Isabella does NOT like Santa. LOL

We took Isabella to the mall last night to see Santa and get her picture taken. I walked up to Santa, holding Isabella, and she seemed fine. She "shook" his hand and didn't freak out, so I put her on his lap. The moment she felt my arms leave her, she was NOT happy! She cried full on. I felt so bad! When I took her back, she CLUNG to me. She wouldn't even let Jeff take her (and I was the one who gave her to Santa!LOL). We tried a second time (there was nobody else there), but she was having none of it.

We got the picture anyway, and it's pretty cute, even though she is crying. But isn't that what most kids do the first time they meet Santa?

R.I.P. Sophie

My godmother had to put her 16 year old dog to sleep today. Sophie was a wonderful, loving member of our family, but she was in pain from old age. She couldn't get up off the floor by herself, she slept most of the time, and she was in a lot of pain from arthritis most days. My godmother made the tough, heartrending decision to let her best friend go in peace.

Rest in peace, Sophie. We love you, and we will miss you.

What a Weekend!

We had an awesome, interesting and, for one moment, terrifying, weekend.

Yesterday was Halloween, and the day of Jeff's physical fitness test for the Correctional Officer Program. He did very well on the test, and goes back on Thursday for the Oral Board. I really hope it goes well, although the academy isn't until April (unlike January, like we thought). He also found a good job posting for a maintenance man that he is going to apply for. We're keeping our fingers crossed for that one because it would be a really great position.

Our Halloween, and Isabella's first, was awesome. We spent some time over at our friends' houses (First Tammie's and then Briana's). That was a lot of fun, and everyone oohed and aahed over Isabella fairy costume. When we got home, my godmother and my friend Mandy came over to hang out, watch movies, eat pizza, and hand out candy. Our friends Jeff and Julie stopped by to see Isabella in her costume, since Julie made the tutu and wings.

My brother got here late last night. He and my dad have moved in with us for the time being. Travis showed up last night in time to eat some pizza and watch a little tv with me while Jeff went to bed. LOL.

Right before he got here was our terrifying moment. Isabella started to choke on a ribbon from her tutu that had fallen off. I froze, we all froze. Luckily, our neighbors were here and they didn't freeze. Mike got it out of her, and everything was fine...if entirely scary.

Isabella had a pretty rough day today. Just generally not feeling great. We skipped church this morning because she was really cranky and just wanted Mommy to hold her. After Travis unloaded the truck, we went to lunch. Sonoran hot dogs are super yummy.

Jeff, Isabella and I then went to our friend Julie's surprise birthday party. It was a lot of fun. Steak, tamales, salad, cake, a bunch of cute three year olds running around, and Julie's look of utter shock when she walked in and we shouted "SURPRISE!" It was a great party.

My dad got here right after we left, so we saw him when we got home. Not that any of us stayed up long. My dad is in bed, Jeff is close to bed, and I am going to get ready as soon as I finish typing this. I guess we're a bunch of old fogeys. LOL.