America's Next Top Baker

Netflix cooking and baking series
have been on night and day around
here lately.

Nailed It!, Sugar Rush, The Great
American Baking Show and Zumbo's
Just Desserts seem to be the favorites.

And we don't mind one bit
because they have inspired the girls
to whip up delicious recipes and
creations just about every weekend.

Lexi especially seems to have a
passion in the kitchen...I think she
inherited this from her Grandma Lu.

Recent efforts have gone towards
handmade juice with citrus zest,
vanilla cupcakes with lemon icing and
fresh strawberry slices, banana chocolate
chip muffins and a sister vs. sister cake series.

The last two pictures tell the tale of just how
different their personalities
(and level of messiness) truly are!

Winning at Mom'ing

That time I sprayed us down
with lice deterrent,
braided the girls' hair as
tightly as I could,
took a deep breath
and prepared for an overnight
stay at The Great Wolf Lodge...
parenting win right there, folks.
Take an indoor water park
in the middle of winter, add in
a chocolate fondue fountain
and a 9 pm dance party in the lobby,
and Lexi and Ryleigh were in heaven.
The things we do for our kids!

Holiday Season

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

The season for pictures with your puppy
for the holiday card

And for your very favorite event at Townsquare...
the Home for the Holidays annual celebration

It's the season for the White's Chapel Holiday Carnival

And the time of year to pick out the
perfect Christmas tree and spend the
afternoon decorating it

It's the perfect time of year for school skip days.
Who wants to be in math class when we could
do some holiday shopping, grab hot cocoa,
watch favorite movies and make a gingerbread house!

It's the season where even playdates
take on a festive tone

And when we pay a visit
to jolly old St. Nick
and tell him your wishes

Christmas is a time for
spreading a little joy
around the neighborhood -
with the most enthusiastic
carolers you ever did see.

It's the time for school parties
and adult parties

and for visiting church

for carols and hot cocoa

It's the time to carry on traditions
from your own childhood -
like taking in the magic
of The Nutcracker on stage

And then recognizing the true

reason for the season

And mostly it's a time 

to surround yourself with family.

To love and to give 

and to bake and to play

and to make memories 

that will stay with you always