We actually had a bit of snow in Fredericksburg TX on February 23, 2010! The flakes weren't falling fast enough for Chelsea so she shook the tree to help them along. This was the first 'sticking' snowfall she has seen since she was 4, and she is almost 22. Fun day!

It was great snowball-packing snow, so as soon as Chloe went down for a nap we three were out for some exercise. Darn, I was looking the wrong way and he got me!!

Gotcha Chels!!

Chelsea trying to make up with her Dad after a major hit.

Checking out the miniature icicles hanging from the deck and the beautiful large flakes.

This was the view in the Biblical garden at work, when I saw the snow covering the daffodils and the cactus I knew I needed to take the afternoon off and go home to have some fun.

The entrance to our house as the snow was first starting to collect.

"Hey Gramps, what is that stuff?"

Chelsea and Chloe with their snow blob alien.

We don't get snow very often, and this just goes to show that it doesn't take much to make some great family memories. Priceless!

Mom- Chelsea Cowan, Chloe Grace & Dad Erik Elliott
We had a lovely day on Sunday January 24, 2010 - all came together to celebrate Chloe Grace's baptism at the Methodist Church as well as her first birthday party.

Chelsea' choice for Godmother - SueEllen Miller
Chelsea Cowan
Erik Elliott holding Chloe Grace
Erik's choice for Godparents the Cleggs
Fredericksburg United Methodist Church
Chloe is wrapped in a quilt made by the church quilt group to commemorate her baptism and symbolizes her being 'wrapped in God's love'

Home for the birthday party!! Chloe was having fun with her gifts. Just a small gathering of family and friends for gifts, cupcakes and fun.

Chloe and Mommy checking out a gift

She's getting the hang of the paper thing!!

She even took the time to admire the cards.

Now it's on to her first cupcake. She really wasn't upset at the singing or candle, she was just ready to eat!

Ahhh, confetti cupcake with strawberry glaze "I wonder what this is?"

"Even though I STILL have no teeth, I can manage this yummy cupcake!"

The whole day was a lot of fun, and to add to the excitement Chloe started walking just a couple of days ago, so her exploring and mobility just got notched up considerably.
We love you Chloe Grace!

Christmas time's a comin!! The decorating has begun and with this being Chloe's first Christmas she had to help with the tree. Here are Chelsea and Chloe putting the top on the tree!
May this season be blessed and joyous for all of you.

Hats off and heartfelt thanks to the veterans in my life:
Victor Lloyd Koplin (my Dad) WWII - Navy
Willa Mae Davis Koplin (my Mom) WWII - Marines
Edward J. Liest, MD (my brother in law) Korea then served a second go around as flight surgeon in Air Force, he died while still serving - 1983
Waylon D. Cowan (my husband) Vietnam - Army Guard
Gaylon L. Cowan (my brother in law) Vietnam - Navy

Also I was proud to serve in the US Air Force - 1979-1983
God Bless the USA!!

Holiday Season and Weight Loss - YES they can go together!

As we move in to the holiday season I want to share one of my new favorite recipes. I was on the Weight Watchers journey last year, and though I have now reached my goal (and lost 60 lbs) all during the holiday season last year I consistently lost weight. I never felt deprived and I ate my favorite foods, just less of them! This recipe has become one of my staples, and gets me through 'sweet attacks'. Hope you like it!

Angel Food Pumpkin Cake

1 box of angel food cake mix (the kind you mix with water)

1 can of packed pumpkin

1 cup of water

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Mix all ingredients throughly - bake in a 9X13 pan at 350* for approx. 30 minutes.

If you cut into 12 pieces, each serving counts as 3 WW points. I cut smaller pieces, so fewer points!! Enjoy

Chloe and Chelsea on this beautiful fall day at our home in Fredericksburg TX

This picture was just too funny NOT to post! I look like I have no teeth, Chelsea is laughing at something hysterical and Chloe has her tongue out as if to say "my family - blblblblblb!"
Kind of looks like a scene from the Wizard of Oz - hmmmm - but I am not the wicked witch!!

Chelsea and Chloe, in her pumpkin costume (from the Greatest Aunt Judy) as we got ready to go have her picture taken in town. Such a cutie!

This was such a fun thing!! I found a new resale shop in Kerrville, TX and purchased all of these sweaters for $17 . There are 2 very large men's sweaters, both Merino wool (very pricey in the yarn world, way out of my budget!) The pale blue in the front is a beautiful 100% cashmere cardigan. The pink is an uber soft angora rabbit sweater, the yellowish green is a Banana Republic, also 100% wool. The teal in the background is a silk/cotton cardigan. With the exception of the cashmere, which will remains 'as is' for my daughter, I have 'frogged' or ripped out all of the sweaters for the yarn. The teal sweater yielded 5 balls of lovely silk yarn, which I promptly crocheted into the shawl shown below.

So for $3 and some relaxing time crocheting I have a beautiful shawl, which I entered into the Gillespie County fair and won a blue ribbon!! I am still planning what to make with the other yarns, but I have a wonderful new stash of quality yarns, all from shopping at a resale shop.
It's also pretty fun to see a pic of myself and realize that really is me, 56 lbs lighter!!