Gingerbread House (aka The Candy House)

Last week we made our first ever Gingerbread House, or Candy House as Isabelle likes to call it. We let Isabelle do the majority of it with the guidance of Mommy and she did an awesome job. The kid is creative just like her mommy, she had to take something from me since she doesn't look a thing like me. Now the trick is keeping it out of reach from Tootsie and Isabelle until after Christmas.

Isabelle making sure that every piece of candy is in perfect position

Her first finished product, a gingerbread man- "Eww I get to eat a piece of candy?"

"This is so stressful"- Isabelle and her completed Candy House

Ahhh, already trying to sneak a bite!

1st Dance Recital

My little girl is yet again growing up way to fast. Sunday was her very first dance recital! I was a little worried because she went on smack dab in the middle of nap time. When I went to drop her off backstage she was being a little clingy but ended up doing a wonderful job. No tears when I left her, did her dance moves, and even sang! I am going to try and get the video off of our digital camera, so stay tuned. Meantime here are some pictures of the dress rehearsal and the morning of the dance rehearsal. (click on images to enlarge, the actual dancing ones are a little hard to see on the blog)

Christmas Pictures

Dave went out of town on business today, so on the way home from dropping him off at the airport Isabelle and I decided to stop at the Gaylord Texan to take some pictures in one of her Christmas outfits. She did so good, and if you know me at all you know there are a million pictures to share. Here are just a few of them:

Make a Smilebox slideshow

If you want me to send you a copy of any of the pictures let me know and I will be happy to share =)

Dance Recital

This weekend is Isabelle's first ever dance recital and I can hardly contain myself, I am so excited. The other morning I was putting makeup on in the bathroom when Isabelle asked for some. She asks all of the time and I have to tell her that she can wear makeup when she is older (much older!). So the morning that she came in asking about it I told her that she was going to be able to wear makeup at her dance recital and the rehearsal as well. She yell, " Yeah Mommy, I am finally older"!! She remembers absolutely everything, what a cutie I cannot wait for her recital. I should be posting pictures soon, stay tuned.

Thanksgiving Part 2

After coming back from the farm on Friday, we went to Aunt Jackie and Uncle Mike's house for a left over feast. Everyone was there, we had a great time and watched the Griswold's Family Christmas.

We called this table "The Fire Table" of course all of the kids wanted to sit at this table because it had real fire (aka candles) on it. Dave, Chris, and I were the fire table monitors. We heard all kinds of interesting stories and views on life from the kids at the table, the kids are way more interesting than adults.

Isabelle, Jackson and Uncle Chris


Isabelle and Jackson getting into the candy on the table, they were so sad when it magically disappeared.


Aunt Jackie and Isabelle sat down to do some coloring. Aunt Jackie told Isabelle that they could put one of her pictures on the refrigerator. I guess Isabelle could not just pick one so she told Uncle Mike to put the whole coloring book on the fridge. So Mike busted out the duct tape and stuck the whole darn thing on for her. This is a picture of her trying to show off what she has done. Later that week we were in the car driving when Isabelle out of nowhere says, " Mommy we need duct tape"... LOL, great looks like Isabelle is getting duct tape for Christmas =)

These two pictures looked so fun I could not resist. She loves her Daddy and her Pop Pop, look at the smile on their faces. (Sorry Daddy about the belly shot)

Pictures with Santa

So last year pictures with Santa was an absolute disaster, like most 1.5 year old Isabelle screamed through the whole picture. This year I was pleasantly suprised to see that The Picture People got Santa to come and take pictures with the kids. It was great, now I can pick the screaming picture that I like the best vs. only have the one option with the mall Santa. All week I work on Isabelle telling her how we are going to get her pictures taken with Santa and how fun it will be. All of my hard work payed off, as soon as we walked in the door to the Picture People Isabelle ran up and gave Santa a big hug. She even sat around and chatted with him while we waited for our turn for pictures.

So here they are, our first non-screaming Santa picture!

Thanksgiving at the Farm

This year for Thanksgiving we decided to go to Papaw & Mamaw's farm. Because we call it a "farm" Isabelle was so excited to go and see all of the animals. I tried explaining to her that Papaws farm did not have a bunch of animals, that really all she would see would be cows and deer. I guess she didn't believe me until we pulled up, then she said, "I don't see all of the animals, Mommy". Isabelle took her first driving lesson with Daddy, don't tell her I told you this but she is a terrible driver! She would hold the steering wheel on the mule and turn it back and forth when we were trying to go straight. No wonder they make you wait until you are 16 to get a liscense. We had a huge Thanksgiving feast and were absolutely miserable after eating.

Dave was a little upset that he didn't even get to SEE a deer on his hunting adventures, much less shoot at one. God must have heard him comment about not seeing a deer because low and behold one darted out in front of the car on the way home. It was all I could do to keep Dave from flooring it so he could say he killed a deer.




Dave, Isabelle and I all went riding on the mule and ran into these cows. It was a mad stampede, they may not look angry in this picture but we were in fear for our lives. They even Moo'd at us, which Isabelle got a kick out of. Luckily Dad sped away and saved our lives just in the nick of time.