Birthday Surprise!

Our sweet Charlotte recently turned 4!

For the past 2 years, Justin and I've been contemplating getting her something to play with in our backyard. We thought A LOT about a swing set and were astounded at how much the wooden play sets cost. I'm talking jaw-dropping prices! I even searched Craig's List and sent Justin on multiple trips to houses to view used ones. He always came back empty handed. It just never felt right. 

We have a few friends that have swing sets in their backyards and Charlotte loves playing on them when she visits and we have a great park that is just a walk away. So, that led us thinking to getting something different. Something that's just as fun but different than what other friends have. 

And, that led to a PLAYHOUSE! 

With just a few google searches, we found a local guy - David Verrret - Backyard Mansions. He builds them as a hobby and has built many for local charities including Dallas CASA. 

He came over one Saturday to meet with us and we immediately knew he was our guy. Not only were we all on the same page and equally excited, he has 4 kids who all attended or are attending Texas Tech! Got to love a Raider fan!

We told our parents about our plan for her and they graciously offered to contribute to the playhouse! A lovely surprise for us and very special for Charlotte to have such loving and generous grandparents. 

Because this is David's hobby, he builds when he's not at work -- evenings and weekends. It takes him about 6 weeks to complete a house. He starts in his workshop and completely builds the structure, interior included - minus the flooring. We got to pick the design of the house, paint colors, and he even matched our house's window trim to the playhouse so that it would have just that little something extra. 

Once finished in his shop, he has a special way of disassembling it and loading in a moving truck for delivery. He started on the Friday morning before her birthday and ended mid day Saturday. 

Since this was a surprise for Charlotte - we didn't want her to see anything, so I asked her teachers if she could attend school that day. They graciously agreed and she had a blast. Friday is always our day to stay at home in the mornings relax a bit from the week but this Friday, we were out early! I took her to get donuts and then off to school. She was very happy to go to school because they study science that day and she got to make quartz crystals -- We maybe should attend on Fridays more often!

Below are pictures of the building process and Charlotte's first time to play in the finished house. 

Us with David Verret

our girl's 1st time in her house

"someone's at the door"

"please come in"

Gram and Pater wanted to get her something for the house, so we found this darling couch that is the perfect addition. 

Christmas Time

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..." 

No, not really - Except for the decorations, fun parties, wrappings and already crowded stores. 

The weather here today was almost 70 degrees - though slightly rainy and cloudy, it could have passed for spring. 

When I think of Christmas, I think of snow and cold! Living in Dallas for almost 12 years, I've learned not to expect the snow, but the cold is usually always here (if not added ice too). I started wondering what people in warmer states and islands think of Christmas time. It's definitely different from me. Do their kids watch the old 1970's annual showing of Frosty the Snowman? Have they ever seen snow themselves? I bet their version of Santa, isn't with the heavy red suit and thick black boots but of shorts, t-shirt and sunglasses. Maybe even a picture of Santa surfing the waves with his toy sack over his shoulder. Maybe even the reindeer surf too! That would be cool!!

Ok, enough with the rambling and on to the pictures...

A few years ago, I made this advent calendar. It was a kit from Michael's and has tiny pockets that you can put treats into.  Charlotte loves to pull a chair up to it each morning to get the candy out for the day. I love it that she's enjoying it! I had something similar when I was little and looked forward to it each season. 

Sweet friends. 

Overnight stay at the Aldophus Hotel 

Breakfast with Santa 

FROSTY!

At the parade

And Char's favorite character...

Late Turkey Day Update

This is a late Thanksgiving update, but I want to share the memories that I captured. 

We drove the 6 hour drive to Borger with both 50 lbs. dogs in tow. 

Of course Callie stayed close to her best friend...

Picture of dad - trying to teach him how pictures look so much better (real) without a flash. 

My girly - I was cutting fleece fabric to make pillows for her birthday party and she took the remnants and made an outfit. 

Watching the famous NYC Thanksgiving Parade and was very excited to see Hello Kitty!

Glad to get a picture of the 3 of us together on Thanksgiving. You really have to make a point to get a family pic! It gets hectic and when you're the one typically behind the camera, you often miss the opportunity. 

Love this pic! With my Grandma and Papa

The Kimble/Weldon Men

Borger Horizon

Watching the sunset. 

The Texas Panhandle has the most beautiful sunsets. Pinks, purples, blues, yellows and orange fill the entire sky. It's breathtaking. 

11th hour Thanksgiving Craft

Yesterday, at the 11th hour, Charlotte and I decided to make a Thanksgiving craft to take with us to Borger. 

While at Michael's, shopping for other items (as usual!),  found 3x4 canvases on sale 50% off! We instantly knew we wanted them to create something fun!

Once we sized up her hand size to the canvas, we quickly concocted a plan in our heads --

Traditional Handprint Turkeys

The supplies were very simple:

Canvas

Crayola Washable Kid's Paint

Paint brushes

Googly eyes

Glue

Yarn

Charlotte really enjoyed getting to paint her hand with the paint! I let her paint with the brown for the turkey's "body and face" and I painted her individual fingers with colors that she picked.

We let the canvases dry for an hour and then I painted a red gobble and orange beak. Then with an all-purpose glue, glued the googly eyes where she wanted it. 

And drew the feet with a fine tip Sharpie.

We bought 6 canvases and only needed 5, so for the remaining canvas, Charlotte got to paint whatever she wanted. 

I think my little artist really enjoyed painting on a canvas.

We wrapped each canvas in yarn to give to family. 

Charlotte loved hiding them behind her back and surprising her grandparents with them!

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

It's Fall!

Even though fall "officially" began in September, it's been so warm here that the leaves recently just began changing colors and started to fall.

Charlotte could hardly wait until we had enough leaves to rake so that she could jump in them! 

I can't believe that November is already half way over and that Thanksgiving is less than a week away! Where is time going? I feel like my grandma by saying that, but the ol' saying rains true - 

"time flies when you're having fun"!

I've been thinking about photography a lot lately. Mostly, thinking about how much I need a new camera and another lens to help me create the photos that I'm seeking, but when you have perfect lighting, you don't need anything else. 

I am thankful for my life. And my beautiful family that I get to share each day with.