All You Need is LOVE...

We love this time of year!  Time to appreciate a little more, give a few more hugs and share compliments more freely.  It's the season of LOVE.  I am going to share a few things that our girls LOVE:

Gracie loves Storybooks, "Step, Passe, Kick" from dance class, making cookies, stomping in the snow, writing her full name, dinosaurs and applesauce. 

Sienna loves the Brown tutu pictured in the photos (she finds it everyday and puts it on over whatever she's wearing), puppies, balloons, lipstick, music, doing everything by herself (she yells "Self" if you try to help her with tasks.)  She still loves warm milk, "Little Einsteins" and tissues.  (She is obsessed with wiping her nose with a Kleenex, even though she rarely has a runny nose.)



The first picture:  "Wait, you want us to do what?  Stand by each other?  Smile?  This is all too much, Mom!"

Goodness!  I love these sweet cheeks! 

 Little Sister with a snowflake stuck to her eyelashes! 

And Yes, even I got a picture with the LOVE Banner: showcasing my new hairdo.  Back to the bangs.  I can't promise they'll last.  I LOVE Bangs.  (We've come so far since the 80's/90's in the Bang Category.)  But bangs, to me, are a lot like babies.  They are both darling, and so fun to look at.  But they're also both a lot of work.  Wish me luck that I can keep them!

 

When Daddy is Gone...

 ...The kidlets take over the bed. 

Jody travels to Phoenix each month to visit clients for work.  The days get long, and we miss him lots and lots.  By day 4, we are all VERY ready for him to come home.  The girls do, however, look forward to the larger sleeping accommodations.  They insist we all snuggle in the bed together -- that makes for some squishy nights.   

Sometimes the girls cuddle up with the movie "Aristocats" on the ipad, so that mom can clean up after dinner.

It can be discouraging when dad is away on business...

 

 But Sienna copes by playing hide n' seek in the pantry. 

I have an outpouring of respect for those mothers and fathers who take on the responsibility as a single parent EVERY day.  Being a parent is a never-ending job, and playing that role with somebody supportive by your side, makes all of the difference.  When Jody is gone, I still wake up each morning to teach my classes at the High School.  That means there are student news scripts to be reviewed and corrected each night, quizzes to grade and parent-teacher conferences to attend.  It makes for late nights when he's away.  But we are so thankful for the dedication he puts into his work.  He is really good at what he does.  We are grateful he is such an admirable provider.  And better yet, when he is home -- he is a 100% DAD.  Piggyback Rides, Putting Puzzles Together, and just Playing with the Girls.  It's another reason they miss him so much when he's gone.     

Nothing That Some Sugar Can't Fix...

To help get us through the Winter Lull and Freezing Temperatures -- we thought of the solution that works like a charm every time -- Cupcakes.   

  

I used melted white chocolate to create these sugary snowflakes for toppers. Gracie helped decorate the snow flurries with edible sparkles and sprinkles.

I used the Wilton 1M cupcake tip to decorate.  I made Cream Cheese frosting, verses my go-to butter cream.  The Cream Cheese was a great consistency for decorating.  We popped them (covered) in the fridge, and the icing was chilled enough that it tasted so Yummy! 

Some plates to share..

And of course...Mommy's Little Helpers!

 

Let it Snow!

We have received a great deal of snow this winter!  The girls are getting good use out of their gloves, hats and snow pants.   

 On New Year's Day, Papa Wiscombe took the girls for rides on the tube and 4-wheeler.  Gracie liked riding on the ATV the best.


Sienna was giggling on the tube with daddy. 

Thanks Uncle Michael for letting Sienna borrow your Dan Peterson School Sweatshirt.  Every layer helps...because BRRRRR....it's been cold this winter! 

Then Jody decided he would let my dad have a chance on the tube.  So Jody drove the 4-wheeler...and he was driving a bit CrAzY...Papa Wiscombe got the RIDE OF HIS LIFE, and a ton of snow glued to his mustache. 



When we were done playing in the snow, we went inside for a hot and yummy meal that Grandma Wiscombe had made for us. Thanks for the fun day!