Happy Anniversary to the Glasgows

Grandma and Grandpa Glasgow celebrated 70 years of marriage this February.  Their love and dedication for one another is an inspiration to couples everywhere! 

Lauren couldn't get enough of her cousin Eli.  I see babysitting in her future!

Holiday Magic

This doesn't come close to capturing all that we did during the holidays, but here's a little glimpse of it.  My New Years resolution will be to snap more pictures during family gatherings!

Just what Sami wanted from Santa...a Princess Tiana doll.  Mommy will request that no future dolls contain so much glitter on their dresses.

 

Christmas Eve conversation with Lauren:

"Mommy, do you think Santa got me that walking dog?"  In a whisper..."You got it, didn't you mom?  If not, Daddy can watch us while you go to Meijer.  There's only two left!"



Cincinnati Zoo Festival of Lights

New Year's Eve Rock Star Party

Lauren and her friend Luke

Britney Spears with my children.

Our hosts, the Merhiges



30 something moms gone wild...or gone disturbingly wrong.





Merry Christmas from the Gallites!

Skating on the Square

 The girls had their first ice skating experience just after Thanksgiving.  While Brandon and I managed to keep upright, I can't say that we were much help.  We've only been ice skating a few times ourselves.  Keeping the girls from falling into the crowd was exhausting!  Lauren's long legs were everywhere, and Sami liked to wipe out for the fun of it.  Bran and I were both feeling some aches and pains the next day.  Nevertheless, it was a fun and memorable experience.

Taking a break against the wall.

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Perfectly balanced for the moment.

We weren't quite as comfortable on the ice!

Ouch!

Her exact words were, "Mom, I feel just like the other kids!"  (Meaning, I can actually stay on my feet by myself!)

Boo!

Halloween was such a blast this year.  Both girls were really into it, and at 3, Sami definitely knew what to do.  We headed to our friends' house, the Becks, where the girls trick-or-treated with a crew of kids ranging in age from 3 months to 6 years old.   

Isn't Lauren scary?  Those vampire teeth were quite a production.  A week before Halloween, we had to fit them to her real teeth.  Each one was filled with an adhesive mold.  Then she had to lay on the couch with her mouth open and head back for 30 minutes straight!  One of the teeth hardened a little more than we expected, and we both panicked a little.  A lot of her teeth are loose, and I thought she just might lose one when we tried to pop the vampire cap off!  

 I have no idea where she got the idea to be a vampire, but I'm so glad she did!  We had a blast with it.

 

And then there's our little Rapunzel.  She wanted nothing to do with a wig, but pink cowgirl boots were a must.  By the way, she has officially outgrown the red ones.  (Sniff, sniff.)

 I love this photo of the unsuspecting Sami.  Everytime Lauren posed for a picture, she was going for some one's neck!

 Our vampire and princess.

This was one of many attempts at photographing the whole gang.  It was impossible!  There was a two year old with the group, but he wandered right out of the shot.  Pictured is Kenzie the pirate, Kiley the little mermaid, and Matthew the dragon (who has an adorable face that we can't even see!)

Happy Halloween from the Gallites!

Go Knights!

Lauren just finished a fun season on the first grade cheerleading team.  She wasn't always sure that she liked it (and frankly, either were we) but in the end, she really started enjoying herself and made some great friends.  

"All for the Knights, stand up and lean!"

Posing with the spirit stick (tucked under her pom-poms.)  Lauren showed the most spirit during this game!

First Days

Sami is a preschooler!  She is so excited to be a Tiny Tiger in Mrs. McQueen's class.  The first day, I gave her a push on the swings as she said, "Bye Mom."  I definitely shed a tear or two in the car, but was glad she had such an easy transition.  Unfortunately, the rest of the week didn't go as smoothy.  There were more than a few times when I had to pry her arms from my neck for the quick pass-off to Mrs. McQueen.  Thankfully, she started loving preschool again the next week.    

Ready to go!

Kicking up her heels!

Lauren started first grade about a week later.  She has Mrs. Smith this year who has already become a huge hit in our house.  Mrs. Smith sings and plays the guitar! 

Lauren is riding the bus for the first time this year.  Other than Mrs. Smith, I think that's been her favorite part!