Three {and 382}

Three years ago today I started this blog.  Crazy to think I've kept it up this long!  I know my family still reads about B&K.  And a few friends stalk the blog, too {you know who you are!)} . . . but I'm curious . . . who else is out there?  I'm guilty of rarely commenting on blogs - mainly because I read them through reader.  But just for today -- for my blogiversary -- could you pretty please let me know who is still reading?  Many thanks! 

How we spent our Xmas Vacation

Tim & I both took off the week between Christmas & New Years (I was actually off the 24th - 1/4.  It was fabulous).  Ashley was also taking some well deserved time off that week, so we were able to spend lots of time together as a family.  We hosted get togethers and caught up with old friends we haven't seen in a while.  B&K played with all of their new toys.  We explored new places.  And B&K went to spend a few days with Grandma & Grandpa (and they had a blast!) while we hosted a big New Years party at our place and cheered the Notre Dame Irish to their great bowl game win.

Bennett jamming out with his new "iPad"




Kendyll giving me her "Seriously, MA" face. 


We took the kids to COSI to see Clifford and play in the toddler area one day.  We ended up getting a membership and it may just be my new favorite place to go with the kids.  So much fun!

Well, hello there! {aka Holiday recap}

Yes, I know it has been a while.  If I were a better blogger I'd have all of these fun "year in review" posts going, but I'm just not feeling it this year.  So here is the short recap of our holiday.

I GOT A NEW CAR!!!!!!!!!

{I figured I should start with the important stuff}

Tim pulled off the best & biggest surprise.  The lease on the bitchen Pacifica was up in Jan. and we had started to look at other vehicles in-between Tim's various fall trips, but we hadn't really made a decision.  Long story short, he saved me the hassle of sitting in a cruddy car dealership while he haggled negotiated the best rate on a car.  My favorite car of our search was the Volvo.  Tim managed to not only purchase the vehicle and get it to his parents house (away from me), but he also found a giant bow and made the experience just like a cheesy commercial.  It was fabulous.  And I had no.fricken.clue.  It was a fantastic way to start off the Christmas holiday {if I do say so myself}.




We celebrated the holiday with our usual traditions.  Christmas Eve dinner at Nana & Papa's.  The kids opened presents from Aunt Elaine & Uncle Brian (thanks for the book "briefcases" -- they LOVE them!) and "Aunt" Leslie joined us for the evening in person (the kids LOVE the pillow pets, too.  Sleep with them every night!).   Grandma & Grandpa & Uncle Mark came to town to stay the weekend with us, too, and it was so nice to have everyone there. 

As we did last year, we hosted Christmas Day at our house.  The next morning we took to opening the remaining loot (seems only fair that others open presents since I had already received mine!).  B&K were spoiled as expected.

Bit hits include their new digital cameras (and stay tuned for a post about what they've captured . . . sure to be lots of feet & butt shots!). 




Kendyll loves her doll house and the "teeny tiny baby" that came with it.


Bennett loves his race track and plays with it almost non-stop (and notice the "Charlie Brownie" theme?  Yeah, I go a little nuts, but he loves it now, too!).


Nana & Papa spoiled B&K with the PBK retro red kitchen.  I think I may love it more than they do (if that is even possible).  Can you find B&K amongst all of the playroom mess?




Oh there they are!  Reading from the new book readers Grandma & Grandpa gave them!! {and notice Kendyll is multi-tasking with her new "iPad" (aka FP iXL thingie). 


We're so fortunate to have such a loving, generous family.  And it was a super fun time, as always. 

Our Home for the Holidays

Today is my last day at work until the 4th (Tim has sort of been off this week and he is off all next week, too).  We're busy preparing everything for the holiday.  As in the past, we're hosting Xmas Day and going to Nana & Papa's house on Xmas eve.  We're looking forward to having everyone together for holiday this year (and thankful the "significant snow storm" the incompetent weather peeps were suggesting earlier this week isn't going to turn up after all.  So they say now . . . ).

I did a post like this a couple of years ago.  I thought it would be fun to show everyone how our house is decorated for the holiday this year.    A lot of the decorations are the same, but I tried to add in a few new ones this year. 

We once again have our house decorated (notice the new tiny tree in the front yard?  It looks nice all lit up!).   If you are in Central Ohio, we highly recommend The Light Before Christmas -- this is the 3rd year we've used them to decorate the exterior of our home and have had a great experience every time.  (and trust me, it is worth every penny!). 

I made a new wreath for the front door.  I'm obsessed with using yarn for different items.  I posted about it the craft blog . . . I love how it turned out.

Speaking of yarn, I also made a few yarn trees for the mantel using styrofoam tree forms.

I bought a new tablecloth at Target for our Santa party we hosted earlier this month.  For the centerpiece I made a felt ruffle tree.  And Ashley decorated a gingerbread house with the kids one day, so that fits in nicely as well. 

My Charlie Brown Christmas figures have found a home in B&K's playroom.  Tim said it would be a "disaster" and yes, they don't always end up this pretty at the end of the day.  But B&K (especially Bennett) freaken love Charlie Brown, which makes me so very happy.  B calls it "Charlie Brownie" and Chuck is his favorite character (with Linus an appropriate 2nd).  They know all of the characters and we've watched the special several times.  I also have the CB soundtrack and when a song from it comes up on my iTunes playlist they get so excited.   So cute! 

I mentioned before that this year we are hosting an elf . . . his name is Boyd.  He sure has had a lot of fun hanging out all over our house, keeping a very close eye on B&K!

I made a point to decorate the playroom as well.  I downloaded this print from my new all time favorite craft blog, had it printed at Costco and bought a cheap frame at Michael's.  Total cost for this print was under $10 and I love it!  The place mats are from PBK and the reindeer Tim has had for ages (Xmas Elmo now hangs out on the table as well, but me must have been off singing Jingle Bells when I was snapping pictures). 

We are blessed with many, many friends from ALL over the country.  I wanted to do something so I could display the beautiful photo cards we receive this year (and so B&K could look at the pictures of all of their friends).  I ended up taking some more yarn (go figure!) and braiding it into a long tail.  I tacked it to the top of our doorway with a pin and bought mini close pins at the craft store.  We now have THREE of these tails in doorways to our kitchen & playroom (not to mention I have a stack of non-photo cards in a basket in the kitchen as well). 

This little reindeer is something Tim had from his single days.  He now hangs out above the TV in the play room.  B&K love "Rudolf".  

These little guys hang out on the french doors from the playroom to the living room.  They were a gift from my Secret Angel, Allison, last Xmas.  B&K love to say good morning to them every day (and suprisingly, they leave them alone!  I have yet to see them come off the door!). 

At Thanksgiving Aunt Nanci & Uncle Ted brought B&K the snowman & snowgal seated in their chairs.  B&K love, love, love them as well! 

And lastly, our tree in the living room.  We ended up buying a smaller tree last year and I purchased some shatterproof ornaments (that, let me tell you, look JUST like - if not nicer - than our other glass ones!).  This year we added in some family / fun ornaments and B&K each have 2 special ornaments on the three that they repeatedly like to take off & put on (I found that by giving them each a couple -- one of which they made in school -- they leave all the other ones alone!). 

I'm sure B&K will miss a lot of these decorations when we take them down next week.  Good thing they'll have lots of new "distractions" from Santa, I'm sure! 

We hope everyone has a safe & happy holiday!



Preschool Holiday Program

We attended B&K's preschool Christmas program last week.  Let me tell you -- it was HILARIOUS!  Bless the ladies who have the patience to "teach" 2.5 - 5 yr olds!!  The school split the program into two sessions, so the little ones went first.  B&K looked adorable, if I do say so myself (major kudos to Ashley for fixing Kendyll's hair.  I don't have any great pics from the front, but here you can see it from behind):



Kendyll wasn't really feeling the performance.  She sort of stood there in awe for most of the program (which is the opposite of what she does at home.  Normally she is the first to break out into song at the dinner table - or in bed - and she'll do the full-on hand motions with it).  Bennett, on the other hand, was all about perfecting his jazz hands.  K is on the left of the screen (first row, 2nd from the left) and Bennett is more towards the middle right in the front row.  I'll spare you the WHOLE show and just give you this little snippet:

After the program B&K received a present (a holiday book) from their teachers.  All-in-all a very fun night. 



Super Heroes!

Tim & I are on a much needed break -- off to Vegas for our annual trip (and thanks to his nutso travel schedule this year the flights & hotel are free!).  But no fear . . . while we are gone Super Bennett & Super Kendyll are here to save the day!!









{sorry for the blurred photos -- it is hard to keep a super hero still for a photo while s/he is in action!}



Back in September I won these awesome capes from the Columbus Mother of Twins Club blog.  They are made by BabyPop designs and I have since found this to be one of my favorite gifts to give as well (we ordered one for Super Ava for her birthday).     You never know when a super hero will need to be called to action . . . now B&K (and Ava) are always prepared!

Happy Merry Christmas!! {shutterfly cards}

From our family to yours, have a Happy Merry Christmas!! (or whatever holiday you celebrate!).

Here is one of the two cards we ordered from Shutterfly -- to say I love them is an understatement.  They are so very, very, very, very, very awesome and my most favorite holiday cards we've ever sent.  :D

Happy Merry Christmas 5x7 folded card

Make a statement with custom Christmas cards at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.