Nutcracker 2013

Alia was once again a part of her dance studio's holiday production of the Nutcracker. It is turning out to be a highlight of the year for her. This year she was cast as a little lamb. I volunteered in the dressing room on dress rehearsal night and the first performance and then watched the second. I enjoyed every single minute of it. We are both already looking forward to next year. 

Alia has high hopes of being a Gingersnap!

A couple of dressing room photos

A few on stage shots ...

I don't have the performance video yet, but here is a little clip of one of their rehearsals to help you get the idea.

I would also like to note that Alia listens to the Nutcracker music every night as she falls asleep and knows which dances go with which pieces of music. The Gingersnap music is her favorite!

Thanksgiving 2013

This year we had Papaw and Mimi in town for Thanksgiving. I was so excited that our new dining room table that was supposed to be back ordered until January, got delivered the Monday before Thanksgiving. It was perfect. We started as we always do ...

We had cinnamon rolls for breakfast and welcomed back our elf "Besh".

He brought us the Elf Story DVD this year which was a pretty big hit. 

Then we got out all of the Christmas decorations and started putting up the tree ... The fake tree that we've had for about 8 years now. The one that we keep saying we are going to get rid of because a huge section of the lights that are on the tree are burnt out (and have been for a good four years). But, not it's like a part of the family. It made the move with us, so up it went!

The kids were very helpful hanging up ornaments. Max liked to put his all in one spot.

Alia liked the fancy, sparkly ones.

The mostly finished product. Some new ornaments and artwork has been added in recent days :-)

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care ... Until we bumped into them, nearly decapitated Mimi and broke the stocking holders. No worries, 3M hooks to the rescue!

Hangin out with Papaw

We did an early Christmas with Papaw and Mimi. Alia got stocked up on Doc McStuffins gear.

Max of course, was thrilled to get some new cars (and other stuff too)!

The last day of Pre-K before Thanksgiving break, I went in to volunteer to help with their "feast". It was actually very cool. The kids helped prep all of the food.

I was the fruit salad station. Here are some of Alia's friends worked hard on slicing and chopping (with butter knives). 

The also made butter and pumpkin pudding. The practiced table manners the previous week and did family style snacks. Her teachers are just amazing and this group of kids pretty much rocks!

Max sporting his Thanksgiving shirt

This is possibly the best picture ever taken of Dad and me.

Unfortunately during Dad and Deb's visit, Jason had to fly back to Indy for his uncle's funeral. It worked out nicely that I had some extra help with the kids. (Alia had her Nutcracker performances, more on that later.) However, he did miss out on yet another amazing dinner at Toro Bravo. We got a babysitter and then ate ourselves into a coma! 

Big Moments for the Grown-up Douglas's

Yes, I realize I am WAY behind on my blogging, but to say that we have been busy would be a huge understatement. 2013 has been a big year for us and November kept with the theme ...

On Veteran's Day I ran a 5k with Vets 4 Vets. 

If you don't already know about this organization that I am involved with, check it out http://www.vets4vetsnw.com/ 

It was a really big deal, because running is not my thing and I even managed to get a pretty decent time. I'm considering investing in actual running shoes so that I am ready, willing and able to do similar runs in the future. 

November 15, 2013 marked the 10 year anniversary of our first day. That weekend, we splurged, got a babysitter and headed downtown overnight. It was awesome!

November 2013 also marked the end of an era. We traded in Jason's truck that he'd had for 12 years and got a minivan! We miss the truck, but we love the van.

Christmas List

Here is Alia's list for Santa ... written almost entirely by herself! I am so proud. 

I'll decode it for you below. Some are a little tricky! 

This is for SANTA ... so don't run out and start shopping :-)

1. Scooter

2. Doc area (Doc McStuffins check up center)

3. Lambie (from Doc)

4. Stuffie (from Doc)

5. Minnie with Pom Poms

6. Vanity (there was a cute little one in the Toys R Us catalog)

7. Robe

8. Ariel light up doll

9. Mermaids

10. Guitar

Happy Halloween

We had an absolutely wonderful Halloween this year! 

Here are some pictures to of just SOME of the fun we had.

The kiddos helped Mommy and Daddy carve pumpkins. They were very thick, tricky pumpkins to carve so the grown-ups had to do most of the work.

The big girls made Rice Krispie treat pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns during Max's nap time earlier that week. Making and decorating them is just as fun as eating them!

Halloween breakfast - pumpkin shaped pancakes and oranges :-)

On Halloween, Mommy got to spend some time in Alia's pre-k classroom. I was in charge of the "game/activity" center. We played a witch hat ring toss game (seen on the floor in this picture), pin the nose on the jack-lantern and a Halloween freeze dance. The kids were fabulous and we all had a lot of fun.

We had pretty darn good weather on Halloween night. Daddy took a few minutes to rake the leaves onto the curb before we started off to trick or treat and the kids had a great time running and jumping in them.

Alia was a beautiful, purple butterfly.

Silly dance

Max was a brave fire fighter.

Here are our carved pumpkins along with some that we painted.

We did a lot of art projects leading up to Halloween. We hung many of them in the front window and used them as decorations.

Our only bummer of the whole day was that on the way home from trick or treating, an excited little girl walking in the dark tripped and bonked her head. After hugs, kisses, an ice pack and a few treats she felt much better. 

Purple Cow

Enjoy this ridiculously adorable video of Alia singing a song she learned at school.
I watch it every time I need to smile :-)

Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday, we enjoyed a beautiful afternoon at the pumpkin patch. We really lucked out with the weather. We were even lucky enough to run in to the Helbing family there. We hung out and then all went to Old Chicago for dinner afterwards.

Alia shocked us and decided that she wanted to do a pony ride. She loved it and kept asking to do it again!

All the pictures of Max from this trip are action shots. He was operating at full speed!

There were fun slides ...

hay mazes

 a field full of pumpkins, 

and a cow train ride!