"Snow" February 2015

 We got a little bit of snow, but mostly ice in February.  The girls enjoyed the "snow day" playing outside with daddy.  There were big sheets of ice on the roads and driveways.  Mommy did not chase them so she didn't fall on her butt!  Daddy got to enjoy that!  I think Jocelyn would have stayed out there in shorts if we'd let her.

By the time we finally went inside, the girls were bright red and soaked.  They enjoyed snow tubing down the driveway, and throwing snowballs at dad.  I love listening to their laughter as they run around and play! 

Big Girls Room Gets a Makeover 2014

Since Santa brought us new bunk beds and paint swatches, we had to do something about it.  The girls asked Santa for bunk beds, which was great because we were going to have to move the two big girls into the same room in the spring when baby #3 comes along.  Mommy (sadly) had daddy paint over the Pooh Bear mural in Daphne's old room, put a new color of paint on the walls, and put together that big girl room.  Both girls were so excited about this process.  Daphne picked out "Tropical Bloom" which is the orange pink color, while Jocelyn picked out the purple color for the doors. 

 Daphne helping daddy with building the bunk bed.

 Daphne got to sneak up to the top bunk before they were completely finished because she helped so much.

The two girls in their new bunk beds.  Daphne does really well sleeping on the top bunk.  Now if only we can get Jocelyn to fall asleep in her bed, we'd be doing great!  She'll sleep in it once she's asleep, but its been a struggle getting her to fall asleep in it.  We think it will get better once she is finished with her urology medicine and she is adjusted to the idea of a new baby in the house.  Mommy is hoping so anyway!

Christmas 2014

 Christmas this year was very different...and difficult.  I took the girls to the doctor on Christmas Eve because they didn't seem to feel good and I didn't want to wait for several days and it get worse.  We all know how my kids immune systems can be.  Anyway, it was a good thing I did because they both had the flu.  We were quarantined away from everyone the whole Christmas.  It was both a good and a bad thing.  The good thing was we had a quiet Christmas at home, watching movies, putting legos together, and just enjoying each other's company.  On Christmas Eve evening, we went to Shannon's house in shifts. Brian and Lauren went first and spent time with Shannon and my parents.  Then we came to hang out for a bit.  The girls honestly slept most of the evening there.  We took them home to get ready for Santa.  They were excited, but too sick to really cause a lot of fuss.  On Christmas morning, the girls got up to see what Santa brought them!  Jocelyn was in good spirits, but poor Daphne was feeling really bad.  She opened her first two presents, and didn't even care to look at them.  She laid on the couch with her daddy and went back to sleep for another few hours.  This was after both of them had slept until after 9! (which NEVER happens in our house, no matter how late we put them to bed)

 Lily and the little girls enjoying a relaxing movie

 Santa came!  Jocelyn was so excited!

 Daphne and her attempt at a smile.  She was trying so hard to enjoy her Christmas, but she felt absolutely terrible. 

 Someone was super excited about Spiderman Legos!

 Santa brought a new sheet set for the girls!

 Daphne sleeping on daddy before she opened her presents

 Jocelyn was so excited that she got her bunk bed she wanted from Santa!

 Jocelyn and her new ornament her sister gave her.

 Once we got some tylenol in us, her spirits seemed to increase enough to want to open presents.

 Two very happy girls!

 Presents from each other

 Daddy got a new Keurig machine from the girls.  Daddy was very surprised and happy.  He's wanted one for years and the girls thought he would like it.  They had a hard time choosing between the coffee machine or "Benny's Spaceship" lego set.  It was cute listening to them decide which would be better.

Daphne found the magic pickle in the tree!

After we opened presents, we had lunch at our house and played with our new toys.  We finally went to mom and dads that evening to open presents from their house.  We didn't get to go to Mamaw's house because of the girls being sick.  I think it was honestly the best way for us (me) to go, as we missed everyone being really sad about Pop pop not being there for his favorite holiday.  We greatly enjoyed our different holiday this year because it was low key.  The girls took most of the Christmas break to feel better and bounce back from that nasty flu! Ugh it was not fun!

Christmas Festivities 2014

 The days leading up to Christmas were very busy.  We did all kinds of Christmasy things to celebrate.  Tiff came into town for the evening.  We went to dinner, lights, and played all kinds of stuff with the girls.  Daddy was sick that evening, so he slept on the couch most of the time.

 We also decorated our Gingerbread House.  Shannon was there to help (and so was Bryson)

 We also had our little Christmas party with the neighbors. 

 Clinton and I took the girls to see lights one night before Christmas.  We sat in line for McAdenville for half an house without moving.  Jocelyn had to go potty, so we finally got out of line.  Instead of getting back into that traffic, we found some lights that were very awesome (and still free).  This neighborhood in Lincolnton sets up tons and tons of Christmas lights to music for all to see.  They even had visitors from the North Pole listening to girls and boys' Christmas wishes, giving out candy canes too.  There was also a booth with hot chocolate and marshmallows.  It was really a nice set up.  We lucked out on that one.  The girls were so happy with it that we went to see them twice before Christmas.

Of course we had to make cookies for Santa before he came to our house too!

Getting Ready for Christmas 2014

 The girls are getting so big!  Daphne and Jocelyn picked out a Lego Friends Advent Calendar to count down the days in December.  They loved taking turns putting the pieces together each night.

 I am very thankful that (most days) the two girls get along really well with each other.  They both worked hard together to put the ornaments on the big family tree.

 Their completed masterpiece!

 Of course they had to decorate their own trees for their rooms.  Jocelyn's tree was rearranged at least twice a day everyday.

Daphne took her time putting on each one of her ornaments.

Nutcracker 2014

 Daphne has been taking dance for a year now.  She loves every minute of it.  Her favorite ballet is by far The Nutcracker.  She listens to the music and dances around the house all year long.  One day she hopes to be the Sugar Plum Fairy.  This year she was a mouse and a Candy Cane.

 She did such a great job! 

After the performance, everyone gave her flowers and she was greeted by her fan club.  Of course Bryson had to come and cheer her on!

Halloween and Thanksgiving 2014

 The girls dressed up for Halloween this year as Fairies.  Daphne was a Rainbow Fairy and Jocelyn was a Water Fairy.

 We also made cookies and decorated them for Halloween.  They were packed with sugar!

 

Both of the girls were very excited about their creations.

 Mommy got to go to Thanksgiving Lunch with Jocelyn at her school all by ourselves.  Jocelyn was so excited that mommy was there, she didn't eat a lot of her lunch!

The three girls watching the parade on Thanksgiving morning