The American Girl Store

Well, we made it home late last night, and just in time to beat the snow! Good thing we left when we did, because we would not have made it in today!!! We had 8 full days of family and friends, slept in four different locations, packed in fun every second and had a great time! Today we are TIRED. We enjoyed are day recovering at home. It is going to take me awhile to sort through all my pictures and get everything posted.

My Dad won't be seeing the girls again before Christmas, so while we were there, he took the girls to the American Girl Store in Dallas to pick out dolls for Christmas. What an experience!!! That store is amazing. If you have little girls who love dolls, it is so much fun. My girls were in heaven. My poor Dad was a little out of his element, the Galleria alone is probably a bit much for him!!! But he was a trooper and I know he loved watching the girls reaction to it all.

Addison knew exactly which doll she wanted. She has been looking through the catalog for weeks and always picks the same one. She didn't waiver at the store and quickly chose the doll she named "Maryweather"! The problem for her was picking out clothes. She was a bit overwhelmed with all the beautiful outfits to choose from. Dad got her the doll and an extra outfit. I got another outfit when she wasn't looking, for Christmas. And, the most fun part. After we paid we took the doll over to the salon and had her ears pierced!!! She has 6 pairs of earring that Addison could change out. You can also get their hair done there.

It was no surprise that Addison would love her doll. She is crazy about her babies and always has been. Her Bitty Baby, "Baby Susie" was a gift she received at Thanksgiving when she was 1 1/2 and that doll has been with us almost everywhere since! She is well loved. Reagan wasn't too interested in the store initially, and we thought we might be taking her to Toys R Us for her Christmas shopping. Then, we arrived at the back of the store where they keep the Bitty Babies. She was so excited. I don't know what it is about that doll, but it was love at first sight. Just like we had experienced with Addison at the exact same age. Dad got her the Bitty Baby and a blanket for the doll. She hasn't let it out of her sight since. She sleeps with it at night and carries it around during the day. She is in love!

After all the doll excitement we went to see Santa then headed home. It was such a fun day! Thanks Pappy!!!!

We Made It!!!!

And, the trip actually wasn't that bad! Tommy woke up around 1:45, so by 2:30, we had the girls loaded and were pulling out. Unfortunately they were too excited to sleep!!! From 2:30-3:30am there was all sorts of happy chatter going on in the backseat. They sang songs, laughed, giggled and had a great time. They were hilarius and while we enjoyed their banter, having some experience in this area, we knew that a CRASH would come and it would be BIG!!! By 3:20am, Addison had already asked if we were almost there. If you mean almost to Colorado Springs, my dear, than the answer is Yes.

They each may have slept 45 minutes to an hour at different times between 2:30am and when we stopped for lunch at 11:30. But thankfully they were happy, tired but happy. They played with the books and toys we brought and watched movies. We stopped for breakfast/restroom at 5:00am. At 10:20am, still well before the halfway point Addison said, "Momma, we shoulda rode a airplane!"

11:30, brought us a little past halfway and we stopped at a Dairy Queen. I had definite questions about the cleanliness of this particular Dairy Queen, but there weren't any less shady options anywhere in sight. So, we ate quickly while trying not to touch anything! On the way out the door I saw a small roach scurry across the floor by my foot! That is a lovely vision now imprinted in my brain.

During the last 4 hours after lunch. All the girls in the car, Mommy included, took a good nap and we woke up with only an hour or so left in the trip. We made it here by 4:00 with no major meltdowns, everyone in a decent mood, and still an hour or so of daylight to run energy off in the barn!

We are so thankful for the safe and surprisingly easy trip!!! Praise God!!!!

Anatomy of a LONG Road Trip

Loaded back end

Large Labrador and her crate

Pillows, blankets and various comfort items

New CD for Daddy

New books, coloring books and DVD's for the girls

Lots of snacks

Lollipops for when times get tough

And much, much more!!!!



We are embarking on our first drive to Texas sometime in the wee hours tomorrow morning. Tommy took an Ambien and went to bed at 6:00 tonight. He has an alarm set for 3:00am, unless he wakes earlier. We are hoping to load sleeping girls and hit the road. With 12 hours of driving ahead, the more we can get done with them asleep (and me too) the better! A car loaded with a Momma in her 5th month of pregnancy, a 3 year old and a toddler in diapers makes for lots of potty stops. I know we will also have to stop to eat and let the girls run. If we make it to Texas in 16 hours I think we will be lucky! If you think of us please pray for safe, smooth travel.

We are looking forward to a week of vacation in Texas. We can't wait to see family and friends, celebrate the holiday and have our Daddy home for a whole week!

It's A Girl!!!!

We had an ultrasound this morning! Everything looks great and it is definitely another Little Sister! We were all there to hear the news and we are so excited. Baby Gracyn Faith will be here before we know it.

Precious Cargo!

Such a fun game.....until Mommy realized the scratches it was putting in the floor! Oh well, it was good while it lasted. Even if they can't pull each other around, they still have a strange love for this rolling suitcase. You never know the kinds of things that will prove to be entertaining around here.

Let the Winter Games Begin

The final count was 4! That is the number of times we headed out to play in the snow on Friday. I think we are beginning to get a little faster getting all those clothes on and off. Addison loved the new sled and had a great time going down the hills behind our house. Later in the day we headed to the front yard to build a snowman. Who knew that building a snowman isn't easy? If you haven't tried, trust me when I say that it is harder than it looks. Poor Reagan, do you see the sad tears in her picture? She really wants the snow, but doesn't like the suit, hat or mittens. She doesn't want to put those clothes on, but then she gets really upset when she gets wet and cold! I think she is learning though, by our 4th trip out she got dressed willingly.

Today

My family is thrilled today! They have been waiting for the "first snow" since September. Thankfully Tommy was working from home today, so he got to be here to share their excitement. Reagan was jumping around shouting, "Sh-now"!!! Addison, has twinkles in her eyes and was begging by 7:15 to get outside.

I have a little less love for the snow! Since I am scared to be out driving, it is a little debilitating! Not to mention it is MESSY!!! But, with the girls so excited, it is hard to stay grumpy!

Check back later....the sled is coming out this afternoon!

Practice...

We recently started a date night trade with our neighbors across the street! We love date night trading and would recommend it for anyone with small kids. You get out monthly, without the expense of a babysitter, and the kids get to have fun with someone new!

Lil' Charlie came over on Friday night, while his mom and dad had their date. The girls were in h-e-a-v-e-n!!! The spent the evening bringing him any and every toy they thought he might love, while he watched in wide, blue-eyed wonder! The kissed his sweet little bald head and took turns holding him. They even wanted to help give him his bedtime bottle. I let them help for one ounce! Then, in the interest of a peaceful bedtime routine for Charlie, I banished them upstairs with their daddy.

We had a great time playing with him and it was great for me to see how gentle and sweet Reagan was with him. Not to mention, the precious way she says, "Char-yee"! He slept just like his momma said he would and his daddy walked over to get him late that evening. The girls both woke up and came downstairs looking for their little friend the next day! Dare I say we are ready for three?

Love

Wherever one goes, the other is not far behind.

Poor Girl

Can you see the yellow on her leg? Her Mama told her to sit in the pretty leaves and get her picture taken. I never dreamed, there would be poop from something, probably a goose, hiding under those leaves! Nothing a few baby wipes won't take care of.

A Sweet Conversation

Saturday night, both girls were snuggling with me in Reagan's rocking chair getting ready for bed. As I said bedtime prayers with them, I prayed, as I have every single day with them, that they would grow up to know God and love Him.

Addison has heard me pray this hundreds of time and never said anything, but Saturday she told me after we finished, "Mama, I already growed up and I already know him and love him!".

Such sweet words to hear! Praise God!!!

"Fire"

Nope, not another scenario where I wake up in the middle of the night, certain that my house is one fire, although there have been several of those lately. This one is just a funny story.

A few days ago we were going through plastic bins of Addison's old clothes, so we could pull out some things for Reagan. We happened to come across an old paci of Addison's that must have been dropped in when we originally packed the clothes away. It is the same brand that Reagan uses and is even the same color as some of hers. It looks exactly identical. However, somehow SHE KNOWS THE DIFFERENCE.

First off, she won't even acknowledge it as a beloved "paci". She calls it "fire". Now, if it hadn't been for the sweet Sharp girls, who called their pacifiers "fire". I wouldn't have even understood what she was talking about. But, since pacifier is too long for her and she won't call it paci, "fire" it is. Addison often tries to put it in Reagan's mouth, which Reagan responds to by spitting, shaking her head no and saying YUCK! She wants nothing to do with it and it cracks me up! We have tested her many times by putting it in the bunch with her own pacis and she immediately grabs it and throws it from the group!

This girl of mine is too funny, too smart, and I guess a little territorial!!!