Flip Flops??

I started decorating for Christmas today. Maggie noticed the nativity on the table and upon surveying it for awhile, she said, "Mom, Joseph and the sheppards are all wearing flip-flops? How come I can't wear flip-flops at Christmas?" :)

Good question Maggie, good question!

I might regret putting out the dancing, singing snowmen this early...
but for today the girls are loving it!

Another weekend....

...is in the books. This year is going to be over before we know it.

Maggie spent the weekend at Grandma & Grandpa's and had a great time. Gracie was stuck at home with boring ol' mom. She's been extra whinny the last few days.  She's not eating (which isn't unusual, she never eats much), I don't know if teeth are to blame or if maybe she isn't feeling great. Arnie went to Lincoln on Saturday and then left first thing yesterday for a work trip. So, it's just us girls around here!

Maggie loves Spaghetti Works!

Saturday the weather was beautiful. Maggie, Grandpa & Grandma went on a bike ride
and had a picnic. 24 hours later it was 25 degrees....only in Nebraska!

Grandma bakes the cookies, Maggie and Deem clean up :)

Gracie's favorite new place to play at home, is under the stools....

Silly girl!!!

She's also taken to sitting with Reagan while she eats...I'm surprised Reagan puts up with it, but she
doesn't seem to mind.

Sunday morning Grace and I went back to Omaha to spend the day and bring Maggie home.

Nap time with Grandpa.

More words of wisdom....

(From Maggie)

"I'm part Jewish. Ya know how you know? Cause Jewish people are really tall, and I'm really tall."

A little chuckle....

....from Maggie (all in one breath).

"Mom, it's really sad that Obama won. I hope he makes better choices this time. You know what's good, in 4 years he can't be President anymore."

Split decisions....

The best news from yesterday is that ARNIE WON!!!! Yah!!! The girls and I are really proud of him. Not only did Arnie win, but all 3 challenging school board candidates won. The learning curve might be steep, but our schools, students and teachers are in good hands. I hope Arnie knows what he's in for.

I also take comfort in knowing that our community leaders, state leaders and congressional delegation are all people I trust to make the right decisions.

However, I'm heart broken to see the direction of the leadership of our country. I'm nervous for our security, our religious freedom, our health care, our finances, our moral compass and our patriotism. BUT in order to save my own sanity and to raise my children with the kind of security and confidence I want them to have, I have to believe the God will protect us and see us through these challenges.  I have to continue to have faith in our country and the teach my girls the same thing.

This morning Maggie was elated to learn that daddy won, but she was also very sad to know that Romney lost. As we talked about the resilience of America and tried to comfort her and convince her that it would be okay, I was struck by the thought that my girls will be 8 and 5 when we choose our next leader. What will our world look like then? What kind of hole will our next leaders and the girls generation be left to dig out of.

God has blessed America and while I have a giant belly ache today, I believe that he will continue to bless America and I think the most important thing I can keep telling myself (and my kids) is the God is in control, he's bigger then these decisions, he's bigger then these people and he's always going to love us.

Our weekend...

Pretty quiet weekend around here. Husker game, garage cleaning, yard stuff, winterizing the playhouse....we know how to have a good time :)

"GET OUT OF MY BED!!!"

Brandon was here Saturday afternoon/evening. Maggie was teaching him
the alphabet. (yes, he knows there is a hole in his pants. college kids??!?)

The girls spent nearly an hour spreading Deer food around the front
pasture on Sunday. Yep, that's right we spend money to buy food for animals
that eat our plants and run out in front of our cars :)

This piano has been put away for awhile, but Saturday we broke it back out....I remember now
why it was put away. The girls love it. Remind me to thank Aunt Bobbie again!



Gracie has taken to wearing Maggie's hat around. Maybe we will
have 2 little cowgirls on our hands.

Halloween!

We made the trek to Omaha for our Annual Trick-or-Treating extravaganza. Maggie and Alex really picked up their game this year. They were eager to run from house to house and the little kids were definitely slowing them down :)  There was plenty of candy, way too much food and lots of great company. What a fun day we had!

Multi-tasking...what? she's a busy girl :)

notice the Mickey Mouse nose....

Dr. Maggie, Puppy (with no ears) Gracie, Superhero Oliver Dash, Bear Hunter Alex and Ellie the Bear.
All ready to go!

RUN, RUN, RUN!!!

I know there is more candy here somewhere....

Story time with Aunt Joyce.

Gracie was grocery shopping in the pantry....when Mom went to check on her, look
what she'd filled her basket with? Such a fitting choice for Gracie Tater :)

The girls and I stayed in Omaha until today, for swim lessons. We have a quiet weekend on the horizon, hopefully the weather will cooperate so we can get the yard ready for winter and I'm sure there will be lots of last minute yard sign delivering.....I can't wait for Tuesday (to be over)!