the girls

Sisters are different flowers from the same garden. ~Author Unknown

Brad and I always say that the greatest gift we could ever give our girls is each other. They play, they giggle, they squabble, they cheer each other on, they are the sweetest things. What more could you ask for than a constant friend and playmate?

Bottle It Up

I included this picture in my Christmas post, but it needs a little more explanation. Mia made us all gifts on her own or she found things around the house and wrapped them. She gave Brad a golf ball and me some hand sanitizer. Hand written notes, including tattoos, were wrapped for all of us. She was SO PROUD of her gifts and so happy to give them to us. It was a blessing to see her so happy to give to others, instead of receive. Jillian was so happy with her gift that she ran over to her and said "I love you Mia!" I immediately thought, I wish I could bottle this moment up.

It made me think of a few things the girls used to do, but don't anymore. I wrote once about Jillian rubbing my ear, that has passed. Mia used to come in our room and sleep on the floor by our bed, that has passed. Jillian comes up to me and says "I love you Momma, I need a hug." and I am sure one day that will pass too. Mia calls out each night "Check on me in 4 minutes!" and one day that will pass. The neat thing about this blog is being able to look back and remember these moments!

I love you, Mia and Jillian!



Piano Recital

Mia recently played in her first piano recital and her song was Away in a Manger. She did a wonderful job and Brad and I were so proud of her! She seems to be really confident performing in front of crowds, which she did not get from her parents!

Little Saints

Jillian just wrapped up her first soccer season. She just wanted to "play on a field Mom!" We think she was more into it for the cardio workout than actually kicking the ball. We must work on some aggression, which comes easy at home, not on the field. :) Her coach called her their "skippiest, bounciest player."

A Little More Christmas.......

Lucas Family Ladies

Gingerbread Houses 2011

Ava and Jillian

Mia and Camryn

Grandpa Ron and the girls

Reuter Family

Belated December Fun

 Annual trip with cousins to see Santa.

 Goofiness...

 My Own Little Elf/Shopping Buddy Jillian

I was able to throw a few things in the cart with her not looking. :)

 Happy 1st Birthday to our Goddaughter Tessa!

Aren't Godmothers always good for a cute bow?

 Christmas Jammies....

 Mia's Christmas Party

Jillian's Christmas Program

Hopefully she reconnects with the little kid on her left in about 25 years. First of all he is adorable and look at his outfit!  Brad and I get the biggest kick out of him, he always greets Brad and Jilli each morning. When I dropped her off that night this little guy touched Jillian's arm and said "Jilli, I love your dress, you look so beautiful."

Our Christmas

 Santa brought Happy Nappers

 Roller Skates

and really surprised the girls by dressing up their dolls in new Christmas dresses. He even brought them a table set for the holidays! We think Buddy told him that Kit & Ruthie didn't have Christmas dresses. The girls didn't ask Santa for this and it completely stumped them. :)

We ate a lot, drank fancy drinks, watched movies, rode bikes,  and ate some more.

But the best gift of all was spending the day together.