The Santa Parade

Last night was the Santa Parade in Fairborn, my hometown. Kieren's dance school marches in it every year. This is Kieren's first year in dance and the first time she marched in a parade!

Aunt Heather had dinner plans with college friends so we took Alex (Heather's great-nephew) and Ian with us. Due to an email with the wrong information, Heather was the only one who showed up! So we were happy to have her join us. Ian is all bundled up and waiting to see Kieren and Santa!

While we were waiting, Cullen took the camera and wandered around downtown. He did a great job! The live band did was great too!!!

Cullen made a new friend.

Alex did too!

Here come the girls!!!

Miami Valley Dance Center was one of the larger groups in the parade. These are the older girls.

There's Kieren!!!! The younger girls were snowflakes.

"Just smile and wave, girls. Just smile and wave..."

Kieren had a great time!!! Most of the snowflakes stuck close to their parents, but not Kieren! She had a blast! She waved, smiled, and danced her way through downtown like a snow queen!

The cutest snowflake in the bunch!!!

Here's Santa!!!

NOW you can play your Christmas music! I will happily listen to Christmas music and watch holiday movies now. Let the merriment begin...

Thanksgiving Day 2008

Cullen & Kieren - Thanksgiving Day 2008

Kieren & Cullen - Thanksgiving Day 2007

Happy 12th Birthday, Cullen!!!

I can't believe you turned 12 years old today!!! I love you more every day. You are the kindest, sweetest boy I have ever met. I am so proud to be your Mom!!!

I love you!

Mom

Let's Try This Again...

Looks comfy on the new furniture, doesn't he? Yeah...

we'll find out tomorrow if his foot or toe or all of the above are broken. I swear the kid is determined to break a bone every single year!!!

Sweet Little Face

Ballet Class

Third Position and very serious.
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Being praised by Miss Lily. Look! Kieren is smiling!!!
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See! I KNOW Third Position!!!
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Little girl gets some serious height! And this was from a standing position!

Ballet Class - Group Shots That Make Me Smile

I have no clue why the girls all have these different expressions, but HOLY COW!!! They crack me up!!! (Of course, Kieren is the serious one.) Click on the photo to get a better look.
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Ummm...Does anyone know what we are supposed to be doing?
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Was that MY right or Miss Lily's right?
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Inspecting their awards for knowing Third Position!

Also For Chan

A photo of Cullen for Aunt Chan! We love you, Chan!!!!
(Another photo from Portraits By Susan.)

Photos For Chan

Chantele loves photos of Kieren - especially ballet ones! While we wait and pray, I wanted to post these gorgeous shots taken a week ago by Portraits By Susan (in Huber Heights, Ohio). I just got them today. My mom and Susan (her next-door neighbor and friend) wanted to take photos of the kids for Christmas. My mom had to tell me because I needed to supply the clothing and children! Aunt Katie bought this beautiful "ballet" dress for Kieren in August (during our Shopping Adventure). I had Kieren also wear her ballet shoes and ballet tights. She loved it and danced around the studio!!! (Thank you, Katie, for the wonderful dress!!!)

Please keep Chan in your prayers tonight. I'm praying she wakes up and sees these photos...

This Year's Christmas Card

Please Pray

(Chan on left, me on right - Taken during Chan's visit in August 2008)

Please pray for my friend Chantele!!! She coded while in surgery this morning and it looks like she might not make it. She is the sweetest woman and we all love her dearly.



We love you, Chan!