Dance Recital Preview

Brenna's Dance Recital is May 21st.  We've been working on the dance routines since January and the costumes came in last week.  So, this past Saturday we had our professional recital pictures taken.  We only have 4 girls in our class (down from 6 at the start of the term).  Brenna is the only one with short hair.  Needless to say it took alot of hair gel, bobby pins, and a hair net to pull off her ballet bun.  Here's a preview of the costumes for her recital.

Our Very Own Dancing with the Stars Champion!

This post showcases a different McAlister girl!  This past Thursday night Keli McAlister (my sister-in-law) took the night off from her daily news anchor gig and strutted out in style for "Dancing with the Stars: Jackson Style".   She was one of several Jackson, TN area celebrities that paired with "learned" dance partners to raise money for the Jackson Theatre Guild. She performed the Foxtrot to a sold-out crowd.  At the end of the night, she was able to add another feather to her cap when she walked away as the winner of the competition!

We're proud of you Keli!  And, you can take comfort in knowing that you didn't just help the Jackson Theatre Guild.  The timing of this event couldn't have been better, since we're in training mode for Brenna's upcoming Dance Recital.  Brenna looked at the pictures of Aunt Keli and we talked about how brave she was to dance in front of all those people and how Brenna could be brave like Aunt Keli.  Hopefully, she'll take all this heart and not be a "deer in the headlights" or worse, just bolt right off the stage when her big day comes.

Pictures courtesy of Facebook!

Easter Weekend

We spent most of last week recovering from all our travels and washing clothes.  So when the weekend rolled around we were ready for some fun.  We decided to do some last minute shopping just to make sure the Easter Bunny had some ideas for Brenna's Easter basket.  She was waiting at the door to go.  I just happen to have my camera out and this seemed to be one of the few times she's still.  So I snapped a picture.  When I looked at this later, I was amazed.  Where did my baby go?  She's changing so much lately, getting taller, and her hair to starting to actually look like it has style.  She's becoming such a beautiful little girl.

McAlister Caribbean Vacation 2011

Oh my!  Where to begin?  It was a long and exciting week.  We had a fantastic time and I took alot of pictures (over 1,000 which is a new record even for me!)  But don't worry, I've widdled them down for this post so you don't have to suffer through every grain of sand that Brenna saw during this vacation.

I'll start with an overview, which is more for me than for you because I've come to view this blog as more of a journal of our families memories, than a communication tool for you.  If you don't want to hear about it, just skip to the pictures.

We set sail from Galveston on Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas.  We are no stranger to cruising as this logged my 10th, Jacob's 7th, and even Brenna's 2nd.  But, this was our first cruise with Royal Caribbean.  We sailed in a Grand Suite, which was wonderful and included some great suite perks that come along with their Concierge Club.  I won't go into all the details, but they did a fabulous job of making sure you were comfortable in all aspects of your vacation.  The ship was the largest ship to set sail when it debuted in 1999.  Of course, that's not the case now, but it is the biggest ship we've ever cruised with 3,200 passengers and 1,200 staff.  The ship was beautiful both inside and out.  Much more elegant than other ships we've sailed (with the exception of Holland America's Westerdam).  There were more bars than I can count, in-line skating, putt-putt golf, rock climbing wall, basketball court, a casino, an arcade, an ice skating rink, and four pools, just to name a few things.  And we managed to hit it all over the week!

The Ship - Royal Caribbean's Voyage of the Seas

Jacob's Trip to Paris

Since Jacob only views the blog, like everyone else, and is not an active participant (by his own choice, of course) I thought I would post a few of his pictures from Paris.

I offered to let him take my camera along, but he said no.  I was pleasantly surprised to see the fantastic photos and video he came back with from his iphone.  Isn't technology amazing!  He can fit his camera in his pocket and I need 2 bags to carry all my equipment.....

I have to admit, I'm beginning to get jealous.  First Xian and Shanghia, China then Osaka and Tokyo, Japan, now Paris, France.  I'm trying not to be bitter, I know its all for work.  But still, he knows I love to travel.  Next time, I'm thinking of stowing away me and Brenna in his luggage!

Jacob's free time was limited due to a cramped work schedule.  He managed to get some shopping in the first and last day of the trip and came home with some fantastic chocolate, t-shirts, pjs, candy, and puzzles for Brenna.   Luckily, their dinners were usually held at or near a tourist attraction each night, so he was able to see some things.  With alittle help from google, I managed to remember some French facts from high school.

Here's the first sight of the Arch

My Little Photographer

One morning this week we went outside to play.  It had been awhile since we've let the cats out to play in the back yard, so we brought them along.  Brenna and pickles are like a duo.  So up into the playhouse they went.  And eventually they made they're way up to the crows nest.  It wasn't the best kinda day for pictures, but they were so cute perched up there together that I got my camera and snapped a few.

Global Wildlife Center

My best friend Jodi is such a sweetheart.  She took off work on Monday and suggested we take the girls to the Global Wildlife Center in Folsom, LA.  Now, I grew up around this area and never knew this place was there.  So, we made it a girls day and packed up the kids and grandmaws and headed out.

It was an amazing experience!  Who knew there was alittle Africa right in the middle of South Louisiana!  The center covers over 900 acres and is the home for giraffes, deer, antelope, zebra, buffalo, bison, camels, kangaroo, and more birds than I can name.  All wandering free!  And you get to feed them up close and personal!  You get loaded into very comfortable and roomy covered wagons and embark upon and 1.5 hour journey through the natural preserves of South Louisiana with nothing between you and the wildlife but a cup of feed!  And they are so happy to see you!  The girls had a great time!  I highly recommend this to anyone close by.  Its an experience that you just can't get at the zoo.

An Early Easter

Well, Jacob's away so Brenna and I are at Mom and Dad's for the week.  We all drove to the airport together Saturday morning.  Jacob left for Paris and we made our way to Mississippi.  Needless to say Brenna is beyond thrilled since she gets away with everything at Mawmaw and Pawpaw's.  She came home to an early Easter, since the Easter Bunny left her a basket under Mawmaw's Easter Tree.

She wasted no time plundering through her loot.  She was thrilled to find activity books, crafts, clothes, bubbles, play dough, a butterfly net, umbrella, and shovel.  All the things she needs to keep her busy for the week.

Backyard Fun in the Spring Time!

In general, you can usually tell how busy we are based on how many posts I have on the blog.  That's why February and the beginning of March I felt like I was blogging every other day.  Thankfully, things have slowed down for the McAlister family lately.  It's like the calm before the storm, because things are about to get wild again.

Jacob will be going to Paris (yes, Paris, without me) for work next week, so instead of sticking around here, Brenna and I are going home to Mississippi to celebrate my birthday (yes, Paris, without me, over my birthday!!!!)  After everyone returns home to Texas, we have a few days break and then it's off again for a family vacation!  We're really looking forward to it, hence the countdown clock on the blog!  19 more days!

So, we've spent the last two weeks close to home and enjoying the beautiful Spring weather.  We broke out the shorts and short sleeves, refilled the sand box, and hit the back yard for some much needed outdoor fun.

Because She Loves Him So Much!

Before Brenna came along, Pickles and Moose were our "kids".  When I got pregnant, we had some concerns about their adjustment to our new addition.  It took awhile, but once they realized that she wasn't going anywhere, they both warmed up.  Now, Moose isn't particularly needy of Brenna's attention, but he does take her lovin'.  Pickles, on the other hand, seeks her out in his waking hours (though be it, thats not very many) and sticks with her where ever she goes.

Brenna is like me, in that she is a creature of habit.  She falls into routines that then become a way of life.  The particular routine I'm about to describe has been carrying on for about a year now.  She wakes up in the mornings, calls me to let me know she's up.  I go up there and we gather up the gang (Minnie, Daisy, "Big" Minnie, and blankie), then she says "Lets go find those kitties."

And so we head downstairs where Pickles is sitting patiently in the chair waiting for her to get up.  Once he sees her coming down the chairs, he jumps out of the chair and stretches out on his back, waiting for his morning rub down from Brenna.

After he's properly loved on, he and Brenna head to the living room where they stretch out in the floor in front of the TV and watch the morning cartoons.

Here's the pictures.  Different day, same scene.  It's like this every morning.

We Still Love American Idol!

Every year since she was born, Brenna has enjoyed American Idol as much as we do.  There are a few things I need to explain about this video.  First, you'll notice she only has on one sock.  Recently she's taken to taking off just one sock.  Now it's become a habit.  Here's how the conversation went when it first started.

Me - "Brenna, why did you take off your sock?"
Brenna - "Because my foot was hot."
Me - "Why didn't you take off the other sock?"
Brenna - "Because that foot is still cold."
Me - "I guess that makes sense........"

Next, if you're wondering what she says when she stops in the middle of the music to draw on her dry erase board it's, "I can draw a heart!"  She had just recognized that the singer was saying, "Where do broken hearts go?"

Finally, don't miss the big bow at the end!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

This year, since Brenna's creative imagination is soaring, we decided to make Daddy's birthday card, instead of buying one.  The process involved one blank card, one blank envelope, crayons, stamps, and stickers.  The original idea was a rainbow card.  Rainbows are on Brenna's top ten list right now.  We got alittle off topic once the crayon hit the paper, but she had a great time anyway.

Here's the front of the card.  Brenna drew a picture of Daddy, Mama, and Brenna along with a couple of rainbows and rainbow stickers.

The Houston Rodeo and Live Stock Show - Part 2

Well, we revisited the true Houston Rodeo and Live Stock Show on Friday, which was in full swing.  We were all cowboy'd-up with our vest and boots.  I pulled out her cowboy hat from last years rodeo, but I figured that would just end up being one more thing for me to carry.

We headed straight to the Exhibit Hall and didn't have to look long before the kids spotted the petting zoo.  This is always a favorite for Brenna and I think her and Elijah could have spent the entire day there.  The pot belly pigs were Brenna's favorite this year and she would chase the little guys around just to give them a pat.  There was lots of animals to see.  We even stopped by and watched some of the live stock show while they were showing the Bramer Bulls and then let the kids watch them groom the cows and goats for showing.

Let's Keep the Celebration Going!

Well, what could be more fun than celebrating a kids birthday?  Celebrating it twice!  We really enjoyed John's birthday party this past weekend, and when his actually birthday rolled around on Wednesday, Shellie and her family invited us along for some fun at the zoo.  Once again, we had beautiful weather.  We spent the morning at the zoo, where the kids enjoyed the animals, the wildlife carousel, and the playground.

John's 2nd Birthday Party!

We love to celebrate birthdays and Brenna has a very dear friend thats turning 2 this week.  You see John's picture on here often, as we've been blessed to get to know both his parents and his grandparents.  Brenna had been anxiously awaiting John's party all week.  Shellie did a wonderful job with the party and the kids had a blast.  We had perfect weather for some outdoor fun and the kids got creative while decorating birthday cake shaped sugar cookies.  Here's a few shots from the day!

Jodi, your photo banner idea continues on in Texas.  Who knows, by the end of 2011 we may just pass it all the way around the world (or at least the U.S.)!