The Nutcracker

Ryan was in his very first school production tonight.  I was really worried he would chicken out.  But he did it.  And he was so cute.  And I'm not just saying that either!  It's a long running tradition (17 years) actually at their school that the kindergarten classes do The Nutcracker.  It is my very favorite.  I have loved it since I was very young.  And tonight made me love it more.  Ryan's group was the Arabian Dancers.  I originally thought he was the Russian dancer group, but they wanted the kids to wear bright colors and baggy pants...like Aladdin. 

Can you see that yellow hat?  Front row...blue shirt black vest.  Yeah that's him.

I wish I could have gotten closer.

Swaying back and forth.  And then...

They swayed the other way! haha.  So fun.

See the yellow hat now?  hahaha

All in all, despite the cold temps-- it was done outside--it was well worth it.  All the kids were adorable.

Winter Formal

Hair By:  Cousin Nicole

Make Up By:  Mommy

Kristin and one of her BF's.  Notice the signatures on the cast.  Sadly, Kristin wasn't feeling well--her throat was really hurting--so she didn't have a very good time.  But doesn't she look beautiful!?

Seeing Santa

Ryan finally sat with Santa!!!  Santa was very engaging and the kids responded well to him.

Cousins Are Cool

Cousins are cool when they do your make up

What a pretty young lady...with or without make up.

Halloween Fun

Carving the pumpkin...I wonder if my in-laws see who I see in this picture.

Dig in kids!  Get those pumpkin guts out!

Ryan isn't sure how he feels about it.

Let Mama show you how it's done.

Eeeeewww!

Carved By Daddy

Eyes Designed By Kristin

Nose Designed By Emily

Mouth Designed By Ryan

Gutted by Mom and the kids.

A Gothic Fairy

I had lots of fun tweaking this one

True acting skills.  She is not this sullen.

A sweet angel...

Or a rotten devil!  More quality acting!

Is it Ryan?  Or...

Or Spidey!

Nerd!

A blond Morticia?

Crazy Hair Again

It was crazy hair day for Emily....

And Ryan!

Ryan and I made cookies

He was a good helper!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin Cookies

1/2 Cup Shortening
1 1/2 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Pumpkin (just pumpkin, not the kind pre-mixed for pumpkin pie)
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 1/2 Cup flour
1 Cup chocolate chips (or more if you like them - my family likes more)

Cream together shortening and sugar.  Add egg, vanilla and pumpkin.  Mix in salt, soda, baking powder, and spices.  Add flour and mix well.  Stir in Chocolate chips.  Bake 375 for 10-15 minutes.  Makes 3 dozen cookies.

Scavenger Hunts

Friday Kristin had her friend "Mo" over to spend the night.  It's been an age since she has had a sleep over so she was due.  While I don't remember my mom, forget my Dad ever entertaining me and my friends, I always wonder what I am supposed to do to entertain.

As luck would have it, Kristin did a scavenger hunt with the youth earlier in the week.  It was at the mall.  The kids had to find and do various things.  One was to find a modest outfit and try it on.  They documented their finds with their cell phones. So it was her suggestion to do a family scavenger hunt at Target.  Say it with me now:  Tarjay!  Very good.  Rich was teamed with Emily and Ryan and I was saddled with the tenny twins.  I was smart and made the lists short.  This was a good thing since we were running all over the store.  I was huffing and puffing.  Both teams finished within seconds of each other...or it was a tie.  We never really figured it out.  But it was lots of fun!

A creepy skull.  I think he's kind of cute. 

Mo got the binky

A screwdriver, yo! 

Each team had 5 items to find.  Rich was smart....he just did the items.  We were posing with them---you know cause we rocked it.   Other items included:  a dozen eggs and Jergens Lotion. 

1...2...3...

JUMP!!!

Birthday Boy

A cool rock star shirt for a cool dude

He doesn't like it....at all.

Waiting for party guests

 Knocking over soda cans with a wiffle ball.

It looks like he is showing Alex how to do it, but she was the first to try!

Go Lucas Go!

Ryan scored!  Woody (actual movie size) from Lucas and Alex

Buzz Lightyear from Busi (Boo-shee) and Grandpa!  Now he can act out scenes!

Forgive the quality of this picture.  And if you can't tell, it is red...blood red Dracula teeth sitting on top of those cupcakes!

It wore him out, but sadly he also got sick.  Thankfully that waited until AFTER the party!

It's A Kid Thing

Emily 2004

There is a picture of me some where in the depths of my mom's  photo albums and I am wearing my dad's shoes and a jacket of his.  I was about the same age Emily is here in this picture.  She looks so much like me that sometimes it is mind boggling.  And yet, in this picture, she reminds me more of my sister.  Go figure. 

This one is SOOC (straight out of the camera)  I edited it with one auto adjustment in PSP X and this is what it did....

Sometimes his eyes really do look that blue.  He is going to have girls chasing him for sure!

Spirit Week

Last week, Kristin's school spent a week having themes to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness month.  She was excited not only to participate in the silly themes, but also to buy the beaded pink necklaces which the proceeds would go to breast cancer research.  I love to see her get excited about things like this.  I also love to see her willingness to play along.

For....

Crazy Socks Day

Crazy Miss Match Day

Crazy Hair Day

Not to be upstaged by her big sister, but also not having a spirit week...yet... Emily wanted her turn in the spotlight...

Not crazy...but definitely cute.

Kindergarten kids get to have a theme every Friday this month.  The first was Sports Day.  Last Friday it was Cowboy day!

Oh I can hardly wait for Pirate Day!!!