Happy Birthday Joanna!

But 1st a fun picture of the girls opening a surprise present from the Valentine fairy - my sweet Aunt Sandy. They were both so excited to get the shiny red package and open it up.

We had a really fun time at Joanna's 2nd birthday party today! Here are some cute pictures...you can see even more at Joanna's blog http://www.txpencefamily.blogspot.com/

Anna trying to defend her plate from the ravenous Birthday Girl. Bailey is a little more laid back than our fireball and didn't mind sharing her food so much.

My big girl sitting at the table! She sat here for a long time but sadly fell out of the chair eventually. So many random crashes at this age - turn your head for a second and bamm! Anna survived that time OK, I'm sure Emma will too. I can't believe she's going to be a year old soon!!!

Joanna eating her cookie cake. I missed a pretty funny moment - Anna, who was sitting across from her at the table looking every bit as chocolate covered, looked up at Joanna and said "Oh, look at you!!!" Luckily my friends got some evidence! Being the take charge kinda girl that she is, Anna took it upon herself to clean Joanna up.
Balloons are always a big hit!

Back home in our little car. She is fascinated by this experience, until of course she slides out of the seat and gets stuck under the car. I think she's getting used to it - she doesn't really cry if I get her out pretty quick.

Sorry the little video is sideways... I had just taken a picture sideways and forgot to turn the camera back for the video. I tried again but she was just looking at her feet by then.

"This is what the LORD says—he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: ... I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants." Isaiah 44:2-3

Spring leaves!!??

We have this pecular oak tree in our front yard that doesn't lose it's leaves until the new spring buds push them off. So we get to make those cool "stick your little kids in a pile of leaves" pictures in the springtime. Anton thought it would be fun to shower the girls with leaves while they were in it. Emma had the "what's going on here" look for most of it, but Anna was having the time of her life! Just in case you are wondering, some of these had flash and some didn't...

Not in your mouth baby...

Mama had to get in the leaves too. Anna was playing "this little piggy" with Emma's toes. And yes it was a hot February day in Texas with lots of leaves on the ground. A few nights ago the heat was on, tonight the air is on. God made all climates for His glory I guess!

Here we have 2 cute girls in Emma's crib - I feel so blessed that they seem to love each other and enjoy being together. (By the way, that's Emma's paci in Anna's mouth :)

Happy Valentine's Day! - First Hard Candy!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!! (yes I know I'm a few days late, but are you really surprised??)

Anna had a little Valentine's Day party at her school last Tuesday. Her sweet teachers gave her a little sweetheart's candy box with her picture in it. They also gave her a blowpop. She unwrapped it as we walked to the car and wanted to eat it. I wasn't in the mood for a fight, so I let her eat it on the way home. (Don't worry, I stand my ground multiple times a day and endure the 2 year old responses). Anyway, I showed her how to lick it and explained you're not supposed to bite it, and as I'm driving along, I hear a so cute voice from the back seat "Mama I LIKE it!!!!!". Then "there's juice in it", and lots of "This is yummy!!", followed by "Mama my hands messy". So I was able to get it back from her without too much tooth decay. It cracked me up and I was very glad I let her have it. Here are some cute pictures from the day, as well as the cute craft she made in Sunday School. I LOVE MY CHURCH!!! (school is at church for those who don't know). Cute Valentine photos...

All the crafts and cards from church...



I made Anna hold her hands out when we got home before I washed off the blow pop goop.


Gram never misses an opportunity to send gifts - Anna's first ever money present!!! She loves to get into my wallet and pull out the "money", so I usually keep it out of sight. She was SOOOO excited to get her very own money. Luckily we have a pretty piggy bank to put it in!

In high school news, I am trying to figure out how to fit a driver's ed class into Anton's busy soccer/band/youth group schedule... I guess a busy kid is a staying out of trouble kid!! I don't know if I mentioned before that he is taller than me, only by 1/2 and inch or so right now. It's been so gradual that I usually don't think about it, but when he's got on shoes and I don't, it does seem very odd to look up to him. Here are some fun shots from a recent soccer game (#25 in white) ...where did he get those legs????

Other recent stuff... Emma is hanging out while Tony weeds the flower bed. She loves the sippy cups!

Tony was really excited that the girls wanted to read Mountain Bike magazine with him!

I finally got Emma in the bike seat the other day for a test run. It was right before her nap, so she almost fell asleep on me. I was just excited that she was content... hopefully I'll get the trailer out soon and Anna can ride it in by herself with Emma in the seat.

Junior really loves Anna these days, and she loves giving him treats. Our future CEO has already mastered making him sit for a treat. Anna also loves to play in her kitchen... "Let's eat in Anna's kitchen!" is a phrase we hear numerous times a day. I thought it was funny that Junior followed her over to her kitchen the other day. I guess he soon found out that there is not any real food there, but I think he had his eye on the plastic peas when I took the photo.

More keyboard pictures and a video... I know I posted some keyboard shots last time but they are just so cute! This is a common scene at our house these days. Emma is starting to cruise pretty well, and has finally started crawling on her hands and knees some.

By the way, for some reason my little camera doesn't have sound with the video function, but that might be a good thing... the keyboard plays "Livin' the vida loca" and "I just called to say I love you" OVER and OVER again!

May you have lots of love in your lives!!!

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." 1 John 4:10-12

Some more recent pictures - these are from my camera so they overlap timewise with the last post. Sorry there's a couple that are sideways, maybe I'll fix them soon...

Emma's favorite thing these days is standing up at the keyboard. She will sometimes cruise (very slowly at this point) over to the window and look out. Anna thinks it's really fun to play the piano with Emma. She also loves wearing overalls lately and thought it was fun that Emma wore overalls too this day - not that you can see them in the picture no matter how far sideways you turn your head.

Anna's new spring/summer wardrobe from Baby Daze!!!!

She was very excited about her new clothes. I had to get them washed and put away quick because she kept wanting to wear them. I'm sure it won't be long before it's hot enough.

Cute Emma standing up playing at her table.

We all went to Huntsville State Park a few weeks ago. Anton was helping look after the girls while I was mountain biking. I must have been getting ready when this picture was taken because that's my bike right behind Anton, and I am not sitting on it!!

Emma loves hiking!

Anton's turn on the trail. It works out well that he fits on my bike. (he actually has his own but mine is faster so he likes to use it). He is officially taller than me now. I'm sure he'll be on Tony's bike next year and no longer able to ride his bike for any long distance. I think Tony is looking forward to handing his down and having an excuse to get a new one.

My happy girl.

Anna loves to hike and pick up sticks and pine cones. When she had too many to carry, I got to help her.

A playday from a while back. Here's our friend Joanna deciding that the car is really only big enough for one. Or maybe Caleb was pushing her out, I don't remember. That's Caleb's sort of new baby sister Callie in the car seat.

YEAH we finally got a computer armoire. The girls loved playing in it before it got filled up.

Have a blessed day whoever is out there reading. May you experience the joy of the Lord and share His love with everyone you see today!