Ethan's Day out with Thomas

March 12, 2010

We kicked off Ethan's 3rd Birthday weekend, with a special "Day out with Thomas" event. There were activities set up for the kiddos (a station full of toy train sets, coloring, story time, a big sand pit, etc). Ethan loves going to Barnes N Noble to play with the trains, so he had a blast playing with the train sets. The highlight of the day was going on a 25 min. train ride on a train that looked like Thomas the Train. We tried to take a pic of Ethan with Thomas after the train ride, but they had this roped off area and you had to wait in a long line to get an up close picture. Ethan does not like big crowds and does not always like taking posed pictures so we did the best we could!

Ethan and Eliana both had a fun day. I think Ethan enjoyed the activities more than the train ride itself, but nevertheless he had fun!

Thomas the Tank Engine

Ethan & Mommy (this is the best we could get)

The family on the train
(Eliana wanted to get down and run around)

Ethan on the train

Ethan & Daddy

Ethan intensely playing with the trains

Eliana and Daddy coloring

Ethan looking at the trains

Snow day!!

February 11, 2010

We have had crazy weather this year in Texas! It has snowed a number of times and on this particular day it snowed ALL day and we wound up with a foot of snow on the ground. I have a feeling people in Dallas will be talking about the snow of 2010 for a while (that is what we Texans do!) The kids loved the snow, even Ethan ventured out to walk in it, although he really did not want to touch the snow! Generally, the snow melts in a day but since it snowed so much and the temps stayed cold this snow lasted a few days! I forgot where I was for a little while ;-)!

Here are some overdue pics..sorry Nana!

(Eliana loving the snow)

(Ethan all smiles)

(our courtyard)

(the snow came down really heavy for a long time..it was beautiful)

Would I do the same?

A touching story..thought I would share. Makes me wonder if I would do the same?!?

http://www.missionyear.org/blog/leroybarber/lifestyle-of-offering

Cheering on our Dallas Cowboys

January 9, 2009

We had a Cowboys Party at our neighbor Joe's place to watch the Cowboys take on the Philadelphia Eagles. I dressed Ethan and Eliana in their Cowboy gear and we gleefully watched the Cowboys march to victory. Let me tell you that Joe is a diehard Cowboy's fan and there was definitely much screaming and jumping and excitement. Alas, the excitement of the win did not last long due to the fact the Boys lost their very next game! There's always next year...right?!?

The gift of friendship

December 29, 2009

While in Colorado, we got to spend a couple of days with Desha and her family. I have been blessed with some amazing friends over the years and Desha is one of these! Despite geography, I have been able to see Desha at least once a year (sometimes more) since graduating from college.

We enjoyed our time together and our kids had a blast playing together. We were looking for something inexpensive (preferably free ;-)!!) for the us to take the kids to so we all would not go crazy! After much searching, we ended up deciding on a tour of a candy factory. I think the kids had fun...I mean how can you not enjoy getting free candy while you are waiting and then again after the tour is over!

Mainly, we talked lots, ate lots, and laughed lots. It went by way too fast but in the wise words of Dr. Seuss "Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened!"

Desha & I

Okay not the best pic of me but check out my prissy girl ;-)

Desha w/Eliana, Zoe, and Simon

Hammonds Factory (YUMMY!)

Zoe, Simon, and Ethan watching them make candy
Ethan enjoying some candy

The kids waiting for our group to be called

Thank God for Free Candy!!

Christmas Day

December 25, 2009

Christmas morning has a new excitement for me as a mother as I watch my kids open thier stockings and play with their new toys. The joy I see on my children's faces I think is better than anything I experienced as a child. True to form, Ethan spent all morning and I mean ALL morning playing with his remote control car. For the longest time he just sat in one spot and watched the car go around and around and around. Eliana drug her baby doll and stroller up and down stairs and had a blast.

Later in the day we all enjoyed Christmas Dinner together cooked by my mother-in-law. Of course, it was excellent and I hope to be half the cook Marilyn is one of these days! Ethan ate the typical 'man' food (turkey, mashed potatoes, and corn), while Eliana tried everything! It was discovered that Eliana loves black olives. She could not get enough of them. She must get that from her daddy!

As always, Christmas was over quickly and we were left with lots of pictures and memories. However, I guess Christmas really is never over if the true meaning of Christmas..the baby named Jesus who changed the world forever....is lived throughout the year!

Our attempt to get a pic of me with the kids ;-)

It's Christmas and I can cry if I want to..for some reason I love this pic!
Ethan & Eliana enjoying Christmas Dinner

Santa's lost reindeer
Another lost reindeer and an elf!

Ethan playing with his new car (Classic morning hair!!)
Ethan opening his stocking
What else is in here??
Eliana, Aunt Jamie, and Cousin Adaline

Christmas Eve

December 24, 2009 (like you did not know when Christmas Eve took place)

We opened presents Christmas Eve. The kids had a blast, of course!! Among Ethan's favorites was a remote control Lightning McQueen, some new Thomas the Train tracks and Eliana loved her baby doll and doll stroller. Before opening presents we found a little church and went to their Christmas Eve service. It was interesting because I missed most of it because I kept having to walk outside with Eliana, but it was nice anyways.

Christmas Eve Service

Nana & Eliana (not sure why this is fuzzy!) Ethan, Eliana, and Abigael playing with the ornaments
Ethan and Eliana opening presents

Ethan studying his new car