Ali's Birthday - February 2016

Ali's birthday started off with the traditional donuts, and then Daddy really outdid himself this year... the kitchen was decorated with balloons and streamers! All of the balloons had numbers on them counting from 1 to 13. (It is so hard for me to believe that my first born is 13!!)

She chose to have her family dinner at our house with Daddy's famous spaghetti. All grandmas and grandpas were on board to help celebrate and we had such a fun night celebrating a very special teenager. :)

One of her favorite gifts of the night was from Daddy... the skateboard she's been wanting "forever"!

Then, we went and did something crazy... we told her she could have friends - boys & girls - over for a birthday party on the weekend. They watched movies, ate pizza, drank a lot of soda, and took selfies. :) lol! Auntie Casey did all of the theme arrangements and set up a photo booth for Ali and her friends. That was definitely a hit!

After cake and presents, the boys left and the girls rolled out their sleeping bags. They were all spread out around the family room. The girls stayed up and watched movies until they fell asleep. (Which was pretty much the next morning...) Happy Birthday Miss Ali! I love you!!

Christmas 2015

We spent Christmas Eve with Grandma Sandy at her house. There was lots of good food and laughter... as usual! As soon as we got home, the girls whipped up some Krispy treats with Daddy.

Travis is still wearing his paper crown from the poppers at Grandma Sandy's. Not sure why...

The plate of treats is ready... along with celery for the reindeer, (We didn't have any carrots!) a glass of milk, and a note from Alison.

Christmas morning! 

Daddy is helping Meri get her new watch all set up.

Mer also really wanted a fuzzy robe. She said this one with Minions on it, was perfect. Good job, Santa!

When we were done with the presents at our house, we headed over to Grammys' for more presents and family time!

Johnna made Mer this frame with blue stones, and picked out a picture of them from Black Butte.

And, then of course it's time for Grammy's Treasure Hunt. Every year she sends the girls all around the house following clues. This year (in hopes of managing the chaos a little... hah!) the girls all had to sit outside the ribbon circle and take turns reading the clues.

Charlotte got a little help from Aunt Casey and NJ.

When the presents and gift cards (to the American Girl store!) had all been found, Grammy got smothered with lots of hugs.

After dinner, the girls all performed a piano piece that they've been practicing with Grammy. 

Ali and Natalie performed a duet.

Thanksgiving 2015

I have loved having the whole week of Thanksgiving off. (Next year we'll be back to only a few days.) I took the girls to Merilyn's conference Monday morning (she's a rockstar!) and then we hopped in Grammy and Mike's car to ride with them to Sisters. We stayed the night in the Best Western in Sisters... and we loved it. The girls thought the llamas right outside our room were hilarious!

The next day we continued the journey to Black Butte, hoping that the house would be ready. (It wasn't.) So back to Sisters we went for lunch and shopping. When we finally got settled in the Black Butte house, all was well. :)

It had snowed just before we got there, so the girls were more than happy to spend every day playing in it. I just love being in Black Butte during the snowy season. So pretty!

The girls spent hours sledding up and down the golf course. They were cold, wet, and extremely happy. Even Lucy enjoyed sniffing around and exploring through the drifts.

Can you find Lucy? :)

Travis had to work at the beginning of the week, and drove up a few days later. Once he got there, he and Greg got outside many times to help push the girls down the hill... that was a cause of some major screaming... and laughter!

We were so happy that it was cold enough for the snow to stick around... and the ice!

Each night was clear and cold... and SO beautiful!

When the girls weren't playing in the snow, they were busy inside... coloring, working on puzzles with Grammy, watching movies, and playing Chinese Checkers.

Meri is working on the fabulous Thanksgiving glasses.

Thanksgiving Dinner: There is always so much food!

Travis is ready to fill up with the delicious feast!

Happy Thanksgiving!

First Day of School - September

August 31, 2015 (This seemed SO dang early!)

Third Grade - Merilyn was so excited! (No surprise, really!) Her outfit was hung up, ready to go, and when her alarm went off, she was up and happy!

Seventh Grade - Alison was very nervous and excited for her first day of 7th grade... although it was a lot easier since she's gone through it one time already. :) She had her outfit picked out way before the first day (and had memorized her locker combination), but mostly Alison was overjoyed to finally not be the youngest in the school. lol!

Mer's Birthday - September 2015

Ali was very into decorating for Mer's birthday this year! 

She is excited to be 9 years old!

Of course, the morning started with donuts from Daddy, and a couple of gifts.

Over the years, the birthday celebrations have become known as the "actual" birthday and the "friend" birthday.

The Friend birthday was at our house with several girls from her class for a Monster High Birthday party. They watched the Monster High movie --- played Pin the Bow on the Skull (the slogan or trademark for Monster High.) They also played Monster High dolls, (Mer has a million of them) and of course cake and presents.

The girls loved our game! :)

The actual birthday was at Olive Garden - again! :) Gramma, Mikey, Grandma Sandy and Cord were able to come along and help celebrate.