Christmas Eve/Day

It was a memorable Christmas with the Simons! Christmas Eve we gathered for grilled cheese sandwiches and soup, had a nativity put on by G&G and the grandkids, karaoke singing, family gift exchange, and a devotional by G&G.

Christmas morning we spent as a family, and then met up with the Simons after naps for Christmas dinner and more playing. We love our family so much. Christmas with little kids couldn't be more magical!

'Tis the Season

My favorite time of the year! We had so many fun things in the month of December.

Lights On: This year at our house, we gathered familiar Christmas smells and everyone took turns guessing. 

Making Christmas cookies with the Ray family at the Spiel's home:

Bowen Family Party and Nativity:

Hug or Strangle?

Maddie's First Haircut

Earlier this week, we left our home to head to Sound Beginnings. It had been snowing all morning, but I figured we'd at least try the roads and see how they were. Before even getting out of our neighborhood, we had slipped around so much I decided to turn the car right back around. However, after  a few failed attempts to get up different streets in our neighborhood, our car just could not get up the hill. Megan Reeves' had been in her car and passed us earlier (as we were trying for the 10th time to make it up the street...so silly). She told us to park in her driveway and come in. We had previously talked about her cutting Madelyn's hair, so we seized the opportunity! Megan is such a good friend. Not only did she welcome us in, but she cut my daughter's hair, got toys for the twins to play with, and made sure we were completely taken care of. 

Sound Beginnings with Ashlyn

We've been lucky to have done three semesters of Sound Beginnings with Ms. Ashlyn and this past semester was the last before baby boy comes. She truly is the best of the best and we'll miss her so much!

Rachel Turns 29

Happy 29th Birthday to me! Thankful for my beautiful life.

Maddie's Foot Casting

Madelyn had her first foot casting November 8, and went back every week for 3 weeks to get another cast put on, each on stretching her foot a little more than the previous. Each week she was excited to go back and try a new color. She did so well each time and it took her half a day to get used to it. This girl is unstoppable and so resilient. How we love her. We couldn't get the cast wet, she she had a bath once a week. After casting, they fitted her for a brace she will wear indefinitely. We'll do physical therapy for a while to strengthen that left leg and the new muscles she's learning to use.

The day we got her last cast taken off (November 30):