Remembering the Joys of 2013

2013, like most other years, has had it's ups and downs.  We've been on vacations- Port Aransas, Walt Disney World, the Ranch, and visiting family.  And we've hit a couple of big milestones- turning 5 and starting Kindergarten.  While those are big events we will probably never forget, it's the smaller day to day events, the general days of life, that I hope we always remember- playing in the mud, swimming, funny sleeping positions, singing our favorite worship song, our precious girls' sweet smiles, and the joy they bring to each day.  We are blessed beyond measure, and I pray we focus  on those blessings every day.  I thank God for my family and the journey we are on together.  May He bless us in the coming year with more fun times, healing from the never ending coughs, and a generally good 2014.  May we better recognize and celebrate the day to day joys of our Double "E" Blessed life.

Riding Our New Scooters

It was warm enough outside for Daddy to take the girls to try out their new scooters.  They were balancing pretty well by the time they got back home.  (Pink helmet- Ella, Blue helmet- Emma)

Christmas 2013

A very Merry Christmas!  We were very blessed again this year by our gifts and time with family.

Santa came:

First entering the room, they headed straight for their stockings:

 Then quickly ran to the tree:

 Santa brought new scooters with safety gear, walkie talkies, and Ariel dolls.  Exactly what they asked for.

 Opening stockings:

 Taking their scooters for a quick ride around the living room:

 Opening the gifts our girls bought for each other:  (The purchasing of these gifts was very cute.  We went to the store and both girls decided they wanted to buy Frozen dolls for each other.  So, Daddy took Ella to get the Anna doll for Emma, and I took Emma to get the Elsa doll for Ella.  When we got to the car, they desperately wanted to give the gifts right then.  I explained that we needed to put the gifts under the tree.  They weren't going for it, but finally agreed when I told them they would get to wrap it.  Even though they knew exactly what was in these presents, they were still extremely excited to open them.)

 Other gifts:

Ella reading a book from Clora Ann:

 Emma and Ariel, dressed alike:

Thank you to all for our gifts!  And thank you most of all to God for sending His son, Jesus, to this world for us!

Christmas Eve 2013

Super Dad to the rescue!  I have the flu.  I am miserable.  Thankfully, Daddy is healthy and able to carry on the Christmas Eve traditions.  Ella and Emma spent the night with Memaw last night.  They made a Gingerbread House.

 When they got home, Daddy helped bake cookies for Santa:

 Later our girls opened their one Christmas Eve present, footie jammies and Ariel slippers:

Our Christmas Eve photo shoot in front of the tree:

 Putting out reindeer food:

 Sadly, our girls have to do breathing treatments every day, so this was part of our evening as well.

 Reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas"

 Reading about the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus birth:

 And finally, the children were nestled all snug in their beds:

I love Christmas Eve!  I hope I am feeling better to enjoy Christmas in the morning.

The Polar Express

We rode the Polar Express this evening!  Unfortunately, Daddy had a stomach ache this morning, so he wasn't able to join us, and we missed him greatly.  We still managed to have a great time.  

We had a little time to look around the train station before our train was scheduled to leave.

 All aboard and ready to go! From the time we boarded until we got off the train, they played music from The Polar Express soundtrack.

 Ella is so excited!

 Emma is too!

 Leaving the station:

 Hot, Hot, Hot... Hot Chocolate: (It was actually just the right temperature, but our girls are not big fans of hot chocolate.)

 And Cookies!

 During part of our trip to the North Pole, we listened to the book by Chris VanAllsburg.  The staff walked around showing everyone the pictures from the book.

 The conductor came by and punched all the kid's tickets.  Ella's ticket had an E punched into it, and Emma's ticket got a heart.

 The "North Pole" (I would hope it looks better for the rides that take place in the dark.)

 Santa boarded our train car!!!

 He took the time to speak with every child, give them a bell, and take pictures.

 Jingle, the elf, came too.  She was very kind to speak with our girls.  She even gave them some of her magic sparkle dust on their hands

 Ella and Jingle:

 Emma and her bell:

 Ella and her bell:

 The conductor, wait staff, and even Jingle did a lot of dancing in the aisles during our ride.

 Our girls even joined in on the fun:

What a fantastically magical evening!