Lily 18 months

I put Lily and Gwen in the shower with me this morning. Our shower is pretty much the family shower. The girls have their own but it is rarely (never) used. Our master shower is stocked with plastic ducks and turtles and of course kiddie shampoo (family fave...suave's kids orange mango. the best!) The kids smell soo good after their showers I want to just eat them right up. I wrapped Lily up and set her on my bed and then went back to get a shivering Gwen her towel. Gwenners ran off after her shower to choose her own outfit for preschool (always interesting) but Lily was content just like this on my bed. I can't get enough of her! Add her smelling like orange mango and I was a goner. To die for cute.

Boogie Shoes

Ever since Elle was a baby I have put on music in the morning during breakfast. I used to hold her and spin and dance. The same song every morning. Boogie Shoes. Totally random, I know. I don't even know how that song became the McGee Family's official "morning song" but it is. Now that she's in school, we still put on Boogie Shoes during the morning routine. Getting her out the door by 7:45 is a little crazy. There's always homework, papers that need to be signed, trying to remember what day her library book is due, getting her dressed and her hair done, shoes and socks (my nightmare...lots of fights in this department), packing her lunch and getting her breakfast all while I have two other very needy little girls. Putting this song on lightens the mood greatly. I can be completely losing it with the grumpy kids but as soon as I put the music on they are all happy. If there's still a frowny face, I just pick that morning's grump up and start spinning them, it's like magic. Impossible for them to keep the frown. The door was open so she could see when jon pulled up to get her. He leaves super early in the morning but since he works so close, when he can, he'll swing back home to take Elle to school. That's their time. I am usually way too all over the place to take a picture but I did catch this one of Elle this morning when she didn't know I was looking. A little blurry but what could I expect when one arm had a pack of turkey and bottle of mustard in it and Lily standing on my feet with her hands up in the air (her way of saying, 'hold me"). I know I could do a lot of this the night before but I'm just not that organized. There, I said it. So if I can make my crazy mornings at least, fun, I think we're good. I know inevitably this tradition will end some day but for this stage in our lives it works and is super fun. I feel like if I can get them to leave the house happy, that will set the tone for their whole day. How can your day not be great if it starts with a dance party? If nothing else, when they're older and they hear the song Boogie Shoes they'll laugh.

The McGees 2010

photo by ashlee raubach

McGee Christmas Card 2010

Since the year Jon and I were married I have made sure that we've sent out photo Christmas cards. I have been keeping them in a separate book. The main reason I started was to make sure that we have at least one good family photo each year. The deadline of sending out the cards keeps me on track. The book is so much fun for the girls to look through. Jon and I sent out a picture from our wedding day our first Christmas together. The very next year's card I am holding baby Elle in my arms (we didn't mess around). We have one where I am pregnant and puffy faced...I delivered Gwen 2 days after that photo was taken and the cards document it all. The book is and will always be one of my most treasured items. There's lots of empty pages in it still and I look forward to filling them up in the years to come.

All Smiles

Gwen has ladybug rain boots. She loves them but was really, really excited about getting the ladybug umbrella. Well, it arrived and she was all smiles. She said she did NOT want to wear the boots because the rain made her feet feel "tickely". And for the record, her smile under that umbrella was just as big as the one on top.

A Happy New Year

My sister Megan and her family came into town for a visit. We met them at the Terranea Resort for a few days. It was heavenly. A much needed break for all of us. Both of our husbands had to work so Megan and I had 7 kids between us to entertain. Our rooms were overlooking the ocean and the resort made everything easy. The kids had a blast at the pool complete with a waterslide (elle's favorite), sandpark (lily's fave) and kids jacuzzi (gwen's favorite). Megan and I sat with jackets and scarves on while the kids swam. The pools were heated but it was COLD outside. They rode their bikes on all of the trails and just had fun together. I loved hanging out with my sister and that my kids were with their cousins. It was a perfect way to start the new year. Here's to 2011!

Santa Toys

I haven't had time to go through my Christmas photos yet but did spot these 3. Lily with her toy phone, Elle with her doggy pillow pet and Gwen in-charge at the microphone. My highlight was watching them peer down the stairs on Christmas morning and hearing them yell...

" He came! Santa came to our house!" That was the only present I needed.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we tracked Santa on Jon's laptop. We went to the site and a news anchor gave live coverage of santa's sleigh and its whereabouts . When we were tucking our girls into bed he was flying north from Mexico. We told them he was almost to California and that they better hurry and get to sleep so he didn't have to pass our house (he can only stop if they're asleep.) I wish I could use this tactic every night. They were in bed and fast asleep in minutes.

My Christmas Angel

This little one has brought me nothing but happiness this past year. She now says "mama" and if you say, "lily, kisses" she will walk straight up to your lips and plant one on you. If that's not cute I don't know what is.

Santa Sheets

Christmas Room

Elle and Gwen call their room the "Christmas Room". I got them flannel Christmas Sheets with santas and snowmen on them. You would have thought I bought them the moon. They were beyond excited. When I was washing them Gwen moved her little step stool into the laundry room to make sure she was there the minute they were done. The buffalo check duvet covers were an easy switch and I think made it so cute. In January we'll go back to lavender but this has been fun for them for Christmas. Here they are playing, "pass the grinch". The lamp only fell over once and it didn't break. A christmas miracle.

Santa

We took our girls to see Santa tonight. It was crowded at the mall and the line was long. Our girls were wiggly and excited. After what seemed like an eternity we made it to the front of the line. We sat all three girls on his lap and they quickly took the picture. Lily freaked out completely and did the arch-back scream. As soon as they got the picture we rescued her and then Elle and Gwen each got about 30 seconds of Santa one-on-one time. Priceless. I forgot to set my camera's settings before the girls got on his lap and then it was just crazy and too late. The pictures are a mess but I'm thankful I at least got something! You can see Elle explaining to him with her hands the exact thing she wants him to bring her to hold her doll clothes in. Gwen was just as descriptive asking for her very own American Girl Doll.

I love the author Chris Van Allsburg's description of how he felt about Santa as a child. He explains it as,

"an exquisite almost unbearable anticipation of a fairy tale coming to life. a fairy tale that included me."

Just 3 more sleeps!

A First

Elle had a singing performance last weekend and sang her very first solo. Her teacher did all of the girls hair in up-dos before the show. She felt VERY fancy. Elle was so nervous and when we first arrived for the performance she told her teacher she didn't want to do it. We convinced her back into it and then in the middle of the performance she told her teacher again that she was too nervous. I looked at her, gave her a smile and whispered that she could do it. She agreed and stood up and sang Jingle Bells. The best part was her little face so happy with herself when she sat down. It was so, so simple and sweet.

Happy

These girls make me happy. My Lily-pie missed the photo but was much happier taking her morning nap.

Home

I had a party at our home last night. I moved these candelabras into our kitchen and had them lit all night. It looked so pretty that tonight after dinner Elle asked if I would light them again because it made it feel more like Christmas. I have no delusions of thinking I am a great interior decorator or that our house is "all that", believe me. I know better. I do however want to capture the home that my girls will always think of as theirs. The Santa on the island is Gwen's favorite. I caught her on the counter yesterday trying to see what toys he had in his bag. The Elf hanging on the wreath in the kitchen window we named, Sammy. He reports back to Santa each night if they have been good or bad. The Christmas cards hung on our kitchen cupboards hold the faces of the people we love most. I took these pictures on a whim tonight just as I was about to blow out the candles because it looked so pretty and I wanted to capture it for me. I want to remember that when I took these pictures I had my 3 little girls upstairs fast asleep in their beds. This is the home we are raising our girls in and the home they will always remember. That to me makes it special.

Countdown

It's official. Just 9 days until Christmas. My girls ask me every day how many more days until Christmas. I found this cute advent calendar that I hang in my kitchen window. Each morning we turn over a card and they can see exactly how many more days until the BIG DAY. Grandma and Grandpa McGee gave each of the girls chocolate advent calendars but on December 2nd I came downstairs to find Elle and Gwen with all 24 doors open on their calendars and all of the chocolates gone. No self control. And you know who they blamed? Lily. You can't eat these cards so I think we're safe.

Happy 4th Birthday!!

Today is our Gwen's 4th Birthday. Jon woke her up early and took her to the donut shop and then to Starbucks for hot chocolate...just the two of them. When she came home we had her present wrapped and waiting for her. She has been wanting talking Woody and Jesse dolls for a long time now. They have not left her grasp ever since she laid her eyes on them. Can you tell she's excited? We are going to do a little party for her next week but until then she's set!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Gwenners.

WE ♥ YOU!

Christmas Trees and a Birthday Party

We made our yearly trek to the local Christmas tree lot last night. The girls were beyond excited. We've gone to the same one for the past 6 years. Elle and Gwen have the routine down now. They play hide-and-seek in the rows of trees, look for candy canes and I of course always make them pose for pictures. Lily was able to join in on the fun last night too. She was so cute wandering around all the tall trees. We found a perfect tree and let the girls stay up way too late decorating it. ( i love these little girls. those smiles are so sweet. and i love that they were smiling at their daddy who was making them laugh for me while i took the picture)



In other McGee family news - today is my 36th Birthday. Elle ran into my room this morning and said, "mom! get up! gwen is throwing all of the Christmas ornaments around downstairs" (totally believable - she's our wild-child :) I ran down the stairs and found Jon with all three girls in the kitchen singing happy birthday. He woke the girls up early (without me knowing) and drove them all in their pj's to the bagel shack to get me my favorite breakfast bagel. They had a candle in it and everything for me to blow out. It was so cute and the best birthday party ever. Elle and Gwen were especially excited because Jon let them get chocolate milk because it was "a party". I've had a happy life but I must say that I have never been as happy as I am these days. Here's to another 36 years (and then some)!

Holiday Card

photo and card by ashlee raubach

This actually isn't our holiday card but it is pretty darn cute if I do say so myself. The talented ashlee raubach took our family pictures this year thanks to a hot tip from my sister-in-law Shea (thanks, auntie shea!) I chose this photo to hang in our front room. I love it so much. I was looking on Ashlee's website and saw she did custom holiday cards and used us as an example. Fun!

And speaking of my sister-in-law Shea...check out her amazing jewelry company,

Old Soul New Heart for any last minute gifts.

It is all handmade and beautiful!

Cousins

Elle and her cousin Quinn on the front yard swing. These two were inseparable the whole weekend. Elle told me that they would lay in bed and whisper "private stuff" because they are BFF's.

Lily

Lily and my sister's dog, Zeta, on Thanksgiving Morning.

I'm thankful for...

How cute is this print by laura george?

When I ran across this print the other day it actually reminded me of Elle and Gwen's sweet prayers they say before bed. They literally ramble off everything they can possibly think of each night that they are thankful for. The things they whisper are usually the simple things that I take for granted each day. I am thankful for my little girls who remind me daily to be thankful (especially for the little things.)

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving!

We had a fun Thanksgiving weekend. Here's my Gwen in her Indian Costume she made in preschool. We spent Thanksgiving at my sister Megan's home and Gwen made sure that I packed this for the big day. We had a moment where there were tears because the pink feather was lost but I found it just in time (Phew!) The weekend was spent playing with cousins, swimming, sleeping in an indoor tent, eating and lots of lounging. Perfect.

The Little Things

Here's my pie-pie diving for toys. She has been known to fall completely in and get stuck with her legs straight up in the air. Luckily I have been close by on those occasions to rescue her. I can't stand how big she is getting. Such a big girl these days. While driving today I was reaching my hand back for Elle to hand me something and Lily (whose carseat is directly behind the drivers seat) grabbled my finger with her little hand. It was totally unexpected and unbelievably adorable. She had my finger grasped so tightly and each time I pulled my hand back she would start to cry. I couldn't let go. I drove like that for the rest of my carpool run. It was just too cute. Being surrounded by little kids all day everyday is tiring but so rewarding. Little things like chubby little feet sticking straight out of our toy bucket and driving around with my baby's hand tightly holding mine are exactly the things I never, ever want to forget.

Love her...

My Elle has a heart of gold. She is sweet and sensitive. The sensitivity causes some issues at times but I think as she grows up it will become her biggest strength. Tonight as we were lying in bed she said, "mama, I know I don't act like it outside my body sometimes but I really love you a lot inside my body. a lot. even higher than the sky, space and heaven." It was such a sweet way to hear her put her feelings into words. She then told me that she wants to be just like me when she grows up. She said, "I've decided to grow my hair long and to wear jeans, flip-flops, gold bracelets and cardigans every day." Too funny! I love this sweet girl.

She's Walking!

This little love bug started walking on her own just a few days before Halloween. Here she is on our front porch this morning feeling very independent. There is something so sweet about watching your baby take her first steps. It never gets old. Lily-pie just cruises around our house now like it's no big deal. I happen to think it is a big deal and very, very cute.

Good Morning

This morning I found my 3 girls wrapped in a quilt on the stairs watching cartoons. That stair location is their favorite tv viewing spot. They were all snuggled up together in their pajamas (how funny is gwen's bed-head) and it really was so cute. I love these little girls and I am so glad they have each other.

Risk Takers

"There is no greater risk than matrimony.

but there is nothing happier than a happy marriage."

--benjamin disraeli, 1870

I love Jon. The best part however is that I really, really like him too. I'm glad we took the risk.

Happy Halloween

There's a new Sheriff in town...

In keeping with our "western" theme this year, Lily went as a Sheriff for Halloween. I couldn't look at her without laughing. The cutest thing was that you could tell she felt as cute as she looked. She's a keeper.

Happy Halloween

Elle and Gwen were cowgirls this year. Their stick horses made galloping sounds when you pushed a little button on the horses' ears. The toy guns and holsters provided a full week's worth of entertainment. They had those things on all day, everyday and would chase after pretend rattlesnakes, coyotes and raccoons (I'm not just making this up) in our house. Gwen learned to yell, "yeeha!" and Elle's favorite line was "howdy partner!" They each filled their plastic pumpkins to the brim with candy. Jon and I woke up the next morning to both of them sitting on our bed with their pumpkin buckets in their laps chomping away (I have sticky marks all over our white quilt to prove it). If you're not having candy for breakfast on November 1st then I just don't know if we can be friends. It's a must. The end to a very fun Halloween.

My little Pumpkin

This little pumpkin is all mine. And I wouldn't have it any other way.