Trimming The Tree

We put up the Christmas tree and most of our decorations tonight.  Our tree is kid-proof.  All of the kid ready/non-breakable ornaments are on the bottom of the tree and all of the breakables are on top of the tree.  Alexis decorated the bottom half and she did a great job.  She got frustrated because as she put the ornaments on, Isabelle was taking them off.  

Isabelle thought it was funny to wear Marlin's (our dog) reindeer antlers.  It was a Kodak moment for sure!

Dane and His Mom

Go Georgia Bulldogs!!!

UGA vs Georgia Tech Football Game

We went over to my in-laws to watch the Georgia Bulldogs play against their in-state rival, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.  We have won the last consecutive 7 years.  I was very disappointed that we lost this year.  It was a close game and they beat us by 3 points.  I was upset most of the game because they were playing horribly.  Underneath, my UGA shirt, I had a GT shirt.  I thought it was funny when I ripped off my UGA shirt and declared myself as a GT fan.  Dane came up behind me with a scissors and cut the back of my GT shirt.  Not cool.  Although, when I moved here to Athens, I converted from a GT fan to a UGA fan.  Rest assured, I am still a UGA fan. 

Thanksgiving

We had fun playing in the leaves.

Dane and Matthew threw the football around.  



We had a really nice Thanksgiving holiday.  We all went to Dane's parent's house.  I brought green bean casserole, pickle roll-ups as an appetizer and a new stuffing recipe that sounded good but tasted...eh.  I won't be making that recipe again.  Thankfully, my mother in-law made Stove Top stuffing just in case.

The weather was beautiful.  The kids played outside with their cousins, Matthew and Christina. Dane did a little squirrel hunting for fun.  I think he is out to get all squirrels ever since Alexis got bit by a squirrel a few months back. 

After the big Thanksgiving feast, the kids played Wii, I played cards with my mother in-law and sister in-law.  Dane, his brother and father went to the farm to feed their baby birds, and check on the horses.

Fun In the Leaves

Izzie

I am watching our friend's kids, Annabelle and Wyatt today because school is out for the Thanksgiving break.  Izzie and Lexie are having a blast playing with the "big kids" today.

My First Quilt

Here are some pictures of my first quilt.  I am so proud of it.  I am winging the binding which I have not finished yet (hence why the edges are still unfinished looking).  I am so anxious to finish it, I decided to do the binding my own way versus waiting to learn how to do it.  I am looking forward to making another quilt.  I think my next quilt project will be a table runner. Alexis has claimed it as her's so I guess I will have to make another for Isabelle.

Kids Playing

Lexie and Izzie were playing together.  It's so funny how Izzie tried to push Lexie in the baby doll stroller.

Family Time

Isabelle crawled under her crib to get a toy. She was maneuvering back out of the crib by the time I grabbed my camera. It was so cute how she was grunting. She was clearly working hard to inch her way from under the crib while making sure he didn't bump her head.
Alexis was being goofy. It doesn't take much to get her to laugh hysterically.

Dane had the day off so we had some nice family time. Isabelle was tired and ready for a nap. She snuggled up to daddy.


Isabelle was having a blast playing in Alexis' play tent. She thought it was hilarious when I'd close the tent door and say, "I wonder where Isabelle is". Then I'd open the tent door and she'd be smiling ear to ear. This is the toddler version of peak-a-boo.

URGENT...Prayers Needed!

I received disturbing news that my 7-year old niece, Lauren in Madison, Wisconsin had an accident today and was kicked in the head by a horse.  She was life-flighted (via helicopter) to the hospital and is in ICU.  I do not have much information other than that for now. If you are reading this, PLEASE, say a prayer for my niece.  

Gobbler 5K Run

Alexis, was my number one cheerleader.  She kept yelling, "Go Momma Go! Yeah Momma!"

Today, I ran in the Gobbler Run 5K race at Sandy Creek Park with my friends, Julee and Rachel. Alexis ran with me at the very end of the race and crossed the finished line with me.  It was so much fun.  I was happy that I finished considering I did not train at all. I just went out and ran the race (which was not the smartest on my part).  I'm definitely not as young nor fit as I used to be.  I have been notorious for just up and running 5K races in the past with little or no preparation.  But I cut myself a break, after all, I did deliver two children.  

I was a little sore for a couple days afterwards.  Overall, it got me excited about running again. It has been a couple years since I've ran.  I used to be an avid runner so I am excited about getting in better shape and beating my time at the next 5K race.

A Must See Movie

Tonight, I met up with friends, Teresa and Kristy at the movie theater.  We saw the movie, Twilight.  It was by far the best movie I've seen this year.  No, this is not a scary vampire movie. Yes, I liked it even better than Sex and The City.  It was a love story with a twist.  The main guy character, Edward Cullen is a vampire (the good kind) and he falls in love with this girl (non-vampire) and it's like a story of the forbidden love.  I recommend this movie to everyone!  I loved it.  Bonus, the main character guy is really nice on the eyes.  I guarantee that if you see this movie, you will come out having a fictional crush on him.  By the way, the vampires in this movie do have pale faces but do not have fangs.  I can't wait to start reading the book series and am even more excited for the next movie to come out.

Afterwards, we went over to Buffalo's for appetizers, drinks and great conversation.

Lexie's Sticker Club

Lexie is in a children's sticker club.  She has been receiving stickers from all over the U.S.  She loves getting mail.  I am so happy that mom's and dad's are participating.  It works a lot like a chain letter.  Where you send a pack of stickers to the first kid on the letter.  Then you add your child to the letter and send the letter to 6 people who will then send stickers and letters to more people.  That is my explanation in a nutshell.  It probably doesn't make sense but that's okay.

Alexis, The Football Player

Here is a video of Alexis and Daddy playing football.  Alexis made a touchdown!!

Daddy was so proud.

Holiday Cards For Soldiers

Today, the girls and I sent some nice Christmas cards to Holiday Mail For Heroes which is sponsored by the American Red Cross to give Christmas cards to soldiers.  

This time of year we especially think of all the soldiers who are not able to be with their families. Next week we are getting together with the mom's group to put together care packages for Teresa's husband's unit who is stationed in Iraq.  I guess this is our little way of giving back and saying, thank you to all the men and women who are fighting for our country.  If our cards can give one soldier a smile then mission accomplished!

Playing Cards In The Woods

I enjoyed the chilly evening at the cabin playing cards with my sister in-law, Teresa and mother in-law, Sheila.  I am not much of a gambler so we opted not to play for money.  

The cabin had to bedrooms which had 2 sets of bunk beds in them.  We had plenty of sleeping area.  Alexis was so excited to sleep on the bottom bunk.  It was a big kid bed to her.  She slept from about 7:30pm until 7:00am the next morning.  She was exhausted from running around with her cousins.

Isabelle was another story.  She had a minor cold, was teething (those 1 year molars are a bear) and was not digging sleeping somewhere other than her house.  She slept on and off throughout the entire night.  She woke up about every 2 hrs.  I was exhausted!!  At one point, I finally got her to fall asleep in her portable crib by putting it in the bathroom with the exhaust fan on.  She slept from about 3am to 7:30am.  When everyone started waking up in the morning, I had to tell them not to go the bathroom in the only bathroom within the cabin.  I was desperate to Isabelle asleep.  So the guys all went to the bathroom in the woods and us girls managed to just hold it until Isabelle woke up.  

Lexie had a blast with her cousins, Matthew and Christina.

Cabin Camping

Dane did some trail riding before we left.  He is a natural.  He likes to canter, and enjoys the thrill of riding fast.  I am more of a trotter personally.  

The Walthers Brothers....

Go Mary Go

A video of me riding "Mallory" (Tennessee Walker) in the arena.  

Trail Riding at The Cabin

We went trail riding at the cabin in Gillsville, GA.  I was in heaven.  It was so much fun.  Here John (Daniel's friend) was riding his horse, Mallory.  She is a Tennessee Walker.  This horse was amazing.  Her trot was so smooth.  She was well mannered and did fantastic on the trails.  She was my favorite!!

Here is my brother in-law, Daniel (in the cowboy hat) on Noodles and John on Mallory.

This is my father in-law, Dan who was riding Noodles.  She is an American Saddlebred.  She is a great trail horse.
Here I am riding Noodles.  It was easy to get her to gait so I could post.  

I rode Mallory inside the arena and also outside on the trails.  I had a blast!!

My Lil Vikings Fan

We put a new picnic table on the porch for the girls.  They enjoyed the chilly but sunny afternoon and had to have a picnic lunch.  I gave Alexis the Target Toy Book from the Sunday paper and she went nuts over all the toys she wanted for Christmas.  

Isabelle wearing her MN Vikings hat.  Grandpa would be so proud!!

My Girls

My girls and I were dolled up in our UGA gear to cheer the Dawgs on for the football game.

We watched most of the game before we headed off for our first camping trip with Isabelle.  The Walthers family rented a cabin in Gillsville, GA which is about 45 minutes north of Athens.  My brother in-law, Daniel is bringing 2 horses so we can go went trail riding.  It will be nice to get back on the saddle.  

Being Goofy