School Pictures

Ok, I know I'm way behind on my blogging, but I'm working on it. Still to come, 4th birthday, Disneyland, and Christmas. But for now, here are the photos that were taken on picture day at the girls' preschool.

Katie Pie

This weekend we were talking to the girls about going to Disneyland and getting Mickey Ears hats with our names written on them. We asked Kate/Katelyn which name she would rather have written on her hat. She seemed a little unsure before settling on Katelyn, so we started joking about other names that we could put on her hat.

I suggested: cutie patootie, Princess Kate, Queen Kate, cutie pie Kate, etc.

So when Kate suggested Katie Pie Poo-shay, instead of Touchet, I laughed so hard I cried.

Christmas Lights are up!

We went to see Christmas lights this weekend with the Dodson family and Michelle McFarlane and her nephews. We made several stops, including Bob's Christmas Wonderland in La Mesa, which we found out doesn't open until Dec. 13th. We managed to get photos of Starlight Circle in Santee though. Here we are!

The whole gang


Michelle McFarlane, Kelly Dodson, me (Kris), and Emma "I'm an airplane!" Touchet


The Dodson, McFarlane, & Touchet kids

Happy Thanksgiving!

Emma singing the 50 states in alpha order

The girls learned this song at school, but Emma is the only one who will sing it on command, especially with a camera pointed at her.

It's more like 54 or 55 states, because there are a couple of repeats in there. We thought it was cute anyway. We've been trying to post it for days, but the file was too big. Thankfully, we were able to load it on YouTube and then link it to our blog.

Bates Nut Farm

Since Oma's didn't have any pony rides, we just had to make the drive up to Bates.

Carnival & Oma's Pumpkin Patch

We went to the Konnor Dodson's school carnival on Friday night and then went to Oma's Pumpkin Patch on Saturday with the cousins. We had a good time but got really dirty!

Lashes & Freckles

I just love Kate's lashes and Emma's freckles!

Announcing Noah Touchet!

Edited for photo & new info....he's HUGE!
We have a new nephew, Noah Lucas Touchet! He was born last night weighing 9lbs 7oz. and 22.5 inches long! We hear that mom and baby are healthy, but we imagine mom is probably a bit tired. Congratulations Paul & Amy! We can't wait to see some pictures and meet the little guy!

Spookley the Square Pumpkin

Spookley is huge in our house every year at this time. We watch it just about every day. Over. And over. And over. It is definitely not my favorite cartoon to watch, but the girls just adore it. It has a couple of cute songs that they sing along with and dance to, so as mommy, of course I think that's adorable. So at least Spookley has that going for it. Unfortunately, it probably won't be until mid-December when I can finally convince the kids to put this DVD away until next year.

I gotta say though, when it comes to kid-friendly Halloween shows, Spookley still beats any Peanuts Gang show. Have you watched those lately? I remember them being so great as a kid, but watching them as an adult now? It's actually shocking how bad they are. We've come a long way with kids shows since the 70s!

Parents, if you have any good recommendations for good kid's holiday shows, whether they be Halloween, Christmas, or whatever, I'd love to hear them!

Cruise Photos

We're back

Eric & I are back from our weekend Al B. Sure DreamTrip cruise to Ensenada. We'll have photos to share shortly. Al B and his family are all really friendly. His son, 'Lil B. Sure sang back-up at the concert on Friday night. On Saturday we got to hang out with the whole B. Sure family in the karaoke bar where they all took turns performing a few more songs!

The ship itself was really wobbly. We didn't get sick, but I still feel like I'm rocking back and forth, even sitting in a chair.

It didn't feel like a long enough vacation until we started thinking too much about missing the girls. They were as excited to see us as we were to see them. We spent yesterday playing with them so much that we actually wore them out before wearing us out! That was a first.

So Proud

I promised the girls that I would put their most current art project up on their bedroom door (the fridge is full). So I did it while they were outside eating a popsicle. When they came back inside and saw their door, Kate said "Mommy, you did it! I'm so proud of you!"

My Grammy is really cute

Sunday evening I had this conversation with the girls.

Emma: "My Grammy is really cute."
Kris: "Yes, she is, isn't she?"
Emma: "And, smart and brave and strong too." (taps head with pointer finger & flexes arm muscle)
Kate: "Yeah, she's really cute!" (grins)
Kris: "You both love your Grammy, don't you?"
Kate & Emma: "Yeah, we really do. Soooo much!"

They are very excited to have Grammy over for a sleepover for the whole weekend while Mommy & Daddy take a little trip. Mommy & Daddy are excited too! We know the girls will be in great hands! Thanks Mom!

Grandpa Tom & Grandma Susan visit

Grandpa Tom & Grandma Susan were in town from Texas this weekend for Susan's niece's wedding. We got to visit with them for a couple of days and really enjoyed it. Since we don't get to see them very often, we have to make the most of our time together. Kate & Emma loved the extra attention. We're all looking forward to another visit at Christmas.

Dance Class

It's been 3 weeks since dance class started, and the girls love it! They are in a 2-3 year old class of tap and ballet. Kate & Emma appear to be the biggest and oldest girls in the group. Before class started on their first day, their classmate, Zoey, introduced herself and exchanged hugs and kisses with each girls. Zoey has beautiful red hair, which the girls say makes her look like Ariel. Zoey & Emma frequently sit next to each other and hold hands throughout class. Their teacher, Miss Kristen, is great and makes learning a lot of fun. She taught the girls how to scuff their tap shoes on the ground so they wouldn't be so slippery on the dance floor. We can't wait to see what Miss Kristen has planned for the recital in January!

Knott's Berry Farm

We took the kids to Knott's on Saturday. It was hot but we had a great time. Emma laughs and giggles on all the rides, no matter how fast, but Kate was white knuckling most of them, even the Camp Snoopy rides. However, she pleaded to go on the Log Ride, twice! Here are a few photos of the day.Under the waterfall at Camp Snoopy entrance

Driving a big rig

School? I thought we were going on rides!?

Racing down the Red Baron

Putting on a "show"

We had the Dodson family over for dinner and the kids put on a "show" for us! Kira Dodson (age 11) organized & choreographed it, and Konnor Dodson, Katelyn & Emma (all age 3) starred in it. What a crack up!

August Photos

Emma picked flowers at Auntie Erin's

I love my sister

Living Room Fort

Mamma Mia Mania!

"Mamma Mia, here I go again. My, my, how can I resist you?"

I have seen Mamma Mia a total of three times now, and I love it a little more each time. Three times! Ladies, if you haven't seen it yet, you need to go. You'll love it! If you need a friend to go with you, give me a call and I'll see it again! Its fun, adorable, campy, and covered in glitter. I laugh, I cry, I sing the songs all day long. A friend gave me a copy of the cd this morning and I've had it on continuous loop all day. I will be buying my DVD copy as soon as it comes out, which I hope won't be too much of a wait. I don't think its possible for me to get sick of this movie.

Go Team USA!

The Olympics are very popular in our house. In fact, instead of being a World Ventures Widow, I am now an Olympics Widow. I made the terrible mistake of turning off the tv while we were getting the kids ready to leave the house, thus depriving Eric of precious seconds worth of viewing time. Thankfully, I was rescued by my favorite invention, the DVR. Each night, the Olympics air from 8pm-midnight, so eventually I shuffle off to bed by myself and hear Eric's muffled cheers as Michael Phelps wins another gold medal, knowing that he'll fill me in on the USA's wins and losses the next day. So, go Team USA! You're only here every 2 years and I can have my husband back when you're over.

Kris & I are talking about scheduling another cruise - with none other than Al B. Sure! We're gonna rock out 80's style! He's part of the same business that I work with called World Ventures. It's part business, part travel Club. If you don't know what it is check this website out. www.DreamTrips4You.WorldVenturesDreamTrips.com

So on another note...Kris signed the girls up for a dance class starting next month with a recital in January. We just got their little leotards & tights and still have shoes to buy. Emma is super excited, but Kate isn't quite so sure yet. However, they are already creating their own little "crazy dances" as they call them, which is them shaking their booty's, pointing their fingers, and laughing. We can't wait to post some dancing pictures for all to see.

Our Family Blog!

I love checking in on the blogs of friends and family, so maybe you'll feel the same way about mine. Anyway, I'm new to this and bound to make several faux pas, so bear with me while I figure this out. Feel free to leave me comments too, cause I can't wait to read them and hear from you!