The Mullis Kids

By this point in our Stateside time, the kids didn't know if we were coming or going but they enjoyed every minute of it. They were very excited to go to North Carolina to see Grandma, PaPaw and Uncle Greg. We left Texas right before Christmas so we were able to celebrate Christmas with Eric's family on Christmas day.

The kids were thrilled to see all the presents waiting for them when we arrived! They couldn't believe that we got to do Christmas twice. :) Here is Emma and Owen posing with Grandma's tree.

Honestly, trying to get two kids to smile and actually look at the camera at the same time is a feat! This is our family's Christmas photo.

Owen absolutely loves his PaPaw! He follows him everywhere!

Emma wanted us to take a picture of her new PINK boots! She is our little princess and loves anything PINK and SPARKLY!

Owen posing with one of his favorite toys.

This snow storm was the thickest we have ever seen! The kids LOVED playing in it and sledding down the hill beside Grandma and PaPaw's house.

Emma kept telling us that she wasn't cold...aka, "I don't want to go inside yet."

Emma and Uncle Greg sledding down the hill for the ump-teenth time!

Owen wasn't so sure about the sledding!

Emma wanted to build a Thai snowman.

Our family spoke at a Mission's Conference in Charleston, SC in February. On our day off, we all went to the beach to walk around. Emma and Owen enjoyed running around and looking for shells. Their pockets were stuffed full of little treasures.

During our time in North Carolina, we came to Freedom Park in Charlotte numerous times. The kids LOVED this park. There was so much to see and do that their experience was different every time we went. These pictures are just the part with the lake and ducks.

Owen didn't catch on that the bread was for the ducks. He was upset that we were throwing the bread away. He ate every piece he got his hands on.

Blowing Rock has been one of our favorite getaways while in the States. Emma and Owen love exploring the outdoors! These are a few pictures of our hike around Bass Lake.

Emma was really excited to have her own Easter basket from Grandma.

This is our feeble attempt to take Easter pictures of our kids. If Owen wasn't screaming, Emma wasn't looking at the camera. She kept trying to get him to look at us and he did NOT want her to touch him. All of the other pictures had "screaming" faces. :)

We tried the family picture after the "kids only" attempt....this was the first group picture and after this the kids revolted!!

Except for this one kiss from Grandma.

Our sweet princess turned 4 years old in April and she wanted a butterfly party. These are the butterfly cupcakes I made for her.

These pink polka dot goggles might just have been the most loved gift!

Happy Birthday Sweet Pea!

After Emma's birthday we left for what has become the second phase to our Stateside time. We were actually supposed to return to Thailand the end of April but the Lord had different plans....

The kids loved our time in Texas. Here are a few of their highlights...

Emma quickly named Cracker Barrel as her new favorite restaurant - she loved the idea of pancakes for dinner! Glad for special times with her Mimi, great grandmother and aunt.

Emma loved helping with the adoption fundraiser. The only problem was she wanted to shop rather than sell!

The State Fair was a huge highlight for the kids. Emma loved everything - riding rides, petting animals, played games, and, of course, eating her way across the Fair grounds!! Both Emma and Owen were happy to share these memories with MiMi.

Emma and Owen had the chance to spend some time with an aunt and some cousins from Tricia's dad's side of the family. Thankful they were able to drive up to spend time with us!

The kids LOVED Boo at the Zoo for Halloween! Zoos are always a hit anyway but throw in dressing up, Trick or Treat Booths, and Halloween games and you have an instant hit. Even now (a year later), Emma STILL talks about Boo at the Zoo.

Our cute little puppy dog!

Who wouldn't love a princess fairy?

Mi Mi and cousin Michelle and Christian met us there. Emma and Owen love their cousins!!

Emma really enjoyed the costume parade.

Emma LOVES crafts - especially ones with glue!

This was the first time Emma and Owen got to experience fall. Neither one of them have ever seen fall leaves, cooling temperatures, pumpkin farms, or worn cool weather clothes. We enjoyed exposing them to all the "American" things they typically miss.

"I don't like pumpkins..."

"oh, maybe they aren't that bad."

With Fall comes Thanksgiving. We were so excited to actually share a holiday with our family! Our cousins Chris and Michelle hosted the family's get together.

Together preparing lunch!

Emma LOVES her cousin Brooke! She stuck to her like glue. If the two of them weren't in the closet playing with babies, they were giving a talent show for the family.

Emma wanted to pose with our Christmas tree.

While in Texas, we got to celebrate a big milestone with Owen - his FIRST birthday! We were excited to be able to share at least one of his birthdays with family members.

Oddly enough, Owen didn't really like the cake. All he wanted to do was play with it! So, there aren't any great "smash cake" pictures. This was as messy as he got! :)

This began Owen's love relationship with cars and trucks!

Not only did the kids get to experience Fall, they got to play in the snow on multiple occasions! Daddy was such a trooper because he went out over and over again with Emma. She could not get enough of it!