It's Cold Outside!

Did you know that school can be closed because it's COLD outside!? No snow, no flooding, no tornadoes. Just 8 degrees when I took Mackenzie to the doctor for a strep test, which came back positive. Lots of movies and video games on the agenda for today!

Thankful Thursday

I'm going to follow the lead of several fellow bloggers and start my own weekly "Thankful Thursday" posts.

I'll start with the insanely obvious:

My Family! I love my family and would be so lost without them...enough said!

Target. Target just put a ton of toys on sale for 75% off. I'm all set for Sierra's birthday in March, Valentine's Day, birthday parties, and maybe even Christmas next year! I can't control myself when I see a clearance sign!

Friends. It just wouldn't be any fun without 'em!

A gas fireplace. I hate to be cold and there's nothing better than a nice warm fire on a cold day, unless my hubby decided to come home from work!

Giveaways! I won, I won, I won!!!

Handbags and Hockey Tickets!

I won, I won, I won! I'm so excited to be sporting this little number! Definitely chases away some of those winter blues! Thank you, Suzanne!

And if anyone was listening to 97.9 at 6:00 a.m. you heard my sweet husband winning tickets to the Predators game this Monday. Perfect, because that's Lauren's birthday and all she wants to do-- go to a hockey game on her birthday. That's my girl--all frills and fluff!

Winter Blues

It's official ... I'm sick of winter! Ready for some warm, sunny days, shorts, and spring flowers. Ready to spend the day at the park or even better, at the pool! I've mopped floors, cleaned bathrooms, organized pantries, and even the attic. There isn't an article of dirty clothing in the house and I've even been washing sheets and towels. We've been to the library for storytime, to McDonald's playplace, and needless shopping. I've been cooking! We've played games, with play doh, watched movies, and I've dressed Polly Pockets and Barbies until I think my fingers are going to fall off! Surely spring is just around the corner, right? How do you combat the winter blues?

Favorite Christmas Gift

I know, I know. Christmas is long gone, but I just picked up my favorite gift yesterday and wanted to share. I love that I can get all of my kids in the same frame and be reminded to be grateful for ALL of my blessings.

Obligatory Christmas Post

Okay, so Christmas vacation wasn't much of a "vacation" at all. Mark had to work all but Christmas and New Year's Day, which left me to entertain the kids. That's so much harder when friends are out of town or entertaining company and other Dads are home. (I have a love-hate relationship with Mark's job. LOVE that he has one, HATE that it's so much work!) We missed him but had a good time and kept busy!

Our vacation in pictures:

Spent our first weekend with sick kids, and some good cuddle time! No last minute Christmas shopping for us!

Decorated some Christmas cookies! Gotta love all the sprinkles!

Had a great Christmas morning! The cell phone and castle were big hits and the girls were all excited about their presents. Pictionary Man became our new family favorite game! LOVE IT! Anybody up for a game night?

After opening presents we made a last minute decision to head down to Atlanta. We hurried and ran a couple loads of laundry, packed, and hopped in the car for a nice long ride. We stopped along the way and had Chinese food for our Christmas dinner. We had a good visit with Mark's family (thanks, Mary for letting us stay with you!) and then came home on Saturday. We got to hang out at the outlet mall the day after Christmas and the girls had a good time shopping, playing mini golf in the dark with neon lights, having lunch at Chili's, riding the carousel, and doing tricks on the trampoline!

Love this picture of Mark and Sierra!

We spent a good bit of time playing games on the wii and DS, and arranging play dates with friends. (Check out Mark's shirt. It says "No Whining". It was my favorite gift to give this year and perfect for the father of 4 girls!)

We spent an afternoon at Chuck E. Cheese where everyone had a good time. Sierra was the only one who stayed anywhere near me most of the time, which is why she's the only one that got in any pictures!

We went bowling with friends and saw several movies including Bolt, Twilight, Marley and Me, and Bedtime Stories. Bedtime Stories was definitely a favorite. Totally recommend it!

To top it off, Mark and I celebrated 17 years of wedded bliss with dinner at The Olive Garden. Of course, we were just babies when we got married!

The lights have been taken down, the tree packed up. The only remnants of Christmas that remain are the toys on the floor and the memories made.

December 31, 2001 - February 21, 2002

Happy Birthday, Angel Baby! There won't be a cake with candles, presents, balloons, or even a card. But you're in my thoughts today and in celebration of your short life and an eternity of being your mom, I will hug my girls a little tighter, play a little longer, and be grateful for my life's blessings.

With each tear I love you more! I miss you every day!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to our favorite Aunt Mary! We love you and the time we get to spend with you! Have a fabulous day celebrating YOU!