Picture Overload!

These pictures loaded a little out of order and I don't have the patience to rearrange them. This is basically a summary of what's been happening with the Warrens since Christmas.

She still loves her Easy Bake oven that Grammy and Grampy got her as an early Christmas present. We literally made like 50 mini pretzels this day. They were good too!

We cleared an area in our backyard for a swing set for the kids and it turned out to be too unlevel, so Sam turned the area into a firepit. It's actually pretty awesome.

The jungle gym for the kids from us and Ama T. They play on it everyday, even if it's freezing outside. My dad and Sam worked countless hours in the freezing cold putting this thing together. My poor dad basically spent his entire Christmas vacation working on it :(
We're very grateful.

Sammy and her Easy Bake oven.

My little Sydney.

Sam taught Sammy how to trace and set up a little studio for her. She likes to wear headphones and listen to music (preferably Taylor Swift) so she can concentrate.

Love. I turned this one into a Valentines Card.

Very rare occasion of getting along and watching a movie together.

Visit to a cupcake boutique.

I was so proud of this homework assignment. She did it all by herself!

I wish I could've got a better picture, but I had to document this. I often find him wearing these goggles and he says he's a fighter pilot. He likes to wear them on top of his head too.

All by himself! Tallest tower to date.

100th day of school project.

This is my life this month. Sam has been away in Ohio for flight nurse training. He left February 5th and the kids and I have been doing surprisingly well on our own. I seriously stressed myself to the point of sickness before he left because I was freaking out about being alone. We only have a couple of friends here and I was worried about emergencies and what not. A lady I run with offered to help me anytime and surprisingly, I got a phone call from Sammy's teacher and she offered to take the kids if I ever needed help. It's kind of nice to know that people were ready to help. We miss Sam so much, but it's only 28 days and I know there are people out there (Ashley :)) who have to endure much longer time frames without their better half. I look up to you all. It is hard work, especially with kids.

Matty setting up his tee ball equipment. Future baseball star? 

I find him like this all too often. It's cute that he can still fit on a twin size bed laying across it.

Happy Valentines Day!!

Sam bought the kids Wreck It Ralph on itunes and we are going to bake cookies and watch it tonight. I think I have the best valentines dates!

I got Sammy a bear. She loves it :)

I had a hard time finding Matt something, but I ran across a pool toy that's also a counting game. He took a 45 minute bath because he was having so much fun. 

My first attempt at trimming Sammy's hair. I figured I could save some money doing it myself. She's growing out her hair and she just wanted a trim. Lucky for me, her hair is curly at the ends and it hides any mistakes. I think I did okay though. But man was it difficult. 

This is how I like to end the day...a (semi) clean house. 

Matty and I's favorite pasttime...Panda Express! We get the same thing, orange chicken and fried rice. This kid loves it. I usually ask him what he wants for lunch and 9 times out of 10 he'll tell me, "Panda rice!"

Wish us luck that we get through the rest of the month! The kids and I are leaving Saturday morning to El Paso!! An 8 hour road trip ahead of us...please pray for us. 

Christmas 2012

 The week before Christmas break, Sammy was the star student in her class and she got to take home Brutus, the class dog, for the week. There were a lot of fun activities she was supposed to do with him and talk about it the next day in class. Unfortunately, she came down with the flu and missed a few days, but she had fun anyway.

Here she is the morning of her class Winter Party. I was so upset that I had to miss it. Matt came down with the flu the day before :(

He felt well enough for a picture though.

Even well enough to push "sis" out of the way.

My parents came in town that Friday evening and Saturday, Uncle David, Aunt Kim, and Ryan came over for some homemade Mexican food. It was so nice to visit with each other. The kids also opened their presents while skyping with the Nesbitts.

Sammy got all stocked up on cooking stuff from Aunt Kim and Uncle David. She got some cute stuff from the Nesbitts too, which I failed to photograph: a dress, reindeer slippers and a personalized plate. Thanks everyone!

Matt was feeling pretty lousy, but he managed to open a few presents. Some dino jams and an awesome, like really awesome sleeping bag from the Nesbitts and Bushes. He loves it :)

 

Apparently he was feeling well enough to stomp on all of the packing peanuts.

This is the big Christmas present form us and Sam's mom to the kids. Thanks Tere! It will definitely save me some long, hot walks to the park. They call it their park. I'll post more pictures of it later.

We spent Christmas Eve at Sea World and we started the day with milk and cookies with Santa.

Christmas Morning!

All Matt had been asking for was a Buzz Lightyear and he literally lost it when he opened it up. It was the cutest thing. He got other presents too, but this one stole the show.

Sammy was pretty shocked that Santa was able to find a Suzette La Sweet lalaloopsy.

Nevermind the pajamas. She loves to wear Sam's BDU tops to sleep in.

My mom and dad got her this pony and it is now her favorite toy. She takes it everywhere and pulls it around the house.

The lighting was bad, but I hope you can still see the look of sheer joy on her face. She got her beloved holiday cabbage patch doll from Grammy and Grampy.

Santa also brought her a toy cupcake set. This kid loves anything and everything having to do with baking.

He played with this crane that Kassandra and Billy got him all day. Thanks guys!

Cute socks from the Shipes and a glimpse into her new lalaloopsy room :)

 
The  last day of my parents visit, we rode the train around Brackenridge Park and made a quick visit to the Japanese tea gardens. It was beautiful! It would have been more enjoyable sans kids and the freezing cold, but it was nice to see.
Thanks to everyone who made our Christmas so special!