New Years Prep

The girls and I had fun this morning preparing for New Years. We made party hats and broke out the noise makers. We are going to have a mini party as a family after we go to church tonight.

New Year Noise Maker

Glitter Graphics

Potty Time

Snapdragon has become obsessed with her new potty. She wants to sit on it all the time. We think it is just to read! She did sprinkle in it a little today. We aren't pushing it, but she does love it. Buttercup is a great cheerleader!

Make a Smilebox postcard

A Blessed Christmas

A baby just like me!

The quilt I made with Grandma.

The jump-o-lene!

I think my cookies are done.

That's a nice present Sam, but I am not getting out of here.

I love my i-pod!

Yes, we are still in here!

I am still here!

I think I'll take a nap.

Eating my sucker while sitting on my new potty! Thanks, Santa!

We want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! It was such a wonderful day in our home. We all had a pajama day and just enjoyed being a family. The girls were very happy all day and enjoyed all of their gifts. Snapdragon's favorite gift was the Jump-o-lene which is currently in the middle of the living room floor with her bouncing in it. Outside of napping, she has spent most of the day in it. Buttercup's favorite gift was definately her i-pod. She is currently sitting on the couch listening to the music. Lou is cleaning up the dishes from the wonderful ham dinner that I prepared. What more can I ask! We are blessed to be together, happy and healthy enjoying this day in celebration of the birth of our Lord.

Christmas Eve

Leaving notes and pictures for Santa
Cookies and milk for Santa
Carrots for the reindeer
Sprinkling Magic Reindeer Food on the lawn

Children's Mass on Christmas Eve

This Christmas Eve was such a blessing! We were reminiscing about how tired and out of it we were last Christmas because we had just arrived home from China with our precious Snapdragon. We had mounds of laundry and unpacking as well as preparing for Christmas Day and all of its trimmings. We really felt we were able to relax and enjoy the time with the girls this year. It was a fun and restful Christmas Eve.

Visions of Sugarplums

Simply Dance, the studio I teach at and Buttercup takes lessons at, had it's tenth performance of the Nutcracker this weekend. It was beautiful as always. Miss Helene always presents wonderful shows and all if the dancers were top notch! Buttercup was a Gumdrop. I remember her first Nutcracker when she was a little Ginger Baby. Look out world, another Ginger Baby is on its way! Snapdragon loved the music and everytime the curtain closed she said, "Where'd they go?" She also couldn't let go of the fact that the, "Cracker broke." She repeated this through the whole show. We are proud of our beautiful ballerina! You are very beautiful and talented, Buttercup!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Sister Day/Gotcha Day

We have officially been together as a family of four for one year today. We decided to declare Dec. 10 Sister Day in our house. I made the girls a large candle that they can light every year on this day to acknowledge the bond of their sisterhood. Buttercup made me cry this morning when she said, "God always knew Snapdragon was going to be my sister, even when we didn't." I got the girls each a small gift and we gave them each a donut with a candle. Then we sang, "Happy sister day to, you...." The girls were just tickled. Snapdragon made me light the candles three times so she could keep blowing them out. They colored with the special crayons that were one of the gifts before school. God is good!

Our Cowgirl!

Congratulations, Buttercup! She won the High Point Award at today's Gymkhana. That's best in show for our Future Champion!

Holiday Festival

The Base hosted a Holiday Festival last night and the girls had a great time! There was a synthetic ice skating ring, jump houses, crafts and cookie decorating. The fire trucks brought Santa and then the fire fighters passed out hats. Snapdragon didn't want to take hers off. Buttercup did very well with her first ice skating experience. The first time Snapdragon saw Santa she wasn't too sure about him. This time she kept running out of line yelling "Ho, ho!" It was a little chilly, but it was fun!

Fall Fun and Moving

Snapdragon and I were just around the corner at the park playing with her friends from preschool while our house was being shown for the first time. We just listed it yesterday and the realtor already brought someone through. We are moving to Tennessee to be closer to family. Lou was able to get a transfer to a Naval Base in TN. Anyway, here are some great photos I took of the children while they were helping Ramon, our neighborhood maintenance supervisor, gather the leaves. It was a little strange coming home to put Snapdragon down for a nap and seeing the for sale sign for the first time.

Family

Thankful

It was warm enough to eat outside. Buttercup is eating on the wall with a friend.
Snapdragon was too wiggly for a photo.

Thanks for the ride, Chris!

This is too much fun!

My two monkeys eating bananas!

I am getting very sentimental as the one year anniversary of us becoming a family of four quickly approaches. It is hard to believe we were packing for China a year ago. Snapdragon is just amazing! She is talking in phrases and is a happy, well adjusted child. She is showing signs of being two! She asserts her independence and wants to do everything by herself. We often hear the words "do self" . Buttercup is also growing and changing. Look out teenage years, here we come! The question is, can we survive living with a two year old and a preteen?

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and both Lou and I are very thankful for all that we have been blessed with! Here are few shots from our Thanksgiving. We had a great time with the Shine family.