I haven't blogged in awhile & I wanted to catch you up on some of the recent happening in the Penuel family...enjoy!
As I have said before, Chapman LOVES his cousin, Claire, & she loves him right back. We spent a few nights over there this past week & I tried to capture some cute "cousin" moments. It is so neat that they are close in age & it will continue to be fun for years to come...
Here are some special cousin moments...
playing with some toys...
their sippy's...so cute!
eating dinner together (notice the matching bibs!)
singing "Wheels on the Bus"
I think we can escape if we go at the same time!
"I hold Chappy!"
bathtime!!
jammies...
We had so much fun!! Thank you Aunt Jen :)
My friend Megan had tickets to "High School Musical" - the actual musical - & invited me to go along on Wednesday night! I was so excited & we had such a fun night! First, we ate yummy dinner at Pei Wei, then headed down to Fair Park, fighting the traffic of people heading to the Jonas Brothers concert, which was also down near Fair Park on the same night - crazy! We had a blast & the show was awesome...thanks Megs!!
Dinner at Pei Wei...
So Excited in the Car!
I love HSM!!
This past week, David was asked to speak at a junior high camp up near Westminster, north of McKinney. Chapman & I decided to tag along to make it a fun, family trip. The camp was really new & nice...we were so impressed with all of the facilities.
We stayed in "Teacher Cabin 2" & I was transported back to my old Kanakuk/Pine Cove days when I crawled into my bunk bed to sleep the first night...that's right! Bunk bed!! Chapman & I ended up only staying the first 2 nights & then headed for a sleepover with Aunt Jen & Claire. Before we left, we loved watching David speak (he was awesome) & swimming in the lake & the pool.
I am so proud of my husband & the incredible gift he has for really connecting with junior high kids through his talks :) Great job sweetie!
I did a TERRIBLE job taking pictures, but here are a few...
Chapman & Daddy in our cabin!
The fun pool...
Lounging by the pool - splashing!
Chapman's sweet cousin Claire turned 2 at the end of June. We had a family cook-out over at the Nelson's & Claire opened all of her fun presents! We sure love our precious niece/cousin :)
Click here for a few pictures!
This past week, Chapman & I took a road trip up to Fort Smith, AR to visit some of my dearest friends, Kathryn & Cody Friddle. Chapman got to play with his precious friends, Ellie (almost 2) & Sam (4 months).
We had so much fun at the Friddle's. Kat & I loaded Chapman's carseat into their car so we had 3 baby carseats spread across the backseat - hilarious! The first night we headed to the pool to swim. Ellie & Chapman had a blast in the baby pool. Sam decided to just snooze in his carrier :)
Cody is a dentist in Fort Smith, and he opened a satellite office in Van Buren, AR (a nearby town). We got to go to the grand opening & official "ribbon-cutting" ceremony of Center for Smiles in Van Buren. The office looked awesome & we had delicious cookies & lemon bars to munch on.
I LOVED getting the chance to see my sweet friend & catch up :) It is crazy to think that we are both mommies now!! I can't wait until we get to see them again :)
Click here for some pics from our trip.
The Penuels are finally back from our week of traveling. Chapman & I drove with my family up to Breckenridge, CO last Saturday & Sunday. Chapman did great in the car...not much sleeping, but LOTS of looking at toys & throwing them down next to his carseat. David flew up on Sunday after church to join us at the beautiful cabin that my dad rented up on Peak 7 in Breckenridge.
The place was so awesome & we had such a fun time with family. There was a talent show, fly-fishing, outlet mall shopping, lots of games, good meals, swimming, Wii Mario Cart & lots of picture-taking!! It even snowed on Poppi's birthday!
Chapman LOVES his cousins Madeline, Jack & Claire & he got a taste of being the youngest of 4 children!
Thanks so much to Grammy & Poppi for planning such a wonderful vacation!
Click here for a slideshow of pictures.
I absolutely love our playgroup! Today we met at Kara & Tanner's & let the boys play, play & PLAY! They were fascinated with the baby gate & loved when Brittney made bubbles. We, of course, tried our best to get a pic of the ones who were there (We missed you Hudson!). I was laughing at the mommies as we tried to get them to sit still when 4 of the 5 are walking & they are scooting ALL over the place. Here is what the group picture looked like back in November...it was quite a different story.
Reid, Hudson, Chapman & Tanner (missing Quinn & Porter)
And here are the boys today...
Reid, Porter, Tanner, Chapman & Quinn (missing Hudson)
So much fun...what blessings they are!! What a difference a few months can make!
Click here for a few more pictures from the day.
The Penuels traveled to Austin this past week-end to celebrate David's dad's birthday. We ate at fun restaurants like PF Chang's & Hula Hut, and Chapman enjoyed his first swim!! He wasn't sure of the water at first, but he warmed up pretty quickly & played in his floatie.
He was such a good traveler & had fun getting to see Hoosier!
Click here for some pictures.
The Penuels enjoyed a fun Memorial Day weekend working around the house. It all started with an eternal trip to Home Depot to get the supplies to build a patio in our backyard. We had bought some cute red chairs & found cushions at Target, but we wanted a spot where we could sit & enjoy being outside. While we were at the Depot, I wandered around the garden center trying to decide what flowers I should plant in my front yard. I would love your thoughts??
David went to work & laid stones to make the perfect place for us to relax in the evenings. It was really hard work, but he was a champ! It turned out to be just what we wanted...you will notice in our pictures that Chapman's Exersaucer makes a wonderful centerpiece!
In the evenings, we enjoyed a few nights of grilling out w/friends, playing Wii, & watching the 1st 2 Indiana Jones movies (which I, Alli, had never seen!) in preparation for the new one.
All in all, such a great weekend with my family!! I also threw in one fun picture of my small group girls - love them!
Click here for some pictures.
It was such a weird night last night at our house.
Alli and I had some friends over for the American Idol finale and we were genuinely surprised and so happy for David Cook when he was announced the winner. David shared his victorious experience with his family and it was obvious that the joy they felt was even more pronounced because of the sadness they also share with David's brother Adam who is suffering from cancer. I jumped right on the emotional roller coaster with them.
Next, we turned on the Nintendo Wii and started enjoying some games of Mario Kart with our friends. In the midst of our relaxed, playful fun I received a few messages relaying the news of the tragedy that hit the Chapman family. Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest adoptive daughter, Maria, died in an accident at the family's home around 5pm on Wednesday evening. I have great respect and admiration for Steven and his family. I've been so influenced by his life and music that I actually named my first son Chapman. I was greatly saddened by the news and my heart feels for his family right now.
After quickly reading the article online about what happened, I kicked back into "host" mode and the games continued on the Nintendo Wii. Isn't that odd how we ride these roller coasters of emotions? How life is going on all around us and every moment sees some experiencing the greatest joy of their life while others experience the greatest sadness?
To deal with the mixed emotions I'm feeling, I did the only thing I know how to do in moments like this. I opened up the word.
1 Corinthians 15:53-56
53For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 55"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is a necessary reminder for me to dwell on what God says true victory is. David Cook's triumph on stage doesn't hold a candle to the victory that little Maria is experiencing through Jesus Christ. What happened to her must happen to all of us and, for those who trust in Christ, our death will be swallowed up in victory.
Click her to meet & remember Maria Chapman.
The Penuels had a busy Mother's Day weekend that kicked off Friday night with the Watermark Volunteer Appreciation Night. It was such a fun night filled with good food, fun people, the staff dance number, a really funny comedian & yummy desserts. I was really blown away by how many people are serving as volunteers in our church in countless ways!
Saturday we headed to Jack's 8th birthday SPORTS PARTY at the park. The boys played hockey, football, soccer, etc. Chapman chilled on a blanket attempting to stay cool.
On Mother's Day, I got a sweet card & gift from my boys in the morning before church. We got to enjoy lunch with Grammy & dinner with Marmi. I am so thankful for moms & I sure love being one to Chapman!!
Click here for more pictures.
This weekend was a fun one for the Penuels. Chapman has become a bit more adventurous with his crawling...exploring the kitchen, under the table, etc. We loved watching him scoot around. Pretty soon, I feel like we will be chasing him all over the house!
We also bought a swing to put in our backyard. Chapman loved being outside in the beautiful weather & so did we!
Click here to see some more pictures.
We celebrated David's birthday last week-end with the Penuel family tradition of waking up the birthday boy wearing "crazy" hats! The three of us had a blast eating breakfast in bed, then moving into the kitchen for more presents. We sure love Daddy!!
Other events over the past week include a shower for our friends Patrick(Bode) & Ashley, Chapman learning to "army crawl" across the floor, cousin Jack's baseball game, and Chapman's fun playgroup coming to our house. Chapman loves having his little buddies over to play!!
Click here for more pictures.
OK, so this is embarrassing. The entire time we have had our blog, I (Alli) have not done a post by myself. David usually handles the technical stuff in the family & I just sit next to him saying "That looks good." , "Add that picture." , etc, etc. Needless to say, my husband is the best!!
I am attempting my first post by listing some of my favorite things (idea stolen from Brittney). So here it goes...
1. Anthropologie
This is my absolute favorite store! The home section has a really cool style & is the perfect place to find gifts. The clothes are really fun (esp. the sale closet). I don't get to buy too often, but the things I have from there are some of my favorites!!
2. Watermark Community Church
I love my church! The people who I have met there are some of the most amazing, authentic people I have ever met. David's time on staff there has been such a blessing to our family. Come visit anytime...www.watermark.org
3. Pajama Pants
I own WAY too many pairs of pj pants, but I don't care!
4. Viva Papertowels
I know. This is a random one. But these papertowels are so soft & when wet, they are perfect for wiping baby food off of sweet little mouths! (I give the credit to my sister...she started me on them)
5. Scrabble
David & I love to play regular Scrabble, but "Rapid Scrabble" or "Fast Scrabble" is a favorite of my family & friends. No board necessary.
6. Gilmore Girls
My sister & I used to get together every Tuesday night for the newest episode of Gilmore Girls. Now, we just go through the DVDs (that's right, we own them all!)
7. Chips & Queso
I think I am ALWAYS in the mood for chips & queso. In Dallas, a few of my favorite quesos are at Chuy's, Mattito's & Tin Star.
8. Flavored Coffee Creamer
I have never been much of a coffee drinker, but if you drown the coffee in Cinnamon Vanilla Cream Creamer, how can you not LOVE it?? At Christmas, we stock up on the Peppermint Mocha flavor.
9. Northpark
Northpark is one of my favorite places. David & I love to go there, eat at the food court, & go see a movie. I also love taking Chapman in the stroller & just walking some laps :) Lots of fun stores & good food.
10. My Boys
David & Chapman are 2 of my favorite people in the entire world...aren't they handsome??
11. "Mark of the Lion" Series
Francine Rivers is an amazing author who wrote the "Mark of the Lion" Series. It consists of 3 books, and if you give them a try, you will be hooked! The first is called A Voice in the Wind.
12. Painting
I used to paint wooden letters for my kindergarten students at the end of each year. Painting is such a relaxing & fun thing for me to do.
13. Blogs
I love reading family blogs...gaining ideas for creative things to do with your kids, reading hilarious stories, keeping up with old friends, & seeing some precious pictures.
Chapman's friend Wyatt Smith celebrated his first birthday today with a puppy themed party at the park. All of the guests loved wearing their doggie ears and noses. Chapman had fun hanging out with his friends Cade and Grace (pictured above) even though he was a little sleepy the whole time (that's why we couldn't seem to snap a picture of him smiling). We sure love our little "pup".
Click here for a slideshow of pictures
Last week, we enjoyed another Penuel family first...a professional haircut for Chapman! We headed over to "Cool Cuts" where Chapman sat in a taxi and watched Baby Einstein while the professionals set to work at taming the beast that had grown up on his head. Check out the pictures and we think you'll agree that they did a pretty good job!
Click here for a slideshow of pictures.
The Penuels were back in Dallas for Easter Sunday (pictures) and we attended the 11am service at Watermark. For lack of a better word, the "theme" of the morning was "It Ain't Over Even When It's Over." There were three phenomenal videos shown and two of them can be viewed below.
We especially love the clip above because it features a handful of vocalists from Watermark (Shout outs to Cary Pierce, Sarah Stehlik, Sasha Thomas, Kyle Richardson, Linda Martin, and Charly Thomas)
This past Monday, Alli & Chapman headed off to Play Group in Allen (pictures) where our friend Amy hosted an Easter-themed photo shoot that didn't go off as hoped. For some additional incredible pictures from the shoot, click the picture below...
Finally, Chapman got a chance last weekend to hang out with his "Great Gran" and great "Aunt Sidney" (pictures) when they came to Dallas for a visit. We spent Saturday evening with them and then they joined us for a great morning at Watermark and an excellent lunch at Cantina Laredo.
