Jumping Through January

Already one month gone in 2014- crazy! Here are a bunch of great moments we captured throughout January- enjoy!!!
One day at Grandma's shop, Tori asked me if I would like to visit the singing orchard with her. My first thought was, what do you do in a Singing Orchard? And here is a video answering that very question! (Tori is really into making up and singing her own songs- we love it!!!)

Garrett was having so much fun watching shows on Grandma's iPad, he literally fell asleep sitting there!

And then he got a really nice setup for his nap!

This picture makes me smile- I love how Garrett is resting his head on his hand!

One happy boy with his pup!

One day Garrett decided he wanted to take his stroller with him everywhere. He had a ball running up and down the ramps at Grandma's shop! (Grandma Harrison- he absolutely loves his stroller- thanks again!)

It takes great skill to put two blocks together and catch your pjs at the same time!

Every month Uncle Alec sends the kids pictures with our family letter. One side he colors along with a note, and then he leaves the other side for them. It has become a really fun thing Tori and Garrett look forward to with each letter! Here is Tori coloring Rapunzel!

And Garrett did a great job coloring Dusty!

Grandpa taught Garrett a great new facial expression!!!

What could be better than being all warm and cozy in Grandma and Grandpa's bed and watching Jake? Not very much!!!

Grandma had a grand time dressing our children while in Texas (which we are so extremely grateful for)! This is one of my favorites- especially the super cute boots!!!

Look who figured out how to take a selfie!

I think that Tori likes playing with her Nabi! (I love the crossed legs!)

Maria, one of Grandma Allen's friends, made Tori this adorable dress- with hand smocking! It is gorgeous and we are so thankful she would share her amazing talent with us! This has been dubbed Tori's "Dorothy" outfit!!!

Tori loved her bathtub paint and painted pretty much everything- even her toes!

Then Grandma pulled out the real thing- hurrah for cute fingers and toes!

Tori made sure the let them dry really well!

And then she came out to show everyone- so cute!

Hurrah- my heart melts each time we get one of these precious moments!!!

While Tori and Grandma were in California, Garrett and I finally made it to the park! He loved the slides and the ducks in the pond!

Grandma's tub is definitely the best for bubble baths!!!

Our little Stud! (Uncle Derek- thanks so much for Garrett's suit- he looks so handsome in it!)

I'm not sure who enjoyed this nap the most?

So much fun having an ice cream social...

...on Grandma's bed!!!

So many fun memories- it sure makes life more sweet to share them with family!!!

Trip Home

Sadly, our trip to Texas has come to an end. Jared flew back to Texas Friday night and then yesterday we started our long drive back to Indiana! But first, we had to load up our van! If you have ever wondered what it would look like to visit family for Christmas and stay there for 5 weeks, here you go! I was so impressed that Jared and Dad Allen got it all in there! Basically, we have been super spoiled for the past 5 weeks!!!

And Grandma and Grandpa weren't done with the spoiling yet! They gave us a box of small gifts for Tori and Garrett to open along the way to make our trip home a lot more fun for them and also to remind them of special things from our time in Texas. And along with each gift, there was a special note for each of them! We decided that the kids should open their first gifts at Grandma's shop!
Tori- I loved having you come to my shop to have lunch with me. You were so helpful. Thank you for playing so sweet with Garrett! He loves when you play "Thomas" with him. Here is one of Thomas' friends for you to help you remember!

What could it be?

"Grandma, play Thomas?" Oh how fun it was to watch you play Thomas. You got so good. I loved watching you play with the real Thomas at my shop even more! Here is one of Thomas' friends to help you remember the fun times we had. I love you so much!

Hurrah- Rosie and Luke are such fun additions to our train collection! Tori and Garrett played Thomas on many a device and with the real thing at Grandma's shop numerous times!!!

One last picture before we hit the road- it turned out so cute!!! (Thanks, Krishna for taking this for us!)

The second gifts (fun new books) were presented at what we were hoping would be quiet time/nap time! Garrett loved his Mickey Mouse book- he and Tori watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with Grandma and Grandpa a bunch!
Garrett, I had a blast taking you to see the duckies and to the park! Tori, I had a blast teasing you and playing Fancy Nancy with you!! Love, Uncle Dillon

Tori was excited for her book about getting ready for Kindergarten!

January 24, 2014: The fond memories that I have of Tori and Garrett's visit are: 1) Tori's awesome way of saying "Grandpa" Texan style (Groundpoe)! 2) Garrett's facial expression that I taught him and him greeting me at the door when I came home from work! 3) The 2 of them putting up with my "wanna be" Donald Duck!

Garrett and Tori, Thank you for your happy faces. It was great having you guys here. Tori you are a true princess. And your laugh brought happiness into our home. Garrett you are a stud, I enjoyed the time we had when Grandma and Tori left for Cali. I can't wait to see y'all again. You are great kids! Love, Uncle Derek

Gifts number three came out after dinner- new movies were perfect! Tori asked to put Jake (and the Neverland Pirates) in as soon as she opened it! When the movie started, she said, "it's just like at Grandma's house!"
Tori- what did we watch every night before bed? We were only suppose to watch one but sometimes it was 2 or 3 heehee. It was fun cuddling with you. As you watch Jake I hope you remember our late night snacks and giggles. Watching Jake at bedtime is a special treat at Grandma's house so don't ask mommy or daddy to watch at bedtime. It will be fun watching him during the day too!

Garrett was patient and got to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse next! So much fun for them to be able to watch the shows they loved at Grandma and Grandpa's house!!!
"Oh Toodles!" You are such a fantastic problem solver. Keep helping Mickey and your family little man- I see great things to come in you!

Day number two of driving started out with new toys to play with! Garrett got Jake, Captain Hook, and Tick Tock Croc! When Garrett saw them he said, "open now!!!"
Garrett- Thank you for cuddling with grandma and grandpa. We love watching Jake with you! We love you so much!!!

Tori had just asked to watch Jake before she opened her gift. When she saw Izzy, Jake, and Cubby she said, "Grandma is smart!"

Tori- "Oh Coconuts!" Do you know who says that? You are right! It's Cubby. Even though Izzy and her pixie dust is our favorite, you sound so cute saying Cubby's line- "Oh Coconuts!"

We got to enjoy a really nice lunch at Cracker Barrel- another gift from Grandma and Grandpa! It was so nice to get out and enjoy some time out of the van. We had enough left of our gift certificates for Tori and Garrett to each pick out a toy. Tori picked out this cute doll which she quickly named Dan! (But once we got in the van, her name was soon changed to Ann!) They enjoyed a lively game of checkers before we got back on the road!

Garrett picked out an awesome new monster truck that really lights up!

Tori and Garrett received another gift once we were back in the van and all settled- hurrah for more fun books! Tori was so excited for her Rapunzel book! It will help her remember all her fun princess adventures in Disneyland!
My Sweet Princess Victoria...We can learn so much from our fun Disney Princesses. As you read these books with your super cool pen I pray you will see their good examples. Love you!

Garrett got a Doc McStuffins book- another favorite show from Grandma and Grandpa's house! And one they watched after Jake as a fun treat at night in Grandma and Grandpa's room!
I thought you were asleep by the time Doc McStuffins came on, yet you learned her name and you say it so well! Good job buddy!

Only 2 hours away from home and the kids got to open their last surprises! When Tori saw it was a Doc McStuffins movie she said, "I can't wait!!!"
Tori- After Garrett fell asleep and after Jake what did we watch? Hee Hee! You are right? Doc McStuffins was our super fun added bonus! Thank you for such fun times and memories! I love you! Grandma

Hurrah for tractors! Garrett loved looking for tractors each time we drove to Grandma's shop!
Garrett- remember when mommy would bring you to my shop? What would you see on your way? I hope this will help you remember the fun times we had.

And just like that, we were in Indiana and at our new apartment! I guess we are back to real life- time to get to work getting all settled in our new place! To all our dear family in Texas- thanks a million times over for making our time there so special! We have especially loved watching Tori and Garrett build such wonderful memories with each of you!!! Hopefully, we will be back to visit again very soon!

A Typical Thursday Evening...

Or not at all! Tonight we were able to go to dinner at Chick-fil-A- thanks for treating us Grandpa Allen! And while we were there, we just happened to be serenaded by the cast in the upcoming production of Guys and Dolls at Klein Oak High School (including none other than our own Dillon Allen!!)! I'm so sad we won't be here to see the real play, but tonight was the next best thing!

Garrett just adores his Uncle Dillon!!!

She wanted to eat in a high chair like Garrett- what a crazy girl!

My absolute favorite picture thus far of Garrett and Grandpa!!!

Of course, they had to sing "Luck be a Lady!" (Garrett was so excited to be up there with Dillon!)

Tori wasted no time exploring the play place!

The slide was a keeper!

Next we were entertained with "The Oldest Established!" (All these guys were so fun to listen to!)

Garrett got stuck in the top of the play place and would not come down. A huge thanks to Dillon's friend Ana for rescuing him for me!!!

Oh, Tori also opened her own restaurant- doesn't it look just fabulous!!! (I love her imagination!)

Garrett loved playing at the top of the slide and you can hear the chatter from Tori's restaurant in the background!

 The perfect way to wrap up the evening... "Guys and Dolls!"

I'm sure this is going to be an awesome production! So glad we got a little taste of it tonight- we had a blast!!!

To Cali and Back

After two full days of Disneyland fun, Grandma Allen had to go to a few classes and buy new products for her shop. While she was at CHA, Tori and Aunt Michelle got to relax and enjoy Sunday and Monday together! On Sunday, they got to skype with me for about an hour- Tori had so much fun telling me about all her Disney adventures!
While they were waiting for Grandma to join them for dinner, Tori had fun running all around the awesome fountain at the convention center!

And then there was a little spinning! I love that she is singing, "at the party!"

On Monday, Ggma and Ggpa Jones happened to pop in to see a bit of the show as well. Ggma really wanted to walk around the show, so Ggpa took Tori out to lunch just the two of them! When they came back, Tori had cookie all over her face so they must have had a grand time together!!!
Which brings us to today- the day for Tori and Grandma to part ways with Aunt Michelle and come home! They had a yummy lunch before getting on the plane!

And finally Tori and Grandma were back in Texas! Tori was so excited to show us a few things she brought home with her that she had picked out all by herself!

First, she pulled out a gift for Garrett!

How fun- new Cars bath toys!!!

Next, it was my turn! Tori was so excited for me to unwrap my gift!

Oh my goodness, I love it!!!

Tori told me all about it and made sure I knew it was her in the picture! We even picked out a spot right away where we could put it!!!

Since Daddy is in Indiana, we had to get him on skype so he could watch Garrett open the gift Tori picked out for him!

Tori made sure Daddy could really see the tie she picked out- it has Mickey Mouse all over it! She can't wait for him to wear it to church!

Thanks for all the fun gifts Tori and Grandma! But the very best gift is having you two back home!!! And a huge thanks to Aunt Michelle for entertaining Tori for the past several days! She had so much fun with you!!!