Sunday, March 25, 2012

Spring Break 2012

Spring Break has come & gone for us this year. Even though we didn't go anywhere on a big trip, it was nice to have a break from setting our alarms!

Monday, we went to see The Lorax which was really cute as far as kids' movies go. We ended up sitting on the 2nd row which wasn't my first choice, but it was still fun.

Tuesday, we went bowling which was fun. None of us are headed on any tournaments anytime soon, of course!

Gracie didn't like it when I teased her for a bad frame!

She was a great help with Ellie!

Tuesday night, we went to the rodeo. Wednesday, we stayed home & cleaned up around the house in anticipation of a visitor the next afternoon, and I worked on some work stuff. Thursday, Gracie earned a little money watching the little girls for me at the church building while I worked in the office for a few hours. That afternoon, Jennifer & baby Jack visited! Friday, I can't even remember what we did in the morning (ha!). That afternoon, we dropped Gracie off for a sleepover to study for LTC Bible Bowl. Their coach is amazing, and they have been studying so hard! That evening, the rest of us ate out and played putt putt with the Gordons. That was our Spring Break!

Leapin' Lizards!


We were excited to have our friend, Jennifer, and her precious (with a capital P) baby, Jack, come visit for an afternoon over Spring Break. Oh, he is adorable, and the girls loved playing with him!

I love this shirt I bought for Katie awhile back. Sums her up well!

Ellie & Katie got to ride in a neighborhood St. Patrick's day "parade," 1 day early last weekend. Streamers on the bicycles and cookies. What else do you need?

While Gracie has her violin lesson, we enjoy listening to the high school violinists practice in the orchestra room. Ellie enjoyed pretending to play along or to direct them!

Katie had fun making her poster for her turn at Star of the Week at her school!

Ellie & I enjoyed a 3 hour trip to the park & picnic with some friends from church last week. It was a beautiful day for it! We had a large number of babies/toddlers/preschoolers from church.


I was so excited when I saw that Annie was coming to town! Gracie & I went with another friend & her daughter, along with another friend. It was so much fun!

We enjoyed eating out beforehand. Italian is always a good choice for Gracie!

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Houston Rodeo 2012

Once again, our family enjoyed a great time at the Rodeo! We love it! We only got to go once this year and were more rushed for time than I liked (barely got to see the Livestock show part) but it was still great!

Isn't she just about the cutest little 3 year old cowgirl you've ever seen?

about to go on the ferris wheel with her daddy

Biggest sister helping littlest sister try to win a big prize!

Crazy Coaster fun for the biggest sisters.

Katie & Chris went on this ride which I have no interest in. It goes really fast, forward & backward, and at some point they put a cover over the whole thing. No, thank you.

Time for the rodeo!

Pink boots! Bought for Katie years ago...worn by Ellie now!




Ellie's favorite part of the night!


Time to call it a night!


Love some Houston rodeo (especially the food!)

Katie Boo's 8th Birthday

Dear Katie,

We are so thankful that God chose us to be your parents. You are a JOY to us. You're a sweet, spunky tomboy who loves BASEBALL, playing softball, Toy Story, making inventions, reading (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Geronimo Stilton, baseball fact books, etc.), watching t.v., & playing your new "electric guitar" (Paper Jamz). You don't have much interest in being girly, brushing your hair, wearing clothes that are ironed, or even making sure things match! You love giving hugs to us and are sweet about complimenting me on my cooking and if you notice I cleaned up your room for you, you're sure to notice & comment on it thankfully. You are keeping up with your straight A's on report cards and have no discipline problems at school or in your Bible Classes. If you start out your night sleeping with your head on one end of your bed, there's no guarantee you won't end the night with your head at the opposite end. You still love your Mickey blanket I made for your 3rd birthday and were happy to receive your baseball blanket I made you this year. You like to have a few stuffed animals in your bed at night although we don't love that because of your allergies. Your allergies are still around but perhaps getting a bit better. Hard to tell if they're getting better or we're just getting to used to them as your "normal." Your best girl friends are Emily (from church), Maddie (from school), and Tatum (from South Carolina). You're not above playing with the boys too though. After all, they play cool things according to you! When we have family Bible Study, you follow along & love to have your chance to read. You soak in everything and are eager to answer the questions Daddy asks to help you & your sisters learn. You love having grandparents visit and love visits with cousins as well.
We love you, Katie Boo! Happy 8th Birthday!

brownie treats for school the day before Katie's birthday!

Katie was happy for Ellie & I to join her at lunch the day before her birthday! Chick Fil A & Ooh La La!

Katie woke up pretty early the morning of her birthday, ready for some gifts and a birthday party, too!

What a blessed little girl; gift from family...and chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast!

She was excited to receive her new baseball blanket that I made.

She got nice things from us, her sisters, and both sets of grandparents.

She was so happy to be having a birthday party with a group of church & school friends at a local "jumpy" place. It was such an easy party, and I think the kids had a great time!

She had such a cute cake made by a girl at our church.

Instead of gifts, she asked her friends to bring books to donate to a local hospital, and her friends were happy to help! She was able to donate around 83 books to the hospital. We went this past week to deliver them, and one of the librarians was so nice and helped her to understand where the books could go and how they would benefit the patients. Of course, a few friends brought gifts for her, too. Not necessary but sweet.

She enjoyed getting to sit in the big blow up chair with her friends!

She had a fun time!

For dinner, she requested tortellini with a tomato cream type sauce, green peas, & garlic bread!

Here she is with her "birthday buddy" from church. Born 10 years & 1 day apart.

Grammer came through with a cool gift....a CUBS tshirt....her 2nd favorite baseball team & Pappy's favorite baseball team! And look at the cool baseball books! Just some of the books she got. No wonder collecting books for the hospital was an easy choice. She knew that if she were in the hospital as a patient, reading is an activity she would like.

We love our sweet Katie Boo!