Santa is here!

Look who we ran into at our favorite restaurant in Pearland...Chick-fil-a. It was a raining, cold busy holiday season evening. Darrell was at the Woodway campus helping out with Angels of Light. Angels of Light is a huge production...25 years in the making. Second Baptist busses in kids from all over Houston every night for a week to give them a hot meal, presents and most of all to tell them about Jesus. Anyways, it was a school night so the kids and I stayed home. We decided to run through the Chick Fil-A drive through and grab some dinner with the gift card Gma had given to us. So we are sitting in the car line and we could see into the restaurant and lo and behold sitting right next to the Christmas tree in the lobby was SANTA!!! Needless to say we picked up our food at the window and immediately parked and ran inside. Thank goodness a friend of mine was there with a camera so we could catch the memory on film. The JUMP team also was there from church. They did a few fun dances that the kids enjoyed. So much fun at Chick-fil-a!!!

Snow Day in Pearland!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Two Decembers in a row now it has snowed in Pearland! Yesterday morning it began with a slush falling from the sky and by lunchtime the sky was full of fluffy white snow. It snowed heavily for a couple of hours and made a few inches of snow to play in. At first James thought it was too cold and wasn't at all impressed. The schools closed down early so the girls got to come home to play too. James changed his mind when he saw his sisters having so much fun. Before I knew it we had our very own Frosty the snowman in our backyard. He was a little dirty...but a snowman none the less! The girls had fun playing "snow" ball with James' plastic bat. All it took was about an hour for the fun to wear off before they were ready to come in and sit in front of the fire with hot chocolate warming their tummies. Amazing how quickly the cold gets old! The last bit of snow was still hanging around this morning too. Although Frosty looked as if he was the leaning tower of Pisa...he hung in there until this afternoon before he completely fell over.



Right about the time things started to slow down it was time for the Pearland Christmas parade. We usually walk in it with our church float but decided this year to sit and enjoy it from the sidelines. We bundled up and headed out to get there early to get a good seat. Our dear friends, the Bohannon's daughter Shelby came along with us. Soon the sun set and the cold was on once again. But the kids had a blast and had a good excuse once again to cuddle by the fire and drink hot chocolate. Gotta love the Christmas season!

Thanksgiving Feast and Birthday Fun!

Thanksgiving was at our house this year. We had a bunch of family and friends come to town! Oma, Opa, Nathan, Philip, Aaron, Gma and Papa, Wendy and Bill, Rachael and her new hubby Darrell, Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Ron, Sherry and Jimmy, Muffy and Freddy, Lisa and Mike and Tyler, Todd, Susan and fam, Jamie, me and Darrell, Ashlee, Sydney, James, Chris and Rick Berkseiger, Mike and Cindy Sheen to name a few.



We surprised Gma for her 60th birthday with a party at Johnny Carino's the night before Thanksgiving. She didn't have a clue! She said she was expecting something the next day on Thanksgiving. Wendy and I ran around to Party City, also to pick up her cake and went early to the restaurant to decorate. Then we just acted like we were going out to dinner for Mom's birthday but when we got her there everyone was already at Johnny Carino's and surprised her. I wrote a poem for her and turned it into a scrapbook for her to keep. She still keeps saying "I'm just in shock and amazement!"












The next day we had around 30 people at our house for Thanksgiving dinner. Everything went even better than expected! I cooked a turkey and ham in the oven and Darrell fried a turkey outside. People brought different sides and desserts. Everything was fabulous! We played dominoes and stayed up til the wee hours of the night talking and laughing. Even the weather was beautiful for the kids to play outside in. I hated to see everyone go, but boy was I wiped out!

I have made a slideshow of the memories and attached it below. Enjoy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Budding Conversationalist

My little one's a budding conversationalist. He's beginning to ask lots of questions, a development that fills two needs for him: It's a way of finding out about things, and it's also a way of keeping Mommy's attention.

Early favorite questions include "Why?" and "What's that?" and his latest..."Where you going?"

James loves to answer questions as much as ask the questions. When we're reading books, I ask about the pictures or the story: "Where is the brown doggie?" "What do you think he likes to eat?" He enjoys answering and this happens to be our favorite part of the day.

I try to answer his questions as quickly as I can, in simple, full sentences. Today he was watching the birds through our window and he says to me "Where birds going?" I replied, "Birds have wings that keep them up in the air." He looks very serious at me and says..."Oh, birds fly away." Next thing you know he is getting a book out of his room about birds..he was ready to share. So we learned about birds today...what tomorrow will bring who knows! But I can't wait!

James is growing independent too. He insists on putting on socks "by self" regardless of how long it takes. After "mommy's turn" it is James' "my turn" to brush his teeth. He is also trying out the potty chair. He is definitely interested and has begun to experience it. He looks so big sitting there reading his "potty books" waiting to make the potty sing. (Yes, it plays a song when wet..ha!)

Speaking of chairs...James has learned about the timeout chair as well. With his new found independence also comes heated temper tantrums. It's amazing how the "pleases", "sorry's", "thank you's" seem to flow out of his two year old body with just the threat of the dreaded "naughty spot."

James keeps us on our toes....life is ever changing around here!

Happy Halloween 2009!

Our friends and neighbors threw a Halloween/Birthday Bash for Adeliene and her brother Charlie. The kids decorated spooky picture frames, ate gooly food, and had a blast in their costumes. Once the party was over...trick or treating began! The neighborhood was filled with little people dressed in all kinds of costumes..from scary to sweet. James went as Thomas the Train...although he kept the costume on for a picture and that was it. Sydney was a beautiful ladybug and Ashlee began as a Midnight Fairy but changed her mind shortly thereafter. The itchy skirt was more than she could handle so the token Pirate costume emerged once again! Have to say that I got my money worth out of that one! Take a look at all the fun with the Smilebox of memories that I created.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Zoo Boo

Back to the zoo we go! One of our favorite family outings in a long time was at the Zoo Boo. The kids didn't dress up but we still had a blast visiting our favorite animals. Ashlee's friend Tori got to come with us too. We ate our picnic lunch while watching all the little kids in the costume parade.
The weather was beautiful so the animals were out and so were the people. The Houston zoo is so big though that the crowd really didn't bother us. We did have to park across the street in the hospital parking garage but it was worth it!

Happy Birthday Darrell!

Today the rain poured down and the temperatures dropped to mid 50's. Fall is trying to trickle on into Texas...just in time! Tonight is our Fall Picnic with our Bible Class. The kids will dress up in costume, carve pumpkins, and go on a hay ride around the neighborhood. Darrell is supposed to pull the trailor full of hay and kids but he is coming down with the flu i think. The past couple of days he hasn't felt very good and now he is achey all over. We might need to leave him home tonight.

October 2nd was Darrell's birthday. We spent the evening with friends (home group) and a cake with 42 candles. We met up with his parents and sister's family at BJs Brewhouse for dinner. He spent the rest of the weekend at Academy and Home Depot hince the gift cards from both sets of parents and his sister Susan.
I need to brag on both girls! This 6 weeks they both received straight A report cards!!! Sydney is practicing daily with those multiplication flashcards. Learning her times tables is hard work! Ashlee is continuing to do well in advanced classes. Her math teacher pulled me aside at lunch the other day to let me know how much she enjoys teaching Ashlee. She stated that she is motivated and has a knack with numbers...don't know where she got that from! *Uh-hum...Papa!!

James is talking up a storm these days. Every word making sense if you listen hard enough. We were at the doctors office for his 2 year checkup. Yes, he was a month overdue. I just couldn't bare to take him to get a shot! He is now at the age he would know and remember...or so I thought. The little stinker didn't even whince from the pain...he is a tuff little bugger. Anyways, we had to wait for the doctor for a little while. So out of curiousity he would open the door and sweetly say "Doc, where are you?" and then "Doc come here." Then he saw a long prescription name on a wall poster he pointed at the letters and started to sing the ABC's. He knew they were letters! He is very observant too...directed me home from his school the other day. When we came to a turn I would say "which way is home?" He would point in the right direction and say "dat way home mom!"

Grandma and Grandpa Higgins came over last night. They came to hang out with the grandkids while Darrell and I went on a date to the new seafood restaurant in Manvel. It is nice to be able to go on date night together once in a while. Thanks to Grandma and pa Higgins!

Life is good. Until next time...God bless!

Catching up with all the fun!

Let's see...the last time I blogged was the first week back to school. It is now the beginning of the 5th week and boy have we been busy. Where do I start???

I guess I'll begin with our visit to the Houston zoo on Labor Day. What a fabulous time! James is finally at the age where he really enjoyed the animals. His favorite was the dragon and elephants.
I love the Houston zoo in the fall! Not too hot, so the animals are active. We were able to see the lions and bears walking around and feeding. The girls and James were sooo excited. We will go back near Halloween time for the Boo Fest. The kids dress up in their Halloween costumes and play all kinds of informational games that involve candy! Animals, fun, and candy...what more could a kid want? *snicker*

My girlfriend Becky is having a baby anyday now. SO last weekend I hosted a baby shower for her with 5 other ol' friends; Michelle, MK, Jodi, Tasch, and Maria (Beck's friend from highschool). We held the shower at my house and it turned out beautiful. We served Becky's favorite food...enchiladas, beans and rice. We had little pinata's shaped like a pacifier and a duck. I made her a scrapbook and a diaper cake. Since she doesn't scrapbook (YET!-i'm working on her...ha!) I decided to put one together for her so that all she has to do is drop the pictures in later. I hope she get's excited about it then maybe in the future we can hang out with the kids and scrap! Fun girl time!
In the middle of all the baby fun, last Saturday I went to the Leadership Training through my church for all the kids bible study teachers. To open, Pastor Young spoke to us through a powerful message...he said that we (bible study teachers) have been called to do one of the most important things on earth...to teach children about the gospel. I had goosebumps all over my body and tears trickling down my cheeks by the time he was through speaking. I can't express what it means (or feels like) to me to see a child grow in His love...some grow more than others. You never know what an impact an adult can make in a child's life..especially at 5th and 6th grade where they are changing physically and emotionally. How Jesus fills their hearts and molds them into his image is amazing!

That's about all for now except that we have had our first "cold front" this Fall. The much needed rain brought cooler weather. The highs dropped to the mid 70's last week. The low humidity makes it really nice to play outside with the kids. The backyard toys have once again become a blessing! The kids absolutely have a ball with each other...they play so well together. We are so blessed!

First Day of School

Summer is over and it's back to the ol' grind stone. The girls were excited and nervous about their first day at school. Ashlee is in 6th grade this year and Sydney is in the 3rd grade.

Sydney actually got Ashlee's old teacher so she is happy to have the inside scoop. She knows all the in and outs of Mrs. Reyes class and expects to have a smooth sailing year.

Ashlee is in honors classes this year. She likes it so far...even though she has much more homework than last year. She has already written a creative story from rough draft to the final copy and it's only been one week. I have to say she has wonderful writing skills. The plot is full of exciting pirate adventure and the characters are so detailed you feel like you're in the story when reading it. She has had some great writing teachers, including her mom! No really, she wrote this one all by herself and it's a masterpiece if I say so myself.

So here is to a good school year. I'm sure it will fly by...making exciting memories along the way.

God is so good!

I have very exciting news to tell. This past August, Sydney decided to make a very important decision in her life. She excepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior and on August 23, 2009, she was baptized. It was a huge celebration in our church as 14 children and 2 adults were baptized that day. The baptism was held at our dear friends house in their backyard pool. It actually is the same pool that Ashlee and I were baptized in when we joined the church. We are very proud of her and are truly blessed that God has given such a beautiful child to us to raise. Every day is amazing to see her growing spirtually. God is so good!

Happy 2nd Birthday James!

Our baby boy James is growing big...FAST! We celebrated his 2 years of life this past weekend and boy was it a party! So many friends and family were able to come and so many were here in spirit! The fun began in the backyard with multiple activities. From Slip and Slides to water balloons to the famous "cold" tub to the trampoline...kids having a blast everywhere! James had his favorite cake...chocolate with Cars on top! It was a fun birthday...his first to understand and participate in...and boy did he! Take a look at our slideshow and see! Happy Birthday James!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Kids Camp

Wow! What a whirlwind of a summer! It's coming to a quick close as the kids start back to school in only 6 more days. We have had many memorable experiences and good times these past couple months. The kids have had a blast visiting relatives, playing with friends, and going to camp.

Speaking of camps, Ashlee and I (mom) just got home from kids camp. Ashlee went as a 6th grader this year and I tagged along as a 5th grade girls counselor. What an amazing opportunity that turned out to be. I think everyone should experience the blessing...not only as a child but as an adult. I remember going to a christian camp when I was a kid and wanted to give back to my kids what I received so I decided to go as a counselor. To see God's love so profoundly throughout the week and to watch the kids grow was an absolute blessing! At this age kids are so impressionable and what a better place to be than among those who love and live their lives for Christ.

There were a total of 500 kids at the christian camp in Huntsville. By the end of the week, 189 of them excepted Jesus Christ as their savior. I can't even begin to explain all that went into this week away so I have attached a few pictures for memories sake.

Summer Week With Gma and Papa

The girls spent a week with Gma and Papa Hoenerhoff in Austin. They started their good time by spending a couple days and a night on the boat. Lake Travis is at an all time low this summer. The west is having a serious drought and they say it's the lowest it's ever been and no rain insight. In spite of the dry lake bottom somehow Papa was able to get the boat out for a little while for his grandgirls and they had a blast.

The rest of the week was full of fun at Vacation Bible School. The theme of VBS was Discovery Canyon. Ashlee and Sydney haven't stopped talking about it yet. How they walked through the "splitting of the Red Sea"...buckets of spaghetti, rocks, soap and water. They loved the reenactment of when "Jesus calmed the sea of Galilee"...nothing like a flat bottom boat, water balloons, and shaving cream for a good time.


Of course, crazy hair day was right up Sydney's alley! She loved her purple and orange hair...even matched her "prayer rock" that the girls found and painted in the "canyon land."

The best part of every day was story time in the canyon cave. Unforgettable memories were made this week while growing deeper in Christ...priceless!