India's 7th Birthday

It is hard to believe that India is 7 already! She wanted a horse party so we made it a horse/cowgirl party. It was over spring break so many of her friends were traveling, but I think we had the perfect amount of guests and fun! Rasheed got so much attention that he slept for hours after it was over. It was a beautiful day outside so we were able to do games and playing outside. Here are some pictures...

The "horse cupcake cake" we made at home.

The calm before the party.

Playing in the backyard. I forgot to take pictures of the games. We did the sack race, 3-legged race, wheelbarrow race, and cake walk.

Posing for a picture.

Opening her presents.

Jordyn was the designated helper.

Singing "Happy Birthday"

I asked them all to say "Hee Haw" when I took the picture.

Funny Faces :-).

In Jesus Name

Yesterday was one of the most exciting days we have had in our lives and as a family. A couple of weeks ago India mentioned to us that she wanted to be baptized so we prayed about it, talked with her more and made it happen. Glory to God our oldest child was baptized in Jesus name March 23, 2013.
Pictures will follow soon.

Photo Drop

Here are a bunch of pictures from my phone over the past month.
India and Jordyn both got their hair straightened for the first time by a student at my work. They got a new straightener that uses steam and is less damaging to the hair. It was fun but definitely a once in a while treat. It was fun to see how long their hair is straight.

 

Jordyn at her "Green Eggs and Ham breakfast" at Preschool. Hair still out and long after straightening.

India and her girl scout troop had a Teddy Bear Tea Party for Valentine's Day.

The girls rode their bikes to Clement Park to feed the geese. I ran along :-).

Linwood has started refereeing basketball games. The girls and I went to watch a game and they had to get dressed up like referees too.

We only had one referee outfit so India decided the bumblebee costume was close enough.

We had to leave when the girls got bored and started to grab Linwood's butt every time he came close to us.
They love their daddy!

 

Our newest addition

The girls have been asking for a dog for months and months. We had to tell India that Santa was not able to bring live animals on the sleigh....and then we said that we needed to wait until we got a house with a yard...eventually we ran out of excuses. So, who knew that Craigslist also sold pets?! We happened across this little guy and decided as a family that he would be a great fit for us. This weekend he turned 10 weeks and he is a bundle of puppy love, ankle biting cuteness.
Since he is a boy, daddy decided that he should get to name him.
Meet Rasheed. Named after Daddy's favorite basketball player, Rasheed Wallace. We'll see if he grows into his name.

This is Rasheed on the first night we got him. He was 8 weeks old.

With his favorite toy. Sleeping half in and half out of his bed.

He's growing!
Sorry all the pics are of him sleeping. He really is adorable when he is awake and playing but we haven't been able to juggle him and the camera.

Settling In

Hi Family,
After a long blog hiatus I think that we are back on track. Our move went smoothly and our new house is feeling like home. I guess you could say that we have a "new normal".... and we like it :-)! Everyday we wake up Linwood and I talk about how abundantly God has blessed us. He is so good!!!
Here are a few photos of some of the main rooms in the house. This is how it looks everyday - with us living in it - so excuse the mess.



Dining Room - I am sitting at the chair with the computer right now writing to you.

Our yard. And the girls playing out there - which is why I have time to sit down and write this post :-). That little white fluff ball beside Jordyn is our  new puppy.

India and Jordyn's Room. Even though they didn't have to, they still chose to share a room. Not sure how long that will last but it sure is sweet for the time being.

Our guest room...one room out of the two room suite. So, just in case you were wondering if we had room for you, we do :-).

The girls' playroom. This will be Jordyn's room when she decides it's time to move.

Our family room has a sink in it....strange...not sure why, guess it was a 70's thing.

 

Moving

Sorry for the lack of posts/pictures, we have been really busy getting ready to move! We are taking pictures of the process and I will post them as soon as things get a little less crazy. 

We love you and will write more soon :-)

Thanksgiving Peak

We did not take an abundance of photos over our Thanksgiving trip to Estes Park and most of them were of elk, not cute little girls :-). It was so much fun to get away and relax. We did craft projects, watched movies (and of course football), found the Big Dipper, saw LOTS of wildlife, and went hiking and sledding. As we were watching an elk herd one day the girls hung out the back window pretending to shoot the elk with their markers to make jerky. Grandpa's girls :-). We love you all and are so thankful to have such loving, thoughtful and fun friends and family!!!!!

Sledding Hill in Rocky Mountain National Park

Elk as seen from our cabin

Daddy acting silly

Gils sleeping

Buddy, our elf, is back and stirring up trouble!

Santa Visit

India and Jordyn have had the privelege of seeing Santa a few times this year. Here is a picture of their first encounter. India is asking for a real dog and a dog bowl for it. (Santa did say that it is difficult to bring live animals on the sleigh so we've talked to India about the possiblity of getting a family dog over Christmas break.) Jordyn is asking for a doll, an alarm clock, and a coloring book.

Before adding the Santa picture, I found this picture of the girls the other day and decided it is one of my all time favorites. Couldn't you just eat them up?!



Summer 2009



November 2013

Jordyn is 5!!

I just cannot believe that my baby is 5 years old! I am so proud of her kind heart and giving spirit. She is a caretaker of others, helper, and very independent. Watch out because she will not forget a thing that you tell her. She can think ahead, solve problems. and she feels every emotion to the fullest. Jordyn is brilliant and she is ready to take on the world.

Just this week we were in the car and she asked me "how old you have to be to study what you want to be." I asked her why she was asking and she said it was because she wants to be a doctor and wants to learn how to do it. I love this girl!!!

Jordyn chose a painting party this year and it was a success. I think it was the most fun, nonstressful party yet. Here are some pictures of the fun.

Halloween Pics

Boy does time fly! In fact some days it is moving forward fast and furiously. Today was a snowy, cold, and beautiful day in Denver. I had the privilege of going to India's school to see her accept an Achievement Award for her progress in reading. So proud of her!!! Hard to believe that just a few days ago I was enjoying a 60 degree day with Jordyn to celebrate her 5th birthday. Our girls are growing up so fast and it is so fun to see them become little ladies.

Here are some pictures of fall fun in Colorado :-)

My bags of jelly beans