Before....................

After...............

Christmas

We started our Christmas fun on Christmas Eve. We made cookies in the afternoon. Then we headed to my brother's house for the real fun. We ate lots of good food. Then we let the kids get in the hot tub for a few minutes.

They had so much fun!

After they dried of we frosted cookies for Santa.

Then presents!

They both got pillow pets, and couldn't be happier. When we got home, we got to open up one gift, Jammie's, of course. Then set out the milk and cookies and carrots of course.

The girls were spoiled as usual.

They both loved their guitars, Bri is a budding Taylor Swift.

Carly loves her kitty. We also got a telescope.

More gifts.

Next we were of to Jon's parent's house for Swedish pancakes and for presents.

We gave their cousin Courtney a bag of dress up clothes, which she loved.

Putting on make up. Then we headed up for so much needed napping.

We had a great Christmas! I hope you all did too!

Nutcracker

Once again we were able to go to the Nutcracker. This time daddy came with us, his first time at the ballet. I think he even enjoyed himself. He bought the girls their own nutcrackers. I love this new tradition we have started.

Santa!

One of the best parts of the holidays is spending so much time with family. We love our cousins!

They are so silly!

Every year Santa comes to our family party. Carly couldn't think of what she wanted.

Brianna asked for a telescope. Last year she asked for a microscope.

All the cousins. and Santa.

Why I have the best sister in the world

I have the best sister in the world, and here is why.
http://sewperfectgifts.blogspot.com/2010/12/best-gift-ever.html

My little singer

Brianna sings in the school choir and they had their concert last night. They were all so cute and did a really good job. There is just something so beautiful about children singing. Even if they aren't perfect they sound like little angels.

She really enjoys singing.
I really enjoyed watching and hearing her.

Ballerina girls, You are so Lovely

The girls had their Christmas dance recital this last weekend They are just so cute!

Carly looked like a little princess.

Bri, as always is my little cowgirl.

They love getting all dolled up, and couldn't wait for me to put makeup on them.

Carly danced to a song called Christmas Vacation.

Bri danced to Christmas time's a coming. We didn't get great pictures of them this time

One of their favorite things about their recitals is getting flowers at the end.

Love my little Ballerina's

Christmas Cards?

One of my favorite things about this time of year is Christmas cards, I know there are a lot of people out there that do not love them, but I love going out to my mail box everyday and wondering who I will hear from that day. When I was little I remember my mom would get a card from an old college friend and it always included what I call the "look how wonderful we are" letter, it would always make her so sad, so I do have some mixed feelings about the year in review letters. There are some letters that I totally admit to groaning as I read and entire paragraph about potty training a 3 year old and how they are the most gifted child ever born, but over all I enjoy hearing about my friends and family.

For my card I stick to some simple pictures of my family through the year. I started sending cards out several years ago to the members of my online book club, who lived all over the country and some of my family that lived out of town, but my list grows every year. This year I ordered 75 cards. Some of them will be included with neighbor gifts, and I don't receive near that many in return. Some of the people I get cards from, it is the only time I ever hear from them, but it is nice to know that they still think of us. So what about you, do you send out cards? I'd love to hear from you all. I know lots of people check out my blog, but no one ever leaves a comment , so even if I don't know you, let me know you're there.

Proud Mama

This year both Carly and Brianna entered projects into the Reflections competition. I am so proud of both of them and impressed by what they came up with.

This is Carly's entry. It is called 'Pretty kitty' Not surprisingly Brianna wanted to make a horse. Hers was called 'A girls best friend.' It is basically a self portrait in clay of her and her horse Taffy.

She really did such a great job. She was so cute with all the details

They both received awards of excellence for their projects. I'm so darn proud of the both of them.

Six trips around the world

Over the past few months I have made six trips around the world.

I've been working on these for the past 6 months. They are for my friend in Florida. She has six kids and I made one for each of them. I love how they turned out. I have one more to make for the parents, I will use left overs from all the kids quilts to make the parents quilt.

Then.......

Now.........

Jon and I celebrate 14 years of marriage today. We've actually been together for more than 17 years which makes me feel so old. I can't believe that at 15 I was able to find such a good man. I really am a lucky girl and I look forward to many many more tears together.

HalloweeFun

We've had so much fun this year. This year we spread Halloween out over 3 days. We started off with the parade at the girls school. They we so cute!

Our Little Ballerina.

A beautiful Princess.

Our next stop was the Stable Place, where Brianna takes her riding lessons. They had a Spooky Woods, fundraiser where the kids got to ride horses through the woods.

Carly and Cute Willow, the princess on a horse.

Brianna and her trusty pony Blue.

Waiting to go on a ride.

A ballerina on a horse.

A Princess on a horse.

The nest night we went trick-or-treating.

A beautiful princess.

A pretty ballerina.

Cousin Atty joined us for trick-0r-treating. He was a ninja turtle.

It was really rainy but they still had a great time.

Tonight we had a party at our house will all the cousins, and Grandma and Grandpa. We ate soup, did some ghost bowling, made a craft, and got a little crazy on the dance floor. Ghost bowling.

All the Cousins.

They are so goofy and we all have so much fun.

I Love Halloween!