Christmas take two....

It was Christmas "take-two" for us as it wouldn't have been complete until we celebrated with Jocie. Our night started with Jocie opening presents. And surprisingly that went very well considering Isabel was handing Jocie her gifts, but didn't get any gifts herself. I had contemplated earlier about picking up something small for Isabel, so she wouldn't feel left out, but I forgot, so we just hoped Isabel wouldn't noticed. And she didn't!! But I'm sure it also helped that we had announced that we were going to go shopping that night so Isabel could pick out something special for Jocie and Jocie would pick something special for Isabel.

After presents it was time to go bowling. We first headed the the Grand Forks bowling alley, but were not able to bowl since the lanes were all full....note for future, call ahead and reserve a lane. So we then headed to the East Grand Forks bowling alley. We had no problem finding a lane there, as it was completely empty. And it didn't take us long to see why it was so empty....grumpy workers, dumpy bowling alley, no food!! Oh well, we were determined to make the best out of it...and we did. We quickly hit up the vending machines and were set with chips, candy,and pop. Now it was time to bowl. We got Isabel her own lane so she could have bumpers and a ramp. While Jocie, Jason, and I bowled on our own lane for some major bragging rights. Unfortunately we all were having an off night at bowling, so needless to say there was lots of gutter balls. Isabel's game ended much earlier than ours so she ended up entertaining herself by dancing on the bowling lanes. It was so funny watching her shake her hips and jump up and down...she's become quite the show-off.


After bowling, we headed to Applebees for a quick dinner and then it was shopping time. We had decided that we would go to Walmart to shop since it was 9pm and they are opened the latest....this way the kiddos could take their time to shop. Once we got to the toy department we split up, Jason and Jocie went off to pick out a few things Jocie wanted (Isabel would then pick out what she wanted to get Jocie out of Jocie's choices and Jocie would do the same for Isabel). Isabel and I went off wondering around the store because it only took Isabel a few minutes to pick 3 toys (big surprise)for Jocie to chose from. But then Jason and Jocie came running around the corner concerned that Jocie couldn't find anything at Walmart and wanted to head to Target!! What?? Its 9:30pm, they close at 10pm!! We were never going to pull that off,but neither Jason or I were about to say no. So we quickly explained to Isabel that she wasn't getting a toy here, but she would get one at the next store and off we went. Now although this all sounds a little crazy..it was hilarious. We jumped in the car and Jason drove as quickly as he could to Target (which by the way, was extremely slow). Then Jason continued to waste more time by slowly trying to find a close parking spot...if you only could of seen me jumping up and down in the car yelling for Jason to hurry up...too funny:-) We finally got to Target with 25 minutes to spare. I announced that the girls would no longer be picking gifts for each other, but rather they'd just pick out something they wanted, which of course they didn't mind. We then ran,yes we literally ran, to the toy department and I yelled to Jocie "okay, find a toy, whatever you want" and I looked down at Isabel and said, "now focus Isabel, we need to find a toy...now hurry". So Isabel who is only 3, who lives to make my life complicated, says "mom, I gotta go potty!!" I couldn't believe it. The potty is located on the other side of the store...you're kidding me, right?? Well she wasn't. I did stand there for half a second and thought, "would it really be that terrible if she peed her pants??" And yes, I realize that was a terrible thought, but I thought it, and then thankfully came back to reality and realized I couldn't do that. So I quickly threw Isabel in the cart and said "hold on" and I ran to the bathroom while Isabel laughed at all the excitement (or craziness). Isabel's potty break took all of 3 minutes and we were back in the toy department, only to find Jocie and Jason weren't...what the heck?? Isabel found a baby set right away and as we headed out of toys there came Jason and Jocie. Jocie had found exactly what she wanted and we were good to go. As we waited to check-out we heard an announcement that the store would be closing in 15 minutes!!! 15 minutes....too bad no one thought to look at the time, we totally had time to look around and could of avoided all the crazy, panicky nonsense. But to be honest, it probably wouldn't have been as much fun without all the madness. My only regret is that I so concerned about getting toys before the store closed, that I forget to take pictures of the girls shopping....I promise had I taken pictures you would be laughing....if you're not already.

The night was perfect and was full of lots of laughs. We always enjoy our visits with Jocie....who just happens to be the most beautiful, smartest, nicest girl ever. And watching Isabel and Jocie bond and share special moments together is always wonderful. Our visit with Jocie was a perfect way to end our Christmas celebrations. We hope yours was as Merry as Ours:-)

Christmas fun!!!

Our Christmas was full of lots of fun. It all started on Christmas Eve evening when Isabel got a surprise visit from Santa Claus!!! We told Isabel that maybe Santa would stop by if he had time, but there were no promises...so Isabel immediately got to work. She drew Santa a picture and helped get cookies ready for him and the reindeer. And then she kept asking, "is Santa here?? Is he coming??". And then there was a knock at the door...Isabel opened up the door and couldn't believe her eyes!! It was Santa!! He only stayed for a few moments, but long enough for Isabel to get a gift and for her to give Santa his "presents". It was soo cute to see her excitement and shock.


After our "special" Santa visit we were off to my moms house for my family's Christmas party. We, of course, were the last ones to show up and as we pulled up to the house we couldn't help but laugh. There was more than 10 cars parked at my moms house....and for those of you who don't know, my moms house is tiny!!! It was soo much fun seeing the whole family together and watching everyone stealing chairs from each other...haha! We had our annual Christmas exchange, which keeps getting more fun each year. Its fun to buy a gift for someone you wouldn't normally buy for and fun to recieve a gift from someone you wouldn't normally recieve one from. Jason and I both got slippers....we desperately needed some and Isabel got some new PJ's.


On Christmas Day morning the festivities continued. My parents and my sister and her family came over for present time!! My mom gave us the best present ever....breakfast tacos..yummy!! Isabel then handed out presents to everyone one at a time as we all watched them open the presents with excitment. This was very fun for Isabel because she bought presents for everyone, she picked them out all by herself. And I think everyone was happy with their little gifts...especially dad who got a suprise gift (some sort of pull-up, work-out contraction, only Jason would enjoy a present like that). After present time we pulled out Scrabble...our new favorite game. The rest of the day Jason, Isabel, and I spent playing with toys, watching movies, and enjoying our own little ham dinner. It was a perfect, wonderful, Christmas day:-)

We have a star.........

Tonight was Isabel Christmas dance recital. It was such an exciting night for Isabel and for us. Our little babygirl proved to us once again that she is not our little baby anymore, but indeed a confident 3 year old!!! She danced GREAT....she was PERFECT....we are soooo proud of our little dancer:-)

I can't even begin to explain how exciting that moment was for us. After all Isabel has been in dance for 2 years and has performed on stage with mom right be her side. Now all of a sudden she was left by herself with just the other dancers from class....thats quite a change to say the least for a 3 year old. Since Isabel started the pre-school dance class, we've always been a little worried about recital night. We have been so thrilled that for the last 2 months she is finally participating in dance class for the entire 45 minutes without needing contant re-enforcement from mom. But just because she dancing in dance class doesn't mean she'll dance on the night of recital. And if I was her, I don't know if I could. I can't imagine how scary it must be on a big stage with bright lights and TONS of strangers watching you. And don't forget, she's only 3!!! But wow, Isabel shocked us to no end. We are just soooo proud of her!!!

When Isabel's class walked out on the stage I saw her looking alittle nervous and trying to find Jason and I, so threw my arm up high and starting waving. Immediately Isabel found me and nodded her head, as if to say "okay, mom and dad are here, I'm okay". Then the music started. They danced to a song called "We need alittle Christmas". And it is the cutest, catchiest song I've ever heard. If you've never heard, you need tooo!! And without a moments hesitation, Isabel started doing her tondue points. Then came the sways, the twirls, the body shake/twist, and finally a curtsey to end followed by blowing a kiss and waving. Isabel was grinning from ear to ear, and so were we!!! It was a perfect night and I just can't tell you enough how PROUD we are of Isabel. Yah!!!! Oh and lastly, Isabel not only danced the part, but she also looked the part. Jason and I were in disagreement about how I should fix Isabel's hair (I wanted it down with big curls, but Jason insisted I put it up-he thought it would look nicer). Well Jason was right....Isabel looked like a beautiful ballerina with a perfect "fancy-ballerina-bun"!! And we got tons of compliments on her hair too.....I had no idea Jason was such a fashionista...haha.

Oh Christmas Tree....

The Christmas season is finally here. I have been waiting for this Christmas season for months. Mostly because everything is so much more exciting for Isabel now that she's alittle older. I couldn't wait to get the Christmas tree up, but I wanted to wait at least until after Thanksgiving dinner. So by 7pm on Thanksgiving night we had pulled out all of our Christmas decorations and the decorating began. Isabel helped put up the ornaments and she even got to put on the star this year...how exciting. While Isabel and I decorated inside the apartment, Jason was left to put up lights on the deck (brrrr...). Within an hour the tree was done (and its the girly-est tree in town), stockings had been hung, and the poinsettas were out . Our little apartment had transformed into a Christmas wonderland.

Isabel was so excited helping with the decorating. And she was so curious about everthing. "Why we have those socks mom?" She kept asking about the stockings. "Why we put stuff on that tree?" and "Why you put that santa picture on the floor?" Isabel didn't quite get the whole santa floor mat. It was so funny. She was very worried for santa when I walked on it.

It was all so much fun. At one point, Jason mentioned that it should be Christmas time more often because he hasn't seen me so excited about decorating and I was in such a good mood (like I'm ever not in a good mood..yea right;-). I couldn't help it. Isabel is at such an exciting age that everything is so much more fun. We've even started watching Christmas movies...we watch one every nite after dinner. And listening to Isabel talk about santa and his reindeer and baby Jesus's birthday..soooo cute!!! And somehow, I really don't know how, Isabel has learned all the popular Christmas songs!!!Happy Holidays!

Perfect Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving was once again perfect:-) We had dinner at my mom's house with just our family. It was perfect, low-key and quiet....just the way we like it. This year was especially special because we had 3 more guests than last year, my dad, Darrin (my new brother-in-law), and baby Nate.

Right before we serve the meal, its a tradition in our family that we all go around the table saying what we're thankful for and then we have prayer. This is always my favorite part, listening to my family speak from their heart. And guess what?? This year no one cried!!! Also this year Isabel was able to join in and here's what she was thankful for, "umm....Ceasar (thats her puppy that lives at grandmas house) and yummy food". It was sooo cute! And she even topped it off with leading us in prayer.

As we all sat around and enjoyed our yummy dinner (that Ang cooked all by herself...go Ang), I couldn't help but smile. Everything was perfect. I love Thanksgiving. Its my favorite holiday because it means extra special time with my family. We have good conversations, there's lots of smiles and laughs, and lots of "mmmm's this is sooo good". And we are all sitting together at the same table, which is huge in itself. Because to be honest there isn't many times we all sit together for a meal. We certainly have meals together, but a lot of the times someones on the couch eating or in the other kitchen, everyone is just spread out doing their own thing. But not on Thanksgiving, it really becomes a moment when we are all together....and I love it. We are all so blessed to have each other............

Cheerleading....Go! Fight! Win!

Today we spent the afternoon at Red River High School watching the ND Cheerleading Competition. We were extra excited about going to the event today because the Troemner girls (Grace, Emma, and Gabbi) were going with us. And we were in much need of their company, since we haven't seen them is awhile.

On our way to the event, we stopped and picked up pompoms for all the girls (whats a cheerleading competition without pompoms for the kiddos?). We arrived in just enough time to squeeze into the last open front row spots (this allowed floor room for the girls to get up and cheer....which they did lots of ). Then out came the cheerleaders. There was 18 teams total!! Wow! The girls were so excited watching all of the teams come out. Isabel was quick to point out, "there's the blue team, thats dads team" (because blue is daddy's favorite color).

Watching the girls faces when the teams performed their routines was classic. Their eyes got big and jaws dropped when the cheerleaders did their flips and lifts. Grace and I couldn't help but laugh as the girls waved their pompoms and wiggled to the music. Our girls even made their own cheerleading squad. Emma was the captain as she would imitate the "real" cheerleaders and Gabbi and Isabel would copy Emma.

As we walked out of the event it was so cute listening to the girls talk about what they saw and hearing them announce that someday they would be cheerleaders too. And on our car ride home, Isabel and I spent the ride yelling, "Go! Fight! Win...lets hear it....Go! Fight! Win!

I can honestly say, I had no idea that we would have this much fun at the competition (yes, I too enjoyed myself). We can't wait for next years competition. And I think we just might have a future cheerleader on our hands.....:-) And lastly if you take one thing from this, let it be....Go! Fight! Win! Sorry...I couldn't help myself!

Isabel skates...

Today Isabel started her first day of ice skating class/lessons. We were alittle nervous going into today since Isabel has been sick with a cough. But regardless I was determined to make it to skating class. I first have to say when you walked into the Fido arena, I was alittle shocked and taken a back. The locker rooms were filled with children and parents...way more than I could even count. And these parents were in the "zone". I couldn't believe how intense these parents were. Okay maybe I should have expected this since we do live in a "hockey town", but seriously these children are 3 and 4 years old...helllooooooooo. At one point I felt like I was backstage at a pageant! Pageant moms have met their challengers..my money is on the hockey moms.

Okay now that I've been completely judgemental of these parents, lets get to Isabel. When we got on the ice Isabel was alittle surprised how slippery it was ( I don't think she remembered at all going ice skating last year). I held her hands and off we went. Isabel enjoyed gliding on the ice as I pulled her, but she had no desire to try it on her own. But then came Jarmilla (our teacher). There was no introduction, she just came up to us and said "whats her name" then she said, "let go of her and let her come to you and only hold one hand not both". She made Isabel stand on her own and then said, "come to me Isabel, come to me". Thank goodness Isabel happened to lean forward which made her glide to the teacher and then that was it. Our teacher was gone! I must admit I was alittle confused. I knew ahead of time that the class was not a group lesson but rather a one-on-one lesson, but seriously I thought we'd spend more than 2 min. with our teacher. Although I was not impressed with this type of class set-up, I decided what the heck, lets make the best of this. So I spent the rest of our 30 min class time trying to teach Isabel to skate.

Isabel was very funny during class. She would say every other minute, "I can't, its too hard". But then she'd try again. She was very scared of falling,which only happened a few times. At one point Isabel got so frustrated she moved her feet back and forth very quickly (trying to make herself fall) then fell and sat on the ice and cried. To be honest I wanted to get up and leave, but I decided one of us needed to be the adult. So I picked her up and gave her lots of words of encouragement. By the end of class Isabel was having fun, still not quite walking or gliding on the ice, but she was really digging ice skating. She enjoyed it so much that when it was time to leave the rink she started crying and begging to keep ice skating. And the crying continue all the way to the grocery store.

Looking back now I am just so impressed how much Isabel has matured. Ice skating class was completely new for her and those of you who know Isabel well, know she does not take good to new activities or change. But everyday Isabel is growing and maturing. These moments are so exciting and huge for us and Isabel. I look forward to watching Isabel turn into a little skater.

Ode to Isabel

Isabel....Isabel....Isabel. All too often I find myself talking to friends about Isabel. And in these conversations I am always so quick to discuss the challenges Jason and I are facing with Isabel. So lately I have found myself feeling very guilty. I've spent endless hours wondering why I'm not sharing more of our fun moments with Isabel and less of our not so fun moments. I think I just have a fear of becoming that mom thats always obsessing and gushing over her child (please let me know when I become that mom:) With all that said, I've decided this first blog should be an Ode to Isabel....I think its the least I can do for her.

On Oct.19th Isabel turned 3! What an exciting day for her. Everything in our lives has changed since that day! All of a sudden Isabel turned 3 and she just "got" it. Isabel has become the best listener and she can and does follow direction so well now. Isabel also has reached huge independent milestones. Isabel dresses herself "all by myself" (Isabel's words), she buckles herself in her car seat, she gives herself a bath, she goes to bed on her own, and she even has started cleaning her room without being told! Life has truly never been so easy.

In dance class you can truly see how much Isabel has matured and how she is learned to listen and follow direction. Isabel is in the preschool dance class this year (which means she is dancing all my herself...no more mom). When classes first started Isabel spent a lot of class time running to me for hugs and reassurance. Sometimes she'd just stand in class while everyone else danced, especially if it was a part of dance class that she didn't like (she hated doing stretches). But then Isabel turned 3 and our first day to dance class after her birthday was the best day ever. Isabel did every part of dance class from start to finish. She even participated with a smile on her face. I was so proud of her. And ever since that day, she has continued to be the best little dancer she can be:)

Isabel has also shown us her love for music as she can now sing songs and carry the tune to them. Isabel first started singing the Disney Princess songs this summer. By summers end Isabel was able to sing each song on her own. And I have to say there is nothing cuter than watching her hold her head up high with closed eyes as she hits the high notes and her vioce cracks. Along with learning princess songs Isabel also loves to sing nursery rhymes. Her favorite (and ours....you'll see why..) is Patty Cake. Isabel will sing patty cake in a loud voice and usually is stomping her feet and making a frown (I don't know why)while she sings it. This is Isabel's version of patty cake...."Patty cake, Patty Cake, make me mad, make-a-me-a-cake as fast as you can..." I tried to correct Isabel the first time I heard her sing it that way. But she told me, "yeah mom, thats what I said." So Jason and I decided who are we to tell her she can't sing patty cake that way. Plus its so cute and so funny. We always bust out laughing.

Isabel is the sweetest most giving little friend. Isabel has always been a pretty good sharer (just ask Jenny Hanson;-),but lately we've seen the depths of her generosity. When we are out shopping and Isabel gets something (usually from Targets $1 spot) she will immediately ask for another one for one of her friends. Or if we are going somewhere I always pack a snack for Isabel, she will immediately remind me to grab one for whoever we are going to see. And when Isabel has 2 of anything new (like princess socks) she will tell us one is for her and she is giving the other pair to one of her friends. Its gotten to a point where I need to explain to her that we don't have to share everything (mostly because we can't afford to feed and provide socks for everyone..I'm exaggerating...alitte) with our friends, some stuff is just for us.

Lastly I have to take a moment to talk about how darn cute Isabel is......(yikes, did I just turn into that crazy mom???) I feel like everyday Isabel's features are changing. Sometimes from just the right angle she looks like her daddy. But when looking at pictures of Isabel, I immediately see myself. Even though Isabel looks alot like me (according to everyone), Isabel does have distinct Aaker features (or least Jason and Grandpa Leroy features). Isabel has big beautiful eyes that slightly droop in the corners and her eyes also sink in just a bit (its more define when she's tired) just like daddy and grandpa. Those are my favorite features of Isabel (probably because its so cute to see alittle Aaker in her). Isabel also has a cutie pie smile that sometimes gets so big you can see her upper gum (thats my favorite). And Isabel has the cutest little gap between her 2 front teeth. It reminds of her sister Jocie's when Jocie was that age. Jason doesn't see the resembles, which is fine with me, because I see it so clearly.

So this is my ode to Isabel. We are truly blessed to have a healthy child like Isabel. Our lives as parents is so excited. Jason and I are growing and learning so much from Isabel and we are always looking for ways to become better parents.