Meet "Sneaky Pete"

This is Sneaky Pete. It is the "Elf on a Shelf" toy. I would highly recommend this to anyone with kids! Or - anyone without kids who just wants some entertainment! This elf comes with a book that explains he is Santa's spy. He shows up around Christmas and appears in a new place every morning to watch over everyone in the house and report back to Santa! You cannot touch him or his magic disappears...we have had so much fun with this. Cayden is on the fence about it - but, Vanna is totally 100% in to it. We overhear them talking and even though Cayden is unsure - he keeps telling Vanna not to touch him! They both were almost late to school the other morning because they would stop looking for him! Vanna was sure he had hidden because he really wants to talk to us but doesn't want to ruin Santa's magic. They did find him finally after we helped Carlee see him and she went and told them "I find ef". Vanna saw him hanging from the light fixture the other day and started yelling...."MOM, he is hanging on for his LIFE!". I love the innocence and magic that they show.....just hugs my heart! I told Matt - we can't get these years back....I love it - love it ALL! We were talking about the real reason we have Christmas the other night and the "Christmas Story"....we asked the kids what 3 things they were most thankful for.....Cayden said 1) my family 2) money and 3) trees (because they provide oxygen). We have some work to do here...ha! I hope you all are enjoying your favorite Christmas traditions.....and I hope that God is blessing you all as he has our family. Merry Christmas!!

Gingerbread Houses!

Aunt Annie inspired me to have the kids do gingerbread houses. We have never done them before and it was a lot of fun! Here is our little gingerbread village.....enjoy! By the way - both Vanna and Cayden want to build a life size gingerbread house and live in it....doesn't surprise me.

Fetch....

This is the new thing....who needs to train a dog when your two year old will go out in her robe to get the paper on Sunday mornings? I made the mistake of getting it last Sunday and boy - we had an unhappy camper when they found out. I had to take the paper back out and put it in the driveway so she could go and get it.....wow.

"In the DOG HOUSE"

Cayden has given new meaning to the term...."in the dog house". We heard some commotion in the garage and this is what we found...I thought Matt was going to pee his pants he was laughing so hard!

5 YEARS TOGETHER.....

October 23, 2004 - Our first date.....dinner at PF Chang's. I was so nervous.....I really did try on 5 different outfits and WAS NOT ready when he got there...ha! We had a great time and the one thing I remember thinking that night when he dropped me off - was that he gave me the best hug I had ever had! Still does......I love you honey and I am looking forward to many more years..........thank you for everything you do for me and our family!!!!!

Papa and girls

These girls have their papa wrapped around their little fingers.......

Pumpkin Patch 2009

Ok - Lots of pictures here - but, this is the funnest pumpkin patch EVER. We go every year and spend hours! For those of you who are interested - we have measurement pictures of the kids from the last 2 years in older blogs if you want to look back through them...they grow so fast!

We are still on the hunt for that perfect guy for mom....this guy was a little stuffy....hehe

Spoon Trick - I STILL can't do this!

We save so much money by not going out - since we have all the entertainment we need right at home!

Carlee and Corynn

We spent Thanksgiving at my sister's house and everyone had a great time! The girls love playing together and decided that they would read each other a book.....one of the few times Carlee will sit still. Funny thing is - Corynn has a quiet laid back personality - Carlee is the opposite. I am sure SURE these girls were switched at birth....I feel like I am paying someone else's debt here.....maybe, I'll ask Matt what kind of kid he was....uhhh....nevermind - it's all suddenly very clear.

Just some of the things that Carlee has been up to lately.....

Ok - before you see the rest of these pictures - this is always the end result when she gets into trouble. She says "Momma's bed", "Momma's bed", "Car Car go nite nite". Then she goes and gets on my bed and lays down.....it's actually pretty funny!

Pouring chocolate syrup down the stairs.....thank GOD for carpet shampooers....

We are going to start making her wear this helmet all the time....she has turned into a climber.

This is almost an entire tube of pink lip gloss that she used as eyeshadow.....

At Thanksgiving over at my sister's house - she got a hold of the baby powder and redecorated my nieces bedroom and herself......geez.

She won't keep her clothes on and often rides her horse naked. Don't ask me.....

She should have been a guy......

This is an entire container of blue eyeshadow...this was after I wiped it off of her cheeks and neck......

Now - you are probably all wondering if we EVER watch her....just spend 3 seconds with her and you will agree that the only other option at this point may require some duct tape. One picture I don't have - calling Poison Control over the weekend because she decided to brush her teeth with her brothers toothbrush and the Alvarest (Poison Ivy Cream) that she found in his bathroom drawer! Of course, she tried to wash it off because it didn't taste good - but, she used the toilet to do it! I give up.