Snow in Texas?

People kept saying we might see some snow flurries! Who would have ever believed it this early in December. The girls were so excited so I bundled them up and sent them outside for a few minutes to enjoy the snow!

Thanksgiving

This year we had the joy of hosting a Bowen Thanksgiving! Jessica and her family stayed here as well as DD and Ya Ya. The cousins got a long well together and were worn out by the end of the day. We took the girls to The Arboretum and Build a Bear! A great time was had by all. Unfortunetly, I did not take as many pictures as I wanted or planned. Wednesday afternoon, Alexandra woke up with a constant dry cough. By noon she had a fever of 105. Needless, to say we had to put her in our bedroom away from everyone else. Toby and I took turns holding her for the rest of the day. DD and Ya Ya often visited her whick brightened Alexandra's day since she couldn't leave the room. On Thanksgiving Day, Mike and family came over and Uncle Steve and Aunt Kathy joined us as well. The kids had fun, however, Alexandra did not get to join in on the festivities. We took Alexandra to the doctor on Friday and she had bronchitis, again. Friday we had a cousin reunion and celebrated Ariana's 3rd birthday.

We had a wonderful visit with the family! I am thankful we could all spend time together. I am also thankful Carolyn (Ya Ya) cooked the turkey and other fixins for the Thanksgiving feast. Thank you DD and Ya Ya for keeping the kids while us bigger kids got to go putt-putting and out to eat! All of us miss everyone and can't wait to see them all again!

Alexandra, Ariana, Avery, and Sammantha with Auntie Ca.

Ariana at Build a Bear

Ariana the ballerina

Avery at 18 Months

Avery is such a creative little girl. We took her in for her 18th month checkup and she pretended to be a kitty cat. Dr. Pam went along with it and couldn't get over how creative she was. I am sure she gets it from her big sister! She loves playing with barbies, babies, and being a little mommy. She talks a lot like everyone else in her family. She loves saying "HI" to everyone that walks in her path. So sweet.....she is constantly busy except when she sleeps. It is so amazing how many people tell us she looks like a porcelain doll. I may be bias but I would have to agree. It is a joy watching her grow! What a blessing!

Sunday School Cookout

In November, our Sunday School class got together for a cookout and a hayride. Everyone had a great time! Toby roasted our hot dogs for us and they were delicious!! While Toby roasted hot dogs the girls and I walked through the "snaky woods" as Alexandra would call it. The kids played hide and seek and other games in the grassy area. Then, Alexandra got to roast her first marshmallow with help from her dad. There also was a hayride that the kids really enjoyed!! It was great visiting with our friends while the kids played together. I am so thankful we have such a wonderful Sunday School class.













The family at the cookout.












Alexandra and friends.













Alexandra roasting her first marshmallow with daddy.

Girls playing in the snaky woods.

Avery walking in the snaky woods.

Alexandra

My sweet Alexandra is growing up way too fast! It is amazing how much she is learning. She came home the other day from preschool and recited the months of the year to me. I couldn't believe it! It was such a proud moment; my eyes filled with tears. Now writing is her new thing! She asks me "mom how do you spell brush, skirt, shirt, mommy, daddy, Avery, and so on". I love how curious she is. We sit and I tell her what letter and she writes it in her notebook. She is amazing! Her teacher agrees with me. When Toby picked her up the other day she told him what a great spirit she had and how excitable she is. That made my heart tingle!! Last week, Alexandra wanted to go to church with me so I told her we could try it out. She was awesome! She sat there so patiently. I also had activities for her to keep her busy. After the singing, she said "okay I am ready to go now". I told her we had to listen to the sermon. She said "okay mommy". I couldn't believe what a big girl she was. Again, I got tears in my eyes because I then realized she is growing up. I am so grateful that she has a love for the Bible and wants us to read it to her every night before she goes to bed. We were reading about Adam and Eve and how Satan encouraged them to make a bad choice. After we were done reading that night, she said a prayer "Dear Jesus I will not listen to any snakes, Amen". I love that girl so much and am blessed that God gave her to us to raise.

Alexandra writing in her notebook!

She is so proud!!

Trick or Treat

Yes, this is the last Halloween post!!! I will have to say my favorite Halloween festivity would be trick or treating around the neighborhood! This is the first year we have done this. We usually just do the Trunk or Treat. We were joined by Nana, Papa, Richard, Misty, Tucker, Macy, Joel, Holly, Kaitlyn, and Madelyn. We had a big crew which made for lots of laughs. It was priceless to watch the girls go up to the door, knock, and get candy. The poor little ones got discourged because the first 4 houses we went to no one anwered. Then we couldn't miss everywhere we went welcomed us with a handful of candy or toys! Avery was more interested in the people's dogs. She said " I want puppy". It was also fun to see Avery's reaction to all the costumes. When she first saw the monkey (Macy) she wasn't sure what do. She touched her belly then ran off. Finally, she made her monkey sound and gave the monkey a hug. So sweet! Alexandra had a great time too! She couldn't run to the next house fast enough. She is all about the candy and her pink vampire teeth! Alexandra has already said "mommy I want to go trick or treating again". I said you only have 364 more days to go! It is moments like this I will always treasure.

Avery, Nana, and Alexandra












Avery and Macy

Avery, Alexandra, Macy, and Tucker.

Alexandra and Tucker (mermaid and banana)

Leaving one house running to the next.

Come on Avery, no one is home.

The Harbor

The Harbor in Rockwall hosted a Halloween Extravaganza. There were bounce houses, games, music, and more! Since it was a bit cool that evening and it was right off of Lake Ray Hubbard, I dressed the girls in something a little warmer than their mermaid costumes. Alexandra was a princess witch and Avery was a lion. Thank goodness I kept those costumes for dress up clothes! The girls enjoyed the outdoors and of course dancing to the music! It was fun running into several of our friends and seeing their children's costumes.

The witch and the lion.

My girls entertaining the crowd!

Daddy and his girls.

Mommy and her girls.