Gingerbread Houses

Last night we had my family over to make gingerbread houses. I wasn't sure how they would turn out since this was my first time making them. My brother made one for Laine (or himself, he seemed to really enjoy the house building). I helped Lilly and Stacie helped Preston. The kids had a ball with it, eating candy and decorating with candy was their little piece of heaven! They turned out really cute! They were so proud. Lita, Papa and Ryan were photographers and background builders, they had a few ideas too!!
We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!
Love,
Kelli

Gymnastics and Birthday Party

Lilly is in gymnastics on Monday nights with Preston at American All-Star. She loves it!! Unfortunately, we weren't able to go this week because Lilly had a stomach bug. But we'll be going back after Christmas. The kids get to swing on the bars, walk across the beam, jump on the trampoline and much more.
The other day Lilly went to my cousins birthday party. We weren't able to go, but my brother and Stacie took Lilly. So the pictures of Lilly with her sunglasses on are of that day, getting ready to go.

Meeting Santa Claus

Preston and Lilly got to meet Santa the other day at our family brunch. I wasn't sure how Lilly would react to him being there, but she went right up to him. After he left, she said to me "momma I want to give Santa a kiss and hug".

Potty Training

It's been so wonderful being home with Lilly! We are actually working on potty training! It's going okay, but it's hard for me to be home. I like to go out and do something for a bit, but having Lilly in big girl undies has hindered that for us. Here's Lily sitting in her time out chair with just a shirt, socks and undies! By the way, she's not in time out-she just loves to sit in it! Sorry the picture is a bit blurry, it's from my camera phone.

Snow Days

I know, it's been a while since I've last posted!! I'll be honest with you all, I haven't been taking many pictures lately.
Well, last week I had 2 snow days! I love getting the call in the morning even if it's at 4:30!The 2nd day, I was up anticipating the call-I was up around 4 waiting to see if I was lucky 2 days in a row! We spent the days hanging out at home, playing with babies, painting, practicing her name, shopping and watching Christmas movies! Yes, that's correct, we were practicing her name! I know what you are all thinking, Kelli she's only 2 1/2. She got it all except the Y. It's so cute to listen to her write it, down over for L and down with a dot for the i. We are so proud of her! Here is her name on the Christmas Tags.

Staying Busy

Happy Thanksgiving

Preston and Lilly dancing... he had to dress up too!!

A couple weekends ago, I watched Preston. Lilly and Preston had a blast playing together all day! We began our morning running to the store. Later that afternoon, the kids played outside, painted, played play dough and danced to music. It's so much fun having them together. They entertain one another.
Last weekend, we had Ryan's family over for Thanksgiving. I cooked a turkey with help from my mom. It was delicious! I wasn't sure what to do, even after my mom told me. To be honest, I was kinda grossed out! But she helped and it turned out perfect! Thanks mom~ we had a yummy dinner with Ry's family. Lilly played with Jordan the entire time. She loves her! Jordan is so great with her, she entertains her for hours.
This week on Wednesday, Ryan and I went to dinner and shopping. I can't tell you the last time just the 2 of us had dinner. It was so nice! We celebrated our 5th year anniversary. On Thanksgiving, we went to my Grandmas house with the rest of my family. As always, there was plenty of conversations, lots of kids playing and tons of eating! We continued our family visit tonight at my sisters house. She made a yummy dinner for all of us. My cousin Sonia and her kids are in town, so it was a perfect excuse for all of us to get together again. Lilly had a ball playing hide n seek, dancing, running, screaming and being silly with her cousins.
We are anticipating a visit from Santa here at our house. Lilly talks about Santa everyday, sometimes several times! She is waiting to get a princess bike from him. Of course, she would also be happy with any other princess items he drops off! We decorated our Christmas tree the other day and also decorated her one for her room.
Lilly Lately: She is doing a great job potty training, she talks a lot! She sings all the time. Just tonight she sang the whole way home from my sisters house (35 minutes). She loves to color and
paint. But most of all she loves to do puzzles and read her books. Oh' and I forgot, she loves to play on my sisters IPad. You would be amazed at how well she maneuvers her fingers.
Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family~ I am truly Thankful for my loving family and friends. I love you all!
Love,
Kelli

Playing With Friends

Maddie, Lilly, Wesley, Laurel

Maddie and Lilly were playing on the steps with the slinky.

Halloween

Here are a few pictures from Halloween.

October Fun

The past few weekends have packed full with fun Halloween activities. We went to my parents one evening for "munchkin pumpkin". We all ate a yummy dinner and watched the kids decorate pumpkins and dance around in their Halloween PJ's. Uncle Saylor made a grand entrance with 3 big pumpkins filled with toys and treats for the kids. My sisters said it was all his idea!! Great job Uncle Saylor.
This past weekend we had our friends over for some Halloween cheer. The kids had a ball playing together. The adults had fun catching up as well.
On Halloween my parents, brother, Stacie and the kiddies came over. We filled our bellies with pizza before we went trick or treating.
Preston and Lilly loved going up to the houses. They would both knock and say "trick or treat". It was so cute watching them. Malaina made it to a few houses, and then headed back home with her daddy. Preston and Lilly made it around our sub. We skipped a few houses, but overall they did great! They loved looking at all the costumes and decorations.
Lilly Lately: If you didn't hear, our sweet girl was in the hospital. It ended up being asthma and pneumonia. She is doing great now, but it was a bit of a scare for us. I took her to the doctors Saturday morning and after and hour of treatment, they sent us to the emergency. Lilly was such a trooper.
Lilly is really into sharing how she feels about something. She likes to let me know when I am doing a good job with something! She points out when something is pretty and has "beautiful colors". She is doing a great job with the potty. Poops and pees!!
I think the cold weather is here, it was 27 degrees in my car this morning. So, stay warm!!
Love,
Kelli
More pictures to come! My computer is running out of juice and I'm up in bed!!

Princesses & Trick Or Treating

Preston (a cow), Malaina and Lilly ( kitties) at Huckleberry Railroad

Family shot at the entrance

Ms. Kelly and all her princesses

Lilly and Daddy at the princess show

Ms. Kelly and Lilly (we love her!)

We had a fantastic weekend filled with princesses, family pictures, Jordan's birthday party, and Huckleberry Railroad. The long days caught up with Lilly this morning, but she still pulled through for a visit to Huckleberry Village.
Friday, we took Lilly to see Princess on Ice with all her girlfriends from Ms. Kelly's house. She was filled with excitement all morning! It was really cute- she'd say "momma I'm so excited for princesses, it's going to be fun". It was a great show, it kept her interest the whole time. Lilly was in aw with all the princesses and of course Mickey and Minnie. She asked if we could go back!!
On Saturday, we met up with a friend at Central Park, in Milford to take family pictures. I am eager to see them. Lilly was pretty serious in most of the pictures. That afternoon, we met up with family at a park in Waterford for Jordan's 7th birthday. Lilly had a ball playing on the play structure and hanging out with Jordan and her friends. Jordan's always so good to her, she lets her tag along.
We ended our weekend with a trip to flint, to Huckleberry Railroad. If you have the opportunity to go, it's wonderful for families. It's similar to Greenfield Village, maybe a bit smaller. They transformed all the houses into something Halloween themed. All the kids dress up in their costumes and go trick or treating. They also have a train ride that takes you through the park and out through a bit of the city. Along the edge of the woods were characters from movies, TV shows and Halloween decorations. It was great! Preston, Malaina and Lilly had a blast!
It was a great family weekend. We can't wait for Halloween in our house!!
Love,
Kelli

Princess Lilly

Our little lady loves to read about princesses, watch movies with princesses in them, dress like a princess and dance like a princess. My mom found my old dance costumes and they have turned out to be perfect dress-up clothes for Lilly. She twirls around the house in them with her beautiful crown on. She'll say, "momma you look like a princess" or "look mommy, I a princess". Of course, I don't make this obsession any better, I buy princess lip gloss, slippers, pj's and more! I love it too!!
Lilly is a girlie girl who loves to play in her kitchen, play with her babies, play tea parties, put make up on and much more, however she loves to get dirty outside. She looks for toads, plays in the sand, plays baseball, and rolls all over the yard. She really can be happy doing anything.
Ryan and Lilly get to spend Fridays together, now that he has a 4 day work week. They both really look forward to the end of the week. On Thursdays, Ryan will ask Lilly what she wants to do. Her response is "lets go to the Tony's and to Old MacDonald's Farm" (the Coney and Kensingtons petting farm). They have a great day together. Of course, I wish I could be off on Fridays too!
Lilly Lately: Lilly loves to get her picture taken, if you say pose for a picture, she'll get down on her stomach with her hand under her chin! Lilly loves to go to Ms.Kelly's house (day care), she talks about her new friends Hannah and Elle. She goes on the potty, but not interested really~ usually we can get once a day, or once every couple of days. Hopefully soon. Lilly Enjoys making muffins with me. The other day Lilly showed me how to make a triangle with her fingers. I asked her where she learned this. Are you ready for this.... Goofy! Yes, from the TV.
I hope that you've been able to enjoy this beautiful Fall weather!
Love,
Kelli

Fall is Here!!

This is my favorite time of the year! I love that the weather is getting cooler, the leaves are changing and we get to wear jeans and fleece coats!
Today, we took our first family trip to the cider mill. Definately not one of my favorites, but still fun! We went to the one on 8 mile in Northville. Lilly was especially excited to pick a pumpkin, but to our surprise no pumpkin patch. They had a pile of pumpkins inside, so we settled for that. Our next cider mill excursion, we'll have to make sure there is a better selection! Thank goodness Lilly doesn't know the difference...yet! We had doughnuts, checked out the craft booths and watched the ducks.
So, the other day I was at work and I ran into a parent that works at Peanut Patch (a local pre-school). I found out the other day, that I need to get Lilly on the list in January. Can you believe it, our sweet little girl is going to school next year! I know, I know I have plenty of time, but when she said that I needed to get her on the list, it hit me, my baby is growing so fast. Everything I heard as a child "life goes by so fast, you're getting so big..." is true especially when you have kids our your own.
Speaking of school, things are going really well this year! I have my same kids from last year, plus a few extra. This is the first year I haven't come home complaining about how challenging my class is. They really are great! Of course, I am busy as ever~ I miss my days home with Lilly, but really I can't complain.
Lilly has adjusted well with me going back to school. Each morning, she'll say "momma going to school today, I go to Miss Kelly's". She gets it! She loves going to play with her new little friends. Just yesterday, she was asking to see her 2 friends Hannah and Elle. So cute:) It's been an smooth transition for her, and me.
Lilly Lately: She can't seemed to figure out if she likes witches or not. I shared with you in my last post that she loves her book with Sleeping Beauty and the witch. I told her witches are in books. I was wrong, Halloween brings out all the witches! And, Lilly notices them. She tells me "they are only pretend mommy". Lilly has a new clock on the way! I ordered a new clock for her bedroom. It will help her with when it's okay to wake up in the morning. She's been waking before 6. Way to early for my liking! It changes colors for sleeping and waking!
If your wondering, yes Lilly is abusing the "god dammit" line. We have been trying to teach her other words to use, however she finds it more fun to say it her way! Sorry if she's at your house and around your kids:) what do you do??
We are looking forward to Halloween! Lilly talks about it all the time~ I don't think she really knows what it means, but she'll soon find out!!
Happy Fall~
Love,
Kelli

Summer's End

Lilly and Preston at the Cottage Labor Day weekend

Daddy and Lilly on the 4 wheeler

Lilly digging into Prestons toys

Jordan and Lilly at Grandma's for Grandmas bday

Lilly eating a snack in her new hippo sleeping bag and pillow

Today officially marks that last day for summer for us. The calendar doesn't say so, but for school teachers it means back to school! Tomorrow, I go back to school~ it's bitter/sweet. I feel very lucky to get all this time, however going back isn't ever easy!
About 2 weeks ago, Ryan had a week off. We decided to go on a night trip to Lexington. Lilly loved this place! Outside our cottage door was swings, bars, slides and sand! It was also walking distance to the beach (lake Huron). We had a great trip, but have decided that while Lilly is still learning to stay in a big girl bed, we'll stay close to home. The week Ryan was off, we ventured to many parks, took bike rides, ate ice cream, and did lots of playing! Ryan and I also spent time together at night trying to keep our eyes open while watching DVR'd shows.
Lilly Lately: Lilly says many things that we do. She loves to put honey at the end of her sentences "thanks honey, or can I have a snack honey". She's also has been saying "damn it" correctly in sentences. Ryan blames me and of course I blame him! We don't acknowledge it because we know that Lilly will then say it all day long! She's in love with anything princess. I bought her a box of princess books (which she calls her office). She loves the Sleeping Beauty book. She likes to find the bitch (witch) and Sleeping Booty. We purposely ask her to get that book just to hear her say it. I know, we're bad! So, basically it sounds like Lilly has a potty mouth... I assure you, it's not that bad!
Lilly is at a great age! She continues to make us laugh all the time; she loves to joke and be silly. Ryan was just saying today, thank God Lilly is so cute and funny, because she can be such a stinker!
Here's to a great school year!
Love,
Kelli

Swinging

At the park

Swinging

I love this picture!

Our neighbors are moving to Germany in December, so they gave us their swing set. I've been wanting to get Lilly a swing set all summer. It couldn't have worked out better. Lilly loves to swing! We spend a lot of time out back playing on her new swings!
Today I took her to the park close to the house for a change of scenery. When we got there, Lilly ran right for the swings! We also played on the play structure until a dragonfly flew right into her head and scared her.