Christmas 2008

This year we're spending Christmas in Cinncinnati with Supermom's family. So the girls got to open many of their gifts before Christmas morning.

Goodies from Nana & Poppy!

Yay I got nails. Can I put them on??

Aunt Kelly & Uncle TC sent me a VIP!!

I love these nails!

I got a squeeky weiner dog.

I got a brand new pair

of roller skates.

Aunt Jilly flew to us in Illinois and then

drove to Cincinnati with us.

She brought Lou.

We were going to keep him,

but Laurel wouldn't have it.

She started marking territory.

Kate and Lou

We're so glad you're here Aunt Jilla

Finally in Cincinn.

We missed you Granie.

Christmas Morning at Aunt T's.

Toys, toys, toys!

Merry Christmas 2008.

And Happy New Year too.

Christmas Pictures

Time for our annual Christmas photo session.

This is fun.

I love getting dressed up.

Do we have to do this every year??

Merry Christmas!!

Camp Out

The Christmas tree is up. How much fun would it be to camp out next to it and enjoy the pretty lights. Way fun!! Let's drag all the pillows and blankets off our beds, and get every spare blankets in the house and go for it.

Mom I'm too big for this Cinderella sleeping bag.

Surprise!

And Merry Early Christmas.

Granie & Grandpa got your new sleeping

bags from your favorite store . .

Jusitce!

This is so fun!

I feel like a rock star.

First Snow

Brrrr . . . last night we got our first winter snowfall.

Why isn't she wearing her parka?

I'm ready to go outside!

Okay, let's go!!

We're really going.

This is fun but it sure is cold.

Princess Party

Our darling neighbor Ella had a princess party to celebrate her 5th birthday. All the girls got dolled up.

Princess Kate

Kate and Ella

Princes and Princesses

DIVA

All She Needs for Christmas . . .

. . .are her two front teeth.

It's hanging by a thread.

And it's out.

Okay, I'm biased. What supermom isn't?
But don't you agree she's adorable toothless.

Winter is a'coming

Yes, winter is almost here. There is a chill in the air.

Lolo needs a parka, right?

The girls fed baby deer at Kroger.

You don't see that in Arizona.

Oh yeah and since they haven't been playing outside

the basement is a MESS.

Ahhh winter . . .this is just the beginning.

C.I.T.O.

After trick or treating the girls came home and feasted on their loot. Before they ate it all, Jeff and I taught the girls to trade their candy. To our surprise, they were quite good at negotiating. Enter CITO:

C.I.T.O. = Central Illinois Treaty Organization

CITO consists of four members: Dad, Mom, Kate and Sarah. All principalities have unique assets. Dad and Mom facilitated the 2008 Candy Summit between Sarah and Kate.

Negotiations went well. These two make good trade partners as the nation of Kate requires chocolate and Sarah has much more than she will ever consume. Likewise, Kate has more sugar commodities than she requires and Sarah wants them.

After the summit they sat across the table

and shared a snack native to the land of Kate.

Then Sarah shared a caramel delicacy.

Oh dear, it's made her loose tooth worse.

Look! I can push it straight up with my tongue.

Kate rushes in with aide.

Bringing paper towels and an offer

to help free the tooth.

They will be lifelong allies.

In the end Dad liberated the tooth.

The tooth was put into

protective custody

until it could be sold
at auction.

The nation of Sarah is forever changed

by the loss of the tooth.

But she is much wealthier as she

sold the tooth to a local

fairy organization for a whopping $10.

Proud of her contribution,

Kate called a press conference.

Meanwhile, left out of the Candy Summit,

Laurel invaded the trash

stealing old pizza and salad.

CITO has issued a strong warning.

Dad has deployed troops.

Halloween 2008

Happy Halloween!

Many of our holidays begin with a box from Nana & Poppy. They pick the best stuff. Candy, t-shirts, toys . . .

Kate is still recovering from her tonsillectomy.
So she opened her box before big sister got home.

Kate: "Ooooh, what's in here."

Laurel: "I smell chocolate!! There's chocolate in here!"



I love my new shirt.
Now I'll open the card.


Thank you Nana & Poppy!

Home from school and dressed for 50's day

Sarah is ready to open her

goodies from Nana & Poppy

She opens the card first.

Then the package.

Thank you Nana & Poppy!

Happy Halloween Morning 2008.

Sarah is dressed as St. Seriphina

(at Catholic school first graders

dress as saints on Halloween)

Kate is Cleopatra.

All Saints Day Mass (celebrated on the 31st this year) is a big deal at St. Patrick School. All the first graders give speeches about their saints. Sarah rocked! No kidding, seven parents and the principal came up to me and said she has a future in stage. Go Sarah!!

She does love to be on stage.

After school we went to see dad

and trick or treat at his office.

Daddy is Jimmy Hendrix.

That night we went trick or treating

with all the neighbors.

What a great day!

Happy Halloween!