Family Photos 2015

We recently had our family photos taken for Christmas and because it was our first photo shoot without Nicholas, we wanted to find small ways to honor him in our pictures. We brought a framed photo of him and it's kind of hard to see his face in the photos, so now we know to bring a larger one next time. We also brought a blue block with the letter 'N' on it and a small black wooden toy car he liked. It was a bittersweet experience as everything is without our son and I found myself getting teary several times during the shoot. I love my family, but without Nicholas it just doesn't seem complete. 

Frozen On Ice

I took Ella and my mom to Frozen on Ice last Friday and they both loved it. I think it's safe to say that it was Ella's most favorite thing. Ever. 

School Days

 The school that Ella attends and where I teach is kind of awesome. Well, not kind of, actually really awesome. I love it, I love all the opportunities Ella has to grow in her faith...through mass, apostolic works, daily prayer, and special events like the Living Rosary. 

The photo above is a large balloon Rosary that the whole school prayed together and then sent up to heaven with all of our prayer petitions attached to it. I couldn't help but notice the moon peaking out at us from behind the clouds at noon that day when it was drifting up. I smiled because it was then that I knew Nicholas was there with us. My heart was so happy. 

This is our girls' adorable Pre-K4 photo. She didn't wear the headband I sent her to school in that day, but she's still as cute as can be. 

Jeff's Home! {For a Few Days}

Jeff was home for a few days recently and we tried to cram in as much fun into four days as possible. We started with our neices' thirteenth birthday party and Jeff was happy to see his side of the family. 

 Later that evening we joined Jeff's sisters and their husbands for a few drinks. 

 We had family photos one evening and thankfully the rain held off for a few hours for those.

 We carved and decorated pumpkins...Ella did this one all by herself.

We cuddled with Moco...he loves Jeff the most. 

 Can't wait until he's officially back home!!

Little Dancing Girl

Ella started taking a tap/ballet class again and she LOVES it! Her teacher is awesome and she's got a great little group of girls to dance with. 

Jog-A-Thon

Each year PCA has a Jog-A-Thon fundraiser to raise money for the school. Ella ran an impressive 17 laps and raised a couple hundred dollars with the generous donations of friends and family members. Best of all, she had a blast!

The preschool students ran around the field, then the older kids walked to Doc Harris stadium and ran on the track. 

My little kinders did great! One ran 24 laps!!