Bringing in the New Year!!

Another year in the books!  I took Joelle to urgent care today and found out she had a double ear infection!!  It must have been brewing when she had her fever last week, but she didn't have ear pain until today.  After some medicine, she was right as rain.
This year Steve decided that we were going to have a seafood extravaganza for our last meal of 2013.   He went to the store with Megan and they came home with crab legs, shrimp, salmon, and steak!  I love that my husband enjoys cooking!
David's girlfriend came over to hang out. Joelle isn't too sure about all the time David spends with his girlfriend.  Joelle came up to me in the kitchen and she said, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" and I look to her and I say, " I don't know, what are you thinking?"  She walks closer to me and leans over to my ear and in a quiet voice she says, "I am thinking that David is spending a long time with his girlfriend.  He used to play games with me in his room."  and then she walks away!!  We all got a good laugh out of that one.  I told David and Savannah and he said he just played a game with her earlier today!  Poor Joelle, just wait until Megan starts bringing boys around.  We had a very relaxing evening and rang in the new year with sparkling cider and love!

David's Big Gift

Christmas Time Again!

Wow, the older I get, the faster the year goes by.  I can't believe it is already Christmas.  Of course, you know my husband, so you know that we had friends over on Christmas Eve and he made a terrific meal.  There was prime rib, turkey, pork, and brown chicken.

 David's girlfriend stopped by so they could exchange gifts.  Check out the video on the next post to see what she did.

David got her a very pretty ring!  

Joelle went to bed early with a 101 fever and woke up in the morning with a 104 fever.  She was pretty sick, but she did enjoy opening presents.  All in all the kids were very happy with what they got.  Megan got all the Vans and Converse she could possibly wear and David got video games and Ecko clothes.  Joelle got a Doc McStuffins doll, a LeapPad and a lot of other toys.  She kept herself very busy playing all day.  Steve surprised me with a trip to Vegas for my birthday.  It will be a great time since it is also Superbowl weekend!!  Part of Megan's Christmas present was going to the new Justin Bieber movie on Christmas day with her Daddy!  She loved it and he enjoyed the time with her.  Santa didn't forget about Patches either.  He got a HUGE ham bone to chew on!

Visiting Santa and His Wonderland

We had breakfast with Santa this year.  At first Joelle did NOT want her picture with Santa, but once she had time to settle in and relax, she was grabbing my arm telling me I am ready now!

Wish I knew what they were discussing!

After breakfast, we went to Santa's Wonderland in the Bass Pro Shop.  This is why there are hunting games!

Joelle was channeling her inner hunter, Steve says it must be from my side of the family!

They even had a reindeer carousel for her to ride.  

When we got home the Christmas spirit continued while we made cookies.  Joelle did the frosting and the decorations.  

Ooops, she got caught eating one!

And here are the fruits of her labor!  Pretty good if I do say so myself.

My Little Princess is 6!!

WOW!  She is growing into such a beautiful young girl.  I can't believe how grown up she looks now!  She started Kinder this year and has just blossomed.  She is reading all the time.  We are so proud of her and everything that she has accomplished so far this year.  She celebrated her 6th birthday at Peter Piper with friends from her class and friends who are like family:)

\

Here she is making her own pizza!

She had a wonderful turn out.  The girls and boys had a great time.  They were loaded with tokens and off they went.  Once we ate, we got right to the cupcakes and presents!

I love seeing the look of happiness on her face.

She even took the time to read every card now that she can read.  

Joelle LOVES Doc McStuffins so Mom and Dad got her the check up center.  

Once we got home she was ready to roll!

The day of her actual birthday she got to open presents from Grandma Pratt and Grandpa Bob and Grandma Ginny.  Grandma Pratt gave her cash money to spend any way she wants.  Grandma Ginny and Grandpa Bob got her Hello Kitty earrings and necklace and a new pajamas with a matching pajamas for Froggy.  She is one very lucky girl!

The Snowflake Sprint 2013

Joelle and her friend Ella were thinking they weren't going to run the sprint, but when the time came, they both did!!  Each year on the last day of school before winter break, the entire school runs a Snowflake Sprint.  It is a mile in distance and the kids can walk or run.  Lots of parents turn out to run with their kids.  

Here she is running to the finish line!

And posing with the penguin AKA Mrs. Bowles, the PE teacher!

Thanksgiving with the Pratts

This year Andrew and Monique both had to work on Thanksgiving day so there were not able to host the annual Thanksgiving Party.  We ended up having a smaller get together at Mom's house.  It was great to see the nieces and nephews.  

Joelle played with cousins!

And I took a lot of pictures!  Even though it was a small gathering, it was wonderful to be able to visit and hang out with the family.  We are very thankful to have the Pratt family!