Fun Crazy Times with Friends and Kids

Yesterday we got together with some Carluccis (Ash + fam and Stacey and Ben) and the DeColas. I think Efrains is still recovering... ;)

Crazy, chaotic, but so fun. It's so much better to just embrace the madness! But you definitely feel a freedom when you're not the only one trying to coral, bounce, feed, chase, bribe a kid. 

Sweet Lainey DeCola:

...who was showing up Bode by sitting sweetly in her seat...

 ...while he did this:

Photogenic, eating machine Isla Paige:

Tiff and Grady!

Gotta love the dads with sons xox (and love having someone to "double team" with...is that the right word? I was a cheerleader.)

Aunty Ash

...and Aunty Stacey!

More close ups of Laine:

While Laine had a photo shoot with Aunty Ash, Grady and Mimi made up a fun game! Thank goodness! Mimi hasn't really been digging the idea of having a brother lately, so hopefully Grady helped her see that little boys can be fun...especially at restaurants. On the floor. ;)

This is Isla right before the floodgates opened and all of the children who were able to walk wandered out of the back area they exiled us to into the restaurant, with Stacey wondering when the moms were going to get in gear and chase them down.

(having Ash there meant that I got to be in a picture to prove that I am present in these family functions ;) Thanks friend.

Just sweet.

Practicing for the Longmont Fair 2018

And because Grady is such a Buffs fan and can name where Ralphie lives, he climbed on the buffalo too. P.S. Has anyone stopped to think why there's a random buffalo statue in front of Ef's? Just wondering.

Seriously beyond cute...

Then Ms. Isla Paige jumped into the action to up the cute factor!

It was about at this moment that we all started to wonder if this could be next year's Christmas card to save all the trouble come next December...?

Love how Isla always finds her mark!

Mimi wasn't looking at the camera because this is where she was talking Kris' ear off about her imaginary Alvin and the Chipmunks friends...

There you have it. More friends were missing, but a fun time was had by all :)

Kind of Random...

Of course there are some fun Christmas pictures to share, but I'd rather share all of this festive randomness from my phone pictures first...less effort involved. Plus, it's a fun picture of what we've been up to. 

making christmas cookies...

going to look at Christmas lights...

(we just couldn't seem to get the flash right!)

(can you tell how tired she was?!?! She fell asleep after seeing one moving reindeer)

a great example of how Mimi looks most of the time. She just re-discovered her "baby legs" leg warmers and went for the "Flash Dance" look.

This is her taking pictures with my old camera from my childhood. Following in the family footsteps..

taken of the Butterfly Pavilion's light display that I saw on the way to see high school friends for a dinner in Westminster. Driving around in the CRAZY snow and seeing Christmas decorations (while listening to nonstop Christmas music) makes me happy.

Mimi, during her very first Christmas Eve service at church. She loved the candles. And I loved seeing about the birth of Jesus with her. Goosebumps.

sweet, portable little Bode. This is how he ended Christmas Eve night at Aunt Karen's house...

Mimi at the kids table. I walked in and overheard all of the girls talking about what they asked Santa for. The excitement and anticipation about his arrival that night was palpable.

All I asked for for Christmas. And Benny delivered!

(after driving around to every book store in the county, he finally got a copy from our church. The thought of him going the extra mile and that he actually listened to me means more than the actual gift). Thanks babe. Now I won't feel like such a heathen at BSF when the white-haired ladies sing songs I don't know.. ;)

Mimi enjoying a treat from her stocking. Nothing says Christmas morning more than a giant lollipop.

Chillin' in the new sleeping bag...

surrounded by her new toys! (see the infamous pony. Santa delivered and it was all she talked about from Christmas morning on..YAY!)

watching Alvin and the Chipmunks (thank you DVR for storing every movie possible!) Mimi is obsessed with the furry guys. All six (boy chipmunks and girls) are her new imaginary friends and go with her wherever she goes.

Oh, Santa brought her a BIKE via Oma and BT too...

...and fairy wings from Nana and Rodger

And this Rapunzel get up (among MANY other things :)

I also got a gift cert to The Cozy Cottage so I could do what I love best and shop their after Christmas sale...this is what I got:

These next picture are entitled: "Why Colorado is So Cool"

Mimi and I spent a coatless day out front making snow castles in 50 degree weather. It was awesome. No snow gear needed (YES!)

On this day from the kitchen, in a VERY serious, concerned voice I heard Mimi say:

"MOM! Sometimes I get milk mustaches!"

And I come in to see this. So funny to me. Maybe you had to be there.

(it's a smoothie)

Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Rolls

Nana and Bode

Ben took a surprise FIVE days off this week and we are in HEAVEN. Best.thing.in.the.world.

Here's our morning Starbucks Date:

SUPER RANDOM. But all good memories! Thanks iphone for documenting way more of our life than should be! :)