ICEMAGGEDON

Texas is known for it's crazy weather.  We had a HUGE ice storm in December.  We were out of school for 2 days.  We literally did not leave the house for 3 days.  And the grocery stores around here were completely out of bread and milk.  It was wild.  We did venture out to play in the ice but it was cold!

The view of our backyard

We used the days at home to decorate for Christmas

Thick layer of ice sitting on top of leaves

Making ice angels

Serious icicles!

Maggie's snowman

On Monday, we couldn't take it any longer.  We had to get out for lunch!

NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2013 WRAP UP

Just some random photos and events from November and December.

First time using the potty at school

Bennett is constantly drawing pictures

The kids were invited to a Toy Drive party at the hospital.  Bennett LOVES all characters so they hung out with Leo and Deuce the entire time!

They stood like this forever!

Grace's first time to hoola hoop

Bennett's first time to hoola hoop

One of the teachers from Grace's dance studio was in Rudolph so they provided free tickets to families to go see the show.  It was very cute.

Trying to take a picture with Santa but the computer crashed so we had to come back

Maggie's first night to sleep in her big girl bed

Bennett's drawing of Frozen

DR. MENDELOFF'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY

Grace's AMAZING heart surgeon, Dr. Mendeloff, celebrated his 10 year anniversary at Medical City Children's Hospital in November.  Words will never be enough to express the gratitude I have for this man.  He has literally held my child's heart in his hands...3 times.  It blows my mind every time I think about it.

We had an informal celebration that our support group, Amazing Little Hearts, hosted.  We had lots of yummy goodies.  We presented Dr. Mendeloff with a photo book of some of the kids he has operated on in his 10 years here.  

Some of our awesome support team!

Dr. Kathy (Dr. M's right hand man) and Dr. Mendeloff with my special hearted girl

Part of the AMAZING team (photo courtesy of MCCH FB page)

The hospital also hosted a formal event that the ALH board group was invited to attend.  It was such a lovely celebration of a man who has done so much for our hospital.  It was so nice to get dressed up!

Some of the board members with our favorite surgeon

My buddy, Cindy

Here is to 10 more Dr. Mendeloff!!

BENNETT AND GRACE FUNNIES

I found this file on my computer.  Who knows how long it has been on there.....

BENNETT: 

Trying to pick a new soccer name for his soccer team.  Bennett suggested ‘Purple Diarrhea’. When I asked him why on earth he would suggest that as a name, he replied, “Because everyone laughs at me.” (age 5)

·      Standing in the shower with me.  I moved over and the water hit you on the back.  You grabbed your butt cheeks and said “Ow.  My biscuits are burning!” (age 5)

·      “Narnia is the best present that I have ever gotten.  When I got it, I was like WOW!  But, Jesus is the best present.” (age 5)

GRACE:

·      While at dance class….learning shuffles.  Aunt Sandy said, “Hold your arms out and with your leg go brush, brush, brush, brush.”  Gracie replied, “We use toothpaste?” (age 2)

·      Calls your bedroom “my libing room” (age 2)

·      You asked if it was a school day.  When I said that it was, you said, “I will try not to bite my friends today.” (age 2)

HALLOWEEN

We had such a fun Halloween this year.

Our first celebration was with Amazing Little Hearts at the hospital.  We love attending the parties with our heart friends!

Bennett, Grace, and Dr. Mendeloff

Dr. Mendeloff is Grace's heart surgeon.  We love him!

Our second celebration was the Fall Festival at Maggie's school.  We have been at the school since Bennett was 2 and we love the Fall Festival!!  The kids always have a great time playing games, getting their faces painted, and playing on the inflatable slide.

One of the teachers took this picture of Maggie.   I love it!

Playing games

Loving the slide!

Our final Halloween celebration with trick-or-treating in our neighborhood.  Daddy stayed at home and handed out candy while I took the kids.  Maggie loved it this year...until a scary costume came by.  Then, she refused to get out of the wagon.  She definitely knows what she wants!

VOCABULARY PARADE

Every year, the elementary school that the kids attend has a vocabulary parade on Halloween.  The kids LOVE it.  They have to pick a vocabulary word and come up with a costume for their word.  This year, we gave the kids complete control over their word and how they were going to make a costume.  

This is the superintendent of our school district.  So awesome that he came and participated.

Caught his picture while he was marching in the parade

Bennett's 3rd grade class

Got a good smile as she was walking by

Grace and her BFF, Peyton