Dress Up

Our girls love playing dress up. They each go about playing dress up in different ways.

Madeline likes to become a certain character. She gets into role playing with facial expressions, accents, the works. She is very imaginative and we think she would make an excellent actress.

Hannah is rather eccentric in her dress up style. She likes putting together really wild costumes. She especially likes wearing fancy dress up shoes.

Here are some pics of our recent dress up moments:

Madeline in one of her favorites - a pretty dress with a hoop skirtHannah sporting a surgeon's cap, cheer vest and super girl boots

Madeline and her friend McKensey - pretty girls!

Madeline in her princess dress with 20 different rings on her fingers

My favorite recently: Hannah rocking a bright flower dress, clown hat and sun glasses

Cutie Girls

The girls at Madeline's last cheer game

Silly faces in the locker room

Madeline's new favorite thing to do is cross her eyes and stick her tongue out to the side...she says she cracks up her whole class making that face :)

Madeline and her friend Kaylynn posing for the camera

Madeline with her cheer coach, Makayla

Madeline got to dress up as a Dr Suess character at the end of Dr Suess week at school. So she wore this t shirt and I put her hair up in 7-8 ponytails all over her head. She's so adorable! Chris actually bought this t shirt and a onesie for Hannah in orlando when I was pregnant with Hannah!

After the cheer games, Madeline was given a ticket to get a snack. She chose to buy Twix this day and share one with Hannah. Sweet gesture but Messy Messy endeavor. I do think the chocolate brings out the blue of Hannah's eyes nicely :)

Upward Cheerleading

Madeline is participating in Upward Cheerleading through our church. She is so adorable! She is on a squad of other kindergarten girls and they cheer for the kindergarten/first grade girls basketball teams. She is nearing the end of her season. She has learned probably 10 cheers and a half time dance. They wear uniforms and have pom poms and megaphones. Chris and I have been so proud to see our little girl come out of her shell through cheer. Here are some pics from the beginning of the season. I'll try to upload video of Madeline cheering soon...













And here's a video of Hannah after Madeline's first cheer game...

Untitled from jen giles on Vimeo.

Madeline's Specials Presentation at School

Madeline had a specials presentation on her birthday. We were invited to come see the kindergarten classes in action, doing some of the things that they do in music, art and gym classes. I LOVED watching her participate in the activities. She has come out of her shell so much this year. 1-2 years ago, she would have stood back with a grumpy look on her face and she would have either had her arms crossed in front of her chest or her fingers in her ears. She used to hate thinking that someone might be watching her sing or dance. But now, she participates, smiles, laughs and has a great time! I was a proud mommy!

Madeline dancing with Jacob from jen giles on Vimeo.

Madeline's Book "Things I love..."

Madeline made this book at school and we think it's SO cute...
It's going in the keepsake box for sure!


"Things I love ..." by Madeline
This is not an all inclusive book, there are many other family members who Madeline loves very much but I thought it was too cute not to post!

My Aunt Chrissy

My DS :)
On the screen it says Dog Dog (with backwards Gs) b/c Nintendogs is her favorite game.

Mom and Dad


Hannah

I love you Very Very Much

Christmas Eve 2009

We celebrated Christmas Eve with Papa and Chrissy. We had a great dinner and fun time opening presents. We ended the evening with a big blizzard that dumped about a foot of snow on Tulsa. Papa had to drive home that night and it took him 4 1/2 hours (compared to the normal 1 1/2). We were grateful for his safe arrival back home and grateful to be snuggled inside our cozy home!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Our college "kids"

Chris and I began serving in our church's youth group 4 years ago and I was priviledged to be a D Group leader for an amazing group of girls from their sophomore year through graduation. When they graduated last May, Chris and I along with 4 other dear friends decided to head up the college ministry. I still get to see "my girls" in class and I'm getting to know an awesome group of kids. Trying to lead a group of really very mature and intellectual students is so humbling for me, which is good! It's a character builder for sure! I love these students so much...I like pretending that I'm still close to their age. Anyway, we had a blast at our christmas party and I took a million pictures. But I wanted to post this one just to show you some of our students and fellow leaders

bottom row L to R: Daniel, Allison, Rachel

2nd row L to R: Kelsey, Allie, Beth and Karol

3rd row L to R: Jen, Kathy (leader) and Carolyn

4th row L to R: Monty (leader), Schuyler, Chris (leader), Ed (leader), Zach, Zach and Matt