We Were Counting Down the Days 'Til Christmas

Ava taking some time to kick back.

Everyday I found a new nativity layout created by my girls.

Welcome. Come in and stay awhile. : )

Chester Copperpot gets a pine.




Holiday Cheer on the Chandelier.

Santa knows his place. He's round and he's jolly and lots of fun. But, he's not real. Just a fun game we can play. And as Ava told me , "He not real. He just dressed up in a Halloween costume. Like I dressed up like Super Girl at Halloween. Christmas is Jesus' birthday." ; )


Lots of warm yummy things to warm the tummy.



An early present.

One of my favs on the tree...

A little sparkle.

A little togetherness.

Julianna's dream for some sunny weather.

Smelling good in here.

Some crafts.

We found a lovely 10-11 foot Frasier Fur at the cutest Christmas Tree Farm tucked off the highway. : )

Lots of fun holiday movies. I have seen my fair share of Eloise at the Plaza at Christmas. ; )

The First Noel

Julianna was SO excited for her first school play. She's been teaching us all the songs at home. Just wonderful.

The gang singing in the finale. I am loving Sammy the Star belting out those final notes! : )

Thank you God for the gift of Jesus.

Our sweetie.

Julianna was especially glad daddy did some fancy footwork and was able to come to the musical.

Look at Ava being a big cheese! : )

Momma loves her girl. So proud of her.

Happy (early) 3rd Birthday Ava Grace!

More lovely than ever! : )

Glam Fam

Neighborhood friends!

Dora cake!

Dora's close-up.

If you have to make your own cake due to food related allergies...you might as well do it up...that's what I say. : ) Ava just loved it. : )

Ava so loves her dolls!

Princess jamas

We had a small neighborhood friend birthday party for Ava this week. That's how we like to keep it until about age four. It was perfect. The kids played, we ate cake and ice cream, and topped it off with the Dora Christmas Special (that was Chad's favorite part). : ) So wonderful. Sure love you Ava!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Julianna and momma at her Thanksgiving Feast!

Cinco de Julsie

The birthday girl picked out a flower cake pan this year.

We made three cakes to serve all the guests. That's a lot of frosting people! : )

The girls in the party- & jump-friendly dresses and leggings.


The great unwrapping. Dads are always good and making these things go smoothly!



Thanks for all the wonderful presents!

Note the skittled center...Julianna's favorite candy these days.

The big 5!

This passed weekend we had Julianna's 5th birthday. We opted for a jump party this year. And boy was it worth it! Julianna and her twenty-five little friends jumped to their hearts delight, ate dinner, ate cake, opened presents, and then snuck in as many more jumps as possible. : ) I didn't get as many photos as I would have liked because I was too busy talking with all my mom friends and watching my girls have terrific fun. : ) A big thanks goes out to everyone who came and for all her wonderful gifts! : )

Happy Halloween!

The neighborhood gang ready to get some candy!

*Ava wasn't too keen on the mad surgeon trick-or-treater who came by with a disfigured and bloody mask. After this photo she headed for the hills. Chad turned out our lights and they watched Aladdin until Julianna and I came home. And you know what, I can't say I blame her. The Mortonos are not so much into a scary Halloween. : )

Thrice a pumpkin

Thrice a-glow.

Funny who you meet on the street! ; )

The moon over our house...you can barely see our lit pumpkins on the porch.

Meet you in Tennessee

Grandma, Grandpa and the gang!

My girls

The girls were so happy to be with all of their cousins!

Chad and his momma!

Grandpa and Ava

All smiles.

Ava's way of saying, "I am done with pictures." ; )

Lainey and Uncle Chad reading Fancy Nancy.

Thanks for all the birthday presents!

Thanks! I loved all my presents!

Swinging with Maddie at the park!

On a nature walk with Uncle Seth!

BIG leaves!

Our little family!

Uncle Jamie and Lainey...what a daddy's girl!

Maddie and Julianna tearing up the trail!

Grandma and her girls!

Isaiah finding a comfy place on the couch...but not for long...cause he's off and running!

Grandpa and Maddie and Ava

So happy together!

Grandma and Grandpa treated us all to a cabin getaway in Tennessee a couple weeks ago. It was mega fun to get everyone together. The girls and boy : ) played to their hearts content, pushed strollers, rocked babies, ate nuggets, made crafts, looped the porch again and again, played at the park, watched Annie, sang songs, and just had SO, SO much fun! Thanks again Grandma and Grandpa...it was SUCH a great weekend for us all! : )