Turning 5!

Yesterday was biggest sister's birthday and we celebrate in a very special way.. She went on a birthday breakfast date with Daddy (and invited her sister).  Then we went to Disneyland to celebrate with her friends!!

I didn't plan on having a birthday celebration at Disneyland...but it turned out wonderful! I was originally going to meet with my friend and her kids for playdate (since theyall have annual passes)..and found our other friends also have passes.. and so we all ended up meeting there on her birthday!! Biggest sister got to ride her favorite rides (Small World and Tea Cup), see Mary Poppins dance, eat a Mickey Mouse chocolate ice cream, and a band even played a "happy birthday" tune for her as we were leaving the park!  I think she had a VERY memorable birthday!! She woke up this morning and asked, "Mommy, can it be my birthday again?"... ;)  Yes sweetie, your birthday will come again..but can I enjoy you before you turn 6 years old? I'm still having a hard time believing you are already 5!!

Before going out to breakfast with Daddy... 

Littlest sister and I stayed home and read books...

Sisters and friends walking hand-in-hand down Main St...

 Small World all decked out with Christmas decorations!

 Getting ready to spin the tea cup.

Everyone holding up a "five" for her fifth birthday!!

Watching Mary Poppins dance and sing...

Cake with family in the evening. :) 

December.

In previous years, we had a tradition in which we purchased the Christmas tree and decorated it and decorated our home after biggest sister's birthday (which is the 6th).  We started this tradition so that her birthday would be somewhat "separate" Christmas and tree-decorating was something we can look forward to do after her birthday celebration.  This year, we seem to not be able to wait that long... Maybe it's because the girls are older and they're excited about Christmas... Bryant brought out the Christmas bins today and we started decorating...

It sure is starting to look a lot like Christmas around here... Now let's see if we can wait to buy the Christmas tree...  ;)

Good night dear God.

Being a parent is the single most challenging thing I've ever done... and forever will be I'm sure.. 

However moments like this (video), seem to melt all my fears, anxieties, guilt and troubles away. :)

I just love big sister's sweet little voice.  It makes me sad to know that it's going to change very soon... Thank goodness for this video and the many videos where I've taped her talking, singing, reading, laughing, giggling...

Daddy

On Sunday Bryant was at a football game while the girls and I were at home recovering from a cold/bug... 

He sent us a text that said, "Hi Sweetie.  How's it going?  I'm at the game." 

So I asked the girls, "Daddy just texted and asked how we are doing... what should we say?" 

Then biggest sister said, "WE HAD YUMMY SOUP. WE PLAYED SOME FUN GAMES.  AND WE READ THE BIBLE.  WE LOVE YOU DADDY.  WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH YOU ARE OUR FAVORITE DADDY." 

They do have the best Daddy ever.  Hope they remember that during their teenage years. ;)

  

Random.

Here's what is (was) going on around our home...

These photos were taken about a week ago...

Playing word games on Daddy's iPad has been a favorite around here...

Reading...reading...and more reading... We love the library!!

The girls and I made this "GIVE THANKS" banner. It was a fun craft and it turned out very cute!

Some day we would like to put a swing/playset in our backyard for the girls...but in the meantime, we get to play with our neighbor's! ;)

A $5 art find at a local Goodwill.

Preparing for a Thanksgiving party for Bryant's men's bible study group. 

Family Photos

It's that time of the year... Thank goodness for Christmas cards, which reminds me to take family photos.. otherwise it would never be done. ;)  And thank goodness for my brother who is a talented photographer, who is always willing to take photos for us.  We found a beautiful park in Orange County, and spent just a short time there doing a photoshoot by the lake and on a hill.. Biggest sister was excited and cooperative, but it's not easy taking photos with a 3 year old, 15 month old and a dog.  But it was accomplished and I can't wait to see the photos! :)

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day for us this year was unusually busy (typically we just go to Poppa and Nana's house and spend the day there)... But this year we left our house early in the morning to head down south to visit our friends first...then we spent the rest of the day visiting family.. Although we were wiped out by the end of the day, it was well worth seeing and spending time with our friends and family that we love so much!! 

Yummy breakfast, then jumping on the trampoline!

 

Meeting up with my family at the beach!

 

 

Thanksgiving feast with Poppa, Nana, Uncles, Aunts and cousins!

We are so thankful for all of our friends and family that we had the opportunity to see this Thanksgiving... And we continuously give thanks to our Lord who graciously and lovingly provides, guides and protects us every single day...