Goings on

 Three cheers for 60 degrees today! Hard to believe it was in the teens last week.

So I made chicken fried steak for the first time last night. Dave and my dad graciously ate and extolled it, but I know if fell short of the crispy goodness it was meant to be. Anyone have any good chicken fried steak recipes? Sorry Ree Drummond, but this one was a greasy mess.

Rose and David are BFFs of late. She scurries to the tub when she knows he's in there. 

She's even grown accustomed to his tough love.
He lies on top of her and she squeals and tries to crawl with him on her back.
Priceless. 

Frankie and Teresa don the crowns they decorated.

They also decorated my arm when I wasn't looking.

David: "You got stickers,  Mommy?" Why, yes I do.
What do you think- a good look? 

Shout out...

...to the incredible movement freezing their tales off at the March for Life, including Jackson and Maria!   Notre Dame Right to Life is heading the hoards, woo hoo! Watching live coverage via EWTN I've seen estimates of 500,000. So encouraging!!

Yeah baby!

Rosie

Ok, do most nine-month-olds ride rocking horses? Just thought this was blog-worthy. These two make me smile.

Birthday post

Dave bonds with Rose in a...special way. There are so many scary things about this picture.

Tea party to take off the chill. 

Rose tries out her new rocking horse, lovingly inscribed "Rosie" by Grandmommy.

Happy 30th birthday to my sweet husband. Wish I took pictures of the party we had yesterday at the Pop-pops' house. Suffice it to say it was marked by lots of eating, drinking, and merry-making. Kudos to Grandmommy for providing the  sole nutrients via delicious broccoli salad.

Now watch this. It's hilarious.

Holiday recap

We spent Christmas with Lolo and Lola in Cleveland. After the initial (expected) busyness of the days surrounding Christmas proper, we were able to settle in and relax over coffee, puzzles, delicious Christmas sweets and many good meals. Thanks for hosting us dear Lolos!

They stayed like this, David lying in her lap playing with his train, for about five minutes. So.cute.

Lola's Christmas craft: flower arrangements. I got to make one too. 

Cinnamon is good for you, right? Good, because we're made out of these cinnamon rolls.

Lamb for dinner, plum pudding for dessert. Full disclosure: stomach ache for bedtime.

Leaving for Greenhouse Tavern in Cleveland. Thanks Jeff and Kate!!

Then on to Grandmommy and Pop pop for a delightful New Years' Eve soiree. Late night Scrabble and popcorn after the little ones (myself included :)) went to bed made for a fun evening. To be surrounded by family was comforting and stress-relieving after struggling through a week of insomnia. I think I speak for all mommies when I say to be taken care of by one's own mommy and daddy takes on indescribable value after one becomes a mommy oneself. :)

Frankie has been itching to use the new cupcake baking set Uncle Jeff and Aunt Kate sent her. We got busy today:

Pink just seemed appropriate.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!