Unbelievable!

This is unbelievable! Butler is going to the Final Four and the Final Four is in INDY! We watched the game yesterday in various places at the Atlanta airport. The picture above is us literally sitting in the middle of the terminal, blocking travelers as we camp out to watch the game. We had a MISERABLE 5 hour layover but had much joy in watching the Bulldogs win! A little history about BU. My grandpa graduated from Butler in the thirties. He was the first kid in his family to attend college. He met my grandmother there. My dad went there. My aunt went there. My great uncle is in the Hall of Fame for baseball at Butler. I went there. I met Ryan there. We now live a mile and a half from campus. And this fall, Ryan starts as faculty there in the College of Education. We are so so proud!

Unbelievable!

GO DAWGS!!!

WE ARE SO PROUD!

Sweet 16 in SO MANY WAYS!

GO DAWGS! This weekend was a great weekend for Butler. I participated in the Bulldog Jog, had the best cheering section ever, Butler won and is headed to the Sweet 16, and we had a beautiful Saturday morning on campus. We updated the kids' shirts and snapped these photos. GO DAWGS!

Valentine's Day

I had these pictures on my phone at Valentine's Day and couldn't get the thing to sync with my computer. I seemed to have worked it out this evening. I wanted to share this picture - I took it for Ryan because he was out of town and I wanted to share how awfully cute the kids looked! Anyway, here's an update and no, Abel's not strangling Adelyn. It's all loving.

An About Time Update!

Ok --- I would like to just point out that I know it's been forever. I haven't even posted pictures from Christmas! Basically, right before Christmas, things got really really busy at work and whenever I could, I would nap and just chill out. This afternoon is one of the first afternoons in a long time on the weekend that I haven't wanted to nap (thanks to a nice sleep-in this morning!) - so I'm updating! I'll do better from now on. I promise!

Ryan spent a day in Chicago at a conference in early December. Abel, Adelyn and I spent the day together doing some elves shopping and having all kinds of fun. The kids started their day with a spoonful of peanut butter - a new favorite treat. They both get their own spoons and go to the pantry to get the peanut butter. Nice. I snapped a photo - so cute!



We celebrate Christmas in Chicago - our annual weekend trip to play and have brunch at The Drake. The kids were awesome on this trip and had a blast! The Cox family joined us, so we had quite the crew! We sang Christmas carols, ate incredible food - including lobster that Abel actually had the courage to touch (but said, "Ewwwwwww," and wouldn't eat it for his life!). Adelyn enjoyed devouring Grandma Peggy's ice cream. We got gifts from Santa and did a huge photo shoot in front of the tree at The Drake. It was a wonderful time!
















At the start of the winter break, our house got broken into. We were home and it was really scary. We think they got spooked because nothing was taken after they got the door open - or maybe they saw the police arrived which happened really fast. Doesn't matter - we were safe and all was well! Within a week, we had a new dog and alarm system! We welcomed Winter Solstice Flessner to our house on the first day of Winter. My sister suggested the name - we call her Winn. She's soft, cuddly, and spunky!



We celebrate Christmas Day in Indy at home and Grandma Peggy and Grandpa Dave's. We wait at the top of the steps (per a Cranfill tradition), open presents, have a delicious breakfast, and head over to Peggy and Dave's where we open more presents, play with our cousins, and eat a delicious meal (Adelyn gets very comfortable at the dinner table!)







We celebrate Christmas in Troy with Mimi and Bobby. We open presents, play with our cousins, and paint pottery for Mimi's birthday!






We get lots of snow! We have real winter in Indiana! We sled, shovel, and play - it's awesome!









Adelyn helps cook! She's more interested in the Theraflu box - I tell Ryan I don't blame her!



We come across a picture of Mama at 3! Isn't that just the perfect combination of Abel and Adelyn?



Abel and Adelyn snuggle on the couch, share a blanket, watch TV, and read. Adorable!



Abel even reads cookbooks. Be still my heart!!!



Daddy plays Winter Olympics on the Wii. I was so excited when I found this for him for a (VERY!) late birthday present as anyone who knows Ryan knows how much he loves the Olympics. In this photo, he's downhill skiing.



And finally, yesterday, Mama ran a race - the Polar Bear - five miles with my running buddies through downtown Indianapolis! I've taken to a run/walk method for now to save my knees, but still love it!

Thanksgiving Traditions

Happy Holidays! Be sure to check the post below for the Elf Yourself holiday card :) Ryan, Abel, and I had a BLAST choosing this year's song!

We had an amazing day yesterday! My friend from school, Nikki, and her son, and I did the Drumstick Dash - 4.5 miles through Broadripple. Here we are at the end:



At the last minute, I suggested to Ryan that he walk it with the kids in the stroller. He quickly registered and was on his way. That meant, at the end, we could all get our picture taken!



It was an INCREDIBLE way to start the day!

We came home and cooked and prepared all day. The plan was for my parents to come over for dinner, and my sister and her family join us for dessert. However, the turkey wasn't cooking as quickly as it was supposed to, so they ended up there for dinner too - which was great! We LOVED having a big group at dinner, but are currently shopping for a bigger dining room table :)



I was especially excited because this was Adelyn's first Thanksgiving where she was eating actual food! She was all about it - as she is all food---she's her mother's daughter!



After dinner we played and watched A Charlie Brown Christmas (Thanks Grandpa Dave for bringing it!) The instruments Abel got for his birthday were a big hit among everyone - and we had a great time relaxing by the fire (the first of the season!) and ending our day - Abel found an especially comfortable spot on Grandpa Dave!

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