Bass Pro & Santa!

A week or so ago, we took the kids to the Bass Pro shop in Bricktown. They were having free photos with Santa, and a lot of games for the kids to play with, as well as the kids getting to look around the boats, four wheelers, fish tank, etc. Ian was the brave one who got his picture with Santa, Izze wasn't too hip on the idea. It was off to play the games. The kids got to race remote control cars, shoot laser rifles, foam bow n arrows, crafts, and much more. They have a huge fish tank that we all enjoyed. It was a fun experience for all of us.

Edmond Historical Museum!!

I am a little behind on my blogs, so I am hoping to get caught up this week. A week or so ago, the kids and I went to visit the Edmond Historical Museum. This is the second time we have been, and they just love playing in all the pretend centers. The museum has a pretend bank, pretend grocery store, pretend jail, pretend little house, they can shovel pretend dirt, art center, different animal furs to read about, train tables, and more. We had a lot of fun! It is a place we will continue to visit.

GO Thunder!!

(Brian & Myself)These pics were done the time before when we went, a cartoonist drew his version of all of us. We thought it was fun, the guy did a good job.









Isabelle & Ian, so cute. I think it is interesting how we all look somewhat alike.










Yesterday Brian got last minute tickets from a friend to the Thunder basketball game. We decided to take our friend up on the tickets since we don't go that often, and we knew the kids would love it! Tis the season to make some new memories! This was even an extra special game because one of our own, Jamie, one of our worship leaders at PC, was singing the national anthem to open up the game. She did such an awesome job, we were very proud of her! Isabelle and Ian were so excited about the game, and especially the popcorn, one of their favorite things to have. We stayed until half time, then it was off to get the kids to bed. It was a great night with our family and friends!

Family Time, & two dates!

Yesterday we had a fun family day. Brian switched his day off this week, because of extra stuff going on, so we got the day started early. It is a challenge now to get fun stuff done before Izze has to be at school, but we try and fit some in when we can. We headed to the mall early to take the kids to the lego store, it was fun for them to look around and build some small creations. We grabbed some lunch before Izze headed to school. After the school day was over, daddy and Izze were going on a date, and Ian and mommy were going on a little date. Daddy and Izze headed for pizza, ice cream, and to do a little Christmas shopping for mommy. This is funny, because Izze always wants to tell me what they got me when they get home. Ian and I headed for dinner that included a small toy, which he was super excited about. We also grabbed some ice cream, one of Ian's and mommy's favorites. We headed back home to take a quick bath, and then cuddling on the sofa with one of his favorite shows right now, "UP", except he says, "pixars up", when he wants to watch it. So So cute! That is one of our favorite things to do is cuddle together and watch a fun show. Daddy and Izze got home after bed time, so they were having lots of fun! This is such a fun time for us and the kids. They love to go just by themselves with one of us, you can tell they feel special when we do. These little people mean so much to us, we just love, and adore them!! Thank you Lord for these little people!

Thanksgiving Holiday 09'!

Izze with her new Easy bake, Thank you Toni!







Goldie with her "treasures"






Ian with his new car, Thank you uncle Mike & Aunt Sunny, Jackson, Goldie!








Izze with paw paw and her new baby alive, Thank you papa








Paw paw and Ian all smiles!







Goldie relaxing!








Jackson & Isabelle making their own creations out of markers and paper!








Uncle Mike and Goldie finishing their present opening!




Wow, how fast time seems to fly sometimes. Thanksgiving of 09' has already been, and gone. We did have a great time with family this year! We headed to Ponca on Thanksgiving day, to have a big family get together, and lots of yummy food. I learned how to make my aunts sweet potatoes this year, which I was really excited about. Almost learned the recipe for her pecan pie, I can't really recall it though. It's those simple traditions that mean a lot to me. Even if it is cooking, that way I can pass them on to Izze and Ian. We were surrounded with nannies, papas, aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters, brothers, the things that are most important around the holidays. We are so thankful for each one of these people in our lives. After the Thanksgiving meal, we headed outdoors to toss the Frisbee and football around. This is one of the kids favorite things to do with the "older" kids, and adults. Later in the day we headed to my mom's, nanny Faith's house. The kids almost immediately had nanny Faith looking for fun things to do. Nanny Faith found some "treasures" for Isabelle to bring back with her, she was really excited about those. Thanksgiving day ended with a nice drive back to Edmond.

The next day was full of excitement as well, Brian's brother and his family, and Paw Paw Jack, were coming over for Thanksgiving lunch and to open presents. Uncle Mike and his family will not be back for Christmas, so we decided to combine the two, which the kids thought was a great idea of course with presents to open and all. We tore open presents first, and then got started on the Thanksgiving lunch, everything turned out so great! We made it really special this year with Ann's, (Brian's mom) china, no paper plates this year. After the Thanksgiving lunch, this year we decided to put lights outside. Granted we decided to start with what we have and each year add something new. Just a few this year, but none the less the kids had a blast helping Brian put them up. They get excited every night to turn them on as well. We skipped out on shopping Black Friday this year. We did get out and get our family Christmas ornament. The first Christmas Brian and I were married that was a tradition we started, to get a new ornament for the tree each year. The kids helped pick it out this year, and it is fun to tell them about each ornament from years passed. Thanksgiving Holiday 09' ended with much love, thankfulness, gratitude, and many blessings in our hearts. We love this time of year, and we are looking forward to the Christmas Holiday just around the corner. New traditions, and plans to be made!!

Happy Holidays everyone!!

Time to Reflect

Brian here...

Thankful for so many more things than I deserve. A savior that loves me unconditionally, a beautiful wife that I love more every day. Two kids, Izze and Ian, that make their daddy's heart melt every time our eyes meet. My dad (Jack) & brother (Michael). Friends I love (and that love me, even with my lack of sports knowledge). My Pastor & Mentor (Herbert). Thankful for the staff that I lead at People's Church. Incredibly thankful for our team of almost 90 people in the Music & production department at People's Church. Blessed, & very, very Thankful.

Brian

Mom's group Thanksgiving Party!

Today we had our mom's group Thanksgiving party at our house. The kids had a lot of fun playing with their friends, and doing a couple of crafts. We got to indulge in some yummy food as well, tis the season!
I am so very thankful for these ladies, and their kids. I know they make my life brighter. Thankfulness is in my heart today!!

Paw Paw's Birthday!

This last Friday was paw paw Jack's birthday! We had paw paw over for dinner and chocolate cream pie. Isabelle got to go with us to pick out a present for paw paw after her school fall festival. We had a great time celebrating paw paw!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas......

Our finished Christmas tree!!







Isabelle got to put the star on the tree this year!! She was so proud!








Isabelle with her stocking on her head, saying, hohoho!!She was having so much fun finding all her favorite things.







Ian with his stocking on his head. He was following sisters lead! All though his head seemed bigger than hers, trying to get the stocking on. lol









Ian starring at the tree when Brian turned the lights on. Like I said his eyes tell it all.







Daddy and Ian "working" on the Christmas tree, well, really just Brian. lol




Well, we finally give in. This year it seems like Thanksgiving is being rushed along, and fast forward to Christmas. My theory, we feel as though this thing called The "Christmas season" goes so fast we want to get a jump start to hold onto it just a little longer. Who could blame us right!
Our reasons for putting up our Christmas stuff early:
We have two cute kiddos, specially the four year old, who has been asking for about a month or more now, we need to put our Christmas stuff up guys! She thinks if the stores are doing it, well, it must be time for us to. She's right you know, if you see it everywhere, why not join in on the Christmas spirit of things.
We will be doing a combined Thanksgiving/Christmas this next week. Yeah!!! Of course we need the Christmas tree for that. Right? Izze says, absolutely!!

We have had new conversations this year with the kids, or really Isabelle, about giving, and what it is to be Thankful, and what is Thanksgiving, why we do certain things, or don't do them. She is growing up too quickly, and sometimes I feel like I want to skip the tough questions because I feel like she is so innocent to have such big questions sometimes. Then I think, I would rather her hear the truth from me instead of someone else, so I begin....

Our house inside is beginning to look like Christmas, and soon the outside will too. I love looking at the kids eyes/faces when the tree lights up, or they find all the treasures of ornaments, stockings, and fun things, it is so magical to them. Ian was only one last year, so I don't think he remembers much, but this year his eyes tell the story!! Izze remembers her special things from last year, the reindeer we put under the tree, her little Christmas books, her fan, musical note paper, the little doll ornament Nanny Carol got her, she has her favorites, and she found them all. These are the moments I treasure, and will continue to treasure for many years to come.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.........

Family Vacation 09' !!!!

A couple of weeks ago we had some vacation time, and we took the kids to the Great Wolfe Lodge in Grapevine TX. They had a blast and so did we!! It will definitley be a place we go back to. It was kind of like having a small white water in doors. They had a toddler area just for the kids. They also had big stuff for us as well. We had just as much fun as the kids did. They have a wave pool, lazy river, bigger slides, fort in the middle of the place. It was great!! The kids also got to dress up in their Halloween outfits and go to each floor and get candy. We didn't even have to leave the lodge, because they have restaurants, starbucks, everything you would need right at the lodge. Each night they have story time at the big clock, this is where trees, animals, people "come alive" and tell a story. Also, from one of the pictures that I took from our balcony was the outside pool and slide area. It would be a fun place in the summer as well. We also got to do a little shopping at one of our favorite places, The Grapevine Mills Mall. The kids like it because they have the crocodile that moves, and the carousel they LOVE to ride. Izze always picks the horse, and Ian & daddy rode the round spinning wheel. I so, so enjoy these times together with my favorite people in the world, my family!!

Our little princess & Fireman!!

This year the kids dressed up as a Princess (of course), and a fireman. They both looked so cute. We took them to paw paw Jack's church for a carnival, they had so much fun playing games, and getting all kinds of fun stuff. We got home a little past bedtime, so we took them around the neighbor a little bit. They both had the system down pretty good for getting candy. It's so fun to watch them!!