Pictures

Videos

First off, I was so blessed to have been able to go out to Oklahoma back in February to spend a few weeks with my family. Chris took me and the girls out and dropped us off, then came back and picked us up later. We had a great time visiting my folks and siblings, and it was hard to leave. I also enjoyed getting to sit under Sister Connie Wilson’s preaching (she’s their pastor) and my Uncle Don’s teacher (he’s the general HQ coordinator for ABM, an an awesome teacher). I really recieved a blessing and a refreshing. We had a lot of good times going out and just hanging out. But I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves:

Trip to Grandma and Papa’s 2-2009

Next up, I have added a gallery of the pictures taken when we had our first real snow in almost 10 years! It was so beautiful, and the girls had a lot of fun, considering it was one of the very few times they have ever seen snow in person. Everybody got out and we had snowball fights, made a snowman (he’s really short, because the snow was only about 4 inches or so), tried to sled down a hill, and just had a good time overall.

Snowstorm 2009

Finally, I have added pictures the girls’ birthday party. Everyone had so much fun with their animal masks, the craft, a special song by Eliana and Lydia (will load video later), presents, and of course, Cake! Eliana and Lydia were totally surprised by their bikes, and they told me over and over that they had a great time. I love throwing birthday parties! And even though I was dealing with a broken arm, it was a pleasure to have entertained everyone.

Eliana and Lydia 2009

Here are a few videos from the party:

We’re going to have tons of fun, but only if we can get everyone to come! Bring your own mask, or wear one of ours! There will be cake, games, music, crafts, food, and presents!! Oh, about those presents, don’t worry about bringing one, this party is all about having fun with our friends, so just bring yourself! If you do choose to bring a gift, then they are interested in clothes, books, and outside toys. They both wear a size 5/6.

The items for the treat bags came in the mail today, and we put them together. We also planned the menu, the activities, and the decorations. They are so excited. It’s hard to see them so far from being babies, but it’s fun for them to get more and more involved in the party planning as well as daily things like chores, making meals and such.

I have a TON of pictures I need to put up, but work has kept me so busy. Hopefully I’ll get to them over the weekend and this coming weeks so that we’re all up to date before I post birthday pictures next weekend.

We had a fun pirate dress up party for her. That’s one of her favorite things to pretend to be is a pirate. Thank you TV. A lot of us dressed up, and we all had so much fun. We did a scavenger hunt and at the end was a treasure chest full of choclate gold coins. She got some great gifts, including several outfits and shoes, a new doll, and a few other things. We decorated everything in pink and black, and the loot bags gave everyone an eye patch.

I wanted to get a lot more pictures than I did, but my batteries weren’t as charged as I thought they were. Chris was able to get some for me, however. So here they are!

Oh, I have failed to mention that just a few weeks ago she shop two big chunks from either side of her hair! We had to bowl cut it. We hate to admit that it is terribly cute! But it will grow out eventually.

Here are a couple shots and a video of my darling 3 year old:

I’ve also updated the galleries, so check them out!

I can’t believe my girls are so big! I have been a mother for 5 years. Man.. that’s like a lifetime, just ask Eliana, she’ll agree. They are so wonderful, and growing up to be so beautiful. They amaze me.

I’ve added to the gallery page, a Christmas 2007 gallery, and one from their party yesterday. I’ve also added to their individual galleries which are featured on their own pages.

Here are the pictures from the party:

When the children started to arrive, they went straight to coloring. It really was more successful than I thought it might be. It kept them occupied and quiet for a little while. Once everyone got there, we did a scavenger hunt, and then let Chloe open presents. She got several adorable outfits, a doll with snap on clothes, a toy tea set, and a Dora dress up doll (she screamed at the top of her lungs when she opened that). The, Wa-Wa went to set up the big present. He put in the hallway and then let Chloe come out to see it. It is a plastic roller coaster that has a little riding car you sit on, and it rolls down a sloping ramp and then releases into the yard, or hallway in this case. She absolutely loved it, and all the younger kids got a chance to ride.

We then took her to the cake and sang to her and let her blow the candles out. That was my favorite part of the whole thing. I held her up above the cake, and absolutely everybody gave her their full attention and sang wildly at the top of their lungs. I couldn’t really see her face very well, but It made me feel special that they were making my baby so special. She blew out the cnadles with a little help from mom and dad, and then I served cake while the kids went crazy on the roller coaster.

When it seemed that things were getting more settled down, I sat the kids in the floor and let them play hot potato with the favor bags. I didn’t have any music to play this time, so I hummed “Pop Goes the Weasel”. Walter got in there and helped out on that. I think he had just as much fun at the party as I did. He stayed involved in everything. It was cute.

Now back to my almost famous punch. This is the second time I’ve sued this “recipe” and this is the second time they’ve drained the bowl. Granny at one point said that she’d just take the bowl home with her. She really enjoyed it. Walter literally picked up the bowl and poured the last of it in his cup. He said he was really thirsty, but he wouldn’t have done it if he didn’t like it. I have to say, it really is good enough to keep you coming back for more. The recipe is simple:

• 1 Quart Rasberry Sherbet
• 1/2 of a 2 liter of Fresca
• 1/2 of a 2 liter of 7-up
• 1/2 2 of a liter Strawberry Soda

I did get pictures of the party, I’ll post them tomorrow.

We asked our waiter if they did anything for birthdays, and told him it was Chloe’s. They came out in a minute with a huge goblet of brownie and ice cream and sang to her. She had a half scowl, half grin the whole time, not sure if it was good or bad, and mostly just embarrassed. Once we let her loose on the ice cream though, it was nothing but smiles and chocolate smears. Amanda and Deb got pictures on their cell phones, not sure if I can get a copy of that or not.

We had a great time. Chloe didn’t know the difference, even though we were saying Happy Birthday every two minutes. For her party this weekend, we’re doing it in a Dora theme, and I think she’ll have a blast.