Hot and Cold

Last weekend the weather was beautiful...75 degrees. We felt like we got a little glimpse of spring and took advantage of it and went to the zoo.

This weekend it snowed! We loved playing in it but were glad it only lasted one day.

Christmas Festivities

We had a wonderful Christmas vacaction in Guatemala that lasted 9 amazing days. We loved seeing Nana and Pop and getting a real cultural experience. Two of Bens sisters and their families also came which meant for a full house...but I say, the more the merrier!

We arrived late Wednesday night. The girls did wonderful on the flight (I can't believe it's only 3 hours). The next day we went to an Amusement Park and Zoo.

Thursday we had another fun filled day in Antigua where we (minus the pregos) went zip lining, shopping, had lunch at Posada de Don Rodrigo, and enjoyed walking around the city.

Friday we went to an orphanage and played games, brought them lunch, did a pinata, held them, and wished we could take them home. I was amazed at how well we all interacted with them even though there was a language barrier. The kids broke open a pinata as it is a Guatemalan tradion and we played some games outside. That night we had a light dinner, Santa came for a visit, talent show, and did the nativity play. Gracie was very upset that she was not Mary, but the Inn Keeper. She said she did NOT want to be the Inn Keeper because he was a boy and she's a Gracie Girl. Poor girl had a rough Christmas Eve after that went down. That night the adults did a dance off on Wii which was pretty hilarious. Christmas Eve at Mid-night was one of the most crazy things I've every experienced. It sounded like we were in the middle of war with bombs going off. Outside in the sky from top to bottom, 360 degrees, around were millions of fireworks. People set them off like crazy and good ones too. It was like Disneyland firework times a million...it was very pretty but loud and abnoxious.
Christmas day was low key and relaxing. It's always magical Christmas morning with lots of children who were all on Santas good list (I'm pretty sure Gracie was).

Sunday after church we headed for Irtra (3 hours away) where we stayed for 2 nights in a beautiful resort that had peacocks walking around everywhere, tropical birds, and 3 luxury pools w/slides. They were perfect accomodations for our large group. The next two days we spent at a wonderful water park across the street The kids loved it!

Tuesday we drove another 3 hours to Lake Atitlan. This place is beautiful! We all dressed in the traditonal indian wear and took pictures. The hotel we stayed at had breath taking views. We took a boat across the lake the next day to a small village where we went shopping in the markets, drove in Tuktuk cars, and enjoyed all the diversity.

Wednesday was the 3 hour drive back to Guatemala City. We were sad to pack our bags for the flight the next morning. It was a fun filled trip that we will always treasure! Thanks Nana and Pop!
Here is a little video with more pictures (it was easier to do the pictures this way).

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy 4th Birthday

Our sweet Gracie Girl was loving every minute of her big day today.

This birthday bear sings a really cute song and has been continuously singing all week.

We began the morning with presents (since Ben is out of town and Abby was still asleep I gave in and figured she could have them all day to play with)

I told her I'd make her anything she wanted for breakfast, and I'm not surprised her request was doughnuts...made it easy on me.

We went to music makers at church where they sang happy birthday which she loved

I surprised Gracie by taking her and a friend to see Rapunzel

We finished off the night with another party at a friends house which Grace thought was thrown all for her (nice and easy for me).

She's been looking forward to turning 4 for a while, and we are excited and anxious to see what this new year will bring for our Gracie Girl. Happy 4th Birthday Grace. We love you!!!

(This was Sunday at church...she was so excited to be in Sunbeams!)

He's a Lady's Man

Not only is Ben one brave man but he is caring, sensitive, patient, and the perfect Daddy to 3 daughters. We were thrilled to find out that we will be having another sweet baby Girl! Because Ben has been around women his whole life... (4 sisters, no brothers, and now 3 daughters) I've decided he is the perfect "Lady's Man". You really know how to deal with girls when you've lived with 8 (almost 9) throughout your life. This is going to be one lucky baby. This new little girl will fit in Perfectly!!! We can't wait to meet HER!!!

Sneak Peak

Preschool Program

Went from this...

to this...

I Knew this would happen. All week long Gracie was so excited to perform her Christmas songs for us. She practiced the words and the movements and couldn't wait to show us. Although, she also kept asking all week, "What if I have to go potty while I'm up there?" I told her she would be fine and we'd go before. "But what if I really have to go again?" So, the night of the performance we went potty right before we left and I asked her again if she had to go before she went on stage.

You can guess what happened. Of course, during the middle of one of the songs she starts crying loudly and saying she has to go potty. After pulling her off stage and talking to her (to find she actually realized she doesn't have to go) she was all smiles. That little stinker had her own little solo performance planned all along!

Gingerbread Party

Gracie's playgroup did an awesome Christmas party this year for the kids based all around gingerbread. They read the story, went on a scavenger hunt, made gingerbread houses and place mats, had a gift exchange, and enjoyed some yummy good food. Ms. Bridgett had it at her house and did a wonderful job. We've been meeting with these girls weekly since Gracie was Abby's age. We all met way back at the library or music makers, formed our own group, and have been meeting ever since. I've loved the time with all the Mom's and the kids have loved growing up together.

Grace thought this was the best party until this...luckily after about 10 minutes she decided she did like her gift. Poor girl who gave it to her and saw her cry after opening it.

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

Or should I say it's Been looking a lot like Christmas. We've had our decorations up since a week before Thanksgiving. We were really excited this year and since Ben had the time off we took advantage of him being around.

Tonight the girls and I made and decorated a graham-cracker house. It was a lot of fun and reminded me that I haven't blogged about Christmas time yet.

I must brag about this 8 ft. tree I got this summer from a yard sale for only $10. It's so much better than our 5 ft. one we use to have.

This is a tradition that Nana gave us many years ago that my kids love. Every morning in Dec. they take turns opening a present until Christmas (or in our case this year...until we visit Nana and Pop in Guatemala).

A new tradition that Grandma sent us was an "Elf on the Shelf". It has been working wonders and the girls love finding "Flash" every morning (the name chosen completely by Gracie).