Karin's 40th Birthday

We surprised mommy with a family day at the W Hotel in Downtown Dallas.  The day started with all of us playing in the pool on the 16th floor.  Daddy then took home the girls while mommy enjoyed time in the spa.  That evening daddy and the mommy dined at Craft.  A wonderful time for the entire family.

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Our First Family Trip - Update #2

Oh what to say, what to say. It has certainly been a memorable trip for a variety of reasons. I'll be brief as the kids are resting (kinda) and Daddy wants to get some alone time by the pool. As we last spoke the skies were parting after TS Claudette but the storm didn't end there. Monday night Marbella started throwing up and Daddy soon followed and we settled in for a nice little 24 hour bout with a stomach bug/food poisoning. All that frustration was erased when I got to see Marbella's excitement on the beach. We spent several hours in the sand and water, building castles, searching for shells and jumping waves. It was a great time and we made great memories. After the beach we spent another hour at the pool. It was a great time and today was a mirror image. Tomorrow (Friday) holds much of the same and then we'll load up the car and head back home in the afternoon. I'll send an update if something exciting pops up on the way home. Otherwise photos soon to come!

Our First Family Trip - Update #1

Greetings, Andy here. I thought I would spend a few minutes informing/catching you up on our first family trip (sorry, no pictures, you'll have to wait until we get home) Yes, we decided to take a family trip and this isn't your little jaunt up to OKC. We rented a house in Destin with two other families. So, we packed up the Volvo (Queen Family Truckster) and a fully packed rooftop cargo carrier and made the 805 mile trip to Florida on Friday. We left about 1:30pm and drove 550 miles to Covington, LA, which only took 11 hours as we were stuck on 635 right out of the gate (39 miles in the first hour) and then we had a lei surly (ha) 90 minute stop at Chuck E Cheese's in lovely Bossier City. Our intention in the afternoon departure was so could drive a night while the girls slept, I might rethink that theory when they were both awake at 10pm. We got a few hours sleep in Covington and then cruised the last 250 miles to Destin on Saturday. The house is perfect, but certainly not quiet as we have 6 kiddos ages 5, 5, 3, 2, 2 and 1.

Oh and the best part. The first land falling storm of the year popped up on Sunday morning made landfall in Destin beach at midnight. Needless to say we have not been in the pool or at the beach today and I'm beginning to wonder if I'll leave Destin as white as I arrived. We'll see. I'll have more updates as the week moves on...

Texas Cowgirl!

 

I'm cute

 

Kitchen Remodel

After years of talking about it we finally did it. Out with the old and in with the new. With a little help from Uncle Sam we put in new granite and backsplash. We also added granite to the downstairs bath and are presently in the process of adding ceramic to the laundry room and girls bathroom. Enjoy the before and after pics...

BEFORE




AFTER

Marbella and her big girl bed!

We finally decided to do it. Saturday we converted Marbella's crib to a toddler bed. She took a great nap and going to bed was a non event. She even stayed in bed and called us once she woke up. It looks like this major milestone will pass without any issues (fingers crossed) . Now if we can just get her out of diapers....stay tuned.

Its been a long time...

Let me see, it has been about 3 months since the last post. The girls are certainly keeping us busy. Here are a few recent pictures of the girls. Milana is 9 months and now has two teeth and is climbing on everything and quickly making her way around the house.

2009 04 April

Milana and her new bow!

Isn't it precious!!! I wish I would have bought her one like this sooner!

My first trip to the dentist

Marbella went to the dentist for the first time right before Christmas. I took the girls by myself because I thought Milana would sleep for the appointment since it was during her naptime. I was wrong... so I had two screaming children there!! The dentist was rocking Milana's car seat with her foot while "counting" Marbella's teeth. Needless to say, I didn't get a photo while at the dentist so here is the next best thing... toothbrush in hand right after the appointment at a friends house!!
 

Another one...

I thought I would put up picture of Milana in pink above the one in red... I have been told several times lately that I have a beautiful little boy! No worries... I looked like a little boy too when I was a baby!!!

 

Milana Hope

Doesn't her smile light up her face...

 

Christmas Morning 2008

What an incredible day!!! The girls woke up around 7:00 AM to start the day... and Marbella couldn't wait to open the "Care Bears Present"... a present Grammy wrapped in Care Bear wrapping paper. We opened a bunch of presents including the Kitchen from Santa... a HUGE success. We took a break from opening presents to go to IHOP for brunch. It is amazing how long it can take to open presents. I imagine it won't take that long when the girls get a little older!!! Nap time was nice for Mommy and Daddy... both girls went down at the same time!! When Marbella woke up she helped me make cupcakes to celebrate Jesus' birthday. She was a big helper!! We ate a nice dinner then continued to play and play and play. Marbella wants us to keep the kitchen in the living room instead of taking it up to the playroom... this wish won't come true! The girls are now all tucked in bed... we had a fantastic day celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior... the true reason for the season!!!

Christmas Eve 2008

Christmas Eve... we started the evening by making slice and bake cookies for Santa and using sprinkles to make them pretty. Then we went to Jason's Deli for dinner before meeting our friends, Todd, Sarah, Collin and Lily at church for candle light service. After church we came home to open our "Christmas Eve Present"... matching PJ's for the girls and PJ's for Daddy too!

Cousins

We took some pictures of all the kids while The McGee's were in town for Thanksgiving...

Milana

My pretty girl...

Play date with Jackson Morris

I have a secret

Marbella is doing the cutest thing. She will come up to me, tells me she has a secret to tell me, lifts my hair, and whispers in my ear that she loves me. So now we all play the "secret" game!

Marbella

You'd think we lived in Alaska. Wait until it really gets cold. Ha!

IMG00029.jpg

I couldn't help myself... So cute!