Pets

Had to record this conversation I had with Emma the other day before I forget.

E: Mommy, I want to get a pet.

Me: What kind of pet?

E: A puppy.

Me: I don't know if you're old enough for a pet. You have to be able to take care of it.

E: Yes I am, I'm three Mommy! I will take care of it.

Me: You have to feed it, give it water, take it outside to go to the bathroom...

E: Puppies don't go to the bathroom (in a tone that implied I was ridiculous.)

Me: Yes they do and sometimes you have to scoop up their poop.

E: Okay. I guess I don't want a puppy then.

Me (thinking to myself): Wow, that was much easier to convince her than I thought it would be.

E: I guess I want a horse instead Mommy.

I then had to explain to her that all animals go to the bathroom. Life is just full of revelations when you're three years old.

A trip to remember

We made it back safely and had a fabulous time in Florida! Here's a recap:

Saturday: arrived at airport at 6:00 AM, flight delayed an hour, boarded flight three times, sat on plane and airport for hours, never left Des Moines, returned home very disappointed and went to bed early. My worst flight experience EVER!!

Sunday: made it out on a 6:30 AM flight (amazing because we had no seats assigned for all six of us), arrived at resort mid-afternoon, took naps, had pizza with everyone in the condo.

Monday: a very cold day spent at Disney World. Emma loved it and some of us stayed until the bitter end to see the parade and fireworks.

Tuesday: another cold one at Islands of Adventure. Everyone enjoyed the rides and Emma's favorite was meeting the Grinch.

Wednesday: a trip to the outlet mall and pizza at Giordano's with Jon and Olivia.

Thursday: great weather, Downtown Disney, lunch at Earl of Sandwich, and a shopping trip with Amy to another outlet mall (no kids or husbands, it was a rare treat.)

Friday: another sunny day, Clearwater Beach, swimming, picking up shells, picnic lunch, hot tub at condos, Olive Garden, and packing up.

Saturday: another early morning flight, pizza with everyone at our house, home to the cold and snow.

Both kids are sick with fevers and bad colds.We are trying to rest up and recover before Christmas. Ethan and I can't remember the last time we were this tired! Back to the unpacking, laundry, and Christmas preparations. I have posted lots of pictures of our trip below. Have a Merry Christmas everyone!!

Cousin sleepover at the condo

This is Florida?? Coats and mittens?

Disney World

Disney decorated for Christmas

The teacups

"It's a small world..."

Staying warm

Buzz Lightyear's ride

Emma's favorite ride...Dumbo

Hugs from Jessie

Isaac and Emma meet Woody and Jessie

Cinderella's castle at night

We managed to stick it out for the parade

Alice

Captain Hook

The castle all lit up

The brave ones who stayed to watch the fireworks. It took huddling and hot chocolate to keep warm.

Sharing a stroller at Islands of Adventure

Emma in Seussland

More Seussland

The new Harry Potter attraction

Hogwarts

Giordano's- table #1

Giordano's-table #2

The princess store at Downtown Disney...Emma was overwhelmed to say the least.

Mickey and Minnie

Hanging out with Pooh

Noah's first trip to the beach

Collecting shells which I'm now finding all over the house.

The lovebirds

Noah trying to snack on sand

Chasing waves

Brrrr...the water is cold!

Family fun at the beach

Andrew showing off his muscles

Hard to wake these two at 4:00 AM for our flight home. They were wiped out!

Florida here we come...

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/CLSLsiRD6WGniWUl

Click above to see our farewell dance =)  We are off to finish packing and look forward to posting pictures of our trip when we return!!

Thanksgiving

We enjoyed Thanksgiving and time spent with family. Randy and Kelli were wonderful hosts and we spent Wednesday night through Friday with them. We returned to Ames for the Crim gathering at Pizza Ranch Friday night. Saturday we spent with my family and got to see the movie Tangled. It was a great weekend and we finished it off by putting up our Christmas tree on Sunday night. Emma thought that meant it was Christmas the next morning and was inquiring about presents. It's taken some explaining and she informed me that she "doesn't like my plan "of waiting for the 25th.

I am now trying to attack my giant to-do list before we leave for vacation next week. My hope is to get our Christmas shopping done before we leave so I can wrap when we get back. Emma is going to my parents this weekend so Ethan and I can do some shopping and attend our church Christmas dinner on Saturday. We will then pick her up on Sunday and see Hayli and Austin perform in their Christmas program.

As I reflect on Thanksgiving, I am in awe of God's rich blessings. Here's just a short list of things that I am thankful for:

• A large and loving family (I never lack having someone to call or hang out with)
• My two precious children (can't imagine life without them)
• My loving husband (who is a good listener and patient in spite of my shortcomings)
• A warm and cozy house
• A car that works and a garage that keeps me from scraping my windshield
• A job that allows me to be at home more than I am at work
• A God who always provides for my needs and has given me so much more than I deserve

Ready for winter

Still eating even right before bedtime

Isaac the hockey player

Slumber party at G&G's

Emma helped set up the nativity

Noah loved the lights

       

Finished product (a little big for our living room but it works) 

Emma the comedian...

The girl keeps us laughing. Here's the latest:

"Mom, let's go do hip hop." I'm thinking where was she ever exposed to hip hop?? Then I realize that she's pointing to the driveway where we had played hopscotch last week.

I've been doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred video a few times a week. She joins me sometimes and the other night yelled out, "You gotta lose pounds Mom." Who needs Jillian when I have my own little personal trainer to motivate me?

I was going to make white chili last week for supper. Emma was inquiring what was in it. I knew she loves beans so I told her it had white beans in it. She informed me that she'd rather have the other kind of beans. I went to make it later on and couldn't find my white beans anywhere. I asked her if she'd seen them. "Oh, I threw them in the garbage since I don't like that kind." Sure enough, there were my two cans of beans in the trash can.

Ethan has been playing robot with her when he gets home each night. This involves him acting and speaking like a robot chasing her around the house. I asked her to bring her PJs to me the other night and she responded in robot voice, "does not compute."

She not only keeps us laughing but also had her little brother giggling the other night as you can see in this video:

New pictures

My very talented cousin Rebekah took some pictures of the kids at our house. Here's a few of my favorites. She did such a great job!

Emma's "Angelina ballerina" moves