Trip to Shedd Aquarium

We took advantage of a Friday where we didn't have school, and planned a trip to Shedd with Mem!

Last time we went, Camryn wasn't even a year old, so she was really experiencing it for the first time. We kept the day simple, and just planned a day trip. Luckily the weather cooperated and it made for an easy drive there and back! Ryan did a great job getting us down and back, especially on a not much sleep. He and I will probably partly remember this day because we spent a couple hours the night before in the ER. Everything was okay, but I had to take along some extra muscle relaxers and pain killers with me for the trip, and we may have looked a little more tired in pictures. :)

Driving down (thoroughly enjoying our McD's coffee :)) my cozy spot between the two little ladies in the back. 

Right when we arrived, the girls loved looking at the map of the aquarium

The big center tank was the first thing they were drawn to... love the look on their faces :)

Lots of fun moments throughout the day

Taylor was very excited to see jellyfish

Watching the penguins swim :)

Cam touching a huge sea star

Waiting for the aquatic show to start

And on the way home....the girls completely cashed out (and I might have, too :))
 Tay holding onto her new stuffed animal "fluffy" the baby beluga whale

 And Cam sleeping on "Dory" her new sea turtle

It was a great day! And we already talked about our next visit and taking the girls to see some of the other sights of Chicago. :)

2015 :)

I was trying to think about what we will remember most about 2014.
The year started with a crazy horrible winter - more snow days that I have ever had in my teaching career, and snow in the yard that was taller than the girls. The girls gained THREE new cousins by the spring.
Summer was busy. We made it up to the cottage, enjoyed time at a beach house in South Haven with Mem, I competed in my first two CrossFit competitions with some of my favorite people, and Taylor was Ryan's buddy all summer, riding with him to his softball games.
In the fall, I really enjoyed getting to meet this new class of fun kindergarteners, the girls transitioned back into their classes at Toddlerville really well, and Ryan had his first pretty significant flag football injury when he tore his hamstring.
The year rounded off with Mem purchasing the lake house, lots of holiday celebrations, and a sign that our little kids are getting older, we finally took down the crib that we first put together 5 years ago. At the start of 2014, Taylor never went to bed in her own bed, and would come into our room in the middle of the night, and Cam was in the crib. We started 2015 with everyone in beds, and pretty good bedtime routines now (including no little people disrupting our sleep at night! :)). The little ladies grew up a lot last year. We also ended the year with no snow. It was a green Christmas.

We are hoping that 2015 is full of lots of really good stuff. Taylor will be starting kindergarten - one of the biggest milestones that we know will happen this year. This teacher-mama is already thinking about it. :) More memories to be made at Lake Charlevoix, and the new lake house. A new cousin will join the family this spring. Good stuff to come. :)

So to start the new year, here are a few pictures that wrapped up 2014 and began 2015.

December was a month with no snow. So we got in a little bike riding.

Cam being a cutie

She is still young enough to want to climb in my lap whenever she gets the chance. My little snuggle buddy.

Taylor is a puzzle master. She LOVES puzzles, and did this 100 piece puzzle all by herself. :)

I'm hoping to continue to learn and get better at the olympic lift progressions - and started the year with a lifting clinic.

The girls playing at the gym during the holiday party.

And lifting some weight at a sports store, too. :)

And we had friends over for New Year's Eve - these three had fun enjoying ice cream cones for a special treat. :)

Lots of hopes for 2015! We'll see how many snow days there are this year.... the girls and I are enjoying the first one of the year right now! ;)

Christmas in Battle Creek

The whole weekend after Christmas was spent in Battle Creek. We stayed at the 'lake house' - what we are now calling Mem's house. :)

Happy kids on the drive down

Playing Zingo with Uncle Jeff and Tess

Presents! New sleeping bags, flashlights, playdoh, books...

 I gave Jeff his annual guinea pig calendar :)

Fun watching Tess open presents this year, too. :)

Saturday afternoon/evening we went to dad's house.
 Guitar playing

Some more presents

The whole crew

And then the night ended with snuggles

And story time back at the lake house.

We ended up leaving earlier on Sunday than planned because I got knocked down by the flu. :(
It was still a great weekend, though...with lots of great memories!

Christmas Day

For Christmas day, my dad, grandparents, and uncle came over to hang out with us for the morning - eat breakfast and open presents. :)

After being up late the night before, Camryn slept in until 8:45, but Taylor was ready to go at 7:30. She's not one to sleep in very long. :)
'Princess Elsa', surrounded by some of her gifts, eating an early breakfast.

She was being quite patient waiting for everyone to be ready for presents. Watching a little Charlie Brown Christmas before all the fun. :)

The crew eating breakfast.

Opening stockings and presents!

Taylor was very excited about her new My Little Pony castle

And Camryn was super excited about her new little Fur Friend Kitty.

While listening to a recordable Rudolph book, Cam's little kitty kept meowing and pouncing on her arm. It was making Cam giggle like crazy. :)

After opening presents, we headed to my grandparents place to eat brunch there.
Kitty had to come along.

And the girls needed to bring their backpacks so they could bring some of their new toys.

The girls in their Elsa and Anna costumes, relaxing after a busy day...two little sweeties.

It was a fun Christmas day!