Riley's 1st Time Ice Skating...

Uncle Joe and Aunt Abby started a tradition with our girls for their birthdays. Once they turn 5, they get to go on a date with Uncle Joe and Aunt Abby and the girls get to choose where they want to go. The girls look forward to this every year. So, for Riley's 6 yr. birthday date she chose to go to Wendy's for lunch and Ice Skating. Yes, you read me right Riley chose Wendy's for lunch. I have to admit Wendy's is Riley's favorite fast food restaurant because of their burgers. She had a wonderful time and Aunt Abby and Uncle Joe did not realize beforehand that this would be Riley's 1st time Ice Skating. :) So, thank you Joe and Abby!!!!

Family Portraits...

On Monday, Dec. 7 we got our family portraits done. We have not had portraits done since Reece was 2 yrs. old. So, we decided it was time to go. Here are some of the shots. We did not get all of these.

This is one of our favorites.

Not liking Riley's dental appliance....

Riley got her dental appliance placed on Dec. 1st. They told her not to eat anything extremely chewy. She has been doing great watching what she eats. We made it a whole week and then the fun started. Riley's e-chain (this is what they call the rubberbands they put on braces and appliances) broke 8 days after we got it. So, we had to go back to the dentist to have it replaced. We were careful that night and had pancakes and eggs for dinner. I noticed that night when I was about to brush her teeth that it had broken again! So, we went back to the dentist the next day and this time the dentist put a new one on and he put a stronger one on. When we went to brush that night I noticed not only was it broke but it was completely gone! The dentist was closed today so we will have to go back on Monday and find out what is going on!!!! This is ridiculous. I told them I thought her bite was causing it to break but they did not think so. I am starting to think I am right because she has not been eating hard foods. So, hopefully they can figure out a solution so this does not keep happening. :( Poor Riley. She has been such a trooper.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame...

Reece loves for mommy to sing to her before bedtime. When mommy is not home she has daddy sing. The only song he really knows is "Take Me Out To The Ballgame." But, one night he decided to let Reece sing it instead of him. This is how she sang it.....

"Take me out to the ballgame, take me out to the crowd,
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks
I don't care if you don't get anything...... (Ok, so she takes after her mommy not always knowing the words to songs so she makes up her own).

The next day, I asked her to sing the song for me and I got another version....

"Take me out to the ballgame, take me out to the crowd,
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks
I don't care if you ever come home..... (I felt loved) :)

Then, finally the third time was the charm and she sang it right,

"Take me out to the ballgame, take me out to the crowd,
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks
I don't care if I ever get back.......

Letters to Santa...

We do not play up Santa in our house but this year Tony told the girls to write letters to Santa. I asked Tony why he told them to do that since they know we are Santa? He said he thought it would be a good way to find out what they want for Christmas. But, once we read their letters we decided neither of us want to be Santa this year. :) So, here is what they wrote (actually Regan wrote them all but her sisters dictated to her).

To: Santa
From: Reece

I want a real pony, a real elephant, a real baby giraffe, toys, and a toy bunny or a real bunny.

To: Santa
From: Riley

I want Mario Cart Wii, Puzzles, doll clothes and a real dog

To: Santa
From: Regan

I want books, doll clothes and a cat - stuffed cat.

So, here is Santa's reply.....

Reece - you will just have to go live in the zoo

Riley- your letter started off good but the dog is not going to happen - we thought you were our dog??

Regan- we would have never guessed books :) and we are glad you are actually REAListic about the animal (stuffed is good).

Lizzie Turns 2

Our niece, Elizabeth, just turned two December 1st. It is hard to believe she is already two. She is so precious and full of life. Regan gave her the nickname, Lizzie Busy, which is very appropriate. She is very energetic, talkative, and a very happy girl. Our girls adore Lizzie and love playing with her. They have a sweet relationship. Lizzie we are so proud of you and love you dearly! We got to celebrate with Lizzie at Monkey Joe's. It was a very good place for Lizzie and Reece to get their energy out. Here are some photos of their fun time together. Unfortunately, Regan and Riley were not able to make it because they were in school and Uncle Tony could not be there because he was at work. But, Reece and I were very excited to be there and had a blast.

Lizzie just coming off the big slippery slide by herself.Reece can't wait to do this slide again.

Mommy tried it too - it was a very fast slide.

Reece and Lizzie playing in the toddler area together. They liked this dinosaur.

Our precious nephew, Josh, was there too. He chilled out in the stroller the whole time and was very good. He enjoyed watching everything.

Lizzie opening her birthday gifts from us. We were in the parking lot when we gave her our present so she climbed in our van and opened them. We got her a Snow White dress, shoes and tiara. Reece is in the background helping Lizzie open her presents.

Lizzie reading her card from us.

Reece is showing Lizzie all her new shoes - Reece literally opened this present for her.

Decorating our Christmas Tree...

We got our Christmas Tree on Nov. 29th after rushing home from Georgia. Then, we decorated the tree the next evening. The tree is very tall so we had to use a ladder to put ornaments on the upper part of the tree. The girls enjoyed this. The girls enjoyed helping each other off the ladder.

Riley's new appliance...

Riley went to the dentist on Tuesday, Dec. 1 and got her new dental appliance put in. They put a silver band around one tooth that looks similar to a crown and then they attached a wire going back to the last molar. They also place this little contraption on the back molar that looks like a button and then put a braces type band on it which stretches across to the tooth in front of it. This appliance will help the back molar straighten up. Riley did very well while they put the appliance in. There were a few tears but she stayed opened and did not flinch. They used many of the same tools they used to use on me when putting on braces. So, it brought back a lot of memories. I know first hand a lot of what they did really hurt because I have been through it. So, it was hard for me to watch knowing what poor Riley was going through. The dentist said she would have a lot of soreness but she did not complain about it. She said she felt fine. So, she is a trooper. She will go back every 2 -3 weeks to have the band replaced. I would take a photo of the appliance but she is pretty self conscious of it so I don't want to make a big deal of it. You can't really see it unless she smiles really big or laughs hard.

Thanksgiving in Georgia...

We had a great visit with our families in Georgia over Thanksgiving Break. We spent half the time with Mama Cook and Papa Doug and half the time with my family. We spent Thanksgiving Day with Tony's family (and Uncle Dave) and had lots of yummy food. We also saw Great Grandma and Great Grandpa on Thanksgiving Day. Saturday, we spent the whole day in downtown Atlanta with Mama Cook and Papa Doug. It was such a blast. We rode the Marta into downtown and went to Lenox Mall, ate at the Varsity, saw the Fox Theatre, walked around CNN Center, Centennial Park, saw the Ga. Dome, went inside the Peachtree Plaza Hotel and rode the elevator in the Marriott Marquis Hotel. This was definitely one of the girls highlights of the trip. We also spent time with my family. We went to Stone Mountain and walked around and played in fake snow. This was a hit with the kids. We also played at Lilburn Park and Tony went shooting with our brother-in-law, Jeff, niece, Katie and some of Jeff's family. Tony had a great time shooting. We got to meet my niece's boyfriend, Josh, and the girls loved hanging out with Jonathon and Katie. It was also nice to spend time with my sister, Kim and to see my Dad's Uncle and Aunt - Bob and Mary. It was such a nice week and went by way too fast!!!! Here are all the photos in no particular order... Reece and Regan watching a movie with Cousin Jonathon.

Regan being chased by Cousin Katie at Lilburn Park

Reece at Lilburn Park - playing peek-a-boo with Daddy.

Cousin Katie and Reece playing tag at Lilburn Park.

Reece at Lilburn Park

Daddy and Regan watching the Thanksgiving Parade together.

Reece cuddling with Papa Doug during the Thanksgiving Parade

Riley was a BIG helper in the kitchen on Thanksgiving Day. Here she is arranging carrots on a dish. Riley loves to help in the kitchen so much that her birthday party theme this year is going to be baking.

Riley putting Paprika on the twice baked potatoes.

Riley helping Mama Cook pour broth on the Turkey.

Posing for a picture on Daddy's old play fort. Papa Doug built this fort for Tony and his brother, Joe, when they were little. Now, our girls love to play in the fort when they visit Mama Cook and Papa Doug.

Playing in the woods behind Mama Cook and Papa Doug's house. The girls are exploring.

Reading Raccoon and Bald Eagle out in the woods together.

Tony and his Dad

Daddy found a nice napping place. Reece is trying to give him a ride.

Reece gave up on the ride and decided to take a rest with Daddy. We were all tired from playing a big game of tag and from eating so much turkey.

The cousins - Jonathon, Katie, Riley, Regan and Reece

My family - minus my sister, Kathryn, who is in Australia. We missed you Kathryn!! My Dad's Uncle and Aunt - Bob and Mary joined us this Thanksgiving so they are in this photo. It was so fun to spend time with Uncle Bob and Aunt Mary.

Riley got to open her birthday present from Grandma and Grandpa early. She got a Fancy Nancy puzzle, a purple velour sweatsuit and a necklace with a letter "R" on it. She has been wearing the necklace EVERYDAY since she got it.

At the Doraville Marta Station with Papa Doug and Mama Cook. We rode Marta into downtown Atlanta on Saturday. The girls had so much fun doing this! And experienced quite a bit of culture!

Eating at the Varsity! YUM!!! We discovered the Varsity not only has good hotdogs and onion rings but they have good ice cream too. No telling what Reece is telling Papa Doug in this photo.

Reece and Riley wore their Varsity hats all over downtown and got a lot of compliments from people on the street.

Mommy and Regan are happy after a very yummy lunch!

Reece found a nice seat in this big tree.

Riley, Jonathon and Regan in front of the carving at Stone Mountain.

Stone Mountain is making a "snow" mountain where people can go snow tubing. While we were there they were already blowing snow to make the mountain. It will not open until Dec. 26th but they have to start early with making the mountain. A nice worker brought a shovel full of snow over to our girls so they could play in it. They had fun making snowballs and then throwing them at each other.

The girls were SO excited about playing in the snow. Amazing how one pile of snow can occupy kids (and adults) for so long.

Aunt Kim helping Jonathon to throw snowballs at the girls. He thought this was so funny!

Who would have thought snow in Georgia?? :)

Sweet Jonathon - but don't let him fool you - he is about to throw that snowball at someone.

Cousin Jonathon about to throw a snowball at Regan and Riley.

Riley enjoying her time with Uncle Jeff - even in spite of being tickled. The girls playing a card game with Grandma, Aunt Kim and cousin Jonathon. Reece and Grandma Crissman reading together.

My niece; Katie, my nephew; Jonathon and Katie's boyfriend, Josh. I LOVE this picture because Jonathon came and sat right down between Katie and Josh. When Katie was young she used to do this to Tony and I. Katie adored Tony and when she found out I was going to marry him she was upset because she wanted to marry him. She was our flowergirl at the wedding (5 yrs. old then) and we were worried she would walk down the aisle and come stand right between us. So, we told Josh this story while visiting and during Thanksgiving dinner we all joined hands to pray and Tony was the last to join the circle. He came and got right in between Katie and Josh and held their hands. The whole family got a huge laugh out of it. Way to go Uncle Tony! :)

Regan posing beside artwork in the Marta Station. Regan and Mama Cook enjoyed looking at all these art tiles done by children.

Regan, Mommy, Riley and Mama Cook outside Lenox Mall with the Macy's Christmas Tree in the background. The girls were/are eating chocolate lollipops so that is why they have brown mustaches.

Georgia Fans tailgating outside the Varsity before the Georgia/Georgia Tech game

The Fox Theatre in Downtown Atlanta

This was a hotel across from the Fox Theatre and they were blowing fake snow. The girls are trying to catch the "flakes."

The girls were fascinated with the escalators in the Marta Stations especially the long ones. This is the longest one we went on. I think this was the escalator leading up to the CNN Center and Ga. Dome.

Standing outside the Marriott Marquis Hotel. There were huge lion statues in front of the hotel. Yes, that is what that statue is "supposed to be" behind us.

One of Tony and I's favorite memories growing up was riding hotel elevators in downtown Atlanta. The best elevator to ride is the glass elevator in the Peachtree Plaza that goes up about 73 stories and looks out all over Atlanta. But, it was closed for renovations so we went on this one instead. This elevator is inside the Marriott Marquis and is 47 stories high. This photo is a view looking up from the ground floor.

On the elevator at the Marriott Marquis Hotel - the adults had forgotten how high and fast this elevator went. The kids seemed to enjoy it - check Reece out looking down as we go up but I am not looking down. :)

This is the view - looking down - from the top floor railing of the Marriott Marquis Hotel.

Checking out the view at the top of the Marriott Marquis Hotel.

We were in downtown Atlanta the day of the Georgia/Georgia Tech football game. They were doing some kind of promotion with these Camaros for the game. We watched all these cars pull in and park right in front of Centennial Park.

At Centennial Park

A view of the Centennial Park dancing fountain in Downtown Atlanta.

Reece and Mommy trying to escape the dancing fountain before the water comes back up. We were successful this go around but a few minutes later Reece hesitated so our timing was off and she got through but I got a spout of water up my leg and was drenched. I got to walk around the rest of the afternoon soaked and cold. :( That's what I get for acting like a kid. :)

The whole family in the dancing fountain at Centennial Park

At Centennial Park playing in the dancing fountain.