Timehop Friday: The 2015 Edition

I thought I'd do something a little different for my Timehop today.  I went through my pics from around a year ago, and my December 2015 pictures and found some favorites to see the difference a year makes.

Family

Us

Callie Joy

Maya Leigh

Sisters

Happy New Year!

A New Year

2015 started out with a bang. Literally. Chris and I were in Aruba with my family, watching fireworks at midnight on the beach.

During this holiday season, I have often pictured the me from a year ago and thought, "If only you knew what would happen in 2015..." and then I don't even know how to end that sentence. Because, well, everything.

Last January I chose the word "Change" as my word of 2015. And then soon after, added the word "Brave" to the year.

In early February I lived up to my newly chosen words and and got a new job. After that I embraced "Change" and "Brave" in other dumb ways, like chopping off my hair. And starting to run again.

Then came April 30th, 2015. Eight months ago.

My dad died. Suddenly. Unexpectedly. And we were left reeling. 

For the rest of the year, I lived a completely different reality of "change" and "brave" than I ever could have imagined.

After that there were other words that needed to be chosen mid-year. Words like "Grief" and "Gratitude"and "Sunrays."

I was a little weary of choosing a new word or words for 2016. You can probably understand why.

But I am going to. I need to leave this dark year of unwanted change and reluctant bravery behind.

So here are my words: "Shine Bright."

I even got a mug:

The world can be such a dark and scary place. My hope for 2016 is that I can take all I have learned from my dad, the gratitude and perspective I have gathered amidst the darkness of 2015, and BE a light.

I'm lucky to have an awesome family who remind me on a daily basis that I need to make the world brighter. For them.

I came across this quote the other day that sums up my 2015, and gives me purpose for 2016.

So with that, I thank you. And invite you to "shine bright" with me in 2016.

Weekend Wrap-Up: The Belated 29-Months-Old Edition!

In the craziness of this week I missed the 23rd!  Maya is now 29-months-old and a mommy's girl TO THE MAX.

This week she has been particularly SOBBY if I am not immediately right next to her when she wants me to be.  I have seen a lot of crocodile tears.

Life is so hard when Mommy is sitting on the chair near you
but not right next to you.

I hope that is a short lived phase.  Because the rest of her is AWESOME and HILARIOUS and SMART and ADORABLE and SWEET and PRECIOUS.

Ok.  On to the weekend.  Yesterday morning we went over to G-ma and Pa's for a little bit of play time.  And SNOWY play time!

Then we headed over to the condo to hang out with everyone.  

Snowball fights!

This morning Jenna, Andy, Charlie, Mabel and Sylvia came over to play and go out to lunch.  Our kids are getting so big!

This afternoon we stayed at home.  After being on the go for a lot of days, it felt good to be home and play with the new presents!

I'll leave you with a close up view of the painting that Cathleen had her friend paint for me for Christmas.  It has sunrays, woods, water...perfect. It is now hanging above our bed.

A Picture Update: Christmas Style

The past two days have been a whirlwind.  A serious whirlwind.  Let me break it down for you.

December 24th, 2015.  7:30am

We open up presents, just the four of us (which is really just the two of them).

December 24th, 2015. 8:00am

It is determined that Maya's present of a trampoline is a success.



IMG_1807 from Baby Goose on Vimeo.

Callie's present didn't have batteries.  More on that present later.

December 24th, 2015.  9:00am.

We head to the condo to hang out with Boom, Uncle John, Aunt Jenny, Auntie Yoda, Uncle Craig, Auntie Mari and Josh.  The morning activity...GINGERBREAD HOUSE.

Jenny gets all the credit for making it look AWESOME.

December 24th, 2015.  12:00.

We eat a big lunch, featuring Mari's pinterest-worthy veggie tray.  A group goes for an after lunch walk.  Some of us loaf on the couch instead.

December 24th, 2015. 2:30pm.

The group (minus Chris and the girls) head to the cemetery and church. 

Winter at Lakewood

December 24th, 2015.  5:00pm.

We play, eat dinner, and most importantly, Boom's CHRISTMAS COOKIES.

December 24th, 2015. 7:00pm.

We head home and the girls go to bed late.

December 25th, 2015. 6:10am.

Maya wakes up (EARLY) and starts chatting in her bed.

December 25th, 2015.  7:00am.

Callie comes down right on time.  We both go back up to get Maya and then go check out the Santa presents.

December 25th, 2015.  8:00am.

Callie's Christmas gift gets batteries.  I begin to regret the choice of Christmas gift.  Here's why.



IMG_1876 from Baby Goose on Vimeo.

December 25th, 2015. 8:45am.

G-ma, Pa, Kona, Auntie Cat, Uncle Dan (for a little bit while he was working) and Hanna come over.  We make a delicious brunch (with mimosas) and play.

December 25th, 2015. 10:00am.

We open lots of presents.

December 25th, 2015.  11:15am.

We play downstairs.

December 25th, 2015.  11:45am.

We recreate a picture from 6 years ago.  FLASHBACK FRIDAY!

December 25th, 2015.  1:40pm.

Callie and Chris go to a movie.

December 25th, 2015.  3:30pm.

We head back to the condo to open presents with Boom, Uncle John, Aunt Jenny, Auntie Yoda, Uncle Craig, Auntie Mari and Josh.  It was a pleasant experience, despite most of the expressions on faces in these pictures.

December 25th, 2015.  5:00pm. 

We had a Henderson/Johnson/Suurmeyer Party!  Lots of great food, drink, and company.

We toasted my dad with his Scotch.

December 25th, 2015.  7:00pm

We headed home, got the girls to bed (late again), and are hoping that *maybe* they'll sleep in a little tomorrow after a long and busy couple of Christmas Days.

I'll leave you with the final few days of Elf on the Shelf nonsense.

 We hope everyone had a holiday filled with peace, hope, and gratitude!

Timehop Thursday: The Christmas Edition

Merry Christmas Eve!

My first Timehop shows off the aging of two 26-year-olds into 33-year-olds.

And my favorite Christmas pics of the girls from two years ago, and them in their adorable Christmas dresses this year.

Have a Merry Christmas.

SIX-YEARS-OLD!!!!

Like I posted on Facebook and Instagram this morning:

From zero to six in the blink of an eye...

This girl is smart, sassy, silly, sweet, and SIX.

We had a fun day today...doing normal things with an extra dose of birthday sparkle.

She got to open her presents from us this morning (after seeing what Coo-Koo and Loony brought her).

Then the girls and I went to Ediborough had had a blast playing and climbing.

And there was snack time, of course. Goofy girls!

We had a quiet afternoon, getting ready for our family party and watching a movie.

You may notice another empty space in her mouth!  That happened earlier this week. 

And we put the finishing touches on the "Frozen Cake" that we started making yesterday.

I can't really explain what a roller coaster this day has been.  Not even a roller coaster, but a total confusing paradox of competing feelings.  I don't even know if that makes sense.

There was so much joy in our house tonight.  With our families there.  And yet, I felt terrible sadness because of missing my dad.  It is such a baffling feeling, but another reminder that so much light can exist in the midst of darkness.

So on to this rocking party I am speaking of.

The girls waited so very patiently for people to start showing up (party hats and all).

The first thing that had to be done was...OPEN PRESENTS!  Of course.

Once that was done, we ate dinner and had cake.

And then, the party game.  She had wanted to find a "Pin the Mermaid Tail on Ariel", but we had to settle for "Put the Shell in Ariel's Hand."  Callie selected 8 players to be blindfolded and spun around before trying to place their shell in Ariel's hand (though Uncle Craig decided to try and stick the shell on Callie instead!).

Guess who won?

This girl.  I don't know what to tell you.  I just can't believe she is 6.  And that she is ours.

Happy Birthday to my sweet, sassy six-year-old!