Happy Thanksgiving!

Here I am getting ready for company to come over. Actually it's not company really, it's family! I'm wearing a rabbit head bath robe and brown everyday shoes. I'm holding a baton, a sparkly purse full of crayons, Mickey Mouse, and an I Love You book. A little bit later, Daddy came back home from duck hunting and watched some TV with us. I wanted him to watch Jon and Kate with me, but Daddy won't watch it... something about Kate being snappy and domineering and that he feels bad for Jon getting yelled at all the time like a scolded puppy. Or something like that. Here's me and Mommy, just hanging out.

Mia Beth didn't get to eat any of Daddy's yummy chicken, or Mommy's awesome smashed potatoes. She just hung out with Mamee and made Miabess noises.

Here I am with Abbie and Rex at the kids' table Wednesday night. This was our pre-Thanksgiving dinner and it was yummy!

Speaking of our dinner, silly Daddy took a picture of his plate. We had grilled, bacon-wrapped, jalepeno-stuffed duck (and chicken for the girls and kids) with chimichurri, and some grilled pork loin with just a hint of hickory smoke. Actually Daddy just tells me that every kind of meat is chicken, but I know the difference.

Halloween in De Queen!

This year for Halloween, I was Little Bo Peep and Mia Beth was my sheep! Meme bought Mia's costume and I got mine for my birthday from Uncle Daniel, Aunt Lissa and Ben. Then Mom made me a bonnet out of paper plates, hot glue, paint and ribbon! Momma and Daddy tried to be Sarah and Todd Palin.

Life at the Carlton House...

Well, it's just never boring at our house. I have to find all kinds of things to do every day. Here I am in Mia Beth's swing. Momma took a picture and then I was banned from the swing for life. Mom found me one day, sitting in my chair, reading this book. It's called "What Baby Needs". Now I am an expert on Mia Beth. As a side note, we are not supposed to color on our chairs with black ink pens. I found this out a few days after this picture was made.

I'm having to learn to share with my baby sister. My baby doll was resting in the swing and Momma wanted to put Mia Beth in there. We decided to compromise. I think Baby Doll was really glad.

Daddy's got these magic running socks. I think they look sooooo pretty on me!

I don't really like the cake part of puh-cakes [translation: cupcakes], so Mom made me a puh-cake spoon...with sprinkles! Mom is so smart.

Not much...

I have no idea what Riley Cate is doing in the following picture. I know she has on Mia Beth's hat, but I can't figure out what that is around her legs! Here I think we're doing a little bit of fall decorating by making our baby sister more festive!

I know you can't even see Mia Beth, but I'll try to add some more pics soon. This is all I could find that had been uploaded from the cameras.

Both girls are doing great right now! Riley Cate is talking like crazy and spouting out sentences that we had no idea she knew, like: "I can't reach it!" Also, for the first time, she recently climbed up in my lap and, without any prompting, said, "I love you, Momma." It was so sweet. Still, my thunder was stolen a little when she got her rock friend from children's church (not sure the application they used!) and kissed it and said, "I love you too much." Oh well.

I'd Like to Place an Order...

Just had to share this with ya'll. We stopped at Sonic on the way home and as soon as we pulled in, Riley Cate says "I'd like to buy a Coke, please." Seems she's been hanging out with Mommy a bunch, although she forgot to say "diet"!

Some other Riley Cate's:

We can't get in the car without her wanting to listen to Veggie Tales, which she calls what sounds like either "Funny Tales" or "Pony Tales".

She is still obsessed with the DeQueen mascot and just randomly whines or yells out "SEE LEOPARD!"

We have certain dances for everything: a ham and cheese dance, a mint dance and a "bar bar" (granola bar) dance.

We went to a halloween party at cousin ben's house last weekend and she pushed him down. Now she keeps saying "Texarkana. Party. Push Ben."

In her children's Bible, there's an illustration of Jesus placing the mud and spittle in the blind man's eyes. Riley Cate tried to give Jesus a time out. Remember that she also sings "...for the Bible tells me no." I think we may have issues.

More Mia Beth...

Daddy finally got around to posting a couple more of Miabef's pictures. He's got a bit of a photographic logjam at the moment, but I'm glad that he FINALLY made time for his own flesh and blood. And I'm sure that you are wondering who made Miabef's dress. I can tell you that it was handmade here in the USA. If you want one just like it, you can email Mommy and she can put you in touch with the lady from ebay.

Mia Beth's Photo Shoot

Mia Beth got to have her picture made the other night. She cooperated really well. I think she had to take a break once or twice for a bottle, and for some wardrobe changes. I had to explain to her that being a model is hard, but it's rewarding. And Daddy is a pretty understanding photographer, so that helps.