The McDowell EIGHT

And then... there were EIGHT! Spencer Russell McDowell makes eight grandchildren for the McDowell family! Six straight girls followed the firstborn boy, Connor, so we were ecstatic to welcome a little boy into our family! We are excited about our new addition and think he's pretty much the cutest baby boy in the world. We love you, Spencer!

The famous eight!

Claire admiring her new baby cousin!

Grandma McDowell and Jillian

Isn't his hair adorable? Scott was nicknamed "Chicken Head" by my dad's high school students and I think his son is taking after him in the hair department!

Do you think we might be a tad bit enamored with the little guy!?

The proud grandparents with their second grandson!

So sweet! We do love Spencer!

C'mon SPRING

We've had a couple beautiful spring-like days in the last week or so and it makes me want springtime even more! C'mon spring... don't be shy!

Ahhh, nothing like a fun swing on a warm day!

Our Room, Dinner & Story Time

Besides the water park, there were other highlights from our trip to Great Wolf! The room, dinner and story time were a ton of fun!

Anna was scared to death of the wolf, but Claire ran right up to her and gave her a big hug!

The 'Wolf Den' and bunk beds were quite a hit with the girls!

They both slept great!

Our little wolves!

Silliness!

Watching the bedtime show!

Claire was picked to hold the book at story time!

We had a very yummy dinner in the Great Wolf restaurant!

Great Wolf Lodge

We had a FABULOUS time at Great Wolf Lodge! We went last spring and the girls have been begging to go back since then. I think surprising them with the trip only added to the excitement of our adventure! Ben and I feel truly blessed with these two little girls and we have so much fun with them!

This year added new excitement for Anna including going down ALL the slides Great Wolf had to offer!

Her face says it all! Pure JOY!

Snack time!

I love this photo! So happy!

We went down this raft slide probably 10 times. We were fortunate with no lines when we were there!

What a great family getaway!

My Valentines

Children are a gift from the Lord, they are a true blessing.

Psalm 127:3

Bounce U

We ventured out to Bounce U with some friends last week! It'd been almost a year since we were there last. I don't know why we don't go more often... what a great way to burn off pent up energy! The girls had a great time bouncing!

Tracy, Elliott and Anna

Anna & adorable, little William!

Elliott LOVES sports/balls!

Anna was a little fearful of this big slide so big sister went down with her!

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!