Calling All Superheros!!!!!

Saturday we had Trey's 5th Birthday party. This was the first year that he invited all of his buddies. Trey chose a superhero theme and it was a big hit!!! I really can't believe that my baby is turning 5. He has grown up to be such a sweet little boy!!! Here are some pictures from the festivities.

The Birthday Batman

Batman and Wonderwoman

Sweet Superhero cake that my good friend Lexi made!!

Spiderman (a.k.a. Papa Joe)

Trey in front of the spread

Catwoman on the hippety hop

Ryan and Preacher Larry

The whole gang!!

Let the Holidays Begin!!!!!!

Tonight we took our annual trip to the Lights of the Ozarks in downtown Fayetteville. It was beautiful and not too cold. The kids are at a fun age for Christmas this year and had a great time!

Family Picture

Trey Bug

Momma and her kiddos.

They love Daddy!


Christmas is just not complete until
Anna Claire takes a ride on the camel!!

HO! HO! HO!

After the lights we decided we needed a little something sweet. My favorite was the red velvet Razorback cupcake. Can you say blissful??

YUMMY!!!!!!

Nana

On Thursday Michael's Nana passed away. After almost 10 years of marriage, she feels like my Nana too (I don't think she would mind me saying that). Nana was one of the sweetest, kindest ladies I have ever known. She loved her family and demonstrated this love in many ways. One of my favorite ways was through cooking. She was such a good cook and she always made plenty for everyone. Once when Trey was asking for another piece of angel food cake, I encouraged him to make sure everyone else had one first. Nana laughed and said to give him another piece as she brought out another cake! At my bridal shower at the Marvin's, Nana gave me a handwritten cookbook full of special recipes, stories and pictures. I will treasure it for the rest of my life. It was also evident through her words and actions that she was a woman devoted to the Lord. While this week has been difficult for Michael and I, we were soooo lucky to have been blessed with wonderful grandparents! We love you Nana!

Grandpa Smith

Today at 12:00 the heavens rejoiced, but my heart was saddened at the death of my sweet grandfather. Everyone that knew him loved him and thought of him as a friend. He was always just a phone call away and would drop everything if you needed him. He was a hard worker. Up until just a few months ago grandpa could work circles around a man half his age. He loved to be outdoors-fishing and hunting. He loved little children, especially his grandchildren. Tonight after her prayers Anna Claire said she would always remember Opa tickling all the kids at Nana's house. Yesterday, Trey brought home a card for Opa from his school with all the children's handprints on it. They loved him so much. Above all, grandpa loved the Lord. Knowing this is the most precious gift he could've ever given me. Tonight I can sleep in peace knowing my grandfather is in a better place. I love you papa.

My Snaggle Tooth

Anna Claire started the 1st grade this year. She is really growing up! The 2nd week of school she lost one of her front teeth (she had already lost a few on the bottom). The top tooth is really a big deal!!! The pulling of the tooth was quite dramatic, but once it was out Anna was really proud. She got $5.00 from the tooth fairy. When asked what she was going to buy with her money, she said she was giving it to daddy to help pay for her baby brother. I now know I have the sweetest, most thoughtful 1st grader ever!!!!!! Love you Anna Claire!

Seagrove Beach

We went to Disney World for our big family trip this year and decided that we weren't going to the beach. One night I decided that I really NEEDED to go to the beach. So we threw a last minute trip together with Brad, Jessica and Mary Ella and I'm sooo glad we did. We always have the greatest time at the beach. At one point Anna Claire asked "Could we stay here forever?" It was also fun to be there for Mary Ella's first beach experience. This was our first time to visit Seagrove and we really enjoyed it. It was much more laid back and quiet that Destin or Panama City. I would describe it as being quaint. Here are a few pics.

Anna and Trey chillin'

Some beach yoga

They could do this all day!!!

Anna Claire

Beach Picture Night

Aren't they cute???

Jessica, Mary Ella and Brad

My cuties

The three amigos

Marvin Family at Sunset

Mary Ella's First Birthday

Soooo.... I'm way behind on my blogging. I have definitely thought about just forwarding you to Jessica's blog for the month of August and starting again with September, but I won't. A very important event was at the beginning of August- my sweet niece Mary Ella's first birthday!!! Since most of the family (ok all of the family except Brad, Jessica and Mary Ella) live here, they decided to load up the party and bring it up to all of us. We had a great time celebrating at Pinewood Neighborhood Pool. Here are the pics!!!!

Cupcake Birthday Cake and pics of the girl

Jessica and the Birthday Princess

Crawling through the paper

Cole, Anna Claire and Hannah

Opa and Trey

Ooh, looks yummy!!

Little help please

May have overdone it!!!

Hosing her off

The happy family!!!

Surprise Visit.

Today at work I was diligently writing notes when I looked up and Michael walked into my office with a big smile on his face and papers in his hand. I instantly knew...... we finally got our CIS approval letter! I signed, he signed, got it noterized, went straight to FEDEX and it has been overnighted to Kate in New York. She will then send it off to get it authenticated. This is the last step before it goes to Washington, DC. We will soon be on the waitlist!!!!!

Lake Dwellers

We spent the past weekend at the lake with Gigi, Papa, Ranjo, Lindsay, Reese, Eli, Aunt Jessie, Mary Ella, Oma and Opa. We stayed at "The Dive" which is a lake house near Aunt Nancy and Uncle Leonard's. We were excited when we found out that Janet, Bailey and Mark were in town visiting. The kiddos had a blast tubing, swimming, going for boat rides, fishing and throwing rocks into the lake. It's so much fun to watch children enjoy nature!! Anna Claire and Bailey had a blast and had a sleepover! They have decided to be pen pals and send one another letters (they both enjoy getting mail).

Miss Mary Ella

Bailey and Anna eating some smores

Reese and Ranjo

Cousins

Trey and Reese

They rode the paddle boat all over the lake

See ya later!!!

Anna, Bailey and Mark

Captain Trey

Waitlist here we come!!!!!!

After receiving our CIS appointment last week, we looked into rescheduling it for sooner. Well it worked!!! We went to the CIS office in Ft.Smith this morning and were fingerprinted. Next stop, waitlist.

CIS APPOINTMENT!!!!!

It finally came in the mail after weeks and weeks of waiting, finding out that our info was lost, re-sending it overnight, and making several phone calls we have our CIS appointment. It is set for August 17th, but we're going to try to move it up so we can get this ball rollin!!!! We really hope to be on the wait list soon!!

Marvin Family Vacation to Disney World

The first day at Disney World we went to Animal Kingdom. We were welcomed by Mickey and Minnie. We had lots of fun in Dinoland with the cousins before heading to the Safari ride.

Getting a better view of Mickey and Minnie

Trey, Audrey and Anna


Audrey looks a little nervous

Trey's looking cool

Sweet Ride!!!

On to the Safari

Daddy and Trey

After the Safari we went to the Lion King show. It was GREAT (plus it was air conditioned)!!!!!

This is the tree of life. From afar it just looks like a big tree, but close up there are tons of carvings of animals.

Trey liked his mist fan

One of the carvings on the tree

Monkey carving with 2 monkeys posing

Going into the 3-D show (A Bugs Life)

More Bugs

The Littlest Bug




After we left Animal Kingdom, we headed down to Downtown Disney. Anna Claire had an appointment at the Bibbety Boppety Boutique. She got her hair styled, makeup and a manicure. It was all topped off with some magic pixie dust.

The before shot

During the makeover

The final product

Posing with Cinderella

The Little Princess watching a show

While Anna was being made over, Trey had fun at the Lego store.

Woody is made of Legos!

Posing

Posing with Momma

End of day 1

Day 2 was at Magic Kingdom

Cinderella's Castle

Goofy

Fairy Godmother

Minnie's House

Minnie's backyard

Mickey's mailbox

Minnie, Mickey and the kidos

Anna and Dumbo

Cooling off!!!

More cooling, it was HOT!

Still having fun!!

Buzz was a highlight

Stitch

Poppa and Anna at a show

Piggy and Kermit at the Parade
(End of Day 2)



Day 3 was at Epcot Center

The Fam

We went to the Princess breakfast in Norway.

Anna was so excited she didn't even eat. Now that's a big deal!!!!

Belle and the Girls

Snow White

Cinderella and the gang

Anna felt like royalty

Jasmine

In Great Britain we ran into Mary Poppins AND

Alice

We had such a wonderful time!!!!! Thanks so much Mike and Linda for the family vacation!!!!