Jacob's school!

When Jolie and Genevieve were little I used to do TONS of projects with them. We had story time and quiet play time. We art and music and tons of walks. Then we moved up here to the real world. Brett worked full time and I helped in the preschool a few days a week. So Jillian had all of those things done for her at the pre school. So I kinda fell out of the routine. Jacob says bye to his big sisters everyday and wishes so bad he could go to school. So today Jacob and I started Jacob's school. We started simple with getting an old shirt of daddy's and got some paint out. He was sooo happy.

Giselle of course did not want to miss any of the fun so she got a spot right in front.

Mostly she liked snack time. Jacob is concentrating so hard.

We started with the letter A. and the number 3. He is turning 3 in March so I figured that would be a good one to start with. He sings his ABC's all the time but I haven't really focused on individual letters. He kept telling me my A was a house...was it him or me..I think my art skills need some work :)

He loved his school and I loved his patience and willingness to learn. If only he would stop growing so fast.

Here she comes...MISS AMERICA!!

I seriously have the funnest friends. I mean really, who doesn't love getting dressed up in silly party attire and go to a Miss America party. I DO!!! It was a blast. My friend invited TONS of people. All 50 states were represented and a former Miss America...yes there really was OVER 50 people there. She was awesome and had a running list of all the states so no one was the same state.
I was lucky to get Michigan. Now we had a choice of either dressing up in evening gown, swimsuit or state representation. Since swimsuit was out, and who has an evening gown, and I wasn't about to wear a tire..I decided for sure Madonna represented Detroit. So I went old school and did the 80's Madonna.

I had so much fun getting this outfit together..probably too much fun. I borrowed my friends crimper...surprisingly only took me about 45 minutes to crimp my whole head. Then found the rest of the stuff at Claire's and hot topic. Metallic tights..who would've thought? :)

Once we got there she made sashes for all of us to wear...our state was written on it. Alex is Miss North Dakota..Brett tried to get her to do a Paul Bunyan theme but she wasn't up for it hahahaWhen you enter the house, you walk the red carpet and she had fun signs with lights..so fun.

My awesome friend Cathy was Miss New Jersey and runner up to best hair. She did that herself and no nothing is holding up..just good ole hairspray and teasing. I was too late for all the voting but she had ballots for Best hair, best dress, miss congeniality, best state rep, best swimsuit.

We brought either an appetizer or a dessert. There was so much yumminess. Miss Vermont brought a bunch of the tiny Ben and Jerry ice creams..oh cool is that. We watched the Miss America contest and you weren't allowed to eat until the state you were representing was eliminated. I was out right away. Each level they took a picture of the top 15 and 10 to the winner. It was a great idea and a great party...Can't wait for next year!!!!!!

It's the little moments!

I love those times when you look over and "catch" your child just being sweet. Jacob was having a hard day...for one reason or another. He really wanted some attention and Brett and I both had a lot going on. Jillian noticed and asked if she could read him a story. She got out a truck book and started reading to him. He sat so quietly and she read to him many times.

All of our children have fallen asleep while eating or playing at some point. Giselle hadn't done it yet and I thought maybe this time it wont happen. NOPE, she was eating lunch and just couldn't handle it any longer. She was soo cute trying so hard to keep her eyes open. The girls thought it was SO funny.

Genevieve likes to try new things all the time. She really wanted to take a picture with the camera. So I thought ok, go ahead give it a try. I thought she did a good job. She stood on the coffee table because she said I was too tall for her to be on the ground.

It's these little moments that I need to better about writing down and saving. For I know I wont remember all the details just the feelings of how blessed I am.

Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve is such a magical time. Not only for the child but for the parents as well. The shopping is usually all done..wrapping not so much but the time with the family is just beginning. We had a wonderful day together Brett and I and the kids. Sometimes just being together is just what you need. That night we went over to Grandma and Grandpa Fox's for dinner and fun with family. After dinner we sat down and heard a story that Grandma Fox tells the children every year. It's so nice that they are getting older and can sit and really enjoy it. Jacob was enjoying the story as long as he had a car with him.

Giselle enjoyed the story mostly from Grandpa's lap...hey there he is!

After the story Aunt Nichole and Uncle Erik rounded all the grandkids up and put on the Nativity. So cute to see them all dressed up. Jacob was a shepard and he carried my Grandpa Jacksons cane that he made for Brett years ago. Jacob felt very important carrying that stick. Genna was an angel and had the only speaking part. She tried very hard to memorize it and did a wonderful job. Jillian played 3 wise men and bore gifts. Jolie was Mary, the mother of our Lord. Jolie is a very loving and caring thoughtful daughter of our Heavenly Father so it was a great fit.

Afterwards everyone opened up Christmas jammies. Don't they all look SO cute. Cousins James and Johnathon have them too, but they came a few days later.

Giselle loved watching the train go around the tree. We have one at our house too, but Jacob takes over that train.

Santa Claus came and suprised the kids with a visit. Giselle did NOT appreciate the sacrifice of him coming and wearing that hot suit. Hopefully next year she will like it better.

We then went home and put cookies out for Santa. Along with a letter and Milk. Giselle was sampling the cookies. They were sooo excited to go to bed. They were so good too.

Giselle is tasting a cookie to make sure Santa will like it...Brett tucked her pants into her shirt. She didn't care that she looked silly! :)

All done and ready for bed. How I wish they would stay this little and sweet. I know that time keeps marching on and that soon they wont be as excited. For now I am going to keep all these wonderful memories and cherish them for I know it goes way too fast!

Giselle Turns the big O N E!!!!

Giselle turned one on Dec. 22nd. This year FLEW by. I can not believe she is already 1. She is such a fun, loving, easy going...unless she wants something to eat then she screams. Wonderful daughter. She is definitely my go to anyone girl. She took her first steps at 10 1/2 months but really started walking about a month later. Now she is already trying to run. She has Jacob leading the way. We had a small birthday cake on her birthday but we didn't have our camera so we didn't get any pictures. A few days later when all of Brett's siblings were in town we went over to his parents house and did a breakfast birthday!

We did monkey bread, which was perfect for our little monkey girl. She loves music and everyone singing to her makes her very happy. She had no interest in blowing out the candle but hey that's what siblings are for, right? Look at that smile, so happy!

Waiting for some of that monkey bread. She has no issues with food...EXCEPT she isn't very patient for it. She screams LOUD if you don't give her a bite right away. For some reason she thinks that's the only way to get noticed. Luckily though she will eat anything you give her.

Mommy with her baby girl who is growing up way too fast. She looks too little to be one but acts more like she is 2. She loves being with her sisters and brother. She loves books and music. She has a favorite blanket and will put her head down on it everytime you give it to her. She LOVES my phone and daddys phone and really any phone for that matter.

Giselle has Daddy wrapped around her little finger. She gives great kisses and is even starting to give hugs. She says Dadada. she says mama too but dada way more. Giselle thank you for coming to our family and making it even more fun in our house. We love you so much and feel very blessed and humbled to be your mom and dad!

NYC at Christmas time!

I was lucky enough to go to New York City for the 1st time ever at Christmas time AND with my 3 oldest daughters. We got up super early and headed to D.C. to take a train to New York. The girls were so excited and loved every minute of the train ride...Jillian asked the conductor to punch her ticket like Tom Hanks on Polar Express...she laughed and punched a bunch of holes but it didn't say anything. I bundled the girls up like little eskimos, thank goodness since it was pretty windy in certain spots. This picture was taken inside Radio City Music Hall. We saw the Rockettes. The show was incredible. The only thing was Jillian had walked A LOT by that part and we had been up since 4:30 in the morning so once we sat down in our comfy warm chairs and the lights went out...she went out. Slept through almost the whole thing.

Here we all are in front of Radio City Music Hall...you can see we are pretty bundled up. I was going to bring my big fancy camera but Nichole offered to take pictures with her smaller camera. Thank goodness because I had a back pack already full and at the end I had to carry Jillian. Thank you Nichole!

Nichole and I in front of the Giant Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Plaza. This is where I watched the amazing Salvation Army ringers...they know how to work it. WOW! They all have microphones and music and really get into it. I really wanted to go ice skating but the line was HUGE and the price was wayyy too pricey! Oh well...sometime not a week before Christmas.

Grandma Fox treated the girls to their very own American girl Doll. This store is huge and has everything an american girl doll could hope for. The girls LOVE their dolls and take them everywhere with them. Thank You Grandma!

I'm sure most of you know I am a little bit of a chocolate lover...so of course the Hershey store is a must stop. The girls loved it too....So many choices! mmmmm!

One of the first places we stopped at was Macy's. The largest one in the world i'm sure. We went to the 8th floor to mail a letter to Santa. I've never seen such a busy store before. The windows outside are absolutely amazing. They change every year and this year it was the story of a little girl named Virginia..how perfect for my girls huh?

We had such an amazing time and loved every minute of it. We got Pizza from John's and a vendor Hot Dog. Hot chocolate by the NBC building. Saw the Empire State building lit up. Stood in the middle of Times Square and heard more honking that was neccessary. Saw a man holding a sign saying he needed money to buy weed...at least he was honest right? What an experience. I am so glad my 3 daughters were there with me. Next time, I can't wait to go with Brett!!!

THANKSgiving!

Giselle had her first thanksgiving feast and boy can that girl feast. She loved EVERYTHING!

All the sweet kiddos. We had our friend Lori and her 4 fun and great kids join us. My parents came down from Michigan too!

More super cute kids!!

Jacob loved the Vernors grandma brought from Michigan..he couldn't bear the thought of the spilled soda going to waste!

Brett carving his first turkey!! He did a great job. We are so blessed to have so many blessings and privledges in this life. First of all the blessing to choose what where we worship. Without this one freedom all others would fall to the side. With this freedom I was able to marry my true love for all time and eternity and with that union has now come 5 beautiful children. I can't wait to see the amazing blessings that are yet to come..until then I will forever be grateful and THANKFUL for all the ones I have now!

Every time we have a baby that has their first thanksgiving we take a picture of the turkey in front of the baby...hahahaha the turkey was SO big it covered her up..or maybe she is so little!

Now you can see her! chewing on her favorite carrot!