Bedtime

Have you ever seen a child get so excited about nap time or bedtime??

This little girl is the best at going to sleep. We tell her "it's bedtime." There is a little song we sing-she does a little dance and goes straight to her bed and waits patiently...sometimes, not so patiently. She will start screaming "bed, bed, bed!"

Snow Princess

On Sunday afternoon, Harper "helped" me do a little grocery shopping during a small March snow storm. She loved catching snow on her tongue!

Creative Minds

On a typical day, I can find some of the most "creative" things from my precious girls.

Here Adeline is changing Donald Duck. I walked in to find her saying "he pee pee." I love the fact that she is using her changing pad and a real wipe. Such a little mama these days.

Sunday night, Peter was asked to be Bullseye so Jessie (AKA-Harper) could catch a ride.
Another one of Harper's custom designs..

I Never Know

I never know what will come out of my girls' mouths these days. Each and every day, it's something new and sometimes quite funny. Here are two recent demonstrations on the "stuff" my kids say.

Last Wednesday evening, Harper was playing dress-up. Peter was sitting on the couch and Harper walked up to him and said "Daddy, I want you to kiss my like the prince kisses Cinderella." Peter handled it wonderfully while I on the other hand was laughing hysterically, but then I realized we needed to have a talk with her about kissing. We still haven't had the talk because I am putting it off.

Last Thursday, Adeline and I had run into Macy's so I could get some makeup. We walked out through the bra/underwear section. As we were walking out, she pointed to the "barely" dressed mannequins and screamed "NAKE, NAKE, NAKE" (AKA-NAKED). Yup, that's right, my toddler knows what naked means and yup, all those ladies were laughing.

How Much Can You Save?

Right before the new year, Peter and I were watching a show on extreme couponing. It was absolutely insane how much "stuff" a person can get for a small amount of money. We decided that since we are on a tight budget that we should give couponing a try. So far (in 2 months), we have saved over $150, which may not sound like much, but it could end up saving us over $900 this year. It has become a competition between us on who can find the best coupons and who can save the most money. I have put all of our coupons in an envelope on the fridge so we can keep track and to keep us motivated. Yes, it takes time to look through the adds but to us, it's well worth it. I have even started sending coupons to my parents.

Happy Couponing!

*Let me know if you use coupons*

FLYING

Two weeks ago, the girls and I headed home to Tulsa and Ardmore to visit family. Since it was supposed to be a quick trip, I didn't want to drive it and the weather in February can be unpredictable. Some people said I was brave for attempting to fly with TWO kids (with 3 hour layovers both ways) by myself and I just call myself CRAZY. To be honest, it really wasn't that bad. I think we all got a little motion sick at one point or another but we made it and yes, I would do it again.

Here we are in the Minneapolis airport. The girls LOVED the play area. It was great entertainment and a wonderful way for them to run off some energy before we boarded the airplane.

The girls ready to go. Harper had flown before but it had been several years and this was Adeline's first time to fly. We had amazing flight attendants that let Adeline have her own seat because the flights were not full on 3 of the 4 flights. She was so much happier (and so was mommy).

Harper trying to follow along as they were reviewing the "rules" and procedures when flying.

Here we are in the St. Louis airport. Harper was my big helper and pushed the stroller since I had a huge backpack and my purse to tend with.

Guess what? We found rocking chairs in the St. Louis airport-this provided about 30 minutes of entertainment

Getting tired and ready to be in Tulsa

Totally melting down at this point. She was tired, hadn't had nap and didn't want to wear her shoes in the airport. Mom won this battle and she got strapped into the stroller

By the time we got to Tulsa, it was 9:30 pm and she had completely passed out sitting up.

I chose not to take pictures on the flight home because I was suffering from a major ear infection. In fact, we stayed longer in Tulsa just to try and get my ear healed. The flights home were pretty uneventful until we landed in Minneapolis. Again, neither one of the girls had a nap. Adeline fell asleep on our last flight before we even took off-she slept the whole flight but woke up about 2 minutes before landing throwing up.

A Wonderful Visit

About a week and half ago, the girls and I flew home to Tulsa and then drove to Ardmore. We came into town to visit my sweet Grams and Paps. These are my dad's parents and they are the most incredible, loving people. After Christmas, Grams was diagnosed with stage 4 bone and liver cancer. It was very hard news for us all to hear, in fact, I still get emotional thinking about it. While we were there, I wanted to get some pictures of the girls and I with Grams.

Harper loving on Grams

Adeline wasn't too thrilled about taking pictures but I love the smile on Grams' face. She was so happy to have the girls around. We know it wore her out for all of us to be there and with all of the energy the girls bring in a home but she LOVED every minute of it.

Grams with her girls (again, look at Adeline's face-such a little stinker)

I wanted to join in on a picture too.

I love the joy on her face as she is holding sweet Adeline

While we were visiting Grams and Paps over Christmas, Harper and Paps played "Hide-n-Seek." It was hilarious and entertaining for everyone. There is a noise-that's a laugh/giggle/I don't know what-that my Paps does and it is one of those sounds I will always remember and I think Harper will too. When Paps makes his "noise", Harper falls over with uncontainable, contagious laughter. So when we were there, Harper begged for Paps to play "hide-n-seek" with her again. Here is a picture of Harper "finding" Paps while playing "hide-n-seek"-it captures the most adorable expressions of both of them.

Another thing Paps is known for is being the "tickle monster." Both girls love to be tickled. Adeline wasn't too sure about letting Paps tickle her but Harper loved every minute of it.

We never know what tomorrow brings but I do know that I will always cherish the times spent with these two amazing people. Grams, we love you and are praying you through this journey.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Like Daughter, Like Mother?

Carefully watching....

For as long as I can remember, I have had this crazy obsession with polka dots. I think this fantical obsession has now worn off on my girls. My mom (AKA-Grammy) took us to get our toes done while we were in Tulsa last week. THANK YOU GRAMMY!!! We all got pink polish and Harper asked for white polka dots on her toes, then she told Adeline to get the polka dots and then the next thing I knew, I also was getting polka dots.

Our pretty toes!

Western/Cowboy Day

Two weeks ago, on a Thursday, it was Western/Cowboy Day at Harper's school. She was so excited to get dressed up for this fun day at school. Harper loves her pink cowgirl hat.

Adeline at 22 months

Today after church, I decided to have a quick impromptu photo session of sweet Adeline. I was really wanting to get a cute Valentine's Day picture of the girls in their outfits but Harper had already changed and was in no mood for pictures.

Here is my precious Adeline Taylor at 22 months -these pictures show some of her fun facial expressions

Love this pictures~so sad it's blurry

fake smile for the camera

Playing peek-a-boo

getting tired of the photos

Giving kisses

her "up to no good" face

Showing off her toes

Chocolate Monster

Introducing the chocolate monster....this little girl LOVES chocolate anything. Peter got her a piece of chocolate on the way home last night and as you can see-she devoured it and it was everywhere but she was happy.

*Sorry for the poor quality of the picture-it was taken with my phone and we were in the car port underground*

Valentine's Day Present

I'm seriously obsessed with my Valentine's Day present that my wonderful hubby got me. I have been complaining for months every time I go grocery shopping. We park underground and trying to get our weekly groceries and two kids all upstairs (we have an elevator) can be virtually impossible but not now. The problem now is the girls fight over who can push the cart. Quite honestly, I think it's one of the best inventions of all time. Peter said he tried to find me a pink one but I think red is great~I'm sure there will be people who make fun of me, but inside I know they are jealous.

Transformer going out=no school for Harper

This morning, we got a call right before we were supposed to leave to take Harper to school, saying "school was cancelled today because a transformer went out at the church/school." Harper was so sad; she even started crying. Poor little girl was so excited for her Valentine's Day party. So this mama decided we needed to do something special to make her happy-what is something that makes Harper happy, you ask?? Donuts!! So we had a donut party.

All dressed in her red for her Valentine's Party


What do we do when we have been stuck in the house for days since "sissy" is sick?? We go swimming in the bathtub. Today, we did an experiment with ice-we tried to count how long it would take before it all melted. These girls would stay in the bathtub all day, if we would let them.

Spoke TOO soon

I was telling another mother up here just the other day, "Gosh we have been so fortunate this winter. No one has really been sick. Harper had a mild (4 hour) stomach bug but nothing other than that. I am so used to respiratory infections and ear infections." Well, guess what? I spoke too soon because Adeline came down with croup on Sunday and now we are in the remnants of it with a nasty "cold-like" virus. Poor princess just looks pitiful these days. What do we do to make her feel better?? Lots and Lots of Popsicles, of course!

Sledding 101

Yesterday, Peter and I decided it was time to take the girls sledding. We have talked about it several times but never followed through. Peter grew up sledding on snow days and he wanted to show the girls. We also had discussed that we haven't taken time to appreciate all that God has given us here in Minnesota. We haven't been taking advantage of the new and exciting things to try. We are going to make more of an effort to enjoy every minute of our time here-we want to experience everything that Minnesota has to offer.

Excited for the fun "sledding" adventure

When we first got there, Harper was brave and rode down this humongous hill with Peter. It did not go well, in fact, it did not go as planned. Peter's legs hung off the end, which in turn caused ice and snow to blow into their faces the whole way down. I could hear Harper screaming and crying. When they finally stopped, both of them hard a time getting their eyes open from all of the snow. After the "not so fun" hill experience, Harper needed some time to just play in the snow but after a few minutes, she was ready to get back on the sled but we stuck to the small hill.

Adeline and daddy on their first run

Harper and mommy

Sad that her hands were cold but she refused to wear her gloves.

Happy just to be playing in the snow

waiting for her turn to sled again

Love her reaction to snow

Carrying the sled-we forgot a rope to help pull it around

Adeline and daddy

sledding on her tummy

and she's off....

There she goes....

I just LOVE this picture of our two little girls. I have already blown it up and it's in a frame. I think this picture says it all; Adeline is relaxed and happy when she's with her protective big sister "sissy". This was one of those days that this mama wont' ever forget.