Ears Pierced

I kind of forgot about piercing Nora's ears when she was little. With Ava I couldn't wait and I was counting down the days til she was two months. I never really felt like Nora looked as much like her daddy as Ava did and so I didn't worry about her ears being pierced. Robyn and I had talked about doing it together and then we went back and forth over really doing it. I must have been a really mean mom with Ava because I didn't really think about it hurting her.  I wasn't really sure about doing it this time.  I did think Ava looked pretty dang cute after though. 

We finally decided to do it and totally on a whim. We were at Scheels and just decided to do it since we were half way to the mall, which is why we look like crap! :) My sister-in-law Angi met us there with Bryn and Drake for moral support! It was so sad and much harder for Nora then Khloe. Being two months would have been way better. She was really hard to hold still. She cried a little longer than Khloe too. I still feel bad for doing it but she does look pretty adorable. Cutest and saddest pictures ever! 

Angi held Khloe for hers.

Utah pictures

The last week we were in Utah were full of fun! We missed daddy being there with us though. We went to Kangaroo Zoo with a couple of my cousins. The kids had so much fun. Then we went to Cafe Rio for lunch. Lunch with lots of kids is always crazy but worth it for Cafe Rio!

One night we went to Planet Play with my whole family. I pretty much got the kids to do whatever I wanted them too the couple days before because they were so excited about it. We had never been before and they had a blast. Lucky for them, especially Dresden, they have the most awesome cousin Teigun! He was so sweet with them and helped them do all the games. They love him!

Saying goodbye. It's always sad to leave Utah. It's becoming harder and harder for Ava. She just gets used to it all and then it's time to leave. There were lots of tears! We miss everyone so much!

 These two had their usual love hate relationship the whole time! But somehow they sill managed to give squeezes before we left.

Double Blessing

First I have to say how much fun it is that Robyn and I had our baby girls 7 weeks apart! The odds of that ever happening again are slim so we really have tried to make this count. It worked out perfectly that we would be in Utah around the same time we would bless Nora anyway and we figured we might as well bless them together. 

We literally decided on the plan a couple days before the blessing. Trying to fit in and feed three families was not an easy task. We decided on hot chocolate and donuts! Thank you to all those who brought donuts and a huge thank you to my sister-in-law Camille for helping us dip all the marshmallows and set everything up.  Eric, Jake, and my brothers also were a big help in getting everything set up. It was so nice to have all our family there with us on such a special day. And to get to share it with my sister was even better. She really is my best friend. We talk everyday and sometimes twice a day. Wish we could live closer!

Eric did a wonderful job on the blessing. I love hearing him do that. Such a special moment with his daughter. She was not too sure about laying down and started getting fussy toward the end but was fine once she was up. Thanks to all our friends and family who came out to support us.

I made this invitation real quick before the blessing. I think it turned out pretty cute! And so fun they both have on their little lace outfits.

The Kuresa Family

I really wanted a few of Nora in her blessing dress but it definitely didn't happen the day of the blessing, so a few days later I took some real quick. She is at the stage where she doesn't want to lay down and even though she is happy, she has more of an excited face most the time. Always tightening her little lips and kicking her legs! Not the best but I will take them! I think she is beautiful! This is the same dress Ava was blessed in. Thanks to my sister-in-law Angi for letting us borrow it again! And we also borrow the bow from her sister. Probably one of the only times bows this big are allowed! :)

Khloe was napping the day I took Nora's so we took her pictures the day I left. She didn't last too long but she looks so pretty in her dress. She is such a doll!

Christmas Eve and Christmas

I totally spaced my big camera during Christmas Eve but I did get a few on Eric's phone. It was of course the best. I love all our traditions and the kids are really starting to remember each year and look forward to everything. Especially the nativity. They just love being with their cousins!

 This was actually the day before Christmas Eve but it was so much fun. We went with my sister and saw these amazing lights on this house that was tuned to the radio. Seriously the coolest thing! Then we came home wrapped presents, watched one of my favorite Christmas movies, and Jake made these delicious homemade malts! It really made me miss being home.

 We started a tradition of going to Kneaders Christmas Eve for breakfast a couple years ago. It's early but so worth it!

These two cuties are so much fun to dress up!

Christmas morning was a little crazy. Nora woke us up super early so we decided to just wake the kids and get started before Nora needed to go down for a nap. They of course were thrilled to see that Santa came. I was taking pictures and then got tired of not being in the moment to actually watch the kids so I stopped for awhile. I love watching them get excited and even though Nora didn't really get in on it, it was fun because it was her first Christmas and she was just happy to be there.

 He loved the headlight

 ...and the nerf gun

Ava opening her cute little barking spinning dog

 Nora eating everything! :)

Go Huskers!

 He is always stealing Eric's Husker hat so Santa got him his own!

 doing a little reading

 make-up. She really is trying to grow up too fast!

so pretty in her new pink lip stick!

trying out his new remote control car!

After that we sort of got ready and headed to Wilbur's house. The kids had a blast running around with cousins and seeing their new toys. Then later we came back and opened presents from my mom. Since it isn't her Christmas we all just come when we can. 

 The kids were spoiled once again with more toys than they could imagine!

 Grandma and baby Nora

I don't even know where my camera was but I grabbed Eric's phone. Grandma got her what she was dying for... an American Girl doll! But since we weren't sure how into them she would be we went with the target ones til she is older. She could care less where it came from and LOVED it so much. She carried it everywhere.  For some reason I didn't take any of the actual doll! Hello! But she also got lots of clothes for it and even a camping tent. I still need to get a picture of the matching jammies for her and her doll! She seriously kept saying "I can't believe I got an American Girl doll" for like a week!

 painting pheebe's toes. They were so cute together.

The kids weren't the only ones spoiled, our big present this year was an ipad! Woo-hoo! We have been wanting one forever and were completely surprised. I didn't take many pictures but Eric is in the background playing on it. It's actually mostly his, but he is sharing! :) The whole time we were there it was a fight over who got the ipad, somehow the kids got a lot more turns. We also got so many other wonderful gifts. I love the little Halo phone charger and the HMDX jam wireless speakers. And I always love the huge bag of new make-up, lotions, face wash, and so many other beauty products. It's one I look forward to every year! What a wonderful Christmas! We are so grateful to everyone, especially my mom and sister. It's so fun being home.

 having races