Fancy Schmancy

My mother-in-law always buys the girls gorgeous dresses every year for Christmas. They wore them to church today and they couldn't have looked prettier. I quickly took some pictures before we ran out the door. Summer was in some kind of mood (as usual) so please ignore her lip she's about to trip over and just look at her adorable dress.

Some Christmas Photos

The kids are pulling me away from the computer to play our new Disney Scene It game so I won't say much. Just that we had a really nice Christmas morning with just our family and Grandpa. In the evening we had a fabulous time spent with really great friends who are all near and dear to my heart. What a perfect way to spend a perfect Holiday. Here are a few pictures of the kids from Christmas morning.

That's Mackenzie behind her new camera from Santa.

Dayton's

Yes, I know it's not Dayton's anymore, but anyone that has grown up here in MN still calls it Dayton's. Am I right? I'm right. And anyone that has grown up here in MN has been going to the 8th floor auditorium of Dayton's every year around Christmas time since they were born . Am I right? I'm right.

Here are a couple pictures of this years "A Day in the Life of an Elf."

Roof

I know these house updates might be boring to some. But some of you are interested and I like documenting the progress, so here goes another one. I can't believe how fast they are working and how much they get done each day.

Second Floor

That man is shoveling snow out our bedroom window.

P.S. it was about -6 degrees outside this morning when I took this picture.

Pictures!

My good friend Amy S. just came over to take our picture for our Christmas card. Once that was done the girls posed for their own little photo session. Here are a few of my favorites.

Hannah Montana got fat!

The other day Hannah Montana's head fell off. I tried to put it back on but I couldn't because the little rotating part on top of the neck broke off and was rattling around in her head. So Bart tried and he shoved her head on. We all started laughing so hard. Take a look at Hannah Montana now. It's hilarious. I wish I had a before shot but I don't so in case you are not Barbie-wise next to Hannah Montana is another Barbie doll with a normal neck.

Framing

We have walls now.

Foundation

On Thanksgiving day we went over to the lot to get a close up look at the progress. We have a foundation and next week they are going to start framing. This is a fun but stressful process. My mind is spinning with all the options and things I have to pick out every week for the house. I'm not a designer and I'm afraid I'm choosing crazy things that aren't going to look good once it's all put together. I have a hard time visualizing from little scraps of samples.

On the flip side, I shouldn't complain because in light of this Thanksgiving weekend, I am very grateful that Bart and I have this opportunity to create this house ourselves. We've waited years for the right timing and things seem to be falling into place very neatly around us. We found a great builder who is building us a great house at a great price. We get to stay in our current ward with all of our good friends. We are blessed with a great lot location in a neat neighborhood. I'm looking forward to the trail system around us. And interest rates are falling!

So, here are some pictures of our house from Thanksgiving day.

My new do...

Well....I did it! I chopped it all off. It's what I always do...grow it out, chop it off, grow it out again then chop it off...you get the idea. I don't know if it's because I'm indecisive or if I just like to change things up a bit. I'm sure a bit of both. So here it is folks, the before and after pics. Tell me what you think.

Wicked

My awesome, amazing friends Amy and Nick L. invited Bart and I to go see Wicked with them. Last minute her brother couldn't go so we got to see it with them in the 2nd row!! It was so amazing! I absolutely loved it! And a HUGE Thank you to Ande A. for having my kids like the ENTIRE day. What can I say?? I have super-cool friends!

The digging has begun!

They began digging yesterday, Nov. 17th and they were there again this morning working hard doing who knows what. All I know is the process has started and I'm very excited!

Halloween! or Let the Sugar-High Begin!!

The kids got to dress up twice and get candy twice. Oh, what joy! Thursday night was Trunk-or-Treating at church and Friday night was, of course, Trick-or-Treating around the neighborhood. Ainsley was a mean-but-kind-of-nice witch or was it a nice-but-kind-of-mean witch? I don't know, either way she was a way cool looking witch. Kenzie was a black cat--she even got to wear her costume to school today. And little Miss Summer was an adorable elephant. She caught on pretty darn quick to this whole trick-or-treating business.

Leaves, Leaves, Leaves