Rockin With The Rockettes

Last night was the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes. Raelee, Mimi, Mom, and I all went.(thanks to Raelee Rue for winning us tickets!) First we went to dinner at Trejos (nothing like good ole mexican food when it's 32 degrees outside), then on to the show. We had good seats, and had so much fun. Raelee got a pink, toy soldier shirt, like the girls wear in the show. She was so excited and kept wanting me to take pictures of everything. I was able to take a few, but it was hard, because they were NEVER still! They were so amazing and I wish they would come every year. This would be a great Christmas tradition to start. Here are a few of the pics..... I had FUN Girls!!!!!Four Generations!

Raelee loved that they had a manger scene, complete with camels, sheep, and a donkey!

She was so excited to wear her pink soldier shirt to school and tell everyone about it.Her soldier impression : )

My future Rockette!

Just Wondering

Have you ever called someone on their cell phone, to tell them they left their cell phone at home? Nah.......me neither.......just wondering : )

Yummy Christmas Treats

Raelee and I got a craving to make some homemade rice krispy treats. So, we decided to put our Christmas flare on them. We used our candy cane, snowman, and Christmas tree cookie cutters. Then, we decorated with red gel, and M&Ms. So, here are a few pics of the final product. Daddy came home from hunting and was excited that we had made a favorite snack. We all had a belly full of Krispies....uugghh. Raelee loves being in the kitchen. Too bad her mommy is not a better example!

Later that night, the kiddos were watching a Christmas movie while I was cleaning the kitchen. (yes I do clean, I just don't like to) I glanced over at them, and at that moment Raelee leaned over and gave Colton the most sweetest, gentle, loving kiss on the cheek. Colton in turn, took out his paci, leaned over and kissed her back, then put his head on her shoulder. AWWW! My first instinct was to run over and get my camera, but I just stood there and watched them both, so sweet and loving. Raelee takes such good care of Colton, and he loves to do everything sissy does. Don't get me wrong, they argue more than kiss, but these two babies love each other more than anything. I am so blessed with two healthy beautiful children, and I think God for them EVERYDAY. There are for sure days, I want to lock myself in the closet and just sit in quiet. BUT, then I realize how boring that would be! My life is now complete because of these 2 sweet blessings and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Mommy's ALWAYS Right

.....says my brilliant daughter. To make a long story short, I was telling Brad something and he was saying the opposite, so Raelee steps in to inform him: "Don't argue with mommy, mommy is ALWAYS right!" I'm not sure if she was sincere or being sarcastic, but who cares, you gotta love that girl! At least I know I always have my little diva on my side : )

A Weekend Full Of Plays

Raelee and I got to attend two fun plays this weekend. Saturday my niece, Sidney, was in Robinhood. Raelee and I met Pappy (my father-n-law) and Taylor to watch the show. It was outside at Centenary College, so thank goodness it turned out to be a beautiful day. Sidney played the part of the Wolverine. The girls had fun and Pappy bought them princess halos like the girls in the play.

Sunday night, was Songs of the Season. Our church puts this incredible show on every year at The Strand. I was in it up until I had the babies, but I think Raelee and I may try to do it next year. She wants to be a reindeer....well duh! For those of you who have never been, you are missing out. It's a fantastic show for the whole family. (well except screaming babies...aka Colton..which is why him and daddy stayed home) We have been talking about the Rockettes so much, Raelee kept asking me, "where are the girls dressed in Santa costumes?" Next week sweetheart......different time and place. Also, while they were singing, "Come see the Lamb", Raelee was anxiously awaiting for a little lamb to come on stage. My sweet girl....always animals on the brain! She had a blast, and was able to see a lot of her cousins.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Ahhhh....finally....Raelee and I finished the last of the Christmas decor last night. We have been sneaking a little up at a time while Colton sleeps, in hopes that he wouldn't notice...hehe. I was so worried that he was going to demolish my tree, but nope, he's hasn't touched it. I told Raelee not to point out all of the musical ornaments......please. Brad bought us a huge 1oft pre-lit tree last year after Christmas, so we were so excited to see it decorated. Raelee loves it and is so proud of her decorating. (and yes mom, I promise I let her help!) I hope she is as enthused to help me pack it all back up.

My Picture Perfect Ballerina

I entered Raelee in a photo contest for the SB Magazine a few weeks ago. They were having a contest to win tickets to see the Radio City Christmas Musical featuring the Rockettes. You had to send in their picture in a dance outfit, so I sent in her recital pic. They called yesterday and, drum roll please........RAELEE WON! We are soooo excited. She won 4 tickets to the show. We have decided that Raelee, Grandmother, Mimi, and I will all go. It is going to be a fun "girls" night. We're all going to dress up and go somewhere fun to eat, and have a wonderful time. I am so excited that 4 generations will get to spend such a memorable night together!

Also, she will be featured in the January issue of the magazine as the winner in her category. Don't worry...you know I'll remind you ; ) Here is the winning pic!

A Terrific Turkey Day

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, we sure did. Nothing like lunch with the family and planning out my next day shopping excursion, then on to the in-laws for dinner and rowdy kiddos. We are so thankful to have such wonderful family and friends.

Friday morning Lisa and I headed out for the 4am sales. Yep...I said it.....4AM! It's not so much the deals as it is a tradition. We have done this for the last 5 years together. We should totally be professional Christmas shoppers....we have this thing down to a "T". We didn't miss out on anything that we set out to get. It's a blast and it's total "kid free" shopping time. (even though we do have to go at dark to make that happen!) Later after a nap and some coffee, Raelee and I put out the Christmas lights while daddy and Colton watched football.

Saturday was nasty and wet, so we worked on Christmas decorations....woohoo....it's finally time!

Sunday we attempted to take some family pics with Deann. If she comes up with at least one good one, I am proclaiming her "Photographer of the Year". Let's just say Colton is not into photo shoots as much as Raelee!

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend......watch out.....there's another one sneaking up on us soon!

A Four Year Old Feast

Raelee had her Thanksgiving feast at school Friday. They made Indian t-shirts, hats and did a craft. They sang a couple of songs, in which I learned Raelee is never going to be shy. I can't imagine where she gets that from. This child thinks she is destined to be the next American Idol...who knows....maybe so. I just don't want to have to wait in line for 2 days on a sidewalk somewhere, waiting to try out! Anyway, back to Thanksgiving....They all had Indian names, and of course Raelee's was "Running Horse". They had a mini feast, preschool style, and did a precious prayer. She loves school so much and is so upset that she's out all week! I will have to keep little "Running Horse" entertained until she can reunite with her best friend, Emmie.

Making a beautiful craft.Raelee and Mrs. Becca

Tiger Lily, Pocahantas, Running Horse, and Princess Flower
Raelee and her best friend, Emmie.

Are You Ready To Get Your Jingle On?

I have been tagged to answer this question....Are you ready to get your jingle on?

I absolutely LOVE the holiday season. It's like time stands still for the month of December and everything seems magical. Here are a few of my favorite things about Christmas.

1) I love Black Friday! (day after Thanksgiving) Lisa and I get our wind suits and Starbucks and hit the stores at 5am. We have such a blast and it just kicks off the holiday.

2) Going to Songs of the Season and getting in the Christmas spirit and what it's all about.

3) Walking in stores and restaurants and hearing Christmas music everywhere and everyone being in the giving spirit.

4) Sitting in the living room at night and our house being lit by the beautiful tree and the many lights outside. (although, we'll see how many decorations we get up this year with Colt man running the house!)

5) I love the treats that everyone bakes and brings over to share. (notice I said everyone, I'm not Betty Crocker...remember)

6) Wearing our matching pjs and seeing Raelee's face come around the corner Christmas morning. This year I'll have 2 munchkins fighting to get to the tree first!

7) Getting lots of Christmas cards and seeing everyones family and how they've grown....keep um coming guys.

8) Sitting by the fire and watching Christmas movies and drinking hot chocolate.

9) Going with the whole family to Christmas in Roseland.

10) Last, but not least......The most wonderful thing, is being so fortunate to spend the holidays with my entire family. What a blessing that we are all together and get to share these memories every year.

So the answer to the question is....ABSOLUTELY....I'm ready to get my jingle on!
The people I tag next are: Carrie, Deann, and Michelle B.

True Fashionista

My little Raelee LOVES to dress up. Mostly in her princess and ballerina costumes, but every once in a while she raids my closet while I'm getting ready. Here is a combination that she came up with this week. Red shoes, gold belt, Brad's brown belt, pink sweats, and a pink wrap. Oh, and don't forget the many butterfly clips in her hair and big shiny lips from the layers of gloss she has on. Her pretend name on this particular day was "fashion sense"......go figure! She is always cracking me up. I NEVER know what is going to come out of her mouth. Look out fashion world.....Fashion Sense is on her way!
P.S. Don't ask why I had butterfly clips and a gold belt....who knows?

More Meds = More Poop

So I took Colton back yesterday for a recheck of his white count. It had gone down from 30k to 22k. Still high, but better. His doctor looked at his ears and said that one was bulging and had puss....ear infection. She felt like that was more the reason for the high white count than the spot on the xray. We caught that early enough that she's not concerned with him having pneumonia. Another shot of antibiotics and some more to take by mouth at home. Needless to say, little Colt Man was not a happy camper. He slept all night and had a really good day today, besides the fact of me changing his diaper every hour. Let's just say, the antibiotics are giving us a whole other issue....yuck! Raelee feels tons better and went back to school today. She cried and begged to go yesterday, but I made her stay home one more day to make sure. By noon I knew that I was not going to make that mistake again. She was bouncing off the walls and going stir crazy. Sick in our home does not mean P.J.s and quiet time!
Hope everyone else is getting rid of their yucky stuff too : )

My Poor Little Munchkins

To make a long story short..... Raelee and Colton have had this nasty cough for about a week, that the whole city seems to have. I've had them on medicine, but no luck. Last night Colton spiked a temp and felt crummy all day. When the child didn't eat breakfast and just wanted to go back to sleep, I new it was doctor time. So I gathered enough incentive to take him to the doctor, and I'm so glad I did. His blood count was sky high, he had a spot on his lungs, which is the beginning of Pneumonia. They gave him a shot of antibiotics and I have to take him back tomorrow to have his blood count checked again. While at the doctor with Colton, mom calls, and says that Raelee is complaining of an earache. Now, she has only been to the doctor twice in her whole life for sick visits, so when she says she doesn't feel good, something is usually wrong. Well, mom brought her up there to me and they checked her ears. Sure enough, she had an ear infection. So there I am, sweating to death from fighting with a sick 16mo old and try to console a pitiful 4yr old. Poor Raelee was hurting so bad, I felt so sorry for her, and Colton was just ready to get the heck out of dodge. We left with suckers, band aids and hopes that new medicine will work. They are now both tucked away in bed and hopefully we'll have a good night. Say a little prayer that Colton's visit goes well tomorrow.

A Trip To Kid City And The Fire Station

My church has built this incredible new area for the youth called "Kid City". It's an amazing place for all ages. They have a separate party room, an arcade, theatre, and a HUGE indoor play gym. Also, don't let me forget to mention, the Starbucks Cafe. Yep, they thought of everything. I took the kids yesterday to let them play a while. I have talked to Raelee about having her birthday there, but I can't make her understand that she won't have to go to her Sunday school class at her birthday party. Needless to say, after getting to go..... just to play, she is certain this is where we are having her party. Here are a few pics. There aren't very many because I spent most of the time chasing Colton.......go figure....and Raelee was climbing up top the whole time!

Next, we went to visit Brad at the fire station. He was working inside the airport, which was right down the street, so the kids were excited to go. Brad took them on his big "green" firetruck (they have special ones at the airport). Raelee kept asking where the "red" was. Colton was obsessed with the steering wheel, and just wanted to drive. Brad pulled the truck outside and showed them how the water squirted out of the front. They loved it! Raelee thought it was so cool that we were right next to all the airplanes. Thanks daddy for a tour of the big green monster! Maybe Colton will be giving tours in his future : )

One things for sure, they were ready for a good nap!