Talking to the Big Guy

A couple of weeks ago we took a trip to the mall to see Santa. It was a surprise for the kids. When I told Ian that we were on our way to the mall to talk to Santa, his response was quite comical.
"Oh, they have THOSE Santas out now, huh?" he said smugly.
"What do you mean, THOSE Santas Ian?" I questioned him.
"Those ones that come out every year at all the malls and stuff. You know." he explained.

I couldn't help but chuckle under my breath as he was saying that. He is too smart for his own britches! But I didn't want him to miss out on the excitement and the anticipation so we discussed it further and "we" decided that Santa must make his rounds to each of the malls to make sure to visit with all the children. He also has "helper" Santas that sit at the mall when he can't be there. Somehow we must have known exactly the right time to go to the mall to see the "real" Santa.

Even though he seemed to have it all figured out for a moment, Ian climbed right up on Santa's lap, real or not, and shared his entire Christmas list with him. I guess he wasn't going to take any chances on missing out on any goodies!

Isabelle was so excited to go and didn't hesitate either. In fact, she had many more ideas to share with Santa than she had shared with us!

Christmas Program

Last night was Isabelle's Christmas program at school. I am aware that I might be just a little biased...but she was ADORABLE!!!

She was so excited when I dressed her in her red "princess" dress (every dress turns her into a princess!). When I asked her if I could take her picture before we left for the program, this is what I got:

Cute, right?

She has been practicing this program for weeks now and if you ask her the best part of the program, she will tell you that she gets to wave to us and we will wave at her and take pictures. So, there was no lack of waving! She waved when she walked in the auditorium. When she got to the top of the stairs, she waved. When she found her place on stage, she waved. In between each song, she waved. But she didn't just wave. In between each song, she yelled, "Mommy! Mommy!" and waved with the most precious smile! She was so proud that we were there to see her!

Her class was dressed up as little presents and they sang "Good things come in little packages!"
Here you can see her melodramatic facial expressions. This is the part of the program where they were talking about Mary and Joseph trying to find a place to stay. She looks as though she was feeling their pain! What a little actress!

Here is my very own little Christmas package...the most precious one of them all!

Holiday Spirit

I joined in the holiday spirit over here! Take a look, it is pretty cute!

Row, Row, Row your boat

David's ship has spent the last several months in the shipyard undergoing an overhaul. It has been a long process with a LOT of long hours! On Wednesday, we got to go down to the waterfront and watch the tugboats push this massive aircraft carrier down the river! It was quite a site. For those of you that have not seen a carrier in person, here are a few details:

• It is 1092ft in length
• It houses more than 3000 sailors on a regular basis and adds another 2500 during deployment times! That is nearly 6000 sailors on one ship! It is really hard to fathom!
• During deployment times, it also houses 90+ fixed wing aircraft and helicopters!

So, now imagine this large ship being pushed by several little tug boats down a RIVER! It is amazing! The kids really enjoyed watching! They had a lot of fun seeing "Daddy's ship."

The ship as it approached us

Notice the "little people" on the flight deck

Goodbye shipyard...Hello workups!

So, another chapter begins in our story! The shipyard is long and hard for the crew...especially the reactor department! But the nice thing about the shipyard is that our sailors are able to return home for dinner on a somewhat regular basis. Now we start "workups." Workups are all the little trips the ship takes out to sea to receive special qualifications and certifications in order to be ready to go on deployment. Begining this week, the ship is out to sea for varying lengths of time. Sometimes the ship is only gone for a few days at time. Other times it is gone for over a month at a time. We have done this before, but the kids were much younger and handled it quite well. Now they notice more when Daddy is gone. They whine for him when they don't like what I am telling them. They even blame their bad behavior on his being gone! (So far only Ian has pulled that one on me! But I know that Isabelle is a quick learner!)

Needless to say, this will be a challenging time! I am hopeful, however, that we will not have to live through the entire workup period as we are working on getting orders to leave here! Orders can not come soon enough at this point!

Don't get me wrong, I have great friends, a great church, the kids are in great schools, etc. There is just something tugging at both David and me telling us it is time to go! We are hoping we will get to see what that is in the VERY near future!

No matter what is in store for us, we know that God has an amazing plan for us! Life attached to the USS Theodore Roosevelt has been quite an adventure and we know that God won't disappoint us with our next adventure!

Grandpa

My dad came to visit for Thanksgiving! The kids had a wonderful time with him! Thanks for coming Dad! We really enjoyed it!

Just for Fun!

Family Pics

We wanted a little something different for pictures this year and we knew Sarah could help us get that! I love them! Thanks Sarah!

Cozy Swap

I took part in a Sister Shoebox Swap hosted by Carrie and Monica. I enjoyed a swap with Abbey for the holiday season! I received a beautiful box of goodies! My absolute favorite is the candle! It smells so yummy! I also got a wonderful Christmas CD, fuzzy socks, cookie decorating kit, chocolate, handtowels, a cookie mold, gingerbread man ornaments and some festive napkins! Thanks Abbey! I hope you enjoyed your box just as much!

Thanksgiving Feast

Today we joined Ian's class for a Thanksgiving Feast. He doesn't normally eat at school, so he was very excited about today! He got to go through the line in the cafeteria and get a tray of food. Isabelle was thrilled to be invited by her big brother! They had made placemats and I had sewn paperbag vest for all the indians (although you can't even see them in this picture because Ian had taken his off because it was bothering his neck!) The kids were all adorable!

I am so grateful to be in such a great elementary school! The kids are always having such a great time and learning so much!

Independent...

I am not sure of a better word to describe my little girl! She has always been, and I am sure she will always be my independent child! She doesn't mind playing by herself. She likes to buckle herself into her carseat...which she has mastered quite well! She likes to accomplish things on her own!
So, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised this morning. I had given her a bath. I had washed her hair and left the bathroom to get a towel. I got her out of the tub, got her dressed and took her back to the bathroom to comb her hair. As I combed it, suds began to appear and it became quite evident that I had not rinsed her hair well enough...but I was sure that I had done a fine job. Then it dawned on me... I quickly asked her, "Isabelle, did you wash your hair by yourself?" To which she very proudly responded, "Yes! Now it is VERY clean!"

We rinsed her hair in the sink and wrapped it in a towel on top of her head...this little girl is growing up far too quickly!

Trick or Treat!

Halloween is a funny event for us...but never funnier than this year! Ian and Isabelle would love to live in costume. I don't mind it around the house. But, normally, I make them look like "normal children" when we leave the house. So Halloween is a fun time for them because not only do I encourage them to leave the house in costume, but I also let them ask strangers for candy! That is crazy to them. They must think I have lost my mind once a year! It isn't just me though...it is every mom on the street! Wow!

Anyhow... this year we went over to the Morelands house to trick or treat with our best friends! We ate pizza and got dressed and ready for the fun! By the time we had the kids dressed and ready to walk out the door, the dads had all raided the costume trunk as well. You see, they are just as big (if not bigger) on wearing costumes at the Moreland house. The dads decided they were not going to be left out of the action this year! It is okay..you can say it! They look rediculous, but, for those of you that know these guys...they ARE rediculous!!! By the time we all left the house, all of us were wearing something. Debbie and I opted for Batman masks. I felt quite silly walking around the neighborhood like that. But after looking at these pictures, I am actually quite grateful that I did wear a mask. Maybe nobody will ever know that I belong to this crazy crowd! Just kidding! These are such special friends and I wouldn't trade them for any others!


Here are Isabelle the unicorn and Kolby the fireman! This is just another adorable picture to add to the slideshow at their wedding! Don't tell me you are against arranged marriages! Just look at them!


Here is the whole crew! Well, except for one that decided he was too cool for trick or treating! I don't know what he was thinking!!!


Here are those crazy dads I told you about! You can't see it, but David actually has Buzz Lightyear wings on over the bumble bee costume. You know bees shouldn't really be able to fly due to their body weight...but this is one determined bee. (He had to be determined to get that bee costume on too! I mean honestly! What normal adult would be able to get that costume over their shoulders...but then again, nobody ever said David was normal!)



And finally, here are the best buddies! Ian (a.k.a. Optimus Prime) and Jayden the indian!

Thanks Morelands and Eberles for sharing the night with us! It was a great time!

My "Friendly Farmer"

This year at Isabelle's preschool, the kids were allowed to dress up for their fall party. There was only one catch. They were supposed to be dressed as "friendly farmers." So you can see by this picture that we were closer to a "cool cowgirl" than a farmer, but isn't she cute???
It was just perfect that Nana had sent her a beautiful pair of red boots the day before her party! Isabelle loves them!


During their party, they decorated these pumpkins, sang some cute songs and ate lots of snacks!!! Isabelle was the last one sitting at the table eating. She has never been one to turn down food. I didn't realize that it was a running joke at the school though. Apparently, it is a regular occurance for her to be the last one at the table during snack time. I should have known since this is the conversation we have in the car everyday when I pick her up:

Me: So, tell me about your day!
Isabelle: Well, we had snack!!!

She is a funny girl!



You can see that it was a very big day for her! I don't know if it was the fun that she had or the sugar crash that wore her down. But, notice she hasn't given up the boots! Thank you Nana!

Pumpkin Patch...again!

Well, this time it was Isabelle's turn! We joined her class at Taylor farms for a hayride, a visit to the pumpkin patch and some time petting goats.


This time we stuck to the little pumpkins that the kids were more than willing to let me display on the mantle. They were really cute, actually!


I think that Ian was feeling like quite the big brother. He was the oldest one on the field trip since he tagged along with us! He was more than happy to help his little sister out with the pumpkin choices! He also guided her back to the line to get back on the hayride. What a great big brother!!!



Here is my little super model in training! She was watching the horses as we rode on the hayride. I couldn't help but stare at her and wonder how my baby has grown into such a beautiful little girl so quickly!



The goats were a big hit with the preschool class! This is one of Isabelle's buddies from class!

Better late than never, right?

I know I was supposed to post the winner on Saturday, but I just didn't get to it this weekend!
So, now I just wanted to let you all know that the winner of the custom handbag was a very lucky woman named Ally! She has chosen a pink and brown stripe interior and a brown paisley exterior! Congratulations Ally! I look forward to working on your bag!

For the rest of you, please let me tell you that I was shocked and amazed at the number of entries for the bag! Nearly 500!!! It is amazing what a free bag will do for people, huh? I was so excited that I thought I would like to compensate those of you that were really hoping to win the bag. I am offering a 10% discount on the Kimberlee Faith website through Saturday! All you have to do is enter the coupon code "Fall07" during the ordering process! Thank you all again for your interest!

FREE! FREE! FREE!

I am joining in on the fun that Shannon is hosting over here! You have to check it out! There are so many giveaways going on this week! I mean honestly! I don't know how anyone will be able to see them all!

So here is my contribution...

I am giving away one FREE customized Medium Bucket style handbag from my website! And it will be completely customized to the winner! The winner will pick their favorite interior and exterior fabrics as well as their closure type and will even be able to customize the interior pockets! This is a $45 value!

All you have to do to be entered is leave a comment telling me your favorite fabric combination from here (don't worry! You can always change your mind later if you win!) I will select a winner on Saturday, November 3rd using a random number generator. Best of luck!

This giveaway is open to anyone! I will ship internationally if necessary.

Have a wonderfully fallish day!

Please make sure that you leave an email address or some way for me to reach you if you win!!!

Oops!

I managed to clog the kitchen sink last week. I am grateful to have a handy husband who didn't mind taking care of it. I thought is was precious to see Ian trying to be his sidekick! He wants to be just like his Daddy when he grows up!

Fun with Daddy

Daddy has been working a lot of very long hours and hasn't had many days off lately. When he does get to come home, the kids take advantage of having him around! They don't let him out of their site! I am so thankful for a husband that is just as happy to see the kids as they are to see him! They have such a good time together! We love you Daddy!

Fall Festival

Ian's school puts on some awesome events throughout the year. The Fall Festival is one of those events. The kids enjoyed playing games, snacks, pumpkins and so much more!
This is the first time the kids have done a Cake Walk! Once they caught on, they thought it was great fun and they weren't even upset that we didn't get a cake! I, personally, was pretty thankful that we didn't take a cake home...we don't need that kind of temptation sitting in our kitchen!!!

This bouncy bowling game was Ian's favorite!

Both of the kids enjoyed the lifesize candyland game. Isabelle won the game! That's my girl!

Taylor Farms

Today we got to join the Kindergarten classes at the pumpkin patch! Isabelle tagged along with her big brother! We enjoyed a hayride, pumpkin patch and seeing all the animals!
Big brother was happy to let his little sister sit by him on the hayride.
Pretending to drive the tractor!
Isabelle enjoyed the play firehouse!

Turtlenecks

Well, it has finally cooled down here! It was 95degrees out two days ago and today we had to leave the house in jackets! I am NOT complaining! I am actually very excited. Isabelle, on the other hand, had very different feelings this morning. The story goes like this...
I put an adorable turtleneck on her. It was precious. It has little pumpkins all over it...very appropriate since we were visiting the pumpkin patch today. I noticed that she was tugging at the collar as if it were choking her! It wasn't really that tight around her neck, but she wouldn't leave it alone. I gently took her hands away from her neck and said, "It is okay, that is how the shirt is supposed to be. It is called a turtleneck." At this point she started screaming as though she really was being choked. She continued screaming for about ten minutes. In between screams she added, "I am not a turtle! I am NOT a turtle!"

Note to self, never compare her to an animal again!

Heartbreak

My heart is broken! I have been crushed to the core! And all by my son!!!

Let me explain. Isabelle had school this morning. Ian and I dropped her off and went to run a couple errands before returning home. We spent a little time together, ate lunch and got him ready for afternoon Kindergarten. It is nice to have a couple mornings a week to take Ian to school by myself. It is just nice and relaxing to take him in for his day, say our goodbyes and see him walk down the hall. He so loves school! On these days I have a minute to focus on JUST HIM!

So here is what happened...
As I walked him into school today, I instinctively reached my hand out to hold his. In most cases, he would have reached up to hold my hand without thinking twice about it. But today was different! Today, as I reached my hand out to find his, he told me, "It's okay, I can walk in by myself." It was said with such confidence and pride. Part of me wanted to cheer him on! He IS big enough to walk by himself. We weren't crossing any streets. We were only walking on a sidewalk. But, part of me was devastated. I know this is only the beginning. He is only going to become more dependant from here on out. Sometimes it just really gets me when I least expect it!

I am proud of you buddy! But I hope, for my sake, that you will hold my hand every once in a while. Because I can walk by myself, but I prefer to walk with you! I love you!

Spider Boy

We have enjoyed season passes to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg this year! There is really a lot for the kids to do there! They are big enough to go on all of the kiddy rides this year. Ian is even big enough for one of the roller coasters! He tried it once and decided that "the turns were too much" for him. So, he is pretty content with the smaller rides. However, he has asked to have his face painted EVERY time that we have been at the park! Being the party pooper that I am, I have deprived him every time! I just have a hard time paying $10 for a 2 minute face painting adventure! However, during our last trip to the park, David gave in and Ian chose to have a giant spider painted on his face! YUCK! You can see by this picture that he had a good time that day! Face paint and all!

Isabelle's Birthday

Isabelle is officially three years old! We celebrated with a Dora themed party at the park! Nana was even able to join us for the special day! There were threats of storms, but we were happy to enjoy the park afterall! It was a great afternoon for the kids to play! It might look like a big production, but let me tell you this was one of the easiest parties I have ever put on! (KIM...I AM SERIOUS!!!) All we brought was cupcakes and the pinata and the kids were entertained at the park!!! I think the kids had a great time and I was able to enjoy it too! What a treat!

Isabelle enjoyed MANY presents. What a spoiled little princess!

Tanner wasn't impressed by the added entertainment by the Blue Angels!

We had a great spot to see some of the Blue Angels moves they were putting on at the air show...and we didn't even have to fight the crowds!

To top it all off, we ended the party with a pinata. It seemed like a nice idea until we, as parents, realized how disturbing it really was that we were handing the kids a giant stick to beat up Dora. It got quite crazy as her body began to separate from her head and it was literally hanging by a thread...
All was well at the end when they were showered with candy. That is, until I turned around and saw one of the "big kids" stomping on Dora's hollow head. Oh dear... the kids didn't seem to see the slightest wrong in doing this!

All in all it was a great time! Happy Birthday my baby girl! We love you!

Soccer

For those of you that saw my soccer post last week. Let me clear one thing up...I AM NOT PREGNANT!I thought I was being so clever and put a slideshow of soccer pictures up here to show Ian's first game. Apparently the slideshow decided to add a couple pictures without my knowledge! It was at the end of the slideshow and I was completely oblivious. That is, until I recieved an email congratulating me on my pregnancy. Now, I will be the first to tell you that I am NOT in the best shape of my life, but I was bummed to hear that I looked pregnant. I immediately read through my entire blog trying to figure out how it could be that my friend thought I was pregnant...then it dawned on me...it must be something in the slideshow. Sure enough, one of the last pictures was of me when I was a 9month pregnant blimp! OH DEAR!!! Needless to say, I retracted that post so fast! SO...for those of you still interested in soccer pictures, here you go!


Here is Ian with two of his best soccer buddies, Miles and Kendall.

Here is Ian almost touching the ball. This is a tremendous improvement from last year! He loves to run up and down the field with his friends, but sees no need to ever touch the ball...but we are getting there.

He is even showing a little aggression in this picture! That's my boy!

This picture may not look like an important picture, but for those of you that know Ian, you know he is very much like his dad. He enjoys being with his friends and having a good time, but it is not natural for him to do ANYTHING fast! Last year he would pretty much walk down the field but he would move his shoulders and arms fast so that it almost looked like he was running. This picture just proves how far we have come...HE is really running! Go Ian!