Erik, Erin, and Elaina

My best friend, since 1st grade (that is a really long time) turned 40 in January.  We went out to celebrate.  It was super fun.  We had a group of us from high school there.  We laughed, reminisced, ate cake, and sang happy birthday.  I love that I have known and loved Lisa for 35ish years...that's pretty cool to me.  I love me some Lisa Lisa and her mom, Karen

Elaina did cheer camp this year....again.  As always, she LOVED it (as expected).  She got to be with her favorite cheerleader who is a senior this year.  And, her friend Ainsley was in her group.  So, it was a total success in Elaina's eyes.... Elaina, Ainsley, and Emmie Koree (Elaina's fave), Elain, Ainsley, and Bailey And a video.....Elaina is behind her teacher a good bit of the time.  Sorry about that.

December 3rd....we lost our puppy of 14 years.  Sweet Jax.  He was old and had some health issues the past year so it wasn't completely unexpected.  It was MUCH harder than I ever imagined it would be....especially on Erik.  I have never seen Erik so upset.  But, we are moving on and have good memories of him.  He was a great dog - full of energy, life, and stubborn at times, barked at his shadow, chased any rodent to the ends of the earth (so maddening), and loved to be scratched behind his ears.  This is just a tribute to him.... Elaina friend Kaitilyn brought her this the day we put him down...She is the sweetest! My sister, Nell put this mask on him one Halloween.  Jax the mouse One of my all time favorite pics When Jax was "Toto" Everyone loved Jax Jax with my mom's dog, Honey When Elaina was first born, Jax did a lot of bidding for Erik attention, as evidence in these two photos.  He couldn't stand for Erik to hold

Not much snow this winter.....in fact, I would hardly call it a winter.  It's Feb 23rd and 70 degrees today.  So......?? We did have one day where it snowed and was cold enough to make a fire.  Below is one of 2 fires (maybe 3) we have had this year.  Makes me sad.  I mean, I am not a huge fan of cold but I do think we need a winter.  Here are some pics to prove it did snow. We cuddled up on the air mattress in the living room next to the the fire one night and watched a movie.  Fun memory The next day, Elaina and her friend Ainsley made a fort out of said air mattress Elaina and her friend Ainsley played in the snow.  We had a kids vs parents snow ball fight (a real one).  It was fun...I got nailed in the face with a snowball.  That is a sign of a good snowball fight!!! Good times! Cute girls in their onesies....

In follow up to Christmas.....we were visited by an Elf on the Shelf this year for the first time.  Elaina has been dying to get one so she was pretty excited to have him.  Just wanted to document a few of her shenanigans.  Elaina named her Sprinkle.  We had fun with her ;) This one is my personal favorite Looking forward to her coming again next  year 

After Thanksgiving comes Christmas....Here is our Christmas festivities for 2016: Elaina has a new friend who is in her her class this year, Ainsley.  Ainsley has gone to Grace for several years but she and Elaina have not had class together until this year.  They have become fast friends, to say the least.  We just love sweet Ainsley.  She came with us to Fantasy of Trees this  year.  They did all the usual things.......we love going to the Fantasy of the Trees.  It really kicks off Christmas for us. Coordinated outfits.....but of course! We hung out with our friends, the Crass's one evening for a viewing of Christmas Vacation.  Erik had not seen it in its entirety and did not appreciate it to its fullest.  So, Evan wanted to walk him through it to give him a better appreciation.  We had fun - I got to drink egg nog out of this moose glass - awesome! Elaina had a solo part in her school Christmas play.  She did so good - we were proud parents