Kansas Fun

We made a quick trip back to Kansas this past weekend.  Since we can't stay the whole weekend because of Gabe working on Sundays, our trips are always quick, but we had a fun time as always. Avery is always devastated when it's time to go home.  She is such a country girl when we're out there. There must be something about running free, bare feet, getting dirty, and being outside that does something to her heart. It's fun to watch her and see how happy she is! It will be really fun when Sophie can run around with her. It won't be long!

As you will see, the red mustang was a hit!

We had a cupcake party up in the tree house.

It's always great to visit you Muttie and Pop Pop!
We love you!

Changes

We have a few changes going on around here...

Sophie is really getting a hang of pulling herself up! She is just precious standing up and in no time she will be walking! It's so hard to believe she is almost a year old. Here she is trying to color with her big sister.

Avery got her 2nd professional haircut last week and got her hair chopped into a cute little bob!

Here is the before photo:

 

 

And after...

Memories

Many years ago, Gabe's family started doing "Christmas Memories" instead of gifts. So, each year we try to add a family memory which encompasses a variety of things. It can be big or small, but something that will be memorable for all. It is fun to see what everyone comes up with! 

Gabe's parents took us to Breckenridge for a weekend after Thanksgiving which was their "memory" for the year. Our "memory" (very LATE) is this video of fun times spent with them in Breckenridge and over the Christmas season...

The video also includes time spent with Scott, Jayne and the cousins out in Kansas. They were able to come back last October from Germany (where they are stationed) for a couple of weeks so it was nice to spend time with them!

We love you all and hope you enjoy the video!

WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED!

29!

I started my last year in the twenties over the weekend. That is a bit scary, but at the same time I couldn't be more thankful with the life the Lord has given me.
Gabe took me out for a birthday date a couple of days early which was so nice and refreshing! I spent my actual birthday surrounded by family. My Dad and I went to the Rockies game together because Gabe had to work. So while the girls hung out with Grandma and Aunt Maddie, my Dad and I toughed out the cold weather and had a great time at the game. Gabe came up to Denver to join us all for a family dinner. It was so nice to see everyone! Thank you for the sweet gifts and for celebrating with me! I'm blessed!

 Snuggling with Grandpa

Avery helping Grandma

Keeping it fresh!

I can't tell you how giddy I am about our new curtains for our family room! Because we are renting our house and I originally didn't know if we would live here longer than a year and a half, I didn't touch the existing curtains for that entire amount of time. But, now that we will be continuing our lease, I decided we need to make this room look more like "us". And the first item to change was the curtains!

Here is the BEFORE:
These curtains make the room seem so dark and I never liked that they weren't floor length.

And now for the lovely curtains I had custom made from the shop Sew Devine on Etsy.com...

I absolutely love them, they make my heart happy!

I love this view from the front door now...so bright and cheery to me!

I just purchased some pillow covers to add to the freshness!
Now, I will continue selling our unused/unwanted items on Craigslist so I can continue the decorating fun! I get such a thrill out of a successful Craigslist sell!

Easter 2012

He is RISEN!
He is RISEN indeed!

We had to wake the girls up in order for them to see their Easter baskets while Daddy was still home. Easter is obviously one of the busiest days of the year for Gabe at work and we took the girls to early service, so it was an early morning! They had fun looking through their baskets even though they were still waking up. Sophie was in a sleepy daze, but Avery helped her look at what Jesus blessed her with. We have decided to forgo the idea of the Easter Bunny bringing their baskets. We feel it's super important for them to realize that everything we are ever given, is always a gift from the Lord. After all, it is about HIM and what HE did for us! We want that revelation to sink into their precious hearts at an early age.

Thank you Jesus for sacrificing your life for us!
Jesus is ALIVE!

Avery helping Sophie. Sophie's thinking "Am I dreaming right now?"

Our family photo at church

I'm so blessed by these two blue-eyed sweeties!

We thought Gabe had to work the evening service, but to our surprise, he had the night off. So, we decided to celebrate by going to Gunther Toody's for milkshakes. We have talked about taking the girls there for a long time, so it was a fun outing! Seems a bit funny to go there on Easter, but I definitely hadn't cooked up a fancy meal thinking it would just be me and the girls.

Our attempt at a head shot of the four of us!

Egg Hunt

The girls experienced their first egg hunt at the church on Saturday. New Life doesn't usually host an egg hunt, but because the Thorn and Crown Easter performances weren't happening at the church, they were able to put on an egg hunt! The children's department planned the event, so Gabe worked, but thankfully we were able hang out as a family!

The girls helping Daddy greet people in the front lobby

Worshiping with her friends before the egg hunt

Go girl!

Avery looking to see what treats she got in her eggs...

Sophie is starting to pull herself up! She loved standing at this step!

Good Friday

Friday's are always good because it's Gabe's day off so it's typically our family day. But today is especially GOOD! We are so thankful for the blood of Jesus and for his sacrifice on the cross! It's Friday, but Sunday is coming!

Today was a full and fun family day.

We took turns going to the gym because Sophie is fighting off some sickness, so we didn't want to take her to the gym. Avery and Daddy washed the cars together and had fun spraying each other with the hose. We went to Garden of the Gods. Dyed Easter eggs. Worshiped. Laughed. And Gabe brought me a coffee frap before going to the church to set up for the huge Easter egg hunt that is happening tomorrow.

Wonderful day!

Sweet love!

Washing the cars with Daddy!

Love this face!

Can you tell neither of the girls were interested in smiling for the camera?

Sophie observed while Avery mastered the dying of the eggs

Hope you all have a wonderful Easter with your families!

He is RISEN!