V-Day SURPRISE

So, as I mentioned in my earlier post... Ben surprised the girls with a special Valentine's Day get-away to Great Wolf Lodge! We literally told them we were going and hopped in the car for our adventure! I packed the night before without them noticing! What a FUN surprise!!! The girls were screaming and dancing... it was too cute!

Claire & Anna giving Daddy the Valentines they made him!

Ben always wants his girls to feel special and makes a big deal about getting them little gifts at Valentines!

Kisses for Anna!

Ben telling them about Great Wolf!

Anna is hugging Ben and Claire is jumping for joy!!!

Pre-School Valentine's Party

To say that Claire was excited about her preschool Valentine's party would be quite an understatement! She had all her V-Day treats ready, V-Day shirt laid out and could NOT wait! Unfortunately, I got the date wrong. Oops! Thankfully, I was early and not late! She had a great time when the day finally came and she even got to be the "line leader" the day of her party! What she didn't know was that her day would get even better when she got home and Daddy surprised her with a trip to Great Wolf Lodge! She said that it was the BEST day of her life!

My big girl!

I have the cutest Valentines ever!

Claire's preschool class!

Passing out her treats!

Valentines with a Purpose

Here's a big shout out to my friend, Tracy, for hosting the Valentine's Day Party with a Purpose! Tracy came up with the fabulous idea to get a bunch of children together to make Valentine's for the widow/widowers and shut-ins from our church. After the party we divided up the Valentines and delivered them. What a neat experience to see the look on the faces of these sweet people... it was priceless. Sharing God's love is always rewarding!

The basket of Valentines made by the kids!

Willow the Stray

What can I say? I am a magnet for stray or needy animals. I have been since I was little (just ask my parents!). I can't even count how many animals I have picked up over the years. I just cannot say "NO" to an animal in need, no matter how ridiculous it may seem to others.

So, that being said... meet Willow the stray! Claire actually named her several minutes after I ran out in traffic to get this sweet baby. She almost got hit twice, right before my very eyes. I had to rescue her and I am so thankful I did. She is honestly one of the sweetest animals I have ever met. She is playful, but not hyper, affectionate, cuddly, and housebroken! God love her little heart. It was supposed to get into single digits the night I picked her up. She doesn't have much fat and I shudder to think what may have been her fate that cold, bitter night. I am so thankful the Lord allowed me to find her!

I would've named her 'Yoda'. Haha!

It truly broke my heart to witness a starving animal. She literally inhaled her food. So sad.

I love how she found the sun spots in our living room!

She was a perfect family pet. So wonderful with Claire & Anna!

Claire bawled when Willow left. She is definitely my daughter.

I love that my girls are being exposed to helping animals in need!

Exhausted after playing with her new toy!

Willow loved Sophie and Soph was very tolerant!

Please pray for our sweet Willow. My neighbors are deciding whether to keep her... she is safe and healthy, but needs a FOREVER home!

Valentines for Grandma

Claire & Anna gave Grandma McDowell the Valentine they made for her! Of course, she loved them (and the chocolate!) and we enjoyed our time with her!

Aunt Bethie's Birthday

Today is Aunt Beth's birthday! We were able to celebrate with her after church on Sunday. The girls LOVE a birthday party and we all had fun celebrating Bethie! We love you! Hope you're having a fabulous day!

Happy Birthday!

Mini Snowman

Claire has been begging to make a snowman so despite the icy snow, Ben somehow managed to help Claire make a mini-snowman! I think he turned out pretty cute and Claire was a happy girl!

More Sledding!

We have been trying to make the best of the cold, snowy weather! Have I mentioned how much I don't really like cold weather? Anyway, the girls enjoy sledding and playing in the snow (for a short amount of time!). I think even they are ready for the warmer temperatures ahead! Claire said to me the other day that she wanted summertime to come so she could swim, go to the beach and have her birthday party! I had to laugh and I concur with her wishes!

Our Sophster was experiencing some cabin fever, so we took her along!

Grammy & Papa managed to get both girls on the sled with them!

Snow fun!

Ice Storm '11

So, as many of you know and experienced... we had a really bad ice storm last week. Over 70,000 people lost power and thankfully, we only lost power for a very short time. We did however, have a large limb that snapped from the weight of all the ice. Unfortunately, the branch took out our cable line. Sooooo, for almost a week, we were without phone, cable and internet. Once again, I reiterate how thankful we were to still be in our warm home, but boy oh boy, a week without the luxuries in life is no fun! I must admit though, the girls and I played lots of games, made lots of crafts and did a ton of baking! That's not so bad really!!!

This view shows just how LARGE the limb really is... oh man!

The girls loved watching the DP&L guys fix our power line that was also damaged when the branch fell on it. We still aren't sure how we didn't lose power for more than 25 minutes! Thank you Lord!

Grandpa Shepherd

We made the trip up north to visit with Ben's grandfather over the weekend. The girls love visiting with their Grandpa Shepherd and playing with his doll house! We are so thankful for this very loving, God-fearing man. He is an inspiration to all of us!

We always enjoy taking Grandpa out for lunch!

He was helping Claire 'connect-the-dots'!

We were a little late with his Christmas gifts, but he loved them... especially the calendar we give him every year and the girls' artwork!

We had a great visit with Uncle John! What a nice surprise!

So sweet!

Not sure how I managed to get this treasure! I ADORE this photo!

We love you bunches, Grandpa!

Preschool Open House

Ben and I went to Claire's preschool last week for an open house. She was so excited to have us see all the fun things she does when she's at school! It was really sweet to see her with her friends in her own element. She's getting so big!!

My preschooler!

Showing Daddy her art project!

Her masterpiece!

A funny story... Ben and I were correcting Claire on the way she was holding her colored pencil when she said to us, "I really like preschool by myself". I guess she didn't appreciate our correction!

Claire with her teachers!