the newest member of the Fox Clan

Meet Julie,

KayLea gave strict instructions that when the box arrive SHE be able to open it herself

her first look

KayLea named  her Julie cute name..

I'm just glad she chose one with freckles

So KayLea's "big" birthday present this year along with getting her ears pierced was a real honest to goodness American Girl Doll.. it arrived today, we originally had the idea to take her to the Am. Girl doll STORE in Boston, BUT the day ended up getting piled up with other obligations so she opted to order it on line rather than wait until some un-forseen Saturday we could make the trek.. she got to choose the eye color, the hair color and weather it had freckles or curly or straight, long or short hair etc. etc.
she arrived and since KayLea got jilted the chance to go to the actual store she got to add one extra, getting the dolls ear pierced..
KayLea is definitely in love, she's calling her the sister she always wanted..

Thanksgiving thankfulness and other musings

So Thanksgiving is just a few days away.. I can't say it's my favorite holiday but it definitely means CHRISTMAS is right around the corner and I do love Christmas!!!

Ben who is dieting has asked that we pair down the menu and I agree sometimes we go way to overboard.. so we are doing Turkey (duh!), Christmas Potatoes (did you know My mother re-named these Christmas potatoes rather than Funeral Potatoes, she felt they are good why put such a negative spin on them.. I didn't even know they were known as Funeral Potatoes until I was an Adult) Corn, Throw up pudding (family you know what this is.. outsiders it's a lime jello dish that we kids named years and years ago and those in the know it wasn't even the Mormon side of the family with the lime jello dish ha!) stuffing, gravy.. and then for dessert I'm making a pumpkin pie (not my fav but I love my family) Dutch Apple pie (my fav) and a Low Carb Cheese cake creation I'm testing out for the big day (if it's good I'll be making it for the baptism bbq also)

We had thought that Ben might have to work a double shift and surprise he only has to work the morning shift so yippee we'll be all together for the meal.  The kids have Wednesday through the weekend off and I have to say I'm ready for some extended time off of waking up early, homework wines and any schedule what so ever..

Ben will be off Friday and sat so it will be fun for sure.. and what pre-tel do you think we'll be doing... CLEANING!!!  I have made list's of daily chores that need to be done, carpets need to be steam cleaned, bathrooms deep cleaned bedrooms de cluttered and the list goes on..

I don't plan on doing any of this on Thursday but I've told the family BRACE yourselves because after everyone is over their sugar coma its ON..

the event we are preparing for... KayLea's baptism.. well it's not actually the baptism it self it is all the wonderful family coming into town for the event..

I'm just glad we moved into a house with 2 bathrooms (the old house only had 1)...

So You might not hear from me for a bit but know I'm planning on taking lots of pictures and I will share all after the big event..

and in case you didn't know She's being baptised December 4th at 4:00 in Concord NH.. we'll be having a bbq at our house after (very simple hamburgers and hot dogs chips etc.) if your around please come!!! the more the merrier!!!

Ta Ta

i'm a sucker

I'm a total sucker for a chance to win a new camera lens.. so check this out http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-top-10-thankfuls.html

scroll to the bottom to check out the review and a chance for YOU to enter.. but really do you want to enter and wreck My chances???

I guess if you have to!
ta ta

a Milestone!!!

 So today is the day before KayLea's 8th Birthday... SOOO it is the long anticipated day to get her ears pierced.  I had a primary leadership meeting early this morning so while I was away the boys got to tease her relentlessly and get her all riled up and scared out of her mind!!! so we get to the mall and she starts holding onto my hand harder and harder then we get to Clairs and as we are picking out which earring's she wants she starts getting a little teary.. I told her I wasn't going to hold her down that if she wanted her ears pierced she had to sit on her own (I would hold her hand) and get it done.. she chose pink daisy earrings (totally her!!) then sat down and then got really nervous and upset..



I thought she was going to jump a foot when the girl went to mark where the holes would be..





when the girl saw she was so upset she asked KayLea if she wanted both done at the same time and KayLea quickly said YES!!! so they were so sweet got another girl so they could be done at the same time..



with the threat of leaving the store w/out getting it done she finally straightened out her neck and it was done.. she didn't want a count down or anything she just said "OK DO IT!!"



we asked her if it hurt she said "NO" we asked her if she was happy she said "YES!"



finally a real smile!!

so it was a successful day, she is happy she did it.. tomorrow the actually birth day will be lasagna for birthday dinner and a few presents from Grandma and Mom and Dad then NEXT Saturday we will drive to Boston to the American Girl store to pick out her doll!! THEN everyone comes in for her Baptism first weekend in Dec.. say yippee for a girls birthday lasting a month!!! all kidding aside she's pretty fun to have around!!!
ta ta