Living la vida loca..

It really will wear you out! You won't even believe the wild weekend we had!

One tradition we have, (I'm fairly certain we are the only people in the world), is a grapefruit party. I love the winter because I love grapefruit. We had a good batch we brought back from Florida. (thanks Dad!)

You start with the grapefruit.

Eat them.
Juice them. Mmmmmmmm. There is nothing better at 11 at night than a grapefruit party. I told you. WILD.
No tie to the grapefruit, but I love this picture.
Kaiya and Daddy watched some serious football. Thankfully, the Colts really did win and it wasn't just the rose colored glasses.
Ava joined in once she woke up from a nap. (Kaiya was a little under the weather so she got to stay in her pj's all day. That, and I figured why waste a cute outfit when we aren't going anywhere.)
Hope your weekend was as exciting as ours!!

A fork and a knife, please.

Then I can eat her up.

(even with a little eczema on her face.)

When all else fails, use spray paint.

A monumental day in our household: Ava's first snowman. Welcome, Frosty.

Michigan cardio. Evidently this process is quite a workout! I let Mark do that and got my workout by getting Ava dressed and undressed in her snow gear. I had about 12 contractions. Whew.

It's not that she's not smiling in this picture, she's just chowing down on snow. (not yellow)
Getting there...
But then it got tricky. Turns out we were fresh out of pipes, carrots, coal, and top hats. Mark seriously came to the door and said: "Do we have any coal or anything?" Um, let me think. We have a gas grill, electric range, gas fireplace, and have NEVER purchased coal in our almost 7 years together. But whatever. We had spray paint...it was even black. Doesn't it look perfect?!
A nod to our roots.
What snowman would be complete without a bouquet of flowers and a watering can.

The (40 degree) Sunshine State

The last week in Florida, while chilly, was so much fun with our family! A few highlights...

reading with Grandpa...

I could have 5 kids if they were all this well behaved! We finished dinner and they went in the other room and sang songs. Um, really?! Take some lessons from your cousins, Ava!!
coloring with Grandma...

reading with Aunt Jill and Claire...
Dance party F.L.A.
Uncle Joel on the prowl...

Please don't leave! They just stood there after the girls would leave undoubtedly hoping the would come right back. :)
But finally gave in and settled for piano and singing with Gram.
.

My Grandma had a hip replacement...

And now I get to ride in her cool chair.

Duck, duck, turkey?

We headed to the park with my brother and 3 of my nieces. (The other 2 were at Disney World. Oh to be a Florida resident. :))

Joel brought some bread to feed the ducks. This may just be the highlight of Ava's life so far.
Clearly they are used to being around people!
Kaiya had a face off with this particular duck. Can you see his face?? He had some weird red action going on. I think he was a turkey in disguise. Nobody eats you for Thanksgiving and you get free bread.


The children had fun playing.
All the children.

My brother, a prince of a man. Five daughters of his own and mine wanted to join right in!

Jack in the Box. (smile on the face)

Homerun on this one, Grandma!

Oh Christmas Treat..Oh Christmas Treat

Mark's sister, Jessica, had these very special treats for us under the tree. I mean, have you ever seen anything cuter? We just drank the last one (of 2) yesterday, because we felt like maybe they were just too darling to drink.