happy birthday al!!

so, today, as of 12:00, is sept 23; my fantastic friend, allison's, 28th b-day. As you have all seen, her creativity is above and beyond anyone else's; her attention to detail is perfect; her parties immaculate and unique; her hair gorgeous, her skin and smile, beautiful and her family, amazing.

you have seen her inner desire to be a cheerleader (though you do not know that we both tried out like 3 times and never made it...can't say we arent persistent), her amazing cooking skills, her deep love for tie dye, her (even deeper) love for a theme, and the way she loves all kids as though they are her own.

but, what you all don't get to see, when you just read words (i mean, it def shows, but more in person) is that al is the most thoughtful and kind person you will ever know. she is always putting people above herself and she never thinks twice about it. she is always joyful and positive, even when her husband has been gone three nights of the week on call, ella is sick and all thats left to eat is mac and cheese- she sees the bright side and makes you see it to. its contagious. the Lord used her, and this amazing joy that she has, to always make me laugh and remind me how great everything is (or will be). esp when i was awake, for what seems like forever, with my twins and, i was learning how to even be a mom to twins at all. she is a gift to me; one that i treasure so much and i am so thankful that i have known her for so many years and have been able to see her growing into the person she is.

love you, al. happy big 2-8.

getting ready for halloween!

Last halloween me and Kristen went trick or treating in Denver Colorado with our very good friend Aly (also my wonderful sister-in-law). We had so much fun and the kids just loved all being together so we decided to do it again this year! Last year Bob came with us and Jeff stayed in lubbock with Ben and Sassy. This year both husbands are going and we are so excited and can't wait!!! We have been going through so many costume ideas that would work with 6 kids and 6 adults. Aly found a super cute cupcake costume for her oldest girl so that got us on the baked goods costume idea. They don't make a lot of baked goods for costumes so we are making them ourselves! Kristen is a pro at sewing, she has made pillows, blankets, clothes and so much more. I, on the other hand have never sewed before so my mom brought her sewing machine with her to Abilene this last weekend and she helped me make Ella's costume. (when I say helped, I mean she basically did everything) The little ones are going to be different kinds of cookies so we made Ella a chocolate chip cookie costume and it turned out so cute! The moms are going to wear aprons and the dads are going to be cookie monster! Here are some pics of us making the cookie.

Ella loved the fabric store, she organized the colored thread forever.

While we sewed, Ella napped and watched Annie on our car tv.

She wasn't ready to model the cookie costume yet!

avery's costume!

Bob's costume!

weekend in abilene

Me and Ella spent this last weekend at ACU with my family. It was freshman follies weekend, which is this sing/dance kind of thing that the freshman put on for parents weekend. I wasn't sure how Ella would do and was already prepared ahead of time to leave early. Well Ella ended up being perfect and watching freshman follies with her was one of my favorite things! She absolutely LOVED it! I know that most kids Ella's age would get excited when they heard a familiar nursery rhyme, but Ella likes music with a good dancing beat to it, so she gets excited when she hears something from beyonce, jackson 5, or mylie cyrus. All of the songs that the freshman danced and sang to where all of Ella's favs. She stole the show when single ladies came on! She knows the flipping the hand back and forth move and all! I wish so bad I had gotten it on video but it was too dark. We had such a fun weekend in Abilene. Ella loved the big hotel breakfast every morning and she loved cheering on the ACU football team. While Ella napped in the hotel me and my mom made her halloween costume! More to come on that later along with some pics!

matching monday

we tried out a new park and it was super fun! there was some dirt (that my kids loved) and lots of places to crawl around. unfortunately you really have to have go-go gadget arms and legs when you have two kids (that should be walking) crawling up everything and thinking they can slide down by themselves and climb up ladders...it was kind of nuts but everyone loved it. mission accomplished.

and the kids all wore their matching old navy shirts and tights (well, everyone except ben). we LOVE old navy and we were so excited to do our fall shopping there and get lots of matching stuff (i.e. we love matching mondays, or really matching anydays...)

ella knows she should be afraid of being up on a higher plane than usual and should walk cautiously... not sass. she thinks that even with her feet that are way to small for her round body that she can walk wherever with no fear. she is nuts-ola.

happy birthday patty!!

today, 25 years ago, the world welcomed the most fun, kind, thoughtful, crazy, baby loving, and loyal person. my middle brother patrick is the light of soooo many people's lives and i am so thankful and privileged to call him my brother. he always brings the fun, wherever he goes and he is all heart! he believes in you no matter what you are doing and backs you 110%. i could not ask for better brothers and i know that God is going to continue to bless him and his sweet wife everyday the way patty blesses everyone he knows. we love you so much patrick!! happy birthday!