It's Getting Close!!

It is hard to believe that Christmas is less than a week away! We are finished with our shopping and now the daunting task of wrapping gifts. I don't mind one or two, but whew!! Bust out the bags and tissue paper-so much easier!
I finished making 9 sets of coasters for friends, family and teachers as gifts and they turned out great! I didn't think to take a picture, darn! Both the girls have their parties at school tomorrow and on Friday, McKenna gets to wear her jammies, drink hot chocolate and watch Polar Express during her short day. She is pretty excited. I think I'll make her wear the jammies to bed, that way I won't have to ask her to get dressed. Save a few minutes!
My Grandma is coming on Friday-so excited! Haven't seen her since the end of August and the girls are super excited.
Congratulations to our awesome friends Chris and Lisa...they are finally in their new home-just in time for Christmas!! They are thrilled and we're are glad they are getting settled! Yea!

I hope that each and everyone of you will take some time to celebrate the awesome reason for Christmas-the birth of Jesus-our ultimate gift. God is amazing and to think that a tiny baby would come to save us all-awesome!!!

Enjoy the time with your family and friends-we will-Chris starts his vacation!!
Merry Christmas to you all!

Sickness runs rampant!

Hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving!! I was in bed with a fever and didn't leave the house until the Monday after Thanksgiving, and that was to go to the doctor. Then McKenna stayed home Monday and Tuesday, and now Caris is sick! Fun! Well, at least it will be through with our family before Christmas. The question is...when will Chris get it??
So, I missed the shopping, family and seeing our friends. Oh, and the Parade of Lights in downtown Ft. Worth-complete bummer.
But, we were all well to celebrate McKenna's birthday on 12/3!! It is hard to believe that she is 6! She changes every day. She is learning and growing in so many ways. She is an incredible blessing to us and we thank God for her everyday!!
So, I think that we are pretty close to being done with Christmas shopping. We really only have our parents left. Speaking of parents...the Miller's are in NYC! Carolyn has always wanted to go and they will celebrate their anniversary there tomorrow!
Headed to Big Sandy on Saturday for Adi's birthday party, hopefully Caris will not be running a fever by then. She always seems to come down with something when it is time to go east!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! We are looking forward to spending time together with our family and friends! We are so thankful to God for everything that he has blessed us with over the past year. Although there have been difficult times, we trust in the Lord and continue to trust in His plan.


McKenna is almost 6!! In about 1 1/2 weeks, our baby will be 6. She loves kindergarten and has taken karate and is now enjoying cheerleading!

Caris loves preschool and loves taking dance. Of course, she's better at ballet. We did go to the orthopedist yesterday and he said walking on her toes is just a bad habit-one we have to break! Had this been a recent development it would have indicated a neurological problem-so that is a big blessing! So if you hear us say "Flat Feet" you'll know why!

Is anyone going shopping on Friday? Kohl's is opening at 4am-is it just me or is that just a little much? Anyway, I want to see the ads before I decide...last year my cousins Jessi, Bethany and I went at 5:30 and had a great time! I wish they were here again this year!!

On a football note, our beloved Huskers play Friday and we are, as always, hoping for a win. They could still make it to a bowl, which is hard to believe, considering how bad they are this season. Anyway, Go Huskers!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Today is the Tour de Cure

Well, we are waiting for Chris to call us to meet. At 9:30, he was at the 1/2 way point. A huge thanks to all of you who donated to help fight diabetes!!
Things are super busy around here-McKenna and Caris keep me on my toes.
I received an invite to a friend's baby shower and have already purchased the gift. I am so on top of things...actually I was trying to waste some time before dance class for Caris started and knew this was something that I needed to get done!!! Just 3 weeks early!
Well, I hope to post some pics of Chris when possible!! Love to hear from you!!

Some Pictures...

This picture was taken on Caris' birthday. We went bowling and then ate at The Purple Cow.

This is from McKenna's first day of school. She loves being in kindergarten!!

Confession

I love Webkinz!! Chris and I purchased one for McKenna and now I'm hooked! It was so much fun to play with McKenna and get Blackie (her black lab) set up in Webkinz World. I love the games and shopping-of course! So, this week I purchased my own Lil' Kinz and I am an official member! Of course, now Caris wants one too. She just likes to watch, so tomorrow we will be buying one for her. Is this a sad state of affairs for me? That I love Webkinz??? Its fun and something that the girls and I can do together. So that makes it totally ok...right?

Many Thanks...

Just wanted to say thanks to all of you that sent sympathy cards. This is the first time that I have had to deal with the loss of a grandparent. It is hard and I miss my Grandpa everyday; however, I know that he has seen Jesus and is no longer in pain. And one day, I will see him again.

Both of the girls are in school. McKenna loves kindergarten and is learning so much. They started Saxon Phonics this week. It is amazing to think how much she will learn this year!! She is also taking karate and last night was student of the day. Ha-Yaaa!

Caris started preschool at FBC Keller and loves it!! She takes music and Spanish and loves playing with her new friends!! Caris is taking dance-perfect sine she is always on her toes anyway. She really enjoys it!

Chris is riding in the Tour de Cure on October 20. It helps fund Diabetes research-here is the website http://www.tour.diabetes.org/
where you can sponsor Chris and help raise money for the awesome cause!!!

We are off to Big Sandy for the Nebraska v. USC game...Go Big Red!!!
Hope everyone out there is doing great-love to hear from you!!

Whew...busy!

We have been so busy! My Mom was in the hospital for several days with kidney failure-due to an allergic reaction to a drug prescribed for an infection she didn't have. Anyway, she is home now and recovering, slowly...
We had my sister-in-law, Nicole and niece Callie in town for several days. As well, Camry and Adi, since Doug and Laura were in Hawaii (not jealous, really). The girls had so much fun together! We went to Build-a-Bear, had their picture made, swam, had sleepovers and so much more! All the girls were sad, but tons of memories were made.
My Grandpa is in the hospital in KC, not doing very well. But he and my Grandma are at total peace with the situation and they totally trust in God and know that this is His plan. My Dad flew up on Friday evening and came back this morning. His longtime friend Steve has a plane and flew him up. How awesome. God totally blessed my Mom and Dad with Steve and Valerie. They have been friends for over 30 years and its great to know you have someone in your life that will go above and beyond for you.
And tomorrow our baby turns 3. Caris is so funny. She even sings Happy Birthday to herself! We had her party on Saturday and everyone had a great time. We had food, fun and family. And Caris received some great gifts. Tomorrow we will officially celebrate her birth.
Happy Birthday Bug!!

Where have all the trash cans gone...?

So after the sudden thunderstorm last night I failed to bring in the trash cans. Not wanting to violate the code that the city so strictly enforces (cough, cough), I ran out this morning to put them up. But where were they? How could two huge trash cans just disappear? Did someone actually steal them? So, I thought maybe one of my neighbors put them up for me...nope. Neither huge can was in the backyard...did someone steal our trash cans?? Then as I gazed down the street, I realized what had happened. All of the rain had washed our cans down the street...so, here I am out in my jammies, lugging these two huge cans from down the street. Oh, and they are filled with water. So when I finally get them dumped out and into the backyard, I'm a sweaty mess. I'm ready for Chris to come home!!

Huge Gripe!!

Ok, first of all with Chris being gone, the first question always is...What's for dinner? So tonight Chili's had the honor of serving us a delicious meal! HA-the laugh was on me. Not wanting to handle the girls in the restaurant solo, we ordered to-go. Get home and whew, the order is correct. Because we all know that ordering to-go is always a walk on the wild side. Anyway, I get the girls set up and they start eating..and after they need 100 things and then are finished, I finally get to sit down. Given the fact that I have already zapped the food to re-warm, I am ready to eat...cut the sandwich in half and to my dismay (and disgust), you guessed it - raw chicken! UGH!! So after zapping it again and again, it is finally done, but I have rubber chicken. Needless to say, popcorn for dinner? Chili's has already heard from me, or should I say corporate. I sent an email to Brinker. I'm sure that I will hear something within moments...or never.

Over for this year...

Swim lessons are over!! McKenna did a great job-bummed that Marcia wasn't there for the last class. McKenna went down the enclosed slide twice, but they ran out of time before they could jump off of the diving board. She is already looking forward to next summer's lessons!

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Swim Lessons

McKenna has two more days of swim lessons left. Next summer, I plan on putting both of the girls in two sessions each. It is hard for Caris to sit out this time. So, I can totally see a difference in the teachers that McKenna has this time. With Marcia she is more confident and relaxed, with Katie...not so much. When Katie was gone on Monday, you could see the difference in McKenna and yesterday Katie is back...and McKenna goes back too. I'm not sure if this is Katie's first year teaching, but there is obviously something going on with her teaching style. Because it is clear that McKenna can do it!
Tomorrow is my Mom's birthday-we will be going out to celebrate but she hasn't decided where yet. Should be a fun time!

First Post

This will be my first post. I hope that this will be a way to stay in touch with those who live here and away! I would love to hear from you!
Beth