Days with the Dorans

I can't believe my rainbow is seventeen! I remember being 17 and it felt so old and yet she still feels like my baby girl! Nana and Papa came over to open presents in the morning and celebrate Ali! Of course all that excitement knocked Papa out! In the afternoon we went to Nana and Papa's where we had Christmas with the Drapals. Ali didn't mind sharing her birthday with Christmas (I get it... I did it for YEARS!). We had a nice visit with everyone and I posted videos below. Ever since covid we've stopped blowing on cakes and we clap them out which actually feels more fun. I'm kind of grossed out a bit thinking about how we always ate cake others blew on... After Nana and Papa's we headed back home. We always watch a movie on Ali's birthday and this year she chose Mama Mia (which also meant it was only us girls... well... and two of the boys- haha! We laughed. We cried. And I was reminded just how lucky I am to have the most amazing girl!! I really am such a ...

I can't believe our baby girl is 16 already! Unfortunately due to Covid, she has to wait an additional 3 months before she can get that license.  (sigh) I'm really proud of her though and she took it in stride. We made it a great family day! The six of us went out to eat at Buck Shots in an igloo which was different and fun. Covid does make the world so strange but yay for still making the best of it! Sto lat, Ali! HERE is a video of where we ate and Ali's birthday singing!

 How is it my baby is 15!?!?! Time has gone by so fast and I just love who Ali is and who she is becoming. She seems to be more confident and secure and I am just in awe of her! She woke up fairly early (maybe because she knew there'd be presents ready for her). She opened up two things and then waited for the rest of the things until later. Unfortunately, we found out that Maddy was sick. I know she was bummed and so were we. Ali had chosen to see the movie Frozen 2, mostly I think because it would have been Maddy's choice (which was super sweet). With Maddy and Steph not able to come, we called up Al's old dance sister, Amber, who was able to join us on SUPER short notice! Crazy was that she had a Carmen San Diego shirt she had gotten for her back when she did that number. It was great to have the girls together again like old times. I miss Julia! We need to get together soon! After the movie (which half of us REALLY liked and half didn't~ Al and I w...

We started out celebrating my favorite girl at the movies! We all went to see Mary Poppins Returns (Joey went too, but he went with Ella) and then came back home for food and fun. This has become a tradition the last few years and it seems a perfect "easy" way to celebrate in a laid-back way after all the craziness of the holidays! There's not a girl on earth I love more than this one! Happy Birthday my sweet Ali Jane! Love you soooooooooooo much!!!

 It's hard to believe that we have another teenager! Time is truly flying!! It feels like it was just yesterday that this little rainbow was born but I can't imagine or remember my life before her. As beautiful as Al is outside, she's even more beautiful inside (when she's not tormenting her brothers). Al decided she'd like to see Star Wars so we got tickets to the theatre (so nice to be able to reserve seats). The Cosmans and Gordons came too even though they had seen the movie before. I see why they went again. We LOVED it!! Ali had decided she just wanted to celebrate with family but it was nice to see our friends earlier in the day too. We enjoyed popcorn of course- and I enjoy the free refills to feed all my kiddos! I'm digging the $5 movies! We also saw "The Greatest Showman" which we also LOVED! In the afternoon, the Drapals all came over and of course Auntie Jodi too. She didn't bring anyone because they are all sick (boo!). ...

 I love this girl! I can't believe that it's been 12 years since we first met! What a blessing she is to me. We woke up on December 28th and had her open her gifts. She got a TDS hat, shirt, ballet band and a new bike helmet (that will go with a much-needed bigger bike in the spring). We didn't do friend parties this year, so instead Al chose to go see the movie "Sing". We invited the cousins and Nana and Papa to join us. It was a super cute movie! Then we came back for gifts, salad, pizza, games, cake and ice cream. The game of choice for us grown-ups was "Bounce It" (we've played this lots over break).  The kids get along so well too, so they were busy playing and having fun. I love that the cousins never want to leave. I'm sure my brother doesn't love it so much, but I do. Ali Jane, you're TWELVE!! This is it- the year I stopped growing. Here's to hoping you grow A LOT this year and get taller than I am! I have a feel...

I really can't believe that my baby girl is 11! Where has the time gone?  The night before her birthday, I was up wrapping presents and putting streamers outside of her door so she'd wake up surprised! While she could have opened up all of her presents that morning, she chose to open just one and wait until family came over later to open the rest. Ali blows me away sometimes with her kindness and sweetness (though that isn't her ALL of the time- ask Zach).   She really has a huge heart that can get her in trouble sometimes too (big hearts can be broken).  I'm just so proud and thankful for her!!!! She and Zach can be best friends one minute and worst enemies the next.  That being said, Jeff and I have commented quite a bit this break on how well our kids have gotten along.  They haven't played with any school friends (we've been so busy) but they sure have enjoyed each other!! Ali usually has a friend party but things were so nutty that we p...