5x7 Folded Card

Bubbles Of Snowflakes Christmas Card

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Little Ballerina



I think since the moment I found out we were having a little girl, I dreamed of her taking dance lessons.  Can't believe that time has come!  What has been even more fun is seeing just how excited Jenna was to start lessons.  The day we went to register her, she wanted to stay and dance and also had to show the dance instructor all the "moves" she already "knows". 

Her first class was last Monday and she did great!  So far she loves everything about it from getting all dressed up, tapping, following the teacher, standing on her tip toes, to getting the sticker and lollipop at the end!

Here is a video of the first few moments of class!

First Days of School

Lane started 1st Grade on August 27th!

He looks so grown up in this picture!

Jenna started Children's Day Out on September 4th.

Our baby girl sure is getting big!  She didn't even cry when I dropped her off!



A Rainy Day

One Sunday in August, after church, it started raining.  The kids were so excited to see rain since it rarely happens in West Texas.  Although, we have had quite a few rainy days since then.  Definitely more than we saw here last Summer.  We decided to let them run outside and play in the rain.  The rain didn't last long but they had a great time!

Silly girl!  This picture makes me laugh!

Camping with Daddy

In July, Kyle decided (very last minute) to go camping.  Being that it was SO hot and Luke was only three months old, I chose to stay home.  He loaded Jenna, Lane, a tent, supplies, and off they went.  Here are some pictures he took of their weekend. 

I love how he dressed her in a church dress.

They caught fish!



Yummy s'mores!

Looking through these pictures I definitely had a few laughs regarding choices for clothes and crazy hair.  But, mostly I saw two happy kids making special memories with their Daddy.  I am so lucky to have a husband that is brave enough to not only take care of his kids by himself but take them on a two night adventure alone.  Lane and Jenna had a blast and can't wait to go camping again!

Back to School Teacher Gift

Lane started first grade on Monday and I wanted to give his teacher a special treat for the first day!  I found this cute, but simple idea on pinterest.  I just bought a six pack of old fashioned cokes and attached this adorable tag I found on http://www.thediaryofdaveswife.com.  Because I know a teacher never wants to cook after enduring the first day of school, I also included a gift card for dinner.

If you have multiple teachers, buy a six pack,divide it up, and attach the tag to an individual bottle.  This is what I am planning on doing for Jenna's Mother's Day Out teachers next week.  If your child has already had his/her first day, this would be so cute to do for teacher appreciation week too!  

I promise, your child's teacher will love it and will feel special that you thought of them!

Visits with Family and Friends- Part Two

In July, Kyle took us back to Houston.  The kids and I stayed at my parents for two weeks while he flew back to Midland to work.  This time we were able to visit even more people, eat at some of our favorite restaurants (that we really miss), and take advantage of all the activites that a big city has to offer.

Here are Lane and Jenna all ready to go to the circus!  My parents bought tickets for us to all go!

We got to the circus early to see the pre-show and take pictures with some of the circus crew.  Jenna was scared of the clown but not of the "pretty lady".

Showing off their souvenires with Nana and Papa!

 Luke with Janice (our friend who lives in Saudi Arabia)!

We also got to visit with some of our old neighbors from Pearland. It was so good to see

these sweet faces again! 

Cathy holding Luke (3 months) and Janice holding Grant (almost 10 months)

I was lucky enough to squeeze in a couple of girl's night out's with friends too!  Of course, I forgot my camera for these and several other places we went.  These trips back to Houston are always jam packed but they are precious memories.  Since we don't see our family and friends near as often as we used too, I have learned to really relish the time we do get with them! 

Visits with Family and Friends- Part One

We have lived in Midland a year now.  In many ways it seems like we have been here forever but many times I still feel like a newbie around here.  After going to Houston for Christmas, I wasn't able to travel due to my pregnancy.  So when Luke was two months old and June arrived, I was more than ready to travel home for a visit.  I was also anxious to meet my two new nieces and introduce Luke to many friends and family for the first time!

Visiting one of my sweet friends and her precious, twin girls!

We had a fun visit with cousins Elizabeth and Laurel!



Jenna giving her baby cousin some kisses!  She loves baby Madelynn!

Baby cousins!  Luke was two months and Madelynn was about two weeks here!

Family picture!  My Mom and Dad with me and my brother, sister in law, and our babies.  (Not sure where Kyle and Lane were)

We also had a "belated" family birthday party for Lane at The Rainforest Cafe' in Galveston. 

Summer Fun!

Although this West Texas heat is scorching; I have been trying to get the kids outside to play more.  I made that one of my goals this Summer!  A few weeks ago we made sidewalk chalk paint.  The kids had a blast making it.  They loved mixing colors to make new colors!

It's so easy to make!  All you need is some water, corn starch, and food coloring.

A muffin pan works perfect to hold lots of colors!

Here they are anxiously awaiting to start!

They painted a few pictures on the sidewalk but ended up having more fun painting their own hands, feet, and painting ants!  Gotta love kids.  You never know what they will do!  After about thirty minutes of painting they were covered with paint from head to toe!  Good news is....it's all washable!  

Jenna's Fairy Garden Party

Jenna turned three this past Saturday while we were in Houston.  I decided to have her party at my mother-in-law's house and invite some of our favorite friends and family.  We had so much fun visiting everyone.  As most little girls do, Jenna loves playing dress up, so I knew she would love a fairy party!

All the little girls received a tutu to wear, a wand, and their choice of wings.  They were so precious all dressed up! 

When I first started planning her party, I envisioned all the fairies sitting at a child size table to eat.  I wasn't sure I would be able to accomplish that, but thanks to my Dad and brother's handy work it all came together.  I absolutely love how the little table turned out and when Jenna first saw it, she was in awe!  Seeing her so excited, made all of the planning and prepping worth it! 

These yellow striped straws and daisy cut lids from The TomKat Studio were the

perfect addition to the table!

After lunch, the fairies were able to blow bubbles, color large fairy pictures, and do face painting!



Then it was time for cupcakes and cookies.



Here are a few pirates that joined the party because their sister was invited. 

My littlest guy with one of his great grandmothers.

Cousin Connor playing with Luke!

Happy Birthday sweet girl!  I think it's safe to say that you had a great time at your birthday party!  This year you have grown so much, expanded your vocabulary, become even more of a girly girl, and made us laugh so many times.  We can't wait to see what new things you will learn this next year! 

Wings:  Halo Haven and Target

Tutu's:  Made by my Mom and I

Jenna's Necklace and shirt:  Made by me

Cookies:  Magnolia Grill and Cafe'

Cupcakes:  Made by me

Printables, Mason Jar Lids, and Straws:  The TomKat Studio

Face Painting:  My brother, Chris

***A Big Thank You to my Mother-in-law who let us use her house and for preparing food.  My Mom and Dad who helped me decorate and run last minute errands!