Nutcracker and Annual Cookie Day

I would like to say Emma's favorite part of performing is the actual dancing, but I think it's the make-up. And all the fun that happens backstage.

I think my favorite part is the costumes!

Emma got to dance in the Nutcracker with her cousins Lindsay, Kaitlyn, and Jessica.

This was Jessica's first recital in toe shoes. She's a natural.



The day of the recital was so wintry and beautiful. It snowed most of the morning, leaving a dusting on the ground even as we left the school in the evening. We promised Emma that we'd treat her to dinner after and she filled her adorable little tummy with Spaghetti and meatballs, and an ice cream sundae. My Mom watched Ben so we could really help her feel special...and I'm sure she did.

However...that very night she destroyed her angelic disguise by covering Ben's entire face with the most vibrant pink lipstick. I was loading the dishwasher and looked up to find Ben at the top of the stairs sporting his new look. I was terrified at first because, from where I was standing, it looked like blood. Then I had the fear that it was nail polish. Thankfully it was just cheap, waxy lipstick that left his face and hair stained for a week. He looked diseased!

I'm not going to lie. I was pretty impressed with the complete coverage and her ability to get my two year old to sit long enough for a full face of makeup. I can't even get him to sit long enough to shove some peaches in his mouth.

It was made very clear that these pictures were not being taken out of amusement. These were to document her naughtiness, and were being sent to Santa immediately for evaluation.

The next morning she redeemed herself by dragging me out of bed to look at the snow falling.


This year I decided to give Emma and Ben a lot more freedom with the gingerbread house. We used what came in the kit and some of the kids' leftover Halloween candy.

Who wouldn't want to live there?

We had our annual cookie day this past Saturday. This year was no different in the amount of sugar laced treats cooling in Laurie's garage.


Until next time,
Janet, Trenton, Emma, Ben, and Baby

Thanksgiving 2011

My family all went their separate ways this year, so Trenton and I enjoyed spending the day and evening with his family at Laurie's. Although I missed my fam...it was nice not to party hop and be able to actually digest my feast. Emma and Ben had fun playing with their cousins and all the relatives that came to visit from Iowa and Nebraska.

Even though Laurie and Darrel are still recovering from their motorcycle accident, they did a wonderful job hosting a very memorable holiday.









Cindy did a great job helping with the planning, organizing, and cooking so that it didn't all fall on Laurie's shoulders.

On Thanksgiving evening I had to take a little detour to the Birth Center. Unfortunately, I went into preterm labor and started dilating. Thankfully they were able to get the contractions under control and I was sent home in just enough time to notice the lines forming outside all the stores Trenton and I had been planning on going to. So my husband, Diana, and Ali dutifully braved the crowds while I slept like a baby.

The next day everyone gathered to watch football. I did a little shopping of my own and actually got exactly what I was hoping for.


On Sunday we hauled out the Christmas stuff. Emma and Ben were so excited. It was fun to see which decorations Emma remembered, and which memories will be new this year.

I love the picture of Ben playing with the Creche, especially because this is the exact nativity I played with when I was his age. My mom was going to toss it because it's so beaten up- but I managed to snatch it up and I'll cherish it as one of my happiest Christmas memories.


Until next time,
Janet, Trenton, Emma, Ben, and Baby