Four Years Young

Kylie turned 4 last week!  I can't believe we're already at four, and yes, I'm sure I'll still be saying that at 20, 30, and beyond.  She decided the agenda for the day:  early morning zoo, followed by gymnastics, lunch, and backyard pool time.  Then, a few days later we celebrated with friends and family.

 She chose a Hello Kitty theme for her party.   It was a great day, with fun had by all!

Here are a few of the highlights...

Sisters at the zoo

Hangin' with the giraffes

Hello Kitty Cake

Pizza

Pinata

Merry-go-round

Presents

Eating cake...

and then eating her neighbor's cake!

And of course, lots of love from Mom & Dad!

Lately...

Things around here lately have just been going along as usual - although our "usual" is usually a little offbeat!

We went to Oklahoma for a week in April.  Philip had a script in the Bare Bones Film Festival - you can read more about that here.  The girls and I spent our days catching up with dear friends & family.

We even hit Tulsa's Rose Garden before we left town!

When we got back home, Kylie's school had a "Donuts with Dad" day...aren't they so cute?

 

 And Avery has really started earning her keep around here...

in fact, she is apparently working so hard that she can't even stay awake through dinner!

That's all for now, folks!  Hope this little update finds each of you well.
Love,
The Dorrs

Birthday Week!

The first week of April is a BIG birthday week around here...Philip's is April 2 and mine is April 4.  Yes, we are both Aries, both firstborns, and have a *little* age difference...it all works well for us somehow  =)

We spent Philip's birthday at the park and had a great lunch at Little Italy, a local family-owned Italian place.  Spaghetti is its own food group in Philip's world, so he couldn't have been more delighted!

My birthday got rained out so we had to resort to the indoor sport of shopping!  The girls had almost as much fun, but I think Dad's day "took the cake"  =)

When Pigs Are Purple

We knew we had fallen hard and far from our kosher days in Israel when we found ourselves at a local bbq joint called Purple Pig Cafe.Everyone around here knows the Purple Pig, but for friends and family afar, here's a little taste of our afternoon....

We started by discovering Kylie's shoes had been on the wrong feet all day.

We enjoyed decor like this...

and this.

We hugged Hawaiian Indians

and played in giant teepees.

As you can see, we have found the perfect little Texas bbq joint to bring our guests to!  So, if you're planning on visiting prepare your bellies for something like this...

Sadly, as we piled in the car to leave Avery asked, "Where's the purple pig?"  Poor thing was just plum disappointed!

St. Paddy's Day @ the Farm

For St. Paddy's Day the family congregated at the farm for the girls' first cookout/camp-out!  Growing up, I have fond memories of nights out in the pastures, fire blazing, marshmallows roasting, and a little battery operated radio playing in the background.   I am thrilled that Kylie and Avery will have the same sort of memories to reflect on!

Our lovelies.

Wild weeds, roots and all.

The neighbor's dog joined the festivities.  She was suprisingly photogenic!

Although we didn't actually spend the night in the tent, the concept was introduced!  I think we realized we wouldn't be sleeping there when Kylie protested, "But there isn't a bath in this place!"

Thirsty after playing so hard!

Evidence of the hard play  =)

Uncle Stone making our roasting sticks

Pop building the fire

Kathleen & Gan 

Armed with the "smellows" whenever Dad is ready!

Aunt Kathleen the carnivore (Nick is still in Ranger School!)

A Month of Love

February has come and gone so quickly for us! It's hard to remember what we've been doing with our winter days...
but here are a few of this mama's recollections...

For Valentine's my parents came up for a visit and spoiled the girls with several cute outfits and a little chocolate! Then we all met up at the farm for a nice brunch and enjoyed mimosas with Aunt Mary and Gann :-)

Kylie with her goody bag from Aunt Mary

Sweet Valentine chairs made by Gann and Big Der - Thank you!

The following weekend Kylie, Avery, and I drove down south to attend my cousin Ty's wedding in Pt. Neches, TX. He married a beautiful Vietnamese girl named Christina, so the ceremony was held at a Vietnamese Catholic Church and the priests switched back and forth between English to Vietnamese. A first for me!

Waiting with KiKi & Pop for the ceremony to begin

Prayer for the couple

The lovely bride

The reception was GORGEOUS!

My mom and her cousin, Suzy.

My littles danced the night away...Kylie actually woke up with a cramp in her leg the next morning!

Other events, that didn't get their picture taken...
~ Kylie's preschool Valentine party - she had a blast and came home with way too much sugar.

~ Philip attended the National Religious Broadcasting (NRB) conference in Nashville for a week and had a lot of very productive meetings. We are still gearing up to film The Savior this coming spring/summer. You can watch the trailer by clicking here, if you're interested.

~ Somewhere in the middle of it all Philip swept me off to a lovely Valentine's dinner at a very romantic little French restaurant while KiKi and Pop kept the girlies :)

All in all it has been another blessed month. God is good and we thank him daily for each of you, our family and friends.

"Jimmy-nastics"

For Christmas my grandmother gave Kylie and Avery gymnastics lessons and we have been loving every minute of it! I don't have any pictures of Avery because hers is parent participation class and I can't very well wield a child and a camera simultaneously! And the pictures of Kylie aren't too fantastic because the lighting wasn't great - - but you'll get the idea.

Workin' the high beam with Miss Mona

About to take the big jump

Popping up from one of her perfect somersaults

Only her second time on the parallel bars and she is doing fantastic!