It's Christmas Time...in Arizona

We got all dressed up for church this morning...just in time to take pictures by the tree.

Kade picked the tree out, and even carried it through Home Depot. :)

Aren't they just the most beautiful angels you've ever seen?

After church we went back to the Reeds where the kids had a grand time together.

Here we see Riley and Calvin posing...they are really good friends.

Riley's Concert

Riley has looked forward to this concert for some time. She cried that morning when I wouldn't let her wear a good church dress to school. Luckily we made up for that faux pas by allowing her to wear her new Christmas dress to the program.

Then, when the time came, Kade played photographer again. He loves to take pictures.

Riley was a ham. At the end she even danced with a boy. Fortunately Kade was right there to sanction everything.

She loves the spotlight.

When she was right out in front was her favorite time. :)

The other day Riley even asked me if next year we could celebrate Hanukkah.

I asked her why, and she explained that she wanted to play the dreidel. (She brought a dreidel home from school the other day and thought it was just the best thing ever!)

Making Pumpkin Pie

We made pumpkin pie today after church.

I had some leftover pie crust, so I let the kids make little pumpkin tarts out of it.

They turned out so cute!

Kade and Riley took them to the Yeager's this morning and enjoyed them for a snack.

I am told they were wonderful.

Maybe next time we'll only make tarts...

Riley's Student of the Month!

I was fortunate enough to attend Riley's Student of the Month assembly this morning.

The kids were both excited to see me at their school.

Riley's teacher, Mrs. Cobb, wrote some lovely things about my special little girl.

Part of it says: "I am thankful to see her smiling face enter into my classroom daily. I am thankful for the excitement she has for learning, and for the way it bursts out of her and spreads throughout my class. I am thankful for the kind person she is. I am thankful for her always giving 110%, which shows as she continues to improve in reading!"

I am so proud of Riley!

Kade lost his other front tooth!

After another trip to the dentist--as evidenced by Kade's somewhat off center smile--he is rid of his other front tooth. Although the receptionist says he screamed, he told me that it didn't even hurt. :) I'm glad the dentist did this one.

Riley lost her first tooth! As you can see, her new one is already growing in. She was so excited. She said the kids in her class at school sang to her the next day.

we tried to take pictures for Christmas cards...

Cory and his little girl. Way back in May...in ABQ...

Kade lost another tooth. That makes three now.

I guess we'll start with a Happy Halloween! It's as good a place as any.

Kade insisted on being a soldier again. Riley picked Cinderella this year.