We had a Merry and Bright December :)

Our Elf, Elizabeth, came back with lots of silliness to help us have some fun waiting for Christmas

Rose also decided to change it up this year with a jam countdown calendar...some were yummy and some were not!

We completed this wreath for the annual poinsettia show at the local greenhouse. In my opinion, it was totally the best...maybe we'll try again next year :)

We also got to spend time with friends and enjoy a holiday train ride

And dinner with some Christmas friends!

Our cute foster kittens are enjoying the holiday season...or at least eating the decorations :)

Rose got to wear festive PJ's to school 

Rose had a special visitor at school when she needed her braces fixed. She got the rest of her braces on and it was a rough week, but it's going better!

We got to hear Rose play her instruments in the winter concert

We took Rose to her first concert. We all follow Lindsey Stirling and her concert was even better in person!! 

We drove around several nights to see lights and found this road:

Nana had her second hip operated on and we visited her at rehab...luckily she made it home by Christmas

And we celebrated Pop's birthday with dinner out

And his favorite cake :)

Christmas 2023 Ornament!!

We had a wonderful Christmas including lots of celebrations with family and wonderful gifts!

Rose finally used her Christmas Tree cake pan from last year

Her new favorite throw blanket

New ceiling fan for her room and fresh sheets and blankets (lots of blankets)

Rose also enjoyed her Christmas break with lots of trips to Target

And Chic Fil A 

We also got to see a movie and Rose snuck in a little popcorn...don't tell her orthodontist ;)

We waited for 2024 with some fun games. Most of these were from Instagram with a few modifications. Fun was had by all except for a few of the oreo combinations...

Some of our favorite memories from 2023 :) It's been a great year and we are excited for 2024!!

Thankful for everything :)

 

Soooo this happened again...BRACES for Rose. She'll have this set on for a couple years, but she's being a great sport about it :)

Rose has also *FINALLY* agreed to a room redo!! She has had the same paint since her first night in our home, so some fresh color was overdue. 

And while we were at it, we updated the curtains and got some new furniture!

There's a few other things the room is getting for Christmas and then this preteen should be all set for the next few years :)

We are really enjoying fostering these two cuties and they seem pretty happy to be with us too :)

Also this is the kittens favorite time of year...I buy from Amazon just for the boxes :)

We made it out to Troegs to see Rose's clarinet teacher play, it's always fun to combine things we enjoy and spend time together.

Rose created another fabulous wreath for the Glick's Poinsettia Show. 

And we celebrated by going out to eat  

For Thanksgiving these two got to work pealing 5 pounds of potatoes!

And then they needed to rest :)

Rose had to hunch down so Aunt Kate would look taller in this photo.

After Thanksgiving it's time for all things Christmas!!