Never a Dull Moment!

So it turns out Jolee is not the only comedian in our house...Emmy has really been cracking us up, too!  You put the two of them together and watch out!  Instant entertainment...never a dull moment! ☺

How Sweet!

Jolee is always making drawings for everyone in the house to show us how much she loves us.  She has such a big heart!  She didn't forget anyone, not even Max.  She brought this home from school and I just love it. ♥

Mommy's Sweet Little Helper

3 1/2 years old...I just LOVE this age!  Emmy is becoming such a big girl and is always wanting to prove to me just how big she is.  Not only is she the first one up in the morning, but she picks out her own clothes, dresses herself AND makes her bed!

 ♥♥ What a big girl! ♥♥

And, when it's time for dinner, she loves to help set the table.

  ♥♥ What would I do without her? ♥♥

Janie's Kitchen

I love to cook, which is a good thing since we very rarely go out.  I've added a new sidebar list called "Janie's Kitchen" (on the right) to share some of my favorite healthy recipes.  I will continue to add to this list as I find time and try new things.  If you have any healthy recipes you'd like to share, I'd love to try 'em out!  Just send me an email!  Happy cooking!

Emmy's First Haircut

Emmy is 3 1/2 years old and has never had the back of her hair cut....until today!

hair down to her hiney!

about 6" cut off

All done!

Still beautiful!

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?

Do you remember the commercial? The owl gave up early, but my persistent, oldest daughter was bound and determined to find out the answer (for the sake of science, of course)! Macey brought home a Tootsie Pop from school last week and asked us, "how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?". We said, well, why don't you find out. So, here is where the story begins....

With the Pop in one hand and a pencil in the other, Macey made a tick mark on a piece of paper for every lick. When she got tired, she would wrap up the Pop and set it aside. However, one time when she unwrapped it, she noticed a chunk was missing! With a little investigative work, we determined Emmy was the sneaky lick stealer! Devastated that her project had been tainted, Macey said, "NOOOOOOOO! Now I have to start ALL OVER!!!". She had already made 775 tick marks.....

So, the following night, (with a new Tootsie Pop in hand), she was on a mission to find the answer! Lick, tick, lick, tick, lick, tick....this went on for hours! She would give us updates along the way (hey, I can see some tootsie roll!). Finally, her mission was complete! She devoured the tootsie roll center and then proceeded to count her tick marks. Counting alone took around 30 minutes. Finally, with sheer enthusiasm and delight in her voice she yelled, "I DID IT!...4,212 LICKS!". Now, the world knows!

Front and back of Macey's tally sheet!

We Are So Proud Of You!

Our elementary school had their school-wide Spelling Bee last week. Macey was one of only 26 students (3rd -5th graders) that qualified for this event. Although Macey got knocked out early, I was VERY impressed with ALL of the students who participated. A 5th grader ended up winning. And, after watching the last three 5th graders battle it out and spell words that Grady and I haven't even heard before, we realized...."No, we ARE NOT smarter than a 5th grader!".

A little surprise before school.
Macey's card read:
Your style is fun
Your brain is smart
Your smile is big
And so's your heart...
And our Pride in you is OFF THE CHART!

Getting ready to start!

So proud of my big girl!!

Spelling Bee, Here She Comes!

The first thing Macey said today when I picked her up from school was, "Mom! I WON the spelling bee in my class!". The girls' school is holding an all-school (grades 3-5) Spelling Bee next week. In order to qualify to compete in this event, each classroom held their own spelling bee and the top 2 spellers in each class get to compete in the all-school competition. I can't wait to see her compete next week. I'm SO PROUD of her. :)

Jolee Lost Her 1st Tooth!

Yep, child #2 lost tooth #1! Jolee has had a wiggly tooth for some time now, but today, she decided that she wanted Daddy to wiggle it a little more. Grady gave it a big tug, but it didn't come out. However, when Jolee decided to pull on it again, out it came! She kept saying all day, "I can't believe I lost a tooth! I can't believe I lost a tooth!".

Happy Birthday Mommy!

That's right...inching closer and closer to 40...eww, the thought makes me shudder! But, my birthday this year was amazing from start to finish. First of all, not only did I get to celebrate with my adorable husband and my sweet girls, but my brother and my mom were here, too! My day started off with homemade cards and a leopard print Snuggie from the girls!...how awesome is that! Now all of the girls in our house can stay warm with our own Snuggies...I'm wearing mine now as I'm typing this...I love it! Then, my mom took us all out for lunch at Genghis Khan, one of my favorite places in KC.

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Mom and Macey at Genghis Khan...

Daddy & Jolee posing between bites...

D & Me (he loves eating here, too!)

Mommy & Emmy

David, Mom & Me...Thank you mom for a GREAT birthday lunch! Delish!

This year, Grady and I actually went OUT and celebrated the New Year. Since we have been married, we have NEVER gone out on NYE. We celebrated NYE with our close friends, Keith and Tiffany. We stayed in an awesome hotel downtown and spent most of the evening at a dualing piano bar in the Power & Light district. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day!

Grady & I on NYE

Tiffany, Keith, Grady & I...thanks guys for a great night!

Merry Christmas (part 3)

My mom drove up and stayed with us from 12/29-1/1. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE having my mom here and I am always SO SAD when she has to leave. We had a great time while she was here including a day of shopping and celebrating Christmas and all of the December birthdays (Macey's, my brother's, and mine!).

The girls and my brother tearing open presents!

My mom looking at the album the girls made for her...she loved it.

My 3 buggies in their Snuggies from Grandma!

Baby buggie in her Snuggie

Merry Christmas (part 2)

Our Christmas celebration kept on going! My brother flew in from Florida on Christmas day (and stayed until New Year's Day). My dad, Dina, Amy and baby Nathan came to visit a couple days later. We really enjoyed having a baby in the house again!

Macey, Nathan and Jolee (isn't he adorable?)

David, Me and Amy

Max hiding from all of the holiday excitement...

My dad and his wife, Dina

Cute pic of David and Amy

Amy & David dancing to the Wii

Uncle D and Macey gettin' their groove on with Wii dance!

Baby Nathan...the happiest baby ever!

Happy 9th Birthday Macey Jane!

Nine years ago today, I became a mommy. Time really flies! I can remember the night like it was yesterday...driving to the hospital in a blizzard on Christmas night. Having to walk the halls because there was literally no room at the "inn". Nineteen hours and a c-section later, my 8lb. 6oz. screaming bundle of joy was born. Now look at you! I am so proud of the young lady you are becoming. Please don't grow up too fast. I love you sweetheart.

Macey enjoyed 2 birthday parties (and 2 cakes). Below are pictures from her party with school friends.

Merry Christmas (part 1)

The first part of our Christmas celebration started at Grandpa Tom and Grandma Judy's house the night before Christmas Eve. We were joined by Uncle Scott and Aunt Megan. Unfortunately I was feeling a little under the weather, coupled with the fact that our stay was cut short by a day due to snow, so I ended up with fewer pictures than I would've liked. But, at least I got to capture the smiles on the girls...

Macey playing Santa and handing out the gifts

Emmy waiting patiently by her stash!

Jolee waiting by her stash!

Macey opening presents while Uncle Scott and Aunt Megan watch...

Jolee getting ready to give Grandma & Grandpa a hug

Next year we are all praying for Santa to bring Uncle Scott and Aunt Megan a special gift of their own...a baby! If all goes well, maybe next Christmas we can visit them in Atlanta and welcome a new addition to our family. Keep your fingers crossed!!

Mom, can we eat 'em NOW?!

It's Christmas break!! Time to decorate some gingerbread cookies. The girls admired their work for about 20 seconds, and then they started eating!

Proud artist #1

#2

...and #3

Gingerbread Bikini Girl

The whole gingerbread family...mmm, delish!