Thanks Phil & Stephanie for Noelle’s ukelele!!!

We are big American Idol fans in the Pond household; However, this year we are a house divided.  Noelle is so crazy about David Archuleta (she screams "I love David" every time David A comes on), where Mike and I prefer Cook’s artistry.  I think Noelle will win with the teeny-bopper vote to back her up, but I’m still pulling for Cook.

Last night we watched the finale together, and Noelle started waving her hands with the crowd.  It was the cutest thing in the world; she is just so precious.  We got a little bit of it on video for you to see!  :)  

Any time we turn music on, Noelle goes over to Mike and says, "Daddy, hand" and pulls him on to her dance floor for a dance.  It’s the sweetest thing!

Sunday we did some "tappy tappy" with her first pair of tap shoes!

Noelle loves to hug and kiss, and we treasure her kind little heart.  Her spirit is so tender and caring, and we are having so much fun being her parents! 

Noelle throwing up dukes at the bubbles, which is a really funny picture considering she knows nothing about boxing!

Jillian and Noelle did it!  We couldn’t believe they actually hung on the bar all by themselves – GO GIRLS!

Jumpy, jumpy, jumpy (Noelle was singing this the entire time they were on the inflatable).

Awww… Sam with Mommy and Jillian posing for a pic!

Noelle about to attempt a cart wheel on the balance beam – J/K, but it looks like it, doesn’t it?

Jonathan’s grandma made the best cake – it was so yummy!  Kristen threw such a fun birthday!  She even made a collage of Jonathan’s first two years – it was all so great!

Sam and Noelle giving Jonathan a big bye bye birthday hug!

Noelle is CRAZY about Emme, and Emme thinks Noelle is a lot of fun!

The girls had so much fun cuddling and taking pictures.  They are so sweet together!

Time to get up!  🙂

Noelle walked right up to this cow and said, "Money, money!"  We were cracking up!

We had such a blast at the Dallas Stars playoff game last night!  This was our first professional hockey game and a great first to see.  It’s so amazing to see the game in person.

Mike and Noelle in front of Victory Plaza in downtown Dallas!  Noelle pointed to the screen and said, "Hi Pete!"  (He’s a local weather forecaster, and Jon has been working with Noelle on that one!)

Wow!  What a devoted fan!  The AA center was chilly throughout the game (it felt so good)! 

Crazy motorcycle show outside before the game!

Introducing the Stars – Everyone screamed "Stars" really loudly every time the word "star" was sung in the Star-Spangled Banner – Noelle loved that!

Check out those eyes!!!  The funniest thing happened right about now… there was this obnoxious fan behind us who was annoying everyone.  Noelle finally put her hands in fists and screamed "Nooo!" right at him.  We were all cracking up!!!  What kids can do that you only wish you could pull off!  Let’s just say Mike and I didn’t stop her!

Ever wonder where the hockey cheerleaders stand?

Noelle loved the rally towels and eventually snuggled in our laps with her baby.  She absolutely loved the game and all the music!

Noelle asked me to take this picture!

When Noelle saw this picture on the screen, she said, "Noelle funny!" 

We threw our cousin, Brittany, a graduation luncheon this weekend.  Our four course meal was fantastic (if I do say so myself), and the girls had so much fun together!  Brittany and Randi Rae (right pic) are going to be roommates next year at A&M.

Brittany’s table… everything came together so well.  If you know Brittany, she’s a neon girl, so this table was designed just for her, and she LOVED it!  YAY!

Brittany’s cake and key chain party favors.

The girls arrived, made smoothies, and enjoyed appetizers on the patio.

Linda (Nana) with Noelle and Brittany – what a special day for them to share!

Mom, Noelle, Brittany, myself, Aunt Joe, and Linda. 

After hiding her party shoes, someone took off her second pair of shoes while I was taking pictures of the girls, but to be honest, I don’t blame her one bit!  It’s a special treat being in East Texas.

Mom, Aunt Joe, and I were the servers for the meal.  I was working so hard trying to remember each rule – serve right, pick up left, let the guest know you are present before refilling drink, it was a lot of work, but I had so much fun, and the girls were laughing and carrying on – it was just perfect!

Mom made a toast for Brittany which brought us to tears. 

Brittany taught Noelle how to take a picture of me taking a picture of her. 

Noelle was star struck by Brittany and her friends!  She was in heaven!

Brittany, you mean so much to all of us!  You have been such a joy to watch grow up, and you are such a beautiful person, inside and out.  We love you, and we are so proud of you!  

Noelle patting the ground, telling Jax to sit "Right there."  Let’s just say I had nothing to do with Noelle’s accessories!  You’d think we were off to Hawaii!

We celebrated Aunt Joe’s birthday with her on Friday night.  She is the most wonderful person in the whole wide world, and we are blessed to have her in our lives!

Many happy returns of the day! 

Uncle Jim is so funny!

Mommy said, "You can pick just one!"

These last two pictures pretty much sum up our week! 

We got to spend breakfast with Poppa & Rara and dinner with GranPapa, MommaKay,  Stephen, & Grandma.  It was a wonderful day of celebrating, and we wish our Moms a Happy Day!