andie - 18 months.

All about Andie today. :)

Just before Christmas, this little angel turned 18 months.  A year and a half already.

Andie Ainsley, you are the most peaceful child.  Your calmness transfers to others around you.  You are a little ball of light.  Quinn would call you JOY from Inside Out. You are just the sweetest thing, and boy do we LOVE you to the moon and back a billion times over.
You give the best little snuggles.  Just before bed is one of my favorite times of the day because your snuggles are extra snuggly.  Lately, I have given that up for your sister though, who insists on rocking you to sleep before bed...and it makes our hearts melt.  You snuggle with Quinn and she rocks you.
Oh, how you love your big sister, and how she loves you.  And now the two of you play together.
It's fun to see you get a little upset sometimes, because it is a rarity.
We love every single little part of you.

Andie at 18 months.
34 inches tall 90%
27 pounds 90%
Walking and Running. (started walking/taking off at 16 months)
Lady of few words (about 4 words right now - Mickey, mama, up, ball)
Sleeps 7pm - 7:30am
Naps about 2 hours
Eats just about everything, such a good eater.
Favorites - any fruit or veggie pouch, scrambled eggs, hot dogs, chicken, cheese, rice, mac&cheese,       pancakes  - begs for m&m's
She is very good about brushing her teeth.
LOVES to DANCE!!!
Still loves to suck on her shirt - but it's not really sucking she is barely touching her shirt really.  She just pulls it close and makes a sucking sound with her mouth, tongue close to her teeth.  She has always done this.  Reminds me of kitties pulled from their mommies milk too soon - I nursed the girl exclusively for 13 months, don't think that's the case!  Andie did cut me off cold turkey at 13 months.  Glad she was the one that made the decision and not me.
Very attached to her animals especially Greyson Bear and Rocky the Raccoon, and blankey that she must always sleep with(all of them).  Foxy the fox just joined the crew too.
The cutest thing ever - when she gives the neckline of her shirt to her animals.  Such a compassionate little soul.
Andie is extremely patient and gentle.  She is very careful when playing with her toys.  She could sort, and sort, and sort all day long.  She loves to set up her little people so they are standing - and facing her!  She is so careful not to knock any over.

Now, an overload of Andie. :)

the serious furrowed brow look.

her besties.

Our sweet lovely little lady. XOXO.

brown-eyed doll.

It's been a really nice month balanced out with loads of Christmas festivities and family time, and then January arrives and we enjoy the sweet calm and hibernation that the month brings.  The month of January is snuggled with my kiddos and hubby in blankets, with cups of hot tea and cocoa, books in our laps, movies on the TV, and lots of love.  January is a gift of a month, that's how I consider it.  A gift of an open calendar and cold air to keep us home together... I absolutely love it.

We snuggle this little brown-eyed doll baby as much as we possibly can. :)

Oh how delicious she is.

It's picture day here in our house!

Followed by hopefully some opportunity this coming week to catch up the blog in all the things happening the last month.

Happy Friday.

family pictures.

The second title for this post is "our baby loves a camera tripod". :)

Since our Christmas cards have been out for a little while now, I figured we could go ahead and post a few of the family pictures we took recently.

This was us on a November Sunday evening, a tripod set up for the camera, and in the field in our backyard.  We stuck with a black and white clothing theme, with the gorgeous gold fields behind us.
We got lucky and captured what we wanted in just 10 minutes, and then figured we were all dressed nice we should go out to eat.

the fall 2015.

This morning we had the most perfect picturesque snowfall ever.  The trees were frosted and looked painted. Roofs and grass were covered.  And not a single drop of snow was on a driveway, road or sidewalk.  Perfect.  It was gorgeous and no one needed to shovel.  I would like to order this every single day for December and January please - it was beautiful.

Snow is definitely a sign that Fall is over.  I wanted to post a little compilation video of some of our Fall happenings.  We love Fall around here.  Pumpkin farms, apple donuts, apple cider slushies (and now someone else in our family loves them too and steals mine!), decorating pumpkins, costumes, playing in leaves.... on and on.

Turn up the volume - enjoy.

winter wonderland.

I have discovered that if you hang your Christmas decorations early you are far more prepared if you get an early snowfall. :)
It's actually true.  In our house that has been decorated for Christmas for a little while, the snowfall just added right to it.  And when you have a four year old in your house, it's hard not to be excited about snow!  It is beautiful and white and lights up the world - and our house. :)  Somehow I forget each year how pretty it is when snow lights up the night sky.

So snow - somehow I fall a little more in love with it each year.  Now, I fall into the category that doesn't have to drive in it everyday, and I'm officially 5 years removed from the drive to work in it mode.  From our cozy house it is always pretty and white and looks freshly fallen.  And I truthfully love an excuse for a little hibernation.  Snuggled with my family, a blanket, cat on my lap and a cup of hot cocoa in my cozy warm clothes is welcomed each year.  I just like the transition and new things each season brings.

Today Quinn dove right into the snow!

Every time I see of picture of her lately, I just let out a big sigh in disbelief that she is this big.
Wasn't she just this little snow baby?

Andie will be wearing that snowsuit this winter.
Why does time go so quickly?!

Well that little girl just brought home a stellar progress report from school.  More important than all the plus marks was that "Quinn is a good friend to all."  Our hearts are so happy.
Quinn is an amazing little girl.  We love watching her grow and this year in dance she is really blossoming - it's amazing to see.  She is pretty excited about her upcoming dance recital!  She has also officially passed mommy in our sign language learning.

November has not been a good blogging month - but I intend to get a Fall Video post and Andie post up soon.  Now that I think we can consider Fall to be over, and Andie is a big walking everywhere 17 months now!

If it doesn't happen before Thursday - HAPPY THANKSGIVING to everyone!
We are so very grateful for all the love in our lives - from all of you.

halloween 2015.

We had a wonderful couple weeks full of Halloween festivities.  And I must admit the girls costume combo this year is a favorite for sure. :)

The Big Bad Wolf chasing little Red Riding Hood - OR just trying to take her furry hat off ;).

Our town has a fall Pumpkin Festival - and it's a big deal around here - we all love it!  The kids even get a day off of school for it. :)  It's classic small town cuteness.  The fact that we chose a town that has a fall festival as opposed to a hot summer festival is absolute perfection.

Each year everyone decorates pumpkins that fill the courthouse lawn for a contest.  This year Quinn chose PJ Masks (a new Disney show) - which meant 3 pumpkins!  Here she is with her 3 pumpkins.  (the ones in front of her - not the ones behind her :))

So one of the cons to some of the time surrounding Halloween was that Todd hurt is back.  Fortunately he is on the mend and doing much better, and thankfully it was kind of between festivities.  In between taking care of Daddy, Quinn and I would sneak away each day during Andie's long afternoon nap for Pumpkinfest festivities - craft shows, carnivals, parade, pumpkins...etc.

One of the benefits of Pumpkinfest is that by the time Halloween gets here the pressure is off, not great weather - no big deal- the girls have already been trick or treating downtown and worn their costumes on several occasions.  And that seems to be how it works most years - beautiful weather for pumpkinfest, chilly and rainy for Halloween.  Fortunately Halloween night wasn't too bad this year so we did go trick or treating with the girls and they loved it!

 I mean...so stinkin cute!

Costume info:  Quinn's awesome little red riding hood attire is off of Amazon, and Andie's little Wolf is from Pottery Barn.

 That is Quinn acting scared of the Big ferocious wolf - or maybe singing on Broadway? :)

Quinn also enjoyed a Halloween party at school with a cute costume parade and a Halloween sing.  It was so cute!  Grandma and Grandpa from Florida were in for a few days and were able to catch the cuteness.

A wonderful October full of pumpkins, parties, festival festivities, many trips to pumpkin farms, apple donuts and apple cider slushies, adorable costumes and beautiful weather.