Gingerbread house

It's been too windy to play outside today so we're spending the afternoon making a gingerbread house 

Allison's new hat

Allison had outgrown last years winter gear so this morning at Target I let her pick out a new hat and mittens set.  She's ready for winter!

Orange day

It's orange day at preschool

Twins

The girls wore matching shirts for the first time today.  Allison was so excited.  Such sweet girls.

Pancakes for Taylor

This morning Allison came down asking if we could make pancakes to surprise daddy for breakfast.  Kevin had to eat and run, but I got some great pictures of Taylor.

Birthday party

This evening we got to celebrate Allison's 4th birthday with her friends.  We had a Little Mermaid party at Little Gym.  Super easy for us and everyone had a great time.  We are so blessed to have such great friends.  

PJ snafu

Even when daddy puts her Jammie's on backwards this is still the cutest baby we know.

Back to school

Thursday night Allison and I went to Meet the Teacher night at preschool.  Kevin and Taylor stayed home to cheer on the Aggies. 

Allison, Jesse and Riley are all in class together again this year.  While we will miss Abby we will still see her at church and play dates.  

The preschool has a new director and Allison's teacher is new having taught public elementary school the past few years.  I'm excited to watch the girls grow and see all the things God has planned for the school. 

School starts Tuesday.  Allison already has new princess tennis shoes and we are surprising her with a new back pack and lunch box.  

Rice Football

For my family and Rice friends - no we don't just dress the girls up in Aggie gear (although that stuff is a lot easier to find).

Here is Taylor in her Rice shirt for today's game.  Not that it helped the score.  

Taylor's new ride

Today while Allison and Kevin went for a swim Taylor and I headed to Kroger for down groceries.  Taylor had her first ride in the shopping cart without her car seat.  She had fun looking at everything and sitting up.  She's always so happy, it's so much fun to watch her see new things.  

Game Day

These guys are ready for kick-off!

Good morning

She speaks

To celebrate being 9 months old today Taylor said both "dada" and "mama"

Big day part 2

Carrousel after lunch 

Waiting with Nana to enter Lego land

I want one of these! 

Taylor enjoyed the toddler area 

Getting strapped in for the bunge trampoline 

Look how high she went

Our big day

Allison and Taylor got to see the attractions at Grapevine Mills today.  We started with the aquarium, then food court lunch with carousel ride.  Next up Lego land and finishing the day with a bounce thing.  

Waiting on the crew

Taylor's first time in the stroller without the car seat

Allison in a bubble

Taylor gets a good view

Allison had so much fun

The shark photo bombed us!

Allison and her cousin Sarina 

Allison's dance class

She pouted during the ballet section but got it together for tap.  

Library friends

Allison made a friend today at the library. She and Gavin gave each other books then read together.

Taylor's first pancake

Yesterday morning Allison helped make pancakes and Taylor got to try her first one.

Summer school

Yesterday was the last day of summer school.  They had a performance and all the kids got on stage and sang half a dozen songs.  Allison had been practicing really hard at home but was just exhausted after having VBS every evening.  She did ok, but spent half the time sitting down.  

Allison's wearing a white shirt and teal skirt - the stage lighting washed the kids out for pictures.  

Allison with her teacher at the end of the day.  

Allison's first purchase

Allison has been getting an allowance for a little while - she has 4 chores to do and at the end of the day gets a quarter if all are done.  She can also do extra chores to earn more money.  

She saved up $10 and Wednesday we went to Target and she made her first purchase - a set of my little pony figurines.  It was definitely a proud parenting moment for me.  

Cowgirl

At celebrations for playgroup this morning.  

Bath time

Now that Taylor can splash she's enjoying baths a lot more.  

Corbin's birthday

Saturday I took the girls to Corbin's 2nd birthday.  I've been working with Allison to understand that it's not always her party.  She picked out presents for Corbin at Target and handed it to him to open.  While she seemed slightly put out he didn't want her to blow out his candles she otherwise did very well.  

Taylor was very popular and got handed around.  I think she was missing daddy because she kept giving Daniel kisses.  

Allison's rock collection

Allison got a package from Alaska today containing two rocks.  She is very excited and now wants to start her own rock collection!

Ice cream

My parents took us to dinner at Feedstore BBQ.  Allison ate all of her chicken strips then got to have a giant soft serve cone.  

Sippy Cup

Taylor's first attempt with a straw sippy cup.  No idea if she for any in her mouth though.  At least she looks happy.

Post Mission Trip nap

Kevin just got back from a 6 day mission trip on Oklahoma with our churches High school kids.  Over 90 people went on the trip.  Allison is watching tangled while enjoying her pretzels and daddy-pillow.  

Puppy Love