sisters

 These two are so cute together.  Ava takes such good care of Dahlia and Dahlia loves being around Ava.  As soon as Ava gets home from school, Dahlia has to be right where Ava is. 

spring break

For Spring Break this year we went on a week long vacation to the beautiful Emerald Coast of Florida.  It was well worth the eight hour drive with five kids!

The sand was sugar white and the water was crystal clear and torques blue, so different from our Texas beach!

We stayed at a condo on Oskaloosa Island, which is near Destin, Florida. There were more families here on Spring Break, rather than wild college kids. We were on the top floor and had a beautiful view of the water.  After our condo, their were miles of undeveloped beach, which we loved walking down each day.

The water was still cold this time of year, but the kids didn't mind.  Aiden even went snorkeling one day.  One of the days we were on the beach we saw a group of dolphins swimming close to the shore. I wish I had my camera with me!



Dahlia still isn't a big fan of the water.

A rain storm can in one day, it was so windy and the waves got pretty big.

The sun peeking thru the clouds after the storm

happy valentine's day!

our weekend

(Dahlia was crying because daddy walked away; she is such a daddy's girl!)

On Saturday we had a break from the cold weather, so we went to the park to enjoy the nice weather.   We are now back to cold, rainy weather!

2 year transplant annivesary

Someone is celebrating her 2 year heart transplant anniversary today!!  I feel like we should be throwing a huge celebration for her and for me and Brian as well.  Man, have we earned it!  This whole transplant thing can really chew you up and spit you out, so each anniversary is a BIG DEAL.  But, since we are broke we will be throwing a simple family party.  Even though it has been two years, the fact that Dahlia has a heart transplant is still surreal at times.  The generosity and kindness of complete strangers, who gave my daughter a second chance at life, still brings tears to my eyes and reminds me there are still really kind, compassionate people in this world.  I am so thankful to have this special, brave girl still with us today.

spelling bee

Aiden won third place at his school's spelling bee!  He was so proud of the trophy he won.

christmas break part 2

One of the days during Christmas break we went to see the Battleship Texas and the San Jacinto Monument.  I hadn't been there in a long time so it was fun to see it again and have the kids see a bit of Texas history.  I had forgotten how tall and steep those ladders on the battleship were!  Luckily, everyone made it off the ship without any accidents.

Christmas break Part 1

We had a great Christmas break.  We spent a week at my parents house.  My parents had just returned home from their church mission and all of their eight kids were there, except for my brother, who is expecting a baby soon.  It was wonderful to spend lots of time with everyone.  My kids had lots of fun getting to know their cousins Saige and Colby, who they hadn't seen in about three years. One of the days we were there we went to the park. 

eleven

Dario turns 11 years old today; I can hardly believe it.  He is growing up way too fast!

christmas tree

Last Saturday we went to a local Christmas tree farm to pick out our tree.  I love this fun tradition, nothing beats a fresh tree and we are lucky that there is a farm close by.  It was freezing, so we didn't bring Dahlia, who already was sick with a cold. The farm gave out delicious, hot spiced apple cider which helped warm everyone up.