Hanukkah 2012 and Getting ready for Christmas

What a crazy and busy time of year.  It was just yesterday that we were sitting down at our dining room table for Thanksgiving dinner.  We had a very nice quiet Thanksgiving.  We did not travel and we did not have guests.  We didn't travel, as we have a new member of the family, who we cannot leave just yet.  His name is Ringo.  Ringo joined our family in mid-November.  He is a beautiful 17 month old dog...his momma is American Bulldog and his daddy is Greyhound and Collie.  He really looks like a Greyhound.  He is such a good natured dog. He is so sweet and great with the kids.  He does get into trouble by chewing things and being hyper at times, but he is a great addition to our family.

Since my last post, we have celebrated Halloween.  Morgan hung out with some friends and dressed up as Katniss from Hunger Games.  Bella dressed up as My Little Pony and went trick or treating with her BFF Becca.  Lots of fun, lots of candy!

Morgan completed her first quarter of high school and did great!  She earned As, Bs, 1 C (in Spanish).  She did well without my support!  Love it.  She is growing up so fast.  I can't believe that college is around the corner!!!!!!!!  She continues with horseback riding and has been spending about 8 hours per week (every sunday all day) at Hunt View Farm helping out on the farm and riding.  Snuck this picture of her last week when I dropped her off.  She made my heart melt.

Bella continue to amaze us, too :)  She is reading!  That's right, reading!  She not only has phonemic awareness, but she comprehends what she is reading.  Her staff at Kidsco told me the other day that she was reading a book to some of her friends.  The entire book!  I borrowed the book so I could have her read it to us at home.  Check out this video.  She is reading Marvin K Mooney from Dr. Suess.  We have never read that book before.  Tonight she blew me away reading "We're Going on a Lion Hunt."  

VIDEO WILL BE UPLOADED SOON

Hanukkah started early this year, so it is separate from Christmas, which I like.  We have lit the candles for three nights so far.  The girls each light their own menorah.  Omi, Poppop, and Aunt Joc are coming in for Christmas.  Can't wait!  Happy Holidays!