Home for the Holidays

We got home yesterday and happy to say everything is right where we left it. No burglaries, or stolen TV's and our pipes didn't burst. So we are happy to be back in our beds. Missing all our family already.  I think I heard the word, "MOMMA!" about a hundred BILLION times already and it's only 2 p.m. Micah is excited to be home. I can tell he is so comfortable here and in his zone, but he wants me to see every little move he makes. I don't know why, but it's driving me a bit crazy already. "Look mamma... look at this, look what I did, come chase me." sheeez. I forgot what's it's like to be alone. I looked at Noelle today and said, "Say momma." Then...I thought more about that and decided she can keep quiet as long as she wants...LOL I have enough of my name said today for 4 kids.

I know I shared a few pics from before. I hope ya'll are ready for some more! I am so happy we got to spend so much time in Illinois. We didn't leave anyone out. We saw as many people as we could. Of course it was still hard to leave.  We were all wiped yesterday from the long vacation and plane trip. Both kids went to bed at 7 p.m. and Noelle finally slept all night. She was having a rough time the last few nights. I think she knew I was sleeping in the same room as her. She probably has a good sense of smell like her mom.

I will start with our week at the Hooker's. Lots of Christmas parties to go too and Birthdays to celebrate. Noelle turned ONE on the 23rd and it was so fun to be with everyone and watch her eat her smash cake. She really enjoyed that thing and I was glad it was white.

One of our first nights we took Kim and Gary to Texas De Brazil. A Brazilian restaurant with all your can eat MEAT!! It was downtown and so pretty out.

Kim and I got out nails done and then had a starbucks run. It was a fun girl day without the kids.

At the Schaver Christmas party Tammi did a Cocoa Bar. It was so delicious and creative.

 Miss Noelle was hiding from people at first and decided daddy's legs were a good place.

 Mark and Blair.

 Auntie Tammi. 

 My sweet girl and I

 Playing Bingo and every time someone called out a number Micah would repeat it. And yes it was a long game... haha. It was really cute though.

 Grandma Schaver held Noelle for the game. She just sat in her lap and I was amazed.

Then we have the Hooker party. This was also Noelle's birthday and we celebrated it at the Christmas party with balloons and cake!!

 YUMM

Christmas EVE we woke up to snow!!! It was so beautiful and such a lovely welcome to Christmas.

Christmas day was a bit more relaxed. Tammi and I went to church with Gary and the kids stayed back to get some rest before Christmas Fondue and presents.

The next day we went downtown to the WinterWonderland. Micah had so much fun. He was the perfect age for lots of rides. I was so glad he could do most of them.

 Here we are with our jammies Tammi made for us all. We all had our name on are shirts with Christmas pants. So fun!

Watch out! Auntie Tammi and her liquor. It's scary. haha just kidding. She just took a sip I swear.

 And yes we celebrated Noelle's birthday again with my parents!! Had a little party for her with some dinner and cake! She was a little tired this time around and wasn't as happy eating the smash cake.

 We also took some cousin photos this day in the morning. It was only like 1 degree outside. No big deal.

December 28th

Micah & Noelle get to open more presents and Nana and Papa's house.

 I got to see my childhood friend and also one of my bridesmaids Leah Ipema and her son Nolan. He is only 8 months old. So cute

Noelle styling her cute new outfit

 Snow snow everywhere!! Pretty to look at for sure!!

 Noelle snuggling papa

We go to visit our Bridge family in Des Plaines and see one of our Lifegroup friends. Micah and Madison really enjoyed each other. We even found them hiding in a room together...yikes

 Nicole and I

 Micah loved their decoration. I might steal this for next year. The grinch is ripping their lights off the house. So cool

We're going on a trip in our favorite rocket ship..

 This was too funny not to share.

 We made raisin pie. Paw Paw's favorite pie. It was everything YOU think it would be.

 Auntie Gail meeting Noelle.

 Noelle meeting Jaxon

 Lots of dancing going on in this house.

Sweet little babes all sitting together by the tree.

 Steph and I with our youngests

 Dancing.

Lots of giggles and laughs with Nana and Papa so I'm glad I got one last picture of the four of them.

What great memories and great time with family and friends. We are so blessed to have such great people in our lives. Thankful for you all and how you have loved on us and our kids this year. Happy New Year to you all. Let's make 2018 the best!!

Christmas in Chicago

Hey everyone.  We are home for Christmas and having so much fun with our family. Family parties, snow, presents, birthdays, and much more. Celebrating life and love together this year. I have so many pictures and videos to post when i get home but wanted to share a few with you now. I think one of my New Years Resolutions will be to make more blog posts. (Hehe) Some family members I saw this week (Bobbi :)) reminded me how they read my blog. I am so grateful for each one of you and how much you care about our family. I feel so loved!!

Micah got to play in the snow today and loved it...Noelle didnt enjoy it as much since she fell face first in the snow right away. Whoops!!

Much more to come...but here's to hold you over.

Christmas Concert

Hey Everyone. I can't believe my little boy had his first music concert. He was amazing. I was one proud mama. I can't tell you how thrilled I was to be there and see him perform. It was a whole new experience for me. This is a great age. I just love how independent he is. He saw us while he was standing up there and did NOT lose eye contact with us. He just loved that we were there watching him. Even with all the distractions around him he stayed focus and kept on singing and doing the motions.

 Yes, Craig put Noelle in the manger!!

After the show we all came home and took naps. Both kids fell asleep in the car and then we went to see Santa in Richardson. It was a free little event called Santa's village. They give you a picture and all for residents and they had so many cute little houses to go in. It was called Hometown Thursdays. How cool that we got to take a pic with Santa for free? At the mall its like 25 bucks and that's not even for a digital copy. The main problem was I didn't have heavy enough coats for the kids and we couldn't stay very long. It was the coldest night so far!

Noelle and I met Ashley at the mall yesterday so her little baby could take a pic with Santa. Noelle got to play with some fake snow that we learned was rice paper. Thankful for that since Noelle was trying to eat it.

I look a little creepy here, but I got to hold baby lily!!

 Noelle with her new hat from Auntie Hannah!!

Last night I got to get out for a bit with some ladies and guess who wanted a photo with us??? Santa. HAHA

Craig put together a cute Ball house Auntie Tammi got for Noelle's birthday. I took a video of her seeing it this morning. Brother was so excited to show her.

Also wanted to share this cute video of Noelle jamming out to some music. She loves to shake her head and dance to the music.

Love you all!!