Who knew?

Gracie made this tree out of gum drops at Achievement Days.

Who know that gum drops could be so stylish?  It is now the centerpiece at our table.  

p.s. - Don't eat them.  They have been "altered" with glue/glitter and have been touched by innumerable tiny hands.

Twins #2

We have two sets of twins in our neighborhood. One set of girls that are Maddie's age and one set of boys that are Aeva's age. Aeva has decided to distinguish them by calling them "Twins 1" and 

"Twins 2". 

Aeva's set of twins happen to be "Twins 2".   She gets to play with her set of twins on Tuesdays while I am at work. She decided to draw a picture of them while at church (I realize that Aeva turned out looking a lot like Dolly Parton...Oops).

I think she may be in love with her twins.  Time will tell.

Killers Concert

Yep, we took our 10 year old to a Killers Concert.

Dont judge us.  It wasn't on a school night :).

The best thing about Hot Chocolate

Few things are as cute as this.

Santa Run

I was happily shopping one November morning when my mom called to see if I wanted to participate in a "Santa Run" with my cousin, Cody. Hmmm...that sounds like it might involve running. What's in it for me? Cookies? Ok, I'll come.

My chauffer had to take me to the secret Santa drop off location.

My little helpers were waiting to join in for the last mile (or block) of our 5K run.

My cousin, Cody...the person who started this whole festive occasion.

Let the games begin.

My promised reward.  I found this little gem just a few blocks into my mandatory run.  In fact, it is a good thing I wasn't running at my full speed or I may not have seen it!

I managed to grab a few extra cookies for the little Ho Ho's.

We made it!

This little Santa might need a toothbrush.  We'll add it to her Christmas list.

Thanks, Cody!  You may have just started a new tradition.

Babysitting Jonah

We do our best to send Kati and Danny away on errands so that we can steal baby Jonah.

When they come back, the girls are never ready to give him back.  

Thanksgiving 2012

Pretty unbelievable but somehow I only managed to get two Thanksgiving pictures this year. 

This is a note that I found in Maddie's backpack.  It tells how she would make her Thanksgiving turkey.  Lots of good pointers.  I'm glad she gets her turkey from the store, like me.  Saves a lot of the killing, gutting, plucking, etc.  All things I like to avoid whenever possible.  I do think I will make my stuffing without feathers although this is something I could think about for next year.

I have also never tried cooking a turkey at 70 degrees.  Maybe if it is only a 5 lb turkey that would work just fine.

My second Thanksgiving picture says it all...thanks, Maddie.

The Consequences of a Movie

This girl decided to go to a movie.

She likes movies...and popcorn.

While watching the movie, she decided that she thought this girls was cute.

She went home and did some research.  She liked this girl too.

The next day, that same girl looked like this.  Yikes!  I look like my mom.
Beware, movies can be powerful things.

Turkey Cupcake

Maddie made one of the cutest little turkeys I've ever seen.

How's that for creative?  Cute, cute, cute!

The power of a text.

We added my dad to our cell phone plan. He had previously been charged for texts and, therefore, used them only as a last resort. With his new plan, he was introduced to the world of "unlimited texting". He was also given a small tutorial on how to use this wonderful technology.  I, myself, taught the class.

Later that night, Troy, texted him this picture to see if he could see it on his phone.

We got this back.  Maybe he wanted some spaghetti?  Either way, it was my dads first picture sent via text!  I'm so proud.  This is something that many thought impossible.  I am changing the world one step at a time (I wonder if he knows that I can now bother him at my leisure - 24/7).  The beauty of technology!

Brownie Face Grace

Troy and I always smile when it is time for dessert. Gracie, is our true sweet tooth. The level of joy that comes across her face when sugar hits her tongue is something to see.

This was brownie batter that she ate off the wire whisk.  She is almost glowing.  Love this girl.

A little bit of BLING!

Aeva went to a birthday party and came back home with this.

That is the most glitter I have ever seen on a pumpkin.  I can only imagine how much glitter was flying around that birthday girls house.  God bless all patient mothers that are willing to make these sparkly creations happen...I am probably not one of them.

Oops

You may not remember but...around Halloween, I was complaining about getting snow a bit too early.

Now the snow has disappeared completely.  Oops.  Sorry, Santa.  Please let it come back!  

I hate a brown Christmas.

Random Pics

Found some random pics. Had to include them in my little blog.

My little poser.

The yearly Indian hat had to be made.

New winter coat with a cute little girl inside.

My little baker.

Maddie with her diorama of the last book she read.  She loves making this stuff.

Minute to Win It

A year and a half ago we had a "Minute to Win It" gathering with our neighbors. SO MUCH FUN!!!  After looking at these pictures, I think the second annual gathering will need to happen soon.

The kids had as much fun as the adults.  Trying to get an Oreo from your forehead to your mouth with no hands is harder than you would think.

The Chocolate Fountain made its way out of the cupboard as well.

One of these dots on her cheeks is a real mole.  The other is a chocolate imposter.  Can you tell which is the fake?

Picking up stickers with an egg.

Blowing cards off a pop bottle.

Putting a lamp shade on your head with eyes closed and the shade on the end of a fishing pole.

Ding Dong Unicorn challenge.  Who can get it higher?

And my personal favorite, "Junk in your Trunk".  Hilarious.