Loveland Castle

 There is an all stone castle in Loveland Ohio. I went there in elementary school, and thought my girls would absolutely love it! It is small, but feels perfectly large to little kids! We drug all the family with us, and I think we all had a great time!

Christmas

 Christmas Eve was a great day with family. We spent the day at Granny's house. Nate and Amy came over for a few hours to play. Then the girls colored nativity sets from Aunt Val. Then set out their milk and cookies for Santa. Abby was very worried that Santa was going to drink her gatorade she was saving in the fridge. The first thing she did Christmas morning was check the fridge for it.

 The adults stayed up to play some games, and had a great time.

 Christmas morning the girls tore through their presents in no time at all. They were so excited about everything they opened. They got lots of disney barbies. We all were so blessed with everything we have, but mostly with each other.

Columbus Zoo With Kacie

My awesome friend all growing up Kacie, had a great idea to go to the Columbus Zoo with the girls over Christmas break. My girls adored Kacie! They had an amazing time seeing all the animals, and especially liked the statues all over the park. Kacie was great with the girls--her energy was contagious.

The manatee may have been my favorite! He was by far the fastest I have seen! The penguins were tons of fun too--they would follow your shoe around and try to get it.

After the Zoo we got UDF ice cream, which the girls loved of course, and went back to Kacie's house. Where Jeffery showed off his new hobby, building trains. The girls thought it was so cool. Then Jeffery pulled out the old barbie house, and my girls were in Heaven!! It was crazy to watch them play with barbies that I used to play with  at her place! I love my lifelong friends.

Headed to Ohio

 So we did it! With the insane amount of help from our friends, and the Davis family sticking around to let the movers finish up we got on the road to Ohio. My Dad flew down to help me drive. We drove all through the night and part of the morning to get there. It went surprisingly well! We got some much needed relaxation before Christmas day came.

Saying Goodbye to Texas

 A huge part of my heart will always be in Texas with the amazing people we have grown to love. We sold our beautiful house in Texas after it was only on the market for one full day. It was a huge relief to have that sold so I could just focus on packing, but it broke my heart to leave our first house. We made that cute little house ours! But to help me cope with leaving, I tried to hit a few Texas trade marks before we left. We stopped to use the bathroom at Buc-ee's! I can't get over a travel station that is so famous people wear the mascot on tshirts.

Then of course Blue Bell ice cream and Whataburger.

RSV Attacks Dec 10-14

 Poor Jane! She just can't seem to catch a break. I thought my poor girl had a cold, then we spent one crazy night with her having a hard time breathing. Jon of course was in New York working and I was home alone with the 3 kiddos. I went to the doctor the next morning to see what was going on. He sent us to get an RSV test and it came back positive. The next day we went back in for a checkup for Kate (on her 6th birthday) and the doctor sent us to the ICU. My amazing friends-who-feel-like-family in Texas had us taken care of. With just one phone call I had a place for both girls to spend the night. Thankfully Jon was able to hop a flight back home. He got to Texas right in time (10pm), the hospital staff was concerned that Jane wasn't responding well enough to the oxygen and were debating sending her to Houston. I felt like I was about to lose my mind with the stress of it all seeing my poor baby struggling to even take a breath, and then in walks my other half to save the day. Amazingly they decided to wait it out a little longer and she was able to get stable. Jon stayed the night the first night and I went home to sleep. It had been over 23 hours with no sleep for me, and I was barely able to drive home I was so beat. I felt so guilty that Jane was so sick, that I was missing Kate's birthday, and that I was abandoning Abby yet again. Mom's should be cloned so we can get everything done we need to!

 To make everything more stressful, this all happened the week before we were supposed to move. Jon and I were able to do a crazy schedule dance with alternating who stayed at the hospital and who was at home packing. We had lots of help from friends. One day a group of men came and packed/took apart furniture, Then 2 days I had a group of women helping me pack! Without their help we wouldn't have been ready to move when the movers got there. I'm not sure how I deserve such amazing people in my life.

Jane improved steadily, and after 4 days, was released. So far she has been able to keep herself healthy. So scary to watch your baby struggle.

Kate's 6th Birthday Survey

1. What is your favorite color? purple

 2. What is your favorite toy? my kindle!

3. What is your favorite fruit? peaches

  4. What is your favorite tv show? rescue bots

 5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? turkey and cheese and hot dogs

 6. What is your favorite outfit? unicorn shirt

  7. What is your favorite game? trouble

  8. What is your favorite snack? pretzels

 9. What is your favorite animal? hippos

 10. What is your favorite song? Dilly dilly (From Cinderella)

11. What is your favorite book? Llama llama red pajama

 12. Who is your best friend? Bella Daws

  13. What is your favorite cereal? Lucky Charms

  14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play basketball

  15. What is your favorite drink? milk water and orange juice

 16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

  17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? my hippo

 18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? pancakes

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? grilled cheese

 20. What do you want to be when you grow up? a mommy and a teacher