Pure Joy

Feeling so blessed this holiday season

Asher turns 1!

Our house is now for sale!

I can't believe we're really moving. This house has treated us well for 9 years.

We will be taking many happy memories with us!

Where does the time go?

Life has been a whirlwind of activity for us lately. It's busy season for Christine at work, topped off by Asher getting RSV (on top of his acid reflux). Also, we bought a new house! I still can't believe it. We are moving from Frisco to Lakewood. It will be extremely bitter sweet to leave our current home. We love our house, our backyard (pool/hot tub/private oasis!), our pretty neighborhood and the convenience of where we live. However, with Dana's new job, his commute has become unbearable so we felt it was best if we moved closer to his office. We close on the new house May 15! This week Asher turns 5 months old and Reese turns 20 months old. They are so adorable. They love each other so much and just make each other smile with lots of hugs and kisses! We've all enjoyed swim classes together on Friday nights for the past few months. Reese is becoming quite the swimmer! She went from being terrified of the pool, to now being able to swim for 10 seconds under water. It's been incredible to watch her progress. Asher is a happy baby who is finally sleeping better at night, but it seems only when he's cuddling with his daddy. So long term, we'll have to figure that one out. It's a bit funny that we'll be moving before he even spends one night in his gorgeous nursery! Overally, life is busy but good. Ark of the Rainbow is doing amazing, and we had our first Board meeting this past weekend. It's wonderful to see what God is doing there... I'm looking forward to spending more time with the kids after our move and once busy season eventually slows down!

Growing up

This week Asher turned 3 months old and Reese turned 1 1/2 years old. They are just so cute. Reese started singing for the first time this weekend. She's always loved music and begs us to sing to her, but this was the first time she started singing along. I love it! She also has become incredibly verbal over the past two months. This week I felt like she was having real conversations with me. I can't believe how fast our babies are growing up! Reese is still crazy about stuffed animals (often carrying 4 at a time), and her Grandpa (who she calls "Boppa" and insists we call every day!). There's something about those Allen men that make them irrestible to the young ladies : ) My maternity leave has come to an end and so I'm back at work this week. All is going well so far. My new role is Sr. Director of Multipack, Fritos, SunChips and Baked. There is a lot of work to be done!

Hiking with the Family

One of our favorite family activities lately is to take hikes at the Arbor Hills Nature Reserve. I'm so impressed with Dana every time he crosses a stream with a stroller! We're definitely trying to not let having 2 kids stop us from getting out and enjoying the woods on beautiful days. Here's a photo of Asher getting some post-hike nourishment at the end of one of our recent outings. Reese was nearby playing on the playground that we visit at the end of our hikes.

Not everything goes as planned

Yesterday I tried to teach Reese to use tissues to blow her nose. I was unsuccessful and this was the result... She decided to shred the entire kleenex box when I walked away for a minute to do laundry.

Later she discovered that our DVD/video game drawers weren't locked. Uh oh!

Asher gets some sweet loving

There is a lot of love for this little guy all around...

My first sewing project

My mother-in-law, Judy, is trying to help me learn how to sew. For our first project, we made a couple of pillowcase dresses for Reese. Then Judy made a matching dress for Reese's doll. They took awhile, but turned out super cute!

We also made a Christmas table runner. We didn't finish it until January, so I can't wait to display it next year!

Loving our new membership to the Dallas Arboretum

We've had some really beautiful days this winter (in the 60s and 70s). Here's a picture with Dana's parents on one of those gorgeous sunny days!

My Gym

Reese recently joined "My Gym", which is essentially a gymnastics gym for Toddlers. She has gotten to play there with Mom, Dad and Grandma. She is loving her weekly classes! She runs all over the place and enjoys all of the equipment, except for the swings. She doesn't really love swings.... or water. Which is why she is also now signed up for weekly swim classes with Dad! Hopefully we can overcome that by summer so that she can enjoy the pool.

Reese is a chatter box

Reese is now chatting up a storm. She talks all the time, even though we rarely, know what she's saying : ) When she first started talking, her favorite words were "up" and "uh oh", but now she knows hundreds of words (including all of the animals and the noises they - which she loves to imitate). Recently, Grandpa Ron started teaching her colors. Her latest favorite word is "ipad" since Daddy just gave her one!