Happy 8th Birthday Giselle

Giselle had quite an eventful birthday this year.  Just the way she likes it!  She started the day off with Dunkin Donuts from daddy and then headed off to gymnastics camp for the day.  The day flew by and in the evening, we headed off to the bowling alley where we bowled a couple of games and had pizza.  And what would be a birthday without cake?  This year Giselle received a mini "Trolls" themed cake with cupcakes surrounding it with her name on it.
Over the weekend, we had a party for her at Sky Zone with 13 of her closest classmates from school.  Sky Zone is a local place where PLAY is encouraged.  They have dodge ball, a warrior course, trampolines and so much more.  It was right up Giselle's interests, as she loves to be competitive and be active.

I love watching this little one grow and she really keeps me on my toes!  At eight years old, all she wants to do is GO GO GO!!  If you tell her to go pack - we are going on vacation for the weekend - she packs her bag in 10 minutes and is READY to GO OUT THAT DOOR.  And she gets SO EXCITED to go anywhere.  She loves gymnastics, playing soccer, playing basketball and this year, she is really into playing with barbies.  And she still LOVES her teddy bears.  Nine times out of ten, she always has a SMILE on her face and watch out because she is a JOKESTER.  She will fool you when you least expect it and make you LAUGH.  Happy Birthday Giselle!!  Keep singing, dancing, and smiling!!

Making that MAGICAL wish on her 8th birthday!

She got that Barbie corvette for those barbies.

Giselle and Isabella in a dueling match.....

At Sky Zone with classmates.

Giselle climbing to the top of that wall....

Happy New Years Eve....

As 2018 comes to a close, I only wish I could post ALL of my favorite photos.  But I cannot.  They only allow me so many, you know?  Instead, I will tell you that Giselle rocked it out playing soccer and cheering.  I learned that a big screen T.V. can in fact be magically moved from one place to another.  And Betty Jean is smiling from above as she watched on that day and I'm sure she was tickled pink saying..."MAN IN HOW."  Giselle is wrapping up 2nd grade and Isabella is in fact finishing 4th grade.  We ALL LOVE POOL TIME....even Baxie.  While I don't like whiskey, I do enjoy LIVE MUSIC.  FIRST girls trip this year and many more to come, thanks to MOM and setting standards for now and forever.  Happy New Year to you ALL.  May 2019 be MAGICAL, BRIGHT, HEALTHLY, LOVING, and FULL OF MEMORIES!!!  XOXOXOXO

G helping Daddy

They love their pool time

Ready for school

I was NUMBER ONE MOMMY!!

The Man, The Myth, The Legend, that Never Ceases to Amaze Me

First Girls Trip and they won ALOT more than Dawn and I at Pechanga!

Here I am!

Giselle's Last Soccer Game of 2018

New Year's Eve Dinner 2018

The Tetons

December was a MAGICAL month

While we didn't have a white Christmas this year, it was a magical month for the girls.  They went to go and see Santa and tell him about all the things they wanted for Christmas.  We went to go and see "The Grinch That Stole Christmas" at a theatre downtown.  Bob baked five different kinds of cookies with the girls.  Isabella was in The Nutcracker musical at school as a candy cane.  Isabella lost a tooth on Christmas Eve and the tooth fairy payed her a visit.  We got to get together with family and enjoy yummy food and great company.  The elf on the shelf moved around the house magically for the entire month of December.  And Baxie got lots of new chew toys at Christmas too.  Until next year.

Do you see the MAGIC in this photo?

A big kid at heart!

Santa at the greenhouse

Giselle on Christmas Day

Big SMILES in their comfortable jammies!

Isabella LOVES her animals!

The Nutcracker Musical

The other day, we had the pleasure of visiting Isabella's school to see her perform in the 4th grade Nutcracker, a musical based on Tchaikovsky's Ballet.  There were 7 scenes that included:  "Midnight In the House", "The Kingdom of Sweets", "Russian Trepak", "Dance of the Candy Cane Flutes", "Desert Midnight", "The Chinese Tea Party", and "The Flowers Waltz".

Isabella played the part of a Dancing Candy Cane Flute - and what a cute little candy cane she was!  I also enjoyed the Chinese Tea Party and The Flowers Waltz! Grandma and Grandpa were also able to join us for the musical and that made it super special for Isabella.  After wards, she got a super big smile because Grandpa gave her a peppermint - a peppermint for a candy cane....heee heeee!  What a great musical to put you in the Christmas spirit!

Isabella, 1st one on the left

BIG SMILES with Grandma & Grandpa

Kentucky BLUE!

A couple of weekends ago, we packed up the car and headed to Kentucky for the weekend.  On Friday, we visited Keeneland race track where we bet on horses and enjoyed some burgoo.  Best darn burgoo I have ever tasted, hands down!  I should try and recreate that recipe at home!

On Saturday, we met up with Kevin (Bob's college friend) and his family and did some tailgating in the parking lot before we enjoyed the Kentucky football game.  All of the kids enjoyed playing bags and football in the parking lot before the game.  We had all kinds of snack platters and also cooked polish sausage and burgers on the grill.  My sweet Kentucky Blue.....until we see you next time!

The girls at Keeneland

Giselle LOVES horses

Figuring out our bets

The kiddos playing bags

Look at his SMILE!  He is so happy to be back

The gang tailgating (Isabella has a hat over her face!)

This is HOW we ROLL

Halloween turned out to be a gorgeous day!  I wore my festive, hand painted Halloween jeans that Dawn painted for me 5 years ago.  The sun was shining and the temperature was in the 60s (historically, it is raining or freezing and we have to bundle up like eskimo's!), which made it perfect for the Halloween parade and trick or treating.  The girls had a Halloween parade at their school where we got to see K-4 march around in their fancy costumes.  Isabella was a witch this year and Giselle was UMA, a character from Disney's Descendants.
As Isabella transitions to a new school and fifth grade next year, they do not dress up or have a Halloween parade, so this was the last time we got to see Isabella enjoy her parade at school.

Once the kiddos were home from school, we jumped into BIG MOE and we were off to trick or treat!  The girls were excited that we decorated BIG MOE with creepy flying skeletons.  We attached skeletons to PVC pipes and used fishing line, electrical tape and zip ties to secure them.  We also had creepy Halloween music blasting and everyone kept saying "WE LIKE HOW YOU ROLL" and "That's an AWESOME Halloween ride!"
Due to the fact that we had BIG MOE, I think they received the most candy ever because they were able to ride and take a break from running out of energy.  We all had a blast and it was so fun to see Isabella and Giselle SO EXCITED to trick or treat, as they are only little ONCE.
Once we were finished, we came home and had some nice, warm chili from the crock pot.  Hope everyone had a great day and enjoyed seeing all of the little ones dressed up!

My festive Nightmare Before Halloween jeans that Dawn painted for me and I wear EVERY year!

Isabella as the SPOOKY WITCH

Giselle as UMA

BIG MOE

Sisters EXCITED to Trick or Treat

Bob is ready to ROLL with his girls!

Giselle's goodies

Isabella's goodies

Color Run AND Pumpkin Carving/Painting Contest

Last Sunday, we participated in our third annual Color Run with the girls, benefiting their school.  It was a brisk morning for a run, however the SUN was SHINING.  After the run, we came home and showered to get ready for the Bears game and our annual pumpkin carving/painting contest.

The girls BEFORE the race

3rd Annual COLOR RUN

Everyone hard at work on their pumpkins. 

Giselle posing with her favorite pumpkin: BEETLE JUICE!

Pinkalicious, SpongeBob, Jack O'Lantern, Princess Unicorn, PacMan, Beetlejuice, & A Witchin Hour

A good time was had by all and if you would like to vote for your favorite pumpkin, please do so!  The names are listed above in the caption.  Until next year!