Happy Birthday Jesus

Tonight was Carmen's first dance recital. The song they danced to was "Happy Birthday Jesus". She was a donkey. She wanted to be a donkey like Eeyore. And, for those who know Eeyore is her best friend and has been since she was 3 months old. he is is dire shape but well loved.

Anyway, she did wonderful. She lost one of her black gloves which was nice to spot her in the crowd.

Wow, my baby's first recital. how fast they grow! I was crying during her performance. I was so proud of her! She loves to preform and I think she is so brave to get up and preform at this age. She wore her hair pulled back in a bun(like the Sugar Plum Fairy, Mom....see Nutcracker post)

She looked so big, yet so small. I wonder if my heart will always be able to expand with love, amazement, and pride?

Mama, loves Sunshine....I am so proud God let me be a part of your world!

Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland......

So at last measure we had 8" of snow! Yeah!! I love snow especially at Christmas time. Carmen told me that it was Christmas because it snowed. Forecast says we are supposed to have snow on Christmas and the day after. Wouldn't that be something.

Let it snow!!!

The Nutcracker

So I took Carmen to see the Nutcracker last night. Her first theater performance. She did really well. When I was 3 my mom took me to see my first Nutcracker. We used to go every year. I have seen it 15-20 times. I love the tradition and it was always so special for me to do that with her so, I wanted to start it with Carmen.
Nana(my mom), Grammy, and two of Carmen's friends went. Isabelle and Breanna and their moms Lisa and Marla (my two good friends) came also. The girls we dressed so beautiful and seemed to enjoy the excitement and experience.
I was really impressed how well they all did. Breanna and Isabelle stayed until about a quarter of the way into the last part of the show then they were ready to go home. Carmen lasted until about the last quarter of the show and then she fell asleep. I was so impressed at how well the girls did. They were very well behaved.
Carmen was just entranced! When we got home she had to reenact as much as she could remember. She got to say hello to the cast members and that made it even more special to her. The performance was in the same theater that her dance program is going to be next weekend. She is very excited that she is going to get to dance on the same stage! All in all it really did go beyond what I expected and I know we will continue this tradition just like my mom did.
Thanks Mom!

Pin Curls....Cutie Pie

So, when I was a little girl my Granny used to do pin curls on me all the time. My hair was naturally curly so they were really tight and cute. Anyway, we had Christmas pictures done with Carmen and Gilli; so I wanted to try them on Carmen. Very cute! It was alot of work and alot of hairspray to keep her fine and straight hair in the pins. I was so amazed the next morning that they had stayed all night and her hair was curled. It turned out nice but, they were gone by afternoon. It was nice to see what she would look like with curls.

Christmas tree Cutting

So we went today and got our tree. This year we decided to go up the mountain and get it instead of buying one at a tree farm. It only cost $10 for the permit. We ran into our next door neighbors at the ranger station and they ended up coming with us. That was allot of fun to go with them. Nora is like a third Grandma to Carmen and we like to trade children once in awhile. Their son Stephen has become like our other child. It's a nice thing.

We got to go up high enough (4,000ft)to get into a little bit of snow so that was even more fun for Carmen. The mountains coming up were beautiful and coming down the sun was setting. OMG! What an amazing sight to see. The pictures don't do it justice. I think we will do this again next year.

Happy Thanksgiving Turkey Day

We are blessed for the joys in our life!


FAMILY TIES....



FRIENDSHIP......




and GOOD FOOD.....

Thanks to all the blessed souls we have loved, laughed, and cried with through the years!

Hope you all enjoyed turkey day!

Happy 3rd Birthday Gillian!!!!

It happened so fast....how you've grown.
Your smile lights up the room!
Our little Dancing Queen!
We love you so much Gillibean!

Halloween Troupe 2008

Happy Birthday Grampy!!!!

We took Grampy to the museum of Flight on Sat. The family got him a ride in a 1935 Cabin Waco Bi-Plane for his birthday. Anne and Sean and Todd met us there and we had a great time! Sean flew with Bill in the plane. What a great family day spent at the meseum!

Happy Birthday Grampy!!!

My Grandfather

My cousin had a couple of old pictures of my Papa. She had them restored and sent me copies. I love these old photos! He was so handsome and dashing in his suit and uniform. No wonder my Granny C fell in love! He died about 11 years ago and I miss him alot! He was such a character and extremely smart! (that's where I get it from if you were wondering- LOL)

He was an Italian man through and through! He loved family and food and laughter.

His favorite thing to do was tell the joke "What did the farmer say when the bull died?"

He would try to get us to answer but, we knew we would get in trouble.

Answer: "No more bullshit from you bud" HAHA LOL

Oh yeah and no one was better at the pull my finger gag!

I so wish Carmen could have met him.

The Letter Bag

So on the way to school on Tuesday we were talking about things and Carmen says to me I want to get the letter bag. Now, at pre-school they do what is called the "Letter Bag" each day one kid gets to take home the bag with the letter of the week. They have to find items at home that start with that letter to bring back and show everyone.

Anyway, Carmen's name was drawn. She was so excited! She came running out of the classroom saying "Mom, I Got The Letter Bag!!!"

So, her letter was "E"

The bag contained:

Eeyore (of course)

Egg

Eyeball ring

Earrings

Ears (her costume pig ears)

They also had a Community Helper costume party. Carmen was a doctor.

Ghost Party

What a blast! First time I have attempted anything like this and it went so well. Friends pitched in with the food and I just had to decorate and do a craft. Can't get any easier than that. The kids loved it. We had a fun game. The parents got all tied up but, I enjoyed watching that. We made ghost pops and spider pops. We had a Spooky Trail and a ghost story. So much fun! Paul (Kathrine's dad) was the Troll under the stairs, then we had Wes (Uncle Wes) who covered himself up and was the talking tree stump, and Joel (daddy) who hid between two trees and scared the kids. They loved it! Then Grammy read a ghost story of sorts to the kiddos. Talk about a good day. What was really nice was that the kids got to wear their costumes more than once.I think we will have to do this again.

Fall Festivies

So, we went to the local farm/pumpkin patch/ apple orchard last week with our playgroup. We also went today for Carmen's first school field trip. We had lots of fun both days. I love fall! The colors and the pumpkins and the apples. The farm has cool animals, a hay ride, corn maze, and pumpkins.

This weekend we are having a "ghost party" for Carmen and her friends. It will be very kid friendly and fun. I will post pictures later of that.

First Day of Pre-school

Wow ! How you have grown. Has it really been 3 years?

Carmen's first day was yesterday. She really liked the school. There were a few nerves when she saw the other kids crying but, as always she just pushed right through and really enjoyed herself. I on the other hand had a really hard time. You know I thought I was ready for it because I knew it was so good for her but, boy was I wrong!! I blubbered (I mean the ugly kind) all morning and after we left her. (She only saw me cry once) What really got me was she left Eeyore the whole time in her cubby! No security needed...here I go again.(sniff, sniff)

But, she was so ready for this next step. I realize that I am the one that is trying to prolong each milestone. She just comes through each stage with flying colors and is ready to jump both feet first into the next phase. But me, I go kicking and screaming.

I never thought that I could be so proud of another person as much as I am of Carmen. She is just so amazing! (sappy I know)