Enchanted Dress-Up Tea Party

We had Avery and Abby's combined birthday party this past Saturday. We have always had a combined party for them since their birthdays are close together. They share many of the same friends, and so it just makes sense. This year we did it at Simply Puzzled, a darling gift shop and party room in Sherman. They had several dress-up clothes to choose from as well as boas, necklaces, and crowns. Everybody got to get their make-up done, too. The children answered a questionnaire that asked things like: What do you want to be when you grow up? What is your favorite color? Who is your favorite movie character? What is your favorite Disney movie? Then they had a fashion show on a cute stage. As they stood (or pranced around) on stage, a lady read all their information for the audience. They had tea (juice) and cookies in beautiful tea cups and saucers followed by yummy cake. After the sugar high, we let them have their own dance party on the stage.

It is hard to believe our girls are 5 and 3. Time flies! What a blessing from God these two cutie pies have been in our lives.

All fru -frued up!

Sisters Paislee and Preslee, our friends since birth.


Our other dear friends, Sadie and Sybil.


Cousin Mylen's favorite time of the party - tea and cookies.
(Not long after the party had begun, Mylen asked Aaron when it would be time to leave. Ha! He wasn't to sure about all the girlie stuff going on.)


Maybe some day I can make a cake like this.



5 candles on one side for Avery and 3 candles on the other side for Abby.


Abby spitting, I mean blowing out her candles.


"Of course, I am going to try to stick this whole rose of icing in my mouth. What is wrong with that?"


Avery trying to be polite, waiting for the others to get their cake.



Time to open presents on stage.


More pictures of the glamorous girls .

Even More Snow!

Wow! We could hardly believe how much snow we got this time. The Denison area received between 6 to 8 inches of snow just 3 days after the last time it snowed. It started in the early afternoon on Thursday. Of course, I pushed the girls nap time way back so they could enjoy playing in it as it came down. The snow flakes were so big that at times it seemed very blizzard-like. I never want to live in a place where it snows often, but it sure is nice a couple times of year.

"Look at my snowball, mom!"

I can barely see you through the snowflakes, Avery.


Winter Wonderland!


A school bus got stuck in our culdesac and our neighbors had to help dig it out with shovels.


Buddies!

The next day it was bright and sunny, and we had a ball playing in the snow that had not melted through the night. We tromped, once again, over to the church, hoping to sled down the slope, but we just sank through the thick snow.

"I'm gonna get you, Daddy!"



Lovin' this snow!


"Keep me warm, mommy!"


"Building a snowman can be hard work, can't it, Daddy!"


The girls were pretty proud of the nearly 6 foot snowman we built.


OK, so were Wes and I.

THANK YOU, AGAIN, GOD FOR A WONDERFUL SURPRISE IN MARCH!

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

On Saturday we were at the park feeding the ducks, going for a walk around the lake, and having a family picnic in 75 degree weather. Two days later we were building a snowman. THAT'S TEXAS FOR YOU!

Last night we got about 4 inches of snow. We had the high schoolers over for our weekly devotional when it first started coming down. After the devotional we all ran outside for snow ball fights and lots of fun in the snow. It was really coming down thick. Avery and Abby were thrilled. We let them stay out there playing until 9:30pm. Hey, how often do we get to play in the snow? Then we came in to warm up by our fire. They were up this morning, bright and early. Right after breakfast we headed outside to take advantage of the snow before it melted. We made snow angels and a handsome snowman. The girls and I went for a long walk to the church where we trampled up and down in the snow and rolled down the huge slope. They had a lot of fun walking around the prayer garden in the thick of the trees. Some of the trees were bent over the pathway, heavy with snow, making "rainbows" as the girls called them. After our trek home we warmed up with a hot chocolate with marshmallows tea party.

THANKS GOD FOR OUR NICE SURPRISE!

Wes, Cina, Melanie, Abby, and John taking a break from the snowball fights.

Trista and Danielle - Trista get some pants on!!!!

DADDY'S GIRLS!


BRRR!

Getting cozy around the fireplace.


"Yay! It didn't melt during the night!"


"Mommy, this is so much fun!"


Our lovely snowman. Avery is showing off in front of him by giving me bunny ears.

Our February

The month of February started with a bang! Abby turned three on February 3. Yes, it is hard to believe that my baby is already THREE! We took cupcakes up to her preschool class and will have her and Avery's combined birthday party in the near future.

Abby,what a blessing from God you have been these last three years!

Trying desperately to blow the candle out!


Yum! Yum!


Say "ICING".


Trying out her new remote control car. The girls had a lot of fun playing with their cousin's cars at Christmas, so I couldn't resist getting her this.


Setting up Dora's castle with all the new furniture. Maybe she will be an interior decorator???

We had a terrific Valentine's Day. The girls and I made tons of pink, heart-shaped rice krispie treats to give to their classmates, friends, teachers, and family. The Valentine that was attached said, "You make my heart go snap, crackle, pop!" We had such a good time making those together. I am so glad the girls enjoy cooking. Unfortunately, I failed to take pictures of these sweet memories.

Wes and I enjoyed a date together while my friend, Carrie watched our girls. We went to an Italian restaurant in town and then to see "The Bucket List", which I highly recommend. Even after almost 12 years of going on dates with Wes, he still makes a wonderful date. I love those special times with my hubby!

This past weekend I went on our annual ladies retreat. This year we went to Sky Ranch. It was a great time of fellowship, faith building, worship, and fun. This year our group seemed to get especially close as we shared our faith defining moments with one another. Yes, there were many tears shed, some happy and some sad. I feel so thankful to be a part of such a magnificent group of Christian ladies that I can call "sisters". God has really blessed Wes and I with a loving church family. While we were there we had the opportunity to go on a cattle drive, and go for a high ride on a zip line.

I love you ladies!

8 out of about 50 of us ladies decided we didn't want to miss the cattle drive. How do you like our lovely helmets?

I look like I am smelling the most horrible smell. Sorry, Nicona, you really didn't smell that bad, buddy. I only wish I had sat on a pillow. My bottom is still sore from the ride.

Abby went to the doctor today for her annual wellness visit. She checked out great! She is in about the 95th percentile in height and 50th percentile in weight. She is quickly catching up with Avery in height. She really impressed the doctor by counting to 30 - leaving out only the number 15.

Avery really impressed me on Monday. A while back after she had told a lie (I can't even remember what it was) we told her that God hates it when people lie. Well, on Monday, I asked her to clean her room while I was in the kitchen cleaning the dishes. After I finished it didn't look like she had cleaned up a thing in her room. I asked her if she had been cleaning, like I had asked her to. She paused, then replied, "No". Later in the day, she randomly said to me, "Mom, you know how I told you "no" this morning. I thought about lying and telling you that I had been cleaning my room, but I remembered that you said that God hates it when we lie. I decided I'd better not lie." I was pretty proud of her.

Heather's Pictures

My sister, Heather, is a wonderful photographer. She took these pictures while they were here in December. She has her own website that is dedicated to orphans and refugees around the world.
http://rescue-photography.com/

Avery, Abby, Mylen, and Grandpa enjoying the ride to the Dallas World Aquarium on the DART.

"Thanks for the lift, Grandpa!"

I hope you never stop being cuddly!

Caleb, Avery, and Mylen had fun playing at the DART stop.

Precious Aivlyn with her adoring Daddy.


The whole Chowning Gang


"We love you, Grandpa!"