Disney World

Our family made a trip to Disney World this February with our friends, the Morgans. They moved from Louisiana to Tallahassee so we took advantage of a long holiday weekend and went to visit them. We then all drove together to Orlando. The first night, we took the kids to Downtown Disney to shop and eat, then got up early the next morning for the Magic Kingdom.

The weather was a little chilly but still sunny. The day flew by as we learned how to navigate the rides and take advantage of "Fast Pass." The girls liked the rides Buzz Light Year, Winnie the Pooh and really liked the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, although they DID NOT like waiting in line. We got to meet Daisy Duck and got to see several of the princesses. It was a really long day and everyone was really tired by the time we left, but we had a great time.

It was fun getting to visit with the Morgan family and the girls loved playing with Alex and John. It was a great trip to take as a family before Cooper makes his arrival.

Baby Shower for Cooper

Friends and family helped host a baby shower a few weeks ago to help Shawn, the girls and I prepare for the upcoming arrival of Cooper. We had a great shower with lots of good food and decorations, including a really cute diaper cake and a "daddy tool belt" for Shawn. The girls got into the spirit by helping unwrap all the presents for Cooper and passing them around for everyone to see. He got a ton of clothes and diapers and much-needed items including a pack 'n play, bath tub and swing. It definitely put us on the right track to be ready for baby. Only about 5 weeks left to go ...

Big Sisters!

Peyton and Emily got practice being big sisters this week at a sibling class at the hospital where we'll have Cooper.

They got to bring their baby dolls and practice diapering them, color a happy birthday card for the baby and eat a birthday cake. The best part was when they got to dress up in hospital gear - scrubs, masks, caps and booties and tour the delivery ward. They got to see the room where the baby will be born, where they measure him, even sneak a peek in the nursery where they saw two little babies.

The girls each got certificates and really enjoyed their time at the hospital and are excited for their little brother to get here - only a few more weeks!

Snow Day!

Like everyone else in central Louisiana, we woke up to a blanket of about 4-6 inches of snow last Friday. It started snowing the night before and the girls went to bed so excited to see what would happen in the morning. They woke up at 6:45 a.m. screaming about how much snow was on the ground. They immediately got dressed and went outside to play, make snowballs and make a snow lady. Emily got cold and didn't like that her feet got dirty but Peyton was pumped to be outside. She even went to our neighbor's house to slide down a small hill with their son, Stevie.

We had to remove the snow from Shawn's truck so we could head to Florida for a weekend trip to Disney World with our friends the Morgans. Ironically, snow flakes followed us all the way down south, even to Pensacola in the Florida Panhandle.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! The girls are preparing for Valentine's Day parties at school and have enjoyed making Valentine's, decorating boxes and getting candy! To celebrate Valentine's Day, President's Day, Mardi Gras, my birthday and anything else we can think of, we're heading to Florida for a getaway to see the Morgans. We'll all travel together for a day at the Magic Kingdom. The girls can't wait!! Pictures to be posted soon ...

Happy 6th Birthday Peyton!

Peyton celebrated her 6th birthday with tons of celebrations during the month of December.

Since her birthday is Dec. 29, we usually have her party early in the month so her friends can attend before they are busy with the holidays. We had her party at The Tree House Children's Museum and the kids were allowed to run around and play in all the different rooms. One of their favorites was the "medical office" where they took turns working on Shawn and Aunt Christy. Her Hello Kitty theme resulted in a lot of pink and purple and caused her cousin to say "this is the pinkest day of my life."

On her actual birthday, we took her, Emily and her good friend Emilee to see "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel." Everyone loved the movie and the girls loved The Chipettes, especially their songs and dance moves. Later that night, we had pizza and I made a cake for her. We had lots of friends and family come over and we ended having a bigger crowd than we first imagined, but it was a lot of fun.

Today, I took Peyton to get her very first pedicure (a good excuse for me to get one as well!). She absolutely loved it and quickly acclimated to the life of being spoiled and pampered. She got her pedicure and then had her fingernails painted. I think I've created a monster!

Merry Christmas!

Our family enjoyed a wonderful Christmas season, filled with visits with family and friends, food and lots of presents! We visited with Aunt Colleen earlier in the week and exchanged Christmas presents. The girls then spent several days in West Monroe with Shawn, playing with some of their new friends from church. Everyone came back home just so we could get ready to drive back to West Monroe together to attend two Christmas Eve services. We drove home that night to get ready for Santa. The girls were tired from the trip home but were excited to get back home into their PJs and leave cookies and milk for Santa.

The girls must have been really tired from the trip because they didn't wake up until 8:30 a.m. Christmas morning! Of course, neither Shawn nor I minded. Once they were up, they raced us to the living room to see what Santa had brought. The girls were excited to find all kinds of things under the tree including new PJs, a Barbie house, digital camera and Hannah Montana Movie for Peyton and a Winnie the Pooh laptop computer, baby doll stroller and other goodies for Emily.

We barely had time to open and play with everything before we headed to Franny's for Christmas breakfast with all the family. Peyton got a cool "Plasma car" and Emily got a fancy new Schwin tricycle that drives superfast! Our next Christmas stop was dinner at Grandma and PawPaw's with all our cousins - Jacob, Brandon, Allie & Zach. The kids had fun playing together and making a gingerbread house. The girls got glittery shoes and matching sleeping bags with a flashlight and water bottle. They are ready for Daddy, PawPaw or Uncle Patrick to pitch a tent in the back yard and go camping outside!!

We've spent the last couple of days throwing packages away, finding a place for all of these toys and clothes, visiting with other friends who have come into town and popping fireworks! We all need a holiday from the holiday - now, it's time to get ready for Peyton's 6th birthday this Tuesday.

Merry Christmas everyone!