Pictures

THANK YOU NANA FOR THE DRESS, PURSE AND DUCK!!!
I just couldn't get a good picture so I took a short clip so you could see all her cuteness. Thanks Elizabeth for all your hard work in making this dress. The first thing Alison wanted was the duck and loved using the purse as a hat. I wonder when the day will come that she uses things as they are intended.

Beth, baby Kate and my mom are to help me get ready to move. Beth suggested that we get the girls pictures taken for the grandparent's Christmas present. I thought it was a great idea and jumped on board. We took the girls today to Sear's and I quickly wanted to jump off the boat. Alison wouldn't stop moving and baby Kate was really fussy. We got a couple decent pictures, but I wasn't impressed with their efforts to make the kids happy. Then of course we got the big long talk about spending hundreds of dollars on the packages. I refused to be sucked in. I ordered a couple of sheets and got out 2 hours later with 2 cranky kids and a headache, but saved over $100. Most things can be cured with Mexican food, so we stopped at Abuelo's on the way home. When we got home Beth said we should try taking some our own pictures. I popped Baby Einstein in expecting some smiles. Instead I got Alison zoned out on the TV screen and Kate still fussing.
Kate doesn't like anyone touching her except Beth...so this picture is historic.

We Have a Home!!!

We officially have a home in Smithfield Virginia!!! It was a long, and not completely over process. I looked at a condo across the street from Ben's new office on my trip and really liked it. They told me we couldn't live there because of our cats but a couple of days later called back to say that the builder was finishing up a couple units and was going to rent them out. We sent them an application and a deposit and waited to hear what unit we would live in. Weeks went by and they kept saying that they were waiting for the builder to sign papers over so they could lease them out. It turns out that the builder decided to lease them out themselves and didn't do such a great job communicating that to the realtor we were talking with. So she's sending us our deposit back and we've contacted the builder directly. The lease papers are signed and we are set to go (minus the fact we're still waiting for our large check to get back to us so we can turn around and get it to the right people). Ben's driving the car down next Monday and then flying back so we can all drive together when we move. I'm thankful that he can take a car full of nessessities with him so we won't have to worry about it first thing when we get there. So, here are the pictures of our new home on Ginger Loop (why, oh why do we get the funkiest street names?).

George graciously took these pictures for us. I don't have a clue who the man is in the shot, but it's not George. Kitchen (with new, clean appliances!) and dining room

Living room with a gas fireplace looking into the veranda (big room with lots of windows) and master bedroom. I'm so thankful to have a fireplace. I always wanted one here in Michigan, where I needed it the most!
New bathtub that's mold free!!!
Walk in closet. I fully appreciate closet space now. The house we live in now only has one closet. I'm not sure how we've made it all these years. Actually, now that I look at it, this closet is about the size of Alison current room. Oh, I can't wait to get her some new toys and make her room a really fun play room.
This is why Ben wanted the place. I hope he actually parks in it. Not that he'll ever use his car, since the office is two steps away. It makes my heart pitter patter when I think of all the money we'll save in our gas budget.

This is how Alison felt when she heard the news

Everybody's been asking me how packing is going. Packing is going fine, except that every time I work on it I feel guilty. I know it's something that has to be done, but look what has happened to my baby.

I usually only put Sesame Street at 9 and during that time Alison usually plays until Elmo's World comes on during the last 15 minutes. Well, lately she's been sitting quietly in her princess chair for the entire thing. So when I let her watch 3 Sesame Streets a day...that's a lot of sitting! Granted it is cold and flu season and I'm working extra hard to keep this kiddo sick free, so a little rest won't harm her, but I don't want her to turn into a TV head! I was feeling so guilty today(for goodness sakes I've even resulted to letting her have her binki during non-nap time), but I kept reassuring myself that it's only for a short time. As soon as we get to Virginia we're getting her the best play room around and there will be no more sitting.

Since we can't decorate the house for Christmas I've been playing Christmas music non-stop. Ben whipped out this piano, that we've been storing our entire marriage that I've never actually seen, so we could sing some songs tonight as a family. This is a clip of Alison trying to sing with daddy as he was warming up the piano.

Let It Snow!

It snowed a couple of inches the other day so Alison and I headed out to play. It was short and sweet, but lots of fun. I have so many great memories of playing in the snow; sledding, playing games and building forts. I hope Alison has some great memories of the snow too.

My Little Princess

Alison wearing daddy's hat.

Row Your Boat

Today was the day of not getting the video I wanted, but the poor quality clips will have to do.
A couple of times I've sang 'Row Row Your Boat' with Alison just goofing around. I'll take her hands in mine and pretend we're rowing a boat. Tonight Ben was making pizza and I was making a pecan pie and Alison ran in the kitchen and said, "Row, row" and did the rowing motion. I was amazed at my little genius. We sang the song this morning, but that was 10 hours ago! She sang the song all the way through her bath but by the time we got the camera ready she was way past tired...I'll try again in the morning to get a really good take of the song.

We Love Kitties!

Elizabeth posted some kitty videos on her blog for Alison to watch. She was so excited! I still haven't captured the essence of Alison's passion for kitties on video. I attempted this morning and failed...but I caught something else. Check out Alison's outfit. I was putting on my big, warm socks this morning and Alison came running up and said, "Sock please!!!". She plopped down on the floor and flung her feet up in the air. I caved into her ultra cuteness and let her wear my socks (on top of the three layers she was already wearing). They covered her entire leg!