Ringing in 2017!

Our fourth year ringing in the new year with this awesome group! 

One of our favorite traditions of the year, which makes it a perfect way to celebrate the end of one awesome year, and the start of an exciting new one.

Cheers to friends!

And, cheers to smiling, hilarious kids, run hugs, secret handshakes, BTIES (Best tuck in ever at bedtime) , snowmobiling, jumping in the waves, pickle ball, bluebird ski days, our favorite school teachers, play dates, golf dates with dad, morning cuddles with mom, bookworms, cooking, bike rides, Sunday Fundays, volleyball, basketball, tennis, gymnastics, badminton, sandcastles, dance parties, swimming, art sales, adventure, travel, family, memories and so much love!  

Winter Break

We took advantage of every last moment of the week between Christmas and New Years.  We cuddled every morning, had long pajama days, then had super fun adventures with friends every afternoon.  Dave and Busters... bike rides... badminton playdates...pizza parties... zoo... jump street... little ninjas!  We hit it all and did it all, and it was a blast!  It was so dreamy, and no one was ready for school to resume in the new year.

Girls, I will miss you waking us up by crawling in bed with a big hug and your laughter filling up the house all day when you head back to school.   What a magical holiday season it was!!!

The Grand Finale of Christmas

It was a huge treat to have the whole Hanratty crew together for Christmas this year.

To say there was some excitement between these seven cousins when everyone gathered around the tree would be an understatement... and that was before they knew they were getting American Dolls to look like them.

This was the perfect way to wind down this Christmas season.  Especially with the kids Christmas performance when, as Mollie announced, "Everyone will be singing, but they will all be singing their own song."

Definition of joyful noise.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

SANTA CAME!

Mollie came in to wake us up to check out the loot at 6:15am.

But it was worth the early rising to see the smiles on these girls faces as they checked out Santa's goodies and tore through the rest of their gifts.

The big hits this year were a bike for Mollie and a scooter for KK from Santa, and matching clothes for them and their dolls.  They were also super pumped about their polaroid cameras from Grandma and Grandpa, and have been taking pictures all day.

They were excited to give their special gifts too.  Mollie picked out some goodies for my closet and designed some custom coasters for Dad.  Kendall handmade some awesome magnets at school.  They were so proud to pass out their gifts.   After the crazy morning of gifts and homemade Poppyseed bread, we hit the bike trail to try out their new goodies and burn off some sugar before we headed to their cousins for more.  

Thank you girls for bringing the magic this morning!

T'was the night before Christmas...

And the night we've been waiting for.  We started it with cuddles, cookies for Santa and gingerbread houses.  We finished it with a gorgeous candlelight service, Christmas eve dinner and gifts at our house with Grandma and Grandpa and the Parks.  We cooked and danced and laughed and put out cookies for Santa after listening to the annual reading of T'was the night before Christmas.  This perfectly long day full of so many traditions and so much build up and excitement brings me such joy as I could my blessings.  I couldn't be more grateful and my heart couldn't be more full.  Thank you girls for making this truly the most wonderful time of the year.  Seeing all of the wonder through your eyes and while holding your hands is truly magical!

 Mollie cheffing the kids bruschetta, while Dad works on the adults oysters.

 GIFTS!

 And of course, the annual visit from the adults future dinner... the lobster.