Gracin is fitting right in

We got really lucky!! He is turning out to be a very good dog. Luckily for us, he was potty trained. He stands by the door and paces when he has to go out. Craig has taken him out hunting a few times, and he seems to be doing very well with that also. Craig hasn't had to use the shock collar at all. In fact, I don't even think Craig puts it on him anymore. He is a very good listener. He is still very puppy like...he needs at least a good 20-30 minutes of hot laps around the yard before he settles down after work, but when he is in the house he lays on his pillow to sleep. He loves the kids...and doesn't like it when they are missing. The girls spent the night at Grammy and Papa's and he paced around by their bedroom for quite awhile before he could relax. He acts as if he has always lived with us. We couldn't have asked for a better dog. We were a little worried. Our last dog was the BEST and to go from a calm, very lazy dog...to a dog that is hyper and needs lots of attention made us very nervous, but he is turning out to be a pretty good dog for our little household. He fits right in!!

OPRAH!!!!

I was invited to go to the Oprah show with some girls from work...I have to say...I don't usually watch Oprah, but who could turn that down. Plus it is Chicago...I love Chicago!! We actually got to see a really FUN show. It was live (in Chicago), so it was very fast paced. She was doing this Karaoke challenge, so there were contestants and judges (famous judges). It was a get out of your seat and dance kind of show...which I LOVED!! I got see Billy Ray Cyrus (which impressed Marissa a lot!!) and Gladys Knight (who by the way...waved at me;) and Ashford and Simpson (yeah I didn't know who they were either). It was great!! Best part...Band Hero sponsored the show...so that's right...we all got one!! I jumped up and down...I was so excited to get something...man I'm lame!! We were all hoping it was her favorite things show, but hey, we were just happy that we got a good show and not a sit down and listen kind of show...I was afraid that I would fall asleep and Oprah would hear me snoring..hehe.

Of course after the show we took pictures. We went around the block and they had limos parked on the side of street. Well we asked the limo driver if he was picking up anyone we should stick around and see. He wasn't able to tell us..you know secret stuff...so we acted like groupies and waited...and waited...and waited. Nobody every came out. I was secretly hoping it was Billy Ray (for Marissa of course). We did get out picture taken with the limo driver...lame again, but hey...we were at Oprah!! We went shopping at the Oprah store and we all got Oprah sweatshirts (off the clearance rack) and I bought an $8 Christmas ornament. hey she has to make up for the fact that her tickets are free right:). I have to say, it was a great time...and I find myself watching a little more Oprah now.

Of course, the president interrupted some of our viewing, but we got to see ourselves jumping up and down like fools when she gave us Band Hero!!

Halloween

We had a great Halloween this year!! It was freezing, but we made the most of it. We have started a tradition that we hope will last for a while. We have great friends that come over and trick-or-treat with us, and then home for chili and chicken noodle soup (yes...homemade by me...I never said I couldn't cook...just don't like to). Since Kristen's b-day is only a few weeks before, we also incorporate a birthday celebration with our friends. It all works out...and everyone seems to enjoy it.

This year I decided to dress Kristen as a black cat. Marissa was going to be something scary. Well, the rule at school is no scary costumes or makeup, and no masks. Well I explained that to her, so SHE decided to dress as a black cat also (I want to make it perfectly clear, that it was HER decision to dress like her sister...I have told myself I would never do that to my kids:). They were the cutest black cats ever...Kristen played with her tail all the time. It was cute. I don't know why I don't have any pictures without their coats on, but they are still too cute!!

We also carved 5 pumpkins this year....um let me rephrase that...Craig carved 5 pumpkins this year...I just scooped. If you know my husband, you will know why I am not allowed to carve:)

apple orchard tradition

Yes it is that time again. Or WAS I should say. This post probably should have been done about 3 weeks ago. We made our annual trip to Helene's again this year. It wasn't as nice a day as last year when we went with friends, but we made the most of it. I couldn't hardly get a picture of the girls picking apples. They were so excited they were all over the place. I did get them to pose for a couple though. So far we have made apple crisp, apple cake, and just had plain apples (dipped in peanut butter or caramel). We gave a bunch of apples away, and I still have about a 1/4 of a bag left. I guess I will have to find a couple more recipes to try. Any ideas?

diva in the making

Yes I make my 2 year old vacuum...don't you??!! Haha..just kidding...most of the time she begs to vacuum. What better way to do it, but with sunglasses on!! If you're going to clean, might as well look good doing it!!

So proud

This girl made me very proud today. A note was sent home by a teacher telling me that Marissa was selected (1 of 2 kids in her 2nd grade class) to participate in a new social group helping out special needs kids...doing activities with them during her Monday morning recess. Her teacher chose her because she thinks Marissa is a responsible student. It is times like this that makes parenting worth all the battles. We are so proud of you Marissa!!

The Big 0-2!!

Today Kristen turned 2!! Officially at 6:18 p.m. We had a big day today. This morning we went and had her pictures taken. I watched in amazement at how well she did. Anytime the photographer posed her, she stayed very still and smiled (mostly) on cue. I can't believe she is 2 already. It seemed like yesterday that Craig and I, after MANY long years of trying, we were blessed with the news of a second child. Almost ready to give up, but God obviously had the plans all mapped out. She is a true blessing...both our girls are. I couldn't have asked for anything more (even on those not-so-good days!).

At two...Kristen can:

-say the ABC's
-count to 15 (almost 20, but she skips from 15-18, then to 20)
-can pretty much tell me anything that she needs
-terrible 2 tantrums have set in (mostly when she can't do what Marissa does)
-on our way to being potty trained (2-3 accidents per day...mostly when she is in the middle of an activity and doesn't want to take the time to go to the potty...ugh)
-loves to sing all kinds of songs (Taylor Swift is her favorite)
-loves the Nemo movie...as well as many others
-loves to be outside..no matter what the weather
-finally figured out how to climb out of her crib...big girl bed coming soon
-wants to be like Marissa all the time
-loves stickers and coloring books
-likes to sleep in mama's bed way too much
-still likes to be a big helper

We love you Kristen...you keep us on our toes everyday. You have the funniest comments. You make it very hard for us to punish you when you do bad. You are always so quick to say sorry.

Maybe she will never get sassy...well I can dream right??