Happy Birthday Russell!!!

Happy Birthday honey. You are my HERO!

Matching Bitty Baby, the park, and new hair

NEW HAIR!!! AGGHH! I went and got my hair cut off today on a whim!! What do you think??(PS: I realize I look like a dork in this picture...It was a self portrait taken while I was watching the kids play at the park)

Seriously...Hollee has way more energy than anyone I know!!!

Not sure what she was telling me...but this is a face I see a lot these days...They should be called terrible three's NOT terrible two's!

Cassidee is fearless!!!

4 moms= 12 kids three and under..yeah, I said that right.

A got a bitty baby from my mom for Christmas this year and LOVES it! I found these matching dresses at TJmaxx a few weeks ago and had to get them. When I got her dressed she said "Mommy, please take mine and bitty baby's picture."

a WILD time

We went to the Fort Worth Zoo for the first time a few weeks ago with Sam, Hollee, and the trio. I had "unplanned" minor foot surgery the day before so I was determined not to break our plans....well, lets just say I was in some major PAIN the whole time we were there, so I didn't get a ton of pictures...but we will go again soon!!Hollee and Lilly joined us on the train

Can you tell I was putting on a brave face?? I look back on that day now as not one of the smartest things I have ever done!

Annaleigh's favorite animals of the day were the elephants...and sadly, this is the last picture I have from our zoo visit~~

Hoppy Easter..a little bit late=)

I don't know about you, but we are staying SUPER busy this spring. I am still playing catch up so please excuse my belated Easter Pictures.

The Easter Bunny was a little TOO generous with the candy this year!

We celebrated Easter with some great friends from church! These kids were precious!!!
The kids waited in the garage while we prepared for our "indoor" easter egg hunt. The weather was yucky but we still had a great time!

Annaleigh, her daddy, her buddy Olivia, and the "cool dad" Brandon!

He is Risen!!! Hallelujah! We hope you had a wonderful Easter!

The Perfect Spring Day

One of the neatest things to do in Dallas in the springtime is visit the Arboretum for their Blooms Exhibit. We got to go a few weeks ago with a few special friends and it was the PERFECT spring day!These two keep us laughing...they fight like brother and sister!These next few shots are compliments of my talented friend Kristen..thanks girl!Shara and I fell in love with this spot! Love the trees and the fountains! Maddox and Annaleigh look pretty cute too! Love it!

Our little sweeties with a "run-a-way" Caden!

We love Tulips!!!

Mel and Cohen

Kristen and Caden

All Smiles

(PS: I promised her M&M's if she would smile! Don't judge, you do what you gotta do!)

This is the most still Maddox sat all day long! He is all boy (but cute as he can be!!!)

The Fast is Over!

Wow! That was HARD! All and all I did a pretty good job but it's good to be back and boy has a lot happened in a few weeks. A few highlights from March were Annaleigh's third birthday and her preschool spring program "It's a Buggy World." Uncle Brad came by to celebrate his favorite niece turning 3!Showing off her new big girl bike.Play dough= hours of fun+ 1 big mess!going through gifts and cards at home.

Makin' a wish.

We decided to go for a low-key play group birthday party this year. We planned to have a picnic and play at the park, but the weather was yucky so we opted for "Stroller Skating" instead. A with Ms. Stormey (aka the best 2 year old preschool teacher in the world!)No stage fright herecutest lady bug aroundpicking her nose. nice.

I have a lot more to catch up on, but I will save that for later!

Media Fast

My Bible Study small group has been studying the book by John Ortberg "The Life You've always Wanted" which focuses on spiritual disciplines. I have been reminded that I fill my life and time with so many things that are either time wasters or take away my focus from Kingdom living...now, by NO MEANS do I think blogs or Facebook is evil...but I will admit it takes up a ton of my time on a daily basis...so, I have decided to totally "fast" from them until after Easter. I pray God's richest blessings on all of you and I look forward to catching up again with you and your families in a few weeks!
Love,
Laurie

What are we doing??

We are skiing in Park City, Utah...yeah, be jealous!!! Be back soon!!

P day

Annaleigh had "P" day at school the last 2 days where they eat pancakes, pizza, peaches, and learn about all the things that start with the letter P. They also exchanged Valentines and treats so every day after school we have been coming down from all the excitement (and sugar!)

We had to get straight into the bath today! P day is exhausting!

Food of Love

In honor of Valentine's day on Saturday I thought I would post one of MY Valentine's favorite meals. It's perfect for an "at home" date night after you get the kids to bed!

3/4 package linguine pasta
1/2 cup butter
3 cloves chopped garlic
8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced
2 (6.5 ounce) cans chopped clams with juice ( you can add a can of whole clams (drained) in addition if you want more...I make it both ways!)
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/2 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan (use the real stuff NOT the green can, pretty please!) cheese

DIRECTIONS
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic and mushrooms until golden brown. Stir in clams with juice, parsley, salt, pepper, & white wine. Cook over medium heat until hot. Toss with pasta until evenly coated. Serve garnished with Parmesan cheese and some crushed red pepper if you can handle the heat.

This picture was NOT staged!!

This is what is actually on my kitchen counter right now. Annaleigh has the flu plus her asthma has flared up, Russell has "not the flu" which is to say, he feels rotten but won't admit he actually might have the flu...and I am trying EVERYTHING in my power not to get sick!!!