I love the holidays!

One of the things I love most about the holiday season is all of the time we get off from school and work to enjoy our little family.

We were able to just relax and spend quality time together over Thanksgiving break and it was just what this momma needed to recharge!!

Logan is always the loving big sissy!!!

Silly faces!

Check out Brenna running from us in this one! Luckily we were in an enclosed patio and there was no one else around!

Crazy girls!

I love days like this.

San Francisco Trip

Since Logan was a little girl, she has been scared of airplanes and always refused to go on them. She once told me when she was about 4 years old that she'd be ready for a plane when she was 10. Well, she knew herself pretty well, because this year she said she felt ready! And she chose one of the places she's been wanting to visit for the longest time --- San Fransisco!

We had such a great girls weekend. I am thankful that my sister was able to join us and share in the special experience. We stayed with my cousin Lisa, who is a fashion and jewelry designer, so that was an extra special treat.

We got to see the Golden gate bridge, Ghirardelli Sqaure, China Town, and the Bay bridge....and most of all we got to spend quality time, just us girls.

Happy Turkey Day!!

This year, because my mom had just gotten out of the hospital, we decided to have a low key Thanksgiving at the Maurer house. Though it was a little lonely with hardly any extended family, it was nice having a house full of the people I am thankful for the most. And we certainly made do.....

Todd was excited to practice his turkey making skills.... Brenna was in heaven with all the food........ I was happy because we got to use paper plates, thus eliminating much of the clean up....Logan liked it that it was quiet,  Hayden was having fun bossing everyone around....and my sister was pleased to spend time as the favorite aunt (and the bottles of wine helped a bit too!!) 

 

Wrestling with the Angels

I found this excerpt today from the book, “Wrestling With An Angel” by Greg Lucas. It’s “a story of love, disability, and the lessons of grace”.  I love the meaning behind this and thought I'd share. We all need reminders from time to time about God's grace, and His desire to be our everything....



“I hear religious minded people say all the time with good intentions. ‘God will never place a burden on you so heavy that you cannot possibly carry it.’


Really?


My experience is that God will place a burden on you so heavy that you cannot possibly carry it alone. He will break your back and your will. He will buckle your legs until you fall flat beneath the crushing weight of your load. All the while He will walk beside you waiting for you to come to the point where you must depend on Him.


‘My power is made perfect in your weakness,’ He says, as we strain under our burden.


Whatever the burden, it might indeed get worse, but know this-God is faithful. And while we change and get old, He does not. When we get weaker, He remains strong. And in our weakness and humility, He offers us true, lasting, transforming, and undeserved grace.”

-Greg Lucas

Smarty pants!

Look what my big girl did all by herself last night with her sticky foam letters!! While I was busy cooking, this is what my little smarty pants was doing. Big sister Logan has been so good about teaching Hayden a song with the letters to spell her name, and now she totally gets it. I am such a proud mommy!!

Houston, we have a tooth!

That's right ladies and gentlemen. After 14 months and 24 days, Brenna has officially grown her very first tooth!!!! Not that you could see it with this silly face.

Brenna Walking!!

It's only taken her 14 months, but Brenna is finally starting to take steps! And I have to say, it is so cute to watch. See for yourself!

**Tip of the day: You might want to mute since clearly I need to stop my ridiculous baby talk while taping :)

Spike the Horse

We took the girls to the Irvine Park where they had a fantastic time riding the horses! They were both so eager, with absolutely no fears whatsoever. Just look at these happy faces :)



Pretty pretty Ballerina

Hayden has found a new love for dance. She has wanted to take dance classes ever since she was big enough to see her big sister doing hip hop. And now, Mommy finally obliged. She LOVES it!

Singing and touching her toes....

 She loves watching herself in the mirror!

 How cute are they??

Jump, Jump, Jump!!

 Drumroll with the tap shoes....cover your ears!!!

 And.....FREEZE!!