Microphone fun....

We've been playing with Kate's microphone set-up all day....honestly, I'm pretty sure Ryan likes it as much as the kids.  While I write this, the kids are taking turns doing tricks while Ryan talks into the microphone like a WWF wrestling announcer--he's dubbed Will "Will the Thrill" which sounds quite good when said in his fake deep announcer voice.  Here's some videos of the kids.  They get super serious when trying to sing with songs because they're concentrating so hard on finding the words they know.  And Kate is going to need a wireless mic, apparently, because she feels limited "since I can't dance enough with it attached."  

Early Christmas!

We've finally had enough snow to build a snowman (Ryan gets all the credit for this effort!)

Since Grandma Connie and Grandpa Bill are leaving for Christmas, we had an early Christmas this morning.  The kids have been enjoying their new gifts all day--thanks Grandma and Grandpa!!

Kate's first dance recital

In my opinion, spending a Saturday night watching Kate and a whole bunch of other kids do hip hop (and ballet and jazz and....) is time well spent.  Kate did great--no stage fright or anything.  Her class got some big cheers since they are such tiny people attempting to do hip hop.  Their teacher is an amazing woman--luckily, she danced on stage with them but how she gets kids this age to perform is pretty much a miracle in my opinion.  After Kate performed, we watched the rest of the kids (LOTS of them!) and I think Kate loved that she recognized so many of them.  It was a pretty packed house and it was really nice to be around so many friends supporting something in our community.  Well done, Kate!

Kate striking a hip hop pose pre-performance

Oh yes, they're looking tough!

It's really hard to see since it was hard to get video in the dark but, as you look at it, Kate's on the far left.  You can tell from the laughs and cheers that they were doing a great job (although they probably would have got the same love just standing there since they were all so cute!)

It snowed before and during the performance and, when Ryan left with Will at intermission, Will apparently got very excited about the snow.  When they got home, Will refused to come inside and was still outside "shoveling snow" when Kate, Grandma Connie and I got home after 8 o'clock!  They both woke up this morning asking to "ski and sled right now!!"

Add it to the list....

....of things that will one day embarrass Will (AKA "the perils of having an older sister").  Will is walking around, putting around chapstick and just came up to me to ask, "Mommy, how do I look?  Like a princess?"  Oh, buddy.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Happy birthday to the best daddy (and husband) around!!  The kids and I are now eagerly waiting for him to arrive home from work so we can have the "cake" this kids chose (doughnuts, which, honestly, he'll probably like way better than cake!)  And, thanks to Grandma Connie, Ryan and I get to go celebrate on Saturday night and stay the night in Bend.  Can't wait!!