Things I forgot

I found these pictures on my camera and thought they deserved being posted.  I still need to post blogs about:

Dakota's First Soccer Season

Thanksgiving

Christmas Decorating
More Videos of Dakota reciting Scripture

before Christmas so I don't get too behind. But...I'm not holding my breath and you shouldn't either :)  Enjoy these photos that didn't get posts of their own.

The kids graduated car seats.  That's always a big deal especially for the one that's been looking at the back for a year.  Dakota was thrilled to move to a booster and it makes life MUCH easier getting her in and out. 

We stopped by a fall festival at a church near us on Halloween Eve Eve and Dakota wanted her face painted.  It took about 45 minutes to wait in line and then she said she didn't want it done any more.  I told her she was getting her face painted after me & grammy she waited that long.  Since Gigi likes cats so much that's what she got on her face.  She sure does make a cute one! 

Oliver, Stetson and crew came for Corban's birthday and we got to take them to the zoo.

I found my son in the bed like this one day after Jacob put him down for a nap.  It was warm so Jacob just put him in the crib with only a diaper on.  Guess that was too much for Corban.  Luckily I caught him before we had a situation on hand.

She looks like an angel when she sleeps.

I took Dakota to see Veggie Tales Live with her friend Sydney.  It was a lot of fun and I think she really enjoyed it.  Who doesn't love a ginormous dancing asparagus??  I hope to take her to more shows this coming year.  Especially Beauty & the Beast at the Orpheum since that is one of her favorite movies right now.

Pierced and Pampered

Dakota has been asking to get her ears pierced since before her birthday in August and we kept telling her that we would take her.  Over Thanksgiving we were at the mall with my cousin Jess and her daughter Harlie who is 3 months younger than Dakota.  We walked by the Piercing Pagoda and I said, "ooo we could get your ears pierced now Dakota!"  Long story short, Dakota chickened out but Harlie got hers done instead.  Ha.  I was a little disappointed, not because Dakota didn't get her ears pierced but because I don't want her being afraid of things...especially things I know she really wants.  However, when I know Dakota is scared of something, overcomes her fears and does it anyway, I beam with pride.  Anyway, she has been telling us since that day that she never wants to get her ears pierced until this past Thursday.  Out of the blue she said she wanted them done so I figured I should cease the opportunity and take her.  She also needed a haircut but it's always so hard to chop those pretty golden locks.  So...we went to Sweet & Sassy and took care of both.  What a cute place.  She got her hair cut first and they sprayed it with glitter and a fragrance of her choice (she chose cupcake) and then we did the ears.  I could tell she was a little nervous but she did so great.  She cried a little and told me she never wanted to do it again (which currently she thinks if she wants to change earrings then she has to get them repierced - we'll cross that bridge in 6 weeks).  She got to pick out 2 lollipops and we headed to the grocery store where I proceeded to smash her finger in a grocery cart.  She forgot about her ears hurting...

 Her hair was starting to get really long and stringy and very hard for me to comb so we took off about 2" and it looks MUCH healthier now (forgot to take an after picture).  She's only every had 1 other real hair cut and that was a year ago.

 Watching the Incredibles.

 Little man enjoyed a lollipop while he waited.  I wanted to get him a hair cut too but I figured Jacob would shoot me if I got his son's hair cut at a place call "Sweet & Sassy."  Guess we'll go to Sports Clips and rid him of his mullet.

 Checking out the puppy's earrings while she waits for hers.

 So proud of you baby girl!!

Classic: Daddy's Helpers

This picture was taken in "stealth" mode.  I was hiding on the porch watching my family work in the yard together...my heart was smiling even though Dakota once told me that "hearts don't smile."  I love watching my husband interact with the kids (and dog) no matter what the activity.  Here they were planting our orchard - 4 apple trees and 2 plum trees.  When they bear fruit in a few years, I'll be able to look back at this picture and remember this sweet Friday afternoon.

Classic: Filling Daddy's Shoes

Shutterfly Sees Big Picture

Yep, Shutterfly sees the big picture this Christmas season...it's all about GIVING!  On cyber Monday I started designing my Christmas cards on Shutterfly trying to get a killer deal...there were so many cute options to choose from that I spent all of my kids' naptime looking and never ordered them.  I'm glad I waited because now I will get 50 of them for FREE for sharing their greatness with you!  My favorites are the religious cards because I want my receipients to know that Jesus is the reason I am celebrating CHRISTmas.  Hmmm...which one will I choose??

I'm terrible about getting pictures printed but Shutterfly makes it so easy!  You just upload your photos, select what you want and have them shipped to you.  You can even incorporate your photos into gifts.  I could really use one of these since my scrap piece of paper isn't doing the trick...

And since I just started drinking coffee I could use one of these with pictures of my kids to remind me of why I need coffee to get through the day (kidding)... 

 And I love a good puzzle.  They remind me of my childhood.  Grammy likes to do puzzles too.  Maybe I'll get her one of these one day...

And last, my favorite are their photo books.  They are cheaper/quicker/easier than scrapbooking.  My cousin has tons of these and it makes me want to go back and document the last 3 years of Dakota's life since I never got past her 1 month birthday in her scrapbook.  You can also make them for trips and holidays or any special event... 

So if you're still looking for any Christmas cards or Christmas gift ideas don't forget Shutterfly this December.  They really are a great deal and I love a company that's willing to SHARE.  Have a blog and want some cards too??  Go here ASAP.  Now...if only the USPS would do a promotion for free stamps I'd be set!