Claire' 1st birthday

We went to Dallas over the weekend to celebrate our niece, Claire's, first birthday.  I can't believe that a year has already gone by.  The kids were so excited to see each other!

A new hobby...

Collin and Lily having a snack in their fort we built.

Lily's first haircut. As you can see she was not happy about it.  I don't know if she was more upset that she was getting a haircut or that they took out her bow.

Todd and Collin have picked up a new hobby...fishing.  The pond behind our house is stocked with fish.

Christmas 2010

Everyone (minus the Markley's because they were in Colorado) came to our house this year to celebrate Christmas.  It was so much fun to spend time together.  We are so blessed to have a happy, healthy family and couldn't have asked for a better Christmas.

Getting caught up...

I'm sorry for the delay in updating the blog lately.  To be honest...I think it takes forever to upload the pics on the website.  I need to work on my patience or get a new computer : ) 

Collin absolutely loves his new school..as do we!  He has made many new friends and looks forward to going each day.  Lily goes to school on Thursdays and enjoys it as well.  There are some days that she is a little apprehensive about going, but she always ends up having fun.  

Lily has transitioned to her "big" girl bed now....she does really well with it too.  She looks so tiny in that bed!  She is a little high maintenance and opinionated about her shoes and what she wants to wear.  She had a complete meltdown the first couple of times we put her in jeans when the weather started getting cooler.  She wakes up occasionally during the night and asks for her bow.  The only time she is without it is bath time and she would wear one then too if we would let her.  She's such a sweet little girl, but she has no problem expressing her opinion with a temper tantrum : ) 

Collin stayed busy this semester with his swim lessons and soccer.  He really enjoys swimming.  He has really gotten good since he started this summer.  He's like a fish in water!  Soccer was fun too.  He had a good time playing although, I'm not sure he quite understood what the objective was.  He just ran with the herd.  It was fun to watch.  He was really excited about the trophy he received at the end of the season.

Collin and Lauren dressed up in their Halloween costumes for a Halloween party.  They were so cute!

Lily loves playing with her dollhouse.

Lily, Collin, Lauren and Claire at the pumpkin patch.

Lily didn't like Collin's Batman mask.  She was supposed to be a pink pig for Halloween but she refused to wear the costume so she wore her dance outfit instead.  It's all about compromise!
Trick or treat!
Collin loves giving Lily kisses.
Lily and Daddy at the Katy carnival.
Notice the big green bruise on Lily's head. She fell off the playground set at the park.  Poor thing...she had that bruise for 2 weeks!

Collin before his soccer game.  I thought this pic was cute.  He looks like Bono in those glasses.

First Day of School

The kids are all smiles as we are on our way to school.  

Happy Birthday Collin and Lily!!

I made Toy Story alien cupcakes for their party.

Lily being silly with her baby doll Aunt Julie gave her for her birthday.

Lily giving her baby a bottle.

Papa with his "little" princess.

Collin in the middle of a parachute at their party.  He had so much fun doing this!

Time to blow out candles.
Grandad and Claire.

Daddy and Lily.

Collin wearing his birthday medal.
Lily and Collin playing with her new dollhouse.  She loves it!

Lily sitting on Collin's train table.  She loves climbing on it!

Collin and Lily celebrated their 4th and 2nd birthdays together in Dallas with all their friends and family.  It was a Toy Story themed party held at ASI Gymnastics.  Lily's birthday is Sept. 19th and Collin's is Oct. 2nd so we decided to have a combined birthday for the two of them.  I can't believe they are already 4 and 2!!  Where has the time gone?