Mommy, Wanna Play Barbies?

The above commercial I have seen numerous times on TV, and every time I see it I smile. My sister and I use to play Barbies all the time for hours on end! Mom actually kept all our Barbies, and Cassidy got them when she was a little girl. She still has all our Barbies, and hopefully she can one day pass on them to her little girl (if she has one) someday. Anyway, the below pictures are of Karenza and me tonight playing Barbies. And she asked me, "Mommy wanna play Barbies?" I just bought her a 70 piece furniture set of Barbie furniture for Christmas that has so many small items. I didn't realize how small the items were until I spent 30-40 minutes opening the box up! Anyway below are some pictures of us playing Barbies on the living room floor tonight!

Takes longer to set up then play!

The desk. See the mouse, web-cam, and CD's? They all are so small!

I was the "black" girl, Karenza was the "yellow" girl according to her!

See the salt and pepper shakers? And the silverware? Probably only a matter of time before this stuff gets lost or I step on it!

Our little set up; Kitchen, dining room, desk/computer, and living room.

I feel like a little girl again when I play Barbies with her. They didn't have this cool stuff when we were girls.

Free Time

I am so confused on my days! Today does not feel like Monday to me. Although if I had a job it probably would. But, with Christmas Day falling on a Thursday this year seems like everyday has been a Saturday for me. Then with New Years Eve on a Wednesday this year I will probably be screwed up until Jan. 5th! On Friday we took Karenza to the movies. I had never seen the movie theatre so packed before! As always, it was snowing on Friday, so Randy dropped Karenza and I off at the door. I opened the door to the theatre and that is where the line started! We went to go see Bedtime Stories, and Karenza liked it. When we got out of the theatre wow was there snow! We had a ton of it on our truck. Will this craziness ever end? We are in another Winter Storm Warning again tonight and tomorrow and could see another 6-8 inches of snow! Every where you go there are piles and piles of snow. I have no idea where we will put another 6-8 inches. This is just crazy!

Yesterday Dad came and got Karenza about 1:00pm and they played all day in the snow. They built a snow fort and she loved it. She is the closest thing my Dad has to a grandson! It was nice yesterday almost 30 degrees, and no wind so it was a beautiful day to play in the snow. She spent the night at Mom and Dad's and I went to get her this morning. Tomorrow she was to go with Mom and Dad and Cassidy for a day of fun while Cass was on break from school. They were going to go bowling, to the movie Marley and Me, and out to eat. With the storm approaching they may have to go on Thursday or Friday instead.

We have made plans to go out on New Years Eve. I haven't celebrated New Years Eve out since Karenza was born. We are going to go to the Wizards game and then we aren't sure what. Karenza is going to stay over night at Danielle's house (the cheerleader!). They will be going to Space Aliens to eat with her family and then back to their place. She is really excited!!!

No plans for tomorrow will just stay in and weather the storm, again!

Our Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, and were able to spend it with the one's you loved. We had a wonderful Christmas. On Christmas Eve we went to Mom & Dad's around 4pm. We usually open our gifts on Christmas Eve, and open our stocking stuffers on Christmas Day. Holly, Jer and the girls were coming Christmas Day and Grandma was at Carmen's for Christmas Eve and would be coming on Christmas Day. So it was just Mom, Dad, and us. We let Karenza open all her gifts, and we opened the gifts to each other. I got a beautiful jewelry box from my husband, and a beautiful heart shape necklace from my daughter. She also made ornaments at daycare that she painted. I will take a picture and post them too. I got a new set of dishes, new kettles, new outfit, new purse from Mom and Dad. I got my husband an Alabama t-shirt for when they beat Auburn this year in the Iron Bowl (they hadn't beat Auburn in 6 years). He loved it!! And I also got him some cologne.

Mom and Dad's next door neighbor and their kids stopped over when we first got to Mom and Dad's on Christmas Eve. He has a Santa suit and was dressing up to go make an appearance at another house. We asked if he could drop by Mom and Dad's in the early evening to bring Karenza her present. He said he would drop by about 6:30 or 7:00pm. I left the Barbie in Mom and Dad's garage. We started opening presents and pretty soon we heard some bells jingle and a great big HO HO HO! Pretty soon there was a knock on the door. I have it on video tape, and some pictures of her face. Her face was priceless. Mom said "Come on let's go see who it is". She wasn't so sure at first,and hid behind a box. So Dad opened the door, and when Santa walked in he said "Is there a little girl by the name of Karenza Grayson that is here?" She ran to him and gave him a great big hug. He gave her the life size barbie and she thanked him and thanked him. He thanked her for being such a good girl. She then ran to the window and asked where his reindeer where. He thought quickly and said the sleigh broke down the road and the neighbor was helping him fix it quick while he delivered the presents in this neighborhood. She thought that was a good enough answer because she didn't press him any more. She loved the life size barbie! I guess it was well worth the $100.00! We stayed the night at Mom and Dad's on Christmas Eve.

On Christmas Day when she woke up she looked under the tree and said "Where is my night light that I asked Santa for too?" I had no idea she had asked Santa that! She said "I can't believe he would have forgotten that!" Well why I kept her preoccupied Mom actually had a night light downstairs and so Dad ran down and got it and put it in a little box. He put it on the front step when she wasn't looking. He told her that maybe they should open the door because the door was actually locked last night and Santa couldn't get in so maybe he left it. Sure enough she opened the door, and there was that night light. She was so excited, and said "I knew Santa wouldn't have forgotten!" So we had all the basis covered I guess.

Yesterday sure was fun too. With all the girls and the whole family together. Addie sure is getting so big. I miss watching her so much, and being able to see her when ever I want. Yesterday Mom, Holly, and I had her laughing so hard. It was so cute! You barely have to look at her and say something and she just grins. She is such a perfect baby! She never fusses. I want a baby like that! Cass and Karenza played with all their new things they got for Christmas. Mom and Dad got them lockers. Cassidy's was filling hers up and was so neat and organized. Karenza yelled at me saying "Mom, help it won't shut!" So I went to help her and I opened up the door and she had so much stuff shoved in there! I told her she can't have that much stuff in there. Two different kids! We came home last night, and had a heck of a time fitting everything in our truck. Must have had to make 5 or 6 trips in the house! Now just trying to find a place for all our new stuff! ;-) Below are some pictures off of Dad's camera over the last couple days. I haven't downloaded mine yet. But I will soon. Karenza is home with me now until after the first of the year! Not sure what we will do today. Randy has to work, so maybe we hit some stores and see what we can find for good deals.

Also, just so you know when Cass was little she could never say my name. Everyone knows my nickname is Mandy or Nan(my Dad and uncle gave this to me, not sure how I got it, but it has always just stuck!). So Cass has always called me Nana. Mom has always been Grandma or Granny. So when I refer to Nana, it's me! :-) See pics below:

Santa giving Karenza her Life Size Barbie

Karenza and her Life Size Barbie

Randy and his screwdriver set he wanted and received from Mom & Dad

Randy giving Karenza kisses for the sweater she got him. She went shopping with my Dad and she picked it out all by her self, and he loved it.

My jewlery box from my husband

Jer and Addison

Cassidy opening her presents

Holly and Miss Addie

Cassidy waiting patiently to open her last present (it was a telescope from Papa and Grandma)

Our Girls!

Miss Addie giggling for her Nana! I love that face!

Playing with her new rattle. I love the bumbo seat Mom & Dad got her. She looks so fartin' cute in this seat, and she loves it. Mom had her sitting on the counter while she was getting lunch ready and she would just look around! I love that her feet don't touch the counter! She is 4 months old today! And how cute is she?!

How cute is that?

Grandma and Addie getting ready for bed.

Update/Correction

I guess I was wrong with how much snow we have received so far. I actually read this morning that we have received 31.6 inches of snow. I looked out this morning and there is quit a bit of new fluffy snow out there. i just looked at the radar and it looks like it will still be snowing for at least a couple more hours. The temp is currently -7 this morning, so not as cold as yesterday! Definitely a white Christmas this year, which I have to admit is nice. The last couple of years we haven't had any snow. It should warm up into maybe the 20's! That will be nice because then it ins't so cold when Dad takes the girls out sledding on the four-wheeler! Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, yeah!!! I am headed to a workshop today and then will be picking Karenza up early from daycare. I hear the kids made stuff for the parents for Christmas at daycare. I can't wait to see what it is. I love those presents!! Anyway, I better get going to wake Karenza up so we can head out the door. Have a good day! :-)

Karenza Mae

Here is Karenza reading the tag on her present (okay so I let her open 2 small ones and her cabbage patch baby) that we let her open tonight. What it really said is To: Karenza From: Mom & Dad. Haha :-)

Karenza Singing Jingle Bells

Karenza singing jingle bells none other then standing on the toilet! And of course she has to add her little dance moves in with it so it's a little hip-hop Jingle Bells I guess. :-)

Tire Shoes???

This morning when we were getting ready I was putting on Karenza's shoes. She said "Mommy, let me tie it." Well, she can't tie her own shoes yet. But, I put the other shoe on and then I "helped" her tie her own shoes. Then as I was putting her in the truck she said, Mommy "Why do you say tire shoes?" I laughed, and said really slow "No, babe, I said tie-your-shoes" She said, "That's what I said Mom, tire shoes!" I just laughed and tried telling her really slow again, and she just didn't get it! HaHaHa.

It was so cold this morning. I was so busy this morning that I hadn't had time to check the weather before we went outside. The truck said -19! Brrr!!!!!! The car barely started (I started the car for Randy when Karenza and I were leaving this morning). It still never doubts us, and eventually started!! I later found out it was -41 wind chill this morning. Wow!!! I also found out today that if we get another 3 inches of snow this month we will have beat the record of snow ever received in the month of December. We have already received 19 inches of snow this month. The record was set back in 1916!! It is suppose to start snowing again tonight and tomorrow. Christmas it is suppose to get up to 17 degrees!! Yippee. I don't ever remember having this much snow for a long time!!

This past weekend Randy had a Holiday Shootout up at Horizon Middle School for his 7th grade boys. They did end up winning the tournament and they only won by one point! It was a close one!! I do have pictures to upload but I can't find my USB cord. Friday night we told Karenza it was her night and she got to choose were we ate and what to do. She choose McDonald's and a movie. So we took her to Madagascar: Escape to Africa. It was a really good movie. Better then the first one we thought. Sunday night Randy had free tickets to the Wizards game (NBA Development League team her in Bismarck) from his work so we took Karenza. They were really good seats! Really close to the floor. I took a picture of the coach of the other team because Karenza told Randy and I "Mom & Dad, look, there is the guy we voted for!" I said "what?" She said, "Right, there Mom, that Obama guy!" We just laughed, and told her that it wasn't really him, but it sure did look like him. Even though he really didn't! HaHa After the game was over we sat close by where the guys would run into the locker room, and I leaned Karenza over the railing and she slapped all the guys hands and said good job. They all stopped and gave her high-fives. They loved her, and she loved them! She told us that we can take her again to those games! She loved the mascot, Dunkie - the Wizard. She kept telling me "Mom, he isn't a real wizard he's just a fake one!"

Today I did a little more Christmas shopping for Karenza, and I am done (I think, I hope!). I am horrible when it comes to her. I just keep getting stuff. Anyway, Tomorrow is Karenza's last day at daycare until after the first of the year. Tomorrow I do have a workshop I have to go to for my Unemployment. I do (finally) have an interview scheduled for Jan. 6th for an Accounts Payable job for the County. I think there are a lot of people applying for the job, so we'll see how far I get! At least I have an interview I am excited about that. I have applied for, what seems like a million jobs and no one calls me! We'll see. I would love to start working soon!!

For Christmas Eve we are heading to Mom and Dad's. Hol and Jer won't be coming until Christmas Day. I can't wait, I absolutely love Christmas. I love watching Karenza and Cassidy opening presents. I love just being together drinking Mom's famous daiquiris. Or eating Grandma's goodies! I love it because I remember all the good things/traditions we did as a kid and now I get to do those with Karenza and Cassidy. The remind me of Holly and me so much! I just have to giggle! Anyway, I just can't wait. :-)

Karenza's Short Stories

I haven't stopped thinking or stopped giggling to myself about the short story Karenza told me this morning. It went a little something like this (I will try and type how she pronounces these words):

"Mom, can I tell you a pretend story?"

"Sure, babe."

"Okay, Once upon a time there once was this little Santa. And he went for a walk. I sawed him so I waved to him and then I walked with him. The little Santa was so sad. He didn't have a Papa or a Grandma. They had died. So I told the little Santa that it would be okay that Karenza will make you happy. So the little Santa tooked me to the North Pole with him. And his Helpers had died too, so I helped the little Santa make all the toys for me and the other kids. Then the little Santa was too little to ride in the sleigh so I went home all by myself. The End."

I think that is so funny. I can't ever read it without laughing!! I have had her tell me this story so many times tonight. It has been kind of different every time, and she has added some more here and there and forgot some too. But, this is the gist of it. I thought that was a good little short story for only being two months past her 4th bday!

Elf on a Shelf

Below is a neat little idea/tradition to create for you and your family. I had seen this last year, but I just ordered this today. I had been meaning to do this earlier so that I could do this with Karenza this Holiday season. But, I figure it's never to late to add a new tradition to the family! Once the elf comes you have to name him. I can't wait to see what she will name him. It should be interesting! The description they use on the website is: "During the holiday season, the elf watches children by day and reports to Santa each night. When children awake, the elf has returned from the North Pole and can be found hiding in a different location."

Only one week until Christmas!! I can't wait. I still have to get the package in the mail to Randy's parents, but then I will be done Christmas shopping (hopefully!!). I sent the package to Alaska yesterday for his Sister's families, but they won't get it until the day after Christmas so that's okay. Hope you all are able to spend time with your loved ones over this holiday season.

More Pictures

I forgot that I had pictures of Karenza standing in line to see Santa and of Cassidy's Christmas Concert.

Watching Santa just get back to his seat after a short break

Smile for Mom!

Mom, Look it's head moves!

Then of course you can't ever take a picture without doing a silly one!


Cassidy doing a solo (she is on the far right)

Cassidy is on the top row and the far left.

It sure was a fun concert, especially the Kindergartner's concert!

Karenza Singing

Danielle (Karenza's babysitter) sent this to her Mom's (April) cell phone and then she sent it to me. I hope it works I had to send this to my email and then save the clip to my desktop. This is Karenza jumping on Danielle's bed and singing Nobody's Perfect by Hannah Montana!

Santa, Christmas Party, & Blizzard

Hello! What a busy weekend. Friday afternoon I went to the Civic Center with Mom and Dad to watch Carrington Boys basketball team play. It was nice to see them. I hadn't seen a boys basketball game probably since I stopped cheerleading for them over 11 years ago! We saw some old friends from Carrington, and the boys won so that was good. That night Clete and Karen were in town so we went out for drinks. Saturday we took Karenza to see Santa. We were standing in line for about 5 minutes and then Santa took a 10-15 minute break. When he came back Karenza was so excited to see him, as he walked right by her. He waved, and said thank you for being such a good girl and waiting in line for me! She said, "Your Welcome, and Santa, I have also been a very good girl for my Mom and Dad!" He said, "I know I've been watching you!" She jumped up and down and was clapping her hands. It was finally her turn, and she couldn't wait. She sat on his lap and proceed to tell him that she wanted a Barbie as big as her. He made her stand up and he measured her and said I better get the elves to work right away. He said is there anything else you would like? She said a jewelry box would be nice too. Then she said "Santa I saw your reindeer last night" (On Thursday we went to Linton with Mom and Dad to Cassidy's Christmas concert. On the way there we had to stop on the road because deer were crossing. You should have seen Karenza's eyes! I mean my Dad honked the horn and they didn't run. They were looking in the vehicle and Karenza just thought that was amazing as she saw Santa's deer. She then told us "Well Rudolph wasn't there, because I didn't see one with a shiny nose!") So she tell's Santa this sitting on his lap. And he says "Sometimes I am to busy to be watching all the kids all the time so I have to send my Reindeer." And that is exactly what Mom, Dad, and I had told her! Perfect. There was such a long line, but she wanted to chat with Santa some more. She had her arm around his shoulder and was playing with his buttons on his shirt, and she asks him "So Santa, How are things at the North Pole?" I laughed, and Randy shook his head like he always does when she does something funny. Santa said "Pretty busy, you sure do know a lot about Christmas!" I had to tell her we had to go because it was the next kids turn in line. She didn't want to leave. Santa gave her a book, a coloring book, and some crayons. We bought 3 pictures for $16.00 and the quality didn't turn out very good. But it is what it is. After we got our pictures (we had to wait 5 minutes) she said "Oh, shoot!" I said "What?" She said "Mom, I forgot to tell him I wanted a laptop!" I said "What are you going to do with a laptop, Karenza, you're 4!" She said "Mom, I would push buttons just like you!" I said "Well, we'll write him a letter!"



Saturday night we had Dr. Brian Gale's Christmas party. He coaches football with Randy and we've become really good friends with him. We had it at his office. He owns his own Ankle & Foot Clinic. It was blizzarding outside, but we still made it. Drinks and good food inside! It was fun. We played Guitar Hero in the conference room on the big screen with it hooked up to the stereo system. Karenza was excited for us to be gone as she was being babysat by the "Cheerleader" that is what Karenza calls her, but her name is Danielle. She is a cheerleader for football and is just beginning to babysit. So we took her to her place so her Mom could help out a little bit. They both had a blast. Yesterday we stayed home all day. It was -11 and with the wind chill it was close to -50! So I thought nothing better then to be using the oven and make some goodies. I made little cheesecake tarts, Randy wanted brownies, and then I made chicken, rice, and stuffing for supper. And being home all day yesterday I am terrible, and let Karenza open a present. I let her open a Party Boat Polly Pocket set. She loved it of course and has been playing with it all day!! It was -19 below this morning when Randy left for work and close to -50 below wind chill. I wasn't sure if the truck would start. It doesn't have a block heater in it. When we bought it our Expedition the car dealership we bought it from a car auction in the south I believe. But it did start just fine this morning as we had it parked in the garage. But the garage isn't insulated. Anyway, Karenza and I are staying cuddled inside. I am having supper with a girlfriend tonight though. Brrrr!!!!! Have a great week, and stay warm!!

Karenza's Present from Santa

I successfully won Karenza's present she wants from Santa. The Life Size Princess Liana Doll that stands over 3ft. tall. I won it for $70.00 (double the cost of in the Walmart Ad) and plus shipping was $30.00. So her Santa present wasn't very cheap!! Below is a picture of it:
Anyway, it is supposed to be delivered today. According to the tracking information it is on time to be delivered on 12/10/2008. Well it is now close to 7:15pm, and there is still no sign of this doll. Thing is that the seller from ebay sent it through UPS, and they wouldn't let her send it in the brown paper covering that she had it. So after she mailed it she sent me an email to warn me that it will be arriving in the box. (She knew it was for Karenze for Christmas). So now I have been worried maybe it will be delivered early and be sitting at the front door when we get home from daycare. Well, today it is supposed to be really delivered according to the tracking information. Randy and I had made this deal that if there is a knock at the door that we will pre-occupy Karenza and one of us will take it out and hide it in the garage! Well we are leaving for Randy's basketball game in a little bit and I am wondering if its going to be delivered while we are gone. So much stress in just one expensive Santa gift!! We haven't taken her to see Santa yet, probably this weekend. I am hoping this gift can be kept a secret and can still be from Santa and that it won't just be an "early" Christmas gift! Cross fingers and hope things will work out.

Valley City Basketball Tourney

On Saturday we headed to Valley City for a one-day tournament for Randy's 7th grade traveling basketball team. They did very well, and won the tournament. They haven't lost a game yet this season. Our next tournament is Dec. 20th and 21st and is in Bismarck. We sure had fun. We hadn't been back to Valley City since Randy and I left back in 2000. So it's been 8 years. We drove through campus, and showed Karenza where Mommy's dorm room was, and where Daddy stayed. We told her this is where Mommy and Daddy became boyfriend and girlfriend and she immediately said she wanted to go to school there! Things haven't changed much, but it feels like I haven't been back in forever. All the fun, and memories we have there. I wanted to drive by my old apartment, but we just didn't have time. After the tournament we had pizza at Pizza Corner Pizza with my aunt & uncle Larry and Marylee and my cousins Travis and Jamie and Jamie's fiancee Mandy and her little boy Alex. He is 5, and he and Karenza had fun in the playland area. We didn't get home until about 10:00pm, and had left at about 8am. So it was a fun filled day!!

Below are pictures from our weekend, and pictures of Karenza helping Mom with her and Dad's Christmas tree last week. The pictures are dark, and I am not sure what is up with my camera because it doesn't look that dark on my camera. I may be shopping for a new digital camera soon!!

Here they are with their trophies

Karenza and David (a brother of one of the players) on the stage. This tourney was in the old Rec building that I think was built in the 1950's. It's a really neat building.

Karenza found an old piano. She is so hard to keep track of I was visiting with a Mom, and then I looked to where she was the last time I saw here, and she wasn't there any more. I had heard a piano playing, and so I followed where it was coming from and this is what I found. She was playing and singing some High School Musical song. Other parents were impressed on how well she can sing!! Little fart can sing on tune.

Here she is rounding all the boys up. We had about an hour and a half before they had to play again and we were just all hanging in the concession area and she rounded all the boys up to have a little pep talk. Keep in mind they are about 13 years old, and in the 7th grade and they are listening to her!

Here she is telling them that they need to play hard for her Dad. And don't fall on the ground, and please listen to my Daddy when he tells you to work hard! They were laughing, but she had their attention. I wish I had video tape because it was hilarious!

After her pep talk with them she then told them to "bring it in" because that is what Randy says to them and they all put their hands together and they said what are we going to say? She said "Chaos!" That is the name of the team, and so she counted 1, 2, 3, and then they all said Chaos! She had all the parents laughing, and they all said if Randy has any trouble bringing the boys together we will just call on Karenza.

I was trying to get a picture of Mom's Christmas tree, and Karenza kept posing different every time I took a picture. I don't ever really realize how tall she is getting until I see her legs in pictures. No wonder why I have such trouble buying jeans for her. She is so skinny, but those long legs!!

Another pose, with those long legs!!

Pictures of Thanksgiving

Below are pictures of our Christmas Tree and of our Thanksgiving.

Our Christmas Tree

Helping Decorate the Tree

Getting more decorations

Finding the perfect spot for the Christmas Balls

Standing in front of the tre with the just the skirt on the tree so far

Me talking to Addie, and she always gives me the cutes smile!!

Eating our Thanksgiving meal

Papa making sure the Girls are good with everything they need

Randy and Jer scooping their plates

Papa talking to Grandma

Grandma still needs to be in the kitchen after all these years! :-)

Addie and Papa

Karenza & Cassidy playing Memory

Cassidy getting ready for bed

Addie looking like a little taco!

Addie getting a bath in the sink


She gets fussy right around 8pm and Holly gets her ready for her bath and once she hits the water she quits her fussing. She loves her bath!!

Karenza asking Auntie "Should I help with the lotion?"

Karenza trying to help, and Addie not liking it. Looks like Karenza is smooshing her nose!

Addie getting her last feeding before bed

Sound asleep. The whole process of her bath, feeding, and getting to sleep is 30 minutes!

Sleeping in Karenza's Pack-n-Play. She is in bed by 8:30-8:45 and sleeps until 7:30-7:45am. What a good baby!!!

And of course Karenza taken just this Monday morning eating toast. In her new Hannah Montana vest looking so adorable!