Farewell 2009, Hello 2010

Cheers - with our sparkling white grape juice - from the Jobes!
We ended up staying in and celebrating together as a family. We played a couple of games of Die Siedler Von Catan (Settlers of Catan - I saw the English version at a couple of places before Christmas, you should pick it up, great game!). We toasted and celebrated with the East Coast just in case someone falls asleep (mainly Jason or Peyton) before we hit midnight.

A few highlights - In this past decade, we added a baby (Peyton in October of 2000) and a dog (Eddie in December 2003), Mackenzie went through Elementary and Middle Schools and started Junior High. In 2009 we built and moved into our new home, Peyton made a smooth transition to a new school and Mackenzie's good health for the past couple of months of 2009 makes us very happy . Every day is a gift and we share them with so many wonderful friends. We can't wait to see what great things 2010 brings.

Happy New Year!

December 2 (+27 Days)

Jason proposed during the Lights of the Ozarks on the Fayetteville Square 13 years ago on December 2. Tradition normally finds us there every December 2 but this year, something came up and we didn't make it - namely, THE Science Fair Project. So, Jason surprised us and took us tonight...it was beautiful with a little snow still on the ground from Christmas.
First, pizza at Tiny Tim's.

Then lights and pictures.

I was going to skip the Razorback picture this year but Mackenzie pointed out that we "always" take one.

Here is an article about my friend Mitzi and her proposal on the Square.

Merry Christmas 2009

My Dream for CF

Video posted by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. I have the privilege of working with Charlotte (featured on the video) to raise funds for Trey, Mackenzie and all the other patients, bravely fighting cystic fibrosis everyday.

ACH Performance

The girls and their dance teams got to perform at Arkansas Children's Hospital yesterday. Both girls were excited but Mackenzie was practically beaming all day knowing that she was going to get to perform at a place that has been so good to her.
I braved the big Dilly Dally's 50% off sale so I could get some things to take down to their toy drive (thanks Sara H. for sending toys with us too!).

You all know from this past summer how much I love these words that you walk under upon entering ACH. Normally when we have Mackenzie there we are rushing in and out and I've never snapped her picture with them.

All of the girls did a great job performing. There weren't many patients in the lobby but they were filming them dance and broadcasting it to the clinics and the patient rooms.

These were the girls I had for most of the trip down and back. They were a delight - they all have older sisters and I enjoyed the conversations I overheard ("real men don't sparkle" was one thing I overheard during a discussion about Twilight. I'm pretty certain none of these girls have seen or read it). They were troopers on the way home when what should have taken 20 minutes - to go from ACH to Conway for dinner - turned into a 2 hour and 45 minute trip. Our ETA home that should have been 10pm turned into 1am, but it was still fun!

I'm in Love...

...with these girls and these photos! The girls had a photo session with a friend of ours and I think they turned out amazing. Here are a couple and you can see more of Jenny's favorites on her blog! Seriously, I love these girls so much - babies, toddlers, tweens - I've loved every minute of being a Mommy to these two. I wish it wasn't going by so fast!

It's Beginning to Look (and Feel) a lot like Christmas...

I usually like to get the tree up the Saturday after Thanksgiving (and take it down the Saturday after New Year's Day). I did put it up that day but didn't get it decorated for a few days. I really wanted to buy a new taller, slim, pre-lit tree but decided to wait until after Christmas and try to get one on sale.

The girls and I, along with some friends, went on the Winter Dreams Tour of Homes yesterday. This always gets me in the Christmas spirit and I got a lot of inspiration...now if only I could win the lottery...

Winter Wonderland

The girls participated in Bentonville's Winter Wonderland parade with their dance team. It was a cold morning but they had a great time.
Afterwards, KDA had their Christmas Party and they got to perform. Next week we'll be traveling to Arkansas Children's Hospital to perform - Mackenzie is so excited for this, I think because that hospital is so good to her!