Tah Dah

Gracie is very excited about helping decorate the tree :)

Carting It Home "City Style"

She was too big to carry home but we got it done...carting it home "City Style" :) A fun-filled family group effort down Schubert Street.

She's A Beauty

We went shopping today in search of the "perfect" Christmas Tree.  We found "the one" & she's 10+ feet tall & quite wide too.  It took a group family effort to get her to the check-out!!!

Let's End Hunger

On our way back from Iowa we stopped at Taco Bell for lunch.  Our favorite place to stop :) The girls were very excited to each donate a $1 to the "Let's End Hunger" Campaign.  They proudly took a picture by their names that are now hanging on the wall at Taco Bell.  Their smiles say it all. It sure feels good to give back. :)

Turkey Day

My favorite pictures from TURKEY DAY :)

Happy Thanksgiving From Iowa

Happy Thanksgiving from our table to yours.  The only ones missing in the photos are the Chef, Nana Shirley & me the photographer :)

Back At The Iowa Ranch

Meanwhile back at Nana Shirley's trouble is brewing with these 2 silly cousins.  I'm not sure which one is sillier :) #cousins #trouble

Class Reunion 1989

Kicking off the reunion festivities with two of my high school besties. Oohh how I love these girls. And oh my the memories...

Road Tripp'N to Iowa

Heading to Iowa for Thanksgiving & changing drivers at McDonald's.  Mommy & Josie are now in the drivers' seat :)

Kiddie Cocktails

Enjoying GDO with manicures & pedicures & ending our day with kiddie cocktails :) We "heart" Thanksgiving Break!!! :)

Annual Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Feast

Enjoying our annual Thanksgiving Feast with The Moise Girls :)

LIttle Indian

Enjoying the Thanksgiving Feast with our little Indian Josie 

Aztec Presentation

Aztec Proud

Gracie's class is learning about Native American's.  Each student picked a tribe to research & study & then had to present a 5 minute presentation to their class & parents.  Oh my, 5 minutes?!?!?! I was nervous for Gracie as 5 minutes seemed like a long time to me. But in pure "Gracie Style" she came home & began working away on her presentation.  Gracie chose the Aztec Tribe.  A good choice for her since the Aztec's loved colorful patterned dresses, jewelry & chocolate.  You could also dress like your tribe, read a legend, teach a dance or bring in a native american snack to share.  Gracie chose to dress up & share mexican chocolate. She really wanted to bring in mexican chocolate so mommy went to 4 stores until she found it :)  Yay for Team Rothleutner.   Gracie we are so proud of you as you nailed your presentation & all of the interesting questions that your classmates asked you too. Third Grade Rocks!!! :)

Love Thy Selfie

I couldn't agree more :) Josie is wearing her FAVORITE shirt to dance class. Thanks Mandy Moise.  We all love our "selfie's"

My Sous Chef

Helping Mommy peel carrots for Ginger Curry Chicken Stew :)

St. Clement Cheerleading

Our little cheerleaders performed today at the school pep rally :)  Josie is standing on the stage in a PINK St. Clement Football Jersey as her cheerleading uniform didn't arrive on time.  She is the third in on the left side. And Gracie is in the second row, second in on the left side.   Way to go girls!!! We can't wait to see you cheer at your first game in December.  Let's Go Wolverine's.  

We Got Spirit, How About You?

All ready for the Pep Ralley!!! :)

Starlet Board Winner

As recognition for their hard work, every week one dancer brings home the Starlet Board to proudly hang at home for being the best dance performer of the week based on the criteria set by the teachers.  Look who won it this week :) Way to go Gracie!!!

#TBT Baby Ballerina

#TBT - It's throwback Thursday with our Baby Ballerina Gracie at her first dance class on September 3, 2008. Oh my what a little cutie :)

Starlet Stirking A Pose

Gracie has been dancing since she was 2 years old.  I still remember signing her up for her first Baby Ballerina's class while I was pregnant with Josie.  And then taking her to her first class with Josie in tow when Josie was just 2 weeks old.  Wow...time sure has flown by!!! Gracie has always loved to dance & she has been quite the performer.  She has taken ballet, tap, jazz & hip hop.  This past spring her Hip-Hop teacher, Mr. Dan, told her that she should try out for the Starlet's Program as she had what they were looking for in a dancer.  The Starlet's Program is the Dance Team for the girls who are committed & dedicated to dance.  And who are also good dancers :)  They have try-outs once a year so in June Gracie tried out for Starlets. In July we found out that she made the Starlet's Team...Congratulations Gracie!!!  And she's loving every minute of it & proudly wears her Starlet Jacket which as you can see has her name on it.  Break a leg Gracie.... we are so proud of you!!!

Camp Rothleutner

Meanwhile back at Camp Rothleutner, Josie didn't want to sleep without her big sister.  Besides when one of them has been sick, they have always slept in the same room together. So she talked daddy into sleeping with him on Mommy's side of the bed.  And she brought some of her favorite things too. She sure does look cozy!!! :)

Camp Tecumseh

Gracie & I road-tripped to Indiana today with her Brownie Troop for an overnight camping adventure with 20+ Brownies & their Mommies.  We enjoyed a fun-filled day of horse back riding, hiking, singing songs & performing skits. And of course making smores & sipping hot chocolates around the bonfire too.  And with no cell service it was really nice to totally "disconnect" from everything & enjoy some one on one time with just Gracie Girl :)