Happy Birthday Lucy Marie!

Our sweet baby girl turned 2 years old today, and the party was fit for a princess. Lucy loves breakfast, so we decided to celebrate over her favorite food. Some of the gifts included a new baby doll with a wardrobe of homemade clothes (thanks Mamaw and Papaw!), a highchair (thanks Grammie and Papa!), a fairy costume (thanks Aunt Carissa and Uncle Cory), and her gift from us....a kitchen with all the trimmings! I made her a strawberry lemon princess cake, which she loved. Especially because the toppers are actual toys, double bonus :) We are so blessed to have this little girl, in all her sweetness and charm. She is truly a gift from God, born fittingly on the Feast of St. Lucy at 9:50 pm on this day. She has enriched our lives in so many ways.

Evansville Courier and Press West Side

Grandma Bretz took the kids out for a very fun morning last Saturday in New Harmony for Breakfast with Santa and the parade. The kids have told us repeatedly about the big tractors in the parade, the carriage ride they took, and of course visiting with Santa. Apparently a few people thought Patrick was pretty photogentic...he made both the Posey County News and the Evansville Courier and Press.

Cookie time!!

We invited our good friends, Axton and Addy Gamblin, over to decorate Christmas cookies today. After lunch, the kids got right to work. Icing and sprinkles were plentiful on the treats that were made. Yummy!! We briefly had all four kids in the bath after the decorating was done, which was comical. A tradition we would like to continue for years down the road....but this might be the last year for the community clean-up!

Christmas time is here...

We created a new tradition this year, picking out and cutting down our tree at a farm just down the road from us. This farm is one we pass almost daily, and the kids and I always wave at the rows and rows of growing evergreens. So we tried it...and it was a blast! We spent about 30 mins finding the "perfect tree" and the kids enjoyed watching the owner buzz it down and shake off all the needles. We think it might be the best tree we have ever had! All of our Christmas decorations are up, including the New England village and Brian even put lights on the outside of the house for the first year. The kids and I have baked batches and batches of Christmas goodies for giving. Here is a picture of the kids in their Christmas jammies -- Lucy is wearing the ones that Patrick wore the year she was born :)