February Fun...

Our Sunday school class had a "Daddy and Daughter" date night. I cleaned myself up (for all the good that does) and Hollye helped all the girls get prettied up. We went to the Macaroni Grill and had a blast. We had fun talking and drawing funny characters on the table cloth and even had a waitress serenade us.

This is William and his favorite stuffed animal. It is a big white stuffed horse with spots on his back. William named him Lightning Spots.

Here is the picture I took of the children having their picture taken at gymnastics. Every child after the third child at ETC gymnastics is free, so we went ahead and let the boys go too. Hollye said she had the best time relaxing in the stands and watching someone else try to keep up with the boys.

Alena at Eight

Finally getting to 2009! Alena celebrates her birthday on January 29.

Here she is posing with all her loot next to her side-kick Christian. He is a die-hard thumb sucker (as long as he can find a tag).

Alena's favorite present was a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang DVD. I think this was Alena's 2nd favorite present. Hard to beat 1 pound of Sugar Daddy!

Alena is one of the most creative children I've ever seen. Here, with Play-Doh, she's modeled herself and the puppy that we're soon getting.

Other news from January:

• Hollye got Laser eye surgery. All went well and she is now contact and glasses free! Don't ask what it cost!
• We made a down-payment for a dog that has not yet been born and will have to be flown out to us from Idaho (because it's a rare-breed: Bolognese)

Christmas Wrapup

Here are some pictures of the children showing off some of their Christmas presents.

Hannah and Alena in their Indian costumes. They really have enjoyed them since they are Lone Ranger aficionados (we don't have cable so we buy older shows/movies that are not as bad as today's shows seem to be). Alena noticed a pretty pink-handled gun for sale at Cracker Barrel, but it was, of course, made in China. Instead I looked online and found a site that sold antique toy guns that were made in the US. Then I spray-painted the handle. (I know, I'm just not normal).

William and Christian - out on patrol.

Alena and Hannah pigging out on their chocolate goodies. Notice the cake on the table. It is "Christmas cake" and it is so good. Mmmmmmm.

Grandpa visits again

My dad makes frequent trips to come and see us (and help us move!). We all love to see him and Faye when they come.

Faye spent some time teaching the children how to crochet.

The children enjoyed playing in the tents that the Berrys gave to them. Let's see if we can all squeeze in at the same time.

A day of playing really takes it out of you. Now the challenge is to find a good spot to take a nap. Looks like William found a nice soft spot (on top of Grandpa).

Special Events

Hannah's solo performance at the First Baptist Church of Smyrna and her teacher Mrs. Rawlings. Hannah entertained everyone at the senior adult banquet by playing "We wish you a Merry Christmas". Mrs. Rawlings later told me that many people had asked her about the little girl who played solo and they all said how wonderful she played .

The boys love to play with Erilynn's tea set, they call it a game. They pour tea, add sugar and cream and bake pretend cookies to put on the saucers. Yum! Thank you Grandma Owen for the tea set!

The children love to decorate the gingerbread house. They are all smiling because they have eaten half the candies!