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............