John Deere -Pink?

When I looked in Addisyn's room this afternon, this struck me as funny. Here is this girly, girly pink room with John Deere tractors all lined up. Ryan's tractors were found at Grandma's house when they were cleaning things out. Addisyn and Braelyn have drug them out several times.

Ryan & Avery's new plaything

Last Thursday, Ryan called me over to his office. He had something that he wanted to show me. I'm thinking that maybe he got paid for something extra - a big check! HA HA. A puppy showed up at school and Ryan wanted me to see it. Addisyn and Braelyn thought it was so cute. I was relieved when Ryan told me the puppy was going home with someone else. Well, Monday Ryan calls saying that the girl decided that she was too busy for a puppy. Avery has been asking for a dog since she was 3. Ryan thought this would be the perfect opportunity. So, Monday night we introduced the puppy to the girls. They are in love! The puppy has been named Noel. As far as puppies go, she is pretty good. She likes to chew on the Christmas tree, but nothing else. Lexi is adjusting. Her ears have finally came out of the laid back position. She has given the puppy a few warnings! I'm happy for Ryan and Avery - not so much for myself! I see it as having two Braelyn's. You have to make sure you know where they are at all times!

Ryan and his new baby!

Avery & Noel

Braely - didn't like this dog anymore than she likes Carla's dog, Pluto. Things have improved. She does now tolerate the puppy. I have caught the puppy biting her ankles a couple of times.

Lexi and Noel. I wonder how much Lexi likes sharing her pillow. Noel just went and made herself right at home!

More skating Pictures

Braelyn, Mine, & Addisyn

Everybody circle to the left, Everybody circle to the right. Addisyn was still singing this today 12/13! She thinks that skating is just the berries.

Braelyn was not about to be left behind. I thought it would be a disaster, but she was actually pretty good. She would not let anyone help her! Very independent.

Avery and Jacie Willison. Jacie's dad was a very good friend of Ryan's growing up and still today!

Tayloran & Emily skating party

Tayloran and Emily have celebrated their birthdays together since Kindergarten. Emily's bday is Dec. 19th and Tayloran's is the 21st. These two have been best buddies since preschool - age 3! Their friendship has blossomed over time. I must say that their sibblings are all great friends too. Leann and I think this birthday sharing is a great idea! It only hits the pocketbook 1/2 as hard! the girls have done a variety of things over the years, but this is a first for skating. Everyone had such a great time. the girls got so many great presents. Happy Birthday Tayloran and Emily!!

Johnna, Vanessa, Tayloran, Emily, and Jacie

The Birthday Girls

Party Guests

Tayloran Shea

The final product!

Decorating the Tree

The Christmas tree hunt was on last Sunday. It was pouring down rain, but our only chance to get a tree. My great husband decided to do this on his own. He calls home to tell me that they have $85 trees and then really sad trees for $48. Well, we weren't going to spend almost $100 on a tree. I prepared the girls for the worst. They were under strict rules to not complain or say anything about the tree. I was also telling this to myself as well as to them! I love a big tall, fat tree! Ryan ended up bringing the $48 tree home. It actually isn't as bad as he had predicted. He said last night that he was surprised how well it turned out. the girls had a great time decorating it.

Sunday Choir Performance

This past Sunday night, both the preschool choir and the middle school choir were supposed to sing. There are some issues in the church right now, and so only Addisyn's choir ended up singing. They sang 3 songs and did a great job. P.S. - Mine, thanks for driving all the way to hear me sing! Love, Addisyn Riley

Getting ready to go to church!

Preschool Choir

singing her little heart out!

Happy Sisters

Cooking Baking

I decided to be domestic one day last week, and Addisyn and I spent some time in the kitchen. I made chili, while she decorated cookies. Luckily, Braelyn was sleeping early and didn't wake up until we were almost done. We saved her a beater to lick, so she was content! Believe it or not, we didn't have too many sprinkles on the floor!

What a messy face!

Thanksgiving Part 2

Ryan's Dad with the kiddos and Ryan

Braelyn, Kaye, & Addisyn

Gracie & Addisyn

Gracie & Loran ( 4 months )

Thanksgiving Part 1

Thanksgiving was a whirlwind. We had dinner at Ryan's mom's house. We then went to Ryan's dad's house for a couple of minutes. We then had dinner at my Aunt Nancy's house. Then on to my mom's house to spend the night so Ryan could get up early for the football game at the U of I. Lexi was enjoying all the car riding! We definitely had a van full.



Tayloran, Addisyn, Tyra, Avery

Mommy & Braelyn

The van is full! I am ready to upgrade to the 10 passenger.

2 parents, 1 gma, 4 kids & a dog

Our fam of 6

Little Sisters

Braelyn & Addisn enjoying the harvest feast!

Harvest Feast Day at School

Instead of celebrating Halloween at school, the school celebrates the fall with a Harvest Feast. I had been told that this was a big day and it definitely was. The school was decked out for this event. All day the classes learned about the ways of the Pilgrims and Indians. They learned what kind of dances they did, games they played, how they did their laundry, crafts that they made, how to pool wool, etc. The whole 3-4 gym was set up with different learning areas. There was a huge teepee ( i have to admit, I'm not real sure how to spell that!) outside. Avery's teacher was so nice to invite the little girls and I up to take part in the day. Addisyn thought the teepee stunk! They thought they were big stuff being included! Tayloran was the only pilgrim in her class. My mom made her costume under great pressure, and just the other day I found a whole pilgrim dress and accessories that the lady had left! Whoops!

My pilgrim and Indian on their way into school

Tayloran giving a test to someone in the hallway.

Tayloran's class

Avery's class