First Snow of the Season

When we woke up this morning, there was a beautiful blanket of snow outside. If it's going to be cold, it might as well be pretty...and playful! Our ambitious neighbors were out by 9 a.m. building snowmen, so we suited up and went out to join in the fun. Kenzie loved playing in the snow, assisting Daddy in building a snow woman, making snow angels and sledding! We are hopeful the snow will stay until Christmas morning. There is nothing like a "White Christmas!" Can't believe Christmas is less than a week away. . . let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Meeting Santa and More. . .

Today we made our annual trip to the Mall to visit Santa. Daddy met us there for the big event and we celebrated afterwards with lunch at the food court. This is the first year that Mackenzie willingly sat on Santa's lap, smiled and shared her wish list with him. She was very curious, while waiting in line, in regards to where Santa's sleigh was. I told her she should ask Santa, but she asked me too. . . poor girl didn't want to offend the Big Guy before asking him for a doll. By the way, in case you are wondering, his sleigh was back at the North Pole. He apparently was dropped off that morning and would be picked back up at days end to oversee the elf's progress at Santa's Workshop.


All smiles waiting in line for Santa!

Her first semi-smile picture!

Sharing with Santa that she wants a doll for Christmas

Daddy and Kenzie

Mommy and Kenzie

Enjoying lunch at the Mall

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Here are a few pics, from this week, of Mackenzie and her neighborhood friends enjoying the cold weather outside. Regardless of how cold the temperatures have dropped, how ridiculously windy it is, or how early the sunsets, they do not miss an opportunity to play together. Trying to get all 7 kids into their homes for dinner is usually met with tears. . . but we wouldn't want it any other way. We are so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful playmates!


Fueling up with a snack, b/f a hockey scrimmage

Playing hockey with her friends!

Takin' it to the goal!

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Our house all decorated and lit for the holidays!

Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo

We braved the cold weather, bundled up, with hot cocoa's in tow, and did our annual trip with our friends to the Zoo for their spectacular light show! This year proved more challenging as our kids wanted out of their strollers. Doesn't seem like an unreasonable request, however, they didn't just want out of thier strollers, they wanted to run wild, as if they were caged animals finally free from the constraints of their strollers. Being 8 months pregnant, wearing a coat several sizes too small and not really enjoying chasing our toddler through large crowds, we called it an early evening. The kids however had an absolute blast, loved being at the zoo past dark, running wild through crowds of people and seeing the zoo lit up in all it's glory. Next year...kiddie harnesses!

Parenting 101. . .

Here's a classic example for why you should never leave your 3 year old alone in the bathroom . . .



. . . your toddler may just have her own ideas about washing off her germs in the sink. . .

. . . apparently if you stand on or sit in the sink, your germs come off better! Good tip!

Winter Festivities

So, technically it's not officially Winter for a few more weeks, but you wouldn't know it around here. We have had our tree up for weeks (okay, all 3 trees up, yeah, I said it), have made several batches of our holiday chex mix, made quite the dent in our Christmas shopping, ordered our Christmas cards, and made our annual Gingerbread house. Kenzie and her cousin's even enjoyed an overnight at Grandma and Grandpa Buzzard's house this past weekend. They enjoyed a Christmas parade, cookie decorating, hide and seek, eating out, sleeping together (Kenzie and Kaylee)and a big, yummy breakfast! Here are some pictures from our last few weeks of fun!


Before. . .

Gingerbread Candy. . .

My Little Architect. . .

Carefully crafting the perfect Gingerbread house. . .

After. . .

So proud. . .

Posing in front of our Family Tree. . .

Kenzie's very own pink tree (I mean doesn't every little girl need her own?)

Okay, not going to lie, I kind of want my own. . .

Watching a movie at Grandma and Grandpa's (not from this past weekend, but the best I could do w/o being there :). . .

The 3 Musketeers. . .

Meeting My New Nephew

I mean, is there really anything better than a precious little baby in your arms? Owen, it's nice to finally meet you. If I wasn't down to the single weeks of my pregnancy, I would just move into your house and help your Mama out! Can't wait to give you a playmate in the next month or so! Love you, sweet boy!