Channing's Grocery List

How many of these can you get?

I love seeing how things should really be spelled if all words were written as they sound.

Christmas 2009

I can't believe how fast Christmas came and went. I was still trying to put up a few last minute decoration just days before Christmas. We had a fun few weeks of vacation. Ryan took 2 weeks off work to be home while the girls were out of school. It was so nice to have him here during the days. Wes, Kate, and their 2 boys came from Dallas to celebrate Christmas with us. We all stayed the night at Ryan's parents on Christmas Eve, even though we live only a few minutes away. The girls loved sleeping at Grandma and Papa's and having Santa find us there. We left a note at our house and reassured the girls several times that Santa will for sure see it.

Here are a few pictures of Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. I am horrible about taking pictures of the adults and therefore have only pictures of the kids.

Setting cookies out for Santa

Reindeer food for...the reindeer

Waiting patiently to open the first present.

A cool new race track for the boys, although the girls thought it was pretty cool too.

Reading notes from Santa

Chloe's Biscuit book that she sat and looked at for quite a while in the middle of present opening.

Channing's new art folder. I got this idea from my sister and Channing loves it.

Picture a Stable in Judea

I had some pipe cleaners lying around and Chloe took them and created an artsy rendition of Mary, Jospeh, and Baby Jesus in the stable.

(look closely, the light green ones are hard to see)

Tis' the Season

It's that time of year again when you scramble to get your family ready for those holiday family pictures. It seems like this time of year can get a little crazy and finding the time to take family pictures can be tricky and stressful. If you want a fabulous, low stress session, before the hustle and bustle of the holidays begin, my sister in law would love to help you out. Ryan's sister Hayley is a photographer in California and she's coming to town next week and is happy to schedule some sessions. She loves photography and makes you feel so comfortable in front of the camera.

You can check out her website here.

Leave me a comment if you're interested and I will give her your name.

Tough Day for Toys

Chloe was playing in her room the other day and I walked in to check on her and found...

this poor baby with her hands and feet tied, and...

this puppy tied up and pinned under the leg of the chair.

( I love how it looks like he's struggling to get loose)

I'm not sure what they did to deserve this but I'm sure they thought it was going to be just another play day with Chloe...SURPRISE! You never know what you're going to get when Chloe plays with you.

Poodleskirts and Ponytails

We had a 50's Party/Sock Hop at our church a couple weekends ago. They encouraged us to dress-up and have fun with it so I decided to make the girls poodle skirts. They were so easy and the girls loved them. Chloe really wanted to wear hers to church the next day.

Ryan always tells me that Channing and Chloe are my little dress-up dolls and I have to admit they kind of are. I love little girls.

Summer Days

Hats off to a great summer!

Here is a summary of our summer. I figured this is the best way to make up for all the posts I haven't written.

My brother Michael's wedding.

My brother got married in May to this beauty, Kylee. They are so cute together and I'm excited to have another great sister-in-law in the family.

Staub Family Reunion at Artesian Lakes

We had a fun family reunion at Artesian Lakes with the Staub family. Cool cabins, fun swimming, lots of alligators, and quality family time. It was fun having all the cousins there together.

Channing's dance recital.

What a cute group of girls with an awesome teacher. Thanks Angie!

Trips to the Zoo and Children's Museum with our friends the Petty's.

Swim Team

Swim Team

and more swim team!!!
(I thought it would never end)

The girls enjoyed it and did so well. I was hoping that Chloe would be able to swim the length of the pool by the end of the season but she did it by the 2nd swim meet. We were so proud of her. Channing had another great year and won her first, 1st place ribbon. What a great season. Good job girls.

(Chloe in the middle lane)

(Channing in lane 6)

Vacation Bible School

The girls attended a week of vacation bible school at Fisher's of Men, which is where Channing went to preschool last year. The theme was "God the Builder" and now I can't sing the Bob the Builder song without singing it God the Builder, not that I sing the song often in the first place. The girls learned some fun religious songs and sang them for weeks. Here's Chloe performing one of her favorites.

4th of July.
We spent the 4th of July weekend at the lake house. Vern and Sheriee hosted the 2nd annual Freedom Swim and had about 80 people participate. It seems like a good start to a great tradition.

(Check out the sweet prom pose from Chloe and Ben...hilarious!)

The kids had fun with sparklers and a few other fireworks on the dock and then we enjoyed a beautiful firework show right on the lake.



Chloe hates loud noises and sat like this most of the evening.

A visit from the Wade cousins.

My sister came for a visit and brought her 3 kids. We had a blast.

We played.

We swam.

We face painted at the Children's Museum.

And probably best of all, we sipped snow cones by the pool...thanks Sheriee!

What a great summer! Stay tuned for what happened after our summer ended.