Cousin Sleepover!

Last weekend we had our nieces Reagan and Rylie spend the weekend with us while my SIL & BIL were in Chicago.  If we were going to have 5 kids, why not have 6?!  We had to have our other niece Kinsley spend Friday night too :)

We had Little Ceasars pizza, made ornament crafts, and had a slumber party in the basement (complete with a movie and popcorn of course!).

Everybody slept in the basement....except for Mommy and Kendall, we got to sleep in our own beds!  Kendall definitely enjoyed playing with the big kids before bedtime though :)

The next morning, we had breakfast and then I went downtown for the Jingle Bell Run......it was a brisk 10 degrees outside.  It was fun to run with this group of girls from work despite the cold weather!

Lori, Heidi, Liz, Alyssa, me, Danielle, Michelle, Kelly

After the race, I raced home and we ALL went to Adam & Liz's new house in Chillicothe.  They picked the coldest day of the year to move in!  Such a cute house though and I can't wait to see it all put together :)  We had to leave fairly quickly because Alyvia and I had a bridal shower for my friend Caroline!  Poor Reagan had been complaining that her ear hurt since Friday night and Alan and I decided we should have it checked out.  So when Livi and I got home, I took Reagan to the Peds after hours clinic.  Luckily her ears checked out fine, but what a CRAZY day it was!!!  I had to work Sunday, so Alan had all 5 kiddos by himself.  He's such a good daddy and uncle though, it didn't even phase him.  It was so fun to have all the girls over and they get along so well, they even let Colson in on their fun.  I love that they are all such good friends!

A trip to the zoo!

For Cowser family lunch today we ate at Avanti's and then we went to the zoo!  It was a beautiful day to be outside!

Reagan, Alyvia, Rylie

Momma tiger and 2 of her babies

Rylie, Reagan, Alyvia, Colson

The animals were all out because it was so nice outside!  What a great way to spend part of our day before the work week starts again! 

Water Fun In The Sun!

Today we hosted Cowser family fun at our house :)  Every Sunday we usually get together for lunch with Mamaw, Papaw, Grandma Alice and all the aunts, uncles and cousins.  It was supposed to be such a nice day, that we volunteered to have it at our house.  We had lunch and then we let the kids play in the front yard with the slip 'n slide, the baby pool and Aunt Kelly's water table.  They had so much fun!

Reagan & Colson

Livi on the Slip 'N Slide

Brenner & Colson play together

Kinsley, Livi, Brenner & Reagan

Colson loved the water table!

It was a beautiful afternoon to be outside and the kids had a blast!  Hopefully we can have more family get-togethers like this throughout the summer!

Wishin' & Hopin' & Thinkin' & Prayin'

We have been doing all these things for a very long time-wishing, hoping, thinking and praying.  For what you ask?   For him.

Finnegan Thomas Snyder has found our family and we couldn't be happier.  And as happy as we are, I know his mommy and daddy must be over the moon for this 8lb. miracle baby.  We love you forever Finn and are so excited to welcome you and watch you grow! 

Colson & Alyvia are so happy to have new cousin baby Finn!

Luck O' the "Irish"

I was supposed to work all day today, BUT I got a call this morning and I had the first 8 hours off!  I was so happy to be able to take the kids to the St. Patrick's Day parade : )  Alyvia woke up and asked "Where's Daddy?"  Me: "He went to work because Mommy is going to be home this morning"  Livi: "Are you taking me to Aunt Cheryl's to go to the parade?"  Me: "No, I thought I would take you to the parade"  Livi: "But I'm supposed to go with Aunt Cheryl!"  Well, I thought she would be a little excited to go with me, but I was obviously mistaken!  So we called Aunt Cheryl and we all went to the parade together.

 

 We had a fun time at the parade.  We left a little early because it is a loooooong parade!  We got some McDonald's for lunch and then I had to go to work at 3.  I was so happy that I got to spend the morning with my favorite leprechauns!

Snyder Cousin Christmas!

Tonight Chris and Anne hosted "Snyder Cousin Christmas".  I had to work all day and wasn't sure I would feel like going, but I'm glad we did!  Alan's parents kept the kids over night for us so we could stay out past 9 pm!  It makes me happy to celebrate with family-we had a very close extended family growing up and I miss our Sunday breakfast routine.  It was so fun to start our Christmas celebrations with my cousins tonight!

Lindsey and her "white elephant" gift

The BEST gift of the night...even better with Tim modeling it!

Anne rocking her Rascal Flatts gear!

Laura, Lauren, Anne, Amanda, Lindsey

Zack and Laura...nice hat(s) Zack!

Clean up crew!