a visit in November

 So I had this great idea for a Christmas present for my parents.  I was a little bit of work but totally worth it.  It turned out beautiful and my parents love it.  This picture was one of many that weren't turning out.  I was a little irritated.

my beautiful girls and I (this was right before Maci broke my necklace)

 which resulted in her crying the rest of the time

My sweet Mya

 so she's beautiful and has the sweetest little demeanor.  We just love her so much.

This little beauty is very into dressing up.  Her imagination amazes me. 

 Yay! Grandma and Grandpa came for a visit and they stayed for 3 weeks!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so grateful the girls know their grandparents.  Mya especially has a memory of both sets and she talks about them all the time.

 sweet sweet Maci girl!

 they know just how to get what they want.  Sit by Grandma:)

The dreaded yearly blood draw.  I'm so grateful that my inlaws were here.  Taking both girls in to have their blood drawn at the same time was not super fun.  It was nice to have LaVaun distract Mya while they did Maci and then she took Maci in the hall when it was Myas turn so Trent could stay with me.  The girls did great (cried but not a ton) The nurses do such a great job of coming prepared with things to distract the kids.  There were 4 nurses to do the job.  One to draw the blood, the other to kind of help hold them down (if needs be) the other two to blow bubbles, play with toys etc.  I am happy to announce that Maci's test came back normal and she does not have Spherecytosis!!

the beloved pad, those kids would sit and play with that thing for hours, exactly why I won't get one.

 She is seriously such a character.  She LOVES to put on Mya's unders over her clothes.  She screams when I try to take them off.  Maybe she'll be an early potty trainer?????

I can't believe how big this girl is getting.  She is the best helper and loves to cook and clean and fold laundry.  Every day she reminds us that shortly she'll be 4 and gets to go to school.

One day we were all just sort of playing and Mya got that rope and gave a side to Trent and the other side to LaVaun and said now it's time to dungle.  uh what?  oh mom you know, dungle.  She then proceeded to go under the rope.  So we think that going under something means to dungle:)

And this is the present I made for my parents.  Right now it seems impossible to get all 5 siblings, spouses and children together so I saw this idea and ran with it.  It's all of us in a photo "together" without having to all be together.  I think it turned out awesome.