A Future Taylor Swift

Zoe has been telling us for a long time that she's going to be a singer one day.  Now, she's completely obsessed with taking guitar lessons in the future, too.  Check out the concert she put on for me and her Daddy recently:

Thanksgiving 2011

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with

thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Phillippians 4:6

I have to admit that this past Thanksgiving has been the most enjoyable in recent memory.  Both Mark and I were off of work for the week (well...I worked on Monday) and we actually got to spend some time together with just the two of us.  Scary, huh?  On Tuesday, November 22, 2011, the Kindergarten classes at Stoner Creek put together a Thanksgiving program for the parents complete with a Thanksgiving "snack" and then we had creative centers in each classroom.  I know that Mark and I were just thankful to be there and enjoy our time at Zoe's school.  Most of the time we're completely rushed and I feel like we're rushing through life; therefore, it was definitely nice to actually get to slow down and "smell the roses" so to speak.  You have to check out Zoe's classmates because they are all just too cute and they are just sweet, sweet kids:

Maddie

Sage

Maddie, Sage, Zoe, Ella & Nathan

My beautiful, beautiful girl!

We love you, Zoe, and we're so proud of you!

This little guy holds a special, special place in my heart!

We love you, Dane!

And you have to check out the performance......

After the program, Mark and I actually got to go out for lunch together and then we came  home and got the Christmas tree and decorations put up so when Zoe got home from school, she could put the ornaments on the tree.  Check out our beautiful girl placing the first ornament on the tree:

Zoe placing the first ornament on the tree - our family ornament

Our family ornament for 2011

Our decorated tree

On Wednesday I started cooking some things so I wouldn't have so much to do on Thursday, which ended up being a wise decision.  On Thursday I really didn't have a ton of stuff to do and I have to admit that I outdid myself on our dinner this year.  Well, at least my husband and Zoe girl think I did and that's what matters, right?  After I got everything cleaned up I tried for HOURS to get a little nap in so I wouldn't be up for hours on end because I got to have my annual tradition and shop with my bestie on Black Friday.  I think I was just too excited to go out shopping with this girl:

Waiting in line at Target.....let the madness begin!

And boy did we ever shop!  We started at 10:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving night and didn't get back until 10:30 a.m. Friday morning!  We had an absolute ball and there is no person that I would rather shop with!  And to continue with the being thankful part?  I'm thankful for a friend like Shelley who accepts me for me and is always there for me no matter what!  God truly knew I needed her and placed in her my life at just the right time.

After I got home, Daddy got to go hunt down at the cabin so it was just the girls that night.  Zoe and I were both in bed by 7:00 p.m. and we didn't get up until 7:30 a.m. on Saturday!  I'd say we needed the sleep....wouldn't you?  Daddy came back home on Saturday afternoon and then we just spent the rest of the afternoon as a family hanging around the house and enjoying each other.  On Sunday, Shelley and I continued our tradition and saw this movie:

It was great and we loved it!  Of course, Mark was awesome and actually took Zoe (along with Mr. Chris and the twins) to see this movie:

And my girl LOVED it!  She hasn't stopped quoting lines from the movie since she saw it!  Ha!  Who knew she would like something that has come back from mine and Mark's childhood?!?  I think it's awesome!

If you've read my Blog for any amount of time, you know I always have to be serious for a moment and be thankful.  I'm most thankful for my wonderful husband and my beautiful daughter.  I'm thankful for wonderful parents who are the best Nana & Papa in the world and make sure my little girl is so loved.  I'm thankful that Mark and I have good jobs and can provide a roof over our heads and have plenty to eat.  I'm thankful that we both got good results on our yearly physicals and that we're healthy.  I'm thankful my parents are healthy and that Mark's Dad is healthy.  I'm thankful for Uncle Poopy and Aunt Patty and many, many more things.  I'm especially thankful that we live in the best country in the world and can worship freely.  I'm thankful for God and that he sent his only son Jesus to die on the cross so I can be forgiven for being the imperfect individual I am.

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

2 Corinthians 9:15

The Vow

Bring your Kleenex!

The Hunger Games

I seriously can't wait to see this movie!

Happy Halloween

On Halloween night we actually went over to the Riggs' house to do a little trick or treating because they have a great neighborhood and, well, we just love being with them.  Anyway, I'm so thankful they put up with us.  Check out the pics of our fun and of my beautiful Sleeping Beauty!

Halloween Partying at the Riggs

My bestie Shelley had her annual Halloween party on Saturday before Halloween since Halloween actually fell on a Monday.  It's hard to "party" during the week with kids and schedules so I was so thankful she chose to do it like this.  It's scary at times how much we actually think alike!  Ha!  Zoe was a fairy, Anna & Ashlyn were football players, Mr. Chris was their Coach and Shelley was the ref, Morgan and McKenna didn't really dress up.....and Mark and I were Dog the Bounty Hunter and his wife, Beth.  I think we nailed you....don't you?!?

Dress Up Day for Halloween

On Friday of spirit week everyone was allowed to wear their Halloween Costumes.  I didn't think that was a great idea for a child in Kindergarten to stay in a costume all day so we just dressed in Halloween attire.  I managed to snap one cute pic before my girl demanded to have a "silly" pic.  Silly girl......

Wacky Tacky Day....And An Award!

In the week leading up to Zoe's Fall Carnival at school, they had spirit week where they dressed up different each day.  My girl wasn't really into some of the things they chose; however, I did talk her into participating in Wacky Tacky Day.  Let me rephrase that....I managed to get my girl to let me spray her hair pink for the day and that's as "wacky" as Zoe likes to get.  What can I say?  She loves her hair and likes to be dressed perfectly. I can't imagine where she gets that one from?  Can you?

Mark and I had received notice that Zoe would be getting an award on that day as well.  We didn't tell her about it because we want it to be a surprise.  She had no idea and was completely shocked when Mommy & Daddy were there to see her get the award.  It was so special.  I'm sure you're wondering what award she received?  She received "Most Responsible."  I'm sure that also surprises some of you!  Ha!  Way to go Zoe girl!  Mommy & Daddy couldn't be more proud of you!

Zoe's First Report Card

We really stress the importance of academics in this house and I feel like my girl has grasped a love of learning because of it.  She has done extremely well so far this year and she got perfect marks for her first 9 week in Kindergarten!  Check it out because I'm one proud Mama (Daddy's pretty proud, too)!