Tubing at Snow Creek in Weston!

 

To celebrate the last weekend of winter (February) we decided to take the girls sledding at Snow Creak in Weston where they make fake snow and have a ski and tubing hill that is super fun. Mike and I had been before on a date night, but never taken the girls (about 45 minutes from our house in KC.) 

We had a blast! We let each girl bring a friend and 

I forgot how fast the hill was - it was thrilling!

Proof that I tubed too! (Also a video below of me going down!) 

I went down atleast 16 times!

Kate loved to spin!

No spinning for me - unless it just happens naturally!

Anna + Molly

Sunday Funday!

Victoria + Kate

Friday Night Volleyball, Saturday Night Basketball

Last Friday night volleyball for Kate and her team playing winter volleyball. 

Sweet group of girls from Cure' on her team and Ruby 

joined for the last one to help cheer them on.

I think the friends carpool is their FAVORITE thing about Friday night volleyball games - loud music, singing along to the radio and ice-cream afterwards!

Back Row: Anna, Cecilia, Reece

Middle Row: Ruby, Kate, Cece

Saturday night was Molly's first tournament game for the end of the CYO season - 

Molly played AMAZING defense, getting several turn overs for us and on this one got fouled after a turnover on her shot - 

It was a close game the entire game- both teams with great defense the entire game - and we won in the end and it was SO EXCITING!! Playing for 1st place next weekend!

Kate Gets Her Ears Pierced!

 

No more naked lobes for this girl! She decided as soon as basketball season was over, she wanted to finally get them pierced at the mall - she brought her friend Ruby along with us for moral support, along with her big sister of course!

These are the days . . . 

So brave!

And just like that - she looks 3 years older! 

Love that she wanted to hold my hand.

A fun memory she won't forget!

Our Week in Pictures . . .

 

A beautiful robin visited me at the kitchen window, looking right in at me. 

I've heard that when robins are near, loved ones are near . . . 

Kate celebrated her dear friend Victoria turning double digits!

And she gave us a handwritten letter on why she wants a fish. We've never heard her mention this before - so this one came out of left field. ;)

Bear sitting with all his favorite toys at once - we had to capture it. #toyhog

End of regular season for Molly's basketball team - ready for tournament time!

Sarah invited us to a sweet Valentine's painting class . . .

I could use some artistic help - but it was still so fun!

Favorite flower I drew . . . 

This was the notepad I made with the boxwood wreath I painted. 

Molly was featured in the new school hype video!

Kate + Ruby on class field trip to Science City!

What a crew . . . 

Molly joined Anna and her mom to the KC Zoo one day when they were out of school.

Kate won her last basketball game of their winning season!

And finally - I treated myself to reading glasses for my 49th birthday. I think they are a little small on me, what do you think!? 

Level 49!

 

My Mom was baking Valentine's cookies for my Dad when her water broke and she went into labor with me. She always associated my birthday with Valentine's Day, falling on the 15th just the day after the holiday associated with love.

As a child, my birthday parties were filled with pink, red and purple decorations and every year my gifts always had a pink or heart theme. I don't think this was purposeful or even thought out - I think valentines just made her think of my birthday - a set of pink mixing bowls from Williams Sonoma, a heart shaped muffin pan, a red sweater from Sundance, a box of lavender lotions and bath salts . . .

Last year, was the last year to have her call me on my birthday morning to sing to me (although neither of us knew this). She sent me these heart pajamas, so I wore them last night in honor of the amazing woman who I was lucky enough to also call my Mom.

It's true what they say, " No one will ever love you as your mother does." There is no love as pure, unconditional and strong as a Mother's love.

On my 49th birthday, I am reminded of how very much she loved me and only pray that someday we will be reunited together again.

Cheers to living in the moment and loving our people while we have them here on earth.

Cheers to embracing being alive another year!

Cheers to leveling up to 49!

So grateful for my friends and family . . . 

A candle from my college roomie - very fitting from our college shenanigans.

And lots of Spring flowers from friends nearby.

Rise + Shine! It's Celebration Time!!

 

On Wednesday, KC threw a huge Superbowl Champions Parade and Pep Rally! All the schools in Kansas City closed school so the kids could attend or watch on TV.

Molly and Kate really wanted to go and be part of the excitement in person and so did our friends the Parrishes so we decided to wake up early and get a spot in front of Union Station!  The Dads had to work so it just us Moms and kids! Sarah, Anna and Bennett picked us up at 8:00 a.m. sharp!

We  dressed in lots of layers as it was only in the low 30's and very windy and cold.

We were parked and walking towards the Rally Stage before 9:00 a.m.! 

Rally started at 1:45 p.m. 

Love these Chiefs fans!!!

We found a great spot on the lawn in front on a hill - with great viewing for the kids!

We snuggled together and brought LOTS of snacks!

Not exactly how I pictured spending my birthday - sitting on a cold lawn with 100,000 people in the bitter cold for 6 hours. :)  But  I embraced it and the energy was electric!

And so happy I got to spend it with my girls!!!

Crowd was getting very very tight and crowded - so glad we came when we did!

My view cuddling Kate . . .

Playing clap games to stay warm . . .

Mike's electric hand warmer came in handy - 

These are the days . . .

Grateful for these fun girls - always up for an adventure!

Pep Rally about to start!

People climbing the light poles and trees!

Tech N9ne performing "Red Kingdom" for us!!

Travis Kelce!!!

Mahomes!!!

Walking back to our car - we parked 1 mile away and still was slow going - 

Look at the crowd behind us walking over the bridge to their cars . . .

Love KC!

I see us! ;)

We met Mike after work for a birthday dinner - and guess who sat right next to us at J. Gilberts? Danny Shelton, a Defensive lineman for the Chiefs! It was his wife's birthday too! Of course, we had to get a pix with all our Chiefs clothes on!