Window To Our World

So lately, Cassidy has been inviting guests to breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She doesn't even give her parents any warning, but we seem to always have enough food thank goodness.

We have had Snow White, Ballerina Bear, and of course Dolly (her closest friend), who knows who she will be inviting next. It's so cute to watch her show her friends to their place at the table sitting in their very own chair. Then of course asking for an extra plate and fork for our special guests too. She has even assisted them in eating cheerios, and given them bibs so they don't make a mess. We're so grateful for our little girls imagination and can't wait to see what she comes up with next. She has asked a couple of times if they can have a bath too.

What a good friend and hostess she is already! Just hope we don't lose our seats at the kitchen table.

Tag I'm it...Thanks Merilee this was fun...

What is your husband's name?

Derek Steven

How long have you been together?

Married 8 years, 9 years in June

How long did you date?

Hmmmm, depends on who you ask. Technically, 3 months but had known each other for 3 years

Who eats more?

The man of the house

Who said "I love you" first?

Derek but I said it right back, on New Year's Eve

Who is taller?

Of course Derek, since everyone is taller than me

Who has more speeding tickets?

Derek but I speed more and haven't ever gotten a ticket.

Who is smarter?

My engineer and Computer Stud

Who is more sensitive?

Me by far! I need to lighten up.

When there is a fight, who usually wins?

Depends on what the fight is about

Who does the laundry?

I do, and I like it

Who does the dishes?

Me again, but Derek will clean the bathrooms ( I have the better end of the deal)

Who sleeps on the right?

Me

Who pays the bills?

We both do, we have budget date nights

Who mows the lawn?

Derek, but would like to at least one time this summer

Who cooks dinner?

Mostly me, but Derek will cook whenever I ask him to

Who drives when you are together?

Derek, he doesn't like my driving

Who is more stubborn?

We take our turns

Who kissed whom first?

Derek bet me a quarter he could kiss me without touching my lips, well the next time I saw him he gave me a quarter. Pretty good move huh.

Who proposed?

Derek, and it was very romantic and fun. He sent me on a treasure hunt all around town then we had a candlelight dinner.

Who has more siblings?

Me, my family is the brady bunch, 3 brothers and 2 sisters. Derek has 3 brothers.

...I tag Jillian

So Cassidy was watching mommy paint her toenails and decided she wanted her toes painted as well. It was so cute to watch her excitement and she sat so still through the whole ordeal. I blew on her cute little toes to help them dry and she would copy me. It was sweet!

Since that day, she keeps admiring her toes with a big smile and says, "painted toes pretty toes."

She'll never see her toes the same way again!

We went out with some other couples this weekend for date night. We went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse for some steak and ribs. It was nice to have some adult conversation. After dinner we put on our dancing feet and went to Cowboys (a dance club). It was so much fun to get on the dance floor and country swing. Right away Derek and I realized we were so out of shape! We decided to keep dancing and pay for it later. :)

It was fun to watch other people dance and even see older couples like in their 60's and 70's dancing. Hopefully when we get older we can continue to put on our dancing feet and dance as good as them.

I love dancing with Derek! Dancing is one of our favorite things to do together, as some of you know. On Valentine's day we unfortunately missed the Sweethearts Ball at church, because of being sick, but was so happy we were able to still go dancing the following weekend. It's also nice not to worry about coming home smelling like smoke head to toe. We are definitely planning on going again.

We also had the chance to enjoy some karaoke. Derek and our friend Stephanie each took a turn to sing. Derek sang "I like it, I love it..." by Tim McGraw. I thought he rocked it and I enjoyed his good lookin charm. Stephanie sang "Material Girl" just to change things up a bit. All of us girls enjoyed singing along. We had an entertaining night of fun!

I must admit that I am really enjoying this new blog trend. I like the ability to share pictures and stories with family and friends almost instantaneously. I love the comments that family and friends leave. I also love that so many other friends have started up blogs of their own, as this gives me a chance to keep up with what's going on with their families even though they sometimes live far away.

Derek has made up a word for this blog-surfing = "Blurfing". And he has informed me that I am indeed a blog-surfer = "Blurfer". Well, he's right and I am not ashamed. I love that we can use computers and technology for good. And I encourage any who haven't yet tried the blogging craze yet to give it a shot. It's free and it's a lot like scrapbooking and journaling put together. So keep it up fellow blurfers and bloggers.

Make a postcard - it's easy!

Pause the music down below, before you play the slideshow because it has it's own music

Unfortunately, we were all sick on Valentine's day, but we made the best of it. Cassidy and I made sugar cookies. Then Cassidy designed her very own Valentine gram for her daddy. It was so cute to watch her place her paper hearts upside down and stickers where ever. It was truly an original masterpiece. :)

Derek came home with beautiful Iris flowers and gave me a gift box to open. Inside, was a puzzle. I was so excited to put the puzzle together and read the sweet letter on the back. I'm so amazed by my talented husband. Even the knobs on each puzzle piece was heart-shaped. :)

Cassidy was so excited to give her daddy his Valentine card and cookies. I'm so grateful for such a wonderful, loving, husband and for a sweet, adorable, daughter.
I'm truly blessed!

Cassidy and I were in Houston, Texas this whole last week. See, my brother Derek planned a surprised Anniversary trip for my sister in law and asked if we could watch the kids. of course, we were happy to! Even though it was Cassidy's birthday, Derek was so understanding and said we could celebrate as a family when we got back. So this weekend we will be having a little party for our birthday girl.

Even though I went from one kid to four all week, it didn't seem like it. The kids were so good. Cassidy spent her time wrapping her cousins around her finger. She was so funny, she would giggle and throw her dolly on the floor then ask Max to pick it up for her. She knew how to flirt. She chased Sam all over the place calling his name. Phil would get her in the mornings and help her out of bed. Cassie enjoyed playing with their cat and dog too. It was cute to watch Cassie play with her own controller for the Xbox with the boys. She tried to do eveything they did. It was like, I didn't have to do anything. :)

During the day the boys had school so it was just Cassie and mommy most of the day to hang out. We would go shopping, eat out, do some pottery (daddy's surprise gift),walk around the neighborhood and play at the park, and of course had to play at the beach. It was Cassie's very first time at the beach, she was so amazed and we had a ball! How could you not take advantage of the beach when only 1/2 hour away. When the boys would get home we would do homework, have some quiet time, until Cassie woke up from her nap, eat dinner, and then go out. The first night we went to the elementary school for storytime and crafts. It's neat, Sam's teacher, and the rest of the kindergarten teachers plan an evening of fun, dressing up in character of the book they read and then doing a craft afterwards. They did some Valentine crafts. It was so sweet, Sam made Cassie and I a Valentine gram.

The next evening to celebrate Cassie's birthday we went to Chuck E Cheese for a night of games. We had a coupon and ended up having 85 tokens for free! The kids had no trouble going through the tokens. Cassidy loved it! She tried throwing the balls up the lane into the hole pockets,rode lots of little rides, challenged her cousins to a game of air hockey, and danced with Chuck E Cheese himself. Max took her on a rollercoaster ride too. Then we went home and had some cake and ice cream. Cassie tried to blow out her candles but the flame was stubborn so all 3 of the boys helped her out.

The next evening we went to their public library. It was such a nice library, I wish we had a library like theirs. It was so big with lots to do for all ages. Pretty cool.

Then Friday night we ordered pizza and just hung out, until I went to pick my brother and Lina up at the airport. Saturday was such a nice day we played outside at a park and then got to packing for our flight back home. Cassidy was so tired after a week full of excitement she slept the whole flight home. But right when we were about to touch ground she woke up and started puking. I couldn't believe it, and couldn't react quickly. Luckily I had her blanket. My poor baby. But she seemed to be fine after that. Daddy was waiting for us with some flowers and a little doggie for Cass. It was so sweet! Then when we got home, he had painted a Welcome Home sign for his girls. He's so wonderful! We sure missed him, and it seems like he missed us too. :)

Cassidy is 2 years old!

Cassidy turned 2 years old on February 6th! We can't believe how our sweet baby girl is now an amazing, active, little girl. Looking at pictures over the last two years has brought back so many memories. Being there at the birth was such an amazing experience and there was so much love in the room. Kaley we are eternally grateful!

I remember when we first brought her home, on Valentine's Day and feeling overwhelmed with excitement, and at the same time, terrified being a first time mom. But it has been a wonderful two years so far and I look forward to many more.

Happy Birthday Pumpkin, We love you!