"Princess Birthday Girl has Boogers".

Yesterday was Isla's 3rd birthday. Wow. It's hard to believe that she has been in our lives for 3 whole years. She is such a kind, loving, energetic, intelligent, sensitive and funny little girl. Also stubborn, bossy, determined, independent (with certain things), sleepless and a tad more grumpy than usual. But she's mine and she's incredible. I love her so insanely much and was honored to celebrate her little life all weekend long.

On Saturday, I decided to have a little get together at my fave location, Vi's for Pies. A Princess Party. I invited 3 dear friends and their daughters to join our celebration, complete with tiaras for all the girlies (only Wren and Kinley wore them). All the girlies dressed up in party dresses and it was just too cute! I ordered a peanut butter mousse pie in advance and we sang to Isla as she blew out her candles. We opened gifts, did crafts and chatted! The girls played with balloons and had fun too! I know Isla and I had a great time! I am so appreciative of all the love showered upon her. It warms my heart to know that Isla is loved by so many. This was a very fun way to celebrate her!

The birthday girl and I.

Becky and her daughter, Livi. (well, the back of her head).

Amy and her daugther, Wren.

Amber and her oldest daugher, Kinley.

Isla licking her candles!

Wren, Kyla, Isla, Kinley and Livi. Such adorable girls in their party dresses!

And princess Annie-Roo stopped by for a little visit too!

Yesterday, we had family over for cake, coffee and other little goodies! The whole clan made it out, apart from Uncle Brock and Auntie Sue who are soaking up the Florida sun (lucky duckies). Like I said already, it just makes me feel so loved to know how loved Isla is. It was evident in our families taking the time to come over and celebrate her and for showering her with gifts of love. I am just so thankful for my family and I couldn't raise my girlies without their constant love, support and encouragement. Thanks guys! I know Isla loves her Nana and Popi, Momo, Uncle Tis and Auntie Coe-Coe, Maddie and Kenzie, Uncle Casey and Hillaee (Hillary) and Uncle Ba Bock and Auntie Sue Sue so much. She felt very loved. 

Birthday girl with her birthday breakfast (a pancake shaped into a 3) on her birthday chair.

A princess art set from Mom and Dad!

opening gifts!

Us.

Princess Cake

gearing up to blow out her candles!

All 4 Schellenberg girls. 

The most flattering photo of Cam and Auntie Coe Coe.

All in all, a wonderful day! I know Isla felt super special from sun up to sun down and that's all a mom can ask for! Happy Birthday Babe!

ps - the name of this blog comes from a quote of Isla's as she picked her nose while looking in her new mirror!

Tricks.

How big is Annie?

So

 So Big!!!

A little of this & a little of that...

This Christmas season was a wonderful one! It was filled with lots of joy, lots of love, lots of gifts and lots of delicious food! It was busy... and it really did take a lot out of the girlies. They are still recovering (Annie from a double ear infection and Isla from a chest cold) but we all survived the chaos and lack of sleep :)

Every year, on December 23rd, my parents and my brother & sis-in-law come over for pizza and games. I always look forward to this evening as it is one of the only times the 6 of us hang out, without the girlies (games start when they're in bed). This year was EXTRA special, as we received the best news ever! Brock and Sue came over with a small gift in hand for both my mom and dad and Cam and I. I opened my mug to read "Merry Christmas Uncle, Auntie, Annie and Isla!" Confused, I turned it over to see a picture of them both holding a pregnancy test! HOOORAYYYY! I will be getting a new niece or nephew in July and I couldn't be happier! So thrilling!

On Christmas Eve, we woke up early (to a grumpy Isla) and headed over to my parents place for breakfast and gift opening! Annie was so excited that she slept through the entire morning and Isla could hardly stand it and played on the iPad instead of opening her stocking and gifts (*note my sarcasm). We had a lovely morning and walked away with a bundle of gifts and feeling really loved! I always enjoy this time to celebrate with the people I love most in the whole wide world... my family!

Uncle Brock disguised as Santa and Isla. 

iPad playing.

Annie trying on her new toque, post nap.

We then headed to Beulah for their Christmas Eve service before spending the afternoon and evening at Cam's mom's house. We enjoyed some delicious appies and once again, we're spoiled rotten! Isla played so amazingly with her cousins that she stayed up until 10:30 and was pleasant the entire time! They really are adorable together! Annie, once again, slept through most of the festivities. We played games, enjoyed one another's company and had lots of fun!

Kenzie Isla snuggles.

all 4 girlies.

twin jammies for the third consecutive year!

Annie assisting Auntie Coe-Coe with her gift!

Isla's feelings on Christmas morning.

After convincing her to open gifts, she reluctantly agreed. We had breakfast (not the special one we were hoping to have as Isla did not want to eat) and opening gifts kinda took all day. Isla first, then Annie when she woke up, then Cam and I in the afternoon when both girls miraculously napped! We spent most of the day at home, playing with our new toys and reading our new books! We went to my parents for a quick Christmas dinner and then had a low key night at home :) Much needed! Overall, a very Merry Christmas!

early morning gift opening.

sort of excited?

Annie, literally, eating up Piglet.

impromptu sister cuddles.

We also decided, awhile back, to take our ladies to Jasper for NYE. This is the first year in our entire marriage that Cam took a week off, so we wanted to make the best of it! We invited Momo (Cam's mom) along too! We had a beautiful room with a loft up top where Isla and Momo slept... she thought that was the coolest thing! We had a wonderful time!! Isla went skating for the first time, Annie went swimming for the first time, we swam, we shopped, we ate (LOTS), we had a delicious 3 course meal on NYE where the girlies behaved amazing during our 2 hour din din! And Cam and I got a date in too! It really was lots of fun... exhausting but good! We spent NYE in our room with a fire going, girls asleep and the three adults playing games... and eating. After our 3 course meal. Pure glutony. I was in bed by 10:45. All in all, a perfect way to spend a weekend! And to spend NYE. 

after 5 tries, this is the best family pic we got!

Annie-Roo at Jasper Park Lodge playing in their "Kids Club" room!

Isla busy with a puzzle.

Daddy taking Annie for a spin!

my little skating princess! 

warming up, fireside!

Momo and her girlies at NYE dinner. 

my love and I.

Lofting it!

So, there you have it! "Another Christmas in the trenches". - Kevin McAllister, Home Alone 2

A Sneak Peak...

*this picture made Cam & I laugh out loud. 

Tender sister moments. In a laundry basket. 

our true beauties. 

Figures...

Today, I decided that I am not going to give up blogging. I actually miss it. So I was all ready to suck it up and pay the price for uploading photos just to learn that the camera cord required to upload photos to my computer is missing. Gone. Vanished. Into thin air. Truth be told though: I am the worst looker ever so I am hoping to find it soon and get some recent pics of the girlies up along with some updates :)
Stay tuned!

I boycotted...

Ok. I was gonna give up blogging. I was really annoyed and frustrated about having to purchase space aka the right to upload photos. I still have not done this so these next few posts will have zero photos of any goings on. However, I know there are a few of you that do read this and like reading updates on our lives (or so you say, you may be lying). What have we been up to lately?

Last Monday was my 28th birthday. For real. 28. I have been an adult for 10 years. It's truly crazy how fast it all flies by. I awoke to a gift on the kitchen table for me from Cam and the girlies. They had bought me my fleece lined Lulu pants mentioned in my wish list! Hooray! I have gotten a lot of use out of them already during this chilly December. We headed to the gym for a spin class and then met one of my dearest dearest friends who was in town for the weekend for coffee. She had not met Annie-Roo yet so it was definitely time to introduce them. Her wonderful mom came along too and we had a very special visit! It was the first time we were together for one of our birthdays in a decade! WOW! When Cam came home from work, we went to Boston Pizza with the girlies for dinner! It was sweet to spend the evening with our little family. When we were putting the girls to bed, there was a knock on the door. My sister in law totally surprised me by kidnapping me for dessert. Her thoughtfulness was so kind and made me feel really loved! When we got to our destination, there was another surprise! 5 other special lady friends were there too to celebrate with me! It was truly a very touching moment... being showered with love and kindness really feels good! We had a lovely time and my day was just perfect!

As far as Christmas activities go, we have really tried to make the most of the season! We have done an entire gingerbread village, where Isla ate the candy and Cam constructed. I observed! We also took the girls to Candy Cane Lane last night! Isla was chilly and so she kinda just sat in her stroller and looked at the lights (I guess that's the point of it, right?) I wore Annie in the backpack and I could feel her kicking with glee and excitement the entire walk. She had rosy cheeks and a runny nose but that didn't stop her. She really loved it (or at least that's what her body language said). We also took the girls to see Santa. Isla was really excited... until it came time to sit on his knee. She wouldn't have it. As a result? THE best Santa picture of all time! Annie is crying (to be expected) and Isla is sitting beside Santa, not touching him, back turned to him with a giant frown on her face. It really is classic. Definitely something to be shown at their weddings. I am so smitten with it! We attended 2 Christmas parties this past weekend which were so much fun! Saw some old friends and enjoyed great conversation and delicious food! It really is a wonderfully magic time of year! It always warms my heart to spend time with people I love so much and who love us in return!

So, it's been a busy yet wonderful December thus far! More greatness to come!

What the...

Ok. The reason I have not posted any pictures in the last few posts is because Blogspot is telling me that I have reached my storage capacity and can no longer upload anything. When the prompt comes up, they tell me I must purchase more memory space. The plans start at $2.49/month which I realize is not a lot of money, but seriously? I have to pay to blog now? This actually infuriates me. It just doesn't make sense. Has this happened to any of you before? If so, what did you do?