Things have been busy but great. Scott has finished up the semester and Evelyn has had end of the year awards day. She was supposed to have school on Thursday and half day Friday. Since things were already winding down, we took off for a quick camping trip at the beach. The weather and water were both gorgeous. Had Evelyn not come down with strep throat, it would have been a perfect little trip. We were all troupers and made the best of it. We were blessed to see a good doctor at the urgent care. The meds kicked in just in time to get her ready for their dance recital. Wow, what a busy week it has been. Both girls did really well in their dance routines. I am quite proud of them. They were well supported by family who stuck with us through the long program. Oh, I forgot to mention that Evelyn's current nickname is toothless.

Celebrating Good Times

We have had two weekends of celebrating.  Last weekend Evelyn had a sleepover (outer) for her birthday. It turned out really fun.  We picked up Evelyn and 4 friends from school taking both vehicles full of girls to a hotel about 45 minutes away.  Cousin Mason and our very good friend Mallory met us there.  Mason handled the fact that he was the only guy in this group really well.  : )  We swam in the pool for at least 3 hours, had pizza and smashed cupcakes.  Scott went to pick up the pizza and cupcakes not realizing how easily those containers slide around so he learned a lesson in cupcake transportation.  We had a two bedroom suite so it was enough space for the girls to do their own thing and us to survive.  We definitely have to thank Aunt Jen for use of her camera. In our rush, we left ours at home. After Mason and Aunt Jen left, the girls made a couple of crafts.  Evelyn thoroughly enjoyed it all and Emelia thought she was one of the big girls.  They settled in by midnight so we were pleased.  Most of this same group also went to a swim party on Saturday afternoon.  Whew, I know those were some tired kids.  I recovered enough to enjoy Mother's day having some time with both of our mothers.

This weekend we followed with a family party on Evelyn's birthday.  It was nice to enjoy the cake and visit this time.  I just absolutely cannot believe our baby girl is now seven.

GGED

I have to start this post with today's celebration.  Six years ago today sweet baby Evelyn joined our family. Wow, even though time is just flying by, the memories are still so very vivid.  Thanks to God for his blessings and wonderful plan for our family.  I have not slowed down to take pictures today so I snapped a quick shot before the girls went to bed.  My oh my how she is growing.  We went to our local Chinese restaurant (a favorite for both girls) for lunch after church today.  Since it was Sunday, family was able to join us and make it even more special.

I didn't get to post about our little adventure last weekend.  We worked on making our girls real country girls.  We took them to the land on a little fishing trip.  The weather was gorgeous and the fish were biting.  Both girls caught fish and Evelyn really picked up on it all.  She baited her own hook with live crickets, pulled her own fish in and then later helped with the scaling and washing.  Emelia gave it a good effort.  Their Papa loved it.  My dad would have as well.  We then gathered the supplies out of the camp and cooked the fish right there on the creek bank.  As the old saying goes, it doesn't get any better than that.  I don't have photos to share.  :(  I did get some video, though.

Another big event from this past week was kindergarten registration.  Yes, we cannot believe it, Emelia will be attending kindergarten in the fall.  She is such a trooper.  It was so different than with Evelyn who was clinging to us.  Emelia just marched right on ahead of us with no worry at hand.  She also enjoyed having mom and dad to herself that night as Evelyn was gone to a sleep over.  Evelyn did great and had a very good time but was a little bit out of sorts Saturday with the lack of sleep.  Oh me, there is too much growing up with both our girls.

P.S. - the post title (God Gave us Evie Day)

Easter

We had a good weekend and very good day today.  We took a quick run to Jackson and spent a little time with Scott's brother and family on Thursday and Friday.  The girls and cousin Mason played well together. Saturday was consumed with the installation of a new central unit at our house, bummer, but the timing could not have been better.  We had a different but great service at church today.  The Allen family (all ten of them) lead in worship.  The church was packed.  I wish it was that way all the time.  Our risen Lord is worthy of regular worship.  We had lunch with Scott's family and then egg hunts there and with my family.  It is so good to be close enough to have time with both sides of the family.  We then enjoyed some time in our own back yard.  This weather has been so nice.  The girls just stay outside.

Disney Report

One week ago, we were on our way home from Disney.  The week before was our spring break and next week is Evelyn's.  We had to adjust to squeeze in a family break so we took Evelyn out of school for two days of our break.  We had a really big surprise planned for the girls.  They knew we were going camping but the where was the big surprise.  We were able to keep it a secret until pulling in the gates of Disney.  Evelyn was quite excited.  She had already asked wasn't this the way to Disney.  We calmly answered that Disney was down that way.  When Emelia realized where we were, her response was, "but I wanted to go camping!"  She was quite happy to hear that we were doing both.  The campground there was very nice.  We did it in a whirlwind but still enjoyed it all.  The campground had lots to do and even had some critters.  Evie fed ducks and some turkeys strutted through.  The girls rode ponies, checked out the big horses that are used on Main Street, played on the playground, went to the Chip and Dale campfire sing a long and even got in the pool the last night which was a bit cold even though it was a heated pool.  There was also an outdoor movie on a big screen but we were not able to squeeze that one in.  We did one day from open to close at Magic Kingdom.  We hit the lines at good times and only missed a few things in that park.  The longest line was Splash Mountain at 45 minutes.  That ride was a first for the girls and they loved it. Emelia hit just over forty inches so we were able to take in a number of additional attractions together without doing the ride switch.  We were also able to take in things we missed last summer.  We then did a half day at Animal Kingdom and half at Epcot.  We had missed Soarin last trip and again, Emelia was tall enough for it now.  It was a definite hit will all of us.  When we got to Epcot the fast passes for that ride were gone but we got lucky when someone gave theirs to Scott.  Whew, the wait had shortened to 75 minutes at that time.  It was so nice to get those passes.  We also had some good visits with characters seeing some that we did not see last summer.  I think we are a little hooked on Disney for now.  The girls are at such a good age for it and seeing it through them is so fun.  Hope the pictures tell a little of the tale. Oh, and did I say the weather was fabulous.  Hey, at least I am only a week behind with this post better than a month.

Way Behind Again

There should be another name than blog for my little spot here, maybe blurb would be better.  I don't get anything here in a timely manner.  Don't even think it, that is not nice.  I'll try to put some photos and short descriptions since the last post.  We have had a lot happening.  Evelyn went to her first sleepover in Feb.  She only called about ten times but did stay the night and loved it.  She has also had two very good friends over(at different times) to spend the night with her.  Oh me, I don't know if I am ready for all of this.  We recently returned to the eye doctor and received a good report, wear the glasses and come back in a year.  Miss Emelia does well accepting all the things that big sister takes part in.  She has her moments but does have such an easy going personality.  We also had a Chinese New Year Celebration in mid February.  It turned out great.  The last weekend in February, the girls were in cousin Shelby's wedding.  It was a beautiful day and it all turned out really nice.  Last Saturday was our last day of Upward games.  It has been a very busy time but I think I will miss it.  The girls have enjoyed it.  Emelia will quickly tell you, "God is in the light and we should walk in the light too."  We have a special celebration this Thursday to end the event.  Hopefully, I will be back here soon.

A threesome

February Snow in South MS  :)

 That smile might catch you off guard

Emelia was quite proud of her Krewe of Fairies

Pretty girls

Shelby and Jackson

A Backlog of Blog

I have certainly failed at making any time for even a short blog.  I suppose I will try to post an abbreviated update of the last few months.  I left you somewhere back in November.  Thanksgiving was great.  We started the week going with our church to work the warehouse for Operation Christmas Child.  Wow, so neat to see the next step with the boxes, the number of boxes and care that goes in each.  We left after one shift heading on to North Carolina to meet Scott’s family for the rest of the week.  The girls and cousin Mason did really well together.  We did a little hiking, a little shopping but also spent time just being together when the cold weather kicked in.  We chased down where the snow stuck and played just a bit.  We also waited an hour and a half in the cold for Thanksgiving lunch at the Daniel Boone Inn.  The food was good and served in a manner like you would have at home.   We must have brought that weather back with us.  Within a week we had a light snow here.  It did not last long but was fun for a short while.  Christmas activities kicked in quickly.  The schedule was very full but fun.  The girls were at great ages for it all.  They also did well in keeping the real meaning of Christmas in focus.  They have continued to enjoy their scooter (Evelyn) and four wheeler (Emelia).  Oh, and I am now enjoying my Christmas just installed last week, new countertops.  We are now in the middle of Upward Basketball at our church.  We have had two Saturdays of games and it is going very well.  Evelyn and Emelia are both cheering.  I know there were lots of sweet things about the girls to share that I have missed.  Maybe I will do a better job with some quick updates.  Enjoy the few photos that follow.

Waiting in the cold for Thanksgiving lunch

North Carolina Snow

A visit with Santa

Bear Kimball and girls at the top

Snow in Mississippi

Cool Toys for Christmas

A sweet visit from an old friend

Still beautiful even though she has to wear glasses

Go Upward!

Wow, I hope to not wait this long again without a post.