Welcome Back, Buddy!/ Putting Up the Tree!

Oh my goodness... Mallory and William were up at 6 am seeing if their "Buddy" has arrived... and he did... with a note! They were so cute... talking to him and writing him letters and leaving him food! They sure love this tradition this time of year... so do Mike and I!

Then, he came back the next day in a new t shirt! It says, Santa is My BFF! The twinners thought it was hysterical!

William insisted on decorating the tree in his Cub Scout uniform!

Mallory wore her t shirt and elf pj bottoms! Both her and William crack me up!

I only did a few high ones this year... they did the whole tree themselves for the most part! So stinkin' cute! And... all of our ornaments are hand-made or have a meaning behind them.  I love that it's hodge podge... it tells an incredible story! My friends and family... my past... present... future... my loves!

Movies and Pat's 70th Birthday!

This long Thanksgiving Day weekend, I went to 2 movies.  One with my family - The Peanuts Movie... and one with my mom - White Christmas! My phone setting isn't very good... the pictures are blurry... but you can still see my precious loves sweet smiles! Both cute and great movies!

 I grew up watching White Christmas here and there with my mom! Today... I got to watch the whole thing! (My treat to my mom for all that she does for us!) Tears came to our eyes! It's one of my mom's ultimate favorite movies! Pretty much mine now, too! How fun to see this classic movie on the big screen! We love the dancing and singing! And... Bing Crosby... wow!

Then... we went to Pat's 70th birthday this weekend as well.  It took place at Farmer Brown's. Best steak and prime rib! The evening celebrating Pat and hanging out with our friends... it was a truly touching night!

Thanksgiving Day 2015!

Happy Thanksgiving Day! We are so lucky and blessed to have the family and friends we do! Here are just a few fun pics from the Lawler and Tom Loftus house! We picked up Mi-Ma since there was this sleet/ran thing happening.  Glad we still made it to our two house! We are so very thankful for the Lawler/Connelly and Loftus family! Thank you for hosting and for... everything!

Thanksgiving Eve!

It's a Loftus tradition! For the last many many years, we've gone to visit Santa on Christmas Eve! It's so much fun to NOT wait in line and get quality time with Santa.  Plus, we worry about the big guy working too much on Thanksgiving! He told us that he is taking a break tomorrow to eat some turkey! Whew!

Santa said to Mallory: You sweet young lady would probably like your two front teeth for Christmas!  She giggled and giggled! She did ask Santa for a remote control car! 

It's good that Mike's face is hiding... because William asked for an Iowa Hawkeye's jersey from Santa! Mallory is cracking up and I can't believe William is sticking with his Iowa idea! What!???!!!

Then, our next tradition is to go get our personalized ornament... I just love it and our little family!

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

Girl Time/Boy Time!

Mallory and I spent the day with Mi-Ma on this sunny Sunday! And... look what Mi-Ma made for Gpa Bob?! How cute is that!!! I had to take a picture! So we went to Mi-Ma's apartment and helped her with her groceries and trash.  Mallory loves being over there.  Mi-Ma teaches her sewing and shows her all of her blankets.  Mallory didn't want to leave... but eventually, we had to meet up with the boys for Church! Love you, Mi-Ma! Thanks again for babysitting last night!

I found what else the twins made for Mi-Ma on Grandparents Day! Awwww... adorable!

William also had an awesome "boys day" with Daddy and the Boy Scouts! The boys brought their favorite healthy snack and shared why it is healthy.  Then the guys played team activities in the gym. William and Daddy had a great time!

Dysfunctional Thanksgiving 2015/Dump of the Month Club!

17th Dysfunctional Thanksgiving at Dan and Aaron's! Can we say 22 Christmas trees... each with a theme and decor... 0 mangers... a whole Christmas village... and lights and beauty galore! What a beautiful night with friends... just what I needed to turn my frown upside-down! Each day is such a blessing... and I couldn't be more thankful for my husband, Mallory, William, Mi-Ma, and my friends... who are so much my family! Thank you for reminding me God that there is a plan... I just have to keep trusting in the moment! (This being an adult is hard... but his night... oh, so AMAZING!)

Just Dan and I have made it to every single Dysfunctional... I was honored to have one of the heads of the tables!

 Cheers to good friends and good times! LOVE YOU, Dan and Aaron! We can't wait to bring the twins to your house for a quick evening of winter wonderment! (Side note... they started decorating in October!)

After making a great night of things... we even headed to our 1st Dump of the Month. Dump of the Month is Holy Cross parents meeting up at a dive bar basking in all the glory and coming together.  We try to figure out this "parenting"... it's good to know... we are all in this together! Yeah for being Falcon parents! God is good!