a couple videos...

I shot these videos this past week - but with everything going on, this is the first time I could post them. Enjoy!!

the rest...

Emily had a WONDERFUL Seventh Birthday. She wore another birthday crown all day at school - missed her name being read during morning announcements because she was at computer class...oh well, got serenaded by her whole class, received a free ice cream from the principal, got lots and lots of very nice gifts, some pretty cool flowers, and her favorite chocolate-chocolate cake. She also had a very nice dinner at Red Robin with us, Grandma, Aunt Teresa and Uncle Denny. A FULL day. Also a school night - which meant that Emily had to go to bed without really getting to play with her presents. Poor girl. Well, she has a whole two weeks off of school starting Friday afternoon...so I don't feel too bad for her. She's going to need that amount of time just to put together 1/2 of the Lego set that she got from the Marcikic clan!!

Some more pictures:



Paige helped Emily with her candles....

Emily FINALLY got her Bendaroos (from Grandma)...

The aforementioned Lego set...

AND, a couple pictures I took of Paige this afternoon....

And now...ON TO CHRISTMAS!!!!!

SEVEN

Emily is SEVEN today. Actually, she'll be 7 at 7pm. But....we started celebrating this morning.

But first, on Sunday night, she left me this note:


Okay, Emily. Queen for the day it is.....

And because there wasn't really time for birthday pancake this morning...we had birthday scrambled eggs.
We made "E" cookies for her birthday treat at school today. There will be much celebrating tonight - we will be having dinner at her favorite place, Red Robin, and then chocolate cake, ice cream and presents at home.

Happy Birthday to my sweet, crazy, silly, creative, imaginative, super-smart, super-adorable, girl. I can't believe seven years have passed since the day you were born.

Practicing a Smiley Face

By George, I think she's got it!!!!!

Brunch with Santy Claus

So, let's just say that my instincts were correct....Paige and Santa....not so much. And can I just say one thing....I LOVE my husband - BUT - I offered to hold Paige next to Santa. And why did I offer this? Well, because, I would have made sure that my sweet girls dress was not hiked up. If you really want to know, I think THIS is the real reason she was crying. :) LOVE YOU HUNNY!!!

At least my Emily was totally into it.
She was completely nervous sitting up there. She forgot to tell Santa that she wanted new roller blades. So, when the line died down, Eric took her back so she could let him know.

I asked her, "Em, do you think that's the real Santa?"
"Yes, Mom. BUT, where's his sleigh? I didn't see it parked out front."
"Oh, the sleigh is back at the North Pole getting loaded up with presents." Eric says.
"Santa probably flew coach."

Coach. Really??

yesterday

This was the scene yesterday morning - a dusting, if you will. The first one of the season. And, to accompany it - FRIGID temperatures. It's all gone this morning, but the freezing temperatures have stuck around.

Well, HELLO there, Old Man Winter. Be gentle this year, okay?

Have a superb weekend - the girls are visiting Santa on Sunday morning. Should be interesting. Betcha Paige is not amused.

not so traditional

So, by now, those of you that are on my list, have received your Gottlieb Family Christmas card. And, although, I was very happy with the picture we chose, the above photo...was my favorite. I was trying to be a little different. I thought it was cute. But, we decided to go with traditional.....oh well.

(and by "we", I mean, Eric. Ho hum.)