When I began this blog about 9 years ago things were much different. It was a way to keep up with family and to "interact" with others. A lot has changed in the last few years and it seems impossible to keep up with it like I used to. I used to think about posts every week... now I'm lucky if I even remember we have a blog! Life happens... and we might as well just hold on and enjoy the adventure. No apologies.
Of course it's been a while since I last posted, and these pictures are not in order, but who cares right? You're more concerned with just seeing the pictures, period. So here goes, with little explanation.
Over Christmas break we FINALLY got to meet our new cousin Harper! She is a true delight, although Miss Hannah Kate was not overly happy that I was holding another baby. Good thing there won't be any more babies for us, Hannah wouldn't have it.
Harper Brooke Christmas 2015
This March I decided to take a step back from my coaching job. I'm still here to help anyone that needs the help and encouragement, but I needed to relieve some of the excess stress and concentrate on our family now that we have really settled into life in NC. That said, I still follow my workout and eating plans and it has filtered down to the girls. Hannah enjoys working out with me in the mornings, her favorite thing is the resistance band. Ava on the other hand has really picked up on what is healthy when it comes to food and is trying to make better choices.
While on Christmas break Ava got the chance to ride Dixie again. She loves getting to do this and even was able to do a little trot around the ring. Unfortunately Dixie got sick a few month ago and passed away. But I'm sure her Grandpa Fred will find another horse for her.
This girl and her personality!
90% of the time is spent breaking up fights between these two. But on rare occasions I can catch a moment like this:
*****
This winter we experienced our first ice storm. I said we traded snow in Pittsburgh for ice in Raleigh. Nathan was traveling for work and ended up getting stuck in Boston for several extra days when big storm blew through the east coast. Although we were fine here, we did experience our first power outage. The girls and I made the best of it, and shortly after they feel asleep the power was back on.
Ava's Christmas train
I have always wanted to make a reading nook for Ava. Her room isn't huge by any means, but I was able to squeeze this jellyfish tent (she has an ocean themed room) into the corner of her room. I think Hannah and I have used it more than she has.
Christmas Eve traditions
One neat thing that Ava was a part of this past year was the Holiday card contest at Nathan's office. All the kids who wanted to participate were to enter a drawing and one would be chosen to be on the front of the business Christmas card. I'll be honest, when Ava sat down to draw, I couldn't believe the end result. I wasn't trying to be mean, but we both KNEW she could do much much better. She is quite the artist. In fact, she drew it so quickly we tried to get her to do another one, but failed. Thankfully we were at least able to talk her into adding some lights and the words Merry Christmas. But as it turns out, it didn't matter, she won anyway and her picture was made into the Christmas card.
the Minecraft Ender Dragon... this year was all about minecraft.
About a month ago we went cold turkey on the binkies. It was time. Hannah has done incredibly well and other than a little crying the first two nights, she's been fine. Now to see if potty training goes as well!
With the warmer weather arriving, we are trying to take full advantage of it and get outside.
Ava ran in a fundraiser at school and loved every moment.
We are hoping to get her into her first kids race in the next year.
Miss Hannah has become quite the fashion diva. She dresses herself every day...
there's no point fighting it.
Spring has sprung... or maybe it's summer, it is in the 80s already.
And of course totally out of order is Easter. The girls enjoyed finding their Easter baskets and new scooters after church. Hannah wasn't happy that Ava made her wait until that long, she kept finding the hidden eggs and wanted so badly to open them and get to that candy. The scooters were a special surprise. Ava isn't a huge fan of riding her bike and so we thought this might be something she could try. Of course we knew Hannah would be trying to use Ava's big scooter if she didn't get her own, so purple for Ava and "Frozen" for Hannah.
Matching dresses that Hannah picked out.
(no seriously, she picked them both at the store with no help.)
now... back to laundry.
(not sure what is up with the formatting... let's blame it on the browser, shall we?!)
