Happy Birthday Calla!

Yesterday we celebrated Calla's 3rd birthday with lots of family and a few friends! Papa Bryan, Grandma Julie, Uncle Shane and Burlynn came out early in the day so we could spend some time together before the weather set in and chased them all back home. The girls were crazy from the second Burlynn came in the house! We had a wonderful time playing and getting dressed up in princess attire for the party.
Everyone arrived for the party about the time that the snow started to fall. The pinata was a pull string and all of the strings broke and so Uncle Shane used the knife to open it, but the treasures were the same either way! HA! We enjoyed the pink and purple cupcakes and homemade vanilla ice cream. Calla received SO MANY cool things and is still trying to play with everything today. We are so thankful that we have so many amazing family members that live close and want to celebrate Calla's big day with us! It was a packed house, but we were able to promise more space next year since we will be moving to a much larger house! We did miss Grumpy Papa, Grandma Lorene, and Uncle Jeddy, but know that we will see them soon. Enjoy all of our exciting pictures!

Calla and her princess cupcakes!

Uncle Shane and two crazy girls!

Going after the pinata goodies!

Blowing out the candles!

A princess tea party!

Elly and Burlynn were so helpful with all of Calla's gifts!

Calla decided to make a panty bar with all 7 pair of Princess panties!

Calla's First Haircut

Calla's long, curly Taylor Swift hair was getting a bit snarly on the ends and so we got to go in for her first haircut! We went to my friend Brandi who of course did a great job. Calla talked nonstop about going for the 24 hours before and then when we got there she became very shy. She did sit up there very well and did everything she was asked to do. The end result was a nice trim to her crazy hair!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Party Preparation

Several weeks ago we started to prepare for Calla's 3rd Birthday Party! Calla decided that she wanted to have a Princess Pinata at her party. At her daycare they often have a pinata for their parties and so she decided that she needed one at her own party! :) We bought some large punching balloons and set out to work on this great creation. Calla had a WONDERFUL time helping out! It turned out so cute and apparently we sealed it too tightly, because Uncle Shane had to use the large butcher knife to cut it open at the party! OOPS!!

SOLD!!

House sold. Tough job. Seventeen days. Boxes. Big boxes. Lots of boxes. Trash bags too. Happy family. Packing ongoing. Lots of stuff. Who knew?!?! Birthday party first. Finish pinata. Buy gifts. Cleaning. Organizing. EXCITED!!!!!!

Baby!?!?

Nope! No babies here. Only an almost 3 year old who finally got to move to her big girl bed!

Snow Day Baking!

Calla and I got to spend two days home because of snow this week! We were bored the first morning and decided to make cupcakes with lots of color. Calla helped pour the ingredients into the bowl and also place the cupcake liners into the pan. They tasted great, and I think this will be the recipe we use for her birthday cupcakes that she has requested!

Putting the liners into the pan.

Messy face after licking the spatula!

Ready for the oven!

Working on cleaning out the bowls!

Have to get every last drop!

Our pink and purple cupcakes! They were fabulous...even without frosting!

Christmas Eve Program

Here is video of Calla's Sunday School class singing Away in a Manger at our Christmas Eve program on January 3rd! She is in the front with this black and pink dress.

Christmas Continued

Burlynn and Calla both received a Taylor Swift, singing, barbie doll from Grandma & Grandpa. We were only together for about 4 hours...thankfully...because it was Taylor in surround sound and usually offset by several seconds! Calla's is sounding a little run down and batteries will need to be replaced soon...if Wal-Mart isn't "out of them" for a few extra days! HA!

Christmas with the Family

We made it to Deshler on the 26th after a long drive in the crazy, blowing snow. We celebrated with Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Jeddy. Unfortunately we did not get to see Shane and Burlynn for very long due to the weather, but we plan on meeting them again soon! Here are a few pics of Calla being spoiled by being the only grandchild present! Uncle Jed went above and beyond and spoiled his nieces way more then he needed to, but I guess he is just wanting to be the favorite uncle with no children! HA!

A Few More of My Favorite Things

My favorite two year old, singing Away in a Manger!

Apple Cider and Mulling Spices!

Frosted and sprinkled sugar cookies!

My two year old with a vest and boots, in front of the tree, with a cheesy smile!

Cousins excited to see what gift the baby girl received!

A baby celebrating her First Christmas with a Grandma with excellent health!

A little girl so excited to play with the people that Santa brought to her house!

New Christmas Decorations!

Cousins celebrating their First Christmas Together!!!


Bless us Lord, this Christmas, with quietness of mind;
Teach us to be patient and always to be kind.

~ Helen Steiner Rice


I do not like that we can't make it to where we want to go today. I am thankful that tomorrow it should be better and we can make our way to see the rest of the family!


MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Away in a Manger--Calla Style

"Away in a Manger, no crib for a bed.
The little Lord Jesus, lay down his sleep head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lives.
The little lord Jesus sleeped in the hay."

A trip to the North Pole

Ok...so we probably did not go to the North Pole to visit the big, jolly man; however we did see him indeed! We took a visit to Central Avenue to his "dot house" and went inside. Calla had been talking about visiting since Friday afternoon when we visited to check out his hours.

When we arrived, I took off her coat and she walked right in, climbed up the steps, and sat on his lap. She told him she wants a pony. He admired her baby and then she told him that she wanted another baby and then he asked if she wanted clothes for her baby and she agreed! Then she told him that she needed a table. We have several tables, so we are not for sure why she thinks we need another! HA!

Hopefully your shopping is nearing an end, you have your goodies baked, gifts wrapped, parties attended, dresses bought, tree decorated, stockings hung, snow scooped, and still remember the reason for the Season.





Luke 2:11-14
Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah. This will be a sign to you: you will find the baby wrapped in clothes lying in a manger.
Suddenly a company of the Heavenly Host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest Heaven, and on Earth Peace, Goodwill to men."