Snow Fun!

Like everyone else on the East coast we got a nice little taste of winter last week that left us with a foot of snow! This was the first big snow storm since the girls were born and we were all itching to get outside and play in it! The girls had a blast taking turns on the sled and Daddy got a nice workout running them up and down the hill in our backyard. Snow is definitely fun when you have little ones to enjoy it!

She was so excited about the snow when she woke up that she insisted on going out in  PJ's to stand in it.

Watching daddy shovel a path for Lupa

This one had a tough time walking. The top layer of snow had turned to ice.

Caught her taking a little bite

Mommy taking a turn and Mackenzie still having trouble walking, haha

Mommy and her snow bunnies

Didn't want to stop eating the snow for a picture

Daddy and his girls

Having a little snowball fight with daddy

She has a REALLY good arm!

Daddy was a little scared ;-)

Surprise!

As many of you know I turned the big 3-0 this past Sunday and what a better way to ring in a new decade then with a surprise party thrown by family and friends! My parents came up in what I thought was to watch the girls while Jimmy and I went out to dinner and a movie. They obviously had something else in mind and the scheming starting Friday evening when my parents gave me an amazing gift, a day at the spa with my Momma. It was a perfect gift and an even better plan to get me out of the house on Saturday! So while I was busy getting beautified at the spa, my husband was busy at home organizing the big surprise! My in-laws came down from Pennsylvania bearing delicious meatballs that would  be the party's main course while my sister and her family came up from Blacksburg with all the hand made decorations and unbelievable cake and cupcakes. My dad was in charge of watching the kiddies while everyone went to work on transforming the house into a place to party! It was truly a joint effort. I was so surprised and truly touched when I walked into the room and saw my family and best friends all gathered to celebrate my big day. The guests included my parents, in-laws, my sister and her family, my uncle Vince, and our great friends the Walkers and Shaws (and their little ones)! Unfortunately Kevin, Jenna, and Nick were unable to make it but I know they were there in spirit! I cannot thank everyone who was involved in the party planning enough. You made me feel so incredibly loved and I just wanted to send all those warm feeling right back to you. I have learned through the recent years that life is not to be taken for granted and that turning a year older is not something to frown upon but something to truly celebrate! I am so blessed to have hit the 30 year mark and I am looking forward to many more birthday milestones! Another special thank you to my husband, Mom, Dad, Pat, Jim, Kristin and Matt for all their hard work, planning, cooking, baking, decorating, child watching, traveling, and so on and so on! I love you all so much!

*Thank you Kristin for taking all of these awesome pictures. Is there anything you can't do?! :-)

Cake and Cupcakes by Kristin

Decorations by Kris

Surprise!!!!

Isla came to party!

Best Friends

Brandon got into the birthday spirit!

Such a great gift from the Shortt crew and Kev. All the pictures that I have posted on Instagram in one frame!

Mommy's 30!

Isla Marie- 16 Months

Isla Marie turned 16 months on the 18th! Our sweet little girl is growing like a weed and we love watching her bloom! She is weighing in at 20 lbs. 4 oz. and is 27 inches long. She is in the 10th percentile for weight, height, and head. She is a perfectly proportioned peanut! She is full of energy, runs wherever she goes, and still loves to smile, smile, smile! She is always up for a tea party, loves to chase her big sister around the house, and has never been known to turn down a hug or a kiss. Her favorite things are her big sister, bunny, and reading books. Her biggest dislikes are not being allowed to eat lolly pops (way to messy) and being told no when playing in the dogs water bowl. We are loving this current stage and are so proud of the amazing little girl she is turning into. Happy 16 months, Isla!