Holiday Weekend Fun

What a fun weekend!  I love the weekends leading up to the holidays because there are always so many fun things going on.  This weekend we put up our Christmas tree, celebrated with our friends, the Withers family, had a date night and had a cookie party with the Gingerbread Crew. Whew!  It was a whirlwind, but so much fun!

Our tree

Hattie's first time jumping at Skyzone

Ninja Turtle Legos?!!  What could be better?

I wish I had a video of Hattie squealing when she opened her gift.  It was priceless!

Livia opening her soccer bag

Sophia opening her Peppa Pig toys

We had lots of happy kiddos after a morning of pancakes, jumping and presents.  Thanks Withers family for a fun day and the blessing of your friendship!

'Tis the Season to be Jolly

Each year, our friendly elf, Jolly, visits our family.  Normally he arrives on Thanksgiving weekend and brings with him a very special breakfast from the North Pole. He must've known how busy this weekend is for us because much to our surprise, he arrived this morning!  

Hattie giggled at him and Owen had a big smile on his face when he discovered that Jolly had returned. It probably helps that Jolly doesn't seem to be into health food, rather hot cocoa and powdered sugar donuts!  Jolly always brings the kids an ornament for their trees.  This year, Hattie received a little ballerina angel and Owen received a soccer player and a Cub Scout shirt ornament.  Jolly must've really missed Owen and Hattie because this year, he brought them each a Christmas book and a pair of Christmas jammies too!  It was a great morning!

Next up...watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in our jammies and filling our Advent calendar with slips of paper containing acts of kindness that we can do for others this holiday season.  I love some of the sweet ideas that Owen has come up with so far. He has such a kind, giving spirit. 

Hattie's Healed Heart

I haven't posted much on Hattie's recovery, mainly because from the moment we got home, she seemed like her old self.  She was on Advil and Tylenol the first week she was home and that was it. She is running around, chasing Owen, eating well, just being a silly, mischievous 1 year old!  

The last two steri strips fell off last week, so we are seeing her 'zipper' for the first time.  It's looking great!  The two spots at the bottom are where the drainage tubes were inserted into her chest.

We feel blessed beyond measure that her surgery and recovery went so smoothly.  From here, she'll see the cardiologist in January and then April and if all looks good, we'll go to yearly appointments into her adulthood.

We believe in miracles!! ❤️