Aaarrgg!

Setting sail for the high seas

Who knew Daddy could craft together a pirate hat with some black paper and scissors? Impressive!

Every good pirate needs a trusty second-mate...or at least a drooling two year old with an eye for the latest transportation based fashion wear.

wednesday eucharisteo

All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

A little ladybug love for baby O.

There was just too much cuteness around here last week for me not to post any photos of Amy's baby shower. I wish I could take credit for all the creativity but it was a collaborative effort with Jenny and Emily.

Guest of honor!

Ladybug balloons...who knew right?!

Ladybug straws, because you should be cute even when you're drinking punch!

Getting crafty with onesies and scrapbooks

Ladybug cupcakes and appetizers

Estimating game

Favors

Heated competition

We are so excited for Miss Oden's arrival in April and hope she felt the in-utero love from everyone who came. We can't wait to meet you!

Uh-Oh

I knew I was in trouble when Ava threw me this pose last week

(complete with skinny sweats, hello kitty bling shirt, and fake uggs, I swear the girl must be watching episodes of Jersey Shore when I'm not looking) and said, "Mommy, you know I'm going to be ten soon. Then she walked over to the number line started at five and counted to ten. "See, just five more." Lucky for me girlie, that's your entire life up to this point. Then I'm pretty sure she rolled her eyes.

But then last night she threw a fit because Ian did something or other that she didn't like, and disappeared into her room. I probably shouldn't have waited an entire hour before going to retrieve her but hey I was enjoying my dessert and some bonus quiet so I wasn't going to rush it. Finally I went up to her room and found this on the door:

So apparently she wasn't kidding about turning ten soon. But not to worry, she assured me that she wouldn't leave home until she was thirteen.

Chicago memories

It's a little past due but here are some highlights from our weeklong visit to the windy city. Unfortunately (for the kids) there was no snow for the whole trip. It was weird but made our busy schedule much easier. We had a great visit this year and loved seeing the relationships grow between the cousins. It never matters how much time they spend apart. The minute they are within eyesight of each other (even if it's in the middle of the second worship song at church) there are screams and hugs of joy. It is absolutely beautiful to me. Besides sweet cousin moments here is the photo journey of our trip:

Four hour airplane trips are much easier with a laptop and an ipad.

I ♥ technology.

Our first day there we celebrated Miss Amarie's dedication, Adeline's 4th and Ian's 2nd birthday. Again, A LOT of joyful chaos. :)

One of my personal highlights was an afternoon spent with the lovely Jenni Brown. She really should just write a book called The Cozy Afternoon because she is the expert. From the perfect snacks to a fridge full of yummy drinks to a gingerbread man on hand just in case two little sillies are in the mood for decorating. I never want to leave her house and am sad that we didn't get more time together.

We took the kids to the winter wonderland fesival on Navy Pier and I was blown away. Being Chicago and all, I fully expected it to be loud, crazy, crowded, and overpriced. But there was hardly anyone there, few lines, and so much fun stuff to do. We spent hours there and didn't get to do everything. The kids loved the jump houses and the 'snowball' fight room and Mama loved the Garett's popcorn, the happy kiddos, and the long sleepy ride home.

The girls were mesmerized by the nutcracker ballerinas and Ava even got a dance lesson at the end.

Ian decided he was born to be a hot wheels driver.

Nai Nai treated all the cousins to new build a bear outfits. Unfortunately I was out of suckers to bribe them all into doing a smiling cousin photo, so here's our best shot.

Ava's favorite hot chocolate at Mama's favorite breakfast spot: Burnt Toast. And now I'm craving french toast at 11:15 at night.

Finally an amazing Christmas Eve feast and Yeh Yeh's traditional reading of The Night Before Christmas. As only he can do it. :)

I am already looking forward to our next family adventure!

Two

Between the frequent outbursts, the hitting followed by lavish affection, the complete lack of understandable English, the food pickiness, the waxing and waning of appetite, and the utter helplessness combined with stubborn independence. Sometimes living with a two year old feels like you have a manic-depressive exchange student from Romania going through heroin withdrawal.

*No offense to Romania intended.

Happy Huladays!

Before we left for Chicago, Ava's school put on their Hawaiian themed Christmas play at the church by our house. She was very excited to get to play Mary and take care of the baby. I could tell she was a little nervous because she didn't want to talk about it very much. She worked really hard on all the songs and had memorized everything. I was pretty much ready to burn the cd after having to listen to it every day in the car for 3 weeks but she was determined. There is a certain monumental feeling when you see your child on stage for the first time. A moment that apparently every parent was feeling by the number of videocameras present. She did great and we were so proud of our big girl.

Practicing her songs for Tia (on skype)

The cheering section

Pre-performance jitters

The program

The paparazzi

Stagestruck