Happy Birthday Pam!

 My sister Pam and I were born less than two years apart. We have always been close and for the last few years have shared a house. She will always be my little sister and I can not believe that she is 60. (I can't believe that I am almost 62).

 It was so nice that her birthday fell on Sunday this year. I took her to breakfast and Lori, Mariah and Kianna joined us. We spent most of the day at Lori's house and watched two videos. "Step-up Revolution" and "The House At The End Of The Street". We went to Joe's Crab Shack for dinner and it was delicious.

We ended the day with gifts and cake. 

Happy Birthday Pam!

Happy New Year 2013

One of our traditions on New Year's Eve is to dress up and go out to dinner. This year Kianna had surgery on December 27th to repair a hole in her eardrum. She developed an allergy to medicines they used on her skin during surgery and had to go to the doctor. They gave her another medicine.

The girls dressed up and we drove to Tempe and had dinner at Joe's Crab Shack. The food was amazing, but they sat us at a table near the door. Seated at a nearby table were the rudest children that I have ever seen. They kept going out the door to the playground and every time the door was opened a blast of cold air came in. They would take one bite of food and rush outside. Two minutes later they were back for one more bite. It is so sad to see children (about 7 and 9) that have no restaurant manners and the parents did not care. By the time we left we were shivering.

We came home and warmed up by the fire. We took lots of pictures.

Caeli and Kianna changed into pajamas and we celbrated the new year.

Pam had picked up a couple of cans of silly string and the girls had so much fun with it.

Caeli and Mariah took aim at each other.

It was freezing out but the girls went out to light sparklers.

Kianna decorated me. I love that child so much. She has been through so many medical procedures and just accepts all that she has to go through. She has a 40% hearing loss due to problems with both ears. She will have to have another surgery in about 6 weeks. I hope this will be the last.

Encore & Teen Holdiay Party

On Sunday afternoon the Encore and Teen dance groups held a Christmas get together at Michelle and Bill Swift's home. The girls made blankets to bring to competitions. (it gets very cold and they wrap themselves in them to keep warm)

All the moms came to the party. Pam and I were included because we have helped with their fundraising. Everyone made their own pizzas. Kianna had so much fun rolling out the dough.

Hayley and Caeli trying to decide which topping they want.

Mariah ready to bake hers.

The Encore girls in the back; Gabby, Mariah, Brynlie, Kayla, and Hayley.

The Teen girls in front; IQ and Caeli. Angelina could not make it.

Everyone had a wonderful time!

Christmas 2012

Christmas Eve was a beautiful day in Arizona. We were up early. Wanted to get the DVD "Pitch Perfect" for the girls and it was sold out everywhere. We finally found a copy at Target and were out early to pick it up. Got some holiday food and headed home. Lori met us there to load all the gifts in the car. Brittany (and Vicki) had the girls spend the night and go to the zoo this morning. We went out to lunch with Lori and then headed home to change. 

Brittany dropped Caeli and Kianna off and Mariah headed to have dinner with her other family. Lori and the girls went to mass and Pam and I started dinner.

Caiti, Stephen and Madelyn came over for dinner. We sat down to eat and enjoyed Lori's delicious dinner and the company.

The girls love Caiti so much and enjoy spending time with her and Stephen

Stephen's brother, Danny joined us after work. He played with his phone distorting faces and the girls loved it.

Mariah came back and joined us. They left at 11 and Kia had fallen asleep on the chair.

We took pictures and woke Kia up. She baked cookies for Santa and then the girls sprinkled reindeer food on the grass (glitter and oatmeal). When Santa spots the glitter, his reindeer know to stop. The girls have been doing that every year and love it.

Christmas morning... the girls slept until 9 and then came down to check out the loot. Every year Santa brings them each a nutcracker to add to their collection.

Kianna loves Lego Friends and has collected most of the city. She was so excited to get the summer riding camp.

Caeli got new bedding.

Mariah got lots of clothes.

The place was a mess, the girls were happy, Christmas was wonderful!