The Oil Ranch

In November the girls and I went to the Oil Ranch in Hockley Texas with our playgroup. We had a blast and I can not wait to go back next year!

In the past we have gone to Dewberry Farm. The first year we went it was just me and Maddie (Mackenzie was not in the picture yet) and we had lots of  fun! The second year we went Mackenzie was only 3 months old and it was a blast. This year we went and while we did have fun I would probably not go back. It was WAY overcrowded everywhere. I felt like it was much more commercialized and the idea was to get as many people in and out as possible to make the most money. I was very disappointed with Dewberry this year.

We decided to go to the Oil Ranch this year with our playgroup. It was awesome! First off there were not many people there at all. There were so many activities for the kids to do that we could have spent a whole weekend there! They had a playground that the kids played on. A splash pad type thing (of course it was too cold in November) and they had a real cow that they let the kids milk (Maddie went up and touched the cow and was done... Milking the cow freaked her out... Lol). They had pony rides and the kids got to have like 3 pony rides each because no one was there! They had all different kinds of animals. They had an awesome wagon ride where you could go feed the cows and they ate right out of your hand sticking their heads in the wagon! They also got to go on a train ride around the ranch and through a tunnel. They had a petting zoo and inflatable moonwalks. They had come pumpkins left over from the pumpkin patch. Overall it was a GREAT experience and we will definitely be going back! Enjoy some pics from the day!

Halloween 2010

This year Maddie was Princess Ariel from the Little Mermaid and Mackenzie was a little ladybug. They were both so cute in their costumes! Mackenzie ladybug costume is very warm and unfortunately it was hot this Halloween so I brought Mackenzie's petticoat for her to change into when she got too hot. Daddy was not feeling well so we ended up going trick or treating with my sister and my dad and step mom that way we would have lots of help! The girl had tons of candy and I think Mackenzie had her first official sugar high. It was hilarious! She was running all over and laughing at everything and anything uncontrollably!

Carving Pumpkins 2010

We have now started a new tradition with our awesome friends Dusten and Sally. We go over to their house every year in October and carve pumpkins. The first year Mackenzie was only 3 months old and it was cold outside so I was inside nursing most of the time and this year Sally's little girl Cadence was only 1 week old! So she was inside nursing the baby and I was chasing my toddler. Honestly it is the Daddy's who do most of the carving. But it is still fun! Maddie was princess Ariel for Halloween this year so her pumpkin of course had to be princess Ariel as well. It was hard but Daddy did a great job on it!

Nana Turns 21 Again!!

My great grandma Maybelle Fletcher or Nana to us turned 21 again this October :)  We went over to her house and brought some yummy pasta and salad and bread and of course a big chocolate cake with candles! We made her a birthday banner that the girls decorated. We ate dinner and visited with Nana and Paw Paw and we sang Happy Birthday and gave her some gifts. We had a great time! We love our Nana! Happy Birthday Nana! You are a gorgeous strong woman and I admire and respect you! You mean the world to me!

Painting Pumpkins

Today we met our friends at the park and painted pumpkins and ran around and played! The girls had a blast and Mackenzie had her first experience with paint ;) Yes at only 15 months Mommy let her paint. She is definitely a second child because Mommy never would have let Maddie paint at only 15 months. Lol! Our Aunties Rose and Brianna got to come with us too!

Bible Study

Today we had Bible study where we did a great craft that my friend Lindsey brought. My hubby was so impressed he asked to take it to his office. It is 6 block with 6 sides that are 2 inches and we cut 6 pics up in 2 inches and glued them to the blocks. So it is basically a puzzle and you can put together 6 different pictures. Anyway it was lots of fun and hubby is taking it to his office tomorrow.  :)

Maddie has had a very hard time lately going into childcare for Bible study and Sunday school on Sundays. I am not sure why this has become an issue now and every time I ask her whats going on she just says she wants Mommy. It is very frustrating for me because I feel like at 3yrs old she should be able to go into childcare without screaming and throwing a tantrum like the tiny babies are. Also I feel bad for her because she cries and has a terrible time every time we go. Then comes the Mommy guilt that I am taking 2 hours out of a day to do a Bible study for me when she is having a horrible time. It is a hard situation for us right now. I am really at a loss. I have been praying about it like crazy and asking God for wisdom and direction and patience in how He wants me to handle it. I pray about it often and I know God will show me. She is such a sweet girl and so good this is just a little issue we are dealing with and we will get through it!

Quick Update

Holy Moly! I can not believe it has been so long since I have posted. I really have to get better at this. I guess I will just update a bit on everyone!

Ed passed the first part of his CPA! Yay!! He is studying so hard and working, he takes the second part on Oct 20th. He is also leading his own mens small group on Tuesday mornings at 6am. I am so proud of him and can not wait to see what God will bring out of his small group! He just turned 27 last week and is officially in his "old" twenties :) Lol! Love that guy! 

I am busy with the girls chasing both of my running girls around :) We do lots of fun playdates and I am an organizer for my playgroup which is fun. I have been doing really well having my quiet time with Jesus every morning and I make sure that Maddie sees me doing it every morning. I also do a Bible study on Wednesday mornings called creative corrections, and a small group on Thursday mornings at Katy Mills Mall where we walk and fellowship and memorize a verse per week. Last week I walked 3 miles!! Ed and I are also part of a small group together on Sunday nights and have made some awesome friends in that group!

Madison and Mackenzie are doing great! Maddie apparently heard me say pain in the butt the other day and she was walking around saying "Mommy thats a pig in the butt!" Nice, I know! Mackenzie is into everything and chasing her sister around. She is all into the baby sign language right now and does the signs for please, more, juice, and all done. I can not believe she is 15 months! Mackenzie is going to be a lady bug for Halloween and Maddie is going to be Princess Ariel.

We have so many fun things coming up like Dewberry farm, painting pumpkins, bedazzling pumpkins, carving pumpkins, Halloween, fall festivals. I can not wait!! I love from September-December, its my fav time of year!

Thats a super quick update and here is a recent photo of me and the girls. I have got to start blogging more!