Disney on Ice

We went to Disney on Ice over the weekend.  Ella and I went with a couple of her preschool friends and their moms.  We had the best time!  When we got the tickets, we splurged and got great seats.  It was SO worth it!  The girls could all see everything perfectly.  We were only 3 rows up from the rink and it was so awesome! 

My little Cinderella ready for the show!

Friends!

Awesome seats!

Ella and Ella

"Cheese!"

The Ella's again!

Addy, Emmy (Addy's sister), Ella, and Ella

Ella and mommy

Ella and her $15 snow cone (yeah, that's not a joke)

What a fun evening!  I love that we have found such great friends in Ella's class this year.  Addy, Ella, and Ella will all be in the same class again next year too.  How exciting!

Our two little two year olds!

Since our girls turned two, I have been dreading taking their photos.  I have said before and I'll say it again, that my own kids are thee toughest subjects to get good photographs of!  Kids always listen better for other adults and moms play a big part in getting good photos, so me trying to be the mom and photographer is not easy, to say the least.  One morning last week while Ella was at school I decided to conquer the task and get it done with.  No, I did not get an exceptional happy, smiley photos of my wild and crazy girls.  But, I did capture their sweet (rotten) personalities and now have some photos of them that will always remind me just who they are at this age.

The girls are so, so, so CUTE and funny lately.  They have conversations with each other all the time.  I don't know what they are saying (except for a few words here and there) but they talk and respond to each other as if they know exactly what the other is saying.  They hug each other, kiss each other (see below), and of course tease each other all the time.  Having twins at this age is really like nothing I would've ever imagined.  I feel that they share a bond like no other.  They are just so amazing and I love them to pieces.  Enjoy these photos of our two sweet, and ornery, two year olds!    *Note* Hailee in the blue and Hannah in the pink.

Keeping up with our resolutions!

Well, as of this week I think I am doing pretty good keeping up with my 2013 resolutions.  This week, I took little Hannah grocery shopping ALONE!  It was the perfect opportunity, as Ella was up in her room playing and H&H had just woke up from their nap.  So, I snatched Hannah and got her ready to go.  Of course we left with a screaming Hailee chasing after us with her shoes :(  Hannah and I had a good time at the store!  I talked to her the whole time, we "played" in the cart a little, and she even got a little treat at the end of our trip.  I think she enjoyed our time together.  I plan to take Hailee out to do something alone one day next week.

Holding on to the list and her book.  She loves helping mommy!

Fun shopping trip!

Another resolution that we made a reality this week is:  we booked our trip to Disney!  We will not be going until September and we will be gone over Ella's birthday.  Paul and I are SO excited!  We can start booking character meals and fun things in about a month (has to be 180 days before the trip).  We are staying at the Art of Animation Resort and it looks like so much fun!  We will be in a Finding Nemo Family Suite.  The pool looks amazing too!  I have a long time to look forward to this vacation, but am excited to plan everything as time goes by!

My other resolutions have been going good too.  I have not been running, but this weather has been awful.  I did do a cleanse a couple weeks ago and have lost 10+ lbs since that started.  Once the weather gets a bit nicer, I will definitely be outside walking and running a lot!  My photography business is going well also!  I have many more sessions in the next couple months than I did last winter.  Winter is generally the slowest time for me since I don't have a home studio but I have been booking newborns, little kids, and even some families that want outdoor photos regardless of the weather. Hey, I'll take it!  The only resolution we haven't even come close to conquering is the paci-free one.  Eh, and to tell the truth, I really don't care!  Ha!

Have a good weekend friends!

Valentine's Day full of love!

We have been celebrating Valentine's Day all week!  I feel like all I have done is made cupcakes, signed Valentines, prepared for parties, made more cupcakes, and signed more Valentines! 

On Wednesday was Ella's preschool Valentine's party.  I had the opportunity to be the party helper in her class!  Ella was so excited to have mom come in to her class and help out.  I was pretty excited too.  I helped each child pass out their Valentines in all of their classmate's little bags.  All of the kids were super cute and so proud of the Valentines they had brought for others.  I also liked being in the class to watch Ella play with others.  I have been dying to be a "fly on the wall" ever since she started school this year.  Ella did not surprise me at all..she played with dolls, with her other girl friends, and listened well to the teachers.  What a fun morning we had!

Today we had another Valentine party with friends.  The kids all did crafts, ate Valentine treats, and had fun playing!  Tomorrow morning we have yet another Valentine party with more friends.  Both of these parties include all of the kids, Hailee and Hannah too, so I am happy they get in on the fun also!  I'm pretty sure I am sick of sweets and treats, but I don't know that my kids could ever be!

This weekend Paul and I will have some time alone, with no children.  We are looking forward to sleeping in, relaxing, and spending time together.  I feel like in the life of a family with 3 young children, or 3 children of any age for that matter, it is sometimes difficult to find time for one another.  Thankfully, I have parents whom are more than willing to spend some extra time with their little granddaughters to give Paul and I some much needed gain-our-sanity-back time.  We are very much looking forward to this weekend!

I picked up a couple small things for the girls for Valentine's Day.  They each got a little Minnie Mouse and a couple books.  They loved opening their little gifts early this morning.

Fun in Daddy and Mommy's bed!

Enjoying some cupcakes at one of the little parties we attended.

Then they woke up from naps and had a package with little presents from Grandpa and Gammy!  How fun!

What a fun day!

Happy Valentine's Day to all of our friends reading!  We hope you had a day full of LOVE!

The big 3-0 celebration!

I turned 30 this past week.  Well, two Fridays ago now on February 1st.  My dear husband was out of town for work, so a friend planned a girl's night out for my milestone celebration.  I was SO happy to have something fun planned.  I am not a huge birthday celebrator, unless of course, it's for my kids.  But with Paul being gone, I was happy to not be sitting at home feeling sorry for myself!

Paul did plan and purchase a limo rental for the evening.  That was super nice and thoughtful of him.  I'm sure it had part to do with him feeling so bad that he would be gone.  We had the limo pick us up and take us to the new Columbus casino for dinner and fun.  I had such a great time with friends!  I am so thankful for everyone that came and to celebrate with me.  I love my friends and am so blessed to have them! 

My girls and I before we went out.  My mom came down to stay with them while I was gone.  I'm sure they had fun with her, as they always do!

All of us in front of the limo!  How fun!

My friend Kristen, the party planner :)  Pregnant party planner at that (what a trooper, huh?)

My friends Bethany and Kelly.  These are girls that I have been friends with for 15 years now.  Love them!

Misty, me, and Ashley!  Thanks Ash, as I got this photo from your blog ;)

More friends!  What a fun evening!