Mid-Winter Break

Lilly loves to write and draw on her easel.
Flying with Daddy.

Skyping with Preston (that's a great conversation to listen too, they are too cute when they talk to eachother)

Lilly loves just about anything, she loves to fill boxes, baskets and bags with money, bracelets and whatever else will fit!

Lilly and Whitaker

Here 's a cute story before I write about our days around here. Tonight, I met my sister for dinner. Lilly was in bed (or I thought). I walked by the steps and looked up because I heard her saying "dada", she saw me standing at the bottom and got a huge smile on her face. When I went upstairs to put her back into bed, she started rubbing my face and hands (as if she hasn't seen me in days) and says "Momma I'm so glad to see you. Momma did you miss me?" She melts my heart... but really girlfriend I was only gone for dinner!! As you can see, she's a momma's girl. Our little girl is a crack up! She says really funny things, and is definately listening to everything we say. Today before we left the house she said, "momma are the roads okay, the weather is better?"

This week is mid-winter break for me. It's a break that I look forward to! We (teachers) need it and so do the kids, especailly to disinfect. So many sick kids. So, we began our week at the doctors. Lilly's had a cold for about 10 days now. Then on Monday, she woke up with 2 crusty eyes. Sure enough, eye, nose and ear infection. Our doctor perscribed her medicine, which we were so happy about, however she can't have any dairy and hour before she takes it and after. Now, if you know Lilly, we go through about 2 gallons of milk a week and I'd say she drinks 80% of it. This is definately a tricky task for me!

So, we were hoping that the snow was gone for the winter...boy were we wrong. We've hung out around the house playing dress up, sorting odds and ends, playing on the ipad, and just doing whatever the days brings us.

I love that I get to be home this week with Lilly. Of course, it will go by fast, and I'll be sad. On the positive side, that means we are getting closer to Spring.

Oh, by the way, I'm already planning Lilly's 3rd birthday. Yes, I know, my baby is going to be 3. She just figured out how to make the number 2 on her fingers! And, in a few days, I am going to be 33! How time flies!

By the way, the green dress you see Lilly wearing is one of her favorites. She likes to "dress up"in it. Just incase you were wondering!

January

Since it's been pretty cold outside, we've been staying inside playing! The other night, Ryan decided to build a fort for Lilly. Well, it ended up being a fort for Momma, Lilly and Whitaker. Daddy was the paparazzi. Lilly had a ball. She brought in a bunch of books and her princess flashlight. It was just like when I was a kid. We'd build forts all the time. It was dark under the blankets, so the flashlight was perfect for Lilly to use when reading her books to me! It's so cute to listen to her read, she will babble a bit and every so often throw in pieces of the story, unless it's book she really knows.
Another past time activity in our house is painting. Lilly could spend her whole afternoon painting. I don't mind it, because the paint they make these days is so easy to clean. They even have color wonder paint, where it only shows up on certain kind of paper. It's great! All moms need this.
Lilly Lately: Lilly loves to write, especially the letter L and i.She also loves to draw faces. She adds the hair, ears, nose, eyes and mouth. She enjoys singing all the songs that she knows and we enjoy it too! She loves to color at her new easel, she loves to put stickers everywhere, and play on the ipad. She's better at it than we are. But her favorite is... yup you guessed it dress up in princess dresses! She can't wait to twirl and dance. Oh, and I forgot, we are all potty trained! Lilly goes on the potty all day long and daddy and I love it!
Hope the month of February isn't too cold. Maybe Spring will come early this year... we can only hope, right!

Princess Pictures

Princess Ball

We took Lilly to the princess ball last weekend. Central High School was having a fundraiser for their student council. We met up with my friends from school with their kiddies and Stacie, Ryan, Preston, Lanie and Lita. Lilly wore her Tangled dress and sparkly princess shoes. She was sooo excited to go. When we go there, she took some time to warm up, but once she felt comfortable she danced, made a picture frame and had an ice cream. When it was time to go, she really didn't want to leave.
Okay, I can't get the pictures to upload.. I'm on my school computer. Our home computer is out of service right now because our power cord isn't working. I will get new pictures up soon!
Kelli

Sledding

Making snow angels

Lilly watching daddy make snow angels

I love that Whitaker is chasing her down!

Our nature walk

Ryan, Lilly and I went sledding and for a walk down the trail behind our house the other day. It was a nice sunny afternoon, and though it would be good for Lilly to get outside and get some fresh air. I had never been down the trail, it leads all the way to Milford..we didn't make it that far! ha We went down a bit and turned around. Lilly wanted to go sledding. So we took her to the hill at the front of our sub. She sled down the hill and made snow angels with Ryan on the pond.
It doesn't look like we'll be making any snow angels today, I can't believe the warm weather we had yesterday-all the snow is gone!
Back to work tomorrow. It will be good for Lilly and I. She needs to get back into the swing of things and I do too. Plus, the sooner we go back, to sooner we are to summer!
Happy New Year to you all!
Love,
Kelli

Christmas Day

At Grandmas

At Titi Stacy's and Uncle Saylor' (Malaina, Lilly & Preston)

Christmas morning

Her new princess bike

Lilly was really excited for Ho Ho to come! She was a bit nervous in the morning though, she thought he was still here, so she didn't want to go downstairs. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs and stared at her princess bike that Santa left for her. I think she was in shock with all the presents and of course her bike!!
She opened her presents and stocking. Ryan and I also exchanged stockings.
Later, that day we went to Ryan's moms for Christmas. We had a yummy dinner and opened a ton of gifts! Rochelle got Lilly a fairy vanity and make-up! She loved it!!
We headed to my sister's later in the evening to catch up with my family. When we got there we had a Wii tournament with all our cousins and of course watched the kids play and dance. Even later, we did Christmas with my parents and siblings. We all stayed the night-the adults stayed up and hung out. The next morning we made a big Christmas breakfast. The kids did their gifts from my parents, and then we went home. Long, but fun day and night! We came home with a car packed full of gifts. We love them all!!
Hope you had a Merry Christmas~
Love,
Kelli

Christmas Eve

Lilly and her cousins with Santa

Holding onto me for dear life

Daddy and Lilly

Would be a cute picture, but my mom had to ruin it!!

We spent Christmas Eve with my dad's side of the family. It's a tradition since my dad was a kid! Santa comes and brings stockings for the kids. All day Lilly was waiting to see Santa and tell him that she wanted a princess bike! When he arrived, she was a bit nervous and didn't want to go up to him. After he left, she said, "momma I shy". So sweet~

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.