A Visit to Santa

Thanksgiving in Fort Collins

We spent the Thanksgiving holiday with our good friends, the Stutzneggers, at their home in Fort Collins.  They are always so gracious about opening up their home to us and making us feel so welcome--thanks so much for that guys, we hope it's not too much of a burden when the circus comes to town!  We can always feel the love in their home when we are there and we enjoy being a part of it all.  Our kids play so well together and ours even refer to theirs as cousins.  Although it was a bummer that there was some sicknesses going around during our stay, we still enjoyed every minute.  I didn't take as many pictures as I should have, but we enjoyed a delicious thanksgiving meal, went to a great trampoline park, spent some time in Old Fort Collins, relaxed and watched movies, and just enjoyed each others' company. 

Thanks again Stutzneggers!  Until next time!

These four are so funny---my girls love Weston and Will so much. . .maybe someday in the future we can make a match--I know some parents who would be happy about that!  ;)

I told them to show me how they felt about the fact that we were leaving in just a few minutes. . .Ha!

 

Conrad and Brad

 

Dance Recital

The older two took up ballet and tap this fall.  We had been promising them the chance to take classes like this for probably about 2 years now, but just haven't been able to find room in the budget.  Now that Brad's salary has increased just a little bit, we decided it was time to make good on our promise to them.  They were thrilled with it all and just had their dance recital of "Sleeping Beauty".  I think they enjoyed dressing up in their dance costumes more than anything else. 

We have a rule (for now) that they have to do classes on the same day and that they can have one "sport" activity and one music activity at a time, so Mommy doesn't have to run around too much! The two have them decided they want to try gymnastics next, so we will take a break from dance for a little while now, and try out something new!

Goodbye America

It was a sad day at our house as Ella had to say goodbye to her first pet, a Betta named America.  Ella got her from her birthday when she turned 6.  Mommy noticed that she had passed and Ella was heartbroken.  We gave her a proper burial in the backyard and our sweet girl had a hard time saying goodbye.  The little sisters felt it all right along with Ella, but not quite as strong as she did.  Ella asked me to take pictures so that she would always remember America.

What a tender evening that was.  :(

 

 

Soccer

 

Finished up another fall soccer season the end of October.  The girls are getting much better and Maggie never stops smiling as she plays! :)

Brad was able to coach Ella's soccer team this year and Ella loved having Daddy as her coach.  We'll start back up for spring season come March!

 

 

Halloween

 

We had a Halloween dinner with the Wrights and had a great time trick-or-treating in their neighborhood.  With 4 girls, we had costume drama, of course, but we made it through--thank goodness!  Myla especially loved all the candy! 

 

Myla: 1 year

I must admit, October and November were CRAZY months for me this year as I had more photo sessions than I ever imagined.  Since I was so busy taking pics for others, I neglected to do a proper 1 year photo session for Myla.  I finally found some time in December, but then she didn't want to hold still for me to take her pics--believe it or not!  So, as a result, these are the best shots I have of my adorable one-year-old---I'm going to have to make up for it at 18 months!

 

What can I say about our little Myla!  She has been the best baby and now toddler I think there ever was!  She is happy and full of love, and is so good at just going with the flow with whatever we are doing.  From about 3 months on she has slept completely through the night and really never wakes me up.  I get awaken in the middle of the night by my older girls FAR more often then this little one.  She was my earliest walker of the bunch--she took her first steps the end of August--at about 10 months--and was walking confidently and exclusively in early September.  She says Mama and Dadda, and is all smiles when we answer her.  She has learned to express what she wants by sounding like a seagull--(picture the seagulls on Finding Nemo and their chant of "mine, mine, mine" and you will get what it sounds like--too funny!)  She loves her sisters and will follow them around wherever they go--especially if it is outside!  She has every single one of us wrapped around her little finger.

She really brings so much love and fun to our family.  I only wish we could figure out how to stop her from growing, so she could stay my little baby forever. 

We love you Myla!

Myla's First Birthday

My parents were able to stay in town for Myla's birthday.  We were able to celebrate with our friends, the Wrights, as well.  The girls decorated the house, we had a nice dinner, followed by cake and ice cream and presents.  We can't believe our little munchkin is 1 already!  The cutest little one-year-old around!