A Special Shower

I met Czarina 2 1/2 years ago at Stroller Strides. She was new and she looked nervous. She had a brand new baby girl...and a Tech t-shirt on so I introduced myself and quickly realized she was good friend material. She was smart, funny, determined, emotional, honest and nice. Instant friend!I mean, we've been to a Britney Spears concert together and I've heard her yell and scream at football games...so it's pretty serious ;) She threw a baby shower for me when I was pregnant with Aubrey, so naturally I wanted to throw her a baby shower for her second baby, a boy. His name is Evan and he is very special. A gift from God and a fighter. I asked Czarina more than once if I could have a shower for her and she was understandabley hesitant. But she is also strong, and she decided to celebrate her little boy. Some friends and I hosted a sports themed party this weekend. There were happy and sad tears, but I saw her smile and laugh a lot during the shower and that made me happy. He will be here in a few weeks and I hope she knows how many of us are here for her and praying for her and her family. He's a lucky boy in my eyes.

The cake. It says "Our Little Warrior Evan"

The party favors...everyone took home a candle to light when Evan is born.

Looking good!

We played a game called "Spit the Pacifier"...some of these girls can spit!

My First 5K

A few months ago I started the Couch to 5k program. It literally takes a couch potato like me to someone who can run a 5k in 9 weeks. I started training in Oct. I ran three times a week at River Legacy park without fail...usually pushing at least one of the girls in the double stroller. I slowly started to run longer distances without stopping. Brad got excited that I was interested in running so he would "coach" me and run with me on the weekends. I even subscribed to a running magazine. I signed up for the Jingle Bell run in Dallas the week before Christmas, but Claire threw up all over herself and the car as soon as we got there so I couldn't run. So I signed up for the Jiggle Butt run here in Arlington! My friends Amber and Veronica ran it too. I really enjoyed the race day activities and atmosphere. I've cheered on Brad and my Dad many times but have never been on this side of the start line. I had two goals...run the whole thing and do it in under 30 minutes. I was nervous because I trained so hard and Brad and the girls were there to cheer me on. Well, I did it! My official chip time was 29:16. I have been bitten by the run bug. I look forward to more races and am considering a 10k in the near future ;)

Happy New Year!

2011 was a great year for us. We love our little family of four, we have an amazing extended family and friends and we were able to take some fun trips! To ring in the new year, my friend Marissa invited us over for food, drinks and games. And the kids were invited too! I don't think any of us were sure how the kids would do, but I am happy to report that the younger ones went down fairly early with no problems and the older kids entertained themselves upstairs while we played games. It was the perfect way to bring in 2012...can't wait to see what this year brings ;)Thank you Elizabeth for the pictures, I was terrible with my camera that night...

My Sister's Engagement!

On Christmas Eve, my sister's boyfriend of two years (Andy) walked her by a Tiffany & Co. window. Inside one of the display cases was a note that said "Alli, Will You Marry Me"? Then he got on one knee (in the rain) and gave her the ring! The Tiffany employees captured the moment from inside the store. She was shocked and SO happy! My parents knew it was coming...he asked their permission a month earlier. After the proposal, he took her to dinner where his parents and my family (minus me) celebrated! She called me Christmas Eve night to tell me. I am so excited for them and we welcome Andy to the family. Now we have a wedding to plan!!!

Christmas 2011

We had a busy, fun, wonderful Christmas! We were able to spend time with both of our families and friends and the girls are old enough now to really enjoy and understand Christmas! My family came to our house the weekend before Christmas to celebrate.

Waiting for Grandmom, Pop-Pop and Aunt Alli and Uncle Joe to arrive.

They came with lots of presents! We all piled into my parents Yukon (without car seats) and looked at the Interlochen lights. We made some memories with that little trip!

Claire and Aubrey were so excited when they saw everything...and we had so much fun watching them! A side note: We did donate a bunch of their old toys and explained the imporatnce of sharing toys with kids who don't have any...

We had a Christmas party with friends the week before Christmas! Santa made an appearance!

I was supposed to run a 5k in Dallas but Claire barfed in the car on the way so we had to turn around and go home. She continued to be sick right up until we left for the ranch to celebrate Christmas with Brad's family.
The girls love spending time with their cousin Daniel!!!

Santa and Yo Gabba Gabba

We went to the Gaylord again this year to sit on Santa's lap and see the ICE exhibit! This is the forth year in a row that we've gone and this time my friend Mere and her daughter Mallory joined us! Claire and Mal get along SO well, they had a blast together.

They were nice enough to include Aubrey at times too!

We explored the hotel and all the decorations before going to the Shrek themed ICE exhibit. I have no pictures inside because it was 3 degrees in there, my fingers were frozen and I was carrying Aubrey the whole time while she cried and shivered. Claire went down the ice slide all by herself...fearless as usual!

Then we waited in line to see Santa. The girls did great and I got an awesome picture...Claire was smiling at the camera and Aubrey and Santa are looking at each other! Claire asked for a Snow White doll and "stylish stuff"...whatever that is.

We made a gingerbread house whne we got home...not as easy as it looks...

On saturday Brad and I took Claire and aubrey to the Yo Gabba Gabba concert. On paper it was a good idea, in reality...not so much. Before the show started...

Then the show started and it was too loud for Aubrey. She started crying and screaming "NO!" She was terrified. She hated it. So I took her out to the lobby for the first half of the show.

Brad and I switched the second half and I went in with Claire. Shortly after it started she wanted to go home. So we left. FAIL.