Oh Christmas Tree

Every year we have a special tree, one year it was a Charlie Brown tree, we once had a homemade tree, we had a really tall tree our first year in our house. This year I guess our theme was ginormous. We went to Grants Tree Farm,  picked out and cut our own tree. Its lovely. We HAD all white lights but Pippa put colored lights and tinsel on the tree while we were sleeping one night. HA, silly elf.

If Chris, the girls and I joined hands around our tree we wouldn't come close to fitting our arms around the tree. The corner we put it in is near empty because the tree is practically out in the middle of the floor. Amazing how they look so small outside. 

Devan searching for the perfect tree 

 

Ry is on a mission 

 

And they are off, look at all the possibilities. 

 

We found it! 

 

 

And cut is ;) 

 

 We have two happy excited girls. 

By the way, sorry Mom for all of the mayhem around the holidays as a kid. I have seriously contemplated strapping my kids to the couch. Holiday excitement overload.  

Snow

We have had a couple BIG storms back to back which left us with around 24 inches of snow. The girls LOVE snow, they have played outside for hours. I usually play in the snow with them but this year I haven't really wanted to. Maybe it's because they are self sufficient when it comes to snow play now. Here are some pictures of the girls and Saiga having fun in the snow!

Untouched snow <3 br="">

This speaks for itself

Going, going...

Gone. You can just see her feet.

Pretty girl

I love these three. They are snow buddies for sure.  If the girls go out without Saiga he cries on the couch watching them play.

 

 

 

 

Passing.

When someone you love passes. Rest in peace Matt. You will be missed.

MATTHEW DAVID RANKIN Born July 30 1986 Died December 7 2013 Matt, who was also affectionately known as “Matty”, passed away peacefully, at his home Saturday morning. Matty was born in Rockport, raised in Searsport and educated in local schools. Matty was a loving father, son, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin and friend to many. He adored children especially his daughter, Kaylah who he loved with all his heart and would often brag about her to anyone who would listen, Kaylah was the love of his life. Matty was extremely close to and will always hold a special place in the hearts of his nieces and nephews as well as many of the other children in his family. Matty was also expecting his second child next summer. Matty will forever be remembered for his big smile, infectious hugs and his extremely caring nature. He always let everyone close to him know how much he loved them. He had many special people in his life; one in particular was his look alike cousin, Sean Anderson. They had a bond that could not be broken. Matty leaves behind his daughter, Kaylah Shane, his mom Ruthie Dodd, father William Rankin, significant other Amber Peters, sister Jessica Sanborn and her husband Ryan, brothers Nathan Dodd and his partner Santana, Ben Rankin and his wife Amanda. Aunts Kim Pauley and her partner Brad, Kathy Pauley and partner Warren Ard ,Karen Winslow and husband Bill, Diane Rankin, Lisa Dow and husband Dana and Kathy Jackson. Uncles Scott Pauley and his wife Cheryl, Jason Pauley and wife Kim, Mark Rankin, Mike Rankin, Robert Rankin and his grandparents Bob and Margo Rankin, June Pauley and Julianne Hyatt and some very special nieces and nephews. As well as several cousins to which he considered his best friends and always stayed connected to throughout his life. The service will be at Riposta Funeral Home 12-13-13 @ 5-6 for visiting hours service will 6-7 182 Waldo Ave, Belfast, ME 04915 Matt is predeceased by his grandfather Jack Pauley and an uncle David Rankin.


He was my cousin, we played for hours and hours when we were kids. I cherish the times we had as adults. His little girl is in my heart.

What a beautiful service <3 br="" for="" i="" matt="" nbsp="" piece="" s="" service.="" this="" wrote="">

I have a lot of questions when it comes to faith, not questions that I want answered by anybody else but myself.. A lot of my questions are stemmed from doubt. Doubt that in my life I will realize should either fade or stick around. Each circumstance that we are put in makes us who we are and affects our beliefs. I will look for answers when I need them, I am not naive and I am open to all possibilities and no where to look. I take time with decisions and may seam like a lot is in one ear and out the other but when I am alone, I think a lot and really give multiple circumstances a fair shot.  My daughters explained what heaven was like to me. They have a religious friend at school who has made every attempt to save my poor children... Ha, see, save to me is give them a good life, food shelter, hugs kisses and let them know you love them to eternity and back.  teach them to have an open mind and choose their own beliefs.  I listened to them, and I liked what the had to say, they were not pushing. Their sweet innocent little soles saw their family hurting and wanted to help. They told me heaven was a copy of earth, they even mentioned it having a Duncan Donuts, seriously I think this is what sold me. But really it did. I saw Matt sitting at a Duncan Donuts watching us, with a smile on his face. No hurt. It was his time. I have learned from trial and error that everything in life happens for a reason. Matt passed because his great big giant, teddy bear heart couldn't take seeing his family hurt for him anymore. So he sits at Duncan Donuts, or most likely, by your side, or on in the bleachers watching his daughter be an amazing young lady. I smile inside when I think of his clear mind. His energetic full of life spirit will no longer be crushed by demons that put him through so much pain. Its gone. I for now have added heaven with Duncan Donuts to my beliefs and will go from here, hey a couple 8 year old's take is just as good as someone eases right?  It's how I have found some peace. Rest in peace matt.

I hold all of our memories close to my heart, I can still feel the last hug you gave me. You held on forever, I will too

Twas a few weeks before Christmas

December 6th we took the plunge and went on the Polar Express. I have wanted to do this for a few years now, I had been holding off until it snowed one year. The girls are getting bigger and the magic of Christmas will slowly fade. I didn't want to miss our opportunity so I bought tickets to go. I made a decision this holiday season not to avoid fun Christmas activities and traditions just to save money for the big day. My paychecks are pretty much gone the day I get them, money doesn't hang around long after the bills are paid, but being with each other is the most important. My kids wont even write a list to Santa because they know either way they will get things they like. I can proudly say I didn't buy anything to put under the tree that wasn't practical. There will be no, they might like this. It is not about the number of gifts but more about the thought that does into them. <3 comment-3--="">

Patiently waiting

Hai Baby and Tammy

Of course the girls didn't leave home without stuffies. 

Look who we saw there!

They read until the train took off.

I love these three people <3 br="">

Mommy and her girls. 

Pip pip hooray!

Pippa our Elf has returned :) On the morning she was to arrive I woke up to the girls literally in each others face screaming at each other. I quickly wrote up a letter explaining how Pippa was unable to arrive due to their fighting. Santa was holding her at the North Pole until the girls could get along. It worked and a lesson learned ;) 

Devan quickly wrote letters to Pippa after the sad new of her not coming. 

             

                        Love her!!!

         Ry wouldn't put Pippa down <3 

                          Night 3

Charlottes Webb and new Jammie's

Ryleigh's class has been reading Charlottes Webb. They finished last week and watched the black and white version of the movie. While flipping through Netflix we found Charlottes Webb, an updated version. It was so cute to see Ryleighs excitement as each animal came on the screen, like they were old friends she has known forever. I am pretty sure Templeton was her favorite. Devan sobbed like a baby when Charlotte passed away. Not just tears, her heart was broken and it made my heart break :(

    

We ordered the girls new Jammie's. there is something about Carters pj's that makes them seem young. We bought the tight fitting colorful pj's and you would have thought we bought them a pony with how happy they were! I am going to be sad when they don't fit in Carters anymore. 

That little look on Ryleighs face, she's been doing that since she was a baby. Love her!!

Christmas is coming and I asked the girls what they wanted. They both said they didn't want to make a list. They said You, and Santa can pick! Just to see what they would say I asked them how they would feel if they only got a couple presents  and they said they wouldn't care, what good girls! Especially now that they are getting older and can understand better I really want to teach them it's more about the thought that goes into gifts more then the cost or quantity. I think they are well on their way to knowing this! 

Sometimes I think, how in earth do I deserve these two precious people. 

Winter is here :)

I love all seasons, winter included! I still can't figure out why people who hate winter live in Maine. We have some brutal winters and I love it. One of my favorite familiar times is a snowed in day! I feel bad for families who don't get these days.

       Winter is CHEX mix :) yummy!!

                        And snow

                  Christmas lights! 

        Crappy roads ( not my favorite)

    Christmas festivities (parade of lights)

     Tacky decorations EVERYWHERE!

Happy winter! 

Bucket list dream, Go to the library during a snow storm for the whole day :) I know a library that would be perfect for this. Watching the snow fall through the big windows while getting lost in stories. I know the girls would be all for this!