November Conglomeration

For someone who hasn't blogged about anything other than my child's birthday at the beginning of the month, you'd think I'd have more than 12 pictures to share.  We've been battling illness in our house since the end of October.  It started as upper respiratory stuff, high fevers, passing from one sister to another.  Then last week Annabel developed another high fever and broke out in mouth ulcers galore.  It has been AWFUL!  She was basically crying 24/7 and barely eating or drinking anything.  I broke down on Monday and begged for help.  My sweet mother-in-law came to my rescue and comforted her through the night two nights in a row so Jon and I could sleep and helped out through the day so I could get through my very busy week.  Annabel started feeling better, the girls dance in their Christmas dance recital yesterday, my mom came in town for that and we did some shopping today, then BAM, now Adeline's running a fever.  Fantastic!

So anyway, let me catch you up on the few pictures I've taken this month.

Our niece Murry's birthday is the day after Adeline's.  She celebrated with a camp-out birthday party.  Tiny, Big, T, and Aunt Janice came in town for the big shindig.  My girls loved having a full day to just run wild outside (we did not sleep there).

The birthday girl..

The cousins had a 30 minute belly-button inspection party.

And a few cuddles with Big T.

Warming up by the campfire.

Adeline was chosen to be the Star Student of the Week one week at KDO.

All dressed up for school one day..

And snuggles on the couch with Daddy after school.  They are usually so exhausted on Monday afternoons.

We had a fun family game night one evening.  If your small children like to play games, I highly recommend Uno Moo.  It is fun for the whole family.

And last night was their Christmas dance recital.  It was Annabel's dance recital debut.  A couple weeks ago they practiced on stage and she did every move to the dance.  I'm not sure if she had some stage fright, or still not feeling 100%, but she didn't really move for her actual performance.  She did stand in her spot and look cute, though.

Adeline did a great job, since she's a dance recital veteran, but she's still pretty shy.

I'm praying we're all back to 100% health for our big week in Texas next week!

Happy Birthday to Adeline!

Wow!  I cannot believe I have a FOUR year old!  That stresses me more than my 30th birthday did.  As you probably know by now, I like to make birthdays extra special.  I like my babies to know how much they're loved and how thankful we are for them, especially on their birthdays.

It started with me going to Walmart Thursday evening and waiting over 20 minutes for a sweet employee to track down this ginormous castle balloon.  Adeline had been seeing it up front for over a month now and asking for it every time we went.  I kept telling her that maybe she'd get it for her birthday.  Well, of course when it was actually time for her birthday, the one that had been up front forever was gone!  Thankfully we found another one in the back and the day was saved!  I also found these cool light-up balloons & filled the dark hallway outside her bedroom with them.

She was so excited!  Well worth the wait at Walmart.  And the good/annoying things about these mylar balloons...they last FOREVER!

Then we got ready for our fun day.

Little Sister wanted her picture made, too.  (Notice Big Sister wasn't too excited about sharing the limelight.)

A sweet friend of mine offered to keep Annabel at her house so she could play with her daughter while Adeline and I had some one-on-one time.  So very thankful for that!  After we dropped off Annabel, we went to Starbucks for hot chocolate.  Daddy met us there because he'd had to work really late the night before so he wasn't going into work at normal time that morning.

Then we told Daddy bye bye and went to get our nails done! (per birthday girl's request)

We sat right next to each other for our manicures, then she got a pedicure on her own.  We had the place to ourselves so she got to choose what chair she wanted.  Of course she chose the Rapunzel one!

I laughed so hard at how ticklish she was and told her that Mommy does the same thing every pedicure I get.

Then we went next door to Build-a-Bear so she could spend her birthday money.  She chose Clarice the reindeer from their new Christmas collection.  She named her Rainbow Curl.  Silly girl!

Then we met our sweet friends and Annabel for lunch at MiMi's!

I know Annabel had a great time with Monroe and Ms. Whitney, but when she saw me at the restaurant (after just being away from me for about 3 hours) she said, "I miss you today, Mommy!" - melted my heart.

Then it was nap-time and when they got up, we gave Adeline her birthday present.

We all went to eat as a family, then came back home for cookie cake.

Daddy gave the girls a bath, then went camping.  Adeline got to stay up late coloring some of her new birthday goodies.

What a fun-filled day!  Adeline, you have taught us so much in the four years you've been in our lives.  You have strengthened our relationship with God and with each other.  You have filled our days with joy, excitement, gratitude, awe, and LOVE.  We are so very grateful God choose you for our firstborn. You are truly a blessing and we can't wait to see what the future holds for you, our sweet girl.  WE LOVE YOU!

Adeline's Birthday Party

We celebrated Adeline's 4th birthday with lots of family and friends yesterday morning at a local pumpkin patch/farm.

I wanted a pumpkin theme since it was at a pumpkin patch, and of course Adeline wanted a princess theme, so we found this perfect solution.  A princess pumpkin party!

I was so excited about her cake.  It couldn't have been more perfect.

We have close friends whose little boy was born on the same day as Adeline, just two years later.  Since we have mostly all the same friends, we decided to do a joint party this year.  I think it was a great idea and worked out perfectly.  Landon's theme was a pumpkin/tractor party.  So cute!

It was terribly cold and windy during the party, but I talked Adeline into taking off her coat for a few pictures so you could see the adorable shirt her Tiny made for her.

We are so blessed with so many family and friends that love us so much.  Adeline's great uncle John, cousin Kasey, my parents, Jon's parents, and Adeline's great aunt Tater Tot all came in from Texas to celebrate with her.

Farmland Adventures has a big corn box (their alternative to a sand box).  It is a big hit among the little ones.

And pony rides!

And a petting zoo!

And giant stacks of hay to climb on.

They were so happy sweet Kasey came in town.

And a hay ride to feed the cows!

Time to sing and have cake!

Then we packed up, came home and she opened her presents here while all our family got to visit more over lunch.

What a fun-filled, love-filled day.  Thank you God, for all our blessings, especially for our little Princess Adeline!  She makes our days sparkle.