Ready for summer

We have enjoyed some warmer days lately, but we are back to our sweaters and scarves for a few more days.  We are so ready for consistent warm weather. I told Wes this week I was ready for it to be be in the 90's. He thinks I'm crazy, but I just love the Texas heat!

Hannah got a cute new swimsuit in the mail this week and she's ready to try it out at the pool!

Ethan has been playing in the dirt every opportunity he gets.  Every time I buy him something new for spring I think "I should be buying his stuff at goodwill because it's all going to get covered in dirt every.single.day this summer."

When we can't go outside, Ethan finds plenty of entertainment inside.

This boy wore this helmet most of this afternoon. Including in the car.

We have never been big toy buyers for our kids, except at Christmas and birthdays.  However, I'll admit, I've given into a few extra toys this wintery season to help with the home entertainment. On Saturday Hannah was begging to get an Elsa doll (from the HUGE move Frozen). Instead of just buying it for her, Wes and Hannah sat and counted all her pennies and dimes from her piggy bank (and the bottom of my car) and came up with just over $10.  Elsa was $13, so we had Hannah do some chores around the house to earn the extra money.  She was SUPER excited to make the trip to pick out Elsa.

She hasn't let Elsa out of her sight since Saturday.

And lastly, today was a GREAT day. Ethan has been going through and extremely, and I mean EXTREMELY fussy stage. Each day is a battle from sun up to sun down...Wes and I have just felt so sorry for him because it just seems like he just hates life..haha! Well, today this sweet boy was SOOO happy. It was a miracle..and and answered prayer. I didn't make him nap because I was worried he may wake up grumpy! I just enjoyed today so much!

Here's to hoping tomorrow is another HAPPY day!

McDoodles

We have been cooped up inside the past couple of days with icy weather.  Public schools were canceled because of road conditions and it's just been blah.  Monday was exciting, though, when Hannah slipped on the ice and busted her chin open. Luckily, the Dr. was able to glue it up and she didn't need stitches. 

Today was still cold, but bearable, so we headed to McDonald's to play off some energy and get rid of cabin fever. Ethan begged for icecream. Guess who got what he wanted?

Of course when Hannah saw this icecream cone as large as Ethan's head, she had to have one, too. At least she ate lunch before hers.

Sweet siblings. 

I'm not sure what Ethan's going to do next year without his sidekick when Hannah goes to kindergarten. 

I almost cried when I just typed that my baby is going to kindergarten. 

Love these fun days "at home" with my kiddos. 

Back burner

Blogging has obviously taken the back burner these days. I'm so sad, because I love my blog and reading stories from months ago. I'm not giving up yet. I'm going to try to be better! We have been living life...and we have been freezing. Someone started wearing big boy underwear. 

And failed. We are now in pull ups just to make me feel like we are one step closer. 

Hannah got a new swim suit and wore it around the house when it was 20 degrees outside.

On a warmer day, (still about 45) the kids played in a sand area in our backyard. This has become something they love doing when it's warm enough to go outside. 

On a warmer day a couple of weeks ago I got the kids dressed and took some pictures in the yard. 

This boy just has my entire heart. I get weak in the knees when I look at him.

And this girl. OH. MY. WORD. She's just beautiful to me and looks 12 in this picture.  Can't believe she's starting kindergarten this year! Life is about to change drastically. 

Here's wishing for warmer weather and more blog posts to follow! 

Random Happenings

Hannah and Ethan got giftcards to build a bear for Christmas.  I took them a couple of weeks ago. Ethan was having a clingy/pitiful morning so I will have to take him on one of his happier days. Hannah, however, LOVED her first experience.  We had looked at some of the animals online before we went so that it wouldn't take an hour to pick that out, so right when she walked in she spotted Fluttershy, from My Little Pony.  She got a noise put in it, shoes, skates, a leash and an outfit.  She is in love with her new friend!

Also after Christmas I had decided it was time to potty train Ethan.  His first few hours in big boy undies we had some success, but that same night I spiked a fever that lasted a few days so that all went out the window and we are all content in diapers for a few more weeks! I'm waiting on the day that he decides he wants to use the potty all on his own...that happens, right?!

The other night my nieces spent the night.  When these 3 girls are together there is lots of laughter, squealing, twirling and signing. Bedtime never comes early and on this specific night at around 10:00 they decided they wanted to sit by the fire and read the bible.  They were discussing the pictures and telling each other the stories. IT.WAS.PRECIOUS. How do you make those sweeties go to bed?!

And lastly, we have seen the new movie Frozen 4 times! Yes, 4. I don't even want to know how much money we have spent at the movies in the last 2 months - ha!  But my sister and some friends went to the drive-in to see it this past weekend and since we had never been to the drive-in we thought we would tag along.  So, we bundled up and headed out for fun. 

After some late nights or giggles and signing and movie watching, this is my thought at the end of everyday..

I wouldn't trade it! 

Family Pictures

My awesome friend, Kathryn, took pictures of me and my family in October. I'm in love.

This little girl melts.my.heart.

And this boy and his daddy...

I love my family so much...glad we can capture our crazy lives together at least once a year! 

Too much fun

For Hannah's last dance class of the year they let the parents come in and watch their kids to see what they have been learning.  Hannah did so good and is learning much more than she knew last year. 

Getting ready for dance each morning always takes a little persuading because she doesn't ever want to stop what she's doing to get dressed, but once she's there she has a blast. 

I'm so proud of this little girl and I'm excited to see her perform in April on the big stage!

On another note, I went to an ugly sweater Christmas party. I didn't win any awards with my sweater, but my friend Angela totally rocked the 80's Christmas and won the best overall dressed.

If you are my age, can you totally see your mom wearing what she has on to her office Christmas party in the 80's? And her hair! She looked awesome.

I also went to Hannah's Christmas program at school.  She wanted NOTHING to do with singing. She just cried the whole time...even though I let her choose her headband that didn't match. 

Brother was watching and tried to comfort her, but it didn't seem to help.

Oh well, maybe next year!

Christmas, Christmas and more Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas. Always lots of traveling, but it's always good to see family.  We started our Christmas at home with our little family of 4 on December 20. We made cookies for Santa and left them out for him with a cup of milk.  Our dog, Jersey, got to the cookies before Santa could, but it was after the kids were asleep, so no tears were shed. 

Santa brought new ride on toys for the kiddos. They loved them!

Ethan LOVES his tractor, but he doesn't have the steering thing down quite yet and just rides in circles. 

Sister giving brother a ride. 

The kids also loved what mommy and daddy gave them.  Hannah got a Hello Kitty airplane set, walkie-talkies, and a doll she named Sarah that she doesn't let get out of her sight for long. 

Ethan got a guitar, a lego set and a new bath toy. His stocking had a toy gun and mask that is one of his favorites. 

Daddy got a new hat and Ethan took it over. 

With no prompting, Ethan had been saying for a few weeks that he wanted a guitar for Christmas. When he opened it, his reaction was priceless! He was yelling: "my guitar! my guitar!" It was so sweet. 

After playing with presents for a while we asked the kids what they wanted to do and they said they wanted to go to McDonalds...so away we went. 

Hannah chose a specific McDonalds because they have small tables with chairs where her feet can touch the ground. Whatever makes her happy!

It was such a fun, fun time and we made so many memories on our "Christmas" morning with the kids.  I've learned that they don't really care what day we actually celebrate Christmas. It's just about family time and celebrating Jesus' birthday and having some fun with Santa. 

Saturday we packed up and headed to Grannas. I didn't take many pictures, but there was a surprise visit from Santa, so made sure to get my camera out for that! It took Hannah a minute to warm up to him, but once she did she didn't want out of his lap.  Ethan, on the other hand, wasn't so sure and left as soon as he could. 

After spending a few days at Granna and Pawpaw's we headed to Nana and Grandpa's.  Unfortunately, this trip was taken over with sickness. The only picture I have from our time in Houston was Ethan's ER visit on Christmas Eve at 3:00 a.m.  Poor pumpkin had croup and was having a tough time breathing. Wes took him to the ER and sent me a picture (which I can't find) of him receiving a breathing treatment.  Poor baby had a rough Christmas Day!

It was such a great time with family and we are grateful to have spent the holidays with everyone we love!