It's Reagan's Party

I can't believe it has been 5 years (well, almost). I would say it seems like yesterday, but I don't think I would go that far....it seems like just a year or two ago she was born - My little Mini (who got her nickname from looking like Jeff, kept the name because Rachel called her that, and now the name applies because she acts like her mommy). We were so excited that so many of her friends from preschool and church could join us at a party at Southerland Station. They played games, had cake and opened presents.

Happy 5th Bday Mini!

Since we had some trouble last year with everyone's conflicting schedules over Thanksgiving weekend, we decided to move Reagan's birthday party up this year. (Plus, we are going to be in Disney World on Reagan's actual birthday...but shhhh, that's a secret.) We opened presents first thing this morning. Grammie was here (although somehow didn't make it in any pictures). Reagan got bunches of Barbie dolls - funny since my feminist mom never bought them for me. SHe got a Tinkerbell game and a Tupperware Tinkerbell cup and sandwich keeper from mommy.

Happy 41st birthday Daddy!

Jeff's 41st birthday was somewhat overshadowed by Reagan's anticipation of her birthday party (which we had on the 14th - early this year so as not to conflict with Thanksgiving). The girls helped me decorate with streamers and made signs to hide behind. Then they asked me for 50 minutes straight "when is Daddy going to be here" and practiced hiding and popping out, "Surprise!". (Jake was absent from the party planning, but showed up for presents and cake. Now only if he would stop talking about his OWN birthday!)

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Dance class

5/6 combo class. The girls did a ballet routine for us to Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond) for parent's night. Unfortunatley, I decided to take pictures the first time they ran through it....and then they didn't have time to run through again so I didn't get any video. Rachel is second from left in front row and Reagan is in the middle of the front row in the blue. They were each placed in these positions by the teachers. They will be doing tap for recital in may - to the tune Surfin USA.

The following is some video of a typical class - doing bar work and routines with both ballet and tap.

Trick or Treat

After the Fall Festival we went home to go trick or treating. After the first house, Jake ran back excitedly shouting "she gave me candy!". We had to lay out some ground rules after the first few houses - the kids were running from house to house and fighting over who would ring the doorbell. THey took turns a couple times but then Reagan gave in and let Rachel do it. It got a little chilly (it's all in perspective though since we actually weren't wearing winter coats) as we neared the end, but at least it didn't rain. On one of the last houses, Jake fell down someone's front steps and into the bushes. He got a little wet and scraped his hand, but his Buzz lightyear knee pads and purple cap saved him from really scraping himself up.

Fall Festival

We went to the Fall festival at our church on Halloween and met up with some of our friends. Justin and Jeremy were also dressed as Toy Story Characters - here is all the crew. Jake saw Cloee, but she didn't know who he was dressed as Buzz. The kids had fun playing carnival type games for candy and tickets which they turned in for a prize. Reagan picked out a stuffed monkey, Rachel had trouble deciding (first getting 2 dress up skirts and then changing her mind and getting a panda), and Jake picked out a fishing pole.