North Pole Breakfast

 We had our first ever North Pole Breakast.  Doby our friendly elf from the North Pole brought Allie and Jack breakfast that consisted of powdered donuts and milk in two new X-mas cups, he wrote them each a personalized note and brought them each a small gift.  Allie's gift was a pair of X-mas socks and Jack's gift was a small toy that he could push cars around on. Each of them enjoyed their treats and in return Allie wrote Doby a thank you note. We also read the story of Doby to remind us of special magic and to remember to be a good boy and girl.

Allie's note to Doby: Dear Doby, thank you for the breakfast. It was delicious. Thank you very much. I enjoyed it. I am sorry my mommy knocked you over. 
Ha! I had accidentally knocked him over and only I could use a kitchen towel to quickly pick him up and put him back into the position he was. 

We hope that Doby brings us breakfast again next Christmas!

Turkey Trot 2011

 We went to the annual Turkey Trot this year.  This was our 5th year to attend and our 1st year not to have family join us. This fall, our family has all struggled with our health. My dad, brother Chad and myself have all had back problems and we are all in physical therapy. Chad is the only one whose had surgery.  This was the first year my parents were not able to be with us and this was the first year I had to manage the kids by myself while Jarod runs the 8 mile race.  
We took the train to downtown for the first time.  It was an adventure b/c it was packed but I'm glad we did it! The Turkey Trot is always packed, but this year had more people than I have ever seen. I think it was because for the most part, we had good weather.  Usually it is freezing or raining. It was cold but it's been a lot colder in year's past! Once Jarod starts I take the kids to ride ponies, petting zoo and bounce houses.  Usually there are not a lot of people around but this year it was packed. We waited in line for 30 min so Allie could get her face painted. I had a hard time snapping pictures and keeping Jack happy. By the time Allie had her face painted it was time to go and watch Jarod come by.  
The Turkey Trot was great, but I'm sure hoping our family can be with us next year. We missed them!

 Allie always runs with Jarod to the finish line...it's tradition!

Soccer Super Star and her Coach

 Allie started her 4th season of soccer this fall. She has become quite the little player and really enjoys playing.  This season we decided to switch to the YMCA in Lewisville instead of Coppell. Jarod was asked to coach because they were having a hard time finding coaches.  He had never wanted to do that just because he had never played soccer and wasn't sure what to teach them...BUT, he was a fantastic coach! He taught them to know each other and how to be a supportive teammate.  This was the first season that Allie's team were connected and got along so well. The parents were great too! Only Allie and 1 other girl had played before, but you would have never known.  Team Unicorns were undefeated for the season.  Allie average 4 goals a game and sometimes more...she is super fast on the field. I am not sure where her speed comes from, but she can fly down the field and outrun just about everyone.  
We have decided for the spring season, to switch leagues.  The YMCA is not very competitive and some of the teams Allie played against were younger (which explains some of the wins) and it wasn't fair to either team.  One team was so upset, that little boys were crying because these older girls were whipping them.  It was heartbreaking.  Jarod did such a great job, that we are trying to keep the team together in the new league!

Getting her medal from Coach Jarod

Trunk or Treat

 Every year we go to Trunk or Treat at my parent's and brother's church in Arlington.  I love going there because it's on a Sunday and because we get to see our family.  Our church is always on a Friday night and that just makes it hard to get to because of traffic and Jarod working.  
Every year they have bounce houses, games, petting zoo, lots of candy, live music and free hot dogs, nachos, drinks and popcorn! I wasn't very good at getting a lot of pictures.  It was hard keeping up with 2 this year:)

 This was Jack's first time to eat a hot dog with a bun...he LOVED it!

 Cousin Annie, Jack and Allie

 He loved the ball pit

 Cousin Karlie and Allie (never got one of Greer-he was a peanut M&M)

 My 2 favorite boys

Allie and her Mimi

A Princess and a Super Hero

 I just realized I never posted about Halloween...yikes!!!
Allie decided to be Princess Tiana from Princess and a Frog. I was most happy about this because we just happen to already have the dress! Jarod came up with the idea for Jack to be Superman since he already had a Superman shirt.  I added blue pants (which were hard to find), I already had a red cape and red bloomers to make his costume complete! Both played their characters very well. We took both of the kids trick or treating with a friend across the street.  Jack loved it once he realized he was getting candy when he held out his bag and Allie was a pro this year.  Both kids got lots of candy!

Pumpkin Patch

 Jarod and I took the kids to the pumpkin patch a few weeks ago in Flower Mound.  We go to this one every year.  It was a beautiful day and lots of people were there to enjoy it too.  Jack loved being able to run around and find pumpkins to roll, throw, or try and carry.  Allie had fun getting her face painted, going through mazes and going on the bounce houses.  They both rode the train. This was the first year Allie rode by herself.  I couldn't ride it because of my back, so Jarod rode with Jack. He was a little unsure of it at first, but he enjoyed the ride.  I think next year we will try to go earlier in the month...maybe it won't be as crowded. 

 Allie was always ready to pose...Jack was not:)

 This was the best picture we could get of both of them together

Jack's Favorite Things

 I thought since I'm behind on writing about Jack at 18 months, I would make a list of his favorite things.  It is so fun watching him change and grow. It makes me sad that he is becoming a little boy but at the same time it's so exciting! I also realized that I have not been very good at taking pictures of either kid lately so for once I don't have many to share.  
Jack's 18 month stats: 97% for both weight and height; he is 32 lbs. and 35 in. Doctor said if he continues on this path he could be anywhere from 6'2 or 6'3. 


Jack's Favorite Things:
Place: Outside-he would live outside all day if we would let him.  We just got new sod a few weeks ago and we are loving going out in our own back yard to play
Sports: Baseball right now is his favorite! He loves to swing the bat (left handed). He also recognizes football, basketball and soccer (loves watching his big Sis play)
Fruit: blueberries and bananas are his favorites right now
Meal: spaghetti or mac and cheese
Snack: cheese or yogurt-he is always getting into the fridge to get one of them!
Drink: loves water, but has now taken a liking to juice...he also loves my sweet tea when I have it
Pet: Puppies/Dogs-he is obsessed with puppies (real or pretend). He sleeps with 4 puppies and 3 blankets (ba ba's). He also loves my brothers dog Lily and calls her by name
Song: Wheels on the Bus is probably his favorite at the moment. He loves to sing and do the actions!
Shoes: he loves shoes and wearing everyone's shoes
Sunglasses: He loves to wear sunglasses even though they are way too big (they are always some one else's!
Game: Simon Says...I play this with Allie when we are outside and Jack joins in the fun! It's a great way to work on different parts of the body
Word: Again-he says this word all of the time when he likes something. It is so sweet to hear him say it. 
Words to Strangers: Bye-bye-he tells everyone everywhere we go "bye-bye" and then follows it with a "see you soon" (its all together so it's hard to understand). 
Movie/Show-Praise Baby is still a favorite, but he also loves Little Einsteins and now he is hooked on Bambi. We have a Bambi book and he saw our movie in the drawer and insisted on watching it. He sits mesmerized by the animals. He laughs at the silly parts.  
Toys: Anything that has a steering wheel or looks like it should move. He is always trying to get in the motorized carts at the grocery store!
Things that move: cars, buses, tractors, trains and planes- he loves them all and loves looking for them.  We live by DFW so we have planes fly over a lot!
People: his daddy, his sister, Mimi and Poppy-he looks out the window for Jarod and my parents all of the time. He loves going every day to get Allie from school.