Spring Break

Spring Break is off and going and we have had a great time. We told the girls we were going to have a Staycation and do fun stuff for a week. It is perfect for them because they love being at home. I don't think that is going to last much longer. Here are a few pictures from the week so far. I figured I should blog while I have time. As Sadie says, "Stay-da-daytions" are so fun!!! (shhhhh! We even took the girls to daycare one day so we could both really have a day off. It was great! I watched the entire Today show without interruptions!)

We started out the week with some ice cream. The girls shared Cake Batter ice cream with sprinkles. Perfect for them.

Claire quickly did not want to share anymore. Check out that block. We're working on that!

We celebrated Gabe's birthday on Tuesday. Here's his steak dinner. Yes, he cooked it himself. I know that sounds bad, but he really wanted to cook it himself. He sure didn't want me cooking it. I promise!

I love this one of Claire and Gabe. Spending some time outside.

Silly Sadie. She is getting so big.

We even attempted to fly some kites one day. The Lubbock wind was a little much for our little kites, but the girls had fun running around.

Claire pointing at the kites.

And the week wouldn't be complete without a box from Nana and Big Daddy. Claire is having one (actually I think it was her 3rd peep.) That's Gabe's "Oh great, more candy from Nana" face. The girls loved it! Send the candy any time Nana.

Sneak Peak

The Gillespie Garden is beginning again... Everyone is getting in on the digging and dirt. Notice that Sadie wants to help, but still wants to be Repunzel and Claire is way into the dirt, but not interested in worms. She says, "No bite!" when she finds one and drops it quickly! Much more from the garden to come...

Valentine's Day

Just a quick picture from Valentine's Day. Gabe bought the girls the "Lady and the Tramp" movie and some heart balloons. They've been watching it all week. My wonderful husband gave me a great Valentine/Birthday present too. A Kindle Fire. He's the best. We love you!

Snow Day!

Well, it happened. We were hoping for a snow day and we got one. At first we were just delayed, but the ice in the morning led to closing school for the day! Some people don't like snow days for different reasons, but we have always loved that it is a day off when we aren't expecting it. We don't have anything planned and it time for us to spend as a family. Sometimes, it's funny how these things happen "at just the right time." Anyway, we loved our day together.

I just have to say too that I have the best husband ever. He really is always thinking of us girls. The girls really wanted to go play in the snow and he didn't even hesitate to take them outside while I took pictures through the window. We thought they would get cold and not stay out very long...we were very wrong. Claire cried when we finally made her come inside with frozen hands and a very red nose.

Loving the snow!

Running and playing

Playing with Daddy.

Check out that red face!

So much fun!

Catching snow flakes.

How can you say no to this face?

It's that time of year...

Well, it's that time of year where we really need a day off and spring break is still a few weeks away. It is snowing today so we are hoping for at least a delay to start school tomorrow. Claire has enjoyed watching the snow fall today and hanging out inside. Just a few pictures of the girls from the last couple weeks.

I just love these two pictures of the girls. When they start arguing with each other or bothering each other, Gabe tells them to sit on the couch and hug for 2 minutes. It's really hard for me not to laugh. I had to snap a couple pictures!

Claire has developed quite a personality and her vocabulary is growing every day. We are having a lot of fun.

One more of the girls enjoying the snow.

Bunk Buddies

It's been an exciting weekend around our house! The girls have moved into the same bedroom and have new bunk beds! Gabe started putting them together on Friday after school and got them done for the girls to sleep in last night. We figured with the 3 day weekend, it would give them an extra night to get use to it before they have to get up early again. So far, it has worked out pretty good. Claire has been so excited to be in a bed. Last night, she just laid down and looked up at us with her arms and legs stretched out enjoying her extra space. Sadie is on the top bunk and loving every minute of it. They have spent the day back and forth from the new "play room" to what they call, "the bunk bed room."

Last night they went to bed a little late since we were getting everything done so they both went to sleep pretty quickly and slept all night. Sadie was up first, but was able to sneak out without waking up Claire. (Big surprise, she's pretty good at being quiet in her room when she is supposed to be asleep.) Tonight they went to bed a little earlier and had a little bit more talking and playing, but we have successfully made it to sleep two nights. I'm looking forward to listening in on some of their talks and hear some of the things they say to each other.

Claire in her big girl bed. She has perfected saying, "Bunk Beds" in the last 24 hours. Sometimes she just strings words together that we can't understand and ends it with
"Bunk Beds."

Sadie in her top bunk.

practicing on the ladder. She fell a couple times last night, but had it down in no time.

Christmas in Savannah

We have been back a few days from our trip to Savannah for Christmas. I'm a little behind on getting pictures up because having the laptop out just reminds me of work and I am enjoying every minute of being off. In fact my new year's resolution is to receive and relax more! Hopefully I'll blog a little more about that in the days to come. In the mean time, here is a, "blog collage" of our trip. I don't know if that is a real word or not, but it is a few of my favorite pictures without taking the time to put them into separate posts.

Our trip was great and of course Nana and Big Daddy took excellent care of us. I think we ate from the time our plane landed until we got back on the plane a week later. We especially enjoyed some great seafood and of course "real" sweet tea. The girls had a blast just being at Nana and Big Daddy's house and being spoiled for a few days. Gabe and I enjoyed some time to relax and sleep in. We also enjoyed seeing how much fun the girls were having. Here are a few pictures from my new camera from my wonderful husband.

Sadie ready for Christmas dinner.

Gabe and his dad deep frying the turkey. It was yummy!!!!

Claire hanging out on the kitchen floor. One of her favorite places to be. We "hung out" in the kitchen a lot while Nana cooked. There were also 3 puppies that Claire loved to play with and follow around on the floor.

One of the highlights of the trip. Making cookies with Nana. Nana had to cut the recipe for rice crispy cookies back because the girls sneaked too many marshmallows. Surprise, surprise!

Sadie opening one of her presents. A princess game from Nana and Big Daddy.

One of my favorites. The girls playing around and laughing before bed. They stayed with Nana and Big Daddy most nights on the floor in their room. Nana said that they all laughed and laughed before they went to sleep. Great memories!

Gabe's sister Brianna and her husband Josh were also there with us. Here is big daddy with their boys, Carsyn and Jordyn.

Here is Claire with their favorite puppy, Sadie puppy. Sadie tells everyone that she loves Sadie puppy because she doesn't have any teeth and she can't bite. This is true as Gabe's parents rescued her. Sadie loves her because she is usually scared of dogs, but she knows this dog can't bite. (We really don't want them to be afraid of dogs so we are contemplating what to do. A dog may be in our future. :/

Here is Claire opening one of her presents. It's hard to see, but it is a little Elmo that Gabe wrapped with just the eyes poking out. Claire picked it up and said, "Elmo, Elmo!"

Gabe with Carsyn. (I think that's Carsyn. If I'm wrong I'm really sorry Brianna.) Claire is already asleep so I can't ask her. It was crazy how Claire could tell them apart. She would just point to them and say their name. She was always right.

Another favorite thing to do... walk the dogs.

Claire helping to make a cake.

Walking the dogs again.

...And Sadie with her mouth open. I don't think it was closed the whole trip except for when she was asleep which was not very much. When we got home, both girls slept in until 8:30 the next morning. Unheard of at our house!