Serene's Birthday

We had a little birthday celebration for Serene with my cousin Wendi before she had to go back to Maryland.

Christmas 2009

Happy Birthday Serene

Today our sweet Serene turns 2. How in the world did 2 years go by so fast? Serene went from being the baby of the family to quickly being a big sister herself to a little brother and now another baby on the way. She is an amazing big sister always caring for her little brother trying to meet any need he might have. I have never seen a child who is so in tune with the needs of others and who works so hard to help those around her. She is incredibly unselfish and will stop whatever she is doing to help her family. She brings such joy to everyone she meets but especially to those of us who share our lives with her. We are blessed beyond measure to have this precious child in our family.

We love you Serene! Happy Birthday to an amazing little girl!

Baby #4

Coming July 24!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our precious girl

MiCocina to end the holiday weekend

Granna (great Granna to Anna, Serene and Ben)

Cousin Wendi

My brother and Anna... (she LOVES this guy)

Better late than never...

Birthday fun with family

On Anna's actual birthday last week we celebrated by going to dinner with Grandma, Nana and Pop! Then we went to mom and dads' house for presents and cake and ice cream! Anna had a blast and especially enjoyed it when the wait staff at the restaurant sang Happy Birthday to her. She told us it was so exciting that everyone in the whole restaurant wanted to celebrate her birthday! =)

Happy Birthday Anna! We love you!

Happy Birthday Anna

Tomorrow, December 9, is the 5th birthday of our firstborn! How in the world did our first child get to be 5 years old? It was just yesterday I was holding her back in 2004 during her first Christmas season at our little apartment in Euless. I had prepared everything ahead of time and Jimmy had strung Christmas lights around the living room. I will NEVER forget the moments of sitting in that quiet cozy living room throughout the remainder of December, all the lights out except the ones Jimmy hung and those that lit the Christmas tree. Jimmy and I would take turns holding her for hours on end admiring this amazing little child and wondering what she would be like as she grew older.

Well 5 years later I can now give you a little overview of what this little baby girl has become and how she has changed....

A bald baby who didn't have ANY hair until she was 2 years old now has GORGEOUS long blonde curls
An early talker, Anna has always enjoyed long intense conversations with her daddy and I or anyone who would listen and if no one will listen she just talks to herself =)
A child who LOVES to please, Anna is always looking for things she can do to make those around her happy
Her daddy held her for HOURS and DAYS on end when she was a baby and now there is really nothing she likes more than being with her daddy
An incredible big sister, she works hard to help her mommy with any needs the two little ones might have.
She is working hard everyday to make a best friend out of her little sister even though sometimes she forces Serene to be her friend =)
A child with a very sensitive heart, whenever she does wrong she can't stand it and comes right to Jimmy and I to let us know what she did and make things right
Just like her daddy, she is already and good golfer and loves to go golfing with her daddy
She LOVES to do crafts and does at least 10 a day...literally
As with most girls her age she loves dress up and first and foremost likes to be a princess
She started reading this past year and is getting better everyday
She is now playing the violin and loves going to violin lessons
She LOVES pink and thinks everythings better when it's pink
Anna loves to remind her sister that SHE is mommies first baby and the one who made mommy a mommy... =)
She is so strong willed that I sometimes think I need to throw in the mommy towel and start over BUT she can also melt my heart and remind me just how incredible being a mommy is!
She is happy and joyful and always encouraging
She is too smart for her own good, therefore not allowing us to pull anything over on her
She loves CHRISTMAS so I am certain God allowed her to be born in December to give her a special piece of this incredible month =)

Jimmy and I are so grateful for Anna and her role in our family. I can't express how thankful I am to God for giving Anna to me so I could become a mommy and experience the joy it all brings!

LOVE YOU ANNA!!!!!

Let the Christmas decorating begin

Saturday night we kicked off the Christmas decorating by letting the girls decorate a little mini tree just for them. They had a great time but Anna kept getting frustrated because Serene kept taking the ornaments off and knocking the tree over by accident.... =) It was fun watching them work together though!!

Frisco Christmas parade

We got to be in the Frisco Christmas parade on Saturday and we had a blast, Serene and Ben and I goto sit in the float and wave and Daddy and Anna got to hand out candy to the kids along the route. It was a lot of fun and even though Jimmy had to wear elf ears he had fun too!! =)

Family class day at the stables

At our church we attend a family connection class (Sunday school). Our class is made up of entire families, which include children, babies, teenagers, and adult children. We love being able to attend as a family and learn together. Our teachers are a lovely family of 15, yes you read that right, 15. A mom, dad and 13 children!! Obviously they know about families. So yesterday our family class had an event at the stables of some of our fellow class members Ron and Maria. They were so gracious to let us come and let the children ride horses and pet the ponies! The highlight was a hay ride over the whole property... what fun. Anna is still talking about it! Thanks again, to the Wells for such a great fall event!