Daddy Daughter Dance

Last night was the big Father Daughter Dance for Legacy Christian Church.  In Ava and Reese's terms it was the "Daddy Daughter Dance."  They wore their fancy pink tutus and special bows they got from Grammy for Valentine's Day.  They went for an elegant dinner at Noodles & Co. for yummy mac and cheese and then off to the dance.  They got to see lots of their friends and dance with Daddy of course.  There was a chocolate fountain with lots of yummy things to dip and they got to have their photo taken by the photographer.  When asked what their favorite part of the night was Reese's response was the dancing and Ava's response was the strawberries.  Can't wait for next year!

Noodles & Co. with their friend Delaney and her daddy Kevin

Ava eating her strawberries

Blurry picture...too much dancing!

Reese dancing with her friend Reagan

This past week brought a warm up as well.  In the McNeil's opinion, the snow can't melt fast enough.  We are not winter people.  The warm weather has taken care of the snow but Ava and Reese wanted to shovel every last bit!

 Mommy and Daddy did a kid swap for Valentine's Day.  On the 13th we took the Southards kids while Erin and Steve had a dinner out and on the 15th they took Ava and Reese while Zack and I had a nice dinner out.  The 14th was reserved for family time.  It worked out well!

All the kiddos having dinner at our house!

Mickey Mouse and Snow Days

Last Saturday, as part of Ava and Reese's Christmas gift, we went to Topeka to see Mickey Mouse Live!  It was a fun show and included Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy, as well as scenes from Aladdin, Little Mermaid, and Toy Story.  Reese was pretty mesmerized by the show and Ava was up and down a lot, getting into the show at times.  The best part of the event for Zack and I was that neither of the girls requested a $12 bag of cotton candy or a $20 spinning light-up Disney toy.  Not that they would've gotten it even if requested!

Today we had a snow day.  Here are some pictures and a couple videos of the fun we had outside although it only lasted about 15 minutes!

Here are also a couple pictures of the girls in their swimming lessons.  Only two sessions left and they aren't crying when mommy and daddy hand them over to their teachers!

Ava "swimming" on her back.

Reese "swimming" on her back too.

Happy New Year?...We're off to a good start!

Things have been good around here.  We are back into the swing of things after the busy birthday and Christmas season.  Our celebrations were great and the travels were wonderful but it's great to be back home and settled.

Here's what we've been up to...

 Reading and counting in our books.  (Notice the spotless family room around them!)

Making trips to the Great Mall for walks and play time...

Had our 3-year check-up.  Healthy and both girls are in the lower 15th percentile in both height and weight.

As daddy would say..."Cool shades dude!"

Got new bedding...no more crib bedding.  Ava and Reese have pillows and real covers now!

We also started swim lessons.  Here are the girls getting into their swim suits.  We've had two lessons so far and the crying has gotten less but it typically begins with loud wails as mommy and daddy make the exit from the pool area (this is highly encouraged from the teachers)!

Went to Peachwave for Payton's 5th birthday!  Oh how time flies!

Practicing Ava's speech homework.  She started speech two times a week at Sunnyside Elementary.

Birthday and Christmas OVERLOAD!!!

Here is a photo journey to catch everyone up on the last week in Galesburg, IL...(Thanks Nana for being so good about taking pictures!)


Birthday celebration with the family at Happy Joe's Pizza.  And look at the awesome doll cake!

Christmas Eve at Gigi Pat's.  Then into our Christmas pj's!

Opening gifts on Christmas Day.

Playing in the snow at Nana and Pappy's!

Making words out of jello with our new cookie cutter letters from Aunt Heidi and Uncle Sean!

Innkeeper's Coffee with the family...cousin Brandon (Bubba) and Jori.  Reese trying to fit in with the "big kids."

Visiting the Discovery Depot Children's Museum...oh my, how AWESOME!!!

Playing with our friend Emerson at Nana and Pappy's house.

And finally...back home in Olathe enjoying our new Christmas toys!