Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Cactus Garden

Last night we went to Ethel M to see the Christmas lights. We went with our good friends Nick, Crystal, Seth, and Naomi. We had a good time despite Sabrina being really cranky, (she fell asleep in the car on the way home- thankfully).

Marie-Anne

Gilcrease Animal Sanctuary

Today I took the kids to Gilcrease Animal Sanctuary. Of course, we had a great time; we always do.





It was an absolutely beautiful fall day. We played in the leaves for quite a while. And I got some pretty good pics of the kids.





Afterwards we went to McDonald's Playplace.

Marie-Anne

Stewart Place Park

On the way home from our Thanksgiving potluck we stopped at Stewart Place Park. The kids were thrilled. It's simple things like this that make memories that can last a lifetime.



Marie-Anne

Thanksgiving

We celebrated Thanksgiving with our friends at church. We had a potluck feast. It was a whole lot of fun and the food was delicious.



We are thankful for our Pastor and his wonderful family.



Sabrina is stealing my ice.



Alex is making funny faces and eating at the same time.



Frank and Marie very thankful for each other.

Marie-Anne

Chuck E Cheese

It has been busy around here. We've all been sick, having special church services, and getting ready to move. So, I took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese during the day. They had a blast! There were only about 5 other kids in the whole place. The noise level was low enough that I could actually use a phone in Chuck E Cheese.

Birthday season is officially over.

Marie-Anne

Maslow Park

I took the kids to Maslow Park, which, of course, they loved. We always have a great time when we go to parks.

Marie-Anne

Alex's Baptism

A day after he turned 7 Alex got baptized. We hadn't planned on having him baptized so young, but he wanted to and he understands the reasons behind it.



All the ones who were getting baptized got a chance to testify to the entire church on what God had done in their life. Alex with microphone in hand started, “ Back when I was 3, I was deep in sin. Not listening and disobeying. I prayed three times for God to save me and last night when I prayed, it worked!

MLK Park

After the fire station we took the kids to MLK Park. We watched part of the air show, but we couldn't see too much.

Marie-Anne

Fire Station tour

As a surprise b-day gift, we took Alex on a tour of the fire station. The kids had a lot of fun climbing on the fire trucks. We had the same firefighter who gave us the tour last time. Sabrina's favorite part of the fire station was the water fountain which she visited about 6 times.

One of the firefighters was from Colfax, La! I met someone who is also from Grant Parish and knows where Bentley is!

Marie-Anne

Alex is 7!

Wow- he's 7!

Alex got mostly games; Eagle Eye Jr, Angry Birds Knock on Wood, Tumble, Robo Champ, and Serpentiles. He also got some Star Wars toys, small lego sets, a knight's costume, a Star Wars Character Dictionary, and play doh. We are using part of the money that both kids got to buy memberships to Springs Preserve and Lied Children's Museum.



For his b-day we took the kids on a tour of the fire station and to the park. We also had a concert at church. Alex said it was the best b-day ever.

Space b-day party

The kids had a joint b-day party Friday night. Guests were asked to bring a donation for Operation Christmas Child. Alex learned about Operation Christmas Child from Veggie Tales and decided he wanted to help. I think there are enough things to fill about three shoe boxes.





The biggest hit of the night was the pinata which was filled with starburst, dum-dums, and small toys.

Marie-Anne

Appreciation Dinner

Last night we had an Appreciation Dinner at church. It was a huge success! We had so many new people that most of the church members had to eat on chairs in the hall! It was the biggest dinner the church has ever had. Many of those people were in church this morning. What a wonderful God we serve.

Marie-Anne

Sabrina's 3!

My baby is now a three year old! When she woke up her gifts were on the table. Sabrina exclaimed, “Birthday, right there!” Although she was still sick she was super excited.



Her favorite gift is the Leap Frog Count and Scan Shopper. I cannot tell you how many times I went “shopping” in the last 24 hours! She also got a toy cash registrar, a bear family puzzle, the Red Rover Game, dress-up clothes, a Polly Pocket size Barbie, some small dolls, a princess purse, funny books, and Kumon First Steps Workbooks. With some of the money both kids are getting we are buying memberships to Springs Preserve and the Lied Children's Museum. Several cards are still on the way.
{We had planned on taking her to Chuck E Cheese, but every time she got excited she'd start coughing. We'll try to take her this week.}



I told her that Papa was getting her a surprise, I meant a cake. Frank also surprised me with some roses. Sabrina was thrilled that she got “birthday roses.” It was really sweet.



Tres Leches,(three milks) cake is YUMMY!



We had an appreciation dinner for new people at church. We debated on whether or not she was up to going. We finally decided it would be okay to take her. She slept on the couch in the nursery almost the entire time. She woke up in time to eat and have every one sing Happy b-day to her.

Sigh, my baby's a three year old. I asked Sabrina if she was my friend and she replied, “Mommy, you a best friend.” It doesn't get much better than that.

Marie-Anne

Lacing Sensory Tub

Our lacing sensory tub has lacing beads, lacing cards, play buttons, small wooden beads, lacing strings, small spools of thread, pipe cleaners, zip ties, a ladle, and a wooden tray for sorting.

Marie-Anne

Popcorn?

Sabrina really enjoyed her ”popcorn!”

Marie-Anne