San Diego

We're getting back into the swing of things. The kids are still catching up on sleep. Even Eva has taken several two hour naps this week.


We had a wonderful time in San Diego and Disneyland. We couldn't have asked for better weather. San Diego was BEAUTIFUL and we've decided it is now our favorite vacation destination. For Eva's actual birthday we went to the San Diego zoo, which was very nice. We saw a mother panda and her baby which Eva thought was so cool and cute. They of course loved visiting all the beaches and picking up all the kelp that washes ashore. Keith and I haven't been to Disneyland since we were kids, so that was a an exciting and new experience for all of us. And we happened to be there the day that Captain EO (Michael Jackson sci-fi 3D) reopened, which was cool. Last April we went to Disney World and Dylan was too young to enjoy it like Eva. But what a difference 9 months makes. He was so excited to see and meet the characters and LOVED the rides. I haven't seen him so well behaved. As long as we were waiting in line for a ride or show (even the shuttle to the parking lot) he was happy. We already knew that Eva loves thrills rides, so we weren't surprised that she asked to ride Snow White and Pirates twice, and thought the Haunted Mansion was funny. She rode her first rollercoaster with Daddy which he videotaped. I'm glad that we have the video because we crack up every time we watch it, but at the same time I'm thinking 'he could've dropped our camcorder.' I've attached the video for your enjoyment. :)

Birthday Party

Before heading to San Diego for our family vacation, we had a party to celebrate both Eva's and Dylan's birthday with family and friends. Eva decided back in November that she wanted a dinosaur theme (surprise, surprise). I made two cakes since I had difficulty combining Dylan's construction theme and Eva's dinos. The kids had a great time and were definitely tuckered out. That was one of the few nights that Dylan went right to sleep without getting out of bed a few times.

Snow Day

Wished we could've just stayed in our pjs this morning, but Eva's school follows the Lake Dallas ISD which was open, and Dylan was scheduled for his 2 year well appt. I was at first surprised Lake Dallas stayed open because Denton and Lewisville were both closed today, but the roads weren't bad this morning and with the snow still falling, the drive was actually very beautiful. Dylan said "pretty snow" the entire drive to the doctor. His check-up went well other than the nurses poking him twice to draw blood and STILL not able to "find a good vein" Always happens to me, too. Poor kid. He felt much better once we got to Sissy's school for the Valentine's party and he enjoyed decorating cookies with Eva's classmates. Eva couldn't wait to get home and have a snowball fight. (For some reason, she thought the teachers would take them outside.) So, when we got home we dressed for the cold and played in the snow. Keith can fortunately work from home and took a short break to enjoy the snow with us. After the fun in the snow Dylan and I warmed up with some hot cocoa, while Eva enjoyed fishing the marshmallows from her cup.

Rhyme time

One of Eva's new favorite games is 'rhyme time' where she thinks of a word and we take turns coming up with a rhyming word. Comes in handy at the grocery store when I'm only halfway through my shopping and she's already asking if we're done. Eva picked up rhyming really well and figured out that when she can't think of a rhyme from the top of her head, she can just change the consonant. Sometimes they're actual words and sometimes not. And then sometimes....they're words that, well, shock you...especially when your four year old says them so innocently (and proudly). Last night we're on a roll with rocks, fox, socks, etc. Then she starts a new one: door. I say floor. Then before I had time to think, she blurts loudly, (do you know where this is headed)....'whore!'. I about died! Keith thought it was hilarious (i admit it was shockingly funny) We just played it off and asked her to start a new rhyme. Wouldn't you know the next word she wanted to rhyme with was '(t)REX'! I suggested we rhyme with 'chair' instead.

Dylan's Birthday!

We can't believe our baby boy is TWO! We celebrated his birthday on Monday with some cupcakes that Eva helped make/decorate and a few gifts that both kids have enjoyed. Dylan was soooo excited to get the huge dump truck; I wish we had his reaction on video. He's had great fun barreling through the house with it knocking down block towers (and upsetting Eva's picnics) He and big sis will share a birthday party with friends in a few weeks. (goodness, our baby girl will be four!) We are so blessed to have Dylan in our lives. He makes us laugh until our sides hurt. Reminds us to stop & pray for patience (numerous times a day! :). Melts our hearts when he consoles Eva or wants to cuddle. Impresses us with his interest in music, especially the piano and guitar. Makes us proud when he quietly works puzzles and when he stays in his big boy bed. And most of all he and Eva fill our hearts with such love...they keep our lives blessedly busy and full of joy!

Happy Birthday Dylan! We love you!

Christmas 2009

I actually started writing this blog weeks ago...and then Keith caught the flu, then the kids had it, then Eva had bronchitis..and strep! Thankfully, everyone is well again, and somehow I didn't get sick. (I probably just jinxed myself!)


Christmas 2009
We were very blessed to be able to spend this joyous time of year with our families. We celebrated Christmas in Killeen where the kids loved playing with their cousins and all their new toys. We missed the Christmas Eve "snow/ice storm" in Dallas, but just as my family was arriving a few days after Christmas, it began snowing and continued for a few hours. Aunt Jules even made a mini-snowman.



Eva was so excited about Santa coming and baked special cookies for him. Keith and I enjoyed watching their faces on Christmas morning. Perhaps the funniest moment was Dylan's reaction as he reached the bottom of his stocking. After seeing his basketball goal, tricycle and opening all his other stocking stuffers, you would've thought the apple was a pot of gold! He was super excited and didn't want to put the apple down to finish opening presents.




Between the two of them we have enough toys and games to fill a store, so, mommy's next project is cleaning out toyboxes and closets!

We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and wish you many blessings in the new year!