Every little girls DREAM!

As promised, here are some of our pictures at American Girl. I thought we would be there for hours and hours. Somehow Karagen knew exactly what she wanted so it didn't take nearly as long as we thought.

What Ryan was doing at American Girl

He was having so much fun!

Dolls of the Year

Upon our arrival

Having Lunch at American Girl

Spring Break

Wow we just had one of the best vacations ever! We visited the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine. We spent 4 days in the wonderful resort.  

We would begin the day with swimming in an 84 degree sea of fun. There was something for all of us. Karagen enjoyed the slides and the tree house. Reagan loved the slides and the wavy pool, as she called it. Monday, we swam until 11:00 and then went to the Grapevine Mills Mall. We ate some lunch and went back to the indoor water park. We were there until about 6:00. 

After dinner, we met up with another girl from my class at the clock tower for story time. Yes, I said story time. Every night at 8:00 they have a story time for the kids. They get to wear the PJ's downstairs. They sit in front of the fire place for a fun book. Wiley the wolf comes out to say good night. 

The girls at story time(not sure why it is underlined all of sudden) 

Wiley the Wolf 

Tuesday, we got an early start to the water park. We spent a few hours there the headed to Bass Proshop. What's a trip to Grapevine without a trip there? Of course we went back to the water park for a few hours.  Karagen had an appointment for a pedicure at Scoops. This is not your normal spa. It is designed just for kids. Everything is ice cream related. Karagen has been talking nonstop about this.  

While Karagen was doing that, Reagan and I painted a turtle in the Cub Club. Ryan was in the arcade playing games. I told you this place had something for everyone! We went back to the water park (notice a pattern here) until 8:30. Then Reagan and I headed to the room for a bath and bed. We skipped story time because we wanted to stay in the pool. Karagen and Ryan continued with the Magi Quest. They enjoyed that, however I didn't. This was a scavenger hunt throughout the hotel.  I just didn't understand the game I guess. This morning we got up and did the Magi Quest as a family... yes I did it, too. Then we were off to American Girl. That is an awesome place. The girls each got to pick a doll and clothes. We had a lunch reservation, too. They seat you and the dolls at the same table. It is so cute! I will post pictures as soon as I upload them. I hope the girls enjoyed this vacation as much as I did. Ryan goes back to work tomorrow and the girls and I will just hang out for the rest of the week. What a great week! What great memories! 

Where has the time gone?

Wow I didn't realize that it had been so long since I've posted. Life is moving at a strange pace lately. It is crazy to think how fast time flies. I can't get past the fact that I have an 8 eight living in my house. I often stop and think of what it will be like having 2 teenage girls in one house. WOW how did my parents do it??? Well I guess I will find out soon enough. I should just enjoy the girls right now. Anyway, Karagen had a spa slumber party for her birthday. She had 7 little girls over here that night. They had a great time. My sister helped out by doing their nails while I gave them a pedicure. Thanks Aunt Brandi for all your help. She even made each of the girls a monogrammed bag.On the actual night o we had our family and friends over for dinner. well, Karagen is done with basketball and about to start softball. I have to say Karagen got much better as the season went on.
Reagan was in my cousin's wedding last night. She was so good. I was really shocked that she even did it. At rehearsal she wanted NOTHING to do with any of it. She just wanted me to hold her all night. Last night was another story. She was in all her glory. I know Sheila was very worried about the weather this week but I think everything turned out beautiful. Everyone had a great time at the rehearsal, ceremony and the reception.



I'm just having one of those lazy Sunday kind of days. The girls are still in the PJ's and I don't care. Right now I'm sitting in the couch listening to the girls fight. In a weird sort of way, I love hearing them fight. I know that one day our house will be silent. When I think about it like that it makes me laugh and not so annoyed. As much as I loved the rain this week I wish it would stop. We have to go outside and play. I mean me just as much as the kids. I could be doing something constructive like laundry, going through the girls clothes, cleaning out the refrigerator, or just doing some cleaning. Reading blogs and updating mine is so much more fun. This is what my kids are doing right now instead of being outside...

I hope everyone has a great week. This is our last week of school before Spring Break!!! I know I will have pictures of all of our activities.

Upwards Basketball

Karagen started basketball last week. This is not just any basketball program. It is possibly one of the best sports programs EVER! Upwards basketball is a Christan sponsored league. During the week they must memorize and recite a bible verse after the game. If they are able to say the verse correctly, they receive a green star to be ironed on to their jersey. They pray before, during and after the games. The most impressive part of the whole league is it is such a positive experience for the kids. The are no parents yelling at their kids to preform. Parents cheer for everyone on the court. Once the game is over the kids go to the back room for a devotional. They each receive their stars for the efforts in the game. Karagen earned a white star for the best defense of the game. We are so proud of her for trying her best. She seemed to really like playing. When we asked her what her favorite part was she said everything. Reagan was just glad her friends Jaxson and Brayden were there to keep her company.

Hope you have a wonderful week. Thank goodness this is one of those weeks we don't have too much going on. I love those weeks we can just hang out as a famliy!

Update

Well it has been almost a week for my New Year's promises... I have done my Biggest Loser Cardio almost everyday. I say almost because after the first few days, I was so sore there was no way I could do it again. So instead of the cardio video I walked while the girls played at the school. My diet is going very well. I'm doing Weight Watchers and the key for me is to write down EVERYTHING I drink or eat. I have been doing pretty well with this so far. I know it's only been a week but hey that's good for me. I weigh in on Thursday so I will let you know how I've done. I know that some of you could careless about me losing weight but it makes me more accountable if I put it on here.

I should be grading papers but instead I'm updating my blog and watching Jon and Kate Plus 8. How's that for a long Monday after a 2 week vacation.

Happy New Year and more

Here's to a very blessed New Year to you and your family. I always look forward to a new year. It's like starting over. I have such great ideas for the new year. This year with your help I hope to keep these promises to myself.


Shanna's New Years Promises to Myself

1. Of course there is always lose weight. However, this year I have a jump on this one. I've been working out with Bob Harper from the Biggest Loser. In case you don't know I'm obsessed with this show. I want to be on this show so bad.










2. I'm going to spend more time with friends and family. I really enjoy this but I think I don't do it enough.

3. I would say I'm going to get organized but that just won't happen. I have said that for as long as I can remember. That is just not in my make up. My sister on the other hand is an organization master. We're not sure where she gets it from.

Now you know my promises to myself. I like calling them promises instead of resolutions because I'm more likely to keep a promise. Happy New Year to you and yours!

As things come to an end...

Wow I can't believe how fast this wonderful time of year comes and goes. We had a great time Christmas Eve with my parents, grandmothers, my sister and her family and of course my husband and girls. The girls had a fun time tearing into their presents. Karagen's favorite gift was her press on nails, even though she got a karaoke machine. That was by far my favorite one. Reagan's favorite gift was her bouney ball. Santa came to our house early Christmas Eve because Karagen woke about 11:30 PM and announced Santa has been here. Thankfully, we were able to convince her that we needed to go back to sleep until in the morning to make sure Santa was finished delivering our gifts. This year Santa had a family gift for us, a Wii. We have had more fun with this game system. Even Reagan plays with this thing. Christmas day we went to my Grandpa's house. Every year we play this fun game much like a Chinese gift exchange but we use envelopes of money. Last year I stole $20 away from my cousin, Beau. This year he though he'd get me back... well he didn't. He ended up giving me $10 and he had $5. We had a visit from the Jolly old man himself. It was rather funny because no one could figure out who this "person" was. My dad went outside to see if her recognized the vehicle. It was a long time friend of the family that felt sorry for my mother because she wanted to have Santa come to visit the kids. Thank you Nancy for making the kids and my Mom's Christmas even more special. That evening my parents came to our house see the gifts the girls got from Santa. We had dinner, played Wii and watched a rodeo.



Our Christmas is still going because tonight we are going to Ryan's Oma's. Wednesday we are having Christmas at Ryan's Mom's and Thursday at Ryan's Aunt's house. Aunt Carol's house is always fun for the kids because there are so many of them. Ryan Mom's side of the family is huge. There is never a dull moment around there during any gathering.

I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday filled with tons of memories like we did. I am going to post my New Year's resolutions. Maybe if I post them I will be more likely to stick to them. Sounds good anyway.