December was wild and crazy, fast and fun!  Here are the girls at the tree farm with me one day over the break picking out a new tree for our yard.  Anna Kate was still under the weather from her triple threat of flu, strep, and an ear infection all at the same time. The littles had a blast scaring Poppa on Christmas Eve. 

 

I wrapped more presents this year than ever before and really had fun doing it! Natalie and I were helping Caden and Anna Kate make conversation, and Mike snapped this cute picture at school.

 

Rose trips me out every day. Katie, Rose and Shelby had a blast at Lizzy’s birthday! They were all jumped out when I took this pic!

  

All three of our babies in this sweet outfit.  They definitely look like sisters!

 

Anna Kate had a blast at Brylee’s spa party, and Noelle and I still have fun trying out new hair styles!

 

 

The pictures above Cindy took on the 2 year anniversary of losing Curt.  They have comforted me so much over the past two months.  Missing him especially right now while his family is here for a visit.  He should be here too.  And the aching continues…

Noelle is such a sweetheart; She cut these for my birthday breakfast, which are by far my favorite fruits.

 

The only good thing about Noelle getting strep was reading this answer Julia Roberts answered to the question, “What would you tell your 13-year-old self?” in the waiting room. 

 

Rose loved making cupcakes with Noemi on Christmas night at her grandparent’s house.  Anna Kate set up a mailroom in the living room one long day over the break.  She is so creative with all her pretend shops!

 

Our Christmas tree was a labor of love this year because I had the flu and strep when I decorated it with the girls.  That was a mess, but we really enjoyed it and had an awesome Christmas after all our sicknesses passed.  Another day over the break, Anna Kate made this car for her penguins out of things she found around the house. 

Before I could decorate our “craft” tree with all our homemade ornaments, the girls got to it first!  It was hilarious walking upstairs to this sight!

 

Rose and I love story time with Mrs. Peggy!

  

Another day of shops, and Rose helping me make cookies!

 

 

Doesn’t everyone look this cute for a Target run?

 

Jen and her boyfriend Justo threw an amazing holiday bubbly party!  We had the best time catching up with Jen and Jill and going on a fancy date!

 

 

A week after we turned in Noelle’s volcano project, I saw this lava picture on Instagram.  I thought, “Well, she wasn’t that far off now, was she?”  So proud of my Noelley for thinking outside of the box.  Black rocks and neon lava were the right choice for our diva!

 

We had a blast sharing our Christmas in July outfits with our new-found Instagram friends from Australia.  They celebrate Christmas the same time of the year as we do, but it’s smack-dab in the middle of their summer—and their kids just started new grades in school with the start of the new year, as their fall is quickly approaching.  It’s so fun to follow their family doing so many things alike with three girls, but a world apart and in different seasons!  Her sunny pictures have helped me get through the past two winters since we’ve been following each other.  When my friend, Laura, had a third girl, I knew these outfits would be perfect for their Australian Christmas!  The girls are now pen pals, and we are having fun getting to know our new super fun friends!

 

Seeing Rose’s new blue hippo, given to her by her sweet teacher Mrs. Julie, has freaked me out more than a few times when I’m busy getting things done around the house.  Found him like this one day, and it cracked me up!  I also found this penny Christmas tree made out of Noelle’s leftover piggy bank coins.  Love finding kid creations around the house!

 

This little waitress made my birthday so very special!  She made a breakfast for me all by herself filled with my favorite things.  Her special cards are the sweetest too.  I just don’t know what we are doing so right to have such an amazing kid in our midst, but I’m honored and blessed to have her by my side.  Her heart is so big and giving… I could go on and on, but I think you guys have a pretty good idea how crazy I am about all three of our little loves!

 

Mike and Noelle designed my birthday cake, and it was perfect!  We often don’t show enough of our super silly side on the blog, just because they are too hard to explain and I don’t have pictures when we are at our goofiest, but this cake is a sneak peek into our silliness.  Life is too short, and we try to have as much fun as possible!  Noelle and I went shopping the afternoon of my birthday to buy my first Kendra Scott piece of jewelry.  I asked Noelle what she wanted her first piece to be for her birthday and she put on this ring, and said, “This one!  It’s so me!”  She can rock any jewelry, no matter how gaudy! 

So many choices, so little time!

 

Then we went to church and my sweet friends gave me a little surprise party!  Their card was so awesome!  I still have it on the counter and re-read it a lot.  These guys are as close to me as family, and I couldn’t make it without them.  So blessed to have so many loving people in my life.  Love you, Phil and Stephanie, and the rest of the Euc!

Rose gave herself a hair cut the week before Christmas.  When I asked her what happened, she said, “I’m having a bad day!”  And that was that.  God love her!

  

My dad loves to hunt.  It’s in his blood.  He has a newsletter that’s like a blog called Paddling Strokes.  It’s a really fun read.  If you want to get on his email list, let me know.  His hunting stories are the best!  Rose saw this picture and asked, “Is that Poppa when he was a Ninja Turtle?”

 

Rose and her pretend iPad and our M&M cookies all ready for the Christmas caroling cookie exchange.

 

Christmas day out in the back yard!  Her shirt says, “And though she be but little, she is fierce.” ~William Shakespeare. He had to have been talking about Rose Pond, right?    Love our little one fiercely!

 

After Christmas shopping with my bae is the best!  Nothing compares to the fun Noelle and I get into when a good sale is going on!

 

Brevy Mans turned one!  We were out of town during his pancake breakfast first birthday party, but he came over and had a play date with us on his actual birthday, so that made up for it!  He such an amazing baby, and his mom is one of the best friends I have ever had. Soooo thankful Jaalisa is in my life and hanging out with me!    Patriot Pond got nice and cozy while he stayed at our house the week after Christmas.  His parents were setting up camp in California.  We already miss Mrs. Paula and her family more than words.  We had such a blast keeping her dog over the break.  Patriot, you can come back and play with us any day, and we will spoil you rotten! 

 

The first night of Patriot’s stay, he picked Rose to sleep with; A very unexpected but precious choice!  I think he knew her the best because he’s recently spent the most time with her at school.  I love @bysaber on IG.  The quotes I read are motivational and practical and just what I need to set sail each day doing all the things.

Best Saturday ever!  The Pond family in our pjs on the trampoline all together!

 

This is what a perfect lazy Saturday looks like at our house.  They are few and far between because of all the kids’ activities, but we bask in them when we get one. 

We have been craft shopping for birthday party ideas and supplies.  Party season is here!  Go!!!

 

J’ville was a blast this year with the entire Banks family reunited!  Here’s a sweet picture Nancy got Mike to take of Saylor and me reading a book.  She’s a great listener and was really into the story, so when we paused for a picture, she was confused.  I love love love this wittle face!  All my nieces and nephews melt my heart.  It’s so fun being Auntie Momo.  Rara is the queen of gift wrapping, wouldn’t you agree?  She gets more and more creative every year!  Love her!

 

I just started drinking Mike’s coffee, with heavy cream.  It’s the best!  This ham, tomato, avocado low-carb tortilla wrap is my favorite at home lunch.  It’s healthy and delicious!

 

Here’s Mike’s rub for our New Year’s Eve prime rib.  It was A-MAZ-ING!  He is such an awesome chef!  I’m so proud of his culinary skills.  He rocks it out in the kitchen!  And to the right is another one of Mom’s super creative center piece creations.  I just had to share because it’s so wintery and unique.  Hope it inspires you to think outside the box in your decorating.  Nothing is too much!  Go for it; I’m motivated!

Rose.Avery.Pond  I don’t know what I’d do without this kid, especially on December 29th, the day this picture was taken.  This was the day that I found out that Aunt Polly was slipping away.  I lost myself over the ironing board in a puddle of tears.  Then, out came Rose in this ensemble, complete with orange marker all over her silly face!  She knows when to be wild and crazy, when to cuddle, when to fight back, when to show compassion, and when to share her passionate energy with me.  I am beyond grateful! 
“I am your quiet place; you are my wild!”  Always and forever.