Canvas & Cocktails

The first girls evening in celebration of Cassie's birthday involved me eating a ridiculous Flintstones' sized rib bone... seriously can't believe I am posting this picture.

Since Stacy unfortunately missed me embarrassing myself that particular evening, she decided a second birthday celebration was in order, involving the three of us painting a canvas slightly intoxicated! I have been asked if I wanted to try Canvas & Cocktails on a couple other occasions, and I have to admit, it wasn't high on my list, however it honestly turned out to be a complete BLAST. Highly recommend it!

Our instructor trying to coach us through painting the picture to the right!

Stacy & Cassie

messy painters!

(picture credit to Cassie)

looks like fun, right?

the finished products!

clearly Stacy was the only one who followed directions (this time!)

Madelyn's Last Bottle

When Annabelle gave up the bottle everyone told me she might refuse milk in a sippy cup for about a week (tops) and then she would get over it. Not exactly the case... six months later (no exaggeration, in case you want to check) she started drinking milk again. Well since Mady has been back at school (oops forgot to mention that - since Jan 3) and they do not allow bottles in the classroom, earlier this week I asked Miss Kayla if Mady was actually drinking milk from a sippy cup. I asked this while Mady was hanging on my leg, and Kayla replied "Yes, of course!!" without a second of hesitation. Mady replied "Nooooooooooooo!!!" as in do not tell my Mommy that! The reason I asked, is because she has basically refused to drink milk from a sippy cup at home - water no problem, milk no way (same as Annabelle.) So with that information, we started preparing Madelyn with lots of conversations about getting rid of the bottle this week.

Here she is having her last bottle! Wish us luck!

Hannah is 4!!

Next up, Hannah's party! Stacy put on an amazing Mulan themed party! The girls all wore their princess dresses, they got their faces painted, and hair done, and just generally had a ball! {pun intended}

Hannah & Annabelle

Checking out her new hairdo in the mirror!

Hannah too!

Mushu cupcake cake & Chinese food!

oh boy...a sneak peak into future slumber parties! yikes.

Marcus is 4!!

Annabelle has quite a busy social calendar...this is the first of two birthday parties today!!

Marcus' had an obstacle course birthday party. The kids loved going through the course over & over again trying to master it.

Xmas in January

This must be a thing on Scott's side of the family because we have celebrated Christmas way into January as well. Here is what Scott's cousin wife, Sara, wrote on her blog:

one of the things i have DEEPLY appreciated about the littlejohn family is they are so flexible and gracious when it comes to the celebration of holidays. they believe the day doesn't matter, but the time spent together is of far more importance. so, we have celebrated Christmas as early as Thanksgiving and as late Martin Luther King, Jr Day. what a GIFT! thank you, littlejohns!

I couldn't have said it better myself {and hopefully she doesn't mind being quoted!} because this rings true for the Itens as well. And let's face it, the girls love continuing the Christmas celebration as long as they can!

Silly girls excited to open gifts with Grandma Suzie!

Love at first sight when they opened their new dolls!

Grand Prix / National Western Stock Show

Annabelle was my date to the Grand Prix again this year. We headed over a little before the event in order to drop $40 into the Denver economy! I should have just written a check. But she looks happy, right?

Eyes on the Coach!

Since we were playing hooky for the day, it worked out that we could go to Daddy's basketball game!!!! This season has been more challenging for me to get both girls and get to a game, so having the day off presented the perfect opportunity and we grabbed it! It was fun to see Mady at the games as last year she was still just a baby!

Where is Daddy?

There he is!

I LOVE THESE TWO!

Beaty & the Beast in 3D

I spent the last week in Orlando for work. Prior to my trip, I saw an advertisement for Beauty & the Beast coming to the theaters in 3D!! I was already planning on taking Friday off, so I decided Annabelle should play hooky from school so we could go to the movies. Bonus!!! Hannah & Stacy joined us!!

Dillon's 5!! Oh MY!

Well Dillon turned 5!! Seriously I can't keep up with all these kids. How do the Watson's have a FIVE year old!!! I think I might freak out when Annabelle turns 5 - warning.

The party was at Lollipop Park which the kids LOVED. An indoor amusement park, are you kidding me? A carousel, ferris wheel, train, swing ride, & tea cups... need I say more?

Mady's Chair

Look who got her own chair for Christmas!

(thank you Grandma & Grandpa!)

A rite of passage

When did my baby get old enough to ride on the end of a grocery cart?

New Years Day Flight Home!!

Mt Hood from our plane!