happy valentine's day!

weekend trip to austin

Last weekend we took a trip to Austin to attend Brian's cousin's wedding reception and spend time with his family.  We hadn't been to Austin in years and it was so much fun to go back.  Our kids were in heaven getting to spend time with lots of cousins all weekend long.  While we were there we did a little bit of sight seeing.  We went to a scenic overlook of the city.  The view was so pretty from up there.  We also went to a beautiful creek that ran through the city and had some hiking trails.  Of course the boys just had to take off their socks and shoes and wade through it, even though the water was freezing!  Thank you so much to all the family in Austin, we had a great time!

third heart transplant anniversary

Today is a very special day, it is the third anniversary of Dahlia's heart transplant.  I remember clearly all the emotions I was feeling that day; joy, sadness for the donor family, and overwhelming gratitude.  We have been given three beautiful years that would have been impossible without organ donation.  Before Dahlia was placed on the waiting list for a new heart, organ donation was a subject which I really didn't think about and I am ashamed to say, I was not registered as an organ donor.  This was something that I though never would affect me, but it did and I am now a registered donor.

sunshine

After many dreary, cloudy and rainy days, the sun finally came out! There is nothing like the sun to chase away the winter doldrums. Laila was finally able to go outside and ride her scooter she got for Christmas.

To celebrate the return of the sun, I made some lemon bars.  Every bite of this dessert seems to contain a little burst of sunshine. I always use this recipe, it is the best!

christmas

 My little diva had enough of her photo shoot!

We had wonderful Christmas this year.  By far the best gift I received was to have Dahlia celebrating with us, healthy and happy.  This year she began to understand what Christmas was all about and was so excited for everything.  Her first Christmas was so hard and sad. Dahlia was in the hospital, very sick, hooked up to an artificial heart pump, waiting for a heart transplant.  It is very sobering and humbling to know that without her donor heart, Dahlia's first Christmas would have been her last.  I am so thankful for my sweet, sassy, little Christmas present.

twelve

Saturday was Dario's birthday and he turned twelve years old.  It really does seem like just the other day we were celebrating Christmas with a little newborn.  We are so proud of the twelve year old Dario has become.  

christmas tree farm

On Saturday we went to the Christmas tree farm to find the perfect tree.  You gotta love Texas, where you can pick out a tree in shorts and a short sleeved shirt!

thanksgiving

The kids had a week off from school for Thanksgiving, which we spent at my parent's house. It was such a fun week, spent playing with cousins, cooking together, watching movies and going out for lunch with my sister.  One of the days there, we went to Brazos Bend State Park.  It is such a beautiful park filled with huge oaks, nice trails and lots of alligators and other wild life.  It was perfect weather for hiking around the lake, spotting alligators.  We are so lucky to live so close to family.

This big alligator was right near the trail! The kids were scared at first, but then some of them tried to get closer, and it was time for us to move along before someone got bit.