come play with us!

Katie and Anna started playing with Webkinz over the summer and have really enjoyed it. One of the fun things about it is that if your friends have Webkinz, you can play together online. Since we have another week of Christmas break, we have plenty of time to play. Hope to see you there!

Katie (katiebelle98) has Sticky the Tree Frog and Whinny the Clydesdale.
Anna (annablue02) has Brittney the cat and Courtney the rabbit.

Tell us your username so we know who we're playing with!

playin' in the snow

since we can't really play in the snow, check this out...
snowball fight

Christmas morning

This was one of the funnest Christmas mornings we've had in a long time. We all know how much fun it is to watch the kids open presents, but we had it times three! All the girls were so excited... it was especially fun to watch Bethany discover all her surprises.

We hope you and yours had a joyous Christmas too!

bestest Christmas present ever!

My sister sent us a Chili's gift card for Christmas! It's one of our favorite family restaurants, so it suited us well. We used it a few nights ago - why wait? It was delicious and we even shared a cheesecake for dessert. It was a nice break for me from the kitchen during the holiday hustle and bustle.

Thanks Stacy, Chris, and Josie! I wish you could share some of that Wyoming snow with us!

Now, if we can just get you blogging...

we missed it!

I talked to the pediatrician earlier this week and told him that I had asked Santa for an x-ray for Christmas. We went first thing this morning and guess what...

NO SCREW!

All that dirty diaper diggin' I've been doin' for nothin'! It passed unnoticed. We are very thankful for that, at least. Now we can resume normalcy (whatever that is)! Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers during this trying time!

Click here to read what happened originally.

Hooray for Charlie and Lola!

Have you seen this show on Disney? I've always thought it was particularly cute, but now I'm even more impressed. I've been recording alot of the "holiday" episodes of our favorite kids shows. The girls were watching this the other day while I was in the kitchen and lo' and behold, but what did I hear? Jesus! They were talking about baby Jesus in the manger! Most of the shows talk about winter and Santa, some of them go into detail about all the winter holidays, and I've even heard them vaguely reference a "special birth" on Blue's Clues, but this was the first time I'd heard it this specific. It was just a small part of the show, but it was definitely there! Hooray for Charlie and Lola!

http://www.charlieandlola.com/

http://atv.disney.go.com/playhouse/charlieandlola/index.html

mall Santa

We have all of our Santa pictures from the past nine years in a rotating picture frame on the mantel so we can see how we've grown - physically and emotionally. We want to carry on the tradition. All the girls we're very excited. HOWEVER, the evening didn't go exactly as planned. We were going to meet Daddy there after work but arrived a few minutes before him. We weren't technically standing in line, but we were hanging around, and I was even talking to the cashier. There was no line, so everything was going like clockwork, and everybody's hair still looked neatly brushed and combed when Daddy arrived. We walk up to the entrance and the photographer yells at us that they're closing for break and will be back in 45 minutes. NO WAY! I was extremely frustrated. We decided to go upstairs and grab a quick bite to eat. When we came back down, there were 20+ people in line. We waited and waited - Daddy stood in line while I walked around with the girls so they wouldn't get so restless. When it was finally was our turn, the girls hopped right up on Santa's lap, but we couldn't get Bethany to smile for anything. Oh well! The evening turned into a 2-hour ordeal and I turned into a BAH HUMBUG!

piano recital

Sunday afternoon, Katie performed in her first piano recital. She's been taking lessons for about a year now and really enjoys it. She chose to play "Suzy Snowflake" and "Frosty the Snowman". She did a great job and we are very proud of her. A big thanks to her teacher, Miss April!

















Afterwords, there were cookies and punch. I usually let Bethany have something small and plain... Daddy decided she needed one with chocolate...

btw... no screw yet! 25 days and counting...

Getting to Know You - Christmas Edition

Usually, my posts revolve around my girls, but this one is more about me. I received this via e-mail, but decided to share my thoughts with you. Let me know if you decide to join the fun, and I'll come read your list! I haven't mastered the art of tagging yet...
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping paper, too easy to peek in gift bags
2. REAL OR FAKE TREE? artificial :)
3. When do you put up the tree? Thanksgiving weekend
4. When do you take the tree down? sometime around New Year's Day
5. Do you like eggnog? yes
6. Favorite gift received as a child? lots of fun gifts, but I think I was always just thrilled with the surprises of Christmas morning
7. Do you have a nativity scene? yes, three
8. Hardest person to buy for? I love the challenge of finding something special for everyone I shop for!
9. Easiest person to buy for? Katie, Anna, Bethany
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? vacuum cleaner
11. Mail or email Christmas card? mail, but may supplement with fun e-cards
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? old: Holiday Inn, new: Elf, animated: all the classics
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I might pick up a few things here and there throughout the fall, but mostly December
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? yes
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? sweets, Turkey Cranberry Ring (potlucks), Apple Cinnamon French Toast (Xmas morn)
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? tree #1 clear, #2 gold, #3 multi
17. Favorite Christmas song? the classics and the hymns, it's not so much the song as who's singing it
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? home, maybe travel right before or after
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? yes, if I sing the song in my head
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? one of each
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? toy commericals
23. What I love most about Christmas? the magic and memories of the season

Holiday in the Park

Last Saturday, we had one last jaunt across town to Fiesta Texas to experience the Christmas festivities and see all the lights (although there are no actual pictures of the lights)...

We visited quite often over the summer - I was pleasantly surprised at how many things there were for the kids to enjoy. Of course, Katie's been begging to ride the roller coasters. With her tennis shoes on, she was just barely tall enough to ride the Poltergeist and Scream this time!

We're hoping Santa brings us season passes again this year!

breakfast with Santa

We had a pancake breakfast last weekend at church, and the big guy himself came to join the fun...

"Santa Claus a.k.a.
Pancho Claus"

important note: this was the first time Anna willingly went to him and sat on his lap - she's even smiling! Bethany has shown no signs of hesitation... yet. And, Katie... she's starting to ask questions, although she knows that Santa has LOTS of helpers (this was a friend's grandpa)...

Here are some comparison shots to see how the girls have grown over the last year...

busted!

here she goes again... our little Mischievous Millie... she had seen Anna brushing her teeth and wanted to do the same... she pushed the step stool over to the toilet, then climbed up and opened the cabinet... mind you, this all happened in a matter of seconds - I was standing just around the corner

yesterday, she stuck a cheerio up her nose...

btw, we're still waiting for the screw...

Santa's newest helpers

We've seen so many elves this week, we just had to join the fun!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1213383837

remembering Omaha

I spent most of my childhood in Omaha, and have many, many memories of being at Westroads mall... my mom working at Younkers department store... visiting Santa and seeing all the Christmas decorations... dining at Bishop's Cafeteria with my grandparents... hanging out with my friends when I was a pre-teen... and, of course, many, many shopping trips. I still have family up there and am thankful that everyone is o.k. They've said the city has just been turned upside-down. When things like this happen, it's always upsetting, but it hurts so much more when it's something you know so well. Please keep everyone in your prayers during this difficult time. Y

life goes on...

No, our household has not come to a screeching halt because of the missing screw (still no sign of it). We've been busy with all our normal activities.

Katie was recognized for A honor roll at an awards assembly - she was so excited that Grandma and Grandpa were able to attend. She practically begs me every day to practice piano (I don't remember being that eager when I took lessons). Here she is with her friend Emily at a Girl Scout Christmas Party...

Anna had show-n-tell last week - the theme was "something you're thankful for" - she took a picture of her family. She was very excited to take Daddy to Kindermusik class last week. Here she is with her friend Elijah behind a Santa cutout at McDonald's...And then there's dear, sweet Bethany. Still no screw, but I did find a few small rocks the other day. Her language is developing rapidly - she repeats everything she hears. She's especially catching on to all the Christmas lingo. She's mastered "tree", "santa", and "ho-ho-ho". The other night, I brought in a bright red poinsettia - she thought it was so pretty - she gasped and said "wower". Here she is one night when she decided it wasn't fair that Anna got to stay in the bath longer than she...

still searching

Just like a child waiting for Christmas morning to open presents... this is a true test of patience. The doctor says give it time. It's become quite the conversation topic - everyone seems to have a story (and the stories all end o.k.). Everything else seems to be functioning properly, so were trying not to be too concerned. We thank you for your continued prayers.

this too shall pass (literally)

We just got home from a quick trip to the ER. We had reason to believe that Bethany swallowed a small screw, and an x-ray confirmed that for us. The doctor said to let it pass on it's own, but to watch out for possible warning signs. Please pray that nature runs it's course quickly and flushes this foreign object from her body. We'll keep you posted on the "outcome". Y

NOT your typical Thanksgiving

We went to Garner State Park to start our Thanksgiving week. Pictured to the left, from top to bottom, left to right are Cayla, Josh, Joey, Anna, Emily, Bethany, Katie (and the white puff in the bottom corner is Sparky's head). We hiked up a small mountain - the kids and dogs did great, so did the grown-ups (I only fell twice). Camping is so much more fun with friends!

Pictured below is our family atop the small mountain.





















We had originally planned on having Thanksgiving dinner with Shayne's grandfather, but he had to spend the weekend in the hospital (gallbladder pains). We went to visit him, then spent the night at the ranch. We decided to head home in the morning to get a head start on our weekend to do list.









Not having anything but leftovers from the camping trip, we called around to find a restaurant that was open. We ended up having a delicious turkey feast with all the trimmings, and pumpkin and pecan pie too!









Although this may not be how one typically visualizes a memorable Thanksgiving, this one will always be special to us! Hope yours was special too!

What's for dinner?

Another busy week at the West house...
Sunday - return from Dallas, unload/unpack, breathe...
Monday - school/preschool, playgroup, doctor's appt...
Tuesday - school (G/T), Ladies Bible Class, Brownies...
Wednesday - school, dentist appt, piano lessons, church... Thursday - school/preschool (Thanksgiving Feast), errands, library, park... Bethany, what's for dinner?



I thank God tonight for giving me the opportunity to do exactly what I've always wanted to do - be a Mom! I look around my house and see a lot that needs to be done, and it will get done (hopefully sooner than later). As long as we're happy and healthy, and we have clean clothes on our bodies and good food on our table, I know everything is going to be o.k.!

Thanks Nana!

Last weekend, the girls were SUPPOSED to be with Aunt Sarah and Uncle Blake, HOWEVER, someone had other plans... we received the call late Thursday night that Sarah had gone into labor (her original due date was not until December). After a bit of scrambling and frantic phone calls, we were able to rearrange our weekend plans. Shayne and I had been planning a weekend to Dallas for quite some time. Thanks to my mom, we were able to carry on. She drove down from OKC and stayed at the hotel with the girls.

WELCOME Greyson Neal West, 5.4 lbs, 17"


RECORD-SETTING FOOTBALL GAME:
UNT (Shannon) 62, Navy (Don) 74


THANKS Nana!

November already?

We had a nice weekend at home. We've been on-the-go so much lately, it was nice to have some down time. Here's a little update on each of the girls...

Bethany's vocabulary is exploding. She's been listening and absorbing everything she hears, and now she's in playback mode. Last night I said "oh, man!" and she repeated it perfectly. She also does an excellent imitation of an emergency vehicle siren.

Anna has recovered from her ear infection and has discovered that not all medicines are yucky - this refrigerated pink bubble gum stuff isn't so bad! She and her sisters helped two of her good friends celebrate birthdays this weekend. There was a ballon artist, marching band, and puppet show. So much fun!

Katie brought home an awesome report card on Friday - straight A's! We're so proud of her! I am hopeful that her enthusiasm towards school will carry over to her sisters. She is currently reading The Boggart by Susan Cooper, but always has bookmarks in at least 2 or 3 other books.

They are all going to get their flu shots tomorrow (they don't know that yet). Pray for a not-so-unpleasant experience!

Last but not least, we'd like to wish Grandpa a Happy Birthday...

Oink or Treat

We've had a busy week with Halloween festivities, so tonight it was nice to have some family time. We did some trick or treating on our cul-de-sac, then 2 of the pigs called it in early - Bethany (bedtime) and Anna (ear infection)... Katie hauled in some good loot to share - thanks big sis!

This little pig built her house out of straw...

This little pig built her house out of twigs...

This little pig built her house out of bricks...

... AND THEY'LL LIVE SISTERLY EVER AFTER!