Recital Time Again!

December 11th was Paige's Christmas Dance Recital! They danced to "Sleigh Ride" and they all did so well and were so cute!! After a wonderful performance, we took Paige to Applebee's (her choice) where she had her "usual" of grilled cheese and fries! Wish I had been feeling better...December really got away from me between work and a bad sinus infection...but glad the recital went well!

Strangers in the night...

Well the old Frank Sinatra tune has taken on a whole new meaning after what happened last night...after retiring for bed around 11 pm...the house was still and quiet (for a while that is)...Nolan had his usual "middle of the night" insomnia and got up for a banana and milk. He usually goes and lays on the love seat for a while, but Paige had fallen asleep on the love seat, so he went and laid on the sofa in the living room. About that time, Paige had woken up and I had gotten up to use the bathroom. Nolan told Paige to go back to sleep, but instead of going back to the love seat, she went downstairs to her room. I had no sooner got situated back in bed when I heard Paige come bolting up the stairs in a panic.

She ran into our room saying that there was a man looking at her through the window. Of course, I assumed she was just dreaming...but when Nolan heard all this, he came running back into our room. He opened our door that goes on to the back deck. After looking around for a minute...he ran back in and got dressed and ran out the front door. I then opened the deck door up and I could here him questioning some guy...I yelled out to him if I should call the sheriff...and he said no. By this time, I could see a car parked in our vacant lot (behind out house)...so I jumped in my vehicle and drove around out back. I was surprised to see a "kid" of about 18. He apparently did not know where he was or what he was doing here (or so he told Nolan)...he had lost his phone and keys. So...Nolan let him use his cell phone to call his mom...and then we waited...

Finally after about 30 min. his mom and dad showed up. After briefly talking to him (and apologizing to us) they all left (with his mom driving his car)...next day...Nolan found his keys on our basketball court. He called the mom who filled in more of the story. She said he said he had been out in PW with  couple of girls (who had his phone and wallet, btw)...decided he shouldn't be driving and pulled into our lot. He says he knew Taylor (though she does not remember him), and that he was going to tap on her window to see if she could/would help him. Well, Taylor used to be in Paige's room, but they switched rooms about a year ago. So I guess when he saw that he had frightened Paige, he took off running (might have been when he lost his keys)....

Anyway...the rest is history...I'm just glad there wasn't a crazed madman outside Paige's bedroom window, LOL!

Paige's "sweet" heart...

 A couple weeks ago, the kids and I headed up to Canon City to see Pops. It was my birthday and I hadn't seen my dad for several weeks. We had a great visit...in fact, it was one of the best birthdays ever. Anyway...it had been a while since dad had seen the kids too...and for whatever reason (I think with dad, it's a "just because" reason) he gave each of the kids a $20 bill. It was completely unexpected and the kids were pretty psyched about it. Of course, Taylor needed gas money and used it for gas and to have lunch with her friends. Then...Chase, well...he'd been saving for a new Xbox game and he finally had enough money to buy it. Now Paige...well...she never said a word about it. I did ask her the other day where her $20 was...and she told me that it was in her wallet.

I hadn't thought too much about it until yesterday. I heard the bus pass by, so I went to the front door to wait for Paige. I saw her coming down the street happily swinging a very large white plastic bag. When she got to the door...she was just beaming from ear to ear. I asked her what was in the bag and she told me that she had bought Christmas gifts for everyone (at school)...I asked her how she paid for it and she told me that she had used the money that Grandpa had given her. OMG...what a testiment to a truly selfless heart...a sweet little girl who's always thinking of others and who's heart is in the right place.

I can't even begin to describe how very proud I am of her...how my heart  just beams from her kindness. She never asked us for money to spend at the school xmas store...and never thought of herself. She only thought of making Chrismas special for all of us...

Dirty Cat!!

I swear...we should have named Luckee Lou, D.C. (Dirty Cat)...I have actually seen her with my own eyes...go outside and roll in a pile of dirt. I have never seen a cat do this before...but she does it all the time. Now Jordan (our other cat) is so meticulously clean it's hilarious. So here you have it...Dirty Cat:

Turkey Day 2010!!

Can't believe we're past Thanksgiving already and it's less than a month before Christmas! It's been a great week! I got Wed. and Thur. off...I went to the store Monday and finished my TG shopping...Tuesday, I was sooooooo busy at work trying to get everything done in 2 days instead of 4...then Wed., of course, I spent in TG prep...made pumpkin and pecan pies...cranberries...got my yams boiled and ready...and got the stuffing made with the help of Nolan and crew, LOL!

For the first time in years...when I got up Thursday morning...the turkey was actually thawed (that extra day really helped)...got it stuffed and in the oven by 8:45 a.m....

We had a pretty relaxed day...just lounging and watching episodes of Sunny! Dinner ended up a little later than planned, but it was delish!!  Erica and Emily came for dinner too! And...Chase learned how to carve a turkey! Love the Premium Select Turkeys from King Soopers...they're the best! Anyway...after dinner, we watched Planes, Trains and Automobiles (of course...not TG would be complete without watching that movie, LOL)...

The only thing that could have made it better would be if Jimmy could have come home for TG...

46 Big Ones!!

Well...November 19th, marked another year and a fantabulous Birthday "day"!! Started with a Happy Birthday text from Tim (at 4:30 a.m. I might add)...a tad early, but completely expected from Tim, LOL...

Then...I had to meet Nolan at his office as we had an appt with our financial planner at 10 a.m....from there, Nolan took me out for a bday lunch to Red Lobster...it was soooooo good, and they even brought me dessert and sang Happy Birthday to me, LOL!!

After a brief stop at home, the kids and I headed up to see Pops! OMG...I love my dad so much...he is the bomb!! LOL Had a couple beers and a wonderful conversation with him and Kay! It was just the best afternoon ever!! Since I had a couple drinks, I let Taylor drive us home...yikes...that girl has a lead foot, LOL!

After we got home, I barely had time to change before heading off to Pete's for a dinner party. Bless his heart...Pete cooked a wonderful meal for my bday. He had steamed mussels, tilapia, fresh vegies and salad...yummmmmm!!

Oh...and Michelle stopped by earlier (before we went to dad's) and brought me a card and a beautiful autumn bouquet of flowers...and the kids got me the entire collection of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"!!

What a great day!! :)

Ready to Rock & Roll...

Last Sunday, when I got home from church, I stopped in the driveway to pick up the newspaper/mail. Like I always do, I left my vehicle running and the driver's side door open while I ran over to the mailbox. Well, to my surprise when I got to the mailbox, I notices a pack of 4 dogs running loose around the cul-de-sac. They ran past me, but seemed friendly enough and on their way they went. However, when I got back to my car...one of the dogs decided to take up residence in my Expedition...and he was obviously ready to "go"...it was too cute: