Home Sweet Home!!!

You are looking at the future site of the new Varnell Home Sweet Home! We put down money to build a wonderful new home for our family. It is in a new neighborhood in Pearland, Southern Trails and backs up to a great lake. Lucy was already scoping out the duck situation. We are so excited and just a little bit nervous. We are hoping to be moved in by the time school starts next year! Now, we just have to sell our house in Fairfield... Anyone looking for a house?

Picasso?

Feel better soon, Granny!

Happy Birthday, Nana!

Lucy and I decided to do a little painting while Gracie was snoozing today. It is amazing what a mess one little girl can make. She really has impressive skills though. She was able to sling paint all the way across the room. I really hope someone doesn't want to see the house today. I might give myself a stroke trying to scrub my little artist's masterpiece off the wall.

Bad Hair Day

Why is it so cute when a baby has a bad hair day, but people look at me like I should be in a padded room?

Gone in 60 seconds...

In an ongoing effort to become better with my fancy smancy camera, I decided to get it out and fiddle with it while Goose was taking a nap. It seemed like Grace was going to be a willing subject....

but by the time I was all set up she had other plans...

Backdrop - check

Camera - check

Lighting - check

Wings - check

Smiley, Happy baby - umm... not on your life, lady!!

Darn the two teeth coming in on top and making life miserable for her (and Mommy).

I snapped this right before her meltdown was complete. She was looking for her paci.

Seashells, Sand, & Lots of Sunshine

After yesterday's dreary day, we decided to not waste such a beautiful day today and packed up the girlies and headed to the beach. It was gorgeous and not very crowded. We spent a couple hours looking for shells and digging in the dirt. It was lots of fun and such a treat in the middle of February. Lucy had a blast and brought home a whole bucket of shells. Gracie loved the sand and crawled all over the place. She managed to eat more than I would have liked, but I guess it won't hurt her. We even bought a couple kites and Lucy flew one all by herself. Lucy would have stayed all day and dug holes in the sand. I took literally 300 pictures, but this one takes the cake! Some day, she is going to be so mad at Mommy...

Happy I Love You Day

Just a little note to all our friends and fam out there.... Hope you all have a fabulous Valentine's Day. We have a very busy day planned. Lucy is having a Valentine's Party at school today. She worked so hard on her cards for her friends. She wanted to write her name on every one. It took a lot of patience (Mommy's) and a few uh-ohs, but we got all 12 done. After school today, we have a cookie decorating party with some friends. And then, we will have a big dinner when the boys get home! There is lots of love in this house....

Resolutions and Laundry Baskets

Is it too late for New Year's resolutions? I had a moment of craziness yesterday and spent 30 minutes pushing the girls in a laundry basket. They both loved it. I realized the other day, I don't spend enough time just being silly with the girls, so that is my new new year's resolution. Of course, it is mid February, but maybe it will stick better than my other resolutions. The one I made on Jan. 1 (to lose 15 pounds) hasn't really started yet... Maybe next Monday.

Who Loves Avacado....

Gracie does.... She was shoving the pieces in as fast as I could cut them up. I hope she keeps up her good eating habits. Lucy used to eat anything we put in front of her too, but now she is much pickier.

This picture didn't come out very good, but I thought it was cute. Grace follows Lucy all over the house. Most of the time, Lucy is a very patient big sister. Except the other day, I caught her on the phone with her Poppy, complaining about Gracie making a mess in her room. Messes are a big NO-NO these days, with our house on the market and she was pleading her case to him.

Silly Goose

So, I don't normally post funny stories about Lucy, but today I have a good one. We were waiting at the oil change place for our car to get finished with our free wash. We were sitting in the waiting room with just one other lady. Lucy was pushing Gracie in the stroller and talking to me. I looked up and noticed our truck was coming out of the car wash. I pointed it out to Lucy and said, "Here comes our truck." About the same time the lady waiting with us gets up and starts walking to the door. Lucy looks right at her and says "That's our car, Silly Goose! You have to wait your turn." I was so embarassed and quickly told Lucy " We don't call other people we don't know, Silly Goose. It isn't nice." Luckily, the lady just laughed and went out the door.

Lucy makes me laugh about 75 times a day. She has gotten really articulate and says some of the most grown up things. Lately, she is in to telling everyone "good job!" For example, "Mommy, do you see that water tower?" "Yes, Lucy." "Good Job, Mommy! Good looking!"

Anyways, I just thought I would share a little humor from my day. I will have to remember more of them, so that I can share again. Before, I know it she will be 15 and won't talk to me at all!

Hope everyone has a great week!

To Move, or Not to Move.... We have our answer!

We are officially for sale! Chris has been pushing to move for two years, and I have finally agreed. We have loved our first home and I am very sad to be leaving all our friends, but in the long run this is the best decision for our family. We will be able to spend more time together, if Chris isn't sitting in traffic 3 hours per day. Hopefully, we will find just as good of friends in our new neighborhood! Now, if I can just figure out how to keep a house with two little ones clean, so that people won't see my true chaos.

If you know anyone looking for a great house, on an awesome street, in a fabulous neighborhood, let us know!!!

Super Bowl Sunday

We had a little family get together for the Super Bowl, with lots of food of course... The game was pretty exciting, so that made it even better!

MOMS Club Picnic

Our local MOMS Club had a family picnic on Saturday. The day was gorgeous and the girls had a blast. We have made some really great friends through the club and love getting together with them.