Please vote!!

We are starting to re-decorate our living room. Considering painting the walls a soft sage color and getting a new loveseat to replace the old. Please use the voting buttons on the top right of the blog for which one you like better!! Any comments are welcome!!

Number One - Micro Suede
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Number Two - Tweed

Chicago Day #2

Whew. Tired. Who knew shopping in Chicago for two days could make you so tired?? Today we went BACK to the American Girl store simply for accessories. Outfits, shoes, matching shirts. It is so easy to spend money at this place!! Everything is so very cute. And just watching Carlie light up at everything just makes money seem very unimportant. We also had our "American Girl Lunch" today. You HAD to make reservations, you should have seen the lines!! Everything was pink, pink, pink. Each little girl was treated like a princess, right along with their dolls!

I thought mom would appreciate the pink, pink, pink Christmas trees in this picture. Notice Carlie and Clara's matching American Girl shirts. I got the same thing for Lucy and her "knock off" doll Kaitlyn.




Each doll got their own high chair and small tea cup and plate (which matched the walls, mind you...)




Okay, now this is just laughable. Each bathroom stall had a "doll hanger" made especially to hang your AG dolls while you went potty. Did I tell you this place was over the top?



This is Carlie waiting for the AG store to open. We were freezing with about 15 other little girls with their dolls in hand. It is so funny watching each little girl carry these dolls around!



All in all, this little birthday trip was awesome. I CANNOT WAIT to take Lucy. I even considered taking her for her 6th birthday, instead of waiting until her 7th. And then I already was thinking that I am inviting myself along when Stella and Millie go on their trip!! For me ... who all know is not a very "doll liking" girl - loved this trip. I hope I made some fun memories for many years to come!

Chicago Day #1

We made it to Chicago!! Special thanks goes to Grandpa's GPS..I think I know what I want for Mother's Day! The trip up went slower than expected due to some snow (was that forecasted??) But we arrived at the hotel just in time see Uncle Rich at the door. We started our visit at the Lego store, and then we convinced Uncle Rich that he should travel to the American Girl store - just for the doll. As you can see from the pictures "Clara" came into our family. We celebrated Clara's arrival at the Rain Forest Cafe. We are back to the hotel room enjoying the multiple outfits of Clara (thanks Grandma Ringger!) More tomorrow!

So Much To Tell

Oh my, oh my - where should I begin?? We have been so busy the last week, that it is hard for me to believe a whole week has went by! It was so fun for Carlie and Lucy to wake up last Saturday and find that God had blanketed the earth with snow. Jeff and the girls made a "snow family" for this occassion - Steve, Lulu, Amelia and Jackson were the names!



On to making our annual birthday cake for Jesus. This year I mistakenly bought RED lettering frosting instead of pink. It looked like we made a Halloween cake for Jesus! When I mentioned that the lettering looked like blood, Carlie very brillantly pointed out that "yes, mommy, Jesus was born to die on the cross for our sins, the red blood is that." What smart little girl I have.



This year Carlie was old enough to read the Christmas story from the Bible. Another tradition at our house. Listening to her read warmed my heart, and I could have asked for nothing more for Christmas. She even surprised Jeff and I with letters for Christmas. Can't I just freeze this age?




Onto presents!! Santa was very gracious to my girls this year. With pink trees in their rooms when they woke up to the DS to the Barbie horse. These pictures capture their excitement!







Onto the Gongaware's!! Again, Grandma Barb loves to spoil each and every one of her grandchildren. From Disney castles to Aprons to Snuggie's for all....I simply ask - where are we going to put all this stuff???





AND onto the Ringger's....phew!! More presents, more food, more fun, more love than we know what to do with!! Lucy had to pose with Grandma's decorations - who knew we'd match the occassion so nicely? And Carlie, Jeff and Lucy FINALLY got to meet Miss Millie. Carlie couldn't keep her hands off of her...not to mention Jeff!! He claims it didn't give him the baby itch....what do you think? The "stealing gift" game didn't go as roughly as mom envisioned, but I guess that happens when each gift is a keeper!!! Especially the fish with cash in it's mouth! The Kaitlyn doll (knock off the Amerian Girl doll) was the hit with Lucy. I see many hours of playing with that in the future.





Tomorrow Carlie and I leave for Chicago to get her American Girl doll. So the fun is not done yet!!!! Check back!

Fabulous Fun Friday ("FFF")

Oh what fun FFF is!! Friday night we started out our FFF with dinner at Toscani's with Grandpa Toad and Grandma Barb. We enjoyed delicious pasta and sausage rolls! With time to kill, we drove around and looked at the downtown Christmas lights (again), this time we got out and took pictures too. They turned out so cute for impromptu pictures!

Then onto Imagine School to watch Sophia play "The Grinch" in their school theatre. Job well done by such young kids. Sophia is very talented, and makes it look so easy. I love watching her grow in this area - so clearly she loves it so. Lucy was terrified to take her picture with her in the green make up, but eventually warmed up once Sophie talked (I don't think she believed it was her!)

To finish up our FFF, we drove through the Fantasy of Lights. We have never done this before, but we may have started a yearly tradition. So many lights - actually -31,734 lights to exact. The girls loved it, and so did we.

And to start off our Christmas break, God provided a beautiful blanket of snow this morning. The girls spent two hours out there already this morning making a "snow family." How can you be a Grinch with all this fun??

Lucy's Christmas Program

Pre-Concert Pictures


Lucy with her BFF, Delaney


Friday we had Lucy's Christmas Program. Jeff and I were joined by Grandpa Toad and Grandma Barb. Lucy was nervous to be in front of everyone, but once was on stage did wonderful...that is other than the nose picking that went on. I know everybody is watching their own child, at one point, it was obvious she had a "bat in the cave" - got it out - and then didn't know what to do with it! Oh the fun!

She also got sat beside a little boy, who - according to Lucy - was being mean to her the entire time and kept telling Lucy to "stop singing." We had to laugh because Lucy was clearly irritated by this little boy, but kept on singing while giving this kid the "mean eyes." That's my girl!

Remember the Side Pony Tail?

Yes, I know all the 80's styles are coming back. But I had to crack up this week when Carlie asked for me to "do a side pony tail." Remember those? She told me "all the girls in her class wear their hair that way." I had crazy flash backs for cheer camps and middle school. She walked with a bounce in her step all the way to her class that day. Future cheerleader, like for sure.

Christmas is Closer...

Always busy weekends in December...come Sunday night, I am always exhausted and needing some vegetation time on the couch with complete silence. Ha! Who am I kidding? When does that happen? We had the Ringger Christmas on Saturday evening. I watched my Grandfather - who is well over 80 - play with the kids, shoot baskets and play the golf contest with the best of them. He has to look at this fellowship hall full of kids, laughter and love and just have such a blessed feeling of the multitudes of descendants. It makes you sit back and wonder what you future will look like sometimes. I know ours won't be such a multitude (hey - I only have two kids!), but I hope someday we all gather and I can sit there and smile at the generations Jeff and I created.




On Sunday, we went to our annual trip to the Nutcracker with the girls. This is our third year of going, and Carlie was just as excited as the first time. Actually, perhaps even a bit more because she knew what was expected. We enjoyed a nice lunch with two other mommy/daughter friends at the Gas House first. I can't believe just in comparing the pictures from the first year to this year how much all three girls have grown. I would love to continue this tradition for years to come. Next year I promised Lucy she could join us. I can't wait to see her eyes light up. Perhaps in more years to come Lacey & Amelia and Ginger & Stella can join us too!!

Surprise Visit With Santa

Friday Jeff and I finished up almost all of our Christmas shopping - yeah! We enjoyed a long lunch at Cheddar's and after finishing up our shopping early, we celebrated with a dark beverage at Granite City. I miss those alone times with my husband!

On the way home after picking up the girls, we remembered that downtown New Haven was having their "holiday festival" - so we stopped! We got to visit Santa at the furniture store, and then paint ornaments at the coffee shop. We came home to snuggle in front of the TV to watch some Christmas cartoons. The grand plan was go sleep under the Christmas tree in the basement, but Lucy decided she just wanted to sleep in her bed. And then shortly thereafter, Carlie did too. Basement floor vs. warm bed. Which choice would you make? Maybe in a few years we'll try that again...

December Weekends

Whew. I am glad this weekend is done. A LOT accomplished, but tired tonight. Saturday I got together with some old friends and created the Giant Apple Candy surprises that I give out as gifts each year. We wasn't sure if it was going to happen this year - but I am so happy it worked out. We had a smaller group this year, but the conversation was still enjoyed, and the apples are done!

Sunday I had my on-stage debut as "Mrs. F" - an actor in the KidsStuf service. To say I was nervous, was an understatement. We are so blessed with such an awesome kids ministry - who make it look sooooo easy! I am here to confess - it's not. While its not hard to memorize a few lines, remembering WHEN to say them, and WHICH ORDER to say them, and WHERE TO STAND ON STAGE, is a whole other ball game. But luckily, God was with me today, and the skit went off without a hitch. The girls thought it was quite the treat seeing mommy up on stage. Doing it again? Hmmm...I will not answer that right now :)

Sunday afternoon we hosted HC and brought together the many gifts we purchased for our Christmas Family. A single mom, four children. Her wants for the children were many, and for herself, simply a robe. Tears come to my eyes when I imagine what this mother has sacrificed for her children over the years, and in future years to come. Each HC family willingly gave so much of their money, time and hearts to this family. Each child made a card to include with the gifts, we purchased extra items for her pantry and a few extras for the bathroom (fun soft soap, tooth brushes, Mr. Bubble and Spider man band aids!). We also purchased each family member a bible and wrote them notes inviting them to our church. I wish so much I could be a fly on the wall when this mother presents the gifts to her children. New game boy, new bike, new CD player, complete baby doll set. I am praying for this family tonight. I don't know their circumstances or if they know Jesus, but in any event, I hope our kindness and generosity makes them consider if there is a God.

An extra special treat, one or our HC friends is a cake maker - not by trade - but by hobby. We enjoyed a decadent chocolate cake to celebrate not only Jesus' birthday, but all our HC December birthdays. Carlie, of course, thought that was fun..check out the picture of this cake - HEAVENLY!

Okay...not done yet....

Sunday night we headed to Central to set up for the Elves' Closet this week. Jeff was recruited to help carry many boxes, and then "corral" the kids. Carlie is already making her list and checking it twice. I can't wait to see the kids faces tomorrow when I work!

That's it - weekend done. Glass of wine in hand, and much needed couch time with my hubby. Not that this week is going to slow down any. I get to meet my new niece on Tuesday - I can't wait!!

Cousin Pictures - Overload!!

Well...these are my best pictures of the cousins - which is your favorite?

Twas The Day Before Thanksgiving

Lucy Thanksgiving Feast included making LOTS of pigs in a blanket...which was so fun making with all the kids!





I also got to participate in Carlie's Thanksgiving party, which was lots of smiles and lots of sugar.





This last picture was Lucy's actual smile when they lit up the Santa Claus! Priceless!

What a fun "Day Before Thanksgiving"! I started out the morning helping in Lucy's class for their Thanksgiving Feast. I just love Lucy's teacher, and helping her is always fun.

Then onto Carlie's classroom party. We raced with popcorn on spoons, cut out turkeys and ate Brownie Cupcakes. Lucy also had the opportunity to participate in this party, and thought she was big stuff running with the big kids!

Then onto the Downtown Santa Lighting. We started this tradition a few years ago when the kids were old enough to bear the cold! We started out with dinner at Toscani's - which the kids love because they get to play with dough while waiting for their food. Then B&D had a kid friendly holiday party to kick off the holidays. Lots of cookies, sweets and hot chocolate for all. I think the best part of it is watching the girl's faces as the crowd starts to count down and then the whole side of the building is lit up with thousands of lights. They oohh'd and ahh'd over everything. On the way home, Carlie even said, "this has been the best night, thanks for taking us mommy and daddy." Again, priceless.