The Ultimate School Christmas Program...

The first grade had the cutest little Christmas program about how Christmas is about love. Each class had to dress like something different. There were elves, angels, candles, and Emma's class had to be toys. In the note that came home it said they could dress in football uniforms, dance outfits, anything. WELL....we just happen to have the craziest little unicorn costume and Emma thought that would be the perfect thing. I think she likes being the center of attention and she knew this costume was sure to get her attention. Matt and I were cracking up that she really had the guts to do it and so in the days leading up to it we continued to urge her and tell her not to get embarrassed and back down. Emma did not disappoint...it was HILARIOUS! She stuck out BIG TIME! I was so proud of her for having the confidence to get up there. She was dying of heat, but it was worth it :) It was like the movies where the kid is forced to go to their school program and wear this huge furry costume, but this time it was her choice :) What a memorable night!

fLoWeR PoWeR!

This is what goes on while I am cooking dinner....you never know what you are going to find next!

More dance performances...

Our Anniversary trip was cut a little short because we had to get back for Emma's dance performance. It was such a great venue...she got to perform at the Continental Airlines hanger where they put together a celebration for kids with terminal illnesses. Emma got to do this same performance 2 years ago and it was such a fun event again. They had crafts for the kids, Santa, a live penguin, bounce houses, and tons of other fun things going on. They start out putting the kids and their families on an airplane to taxi around and pretend to fly them to the North Pole to see Santa. When they get off there is this great celebration and Emma got to perform for them. She did a great job! I LOVE Christmas and the times we get to be a part of something like this.


A couple of hours later she performed again at the studio as a little showcase. What a busy day!

Santa was walking by us and took the time to stop and chat with Eva! How sweet!

This is Emma's friend Noah who is in her class at school...he is in the Hip Hop class

11th Year Anniversary!!!!!

Poor Kim might regret moving just 2 hours away from me :) Matt and I took the kids down to her house so we could get away and celebrate our 11th Anniversary! (Of course Eva got to tag along with Matt and Me) It was so nice to get away even if it was for only 1 night. We had a beautiful hotel room right on the water, went to a fun restaurant that Kim suggested that is also right on the water called Shrimpers. It was such a fun weekend. There is nothing better then staying in a nice hotel and then getting their breakfast the next morning. (complete with custom made omelet :) Thanks Kim and Morgan for letting our kids hang out with you.


Happy Anniversary Matt! I love you so much and am so grateful that you have put up with me this many years. You are so patient, smart, hard working, complimentary, cute, loving, funny, and diligent. Thanks for everything Honey!

Hewitt's Winter Wonderland

Last year Hewitt had a little Christmas celebration for families, complete with a visit from Santa, crafts, and hot chocolate. They continued the tradition this year and added a band that was playing Christmas music. We really think this is the REAL Santa that comes because he is "magical". He is the same one that came last year and really mesmerized the kids and this year he didn't disappoint! I LOVE this little tradition they started because then I don't feel like I have to brave the mall and stand in forever lines to see Santa. In fact there was NO line this year at Hewitt! Luke asked for a bike and Santa made him promise he will wear a helmet. Emma asked for a picture of he and Mrs. Claus and a DS game. He made her promise that she won't play her DS at restaurants and she will turn the sound down when in the car so she won't bug her mom. And then he was so cute with Gavin and had him come up so he could stare into his eyes. He sat there looking into Gavin's eyes for about 30 seconds and then talked so sweet and gentle with him. What a fun activity!

Gingerbread Village gone WRONG

I love decorating the pre-made gingerbread houses with the kids....but I always feel like we waste so much if they each have their own huge gingerbread house. This year I thought I was so smart and I bought the Gingerbread Village. OK HUGE mistake! They were not already assembled and there were a million pieces to try to put together. The kit was supposed to make 5 houses and we ended up with 2 deformed ones!!!!! We were all laughing as we tried to put them together...what do you think...do they look like the ones on the box???? NOT! Oh well it was fun while it lasted!

Gavin just ate all the supplies.

Happy Happy Birthday Emma Dear

It was fun to have Tyler and Anna here the week before Emma's birthday because Emma and Ella have the same birthday and so we got to celebrate together. My mom gave both of the girls the cutest little cupcake tins and cooking accessories and so that was what they made for their cake. Then they both got beautiful dresses from Grandma and Grandpa too. We had a great time together.

Then for Emma's real birthday she got to invite a friend to go with us to where ever she wanted. She of course invited Marin and we went bowling, went home and watched the Wizard of Oz and then Marin slept over. It was a fun night.

The next day was Emma's performance. Talk about a fun birthday...not only did she get to dance for an audience on her birthday, she was also in a parade! AND if that isn't special enough she ended up getting to ride on the roof of the dance teachers car with the dance teachers daughter McKenna! They looked like they were royalty! They were sticking up through the sun roof. Emma did a great job on her performance. She can't stop doing her dance, everywhere we go she is tap dancing :)

I can't believe my little girl is 7 and that next year she will be getting baptized! She has grown into such a beautiful and talented young lady. I am so impressed with how mature she is. She and I are realizing we are so alike...we both get a kick out of organizing our rooms, and another similarity is we love putting things together. I bought an outside patio set and brought it home to put together. Emma was right there with me every step of the way. We almost had the chairs put together and one of the last steps was to put the base with the main seat. Inside I was thinking how exciting this part was to see the project come together and Emma said the exact same thing out loud! She is so fun to be with and I love her so much! Happy Birthday Emma!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Rose for the awesome books! Emma has become quite the reader so this was the perfect gift!

I LOVE these boots and this dress...I guess you could say I am living through my daughter! That is something I would totally wear if I could pull it off :)