Winter Wonderland!

A couple of days ago our winter weather set in. At the first trace of snow, Brock was out the door, begging to make a snowman. Before he was done playing, he made the perfect snowball. He told me he had to save it in the freezer for a snack later that day?? Ok?? SO, later that night after we had got back from running some errands Iwalk in the house and Ella is on the ground eating Brock' s snowball. What a nice brother to share his snack!!!! She LOVED it!!!
(can you tell??)

Ella Bella Dancerella!!

My sweet little one year old loves music and loves to shake her fanny! Emrey got this little dance mat for her birthday and I'm pretty sure Ella boogies on it more than Emrey!! I just had to share this clip b/c it is so dang cute of her shakin' it!!!

Student of the Month

Just wanted you all to check out this website:

http://www.calhoonsmartialarts.com/studentOfTheMonth.html

Brock was chosen this month as the featured student in his martial arts class so they put up a picture and wrote a short article on him and posted it on their website.

Way to go bud, you're doing so great! Keep up the good work!!

Martial Arts Mania!!

My kids have made me a proud mommy this week!! Brock and Emrey both earned their Gold Belt in their Martial Arts Class. Brock has been in the class since February and Emrey since June. They have both worked so hard and love learning new techniques and moves. To earn their gold belt they had to demonstrate to their instrctor that they knew all the curriculum they have been learning, then there was the physical requirements. They had to do 3 good push-ups, 5 sit-ups, 5 squat thrusts and then run continuously for 3 minutes. Just a little side note...they have both been sick this week with really bad coughs and stuffy noses. They only test the kids once at the beginning of each month, so if they miss one month, they have to wait until the next month....oh no, not my crazy kids. There was no way they were going to wait until January! They were so ready, coughing or not!!!

Side Mount
Open Guard
Pumping out those sit-ups!!

Jogging for 3 minutes!

Getting congrats from Ryan!

Emrey shaking hands with her instructor.

Good job guys, you are so awesome!!

Over the mountains and thru the woods.....

.....to grandma's house we went!! That is right, we traveled to the Tacoma area to visit John's mom and step-dad for Thanksgiving. We had nice visit and did lots of fun things. Most importantly (not really!!) mom was able do some Christmas shopping on Black Friday. Can't be a smokin hot deal....right ladies!!?? Later that day me and John took Emrey and Brock to see Madagascar 2...very cute! THEN that evening we went to the Point Defiace Zoo and saw the Zoo Lights. The kids loved the beautiful lights and better yet, the carousel. The kids helped grandma and grandpa on the farm, feeding the animals, collecting eggs and riding the four-wheeler. We definitely had a fun-filled weekend and LOTS to be THANKFUL for! THANKS grandma and grandpa for a fun visit!!

Happy Birthday Brock!

Brock turned 5 on November 24th! The previous weekend he got to go to Chuck E Cheeses with some of his friends where he earned lots and lots of tickets (thanks Daddy!!). Then on his actual birthday we had a little get together with a Spiderman cake he picked out and one of his favorite ice creams, Rainbow Sherbet!

Happy Birthday to me!
Thanks Aunt Suzy....Go Cougars!!

Only the best sport ever!!!

Thanks Aunt Lisa! I finished the ship with Grandma Terri!

A Happy Halloween!

The kids had quite the day on Halloween. It started right after school at 3:00. The Downtown merchants here in Walla Walla are quite festive. They get dressed up and stand outside their stores to hand out candy to all the kids in town. It is a really great idea! We start on one end of town and walk a big circle. It took us about an hour (including a quick stop to play on the toys) and we were done. The kids collected quite a bit of candy in short amount of time...the way it should be!!!! After a quick dinner it was off to the Trunk-or-Treat at the church...always a hit! After it was all said and done, I bet the kids collected about 5 pounds of candy each...it was a little insane!!!

A cute little pirate, a sweet kitty and a fierce ninja (who didn't want to wear his mask!)

Ella's funny face once again and her favorite treat!!

Our friend, Jessica and little Ella

Brock and his buddy,Cooper (aka Bumblebee!!)