Christmas

This Christmas went by so fast. I was very prepared this year but when the day got closer I found myself scrambling for last minute things. Can you ever be 100% ready? The kids have had a great Christmas break so far. I will be happy when school in back in. The boys have already completed all the legos they got that I thought would take all break to build.
The biggest news that has taken place is that Santa brought Charley a new member of the family. Yes you have read it correctly we have decided to get a dog. Little Charley for that past 2 years has asked for a dog. I have always said no and each time I did the look on her little face just killed me. We have talked and talked about it and it just never felt right. Well back in November my cousin posted that her dog was going to have puppies and the minute I heard about it I couldn't stop thinking that we needed one. I called her and the next thing I knew we were getting a dog. The little puppy wouldn't be able to leave her mommy until the middle of January so we had to figure out a way to tell Charley she was getting the dog. With Tami's help we got a picture of her and a little pillow and placed the picture along with a letter from Santa explaining she was going to come to our home in January. Charley didn't quite understand. I read the letter to her and she had this puzzled look on her face and said "but mommy I want a real puppy". Since then we have explained time and time again that we will be picking up the puppy in January and bringing her home. She tells everyone all about her and carries around the picture in her purse. She have named her Belle after beauty and the beast.( Her all time favorite movie). I am looking forward to the new member of our family. I know it is going to be a total adventure but well worth it.

The kids in their Christmas Church outfits.


THe kids waiting the hall way to see what Santa brought!


This is Charley after we read her letter from Santa. She wasn't too excited yet.

This is our little puppy Belle. Isn't she so cute!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I just want to wish all my family and friends a very Merry Christmas. I hope you all have a wonderful time with your families on this special day!

Our Little Charley

The other night Michael and I were going to bed and I went in to check on the girls. As I covered Ellie up I realized that Charley wasn't in bed so I started looking around the house to see where she ended up. She wasn't in the boys room or in Taylors room. I started to panic a bit and asked Michael if he knew where Charley was. He said he thought she was in her room. I walked back in her room and started moving blankets that were all over the floor but still no Charley. As I was about to run and tell Michael I couldn't find her I looked up and found this.


She is such a funny little girl. In the morning I asked her why she was asleep in there and she said she was the baby. Too cute.

Happy Birthday Ellie

Happy 6th birthday Ellie. I look forward to many more to come!

Happy Birthday Kauner

Today our oldest son is 11. It is hard to believe. He is such a joy to have in our home.  Always willing to do what I ask even if there is a little mumbling under his breath. We look forward to many more years watching him grow into a wonderful young man.

Items for craft night

At my house this Thursday night you may come any time after 6:30 and we will have craft night up and running. A few of the items we did last year but for those who didn't make them I wanted you to know they were available. I also have a few Halloween items if you would like to buy them for next year you can. I hope to see you there.

12x12 fall square 15.00

12x12 Christmas square 15.00

12x12 Families are Forever 15.00
Christmas countdown 10.00
We will have some paper but you would like to bring some of your own you may.

If you are coming let me know which items you will be making so that I can have everything cut out for you.

Finally another craft night!

Ok ladies it has been awhile but we are excited to finally have another craft night. I have been working on the items that we are going to be making and will have pictures of them by Monday night. We will have a block countdown and a few 12 x 12 seasonal and family squares. Be sure to check in again tomorrow and let us know if you would like to come.

Logans Cake

My nephew Logn turned 16 yesterday and Linda was asked if she wanted to make a cake for the football team and bring it to practice. She thought it would be fun to do a football helmet and so we gave it a shot. I think it turned out pretty good. It was a lot of fun.

It's about time

It is always fun for Halloween to pick a theme. This year we chose Willy Wonka. it was so much fun making the costumes with the help of my mom and see how good they looked when we were finished. Taylor was Violet, Kauner was Willy Wonka, Hayden was Mike t.v. and Charley was an umpa lumpa. I am sure you are all looking at this picture thinking you don't remember a clown in the movie. Well Ellie was the only one not from the movie. She was a clown and boy was she a cute one. We had a little Halloween party here at our house and had family come. There was good food and great company. It turned out to be a very good Halloween. I actually look forward to next year.

My two boys were selected for student of the month in their classes. Kauner also got the P.E. student of the month. They were both so excited when their names were called.

Taylors party

On Friday we played a little sleep over birthday party for Taylors 12th birthday. She was able to invite 5 friends and she chose her cousins. They came over around 6:30 and I had pizza dough ready for them to make their own personal pizzas. It was fun watching the girls roll out their dough and the toppings they picked. They turned out really good. Next we played a little Kariokie. The girls love hearing themselves sing. It was enjoyable. We then decorated jumbo cupcakes with yummy frosting. Here is a picture of the girls, Sadie, Payton, Taylor, and Melanie.

After doing a little decorating they decided to decorate eachother.

These were the cupcakes when the girls were finished.

Taylor is 12

12 years ago Michael and I awaited the arrival of our first child. What a beautiful day that was. She was everything we had ever hope for. Now it has been 12 years and what an amazing 12 years it has been. Time really does go by so fast. Having a teen in the home has had its ups and downs. Taylor will do what ever we ask and is always helping when I don't.Taylor is a great example to her younger siblings and to Michael and I. Happy Birthday Taylor we love you!

Taylor's cake

Disney on Ice

Disney's Princesses on Ice came to Bakersfield this past weekend. I had the chance to take Charley and Ellie to see the show along with some good friends. We had a really good time. The seats were better then I thought they were going to be. We had no one in front of us which made it nice for the girls. Charley's favorite part was Belle of course. I was amazed with the costumes and how they were able to act out certain parts of each show on ice skates. It was so cold in there I was freezing by the end of the show. I thought I was so smart to wear pants but I needed a jacket also. After the show we went to lunch and had a nice time visiting while the little girls played.

Jasmine in her castle
Aladdin on a huge elephant. pretty cool.
Snow White of course.

Charley's favorite part.
All sic Princesses. Cinderella didn't come out until the second half. She was the whole last hour. I think we would have been fine with it just being an hour long but the girls loved it anyways.

Ellie's big day

Each month at Norris they choose two students from each class to receive the student of the month award and this month Ellie was choosen from Mrs. Smiths class. It is suppose to be a suprise so I didn't tell her and when they called her name she was so shocked she just stood there. It was Johnney apple seed day also so she was dressed little a little cowgirl. I was so proud if her!

Our day at the Lake

For the past four years our family has taken a weekend trip to Bass Lake in September. This year with work and kids sports schedules we weren't able to go so Michael decided to take a day off so that we could spend at least one day out on our boat. It was a great day. We took the kids out of school ( Except for Ellie, she didn't want to miss Johnny apple seed day ) and spent a day at Lake Ming with no one there. Look how pretty the lake looks with no boats!

Michael is always so happy behind his boat. ( he was stuffing his face when I took this picture so his cheeks are full of food.)
Kauner deep in thought about his next ride.

Taylor always looks so nervous when she skis.

Our little Hayden never wants to ski. We asked him several times to go and he is just happy riding in the boat. Next year for sure he will get up!