We've Seen Santa...

Yesterday, we met the Williams and the Wrights at Miskellys for our annual trip to see Santa.  For the first year, the kids were amazing...none of them cried and all enjoyed their time with Santa!

I looked up and Anna Lauren had climbed in Santa's lap and was all smiles...needless to say, I got my camera fast!

Santa thought a "silly" face would be fun...little does he know, Anna Lauren likes making silly faces too!

She was sure to tell him exactly what she wants...soccer stuff, paint pens (I'm thinking she is not old enough for this one), and new coloring books...

Cooper never cried, but he was not so sure about Santa.  However, Anna Lauren never quit smiling...

Cooper had this face the entire time...

And enough is enough...he was DONE with Santa!

All smiles watching the big kids ride the carousel...don't feel sorry for him, he got to ride once, but the big kids got to ride two times.

LOVE this picture of Anna Lauren...just wish she could ALWAYS act as sweet as she looks!

Adam and Anna Lauren being silly...

Jack...

Ann Hardie...

Cooper and Ellie...not sure where his smiles were yesterday...I sure hope he has not lost them!

As we were leaving Ann Hardie decided she did want to talk to Santa...Anna Lauren agreed to walk up to Santa with her. 

She didn't get in his lap, but she at least got close to him...mission accomplished...great job kids!  Now Santa knows what everyone wants...if we can just be good for a month!  Adam, Jack, and Ellie all sat with Santa too, but I was holding Ellie for Katie to take pictures so I didn't get their picture with Santa.

Disney on Ice...

Matt and I took Anna Lauren to Disney on Ice Thursday night.  Last year I took her to Princesses on Ice, which she LOVED so she was so excited the day had finally arrived for Disney on Ice.  And...we even borrowed a Cinderalla dress from Holli Grace because she remembered last year all the girls were dressed up for the show.  However, she was very disappointed (her exact words) in the show because there were only two princesses...Tinkerbell and Ariel...she wanted to see all of them like last year.  She did sit in her seat and watch the whole thing so I don't think it was torture by any means!  And now we know, we can save our money if it is not Princesses on Ice...silly girl!

Another Field Trip...

Thursday was a another big day for Anna Lauren...it was field trip day!  They got to go to the Natural Science Museum, have a picnic, and play at the park.  Matt and I were both able to go with her for her day of field trip fun!

Waiting in line to get on the bus...this is still her favorite part of field trips...

Sitting with her class...

Pretending to be an ant with Brayden and Hardy...

Shelbee...

Holli Grace...

Regina and I got a big kick out of this...we looked and both girls were sitting on the bench throwing them a little fit...they wanted to climb on the frog by themselves...not with everyone else...

All smiles now...all their other friends got off the frog!

This field trip was a "big" deal because they got to pack their lunch and have a picnic...not sure what was more fun...riding the bus or packing their lunch / having a picnic?

Washington, DC...

Matt and Ramona (co-worker) spent the first part of last week in Washington, DC for a work conference.  He said he is going to do a "post" but just in case he never does (I'll believe it when I see it), I wanted us to be able to remember that he did spend some time in DC this year!

One of the "perks" of his job is that he does get to travel some and typically to very fun places...too bad someone has to stay at home with the sweet kiddos!

Mallory's 3rd Birthday...

Last weekend, we celebrated Mallory's 3rd birthday...she had a princess party and Belle even made an appearance. Belle painted finger nails and faces...it was a fun time for the little girls!

Anna Lauren and Belle (Anna, who still has a very special place in Anna Lauren's heart even if she is not a cheerleader this year...for some reason, she sticks to Anna like glue...it is so sweet and Anna is so patient with her).

Anna painting Anna Lauren's face with Mallory in her lap...they all LOVE Anna!

Mallory had the cutest princess cake...

Time for "Happy Birthday" and cake...

Cooper and Claire...

Anna Lauren helped Mallory open all of her presents...she really "helped" her rather than opening them for her...she is becoming such a big girl these days!

Present time...princess dress for the little birthday princess...

Mallory and Anna Lauren...

Cooper finally made his way into the jump house...big kids and all...he LOVED it!

Fall Photo Shoot...

A couple weeks ago, we had family pictures made by JC Bounds Photography. The kids were AMAZING...not one melt down and endless smiles. However, this made my job very difficult...I wanted to order every one of them...yes, all 50 that turned out GREAT! Unfortunatly there is a "budget" so I narrowed it down to the ones below...