Gracism

12/15/11
Grace:  "Mommy, why did you have two kids?"

Me:  "Because Daddy and I wanted you to have a friend to play with."

Grace:  "I think you made a mistake!"

I LOVE this child with everything I have!!

I Trust in God and Jesus!!

The other night I asked Grace if she knew why we celebrate Christmas.  She said no, (which I really didn't believe because I know for a fact they talk about it at school everyday, we have books here that we read, and Bryan and I have talked to her about it) so I explained the story of Jesus' birth to her again.  When I was done she turned and looked at me then said, "I trust in God and Jesus!"  That makes me very proud!

 Love, love, love it!!

Magic Kingdom

 My sweet family!!

Daddy and his Princess!

 Mommy and RJ on the carousel!

A kiss for Daddy!

Grace and Daddy riding in the front of our flying carpet.

 Up in the air...Mr. Straight Face!!

Balloons!!

Disney always has beautiful Christmas decorations!

Our tired babies!  

The day after Thanksgiving we took the kids to the Happiest Place on Earth...Magic Kingdom.  We thought for sure that it was going to be a stressful day because of the amount of people attending the park, but we ended up having the BEST time at Disney ever!!  Very little wait times for the rides we chose, a relaxing lunch, ice cream, and a parade where Cinderella's Fairy Godmother told Grace that she liked her dress!!  Bryan and I enjoyed our day with our little munchkins.  Wonderful memories were made!!

Bubbles!!

 RJ finally figured it out. Precious!!

Love the concentration!

Festival of Trees

Our Art Museum hosts a Festival of Trees where local artists and business donate beautifully decorated trees to be sold at an auction which benefits the museum.  It only lasts a week and is one of my favorite things to do during the holidays.  They not only have trees, but they have wreaths, gingerbread houses, music, and fun activities for children.  I just love it!

 This tree was awesome!  It was made out of water bottles that were cute open and painted to look like flowers.  Beautiful!!

 This tree was Grace's favorite.  It was covered in butterflies!

 Hoola Hoops!!

Monkey!!

Me and my babies!  Oh, how I love them so very much!!

Santa's Magical Arrival

 Grace and Mommy waiting for the magical moment!

 Eating her super healthy dinner!

 Enjoying her time with Rae Rae!

HE'S HERE!!!

 Love it!!

Every year a local mall has a special holiday party for Santa's magical arrival.  This was our first year attending.  RJ ended up getting an ear infection so he couldn't come with us, which was a huge disappointment.  But Rae Rae, Grace, and I decided to head out there ourselves to check things out.  Grace really enjoyed herself.  Seeing her face made fighting the crowds worth it!! 

Fortune Cookie

It was just my Mom, the kids, and I for dinner the other night, so we ordered Chinese food.    After dinner I gave Grace a fortune cookie.  She cracked it open and asked me to read it to her.  Not 30 seconds later she told me the following joke...

G:  "Mommy, why did the chicken cross the road?"

Me:  "I don't know."

G:  "Because he fell on his hiney bum!  Hahahahahahahaha!"  [Hysterical laughter at herself.]

That fortune cookie was spot on!!

No More Paci...

On Monday, the 7th, I stopped the paci addiction.  RJ would go into the kitchen and point to the draw where they were kept and whimper.  He cried only for a short while at nap or bedtime.  I thought he did very well considering he LOVED his paci.  He was a real trooper.  How did he make the transition so well, you ask?  He now sucks his thumb.  Oy vey!

THOSE EYES!!!!

Perfection!!

Not only do I see outer beauty when I look at this picture, but I also see inner beauty.  Humor, imagination, wonder, tenderness...just plain perfection.

 RJ looks just like his Daddy when he sleeps!

These feet!  I just love these little tiny feet!  I was holding them the other day, admiring how soft and smooth and clean they were.  I savored that small moment in time, because I know one day these precious little piggies will be hairy, stinky, sweaty, and pretty much disgusting teenage boy feet!  Got to live in the moment, right?

(Disclaimer:  Even when these feet are hairy, stinky, and sweaty, I will still love them because they belong to the most amazing little boy EVER!  I won't want to hold them and kiss them, though....yuck.)

Gracism

Grace:  "Mommy, do you know why ghostess don't eat?"

Me:  "No, I don't.  Why?"

Grace:  "Because they can't sit down."  

Horseback Riding

Dunny likes Grace's boots!

Ready to ride!

Grace grooming Tiani the Terrible.

We went to our cousin's house so I could take pictures of Brittany and Brianna with their horses.  Grace got to groom the Tiani the pony and ride her.  Brittany then took Grace for a ride on Dunny.  Grace had a blast!!

Hula Dance

Grace did the hula dance at every house we went to.  She would say "Trick or Treat!", then start doing the hula.  She ROCKS!!!

Halloween!!

Dessert!!

 Hula girl action shot!

 Chef Boy RJ on the go!!

 He would NOT stand still for a picture.

 Setting out to trick or treat in the wagon.

Quick photo for Daddy before trick or treating.

Halloween Eve

RJ painted that adorable little pumpkin at school this week.  I wish I could have been there to see his chubby little hands holding the paintbrush and creating this masterpiece!  Love it!

Our little entryway is decked out in Halloween decor.  Quite festive if you ask me!

Princess Tea Party and Story Time

So, over the summer I started my own photography business.  I've enjoyed taking photographs for quite sometime.  I used to play with my Dad's old 35mm Nikon and actually took decent photos.  Most of my photos were of animals or something in nature.  Then I had kids.  I bet I have thousands of pictures of my kids.  I love capturing their little faces, hands, fingers, toes, belly buttons, etc. in that particular moment.  Not to mention that both of my children are EXTREMELY photogenic!

Anyway, two nights ago I was thinking of some ways to practice with my new camera.  I planned to set up a backdrop and place my daughter, dressed in her Halloween costume, in the center of my little makeshift studio and shoot away.  Well, she didn't want to do that.  "No stank you, Mommy."  Ok.  Then I thought I would have her sit with one of our dogs and get some "little girl and her sweet puppy pictures".  The dog wasn't having it.  She ran 2.5 miles with me that afternoon, then played outside with her brother until dinner time.  Once she came inside she was too tired to do anything. 

 I finally told my daughter that my idea wasn't working and I was just going to pack everything up and put it away. She said "No, I'm coming!" and ran into the room. She put on her princess dress, necklaces, (I helped her with the tiara), and she got out her tea set. Then, I got the MOST AMAZING photos of my sweet little girl. She never wants me to take pictures of her, but that night the stars were aligned just right. She is so gorgeous...I can't stop looking at her! I'm really lucky this little package of perfection in MY daughter!!