25 Days of Joy: Day 19

My newphews.... These are the Owens boys. They all are so different and SO cute! My girls love them so much. Fischer, the oldest is goofy and has such a sweet heart. Wyatt, blondie, is spunky and Ayla's fave person ever. Ridge, is sweet and loves to sing. We all wish we saw them every day :)

25 Days of Joy: Day 17 & 18

Day 17: Traditions.

After learning a few of our friends made gingerbread houses with their children or as kids themselves I knew it was something Id like to try. See growing up we didn't do this, but I always admired the look of a finished house.

What I have learned is no matter how "imperfect" the house looks it still looks beautiful on display :)

Day 18: Sugar High

Who doesn't love a good sugar rush. This is what I think of when I look at this pic of Leah. She ate a huge amt of the decorations.. I mean candy. Better luck next year.

25 Days of Joy: Day 16

Today we made birthday cards for Jesus. His big day is coming up you know :) It gave me great joy to hear what my girls wanted to say or do for Jesus for his birthday. Such sweet girls.

Ayla wanted to say I love you.
And says she will be nice to her sister, sing songs, and clean her room.

Leah also wanted to say I love you.
She said she would be nice and a big helper.

The cards will stay in our CHRISTmas box. Until Christmas morning, then we will read them together.

Hope everyone is staying warm today!

25 Days of Joy: Day 15

I love baking. But, lately the girls have been really into anything I do in the kitchen. They pull their stools up while we wash dishes to play in the bubbles, and over to the counter hoping to help stir something up.

Ayla and I made the dough and we all rolled it and cut it out to bake.

What joy it was to watch my two girls enjoying something that I love so much. And who doesn't love Christmas sugar cookies :)

Ayla's first dance performance!

Mommy had my dance studio tonight and was very nervous about missing her baby's first dance performance. But, thanks to some tolerant parents and Brittany... I was able to make it with a few minutes to spare.

Mimi (my mom) came to get her ready. She curled her hair and got her dressed. She looked so sweet. My mom said she put on her headband and said- now I am ready to dance. Then something about "watch me as the curtain goes up" haha This is hilarious bc they danced at a nursing home! :) She makes me smile.

Not nervous at all. Followed all the girls in place. She had a good time and was so cute :)

25 Days of Joy: Day 14

Knowing my kids have friends who are raised the way we chose to raise our children. Knowing they can talk about God, princesses, playdough, or whatever. Miss Meredith is Ayla's best friend. They are too funny together. Ayla seems to want to do anything that spunky girls wants her to- even if she knows she shouldn't!~ ha Thats ok though. We love Mere too.

25 Days of Joy: Day 13

Girls made their first gingerbread "house" today. I say that jokingly because it fell apart before we even got through decorating. And Leah ate more than she put on. All in all it was loud, funny, and ended with 6 piece of decorated gingerbread unglued on Jess' table. haha.

Hoping to try another one at our house soon!