A Basket Full of FUN

It was and Egg-citing fun filled Easter for the girls, Russ and I! Nini and Aunt Allie came up for a few days, followed by Marcus, Lucy and Levi--the Easter Bunny, and finally GG and Gpa!!! We took full advantage having company---we went to the mall to find the Easter Bunny, played Candy Land about 1000 times, put puzzles together, read books, had brunch with the Easter Bunny, and even had an egg hunt! Thanks to all of you for sending the girls cards and or calling to wish us all a Happy Easter!


The girls were just as excited to see Nini as she was to see them! Lexie and Olivia cleaned up with their Easter goodies! Thanks Nini!!!
Olivia showing off one of her new outfits.

Showing off all of her goodies from Nini! Thanks a bunch!!!
Showing off the puzzle she got from Aunt Allie!!!
Decorating some...eggs--err, um...faces with Daddy



Excited to see the Easter Bunny!

Ready to go!

There's the Bunny!

Waiting in line is so much more fun with Aunt Allie!

Back at the house, it was time for another round of Easter goodies. Grandma Barb sent a care package for the kids...Lexie couldn't wait to see what was inside!
Don't let the face fool you...she loved her outfit and talking bear!!!

Olivia proudly showing her new outfit--though, she was a bit terrified of the laughing duck--Lexie got a kick out of it though!

All dressed up on Easter Sunday and ready to go to the club for brunch (and to see the Easter Bunny again!)
Olivia and her buddy Aunt Allie, patiently waiting for everyone to be ready! (Poor Aunt Allie couldn't get a moment to herself all weekend!)

Lexie was anxious to see what was inside
Group shot at the table.
Olivia loving her Egg from the Easter Bunny.

Allison, Lucy, Levi and Marcus pose for a quick picture.
Family photo-this was about as good as it got--5 tries and all!
Back at the house, we came home to see that the Easter Bunny had visited while we were out to brunch. Lexie was excited to see she had a basket...and there were eggs hidden throughout the basement since it was too wet for the bunny to leave them outside.
Olivia scored big too!
"Here's and egg...and look, I found another one!!"
Looking so sweet and innocent while searching for eggs!
Shortly after their egg hunt, the kids took a nap only to wake up to find the Easter Bunny left them another suprise...GG and Gpa were back from Florida! We are so happy to have them closer to home!

Thanks again Nini and Aunt Allie...and of course, the Easter Bunny for making this holiday egg-stra special!

Egg-stra Special

The sky looked somewhat ominous and I was getting more nervous by the second! Today was the day we were hosting a play date for our MOPS friends. Lexie was so excited to have everyone come over to her house to play and look for Easter Eggs! Luckily, the weather held and we were able to hide all of our eggs outside (and not in the basement like we thought we were going to have to do!). We had a GREAT turn out and the kids really seemed to enjoy coloring eggs, playing on the play set, and especially finding eggs hidden in the back yard! Thanks to all of the moms for coming out!


Most of the kids headed straight for the play set when they first arrived!


Let the egg dying begin!


Stephanie lending a helping hand to her adorable kiddos Ella and Carter as they decorated their eggs.

Dying eggs was tons of fun...and not nearly as messy as I had envisioned!


Ready...set...go! Cole, Addyson, and Noah anxiously looking for Easter eggs!


Ella and Lexie found some eggs under the slide and behind the rock wall.

Olivia did better than I thought she would...though she still only grabbed one egg--as soon as she figured out there was something in it (ie food) she wasn't interested in ANYTHING else!

Noah found a green egg and was really curious as to what was inside!!

The 'play park' (as Lexie likes to call it) was a huge hit---and thankfully, no one got hurt!!

Would you be her Valentine???

Since Lexie goes to a Christian based private school, they have certain restrictions when celebrating various holidays. For Valentine's Day, they were asked to keep Christian themes in their valentines to be exchanged with their classmates (there goes my idea of using the Mickey Mouse cards left over from last year!). The children were encouraged to make their own...with help from their parents of course! Luckily, we still have Aunt Allie's cricket machine which made our home made valentines much easier to create!


After cutting different shapes, sizes, and colors of hearts using the machine, Lexie helped to glue them on. We used the first Bible verse she learned and was tested on for the message on the cards. I think they turned out cute--but I am a bit biased!
Trying to finish her breakfast, but she was so excited to give her friends the cards she made, she was having a hard time concentrating! "Mommy, I'm so excited for the party at my school today!"

Hope everyone had a day filled with L O V E!!!

Texas Christmas Visit Take TWO

For the second half of our trip, we relocated to my dad's house near Humble. Lexie was instantly in heaven when she saw the pool---and Russ was excited to be able to get out and play some golf! This was the first visit to Houston where we stayed at both Michael & Debbie's and my dad's. It was a bit of a whirlwind, but we had a blast! We really wish our trip wouldn't have gotten cut short since it seemed like we really didn't get to spend enough time at either place! Luckily, most of the gang from Seabrook was able to come up New Year's Day to hang out and visit! Guess we will just have to try to make another visit soon!


View of the back of the house
Night time shot of the hot tub and pool...Lexie LOVED the pool, LOVED the colors, and LOVED visiting with everyone!
Russ posing with the girls prior to celebrating what seemed like our 6th Christmas---we were all super excited
Passing out Christmas gifts
More gifts....
Olivia gets in on the gift opening action
"Thankssss"
The next morning---very early in the morning--before anyone else was awake, my dad fired up the smoker in preparation for the feast that was to be enjoyed MUCH later in the day. When the rest of us were finally awake--a couple of hours later, the whole house smelled like a smoker! Everyone raved about the food so it must have been worth all the effort. (I tasted the baked beans--as they were also 'smoked'--pretty tasty!)

Here is the custom made plaque on affixed to the front of the smoker! This is no joke!
Throwing a few more logs on the fire
Supervising from the widow
Briskets being smoked in preparation for the big New Year's Day Celebration

Dad and Granny standing in front of the smoker
Russ enjoying the warm water in the pool with the girls
Hanging out on New Year's Day--good weather, good food, good times! (Doesn't hurt that the Buckeyes won--GO BUCKS!)
Uncle Mitch showing Spencer a little 'love'
While getting the girls ready for bed, Olivia decides to 'HONK' Spencer...I think she got him good
Posing in our matching jammies again---

Poor Spencer never had a chance once the girls ganged up on him!
Posing with Uncle Mitch before his morning drive back to San Antonio
After Uncle Mitch left, we took the kids outside to let them run off some energy. It was a cool--but gorgeous morning!

Olivia was loving the outdoors!

Taking the girls for a ride--enjoying the crisp fall like air (rather than sub freezing temps up north)

Eagle Scout Russ working on the wood pile for the bonfire later that night
Grandpa wanted a turn at taking the girls for a ride around the 'backyard' in the wagon
Night time bonfire is complete with toasty warm marshmallows
"These sure are good mommy---but I'm a messy mess!"
Getting a little bit of help from Daddy and Granny
Lexie loved the bonfire--and the big red blanket wrapped around her! It was a bit chilly!
THANKS Dad for hosting such a great party on new year's day...and thanks everyone for a great visit! Hope to see you all again soon!