Snuggies Rock!

Becca lived my dream last night and purchased a snuggie! Did you know they have them at Walgreens for 14.99 with a free book light? Who knew? Can I just tell you the look on her face when she got back to the car with her snuggie box in hand...it was absolutely priceless, and lit up with pure joy and anticipation. I knew right then and there she had not wasted one dime (her dear Father mocked her with this accusation while standing in line behind her at the Walgreens). How dare he doubt the necessity of a Snuggie? Anyhoo... the snuggie came along for the ride to the big Pack family party after baby Ella's blessing. Fun times were had by all and lessons were learned. Did you know that the snuggie is extremely versatile and can be worn in just about any situation? No? Come, let me show you....

Not only can you frost a cake, you can also snuggle up in your snuggie and chit chat with the whole fam damily!

Making deviled eggs is WAY more fun while wearing a snuggie! And the ginormous sleeves that hang down are not at all a fire hazard while cooking on a gas stove.

Matthew actually begged for a snuggie at Christmas. I am sad to admit that I laughed and ridiculed him for it. He and the snuggie finally got their moment in the sun.

Doesn't Sophie look super excited to be wearing a snuggie? It's one size fits all, you know?

Emmie was a little chilly while making the chicken alfredo, sooooooo...what'd she do? Bring me the snuggie please!

And when you're done cooking, you can dance a little jig. The extremely long length doesn't get in the way at all.

Want to take a joy ride in the jeep on a blistery cold day? Parker just threw on the snuggie and he was good to go.

This might be my favorite yet...doubled up cousins playing a duet on the piano. How many times have you been caught at the piano with a chill in the air? Too many times for me to count, that's for sure.

And last, but certainly not least...I had to throw in this cutie pie picture of baby Ella in her blessing gown with her big sister Sophie and her cousin Emma.

SO SWEET!

They really should make a junior sized version of the snuggie for kids. I know they'd be a big hit in my family! Emma says she wants a tiny snuggie. So, who's gonna make it? Any volunteers?

Emmalina Ballerina

Emma's current obsession...and I do mean Obsession, with a capital O! She is all about being a ballerina lately. It all started innocently enough with an Angelina Ballerina DVD, a book, and a sparkly purple leotard that Grandma gave her for her birthday. From there we have spiralled out of control.

She whirls ...

and she twirls...

ALL...

DAY...

LONG!

I am so NOT exaggerating when I tell you that this goes on all day long from the time she wakes up until the time she twirls down the hallway to bed. It is non-stop Angelina Ballerina videos from dawn till dusk.

The last couple weeks at church she's felt compelled to do an interpretive dance of sorts during the opening, closing, and sacrament hymns. We've lost control. But, it's so darn cute when she gets to spinning and twirling...it's hard to tell her no! I think I see a ballet class in our future. She would be in her own little heaven!

Poopy Head

Can you resist that face? I certainly cannot. This child is precious and sweet and good. She rarely cries or complains. This may explain why I have a really hard time being mad at her. Even when said child wakes up with poop balls embedded in her hair. Yes, you heard me right...I said poop balls. Here's the scoop on the poop : Wednesday morning I went in to get the girls up for the morning and noticed that something was off...not quite right. When I picked Ava up I could tell that she didn't have a diaper on. Funny though, since her jammies were totally snapped up and intact. So I turned the light on to see better and what did I find? Ava's diaper was in the crib with one lone poop ball. I thought...oh no, surely there were more...somewhere. At that moment, I looked down and saw one stuck to the front of her jammies. Then I spied one stuck to my shoulder. Eeeewwwww!!! If you know me well, you know I am a germaphobe. I proceeded to RUN her to the bathroom, drop the balls in the potty, and get her in the tub. Just as I was putting her in the water I saw the rouge ball...stuck to the back of her head. I grabbed some toilet paper and tried to pull it out, but to no avail. It was not going anywhere. It didn't budge. I grabbed the scissors and snipped it right out. I did not hesitate to give that baby a bald spot on the back of her head. I wasn't about to go scrubbing it out...YUCK! Needless to say, I washed her hair about 10 times. I was seriously grossed out. I was laughing so hard I could hardly contain myself. Emma got quite a kick out of it too. She kept saying...Oh Ava, you are soooo siddy (silly)!

After we got all cleaned up I started thinking maybe I should have taken a picture, but I have rethought that one. Would you really like to have seen a clump of poop hair?

I THINK NOT!

I also realized that Ava has a weird obsession with all things potty related. I have found her splashing in the potty far too many times to count this week. We are now working diligently to keep the bathroom doors closed at all times!

"A Redneck Christmas"

One of my all time favorite traditions is taking the kids to see the "redneck" Christmas lights. Don't get me wrong...I mean no offense. I LOVE the redneck Christmas lights. Seriously, it is one of the highlights of the season for me! These pictures do it no justice. It is absolutely amazing. They probably have several acres all decked out. It is not something you just drive by, you MUST get out and walk it. There is a fenced and lighted trail all the way through it, with different hand painted wooden scenes all along the way. I cannot imagine all the time, effort, and love that is put into this display every year. This family has been putting on this magnificent show for the last 18 years. I'm sure it started out small and grew from year to year. There is no charge. They do it out of the kindness of their hearts, because they love doing it. I love that! They are the nicest little old couple you've ever met.

Emma was in heaven. She loved every single minute of it! She is a little obsessed with Christmas this year. In fact, she cried when we left.

This is my favorite part. There is a hand painted ornament with every family member's name on it hanging from this tree.

It' s the little details like this that make it so special. Do you see all those cute elves that are living in that tree? PRECIOUS!

Oh my...this picture just isn't enough. In person all these lights are spectacular!

My little prankster just couldn't resist jumping in this shot at the last minute.

What is up with that gansta peace sign???

I can't remember the last picture we took where someone wasn't goofing off.

And that's the look you get when reprimand a prankster. Oh well, that's us...memories.

From our family to yours ~

MeRrY ChRiStMaS yA'Ll!

Ava Bava Schmava Turns 1

Is that for me?

Oops! She breathed heavy and accidentally blew out her candle.

I finally realized my flash wasn't on...sorry.

She can't believe I'm actually letting her get down and dirty with this cupcake.

I think she's getting the hang of it, though!

She might be a little caked out .

oH mY GoOdNeSs!!!

I could just eat her up!

Look at those cheeks.

That look on her face is priceless.

Ava is so easy to please. Some new jammies and a fun new toy...she's good to go!

I think she was a little hopped up on sugar. She was shaking her head back and forth and cracking herself up.

Coming down off the sugar high.

This was birthday morning doing her favorite thing...dumping the entire toy basket and surrounding herself with stuff!

hAPpY BiRtHdAY!!!

I love you Ava.

You are the sweetest girl in the whole wide world!

Love ~ Mommy