Daddy/Daughter Dance Date!

...Bixby hosting an annual Daddy/Daughter Valentine's dance.  Kate was old enough to go this year so of course she wouldn't miss an opportunity to get all dressed up.  Nor would her daddy miss an opportunity to have a date with his little princess.  She was so excited all day.  Mommy and Jude got her all ready and Daddy didn't get to see her until she was completely ready.  It was so precious watching how excited she was.  Jude and I put  a dab of makeup on her and curled her hair.  I'm pretty sure Jude thought I was putting fishing lures in her hair.  

Once we got her all ready we introduced her (if you know Kate then you know she likes to be introduced...all the time) and she came in to the room.  You could see she felt beautiful.  I would like to bottle that feeling for her to use later when girls are mean.  She was so confident and happy.  I loved watching her round the corner to see her Daddy.  I also loved seeing her handsome Daddy.  He was beaming with pride as he watched her.  I was beaming too, because he looked HOT!

The happy couple had a great time at the dance.  Kate got to chicken dance for the first time.  They even snuck out after the dance for an ice cream date.  I'm so blessed to have a husband like Michael that is teaching his daughter how to be treasured by her Daddy, the way God intended.  I also know she is watching how he treasures her Mommy and I pray that guides her choice in a partner one day.  If she can find someone even half as good as her Daddy then she is set!

 Checking the "twirl factor" of her dress

Pretty feet...she's her mommy's daughter.

Happy Place

...feeling like a tornado had just been through after Christmas.  We packed up mom's car and headed to our happy place, Arkansas.  Specifically my Uncle Bud's cabin, Whiskey Falls.  We had no plans other than to see family.  We unexpectedly got to have snow.  Luckily someone grated the road so we could get to the cabin.

While in Arkansas we got to hang out with Aunt Mary and Uncle Bud.  They have quickly become 2 of my kids favorite people on Earth.  Kate talks about them non-stop.  We also got to see our other cousins.  It was so cute hearing Jude say "Bye Dutch" to his younger cousin.

The biggest thing that happened on the trip was an impromptu drive to Branson to take the kids to the Dixie Stampede.  Words cannot express how much both kids loved it.  We actually had to feed Kate because she was too enthralled to feed herself.  Jude sat on my lap and just jittered with excitement the whole time. Needless to say, the requests to go back to Branson started before we had even left.  I bet we will be back before too long.

 This picture melts my heart.  Kate has always begged to sleep with Jude and it finally happened.  You can barely see her but she is there.

 My snow princess

 It really only looked like this up on Witts Springs Mountain

 Perfection...a horse AND butterflies.  She knew it was going to be amazing.  I think Dolly Parton really gets our Kate.

 This was the last time she looked away from the arena because the horses were about to run in.

 Our kids ADORE their Ginny

Christmas Morning

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

...Santa!!!!!  I know him, I know him!!!  Christmas morning.  Is there a more magical time than Christmas morning with kids?  I can answer that...no, no there isn't.

Even Petscrat was feeling the Christmas spirit.  Kate asked Santa, before Thanksgiving, for only one thing--Baby Butterscotch.  And the big fella came through for her.  Baby Butterscotch is the animated, interactive horse you see her clutching below.

Jude is all about the great outdoors.  And trains.  And motorized things.  And anything little boys are supposed to like.  So, Santa brought him an ATV from Bass Pro.  Santa got it right.

For Christmas, we had decided to give Jude a big boy bedroom.  We redid his room with fishing, dogs, lanterns, and plaid.  See explanation of why Santa brought him the ATV above as to why.  It turned out super cute!

Walking outside in the blizzard.  Well, the weathermen all said it was going to be a blizzard.  Kate was unimpressed with the light snow.  We headed out the next day for Arkansas, and she got to see plenty of snow there.

Granny, addicted to Kate's video game system.  She and Kate fought over the game the whole way to and from Arkansas.

Christmas Part 3

...a quiet day with Ron and Donna.  This year we broke from tradition and did Christmas with Ron and Donna on Christmas Eve.  It was so great.  We met in Cowtown for breakfast at Cattleman's (which I hope to make a new tradition) and then took the kids to Langston's.  Kate was so funny.  She had us searching all over the place for a horse necklace.  Jude, on the other hand, was easily pleased with a new pair of boots.  Later that day we went back to their house and enjoyed opening presents and hanging out. 

Christmas Part 2

 ...being a little behind.  We have been so busy lately so our blogging has been a little, well more than a little, behind.  Nevertheless, here are some more Christmas pictures.  This time we were at my mom and dad's for the Douglas Christmas.  It was so much fun to see all the kids together and watch Kate and Krece play together.

 Of course Mom made great food.  I'm sure everyone would rather me not take pictures of them while eating though.  Oh well!

 Mom's tree looked so pretty (until Petscrat started climbing it and knocking decorations off)

 The kids were so patient concerning the presents but they sure were glad to finally open them.

 Fishing stuff for Krece.

 The Douglas gang.

 BOOTS!!!  She now wears them nearly every day.

 Krece was so cute with Jude.