Thank you notes

There are some days that parenting seems extra hard and I start to feel like we are making one wrong decision after another.  That maybe the girls just won't ever get along.  That I'm taking out too many of my frustrations on them.  But, just when I am feeling a little down on myself for my parenting skills, the girls seem to do something that encourages me that despite the challenges, we must be doing something right.

They received some really fun thank you cards from Grandma Jean for Christmas and on their own, asked me to help them write to each other.  Their words, some help with spelling for Laurel, and some help with privacy for coloring and writing.  They handed them to each other, read them, gave each other big hugs and immediately asked for another because they had more to write.

Even when I feel like the bickering can be endless on the hard days, these girls really do love each other.  I continue to pray that they will keep their strong relationship through life and ultimately end up as close as Amy, Jenny and I are.  I couldn't get through life without my sisters and I am so glad that Maya and Laurel have each other as well!

Snuggles

We were lucky enough to have Callie and Liam over for an evening.  Cousin PJ snuggles while watching a movie!  This picture makes me smile because it is very reminiscent of the way Amy, Jenny and I used to watch TV.

Snoqualmie Falls

Rey and I were able to take some extra time off between Christmas and New Years to spend with the girls.  We decided to head to Snoqualmie Falls on one of those days and enjoyed a great family hike.  Although, Laurel was a bit disappointed that it was a short way down and kept asking when we were going to go on the "real hike."  It was a chilly but beautiful day out and the fresh air was much needed.  Hiking is becoming an activity that we all really enjoy doing together so I am looking forward to more of them as the weather gets nicer.  Great exercise, fresh air and exploring adventures!

A Christmas Play

The girls were lucky enough to join Aunt Amy, Aunt Jenny and their cousins on a special outing to Seattle Center.  I, unfortunately, had to work.  They got to go ice skating, eat ice cream and go to the Children's Theater to see Chitty, Chitty Bang, Bang.  I am sad I wasn't able to join, but am thankful for some amazing sisters who are happy to take along my kids so they won't miss out.  Love these kids and all the fun they have together!

Christmas

We did our typical Christmas routine, Christmas Eve at the Sarion house and Christmas Day and the Knowles house.  The girls had a great time opening and giving presents.  I think these are a bit out of order, but I don't have the patience to move them around so it will just have to do!

Christmas Day at the Knowles

Grandma, Grandpa and the grandkids.  I can't get over how quickly they are all growing.

My girls and Aunt Jenny!

PJ twins!

It just wouldn't be a family gathering without some serious story telling.  All these kids love reading and books and it is such a great activity when they need a little down time.

Helping Grandpa and Grandma open their gifts.  

Cousins by the Christmas Tree!

The Jones, waiting for present opening.

My big 6 year old!

Presents!

Christmas Morning at our house.

Santa was kind enough to bring Laurel the only thing she really wanted for Christmas - The Pet Shop Airplane.  We don't need to talk about how long it took to put it together.

And Maya got her Santa wish - a walking, talking unicorn.

My favorite gift - they each got shark blankets!

Present opening

Good morning!

Christmas Eve at the Sarion household.

Daddy and Laurel snuggles

Daddy and Maya snuggles

Present opening.

This one is a bit random, but Laurel got to have a PJ party for school and decided to make it extra festive by wearing her reindeer antlers and snow boots!  

Christmas Cookies

Unfortunately, we missed the annual Knowles christmas cookie baking festivities this year. Poor Laurel came down with a stomach bug the night before that continued for the next two days so we were all housebound until she recovered.  Lucky for us, the rest of the bakers set aside a great selection of cookies for us so we still thoroughly enjoyed and gifted many, many cookies!

Once Laurel was healthy, we did a little baking on our own.  Not quite the same as doing it with everyone else, but we sure made some tasty ones!

The Many Faces Of Laurel

These pictures are from our Seabrook trip, but I absolutely love them because they show SO much of Laurel's personality.  I wish I was closer and had a better camera then my iPhone so I could zoom in on her better.  I asked for a picture and this is what she gave me ;-)