Just Ducky

The girls and I spent this first fine morning of Christmas vacation downtown at The Peabody watching the ducks march to the fountain. It was decorated beautifully. Then, we went across the street to eat at the Kooky Kanuck...home of the 6lb. burger. We didn't order one, but Buttercup's burger was huge! Can you say "to go box"! Then, we made smores at the table. Yum!

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Stars

What a joy it has been to watch our girls spread Christmas spirit this week. They performed dances in a Christmas show at two nursing homes and helped spread some Christmas cheer to the residents. Snapdragon sang sweetly at her Christmas program this morning. Of course, Buttercup rocked the court at her basketball game last Saturday. We are so blessed to have our girls remind us what the joy of Christmas is all about!

Two Years!

Celebrating Sister Day 2009

December 10, 2007 Guangdong---Sisters

Holding my baby for the first time.

Happy Sister Day or "Gotcha Day" to our beautiful daughters. It was exactly two years ago today that little Snapdragon and Buttercup met as sisters. It was two years ago today that we held Snapdragon in our arms for the first time! We celebrate this day as Sister Day in our family to celebrate the bond that our daughters share.

What To Do?

What do you do when both girls are home from school and it is pouring down rain? You make homemade soft pretzels and fudge of course! Yum! Then, you paint Christmas wrapping paper for the grandparent's presents. A fun time was had by all!

Christmas Cookies

Buttercup's school has been closed for two days because of a gas leak. (She couldn't be happier!) We took advantage of her time off and made some Christmas cookies (and a bit of a mess;) today.

Beautiful Girl

Where did the time go? Buttercup has grown into a beautiful (and responsible) preteen. Yesterday she attended the Jingle Bell Ball at the Gibson Guitar Lounge downtown. It was a bit chaotic and crowded, but she said she had an okay time. She and her friends looked beautiful anyway! The dance is an annual fundraiser for St. Jude hosptial and other charitable organizations.

Happy Thanksgiving

Fun at Zoo Lights.

Travis getting close to Santa.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mom's Tofurkey

Final preparations.

Poor turkey!

Enjoying the fresh air.

Breakfast in the playroom and a moment of peace.

Sharing the love.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Mom, Dad, Jerry, Jennifer and Travis joined us for some yummy turkey. (Mom ate her Tofurkey of course!) It was fun to have family for a major holiday and we are really excited that we will get to spend Christmas with our family for the first time in nine years. What a blessing!

Over the Thanksgiving holiday we enjoyed two trips to the zoo. One during the day and one to Zoo Lights. Snapdragon and Lou missed Zoo Lights because she came down with strep. We will try again next week. We also braved the Black Friday shopping. Mom, Dad and I went to see New Moon yesterday...VERY GOOD....then we all made a trip to the mall to shop once again.

We even managed to get all of the Christmas decorations up!

Happy Halloween

We had a very Happy Halloween even if we didn't have as many trick or treaters that we thought we would. Buttercup went trick or treating with two friends and Snapdragon tagged along for a little while. Snapdragon had fun handing out handfuls of candy to our approximately 50 takers. It was a beautiful night and we met some more neighbors. Several neighbors were taking kids on hay rides around the neighborhood and one street was fully decked out with scary scenes and costumes. Very cool!

Pumpkin Carving

Carving pumpkins and watching A Charlie Brown Halloween...what more can I say? Snapdragon's pumpkin is on the left (a white ghost). Buttercup's pumpkin is on the right. She designed and carved it all by herself this year. Too cute! The pumpkin in the middle was done at my religious education class last Sunday as a lesson on letting the light of Jesus shine inside of you. A good thing to think of when looking at a jack 'o lantern. Nothing is brighter in our lives than the love of God.