Texas Time!

The kids and I have had an amazing trip to Texas! We went to Texas to celebrate Nonnie Dee (my Grandma's) 81st birthday.

We went with our good friends Karen and Hannah- here we are checking in for our flight! The kids were SO excited!


All ready to go- look at the 3 cute rolling back-packs.



Having dinner while waiting for our flight- so cute!


Keeping an eye on our plane- making sure it doesn't leave without us.

Busy playing on the flight- the kids were all SO good- here Addie making a snowman family!

These 2 holding hands- they have such a love-hate relationship. We were very thankful to have use of Karen's brother's truck- it fit all 6 of us- Karen, Hannah, Addie, Alden, me and Karen's Dad- whew!

The night we had 2 Hannah's- we had such fun spending a day in Dallas before we left for Palestine in the morning.

We met-up with a family that I teach- the kids had a blast playing! Here we are with Hannah, my student- Alden LOVED playing in their sandbox! After we played, we had a super yummy lunch prepared just for us, in true Texan style- lots, and lots of food!

And once we left Hannah's family, we met-up with another student, Emma-Evelyn and her family the kids LOVED them, too.

Finally we made it to Nonnie Dee's house- here they are putting on a piano show for us all!

Addie and Aunt Carolyn busy with puzzles

Alden, aka The Joker, playing with Aunt Carolyn

We visited the Texas Railroad, but it was closed- still, Alden loved seeing the real Choo-Choos!

Visiting Regan Park- the big building is where Nonnie Dee went to Jr. High- and below this is where an old park was- were my Dad and I played as kids- this one is new and in a slightly different location.

4 Generations

Addie modeling her 2 new gifts- Monkey Jammies from Aunt Carolyn and snazzy shoes from MarMar Young

Addie swinging on the PopPop Swing- what fun!

Toasting Nonnie Dee- yay!

A Celebration Dinner- thanks to Aunt Cindi- yum!

The Birthday Girl

Nonnie Dee had plenty of enthusiastic help opening her gifts!

Addie, aka Tinkerbell, flying in to say good-night

The whole clan

Playing with bubbles in the back yard- PopPop Old was such a hit with the kids- they are still talking about all the fun they had with him!

A new family pic

Alden attempting to fill PopPop's shoes....

Working puzzles together

We were supposed to leave Dallas early Tuesday morning, but due to the chance of snow flurries, our flight was canceled and we were rebooked for 7pm. We filled the day with fun at the mall playground, naps and some fun at Karen's parent's house.

After playing on the playground, we rode the carousal- what fun! Hannah looked like she was riding the horse, but at the last min, she changed to the rooster!

Proof that I was there, too!

Finally we made it to the airport- and we got to ride a "choo-choo" to make it to our gate- the kids loved it!

At 10:40pm, we made it home and were thrilled to find both Daddies waiting for us!! It was a great time visiting family- and we enjoyed the generous hospitality offered to us by Karen's parents- we got to eat at some yummy restaurants, they loaned us a car, and let us stay with them. We had an amazing time in Texas- yee-haw!

Valentine's Days

In true Perreca Fashion, we have been able to spread out the love from Valentine's Day!

We started off on Friday with making a cake for Mommy and Daddy can cupcakes for the kids- these pics are just hilarious, which is why I posted them. Actually, the kids had a blast!

Alden needing more hearts


Just too funny for words....


I promise you, she isn't choking....


The finished product of the cake- too bad it didn't taste good....


Showing which cupcake is hers


And once it was all done, we snuggled on the couch together to watch some Olympics!


The following day the kids got their Valentine's Day gifts from Al and me- balloons! (Thanks, Karen for the tip that they were at the Dollar Store!) The kids LOVED them so much that the said balloons had to be tied onto their beds at night, so they could "sleep" with them! I love how simple pleasures still make my kids happy!

Addie and "her" frog


Alden and "his" monkey- he is already a bit deflated since the 2 of them had been fighting a bit...


And here is poor Kierke having the 2 balloons shoved in her face- she takes a lot, the poor dog....

Lost Pics

As you might recall, we "lost" our camera about a week ago. Well, it was found!! Yay!! While Ruby was beautiful- she cost money, so back she went. Where was our camera? In Al's ski jacket pocket! He never holds the camera- so we think one of the kids must have taken the camera and put it in his coat. The point- we are glad to have our old camera back!

Here are the pics we had taken with it- it was such a fun time with the kids, I'm glad to have these memories now!

Al- super creative- thought about trying to use the kayak as a sled! Great idea, sadly, it didn't really work as the snow was too deep... Addie SO excited to give it a try!


At the top of the hill on the amazing, old-fashioned sled that Al had slicked up! We were super popular- everyone wanted to use our sled as it was the only one that made it down the hill- and it went FAST! Here Alden is ready to go with Al.


SO sweet- Alden LOVES his Daddy- on the way back up the hill with the sled.


Here Mommy is taking off with both kids!

Cabin Fever...

We have been stuck inside a bit these days thanks to the snowy weather. We have done our best to make it a fun time.... We will see if we can still have fun after this next predicted storm makes it way through.... It does feel and look more like we moved to upstate New York, not Virginia!

Addie checking out the snow- Alden, still, wakes-up every morning and is shocked to see snow outside!


Our good friend Kelleigh came by and introduced us to Rainbow cookies- what a fun break!


A picnic breakfast while watching " 'mercial kid tv" as Addie calls it- aka, The Disney Chanel.


Addie LOVES her babies, dressing them up, and creating detailed stories about them, their birthday's, their daddy's, where they live, their classmates- she always has a story to tell about her doll of the day! Here, she had finished creating Cinderella's (who she is holding) birthday invitation using dry erase markers- which are all over her hands and face - sigh....


Alden LOVES his knit hat and mittens. Here he is showing off his bear mittens.


See, they CAN be worn inside- he can play cars WITH them on!


Addie deep in thought- choosing which outfit her doll should wear

A New Addition...

Last week, a sad occurrence happened at our house- our camera disappeared. At first, I thought it had been misplaced by some certain little ones who shall remain nameless.... But after turning the house inside out, it was determined that it must have fallen out of my coat pocket while we were sledding. Since I have a photography addiction, a new camera needed to be procured. After some research (thanks all of you who gave suggestions)- we made a purchase today.

Without further ado, I introduce you to Ruby, our newest addition (and you thought I was pregnant- lol!). Hopefully her bright color will help me not loose her....


Once charged, Ruby was put to work- I had been a whole week without taking any pictures!!

The kids were in cute Valentine clothes- so I took some pics for their Valentines!

Isn't my little boy SO handsome?!?



Addie is full of kisses these days- here she is blowing one!


And now she's just plain cute and sassy!

This says SO much- Addie LOVES her brother and he tolerates it and even enjoys it a teensy bit!

These 2 get along SO well (most of the time)- they are such joys!

And what photo session would be complete without an attempt at a family pic!