We're home!

Well we're back and trying to get back in our routines again! We had a great time in Idaho and were happy to see a lot of family and some friends!! Sorry for the ones we didn't catch! I'll do better next time I promise!! Well, while we were there Olivia decided to give herself a little trim. I mean a Mullet. as well as her cousin Kari some bangs. My friend Lindy cleaned it up a bit but it will take a few months before she doesn't look like she Belongs in Alabama. lol.

So the most exciting thing that happened today was that I won my very first cooking contest!!! Jaron's work had a cook-off. I made my Pork Posole that my neighbor Carina taught me how to make. and it took first in the Soup Category!! I won a $150 gift card to Williams-Sonoma and a lot of satisfaction. It just feels good to win sometimes!

Well, Olivia is going to turn 4 next week. I'm really trying to decide what kind of Princess party I should throw. I mean, how crazy do I go. I was looking online and people are spending up to a thousand dollars on little girls parties! well, not me. but I still want to have something fun, cute and nice. so if you have any ideas send them my way!!

Well in one week from today I will be flying into Salt Lake City! I'm super excited and will probably start packing tomorrow! Saturday night I

will stay with my grams and Aunt Jenise and Uncle Bills house. Then I will drop in a see my parents before attending the Burnside-Park Christmas Party and then I will go and see my brother and sister and their families. The craziness and excitement begins already! yay! If anyone wants to get together, call me on my cell! which maybe I shouldn't post here but if you want it just send me your email! hah! I act as if millions of people check my blog daily. silly girl.

En toute facon, I was released as 2nd counselor in YW and put in as Nursery Leader. I must of really been doing poorly. lol. Actually, I am really excited. I love little kids and am looking forward to a new set of challenges. like 12 toddlers. The greatest part is seeing what a terror Ellie is becoming. today she lifted her leg up like a ballerina right in another boys face, pulled Olivia's hair, pinched her, smacked another little girl in the back and took away toys from other kids. gotta love 12:30 pm church, miss the nap, ritalin, lunch and the girl is crazy! Church will start at 9am in a few weeks and that will be great!

Wow, I'm really rambling today. well, love y'all and Merry Christmas! oh and all Ellie wants for Christmas is bubble gum. that's what she keeps on telling Santa anyway!

Fun in the 40 Degree Sun

The girls are getting me!















GoldyLocks is being awakened by the Little Black Bear!








The wanted to ride in the back of the truck but I made them walk in hopes they would be exhausted on the way home. It worked! Ellie fell asleep in stride and was out for 3 1/2 hours while Olivia was out for 2 1/2 hours. That equaled 2 hours of peace and quiet for me. What a blessed day!

Leslie went to Nashville for the day to study up on diabetes or something. The girls and I braved the weather and hung out at the golf course for a while. We played "Goldy Locks and the Three Bears" and "You Can't Get Me!" (A personal favorite of Olivia's).

Olivia's first cartwheel!

Me and the girls!

So Ellie didn't really want to be in the picture. can you tell?

Notice the little boy in the back? That is Evan, a boy in Olivia's class.

Ellie bearing her chest to the world. she is a riot.

Ellie and Olivia waiting for Preschool to start. The kids have to wait till 8:25 exactly to go to their classroom.

Olivia. what more does one need to say!

Ellie.

not quite ripe! bummer!

One of the few watermelons from our garden this year. I accidentally cut it up too early. Oh well, at least the bugs didn't get this one!

Ellie says, "I'm Briar Rose and she is Ariel."

In case you miss it.

4 Fists full of candy at one house!! Great job Ellie and good job Olivia with the shy facade! Who says little kids aren't trainable? The candy god was good to us this year.