Dance Recital!

I can't believe I've let over a month and a half go by without blogging! We've been busy lately and I need to do several posts to update but I'll just start with the most recent! Today was Veronika's Dance Recital. This year she took at Rock City Dance Center in Little Rock. Veronika really has a natural talent for dance and we've been really happy with this year's experience at RCDC. She performed in three dances. These were taken last night at Dress Rehearsal and I forgot to get a picture of her in her Tap costume!

Jazz Number: "Born To Be Wild"

(Not Pictured) Tap Number: "Boogie Shoes"

Hip Hop Number: "Hip Hop Dolls"

I was taking pictures of Veronika and noticed Violet off to the side posing just like her "Sissy."

I love watching my kids love each other! Violet is already enrolled for dance next year at RCDC; she wants to dance just like Veronika:)

Phoenix's First Haircut

Phoenix's hair was just out of control! I love his wild, curly locks but he was definitely in need of a trim. He was not a fan of the apron or sitting in the chair, so wonderful Mrs. Jeane just sat down on the floor with him. He was too mad at me to pose for an after picture but it looks much more controlled and more "curly" instead of just "wild"!

Happy Birthday Violet!

I can't believe my baby girl is 3 today! It seems like yesterday I was holding her in my arms and now she is officially a "Big Girl"! We had her party this past Saturday at 'The WonderPlace' (I'll post pictures from that later). Today I had plans to take her and Phoenix out to lunch and spend the day at the park, however, she wasn't feeling well and Phoenix is sick with a double ear infection so we spent the day on the couch and at the doctor's office.

Here are a few "stats" on Violet

Violet Anne Tripp

Age 3

Clothes Size: 3/4 Top, 2/3 Bottom

Shoe Size: 8

Weight:

Height: (you're check-up isn't until next month so I'll update these later)

You love singing about Jesus, it is so sweet to listen to you! I am so glad that you have lots of little girlfriends at Church and our MOPS group. Evie is your Best Friend, you love each other like sisters but also fight like sisters. Right now you aren't sleeping so great; you really fight going to bed at night and only take a nap if I lay down with you. You aren't a big eater, you really never have been. Your favorite foods are fruit, cheese and granola bars. You have been potty-trained for awhile now. You wear panties full-time and you rarely have accidents. You LOVE your brother and sister! You think you are their boss but you can also be incredibly sweet and loving! I can't believe how fast your first 3 years have flown by! Before I know it you will be going to Kindergarten! I love you so much Baby Girl!!!

Violet's First Haircut

Violet got her 1st Haircut today. I love her long hair and sweet baby curls but she really needed a good trim. I made her appointment last week and have been talking to her about it since she has a tendency to be anxious about, well, EVERYTHING! She did so well, she has been talking about it all weekend and when she woke up from nap today she told me she wanted to go see Mrs. Jeane again so she could get another haircut. You really can't tell a huge difference which I'm really happy about...I just didn't have the heart to cut alot off yet!

BEFORE

AFTER

Snapshots

February So Far...

We are stuck inside for our 2nd BIG snow of the year. I didn't take any snow pictures today because the kids just need too much help in the snow to mess with the camera. It was VERY cold and Phoenix and I only lasted about 30 minutes outside. It is amazing to me that 2 weekends ago it was 70 degrees outside! Tomorrow will be Veronika's 5th day of missed school due to snow since January! She also missed 4 days with Chicken Pox and 2 days with Strep Throat! She hasn't had a full week of school since Christmas Vacation!
Last weekend was a fun but busy one. Saturday around Noon the MOPS Steering Team met for lunch at Olive Garden. It was so nice to eat with other adults! That afternoon was Ethan's 5th Birthday Party and that evening was Veronika's Father/Daughter Dance!

Ethan's Birthday Party was a Costume Party: Phoenix went as Superman in one of Jackson's and Tucker's old costumes.

Violet went as Tinkerbell

Veronika and Steve LOVE their Valentine's Father/Daughter Dance. They have dinner, dancing and crafts.

Mischief Makers

We've had a long month! The day after Christmas Violet got Chicken Pox, 2 weeks later Phoenix got them and then last week Veronika came down with them even though she has been vaccinated! Because of this and the cold weather we've been spending a lot of time indoors and the kids have been getting into LOTS of MISCHIEF! One day this past week I was on the phone with Amanda; when I got off the phone I walked into the kitchen to discover this:

What really surprised me is that Phoenix let Violet color all over him and didn't cry or make a sound to alert me! He was probably in on it...he has really become a STINKER! One night I was making dinner and I heard Veronika yell, "Mom! Come look at Phoenix!" I walked in there and saw this:

This is just one of his favorite things to do. Lately he finds enjoyment in doing anything he shouldn't be doing! Standing on the dishwasher door, climbing onto the top bunk and throwing all of Veronika's stuffed animals over, dragging a stool to the bathroom and playing in the sink or with our toothbrushes, playing in the toilet or throwing toys in the toilet, emptying any drawer he can get to, unloading baskets of laundry, emptying trash cans...the list could go on! It is really so funny to watch him because he knows he is being naughty and gives us a really mad look when we tell him "No."

Today was a BEAUTIFUL day! We have had 2 days in the 60's and 70's, it has been like a sneak peek of Spring! We went for a walk after breakfast this morning then spent the rest of the day playing outside and even had a picnic lunch! Next week Winter temps are supposed to return but we will be ready for Spring when it decides to return!!!

Snow Day!!!

Happy Birthday Steve!

Happy 33rd Birthday Steve! You are such an amazing husband and father! We Love You!

Veronika Jayde Tripp

Veronika is 8 1/2 years old! I can't believe that our babies are all growing up! Veronika has really matured this year! She is the best big sister I have ever been around, she adores her brother and sister and helps with them anytime we need her to. She is a great student and really loves reading. She has more energy than she knows what to do with and loves her dance class! She takes Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop and Ballet for 2 hours every week! She is also a really talented artist which is something I really admire because I can't NOT draw!
Keep Scrolling Down for posts about Violet and Phoenix

Violet Anne Tripp

Violet is 2 1/2, almost 3! She is so entertaining...whether she is dancing, singing or throwing a big ol' TEMPER TANTRUM!!! She is just like her MOMMA in SO many ways...my parents think it's a real hoot! This girl NEEDS her sleep...but convincing her of that lately is becoming increasingly difficult. Most of the time she is as sweet as pie, she loves to hug us and kiss us and tell her how much she "lubs" us. She adores her big sissy and wants to be just like her! She loves her "baby buddy" too, but she also likes to show him who the dominate one is. She takes a "Mommy & Me" Gymnastics class on Tuesday nights and she loves it; I think it is really good for her to have some one-on-one time with Steve or I once a week. She goes to a "big girl" Sunday School class and has Dodi as her teacher. We love to hear her tell us what she learned about each week and what craft she did. I love that she is learning about Jesus' love so young!

Phoenix Logan Tripp

I can't believe that our Little Man will be 18 months old on January 17! He is such a fun little guy and SOOO sweet! His personality has really blossomed these past several months, he loves to make us laugh and is absolutely precious when he gets angry! He is the cuddliest little baby I have ever met, he loves to sit in our laps, hug and give us kisses. He sleeps much better than he did in the past! We put him down between 8 and 8:30pm every night and he sleeps until 5am or so, we give him a cup and he will usually go back to sleep for a couple of more hours if we are lucky!!! He is doing fantastic in all of his therapies; his Speech Therapist comes to our house on Monday and Friday mornings and we go to a clinic in Benton on Tuesday and Thursday for Physical and Developmental Therapy. He is walking really well and is starting to run...I just can't believe how much he has learned and changed in the past few months.

Christmas Decor 2010

I would definitely categorize our Christmas decor as "traditional." Of course my favorite decoration at Christmas is our tree. I love that most of the ornaments have a story behind them...our Christmas tree tells the story of our life together. As you can tell our Christmas tree was not "fully" decorated this year...thanks to a certain little boy who is very mischievious:)

We bought this ornament in 2006 to commemorate our engagement.

We bought this on our Honeymoon, 2006.

Paula bought this ornament for us for our 1st Christmas, 2006.

Veronika's "1st Christmas" Ornament, 2002

Violet's "1st Christmas" Ornament, 2008

DisneyLand Ornament, 2009-I was about pretty early on in my pregnancy with Phoenix.

Phoenix's "1st Christmas" Ornament, 2009

DisneyWorld, 2010

Thanksgiving

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever."

I love this time of year. The weather finally cools off and there is so much hustle and bustle in preparation for the Holidays. This time of year is reflective...people are a little kinder, you find forgiveness a little easier, we are reminded of how blessed we are. In honor of Thanksgiving, here is my Thanksgiving list:

• My Salvation-I was raised in a Christ centered family that was involved in church. When I was in 4th Grade I went forward at our church to be baptized. Years later, I was a freshman in college...I knew there was something missing in my life. I started reading my Bible every chance I got, I joined a Bible Study in my dorm and the Lord started to convict me. One Sunday in the Fall of 2001 I felt God's conviction so strongly that I couldn't ignore it any longer! That afternoon I knelt down beside my bed and asked Jesus to be the Lord of my Life! I am so THANKFUL that we have a Savior who forgives us!

• Our Marriage-We will celebrate our 4 year anniversary tomorrow. When I look back over the past 4 years I am amazed to see what God has done. Two years ago our marriage fell apart. Divorce seemed like the only option; there was so much hurt, anger and resentment. I am so thankful that we both decided to stay; it was ALOT of work, we spent a year in Marriage Counseling and had to rebuild our Marriage. It was by far the toughest time I have ever been through; I am beyond THANKFUL that God restored our Relationship. I have NO DOUBT that it is only by His Hand that we are in a Happy, Healthy Marriage today!

• Our Family-I feel so blessed to have a family that is so close, loving and supportive! I am so THANKFUL that my children are getting to grow up knowing their Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. I am so THANKFUL that we all are able to Worship, Serve and Learn together at East Union. I am THANKFUL for the host of other relatives we have that, although they may not be near, are always there for us. In addition, I am THANKFUL for our church family! It is so wonderful to have people who love you and are praying for you.

• Our Children-I tell Steve often that I am living my dream life! It may not seem like much to some, but all my life all I wanted to be was a wife and mother. I am reminded often how blessed we are to have 3 happy, healthy children. I know that there are countless women out there who long to be a mother and I feel so blessed to have these 3 children in my life. I am especially THANKFUL for Phoenix's health this year. He has recently been cleared by 2 Neurosurgeons. He has started his Physical Therapy and will soon start his Developmental and Speech Therapies. He has started walking and talking and getting into EVERYTHING!!!

• Steve's Job- I am so THANKFUL, especially when so many are out of work and struggling, for Steve's job. He has wonderful bosses:) We both have a peace knowing that his job is secure. I am so THANKFUL that his job provides for our family in a way that I am able to stay at home. These years are flying by and I feel so blessed to be able to stay at home and enjoy this time with our babies!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I'm BACK!!!

My camera bit the dust this summer so I've taken a break from blogging. Lucky me...Christmas came I little early for me and I was able to get a new camera! Here are a few pics from our recent trip to Branson.

Wordless Wednesday (a day late)