The Nutcracker

Hannah had a dance recital Friday night. This year they did "The Nutcracker." It's just her and Ky in her ballet class. They did a fantastic job. On Thursday during the dress rehearsal they were a little nervous and got lost a few times. By Friday night they had it down. These two did so great and they were absolutely adorable. I have it on video, but I need to play with my phone a little to figure out how to get it uploaded. (Technology is great but also a royal pain.) For now a few pictures will have to do.

Weeweechu

It's a romantic full moon, when Pedro said, "Hey, mamacita, let's do Weeweechu. "Oh no, not now, let's look at the moon!" said Rosita. "Oh, c'mon baby, let's you and I do Weeweechu. I love you and it's the perfect time," Pedro begged. "But I wanna just hold your hand and watch the moon" replied Rosita. "Please, corazoncito, just once, do Weeweechu with me." Rosita looked at Pedro and said, "OK, one time, we'll do Weeweechu." Pedro grabbed his guitar and they both sang....."Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year."
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Breakfast with Santa

On Saturday morning I took the kids to breakfast with Santa at my mom's school. They were both very excited about seeing him and telling him what they want, that is until we walked in. I do not have a picture of Eli with Santa since he was about 6 months old (and he's now 4 1/2). He has not sat on his lap since then. Last year he was excited and was going to sit on Santa's lap until it was our turn. Then, nope, he walked right by him and stood with us while Hannah had her picture taken. We had talked with Eli about this for a week and a half pumping him up and was ready until he saw him. Here is the Santa picture for this year.

We were talking last night and we are going to try again when Lucas gets here. Eli said this morning that he didn't sit on Santa's lap because he wanted to wait until Lucas was in it. I think that's really sweet, but forgive me for not believing him. In a few weeks we might have a picture that will include 2 of the 3 children, but I'm just not confident in having one with all 3 of them.

At least he had fun playing games and getting tattoos and making reindeer food. Hannah did all of that and she also made a picture frame and a crown. She went to bed Saturday with the crown and woke up to a glitter filled bed Sunday morning. Note to self, glitter is not fun to clean up.

We dropped Maggie off at Doggie Daycare on Saturday morning because Cody was on carpet cleaning duty and getting Christmas stuff from the attic. God bless him, the tree was ready to decorate when we got home. Did I mention the carpets were cleaned because we have new furniture coming on Friday? Woohoo!!!! I can't wait to sit my butt on the new chocolate brown leather couch and chair and a half. Anyway, here are a few pictures of Maggie and the kids on the way home Saturday night.

Maggie was trying to sleep because daycare just wears a puppy out :)

I love this time of year

I really do love this time of year. I love seeing all the lights put up outside, the tree decorated, the ledge (because we don't have a fireplace), the stockings, and the kids. We put up the tree this weekend, and I love seeing the kids put the ornaments on the tree. Everyone gets a new ornament each year and the kids know who's is who's. They get so excited when I show them their new one. We made a few ornaments last year and they knew who's each was. Cody made one that was silly and he said when Hannah saw one of them (I think it was her's) she thoroughly inspected it to see if it was the one Cody had made. When it wasn't she waited, anxious to see and giggle at his. They remember and it makes them happy. I love seeing that. I need to take a picture of it, shame on me for not already having that done. The ledge is decorated this year with the stockings hanging from it. We got new stocking holders and they've had fun deciding who gets which holder (I need to remember to mark them somehow because I'll forget!). This time of year is busy; recitals and practice, Christmas programs and parties, and many things with the families, but I still love it nonetheless.

I just can't stop

A week ago I went from not having a clue as to what I was going to get the kids and Cody for Christmas, to not being able to stop now. I keep coming up with things I want to get for them. I can't help it! I'm supposed to be done, but I can't stop looking. After everything that was ordered online gets here, I've never been done this early. It's December 4th and I could go home, wrap and call it quits and under the tree would be pretty full. We are very lucky in that respect. We have so much to be thankful for this year. These times, they aren't the greatest for a great deal of people. Inside our home I feel truly blessed. To have love, a great family, and friends; everything else is just an added bonus. Man, sappy already. After the last 8 days, I think I'm entitled...things really can change in the blink of an eye.

I love this song

Ray LaMontagne - New Music - More Music Videos

This has become my favorite song. I love Ray LaMontagne's voice and the lyrics are awesome.

I'm not really sure

what to think of this picture. Obviously, I'm not a guy. I'm a girlie girl and my first reaction when I saw this picture was "ummm, that's kinda gross." Being that I'm not a guy I didn't have the "AWESOME DUDE!" first reaction. For that I apologize. I'm glad he had fun and has succeeded in providing for our family (he says that's part of why he wants to hunt); we will be reaping the benefits of deer meat in the freezer for a while. And deer jerky and summer sausage (both of which are very good). Venison...this will be a new adventure for us. We both LOVE to cook and, if I say so myself, we do a pretty good job. We like trying new things so this should be fun. Thank you for taking care of us, Lord knows we'd starve if I had to do this. He explained the process of "field dressing" the poor deer and I thought I was going to vomit in the kitchen. I'm all for leaving that to him and making it a man's job. I don't need to prove anything here :)

A little reflective

I have found myself being a tad reflective the last few days. Cody and I have an anniversary tomorrow and I am what you would call a sap. I can honestly say I have no idea what my life would be like without him. I've been on the other end of the spectrum and I didn't think what I have with Cody existed. I didn't think it was possible to love someone the way I love him. He really is the complete package, everything I could ask for and want with someone I want to spend the rest of my life with. Sometimes he's not a sap like me and he's pretty pumped about the election tomorrow...I wonder if he'll remember that if it hadn't been for Chris being volunteered to hang out with his girlfriend's friend (that would be me!) while she waited on us hand and foot (kidding Kelly!) that November night 2 years ago after Chris dragged him kicking and screaming (not really kicking and screaming) he wouldn't have met me...

Costumes

We had the unfortunate experience of not spending Halloween with the kids this year. Hannah and Eli were with their dad over the weekend and that included Friday night. Along with the madness that encompassed last week we dressed them up and took them by Cody's parents one night so we could see them all dressed up. Hannah was Hannah Montana and Eli was a pirate, Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Canabanea (that's how he says it). Oh, another funny Eli term is how he says rawhide...rayhide...I giggle every time he talks about Maggie's rayhide.

Have you...

1. Started your own blog 2. Slept under the stars 3. Played in a band 4. Visited Hawaii 5. Watched a meteor shower 6. Given more than you can afford to charity 7. Been to Disneyworld 8. Climbed a mountain 9. Held a praying mantis 10. Sang a solo 11. Bungee jumped 12. Visited Paris 13. Watched a lightning storm at sea 14. Taught yourself an art from scratch 15. Adopted a child 16. Had food poisoning 17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty. 18. Grown your own vegetables 19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France 20. Slept on an overnight train 21. Had a pillow fight 22. Hitch hiked 23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill 24. Built a snow fort 25. Held a lamb 26. Gone skinny dipping 27. Run a Marathon 28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice 29. Seen a total eclipse 30. Watched a sunrise or sunset 31. Hit a home run . 32. Been on a cruise 33. Seen Niagara Falls in person 34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors 35. Seen an Amish community 36. Taught yourself a new language 37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied 38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person 39. Gone rock climbing 40. Seen Michelangelo’s David 41. Sung karaoke 42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt 43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant 44. Visited Africa 45. Walked on a beach by moonlight 46. Been transported in an ambulance 47. Had your portrait painted 48. Gone deep sea fishing 49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person 50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris 51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling 52. Kissed in the rain 53. Played in the mud 54. Gone to a drive-in theater 55. Been in a movie 56. Visited the Great Wall of China 57. Started a business. 58. Taken a martial arts class 59. Visited Russia 60. Served at a soup kitchen 61. Sold Girl Scout cookies 62. Gone whale watching 63. Got flowers for no reason 64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma 65. Gone sky diving 66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp 67. Bounced a check . 68. Flown in a helicopter 69. Saved a favorite childhood toy 70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial 71. Eaten Caviar 72. Pieced a quilt. 73. Stood in Times Square 74. Toured the Everglades 75. Been fired from a job . 76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London 77. Broken a bone 78. Been on a speeding motorcycle 79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person 80. Published a book 81. Visited the Vatican 82. Bought a brand new car 83. Walked in Jerusalem 84. Had your picture in the newspaper 85. Read the entire Bible 86. Visited the White House . 87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating 88. Had chickenpox 89. Saved someone’s life 90. Sat on a jury 91. Met someone famous 92. Joined a book club 93. Lost a loved one 94. Had a baby 95. Seen the Alamo in person 96. Swam in the Great Lakes 97. Been involved in a law suit 98. Owned a cell phone 99. Been stung by a bee 100. Have a tatoo

He's come a long way

Eli started playing soccer when he was 2 1/2. He has just finished playing his 3rd season. It amazes me how far he's come in two years (he's #7). When he first started we would be lucky if he was out on the field for 5 minutes the entire game. Now he plays pretty much the whole game. Initially, if he fell he'd be done for the rest of the game. Now, he falls on purpose and gets right back and keeps going. He likes trying to guard the goal (even though they aren't really supposed to do this). He had a great time playing this year and is a little disappointed that he has to wait until spring to play again.

I have to add one of Hannah at the game...she's too cute to not mention :)

sometimes it's nice to hear...

I don't know how many moms I can speak for, but I don't think we hear "good job" enough. Hannah had her conference at school last night and she has an awesome teacher. She had nothing but good things to say about her and how well she's doing. She's reading at a first grade level and is about 6 months ahead in math. Some of the situations my family has to deal with are not always the best for any of us. We have to deal with a lot of things are out of our control. One of the biggest saving graces is that the kids are not suffering at school. Her teacher told me that I was "doing a good job and that I should be very proud." I have to say that I am, I am very proud of my kids and sometimes it's nice to hear someone tell you "good job."

booboo

Cowboy Eli fell off his bike a few weeks ago and ended up in the emergency room. We were in Mooresville for Aunt Tina's birthday and Eli was riding Orion's next size up bike. He tried to turn too fast and bit the dust. Cody was just a split second behind the accident and brought a crying and bleeding boy into the kitchen for me to see. Two stitches is what he ended up with...after he was wrapped up like a taco, Cody holding his legs, me laying across his chest holding his arms, and the nurse holding his face. But, he was still a very brave boy!

New Member

We have a new member of our family! Her name is Maggie and she is a blue heeler. We brought her home almost 2 weeks ago. She is now 12 weeks old. Maggie is proving to be a challenge, but with lots of hard, consistent, and rigorous training she will be a wonderful family dog. She loves to play with all of her many chew toys and bones. She is loving being outside. Maggie is going to be the one that helps keep us all in shape. She loves her 5 am morning walk (I might not when it's snowing) and her afternoon walk/run with Cody and Hannah leading the way on her bike. She is very smart and learning simple commands quickly.

First Day of Kindergarten

The first day of kindergarten...I cannot believe this day has arrived for Hannah. Last night and this morning has been full of excitement, anticipation, sadness, and a few tears. As all of you know all too well, I worry about LOTS of things. We put Hannah on the bus this morning and the worry started for me. Will she find her class, will she like her teacher, will she make friends on the bus and at school, will she eat her lunch, and will she make it to after school care OK? Talk about a long day (for me) because I won't know anything until this afternoon.

We were eating dinner last night and she wasn't saying much (not like the Hannah we all know and love), she said she was nervous about school. Then about a half hour later she was super excited again. True to being a girl she changed her mind a few times last night about what she was going to wear today. The excitement continued into this morning. She got up at 6, on her own. (Aunt Fofo, she's very much like you in the morning and she does not like to get up.) We went through the first morning of the new routine and all went well. She was ready and excited for her new adventure to start before the bus arrived. The bus stop is across the street from the house and there are 6 other kids at the stop. She talked to a few of them while she waited. As the bus approached you could see her face change. She started to get a little nervous. She was a little afraid of the bus but got on anyway. I can't wait to hear about that. As far as everything else, I must wait. I might have her "write" all about her first day :)

Amid all the kindergarten excitement, today is Eli's first day of preschool. His teacher seemed very nice, hopefully she's ready for him. We talked last night and this morning about how his most important job is to listen and mind. I hope he remembers to do that. He's such a sweet little boy most of the time, but man sometimes he's difficult.

I can do it by myself

Check out who's riding her bike without training wheels!! She's been working on this for about 2 weeks now. It's not perfect and not always graceful, but considering how graceful I am somehow I'm not surprised. She can get started on her own and she stops pretty well...most of the time. She's still learning how to master turning, but determined to do it. Her first fall happened this morning. I was a little worried that when that happened she wouldn't get back on it. She's a trooper and about a half hour later she was on it again. She's having a ball and loving the independence. It has been soooo much fun watching her learn how to do this!

Sweet Pictures

Do you ever come across a picture that just makes you smile every time you see it? This is one of those pictures for me. It's one of many in the slide show screen saver on my computer at work. I tend to look up at the right moment and there it is. This was taken on the 4th of July and Hannah had asked Cody to dance with her. How do you turn that down? He doesn't...he just looked at me and grinned. She loves and trusts him. The bond they have grows and strengthens everyday. I love watching that :)

Birthdays

I love birthdays...not so much mine but others. It is a little difficult when all 3 of the kids birthdays fall 15 day apart. Needless to say we've been busy the last 2 1/2 weeks. We did a group party for the three of them. Lucas picked a Colts theme, Hannah picked Barbie dancing princess, and Eli picked Hot Wheels. We had the party at Independence Park and they all had a great time. What more could a kid ask for...cake, balloons, food, and a playground all in one day. :)

The only bad part of birthdays...how big they are getting. It amazes me how much they change in a year.

Hi everyone!

Hi everybody! I wish I had known about something like this when the kids were younger...this is a great way for everyone to stay informed on what's going on and what new things are happening in their and our lives. My only hope is that I can be diligent with this and keep on top of it. Make sure you check back often to see new pictures, video (I hope to figure out how that works), and fun stories!