Picking Flowers

Annalisa is just like her Papa' in the way that they both love flowers. Massy loves to spend time outside in the yard. He also loves to plant flowers and I have to brag that he does a great job (the flowers above are all Massy's). Massy has taught her to pick flowers and smell them so every time we go for a bike ride she wants to pick everyone's flowers. The bad part about it is Massy lets her!!

Cancun

So we just got back from Cancun on Wednesday night. It was our first vacation away from Annalisa. My mom came in from Kansas City to watch Annalisa (thanks again, Mom). I think they had a lot of fun and we came home to a bunch of new toys for Annalisa (that will have to be a later post). I have to say I was a little apprehensive before going, but it was a great trip away and it was so nice to leave Houston last weekend with the cold & rainy weather we were having here. In just 2 hours we went from cold and rainy to beautiful/sunny 82 degree weather. Massy texted my mom and emailed her a couple times to make sure everything was going well and things seemed fine. Prior to leaving Cancun, I had talked to a couple of friends who had just gone on vacation for the first time w/o their kids. They also were nervous and immediately when they came back I asked them how it was to be away. Both surprisingly told me it was fine and they really enjoyed themselves. I'm thankful for their responses because God used it to give me a peace about going and when we were there I felt fine. I knew that it was ok to leave Annalisa and it was also ok to enjoy myself and I didn't need to feel guilty for being away. Needless to say, below are some pics from our trip. The highlight of our trip was that we finally were able to do a zip line (they wouldn't let us take any pictures). Ever since I saw the zip line through the jungle on Survivor, I wanted to do it. As soon as Massy & I saw that was one of the excursions we immediately signed up. The other highlight of our trip is that of course we stayed at an all-inclusive restaurant which is why you also won't see any pics of us in our swimsuits. They aren't pretty, but the food & drinks were definitely worth the calories!!

New Year's Resolution--it's not too late

I do a women's Bible study on Tuesdays, and a few weeks ago our Bible study leader asked us if we had any fun/not serious resolutions. I hadn't made one because I really couldn't think of one. Of course there are several things I want to change, but I also wanted it to be realistic. So, I finally just thought of a New Year's Resolution even though it's February. Hughes, you'll be proud of me (Hughes is the one who started this blog for us, and our family is grateful to her). I'm going to post a blog every month. Massy, does this make you so happy? He's really into this blogging thing and I think this will be a nice surprise for him.

Out for lunch--and we actually got to talk!

If you haven't been to Clay's for lunch it's definitely a place to go if you have kids. As I write this it almost sounds like a commercial for Clay's, but I promise I'm not getting a cut from them. I went with some of my mom friends, Angie, Charlotte, & Nara. We had the most relaxing time. While we sat outside and ate on the deck, a peacock came right up to us at our table. I didn't even think to take a picture!! After, the kids played in the sandbox and looked at the goats, horses, and chickens, and we were actually able to talk and take pictures. Angie, made me laugh when she said you can tell we don't get out much b/c we went crazy taking pictures. You would have thought we were on a safari in Africa!! I guess she must be right b/c I'm actually going to the trouble to put it on the blog. Although, I have to admit Massy posted the pics he called me over just to do the writing.

Christmas 2008 The Saviour is born

Christmas & New Year's 2009
Every year Massy's family comes for a couple of weeks at Christmas. We have a really good time and get a lot done. Massy's dad cleaned our gutters, his brother washed both our cars inside and out and cleaned behind our garage, and his mom cooks plus gives Annalisa constant attention so needless to say Massy & I just kind of lay back and relax. What a way to start the new year!
On New Year's Eve, we took a midnight dip in the jacuzzi. Can I saw it was really cold on the way from the jacuzzi to the shower!! I really didn't want to go in, but everyone kept hassling me so I finally said ok. Also, judging from the picture you can see that none of us tan during the winter. Maybe we should consider it??
On Christmas Eve, we all went to church and though Massy's family can't understand they still came. Marco & I spent most of the time outside feeding Annalisa and entertaining her since there was no childcare and she didn't last long in the service. I was sad I missed most of Greg's sermon, but afterward the family took a pic outside that I really like. The funny thing was that I spent most of the month of December looking for black dress shoes for Annalisa's Christmas dress (isn't it pretty, our Sunday school teacher's family gave it to her as a birthday gift) at resale shops. It killed me to buy a new pair when chances are she'll only wear them a few times. I never found any so I bit the bullet and bought them new and after about 3 minutes in church she took them off and much preferred to run around in her tights. Worst of all, I even forgot to put them on for our picture!!