We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto!!

We got back from Kansas a few days ago. Wow, what a drive!! But we had a great visit with Papa Larry and Grandma Neese (Rusty's dad and his wife, Denise). Caitlin did great in the car and sleeping - always a concern for us when we travel. She loved sleeping the one night in the hotel in the big bed all by herself!!

We drove on Tuesday and stopped halfway in Kansas City and this is what we got the next morning. SNOW!!!


But finally we got there and we were so happy to not be driving anymore!



We took Caitlin to the Exploration Place in Wichita and she loved playing with all the exhibits.

And she got to go to Chuck E Cheese - one of her favorite things to do!!

We loved our visit!! But it was nice to sleep in our own bed again. :)

In A Bubble

This was an exhibit at the Exploration Place. You pull the rope and a bubble is formed around you. Caitlin loved it!! (Sorry it's sideways!)

Another cool exhibit from Exploration Place.

Caitlin's new school

Well, I finally found a school for Caitlin. There is a 3 star place literally 2 blocks from my work and I went and checked them out today. WOW - I loved it. It was so much better than any of the places in Smyrna and around the same price. So I signed her up. It is called Children's Christian Center and they've been there for 50 years. She will have two teachers. One has been there for 12 years and one for 2 years so I feel confident in their experience and loyalty. The rooms are all huge so there is plenty of space for them to play and learn. They only have a 3-day slot open right now, but in June she will go full-time. Since she is taking the full-time slot they have open, she is automatically in for the next school year. Otherwise, we would have had to try the first come first serve registration that they do in March and probably not have gotten in. The director said that usually they have people standing in line at 4 in the morning for their available slots. No thanks!! So I feel very lucky and happy that Caitlin will be in a great place. I think she will LOVE it!!!

Rusty's new job!!

Rusty and I decided that he would get a full-time steady job this year since the real estate market was slow. He hadn't even reallly started to look and we heard about a company in town that was looking for a call center manager. Rusty did this before for Accenture. Tina Scott works for them and told them she knew someone for the job. They liked whatever she said and said for him to call that day. (Thanks Tina!!) So he did and within a week everything was finalized and he formally accepted the job. He will start Feb 11 and is looking forward to it. It was such a blessing for this to happen so quickly. We really feel like this is where he is supposed to be. He will have the flexibility to make his own schedule and still do real estate on the side. And the company is really growing and seems like one where he can progress and move up.

So now we just need to find someone for Caitlin. If anyone knows of a good inexpensive daycare/nanny that's close to my house, let me know!! :)

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, we took Caitlin to see Santa. She was so excited!! Most kids were screaming or shy when they saw him. She ran up to him, jumped on his lap, gave him a hug and just started talking.




That night, we let Caitlin open her gifts under the tree. Thank you everyone for the wonderful gifts you gave her!!!







One of her favorite gifts by far was the Dora pajamas that Lara and Jeff got her. She doesn't want to take these things off!!!

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning, we had to wake Caitlin up and tell her that Santa came. I love the 2nd picture. She was so excited when she saw the tree. She started kissing her Dora presents.





Santa knew how much Caitlin loves elephants so he brought her another one. She now has 6, I believe, and loves them all.



Caitlin asked Santa for a "pretty, pretty necklace and a pretty, pretty bracelet and a jump rope. She was a good girl, so that is what he brought for her.

Christmas at Nana's

Caitlin had so much fun opening more presents at Nana's house!






After, we went to the fire station to see Uncle Ben, who had to work.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Caitlin and Snowball

Okay, I know this is a horrible picture. Ben took it with his cell phone and I rec'd it as a text at work. It is hilarious!! I don't know if you can tell, but there are two little legs, wearing Crocs, sticking out from under a dust ruffle. This is where Caitlin decided to fall asleep today - UNDER THE BED!!! Too funny!!

The latest Caitlin-ism

"Mom, I've never seen dragonflies. I didn't even know that dragons could fly." And then her very next sentence was, "And Zebras sure can kick."

Christmas Pictures

Geaux Tigers!!