Just One Good One. . .

Nana Banana was nice enough to offer to take a family portrait for us in front of the tree on Christmas Eve. It's always fun to do family pictures. We say off the wall comments just to make us smile. One of our favorites is "Daddy wears pantyhose." (don't worry Big Daddy would never do that) Another way to get us going is to do a little fanny pinching and squeezing.

One of the first shots. Notice Miss Priss is spinning around to find out WHO touched her. Cowgirl is protecting her backside. Big Daddy is checking to see if his aim is right and Little Mama is protecting her backside too.

Now it's Drama Queen's turn to mix it up and do a famous dance move trying to squirm away from fanny pinches. Miss Priss is protecting her assets. Diva is making sure she can be seen while Cowgirl obviously has her hand covering her hiney.

Great smiles in this one. Cowgirl caught her attacker! Miss Priss is tired of smiling and protecting her hind-end. Drama Queen's face is saying, "Enough Already!"

Finally, a good shot. . . for the most part!

Couldn't skip putting one if of just the girls. They are all so beautiful and full of energy. Such a delight to have kids at Christmas time.

Next Christmas. . .

I plan on making a few gifts. I'm gonna get a jump start and may start with these:

Angels!

Fun For The Holidays

The Naughty List

I think she earned her spot!

While I was journal-ing this morning - yes, I keep a separate journal - pen and paper that I can grab when ever I need and not be judged with what I write. Well, I put my pen down and was heading into the kitchen to grab a glass of water (which has been delayed since I had to blog this right away) and this is what I discovered behind the couch. This Santa hat was under the Christmas tree this morning. Guess Boo dragged it behind the couch and proceeded to shred the pom on the top of the hat. Who knew the dollar tree hats had SO MUCH fuzz when pulled apart? Once I gathered all the fuzz off the floor, it looked like I had enough stuffing to stuff a full sized football.

Now look at the picture. . . apparently she was satisfied with her work and decided to get her chew toy and continue to play on top of the Santa hat. Yes, I had to pull fuzz of the toy too.

What do you think? Is she on the Naughty List? Anyone at your house on the list too?

We Made Them Look!

Don't you just love Miss Priss's slumped shoulders??

Big Daddy's Hat

Being able to snag this picture the other day after Big Daddy got home from work was wonderful. I'm glad he is home. He came home early and surprised me for my birthday. I'm so thankful he is here for the holidays!

Thanksgiving Alien

Miss Priss came home from school on Monday wearing this new "hat." She quickly and proudly announced she was an "Alien." I'm sure she had rehearsed in her head several times exactly what she would say when she burst through the front door. I laughed, Big Daddy laughed and so did Miss Priss when she realized she was trying to tell us she was an Indian.

My Baby is Tri-Lingual

Yes! You heard it first here. Miss Priss is Tri-Lingual. Guess she follows in Big Daddy's footsteps.

We were sitting at the doctors office yesterday and she looks at me and says, "I know how to clap in Spanish." I smile and say, "Oh, you do?" She proceeds to hold up both her hands and shakes them twisting at the wrist - making no noise at all. She's beaming! I tell her, "That's how you clap in sign language." "Oh, then I know how to clap in Spanish too," she says. She then claps her hands. "Mom, I'm smart." "Yes, Miss Priss you are." Now, I am smiling ear to ear because this is just too funny. I couldn't pop her bubble! She was quite proud of herself.

It's TOO Quiet In There

The other day the girls and I were watching a movie. Miss Priss lost interest and wandered off to play in her room. She hadn't been gone long - maybe 15-20 minutes. I had heard her playing school or something like that. Then, I noticed the lack of noise. I went to check on her and this is what I found.She had gotten her blanket and all. So, I left her - yes, I let her sleep there. It was the weekend. First thing in the morning, Miss Priss found me and started explaining that she didn't know how she got on the floor but when she woke up in the morning, there she was right by the toy box. So, I got in my bed so no one would think I was weird. I just laughed since we had all already seen her and even got a picture of it. I adore Miss Priss - her stories are always so engaging too.

National Junior Honor Society

Diva was invited to be a member of the NJHS. We went and watched the induction ceremony. She was so happy. We were the proud family who clapped and cheered when her name was read. She's a smarty pants so watch out world!

Halloween

This year Halloween was insanely crazy for me. I was incharge of the ward's trunk or treat party. We had a carnival inside - a blast. Being so busy, I failed to get real pictures of the girls in their costumes. Diva had her picture taken during homecoming week - but wore the same thing for the party. Sorry about the terrible pictures. . .

Miss Priss was a fairy and Cowgirl was a southern belle. Man I wish I would have gotten better pics. They all looked great!

Drama Queen dressed up as a snazzy cowgirl. (confusing - Cowgirl was a southern belle and Drama Queen was a cowgirl)

Diva was nerd. Man she can rock that costume!

Big Daddy & Ship Food

I'm not talking cruise liner food with grand buffets and endless options. Big Daddy has said the food is ok on the ship he's on but that he's tired of it. It's the same old same old, day after day.

Drama Queen had the opprotunity to learn about the skeletal system the week of halloween. She came home from school with this elaborate cut out. Since we hadn't decorated for the holiday, we wanted to post it. This is what we did.

We hope Big Daddy hasn't gotten THIS thin.

We love you and miss you!

Cowgirl Turned 11

I can't believe it but my Cowgirl is 11. I can remember when she was just 4. Amazing how time flies - She's such a gorgeous young lady. . . and funny to boot!
Cowgirl loves cherries. She got a chocolate cake with fabulous frosting, a shaved chocolate bar and some oh-so-yummy cherries.

Ready to enjoy her birthday supper. We had pizza, olives & cheetos. She's SO beautiful!

Makin' wishes!

Lickin' frosting. . .

She got a few phone calls from some of her favorite people.

Shaking the presents before opening them. This one was rattling - lots!

I told her to be careful, it might break. This is the face - I LOVE IT!

Thankfully, not broken - it was a set of marbles.

She had a great day! All the girls played marbles and played with her other toys too.

Braces

Diva and Cowgirl got their brackets on. Don't they look LOTS older???

Seriously, cute and geeky all at once!

Christmas Wishes

They are just wishes, right?


Miss Priss's Christmas Wish List:

• Toy Puppy



• 2 front teeth or maybe some of these



• Nursery play set



• Unicorn Pillow Pet



• Zebra Zhu Zhu Pet



• Fun Keychain with keys wants to clip it to her bag



• Frisbee



• Teeter Totter - Big Daddy and I are willing to build this



• 3 Barbies



• Barbie Accessories

Drama Queen's Christmas Wish List:

• Locket



• 2 Barbies



• Charm Bracelet



• Doll House



• Lots of Play Money - some of these and these and don't forget this too



• Razor Scooter



• Mighty Beanz



• Purse



• Play Cell Phone (not that she doesn't already have several)



• Puppy Pillow Pet

Cowgirl's Christmas Wish List

• laptop computer



• One of these



• Cell phone (she has to share with Drama Queen and wants her own)



• Big Digital Camera



• Zhu Zhu Pet - Stinker



• Digital picture frame



• RC Pet



• Baby doll


• Wood Carving Kit


• Volleyball Set
  

Diva's Christmas Wish List:

• Make-up (she's only wearing lip stuff so far)


• CD's - this & this & this


• Lots of Gel and Glitter Pens


• Dangle Earrings - (if you can find sets with three earings this would be awesome since she loses only one earring regularly)


• More of these


• Oragami Paper & Book


• I-pod Green Please


• Flatscreen TV


• Wii Games she really wants this one


• Curling Iron or curlers

Big Daddy's Christmas Wish List:

• Flatscreen TV - The biggest one there is


• Blue Ray Player


• Tractor with shredder and discs


• 16-18 inch Chainsaw


• Power tools like this it's what he REALLY wants or this too


• Wii Games for the Family (4 players please) like this


• Storage Building


• One of these for the whole family


• Guarana the drink not the supplement


• Nativity - unique not ugly
  

Little Mama's Christmas Wish List:

• 20 pallets of this


• A Gator


• Laptop Computer


• One of these


• 6qt Kitchenaid Mixer - mine needs some serious repairs I've used it to death


• Peafowl


• Subscription to this, this, or this


• Cricut Machine


• Egg scale or Egg Basket size medium please


• A Gift Card Here

Monday's Potluck

On Monday, I hosted the first MMC Luncheon. That would be for any who want to be part of the Mean Mom Club. Has your kiddo ever told you you are mean. Do you feel mean when you have to say no? Do you plan on being a mean mom when you have kids? Then you too could be a member of this "club." Really we aren't "mean" we are just COURAGEOUS parents. I had a pretty good turn out for such short notice of the luncheon.

I had the younger girls, Drama Queen and Miss Priss, make sure their room was nice and tidy so that if any moms with young kiddos came, they could play in their room. When I went to check on it, this sign was posted on the closet door. They put "special" things in the closet they didn't want other kids to play with.
Practically everyone who came was from church. I did invite a friend from down the street and since she is a non-member, I also invited the Sister Missionaries, Sister Thomas and Sister Day. The kids that were visiting found these dress up items left over from seeing Disney on Ice. Don't these ladies look wonderful?

Sister Thomas is sporting the Syndrome hat and Sister Day is sporting the Dash hat (both are from the Incredibles). Notice Sister Thomas is still wearing her shades? She rarely takes them off. And Sister Day has told stories that she was one of the "blondes" back home. I told her I didn't think blonde was really her color - or at least not this shade of blonde.

Fashionista and More

Miss Priss likes to be fashionable. She's 6 and really doesn't have a clue! I cringe at times but I have to let her do it. Here's a recent example.

We ended up doing a picture of everyone because the other girls were laughing about her choice of clothing. She was aggitate so we did a big picture. That's everyone and the dogs too.

Well, today was no different. She came out wearing this. The other girls no longer laugh, they just look down and shake their heads. I'm sure they are embarrassed to get on the bus with her. I'm telling you this is a regular occurance. This is what I have decided to do. I had a friend a few years ago who said if the child likes what they are wearing, it's not going to hurt anything. So, I let her wear what makes her feel good. It's hard and I feel like it's a type of abuse to send her out the door like this. I love her sense of style - it's unique!So she wouldn't catch on, we took pictures of everyone today.

Here is Drama Queen sporting her new Brasil Jersey. Don't you love it Big Daddy? She says it's super comfy.Here's a picture of Cowgirl showing her leg off. If she were hitch hiking, I'd pull over and pick her up. She's been a good sport about wearing her brace even though it's hot and a bit uncomfortable. She's taking meds and taking it easy for now.And last but not least, Diva. Do you see the countdown? I think there are only 37 days left to go.

Yipee!!!!!Diva was reading to the girls before school. Yet another angle on our in house fashionista's style. Do you see the low fun bun hair do? And the socks, I do see how they match. I just shake my head.

Drama Queen Turned 9

Happy Birthday Drama Queen!

You are a delightful young lady. You are smart, brave, strong, quick, confident, kind, beautiful and one of a kind. We are so happy you are an eternal member of our family. You are a very special young lady. You have sure had some rough times in your life and a lot of those were beyond your control. Know that Heavenly Father knew you were supposed to be with our family. We love you cutie!

Birthdays are so much fun! Drama Queen choose to have Fruit, Bread and Cheese for her dinner. We had grapes and cantaloupe, extra sharp cheddar and colby jack cheese, and french bread. Party horns are a must!

Her cake was dark chocolate fudge with melted Andes mints as the "frosting." It was delish!She made a wish! She loved sitting in the special birthday chair too!She got a few phone calls. She beamed each time she got sung to. She's so cute!
She got this card from Diva and played with it.and the silliness continued. . . Opening presents is always fun!She would shake them first but never made any guesses.Joy and excitment when she discovered what it was.
Drumsticks you can play anywhere! She was SO serious when she was playing. She cracks me up!