A Very Merry Skype Christmas

We just took a little trip to Austin and Waco to do an early Christmas with our families. Both visits were fun, but our time in Austin was made especially memorable because we "skyped in" my sister Brittany who has been working in Hawaii since September, is continuing her nanny work in Malaysia (leaving tomorrow), and will be back to Texas in mid-Feb. So it was like she was there, but not. The only thing we missed more than her sweet face on the computer was the ability to give her a big hug! I did not take a single picture or video of our time in Austin or Waco, but I'll link you to my sister's blog, who documented her end of the skype experience! Enjoy!

http://itsthelittlethingsinlife.wordpress.com/2011/12/16/a-skype-christmas/

Family Pictures!

We had family pictures made in October and had a great time! If you are in the DFW area, we would definitely recommend this photographer. Visit her website at www.chera25.com. For a mini session (15 minutes), she charges $30 and you get 10 edited pictures to download and keep for yourself!

Just-for-Fun Pictures!

I took these pictures last week just for fun....Katelyn wore the same Santa outfit when she was a baby (from my grandmother).






Katelyn wearing this same outfit (she was a few months younger than Anna when she wore it)...

10 months

Thanksgiving Festivities!

We had a fun Thanksgiving this year! We decided to see what it was like to have Thanksgiving at our house, and although we missed being with our relatives, we did enjoy giving thanks with each other!

To start the Thanksgiving holiday off, Katelyn's preschool had a Thanksgiving Feast and performance. In case you're wondering what a preschool "feast" consists of: chicken nuggets, apple slices, carrot sticks, a chocolate chip cookie, and fruit punch....a little on the non-traditional side, but a preschooler's dream lunch nonetheless. Dave was in China, so I invited my friend Rose to come watch the performance with me. We had a great time! See pictures below...





On Thanksgiving Day, we watched the Macy's parade on T.V. that morning and then hosted our friends, Michael and Sue, for dinner that evening. This was my first Thanksgiving dinner to cook by myself (except when we were in China, and that was just different altogether), and it turned out pretty well! Since Michael and Sue are from China, we shared a little about the Thanksgiving story and made turkeys with our handprints. To top off the evening, we enjoyed Cheesecake Factory pumpkin cheesecake (thank you Sam's Club!).

So much to be thankful for indeed!

9 months!

Well, Anna has officially been in this world as long as she was in my tummy! I'm hoping she's enjoying this side of things a little more! Happy 9 months!

Anna

Katelyn

Happy Halloween!

For the second year in a row, we walked up to the Fall Festival at a neighborhood park. After enjoying free hot dogs, an inflatable slide, a train ride, and lots of candy, we trick-or-treated our way home! Thanks to the Highland Village police department for providing trick or treat bags at the event since I accidentally forgot Katelyn's at home!

Our little fairy princess and cupcake (thanks to Aunt Brittany for Anna's costume!)

On our way to the festival--We told Katelyn she was riding in her "princess carriage."

Riding the "train"

A ball of pink coming down the inflatable slide

Having so much fun!

Playing at the park

Let's Ride!

When our friends the Caudles headed off to missionary training school in Hawaii (along with my sister Brittany who is nannying for their youngest daughter), they gave us their bike trailer to hold onto. We gave it a spin this past weekend on a family bike ride to the park. It was really fun...for most of us. Anna is still getting the hang of it. :)


In other bike-related news, Dave's mom ("Granny" to the girls) gave Katelyn her first tricycle for Christmas last year and during a visit this month, she also gave her a fun Hot Wheels bike! In an effort to enjoy these sweet new modes of transportation, Dave had the girls riding around on both of them and having lots of fun...

Katelyn's First Field Trip!

My Favorite Fall Decor!

I just made this for our front porch, and it's my new favorite piece of fall decor! Simple and inexpensive...also two of my favorites!

8 months!

My sister just reminded me that I didn't post Anna's 8 month picture! Here it is (and Katelyn's too!).