Happenings {January}

We said goodbye to my parents at the beginning of January.  I always hate when visits come to an end. :(  Even though I've lived away from my parents for almost 14 years, it's still hard to say goodbye to them.

I also feel bad that Katie doesn't get to see her grandparents more often than two or three times a year.  Maybe someday we'll live close to at least one set of grandparents!

showing off a cute outfit

trying out the watercolor set she received for Christmas

enjoying a yummy meal at Macaroni Grill as a family

I loved that "lemon passion cake" almost as much as I love my two sweeties. :)

I also love any excuse to venture into a bookstore!

Katie's favorite part

cleaning his gun after his duck hunt

  I think Katie's little portraits are so cute and it's been fun to see her improve.

(This was for her aunt Jana's birthday in January.)

She suddenly looks so grown up...can time please slow down?!!

Thankfully, this is not a look I see very often!

Her smiles are my favorite!

We enjoyed a fun lunch date with my friend, Amy, and her little boy, Stockton.  There is a little Greek place nearby that we love more for the food and not the ambience.  (It's in the parking lot of a car dealership.)

Their family is moving in July and we are so sad!  

We have to squeeze in lots of fun things with them before they go!

I went to a "Favorite Things" party with friends and it was so much fun!  I loved seeing what everyone brought as their favorite item.  It's always great to have a girls' night!

Cute Tara organized the whole thing and did a fabulous job!  And Jessica (to the left of Tara) was the best hostess.  We enjoyed yummy food and great conversation before exchanging items.  

my goodies

Jacob and I were able to spend a few hours in the Houston LDS temple.  I always love going there and leaving refreshed and uplifted.  

I met Sheri Dew!  She came to speak to the women in Houston and I sat near her and hurried to shake her hand when it was over.  I loved listening to her inspirational message.

We played at the park in the sunny weather.

She told daddy he was like Mother Gothel climbing the tower to see Rapunzel. :)

We had some crazy weather this winter.  It gets cold in January and February, but we never see snow here.  Although the city called this snow, it was really ice. :)

Katie had fun going out and tasting the "Texas snow"

We made a cute craft to get ready for Valentine's Day.