Hanging Christmas Lights Part 1 & 2

Christmas lights came in 2 phases this year. :)  Austin Family Christmas Lights Take One went a little different than we had planned :)  Thanks to a freak hale storm!  We pulled out our lights and plugged them in to make sure they were all working before we got started.  One Strand was having problems
(we never were able to fix it... RIP strand 3) so it was taking a bit longer than expected to get them up. The girls got bored and decided it was a good time for some bike riding when all the sudden it hit. :) They thought it was pretty cool! They had seen hale from the porch but they were REALLY big balls so obviously we didnt let them play in it that time :)  

(she went in the house and found herself some gloves... gardening gloves... LOL, whatever works)

Austin Family Christmas lights take two was a success.  Nick let the girls help put them up and they thought that was pretty cool :) Kinley helped hold the strand while dad hung them and Mila thought the view from the ladder was pretty great.

 taking a break,and eating a snack.  Hanging lights is hard work

I know this is a really awkward angle, however, gosh dang it. Not only is he one handsome fella but he really is the best husband, and father to our girls.  I couldn't have asked for a more perfect balance of strong and gentle.  The Perfect Dad for 2 girls.  We are all very lucky to have him.

Due to the unexpected, and unexplained death of strand no. 3 we were not able to do the second story this year but I still think it turned out pretty great. :)  And hey, if any lights go out in the other strands we are set for YEARS! :) 

First Snow of the Season

It was a rather blustery day in the Hundred Acre woods. Thats how the girls day started out anyway.   After waking up excited due to the weather forecast predicting a good storm.  Kinley and Mila looked out their window the second they woke up looking for snow.  Unfortunately there was none.  All they found were Gray skies.  On the plus side, Grandma and Great Grandma came over to drop of a few things and decided to stay a little while to play.

After Reading Doc McStuffins, then came Winnie the Pooh, and Rapunzel, and Minnie, and the list just keeps going. :)  But is there anything better to do on a blustery day then to read about Winnie The Poohs blustery day?  I didn't thing so either. :) 

Later that day the snow started falling and the excitement began to build up as the girls hurried and bundled up.  (naturally after they went outside in socks, no coats, or hats or anything, and I called them in. :) ) 

After getting boots and coats on they headed out to play. 

First thing they did was hit the tramp!  It Wasn't sticking on the ground yet but the Tramp had a little Layer so they started making snow angels. :) 

Kinley and Mila later came back inside.  Kinley came over to me and said,  "Mom, we gotta come it.  Our legs are frozen salad!" 

hahaha! :)  I tried correcting her but it didn't stick.  "frozen salad" we are!

So Excited for winter and the Christmas season!  

Mila's 3rd Birthday

Well, Its official and I cannot believe it!

My little "burrito baby" is three.  T.H.R.E.E.

How did this happen so quickly?!

I worked a Graveyard shift the night before her birthday. So I was a little afraid that I would have already gone to bed before she woke up to see all her under the sea (bubble guppies) themed birthday decorations.  However blessing or curse this little girl must have known I would want to see her reaction and woke up bright and early about 10 minutes before my shift ended. :)  She took a look around at everything smiling and happy and then went up to bed with me and slept another hour or so :) 

She was very excited and LOVED all 100 "bubbles" (balloons)  all over the floor downstairs. 

I wasn't going to blow up all 100 but Kendra came over and started helping me blow up balloons and before you know it the whole package was blown up so I just went with it!  Its now 2 days later and the girls are loving them still!

When she woke up for the second time I asked Mila what she wanted for breakfast.  She responded with one of her favorites.  Scrambled eggs! :) Easy enough! Wish Granted! :) 

After Church, the girls had a little down time, and after a little nap I came down to find this. :)  How sweet!  

snuggling on the couch watching a show together. 

We had family and a few close friends over for cake and ice cream later that night.  

Mila wanted a Bubble Guppies Birthday so I tried getting creative (thank you pinterest) :D

We  drank "ocean water" This was a huge hit.  :)  I put some motorized fish in the kool aid that swam around during the party.  Huge hit with all the kids, and even the adults.  I know I was pretty impressed with them. :) 

We also Snacked on "Fish & Chips"

We had Ballon Bubbles and paper Seaweed everywhere :) 

We were So thankful that we were able to have So many family and friends join us in celebrating.

 

Everyone was so kind and she got so many fun gifts.  ALL of them she has LOVED playing with. 

Kinley was So excited to give her a little doll stroller that she had been keeping a secret for about 2 weeks! :) 

Shalena's Mom also made her a AWESOME Bubble Guppies cake! 

We all thought it was very impressive, and it was DELICIOUS as always! 

Mila got super embarrassed when everyone started singing. :) 

Mila at 3:

Favorite Color- PINK!

Favorite Food - Fruit Snacks, any food that she can put on her finger (Raspberries, Olives etc.), Blueberries, Strawberries (pretty much any berries), Fresh Pineapple, Slurpees from the gas station, homemade spaghetti, edamame hummus and crackers, Hamburger Dill Pickles, hot dogs,  and Cottage Cheese.

Favorite TV Shows - Curious George, Daniel Tiger, Bubble Guppies, Tinker Bell, Tarzan 2, Wreck it Ralph, and Brave

Favorite Comfort items - Daddys minkey Blanket, Her Rapunzel baby doll, and her Hello Kitty Small Fry from Build A bear.  She also loves a sippy cup of cold milk around bedtime. :)

Favorite things to do during the day - Play Dress up, Playing her baby Dolls, drawing, Dancing, and listening to music, Preschool/joyschool, playing with Kinley, and friends, taking baths with bubbles and or glow sticks, and jumping on the trampoline.

Favorite Phases - "Daddys Trouble" , "I'm your burrito baby" " Wrap me snug as a bug"

Favorite Books - Winnie the Pooh and The Baxton, 10 Tiny Puppies, and The Hungry Caterpillar, Rapunzel, and The Little Mermaid.

Favorite Songs - Come Stop your crying (from Tarzan), The Unicorn, Let it Go, and Frozen Heart (from Frozen),  If your Happy and You Know it, and Slippery Fish.

She fills our life with way too much fun!  I cannot believe she is already 3, and I am loving life with her in it! She is my little mamas girl and I love that she is. :) 

Happy Birthday Sweet little "burrito baby" 

(she will not appreciate that as a teenager, or adult I am sure but for now, if I call her anything but that she corrects me so, Im going to go with it.) 

:) 

Love you Mila. 

Happy Birthday!