Gracie

Both sets of Grandparents came for the dance recital. We had a great time together. Grandma Darla and Grandpa Bert had a gift certificate for a hotel that needed redeemed. So Friday night Nate and the girls went swimming at the hotel. They had a blast.
My parents stayed at our house and brought their new kitten Gracie. The girls had sooooo much fun playing with her.
Gracie loved Kayla too.

Ruling the roost.

Gracie isn't quite as comfortable around bouncy Allie, but they still became good friends.

Normally when Grandparents leave our house the girls have a hard time. This time they just happily waved good-bye to all 4 grandparents, but Kayla cried buckets of tears over Gracie leaving. Silly girl.

Nutcracker

Saturday November 20th, Makayla and Allison had their dance recital. The whole company did the Nutcracker. Both girls preformed in the preshow. Allie danced to "A Spoonful of Sugar," and Kayla danced to a song from Fly Away Home. They both did a great job. Then later Kayla was also a soldier in the Nutcracker.
Kayla in her Fly Away Home outfit.
Allie and her friend Alyssa showing off their dancing skills while waiting for the recital to start.

Allie's class was so cute. The audience was cracking up watching these little ones.

The end pose to Kayla's dance (she's in the back row second from the left with her arm extended).

Daddy bought roses for the girls.

The soldiers fighting the rat king and his followers.

Kayla in her soldier outfit with her roses and sister.

We're really proud of how well the girls did. They weren't nervous at all about preforming, and they did a fabulous job.

Collin Raye Concert

Nate and I actually went on a date sometime back in November. We'd bought the tickets clear back at our anniversary. It was at the Dessert Star on State Street in SLC. We had a delicious dinner followed by almost 2 1/2 hours of Collin Raye singing. It was really good! We were very impressed with how entertaining he was besides his great voice.

Decorating the Christmas Tree

Sadly this year our holiday decorating (and everything else) seems to be missing something-like possibly a Mom with the drive to do it. Thankfully I have the best husband in the world. He handled the tree while I supervised from the couch while trying to not get sick.
Allie and Daddy fluffing the tree.
Putting on the ribbon garland.

Kayla showing off some of the ornaments.

Everybody working together to hang ornaments.

Kayla got to put the star/snowflake on top this year.

And then according to tradition, the girls got to sleep by the tree the first night it is put up. We put on Polar Express, popped some popcorn, and relaxed.

Sound asleep-finally-at midnight.