Happy Anniversary Honey!!!

Well, as you guessed from the title, today is our Anniversary. Yes, smack dab in the middle of the Christmas season. Isn't that the best place to have it? Okay, so maybe we didn't plan the wedding details right, but I wanted a Christmas wedding. LOL! I wasn't thinking of the future at the time when we have kids and need to worry about other things at that time of year, but it was a nice wedding. Ok, back to our Anniversary. It is our 9th Anniversary. We have been married for nine years now. So, Happy Anniversary Honey! Hope you enjoy the work Christmas party tonight, as that's our anniversary dinner. LOL!! I love you!!

Good Christmas Pictures?

Well, in an effort to save money, which I doubt we did, we printed our own Christmas pictures this year. I wanted to get just the right picture, so we dressed Anna up in Christmas pajamas and lit the tree lights and tried for every to get the perfect pictures. On the way, there was a lot of this type:

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Are we done yet?

Cheesy Smile! This will work, right?
You want me to do what?

I'm tired of taking pictures!!

Now, don't get me wrong.

we got some cute ones along the way, like these:

But it wasn't quite what I wanted to send out on our Christmas cards, so we kept going. About an hour later, I finally got the picture I wanted:

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Now, isn't that a very cute adorable picture? I love it!! It is so Anna and it suits her and me just fine. I just can't believe we had to take pictures for an hour to get this. Oh well, you do got to admit that it is a good picture. Even I was stunned that it turned out so good. So for those who never got our Christmas card, this was the picture we sent out with it. I loved it and it turned out very cute. Merry Christmas everyone!! (Don't worry, I will post more before then.)

The Dog House

Here is a cute video about being in the dog house. Please watch it. It is extremely funny!! I laughed so hard!! Enjoy!!

The Nutcracker

On Wednesday night, we had an opportunity to go to Ballet Lubbock's The Nutcracker!! It was a lot of fun and it was the second year for Anna and I to get to go. We get free tickets from Anna's ballet class. This year, Daddy got to go with us. Here are a few pictures from the night-

Standing next to the TALL Nutcracker:

Hiding Behind the Program:

There, that's better:

As you can see, we had a good time. Anna had a new shirt bought with a gift card from a nice store that I never shop at. It was very nice and the perfect color for her. We had a great time and it was a lot of fun. We hope to go next year, but we will have to buy our own tickets. I don't think Anna wants to take Ballet again.

Last Ballet Class

Yesterday was Anna's last ballet class. I will post pictures of it at the end, but she did so much better this year than last year. she mostly knew what she was doing and stayed with the other kids. It was very cute. They danced to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Very cute. It was funny though, because as I was getting her ready for her last class, she said, "This is my last ballet class, right mom?" I responded with, "Yes, this is the last one, but we can sign you up for more classes in January." Her response was an un-resounding, "YES!!!" I think she was glad it was over. I really don't care if she continues with ballet, but I do want her to go to some sort of classes to learn some structure. Especially since we homeschool. I feel it is important to learn listening skills and classes outside the home are a good way to do it. Anyways, that's it. She did well and class is over.

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Sitting with Daddy before class:

At the bar:

Practicing Moves:

Too Priceless:

When a jump didn't go quite the way she wanted, we were left with this picture. It was very cute, even though she says it was embarrassing. Yes, we talk about embarrassing stuff a lot lately. It was fun!! Stay tuned tomorrow for highlights from the big ballet!!

Polar Express

You know, the book, the movie and the fun train ride? We went on Sunday night with Grandpa and Grandma, Aunt and Uncle and three of the cousins! It was great!! Everyone had a great time. There was a reading of the Polar Express book and then we arrived at the "North Pole" and Santa and his elves got on the train. It was so cute and so much fun. We got pictures with the conductor, the elves, Santa, and one of the hostesses, dresses in white and black of course like the movie. It was fun. The kids received a bell from Santa and they had a cookie and a little hot chocolate. It really was a very fun time. I may have a picture or two, so let me get them and I will post more when I get them from my brother, our camera died unfortunately part way through the ride.

I am sure this one speaks for itself:

Waiting to board the train:

On the train with Daddy

(too much going on, getting her to look at me was difficult):

All 4 kids in their pajamas:

The hostesses

(also singers and entertainers):

The Conductor:

As you can see we had a great time. It was so much fun. We hope to go back again next year. I know I would definitely think its worth it now!! The kids looks as we arrived at the North Pole was priceless. I am so glad we had the opportunity to go. Thank you Grandma Renea and Grandpa John!! We LOVED it!!

It Could Be Worse

Well, today I took Anna to the Doctor. I know, I know. She has not been sick. She has really bad hands. I mean bad as in dry. Super dry!! They have been aching, er, uhm, I mean "stinging" her, really bad. They were even changing colors and it made me worry that they might be infected. So, after 3 weeks of trying different soap, zinc oxide, neosporin, lots and lots of lotion, and numerous other things, it was off to the doctor we went today. The diagnosis: She washes her hands too much. Yes! You read that right. My 7 year old washes her hands too much. LOL!! He prescribed some steroid cream to help clear it up and then said no more antibacterial soap for her at all. She is only to use Dove unscented for sensitive skin. She is also to use Eucerin or Aveeno cream after every hand-washing. UGH!! So, we got the prescription and she is fine with it. I couldn't believe that was my daughter's diagnosis. Too much hand-washing. Like I said, it could be worse!!

On an up side, the clinic I have been taking her to has finally decided that she needed a primary care doctor there after 2 years!! YEAH!! So, she will start seeing a regular doctor at the follow-up visit in 3 weeks. I hope I like her, she is supposed to be good. I just want Anna to be treated nice.