Bailey's 8th Birthday Party

Cousin Bailey turned 8 on February 13th and to celebrate we went to Color Me Mine in Flower Mound and painted some lovely pottery pieces. Kaylen is our very artistic child and she had a ball painting a kitty cat - she took her time and was very deliberate about each and every stroke of paint. Joshua on the other hand, slapped a few brush strokes on to his airplane bank and told us that he was done. He was much more interested in drawing elevator buttons on the paper that they cover the tables with. Silly boy! We all had a great time hanging out with our family and celebrating sweet Bailey!

Kaylen and Bailey! :)

Josh and daddy painting his airplane bank

Kaylen and her kitty :)

"What'cha think T?"

"I want that balloon!!!"

"I got it!"

Andrew and Netta

Joshua and Wing Wing

"Look at what we can do!"

These boys are going to be trouble here in a few years!

Happy birthday Bailey!

"Mmmm....cupcakes!"

More Snow Pics! :)

Fun in the snow and more!

Well....here we are in Dallas, Texas with over a foot of snow on the ground! Can you say crazy!!! We sure have had fun playing in it the past few days! Lots of hot chocolate being served over here! Yesterday Kaylen ended up having school, so it was just the boys and me playing out in it. We had fun, but sure missed our little sis! Andrew wasn't quite sure about the strange white stuff all over the ground, but after watching Josh he realized that the stuff was pretty fun! When I went to pick Kaylen up from school, the roads were already getting pretty bad. I actually ended up getting stuck halfway up our driveway and halfway into the street....hmmmm....what to do???!!! I tried my hand at putting the kids in rest time in their rooms and then going out into the driveway to shovel snow - I had never done that before. After a miserably failed attempt to get my car out of the mess that it was stuck in, I called Brad. He was able to leave work and come to my rescue - and of course he had my van out in about 5 minutes! My Hero!!!!! :) Thankfully, he was then able to just stay home with us and play! What a special treat it was to have him home for some of the afternoon! When I woke up this morning my heart felt so full and thankful for this rare weather event that has occurred here this week! Instead of running around and trying to complete all of the things on my to-do list for the week, God was so gracious as to park my bottom here to just sit, relax, and take in the beauty that He has created! I have spent the morning playing in the snow with my kids, baking special Valentine's cookies with them, and reflecting on what it is that truly brings me joy in my life - and it's HIM! Just like the beautiful white snow, His mercies are new every morning! He loves us more than than we could ever imagine!!!

1 John 4:19 We love because He first loved us

1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers

Jeremiah 31:3 I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness

Ephesians 2:4-5 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alice with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions- it is by grace you have been saved.

"Brrr....I'm cold mom! I need some gloves!"

Brotherly love :)

When one of them is looking, the other one isn't. Silly boys!

Here's daddy shoveling the driveway!

Kaylen, Ally, Pearce, Luke, Joshua and Andrew had a ball outside together!

"Snowball fight!!!"

Our super cool snowman! He had no face! :(

"Mmmmm....snow sure tastes good! Kinda like ice!" :)

Fun with the neighbors in the snow!

The perfect end to some snowy playtime!

Making the cookie dough - we all had to have a little taste!

Joshua's Valentines Party

Joshua was so excited to have his very first Valentine's party at school. For the past two years, Joshua had to watch Kaylen come home from her Valentine's parties with all of her special cards and treats and he felt so sad that he didn't get to participate in something like that - so finally this year - it was his turn! He's been more excited for this party at school than any other. I think it's so sweet - he's such a loving little boy! He tells Brad and me that he loves us all the time and loves to give us kisses and hugs - honestly not what I would expect from a little boy. Joshua enjoyed playing bingo as well as many other games, eating a healthy snack (and a cupcake and cookie), decorating Valentine's goody bags and of course passing out Valentines (that he wrote all by himself - he was so proud)!

Not sure what they were doing, but they sure thought it was funny!

BINGO!

Joshua and his sweet little friend, Brianna

Joshua and one of his teachers, Mrs. Neal

"Look at what I got!" Notice sister in the background!

All of Joshua's valentines!