Ella 'B'

We couldn't be more impressed with Ella's school and everything that she is learning...It really is quite remarkable. I also am so very impressed with how special her teacher makes each day in the classroom...I LOVE volunteering and LOVED volunteering in December and hearing Christmas carols playing as the kids crafted their reindeer...
On the last day before break, Ella came home with this letter in her backpack. She had written a letter to Donner at the beginning of the month and this is what she received in reply...Hers was the only letter on blue paper and I just think it's so cute...

A Christmas Tail...

Time for our annual visit to the Valley Youth Theater for their holiday production of this great show! The kids were so excited and LOVED every minute of it!

Go Lopes' Basketball

Last week Friday was GCU's employee family Christmas party, so after picking up Ella from her last day of school before holiday break, we headed down to meet Paul. After a yummy BBQ dinner, we headed over to the new arena.....

Look who we saw on the way...

The Dunns joined us for the game...
Ella has been to other games this season, so she was quite familiar with 'what' to do

Jack had a great time and this was my view everytime the Lopes were on the free throw line

Happy Birthday Nannie!

Happy Birthday (last Friday) to Nannie!!!

We wish we could have celebrated with you!

Miss you and love you!

The BBQ buddies

World's cutest bbq-ers!!!

Happy Birthday Aunt Suzie!

I am just 'a little' behind on posting.....oops!

Obviously the preparation for Auntie Suz's birthday had gotten to Ella so she needed to relax and fan herself...

Running gifts for the running superstar...

Happy Birthday Suz!

Cupcakes...season ends...

This year, the soccer season is a little different and so instead of taking a break over the holidays, the season actually ended and a new one will start in the spring...

Although the Cupcakes didn't have the best record in their division, they really showed improvement and gained confidence.

Look at the size difference in the photo below of Ela and the 'giant' on the other team

#3...Ella working hard
Cupcake cutie

Proudly examining her trophy...

What a great group of girls...

The Declaration of Independence

Ella came home with a little black stuffed cat from the prize box at school......

We asked her what she did that she was rewarded...

She said she answered a question correctly and her answer was, "the declaration of independence"

I was blown away by this.....ummmmm, it's kindergarten

Anyway....as I was taking her to school this morning, I asked her more about the question and if that was the first time she had heard about it.

Her response was, "No mommy, I learned about it a LONG time ago from 'Tom & Jerry', yesterday just cleared a few things up for me"

Ooooooooooo.......Christmas Tree

After a mere 3 hours of sleep, I popped out of bed on Friday knowing that it was decorating day!

I was excited to get the house ready for Christmas....

I decorated the tree downstairs while the kids were outside doing lights with Paul...but not before Ella placed the star!

We also placed a tree upstairs this year since the kiddos have too many ornaments to fit on their little tree! They were so excited and a bit crazy while they decorated!
Ella made sure to place all her ornaments in just the right place!

Daddy helping Logan...

Setting up their nativity scene...

So proud!

Logan got to put up this star!

All done! We then cuddled on the couch and watched "Santa Buddies"

And of course the next morning, Elfie made an appearance....

Ella drew a picture of him and the next morning, Elfie wrote the kids a note on her drawing and left the kids a present under the tree....

New jammies and slippers for both of them!

A Happy Thanksgiving

ALOT to be thankful for this year!!!!

Number one on the list.....GREAT news about my mom!

Number two....I was cancelled from work and got to spend the day with my family!!!

My little turkeys enjoying the parade and turkey crafting

Getting so big...SO thankful for these two special kids
Thankful for their personalities...

Thankful that my cousin Dan was able to spend turkey day with us!

Thankful for my sister and the yummy turkey she made!

Thankful that the guys had a new patio to spend their day sitting on!

Thankful for everything about Ella

Thankful for my family!

Thankful for wonderful people who do alot for our family!

Thankful for my mom and sister and the so thankful that I got a picture of them both SMILING!!!! (and with turkeys on their heads)

Thankful for sister suz and my nephew Jacky wacky!

Thankful that this in MY family!!!

Thankful for these guys!!!!

And their silliness!!!

Thankful that someone else in the family now enjoys taking pictures!!!!

Thankful that after this fabulous day, I was able to spend the night shopping with Team Santa!!!

I was also thankful to climb into my bed at 4am the next morning for a quick 3 hours sleep!

Park

What a treat to have Ella home from school for a whole week!

We enjoyed every day, had some playdates, and spent some time at the park....

How cute are these 'bat' kids

Monkey!
Loves the monkey bars!

Wild man on the horse

Finally riding his Thomas big wheels, although not the best at steering!