I scream, You scream, We all scream for Cheerios!

Ella likes Cheerios.  No, wrong.  Ella LOVES Cheerios.  I think it is her favorite food.  For a while now, her routine is to wake up and eat a bowl of Cheerios while watching Dora, Mickey Mouse, or one of her videos.  Just recently, Parker has decided he is big enough to share in her fun.  He even likes Dora.  Sorry, Dusty, but it's true. :)



GOT MILK?



The Real Reason for the Season

Where in the world is December going?  I cannot believe it is December 11th already!  This month is so exciting, yet so exhausting at the same time.  With a 3 year old and 13 month old, this Christmas is sure to be magical.  We were a little concerned with how much trouble Parker would get into with the ornaments, choo choo train, decorations, etc., but he is doing a pretty good job so far.  It's a great month to really make sure he knows that word, "No!" :)  It's hard to discipline him sometimes (he sure knows how to put the charm on 'ole mom and dad), but we know it is worth it.

We started off the season by taking a wagon ride through Santa's Magical Kingdom in St. Louis.  What an awesome idea...why didn't I think of that? :)  Thousands and thousands of lights strung on trees and decorations...one can take a train ride, wagon ride, or just drive in your car to see all of the lights and characters which are, of course, made out of lights.  The man fishing in the pond was pretty neat. 

Last weekend, we went to a pj party with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Zona Rosa.  It was packed, but still fun.  I managed to squeeze Ella right up there with the other kids so she could jump and dance around as the La La's played Christmas songs.  Ella can be shy, but also outgoing at the same time.  She fit right in there holding hands and dancing with the other kids.  I almost freaked out when one of the little girls kissed her.  I think it was on her nose, but of course I thought of germs.  I got over that real quick and thought about the innocent and pure spirit of children.  Parker just had to sit in his stroller on the sidelines since it was so crowded.

Dusty and I were able to get away for a couple of hours and attend my work's Christmas party.  It was great to hang out with my coworkers in a different setting and catch up with good friends.  Even Dusty knew a couple of people there from his work!  Small world!!

I love the library events...so awesome that they are free and you can take your own pictures with Santa!  We went to Mr. Stinky Feet's Christmas Concert this past week with our friends, Eve and her girls.  It was so cute...Nadine (Eve's daughter) was picked to go up to the front and sing a song all on her own!  I was going to leave Parker with Dusty, but he ended up having work to do so I brought him along.  He was as good as can be expected, but I had to hang out in the back with him as he let some of his energy out.

This weekend, we went to Santa with a Tune.  Santa played the guitar and sang with the kids and then the kids got to sit on Santa's lap.

We are hoping to visit the Santa at Crown Center (we hear he is the best!) and the Gingerbread Village.  Next weekend, I have a date with Ella planned to go see Dino O'Dell sing some Christmas tunes and then a lunch at Fritz's. 

I think that is cramming as much fun as we can into this month in anticipation of Santa coming!!  We have an Elf on the Shelf, named Uncle Joan (named after my Aunt Joan!).  That has been fun...I plan to have him get into some mischief here soon!  We also have an advent calendar that Ella calls her "calendar helper" which is a job they have at preschool.  I love her names for things...too cute.

All of the above is fun and quality family time, but the most awesome thing of all is that it is Jesus' birthday.  I cannot wait to start traditions so that my children will learn the true meaning of Christmas.  On Christmas Eve, we will sing "Happy birthday" to Jesus with a birthday cake and candles and read the Christmas Story from the Bible.

Lately, things have been really busy as I know they have been for everyone this time of year.  The other night, I realized that as busy as things get, I have got to get back to spending more quality time with my Savior.  I have different ways that I plan to do that.  It is His birthday month and just as we prepare ahead of time for our children's birthday parties, I need to prepare my heart for that incredible day when we celebrate the birth of Jesus.  

Best Buds

I will not lie and say Ella and Parker get along all of the time, but when they do, it is so cute to watch. 

Their first tea party

Like brother, like sister (Parker started doing this so Ella had to follow :) )

Kisses at bedtime

The Pumpkin Patch

Last weekend, Mema and Papa Riley came to the city to enjoy some fall fun.  They came for dinner on Friday and we had a wienie roast.  Ella got her flu shot that day (I did as well), so she was rather cranky and not herself, but Parker was having a blast in his high chair with Papa teaching him how to stick his tongue out.  It was cute.  On Saturday, we went to Carolyn's Pumpkin Patch.  We love that place. 

Parker was so intrigued by the donkey.  He stayed there forever looking at it and petting it while Ella went down the slide a gazillion times.






Ella loves feeding the animals.  She asked the goat, "Are you hungry?"

Note to self:  Don't play with the settings on your camera when taking pictures such as this...the coloring is off, but I love this picture!







My 34th Birthday



My mom was visiting while Dusty was out-of-town for work.  A couple days early, my mom started my birthday off by making a cake with Ella.  

Parker was in charge of keeping the measuring spoons in order.



Who needs pants when making a cake?



The first round of singing "happy birthday" with my mom there



Dusty got back in town the day before my birthday so we were able to spend it together.  He set up Ella's t-ball set that Uncle Jimmy & Aunt Heather gave her for her birthday.  She had a blast!

Even Wilbur got in on the fun!

Parker loves his swing!

Maybe if I keep my eyes closed, I'll hit it.

Singing to me on my actual birthday



Just Dance

Ella is really into dancing right now.  She has always loved her music.  As long as I can remember her walking, she has gone into her bedroom and turned on her CD player.  Sometimes Dusty and I have to tell her to turn it down in her room!  Today, Ella and my mom began dancing.  Then, because Parker came into her room (she is very worried about him touching her stuff lately), my mom had to hold Parker and Ella just danced by herself.  Later, I was in there putting clothes away and she was telling me to "shake my booty."  Oh boy.  What have we started!?

Last weekend, while we were in Bucklin, my nieces (Damara and Sierra) taught Ella some dance moves.  It was so cute to watch.  All decked out in Papa's t-shirt (I so remember wearing my grandpa's t-shirts as a little girl), Ella stood in between the two older girls and tried to keep up! 

My Princess

Last weekend, we spent a wonderful weekend in Bucklin.  The highlight of the weekend was Toonfest in Marceline.  Walt Disney is from that town, so every year they have a celebration.  The little girls dressed up as princesses and rode on a float in the parade.  Ella was all decked out in her princess dress, tiara, and wand.  She sat real still as the parade moved up and down the streets.  There were women on the float helping out and they were dressed as princesses, too.  It was too cute.  The boys could dress up as pirates and ride on their own float, too.  Parker might get to do that next year! 

Then, there was a tea party for the princesses.  It was adorable! 

Snow White serving tea

The girls were able to make their own hats.

They also had craft booths, games, bounce toys, and carnival food.  Mema was able to do some Christmas shopping...for bows, of course.  :) 

Cousin Sierra

Kisses for Mema