peacock

brownies: holiday party

Annabelle helped me out at work today. It was nice to have her along and she really is a good helper. She also made her teacher a mug for Christmas and we went out for a little lunch together. She’s a good girl and I really get a kick out of her. 
Her candy cane poop emoji shirt is a big hit. (so, so weird. my aversion to all things disgusting makes me not want to like this, but you just have to love her and her emoji obsession).

Gwyneth was so excited for her Girl Scout holiday party tonight!

We had a small group but its impossible to find a night around the holidays when everyone can make it. We did a secret santa style gift exchange, learned about being organized (another one of my favorite things!) and went on a holiday lights scavenger hunt. We used this scavenger hunt as a guide and cruised around our neighborhood. The girls found all but 3 or four. It was a really fun night with a great group of little gals.

18 years

We celebrated our 18 year anniversary today. 18 years???
It’s hard to believe we have been married that long. My goodness, how we have changed in those years! 
We grabbed a quick drink together while the girls were at dancing school and had dinner as a family of four. It was nice and relaxing and exactly who we are these days. Low-key and all about this little family. 
The girls are quite interested in my wedding dress and asked if they could see it. It was all sealed up in a box, but I noticed through the plastic window that it was starting to yellow. I figured I better open it up and let them take a look. I didn’t expect them to like it so much – I got married in the 90’s, not sure about that fashion. 
The girls loved it though and had a great time playing in it! It brought back some very lovely memories from our wedding day and all the fun we had with our friends and families on this special day 18 years ago.
Some oldies: 
Annabelle wore my dress and Gwyneth wore her Grandma Carole’s dress. They practiced being each other’s maid of honors and assured me there would never be a double wedding. 
I walked in to the living room to find them chilling on the couch together not wanting to take off the dresses…
it reminded me of a funny Friends episode (you know, The One with All the Wedding Dresses) and I had to chuckle. 

mcclaney visit

It was a gorgeous day in Colorado and my sister and her family drove down from Breckenridge to spend the night with us. I asked if they wanted to go to Boulder, downtown Denver, a museum, see any of the sites. Nope, they didn’t want to do any of it. They wanted to just spend the day hanging out together and letting the girls play. I love that!! 
My gals were so happy to see their cousins and we cruised down to the park to get out a little energy. The weather was perfect and we got in a great walk. Lily was not so happy about that and even hopped on Annabelle’s back for most of the walk home. I sure do love these girls and I’m so glad I got to spend this time with my sister and her family. 

thankful

We had a busier week than I could have ever anticipated at work. I decided to head in on Thanksgiving morning to get some work done and was pleasantly surprised to find Gwyneth wanted to join me. My friend and co-worker Shennon also joined us along with her daughter Jenna. We glazed, fired, and unloaded pottery and everyone was super helpful! I’m so grateful for this business, my wonderful family and dear friends. I missed a lot of the Thanksgiving festivities this year but we got a big jump on production. I’m feeling great about this holiday season and glad to share it with my special peeps. 
How cute are these little helpers?
Unloading the kilns. We were busy, busy, busy!
Shennon loading those kilns. Doing her thing! She is the production queen! 

mid air adventures

The girls each had a friend join them for a trip to Mid Air Adventures today. They love that place and have a blast zip lining. I love this place because I can hear their giggles and get lots of work done. This may be one of my favorite offices away from home. 
I love that they both chose friends they have known since kindergarten. They picked good friends with these gals. 
Ella and Gwyneth
Annabelle and Sofia

mortons

Gwyneth joined a buddy at the pool and Annabelle asked me to take her to a different pool. Seriously? Sisters! Honestly they are good to each other and spend a lot of time together and just wanted a break. Can’t blame a girl for that. We went to the pool for the bit. Annabelle swam – I worked. I wish I would have brought my suit though. That would have been much more fun. I wouldn’t have been able to keep up with this little fish though.
We joined my dad, Melissa, and her parents for a night at Morton’s. Big steaks and good fun. It was a lovely evening and a nice kick off to the girls Thanksgiving break. 

mall

I promised the girls I would do whatever they wanted today and they chose a trip to the mall. The mall. It’s my least favorite place (rather ironic since I now work mostly at an outdoor mall). 
They each brought $20 of their own money and were eager to spend it. We went store to store and did a lot of browsing. They were in heaven. They even received a free little bracelet at the Disney store. 
Gwyneth settled on a pair of penguin slippers. 
Annabelle picked out an emoji water bottle. This girl is emoji crazy. 
We got our tickets to see The Trolls movie and received a wonderful surprise when B was able to join us. The girls loved the movie. I thought the soundtrack was pretty good, but the movie was a stinker. It was a wonderful day together and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. 

first snow

It finally snowed! It has been so warm, but it finally feels like winter now. I like to surprise the girls when it snows with ice cream. It is a weird little tradition, but it’s our tradition….and they love it!
Happiness!
I love, love, love winter. Bring on the snow!

pancakes and skateboards

We got up early this morning to volunteer at a breakfast for the girls’ school. The girls served pancakes, sausage, and drinks to customers and were really, really excited about it. They had a blast with their friends. I loved watching them. It was worth getting up so flippin’ early on a Saturday! 
Breakfast crew
Keepin’ it real

After breakfast the girls both had friends over to play while B had a party at the Kitchen. Annabelle and Karsen rode around on her skateboard.

They had a birthday party that evening. Karsen was a cheerleader and Annabelle was “Sammy Skateboard”. They did a great job of getting in to character.

My goodness, Annabelle looks so much like her dad. A chip off the old block. 
Gwyneth and her friend, Nora

Ruby joined us for dinner. Gwyneth had a great time with her pal. 
The many faces of Gwyneth and Ruby: 

It was a full day, but so full of fun. 

juniors: simple meals

Annabelle’s troop met at Blue Mountain Kitchen to earn their Simple Meals badge. How lucky are we that we know a chef? How lucky that he is kind and generous and willing to donate his time for these girls? I think he’s a pretty guy and dad. 
B taught the girls to make their own salad dressing and chicken tenders. We finished off the meeting making turkey centerpieces with chocolate covered pretzels. The girls all had a wonderful time and they tried everything which we will declare a victory. 

Morgan’s face is hilarious, but you have to give her credit for trying.