birthday by having her daddy take her to Byler's (A local fruit and flower market) to buy apple cider donuts to take to school for her birthday treat to share with everyone. As she entered Congress carrying her 3 dozen donuts she was beaming with anticipation and you could tell she expected everyone to know it was her birthday. Actually, most did know since she hadn't been shy about it all week. After celebrating at school, Olivia and I walked home and opened a few packages and cards that had arrived at our home. Then Andy and Mia arrived home in time for her to open her gifts from us. Nana and Papa also stopped by with a gift and to say happy birthday. She was genuinely showing thanks for everything she received. She stated her favorites from us were her portable DVD player and purple sweater dress, which of course she is wearing today. Per Olivia's request, she skipped dance class and we headed to Elkhart for a delicious dinner of Olive Garden. At the end of the meal they brought her out a prepackaged delectable cake that we were able to take home. Which is good, because she had her heart set on a 7-11 slurpee for dessert. We had to go to two different 7-11s to find her choice of slurpee, but hey, if you can't spoil a kid on their birthday, when can you? We got home well past bedtime. I took the girls up to their beds and enjoyed snuggling with them so much that I fell asleep with them. We are so blessed with our two girls. I can only hope their futures hold for them as wonderful times as we have had thus far.

Since my camera is still out of commission I posted some pictures of Olivia and friends in honor of her special day.

Olivia hugging on Zsolt with his piercing blue eyes

Olivia and Emma enjoying popsicles and some sprinkler fun

Max, Violette, Mia, Olivia, and Noelle having a fun time with some dressing up

Here comes Kindergarten

Well, Olivia has started school and is loving it! The photos are of her first day of school. Sadly, the flash on my camera quit working so the photos are a little grainy. Now the camera is in the shop getting repaired for 6 - 8 weeks, therefore there will be little new photos in the works. Thankfully many of those weeks have already passed.

The Island and the Soo

To wrap up our trip we gave up our title as trolls, and headed north. We stayed in Mackinac City and took the ferry over to the island for a day.

The girls enjoyed taking their shoes off and dipping their piggies in the cool water of the lake.

Jennifer, Mia, Amanda, and Olivia all enjoying the beauty that is Northern Michigan

Papa and Olivia checking out the breathtaking gardens at the Grand Hotel

Waiting for the ferry for our trip back. Christy and Aaron missed it and had to catch the next ferry back to the mainland. After, we went out to eat at a restaurant that no one enjoyed too much, but spending time together with family made up for it.

The next morning we awoke and crossed the bridge to the U.P. and headed to Sault Ste. Marie.

The Soo Locks mesmerized Andy. Olivia and Mia seemed to enjoy them as well. We were blessed with a trip on a boat through the locks. I've been there before, but never got to experience them on a boat. It was a relaxing and great way to learn about the Soo Locks.

Above is a photo of the water rippling as the water begins to rise to raise the boat up through the locks.

Mia snuggling up with her Nana and throwing me some kisses.

Aunt Christy and Mia getting in some quality time on the boat.

Papa, Olivia, Andy and Mia, on the lower deck of the boat posing for a photo.

The girls pulling up anchor

We also got the pleasure of seeing a very large ship go through the locks upon our return on the boat. It's quite amazing when you actually see the massive size of the ships that squeeze through the locks.

It was a great trip that will be treasured in our memories for years to come.