Erica's blog

Bastrop Bound

2012-02-17T20:44:00.000-08:00

Beau is heading up a Spring Break Campaign to Bastrop this year to help rebuild after all the fires they had last year. He said, last week, he wanted to take a day to drive down there and "check things out". He asked if we wanted to go with him and make a day trip out of it. I said sure and then remembered a tv show Aimee had just told me about a few days earlier called Daytripper on PBS. Apparently its about a man who takes day trips around Texas. Each show features a new town and the man tells you neat places to eat and things to do in that town. I got on the website hoping to find a town somewhere along our trip to Bastrop where we could stop. Well, what do you know...there was a whole show on Bastrop! Ha!

Friday morning we woke up, had a nice breakfast (its fun when Mom's pregnant and wakes up hungry, but also has the energy to make breakfast!) and then headed out on our day trip!

I, of course, forgot my camera so you'll have to deal with phone pictures.

Our first stop was Roadhouse. They have one of Texas' 50 Best Burgers and since my husband is obsessed with finding the best burger we knew that had to be our first stop! It was a small shack of a place, but when we saw a line to get in for lunch (in the rain) we knew it had to be good! We ordered the kids a cheeseburger and fries to split and then ordered their famous burger and another of our favorites and split them up. It was really good, but we did have trouble finishing!

Beau and Elijah playing Tic Tac Toe while we wait on our burgers...

Coloring a beautiful picture...

Once our food arrived Sadie was all business...

After lunch we met with the lady who our group will be helping. The kids and I stayed in the car since we were at her new house's construction site and it was raining. Well, we stayed in the car until Sadie announced she needed to poop in the grass and couldn't wait. There was no grass, just mud, and there was no potty in sight and we were not in town. I noticed Beau and the home owner were on their way to the back of the property. I hurried Sadie out of the truck and held her up while she peed and pooped. I then noticed Beau and the nice lady were on their way back towards us. I quickly cleaned Sadie up with napkins and "hid the evidence".

After our meeting we needed to walk around. It was rainy, but Bastrop has a really neat old downtown with covered sidewalks. We walked around for a while (though I did not trust to take the kids into any of the cute boutiques) and noticed we were the only people walking around in the 50 degrees/rain. Oh well.

We tried to tour their original jail, but missed it by a few hours...

Our final stop was Lock's Pharmacy. Sounds weird, but the Daytripper said they have an old-time soda shop inside with fantastic shakes, malts and treats. Our other obsession is ice cream so of course we stopped by.

Beau and I each ordered a malt and the kids wanted "ice cream they can drink". The lady said she thought the shakes were big enough to share so we ordered one shake for the kids...

waiting patiently...

When she brought the kids their shakes our mouths dropped open...

They each got a full glass!

We thought she had been generous when she made theirs since they were sharing.

Nope! She then brought out our malts. They was a full glass and the metal container was at least half full!! It was huge!

We were there a while!

I was sure I would never eat again! Even with the cold and rain we had a great day trip!

L.O.V.E.

2012-02-17T19:13:00.000-08:00

The kids were really excited about Valentine's Day this year. I think they were really talking it up at school.

We started out making their valentine cards. Every year I go the day after the holiday and stock up on all the clearance stuff. So the kids had enough valentines to choose from so they picked out specific ones for each of their classmates.

Studying her list...

"What does that say?!?"...

My boy hard at work...

We attached M&M's to each card...

Next we worked on our annual red velvet cake. No, I do not even attempt it from scratch...to much trouble.

Sadie was actually able to help this year...

Of course Elijah was a big help...

the kids are all into this "thumbs up" stuff. Anything they do they'll yell "thumbs up" and make these faces...

After dinner we got ready to decorate...

I love it when I catch Sadie looking at Elijah like this. She loves him so much....

Mmmmm....cream cheese....

Elijah wanted Beau and I to do some so he could take a picture of us...we seem really serious...

We have to have sprinkles of course...

I L.O.V.E. these little weirdos!!

"Thumbs up!"...

Our masterpiece...

After baths we enjoyed our cake (since I was going to have to work on Valentine's Day)...

Politely eating his cake...

Silly Sadie....

What did you expect...

When I left for work early on V Day I left each kids a small box of chocolates and a love note at their spots at the table.

When I got home I had some gifts on the table...

It says "I love you this much" from Elijah...

And some beautiful flowers that have gotten better every day...

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

F is for friends and February

2012-02-16T18:47:00.000-08:00

Aimee, Grant and Grayson came for our annual February get together last weekend. I must admit that I stole all these pictures from Aimee. I did not take a single picture the whole weekend.

Our attempt at a group picture. The sun was in their faces just a bit...

We went to a favorite kids shop in town. They are so smart...along with selling toys, baby items and such they have an indoor play area and are constantly having free activities. Every Friday is free painting in the morning. Since it was cold and windy we enjoyed some indoor time painting and playing...

Side note: Elijah is wearing a Texas Longhorn cap he got as a hand-me-down. He loves to wear it, but calls it his Horn Cow hat. Ha!

My princess (who wants pony tails or "ponies" every day) painting...

Elijah and Grant giving the babies a lift...

What a team...

Saturday the weather was even colder so we went to the children's museum to play.

Bubble boy...

Composing a masterpiece...

Looking forward to our next get together which should be in June after the baby's born!

24 weeks

2012-02-16T14:31:00.000-08:00

Aimee took this picture for me last weekend. Its not the best picture...I can totally tell I have a fake smile, but look at that belly!

In baby news: At my last appointment the doctor dropped a small bomb on me. He should know better than to do that to a pregnant girl who's at her appointment by herself. He said the ultrasound showed the baby has dialated ureters. The dr tried to tell me over and over that he didn't think it was a big deal at all and that it is almost always cleared up on its own by 30 weeks. However, when I asked what happens if its not cleared up, he informed me the baby may need surgery in utero or immediately after delivery meaning I would need to deliver in Dallas or Austin. I have been worried since the beginning of this pregnancy that something might be wrong. All of that mixed in with my hormones caused me to completely break down in the parking lot. After I got home and was able to look it up on the Internet on some medical sights I felt a lot better. I also resolved to decided there is nothing I can do about the situation by worrying about it. Finally, I sent out a plea for prayers. From the time of that appointment it would be 8 weeks till the next ultrasound ( just under 5 weeks from now) and hopefully we'll find out that all has resolved.

Otherwise all else is well! Other than some horrible back pain I'm enjoying my pregnancy!

Happy Birthday Camden

2012-01-29T19:58:00.000-08:00

Our friend, Camden, turned 5 and according to my kids had the most awesome birthday party. It was at a gymnastics gym. The kids had a blast!

Sadie jumping down the giant trampoline...

Elijah was not a huge fan of the balance beam...neither was I.

However, he LOVED the trampoline...

Sadie loved the balance beam as long as Erica was there to help...

The most fun was had in the "Cheese Pit". It was a giant pit filled with foam cubes. The big kids would swing out and fall into it. Sadie would just jump off the side...

So much fun!

Elijah was a little more brave...

The swing before the drop...

After playing Camden opened her presents...

We got her a hula hoop and new house shoes...

Then we enjoyed a pull-string pinata. I had never seen one before...the kids loved it.

Scooping up their loot...

These girls crack me up...

And this little man...I could eat with a spoon!

After presents it was chow time...

Don't pay any attention to Elijah's face...the cupcakes really were good...

After cupcakes we played some more and had a group picture...

So. Much. Fun.

Just a few cell pics

2012-01-21T07:35:00.000-08:00

We got to keep Baby Cade for a few hours yesterday morning. The kids were SO excited! Elijah kept calling him Baby Jack, though. It was really cute.

Elijah got a blanket all ready and they went and gathered toys for Cade...

Elijah was the baby expert. He kept telling Sadie things like "Don't give him that toy, he might choke." and "We need to go wash our hands so we don't give any germs to Baby Cade."

They were just so sweet...

This whole 3rd baby thing might not be as scary as I thought it would be...especially if Elijah is around!

In other news...the kids think if they talk into my belly button the baby can hear them. They love to talk to the baby and see if it'll move...

My girl watching a movie during "down time"...

Elijah was able to have a friend, Gage, over. They were bowling...

and they played baseball...

She has a princess dress on any chance she gets...

Just a few of my favorite pics from the week.

Oh, Elijah...

2012-01-17T18:52:00.000-08:00

I could fill a book with Elijah stories. Here are a few of the most recent ones...

Elijah always goes with me to the grocery store. Its our thing. We go, we shop, we sample, we have a great time. We usually end our trip with a stop at Sonic's Happy Hour, but we keep that to ourselves.
A few weeks ago we went on our normal trip. Before we got started we headed to the bathroom. Elijah has realized that he is a boy and should be going to the Men's bathroom. I have decided that I need to let him have some independence and I can't hover over him all his life. We've had extensive talks about not talking to or ever going anywhere with a stranger, no matter how nice they are and so on. I went into the girl's and he went into the boys. Before he walked in he stopped and said, "I know Mom, don't talk to strangers and wash my hands." Everything went fine. We met a moment later back at the shopping cart and started our shopping. About 1/4 into it he said he needed to potty again. I told him he would have to hold it. We continued on. When we got to the deli counter we had to wait in line a while. Eventually he said he couldn't hold it any more and had to go. I was still a person or two away from ordering so I walked him to the bathroom. It was just around the corner, seconds away. I told him when he was done to come right back to me. I dropped him off in the bathroom and headed back. I decided I couldn't do it. He is my baby and its one thing to let him go in by himself, but its another to not be standing right outside the door. I was already back at the counter and it was my turn. I told her quickly what I needed and headed back to the bathroom. I hadn't been gone 10 seconds. I knew he wouldn't have even had time to finish. I stood right outside the door. Now I was getting myself worked up. Every second seemed like an eternity. An old man who looked like Jerry Sandusky walked in...I couldn't stand it...Then, all of the sudden I heard him let out a cry. MY BABY WAS CRYING! I burst through the bathroom door loaded for bear. I was yelling "Elijah, whats wrong? Elijah!" Luckily there was no one standing at the urinals. Just then Elijah comes shuffling out of the stall, pants around his ankles and is crying. He says "there's no more toilet paper." I say, "just go into another stall!" and he shuffles off. I back out of the Men's bathroom and finally take a breath. I am sweating and my heart is racing. A minute later he comes out and says "Mom, what are you doing here!? I was gonna meet you back at the deli counter." I said I got worried and wanted to make sure he was okay. He replied with, "I'm fine Mom. I would have been fine." He grabs my hand and we walk back to the deli counter, pick up our meat and finish our shopping. I think I grew a few gray hairs, but we're fine!

Elijah is like any other 5 year old little boy. He is always making us (or anyone close by) watch him to see how fast he is. Beau and I always laugh though because Elijah runs flat footed just like me and I've always worried that he inherited my athleticism. I wasn't awful, just not very good. Anyway, before school started back the kids and I went to the gym on a Tuesday. After my Zumba class there is a KidFit class. The kids only get to go in the summer since they are normally in school on Tuesday. Elijah was so excited to go to his "exercise" class. At the end she had them all line up and said they were going to run the length of the basketball court and back. I've never seen Elijah run against kids his age so I wanted to see how he fared. Dead last. Ha! To give him some credit he was not feeling too well and could barely breath due to his allergies. He also didn't seem to care at all. He ran over to me saying, "Did you see how fast I ran!?" I said, "Yes, I did...you were great!"

Beau has been taking the kids to a lot of basketball games lately. He goes to watch the youth group kids and Elijah, especially has a blast. Beau said he just asks questions the whole time wanting to know every rule of the game. At one point something good happened and Elijah starts yelling and woo hooing. Beau looks at him and Elijah has his middle finger up in the air waving it around while yelling at the players! Beau jumps on him and pulls his hand down. All the parents around them are laughing. Beau had to explain to Elijah that we don't hold up that finger. I doubt Elijah understood, but he said okay. At least all the parents at the game got a big laugh.

Oh, Elijah...

Christmas in the 'Ville

2012-01-16T19:22:00.000-08:00

We had to wait until New Year's Day to have our Christmas in Stephenville. I actually remembered my camera this time so I was able to get some pics of the kids.

Elijah and Cale had a great time on Mom's iPad...

Sissy was in the kitchen with me. We were making cake balls with my new cake ball pan from Janice. As my Sou Chef she was allowed to lick the beaters...

She has great technique...

This was our attempt at a group picture...

Elijah got some great new games...

I must say Sadie got the best gift of the day...a new kitchen!

Elijah showing off his new chicken toboggan...

Elijah and Brooklyn playing one of Elijah's new games...

Wrestling with Uncle Zac...a family tradition...

Henley didn't want to be left out...

Rosebud on Christmas Day

2012-01-14T19:15:00.000-08:00

When I got off work on Christmas Day I headed to Rosebud to meet the rest of the family. We had a wonderful dinner and then let the kids open their gifts.

Attempting to wait patiently...

Bella was very patient. She seemed a little confused that she was holding a baby...

I borrowed the previous pictures and the next ones are from my cell phone (I forgot my camera) that's why they're so dark...sorry.

And they're off...

Sadie got a new doll whom she named Jenni and lots of other special gifts...

We had a great time...unfortunately I don't have the pictures to prove it!

My little old...Man?

2012-01-12T19:43:00.000-08:00

Since putting the video and pictures on the blog I've had a lot of you comment that the baby must be a boy because it looks like a little old man. Well, just to keep things in perspective I want you to look at how much my beautiful baby girl looked like a little old man in the beginning.

Click here

and here (especially the picture in the flowers)

I didn't get much of a chance to try and fatten the baby up today...maybe I'll get a chance tomorrow!

Wanna see a cute baby?

2012-01-11T12:56:00.000-08:00

We got to see our sweet baby today!! I am just a day or two shy of 20 weeks. The ultrasound tech was ready to get started and asked us if we wanted to know the gender. We said no and she said she was first going to look at the bladder and abdomen so she wanted us to look away just in case baby wasn't shy. After that she turned on the DVD recorder and went on to show us our little precious. At one point she said "He sure is being shy today" (keeping its arms over its face) and I just thought..."hmmm...she let it slip" and then thought maybe I had imagined it. Later, when she turned on the 3D she asked if it looked like our other kids. I said I thought it looks like a boy. She said, "Well, not that I would say, but I didn't see anything earlier. I'll have to look again in a bit." I told her I thought she said "He" and she said if she did it was probably just because she has 3 boys. At the very end she wanted to check all the "parts" and made us look away again.

She said she could definitely tell what it was. At that point she ended it and handed us our pictures and DVD. That's when it hit me. I wanted to know! It was really bugging me that she knew and I didn't! I fought it though and left without finding out. So that's it. Its not written down anywhere and there are no pictures of it and she turned the DVD player off before she did the gender scan. So we can't even find out if we change our mind! So exciting!

Here are some of the pictures...

This baby really needs to fatten up! I helped myself to a donut at ladies Bible class today and I might just have some ice cream tonight to help it fatten up!!

Waving for the camera...

A big yawn...its been a long day!

Sweet baby definitely has its dad's lips!! Can't wait to smooch em!

At one point (caught on the video) we even got to see hiccups and it looked like it was sucking a thumb.

Here' is one part of the video. Its about 3 minutes long. The first few minutes are just anatomy, but about halfway thru she turned on the 3D and you can really see the sweet face.

http://youtu.be/VerD4Qih31I

In love.

My growing belly

2012-01-10T16:06:00.000-08:00

This picture was taken on December 28th. I was a day or so away from being 18 weeks. While I adore this little child growing in me this pregnancy is CRAZY! Everything is going in warp speed...and when I say everything I'm referring to my growing belly! This is an awful picture! I'm a beast!

After my friend, Erica, handed me the camera after taking the picture my mouth literally fell open. I look at myself in the mirror every day, but I did not realize I am this big. Erica did not share in my shock. I pulled out Sadie and Elijah's baby books and I could easily compare my belly shot with my belly shot at 23 weeks with Sadie and 30 weeks with Elijah!! Oh my!!!

I'm trying really hard not to gain too much weight. I've been working out as much as usual. The holidays did not help though. Oh well. We have our ultrasound in the morning. We're choosing not to find out the gender, but we're mostly just hoping to find out that that our baby is healthy!

Family Fun

2012-01-08T19:52:00.000-08:00

The day after Christmas we decided to go to the children's museum in town. A friend bought us a membership for Sadie's birthday and it has been so nice to be able to go whenever we want for free! We packed a lunch and the kids thought it was so much fun to have a picnic at the museum.

After we ate we headed out to play. (Side note: why is it that the kids never want sandwiches for lunch when we're at home, but if I pack them for a picnic its the best lunch ever?)...

I had to talk Beau into coming. He thought it would be so boring. Well turns out, I think he was having just as much fun as the kids!

"The Bubble Room" as my kids call it. Its their favorite room. I ended up going out in the hall and sitting on a bench because they (Beau included) were having so much fun I couldn't get them to leave...

Trying to make a giant bubble...

Our last stop was the tea party room. My girl throws a mean Tea Party!...

I wanted you to see what she chose to wear for the day. Her new Minnie Mouse shirt, a black tutu, red leggings, and her new Minnie mouse jacket. Such a sense of fashion!!

The boa added a nice touch...

Anyone like a cup of tea?!...

Mamaw and Mimi

2012-01-07T06:38:00.000-08:00

Mamaw (Beau's grandmother) sent me these pics from her iPhone while she and Mimi had the kids for the day.

Too cute!

Christmas 2011

2012-01-05T19:01:00.000-08:00

We had a very Merry Christmas this year. We weren't able to have our Christmas on Christmas Day, though. I actually had to work on Christmas Day for the first time. I didn't fight it...I've gotten out of it for 6 years and I figured it was time to pay my dues. I actually think it worked out for the best though. We decided to pretend Christmas Eve was actually Christmas Day. It ended up giving us more time to be together than it would have if we'd had been able to celebrate on the actual day since Christmas Day was on a Sunday and we would have to get ready and go to church and had plans to be in Rosebud later that day.

The kids seemed really excited to go to bed and wake up to their presents. However, when I woke up the next morning they were just sitting on the couch watching cartoons. I made coffee, got the camera ready, we made a fire and then had to almost talk the kids into opening presents! Ha!

Our loot...

First things first...we read the story of the birth of Jesus and then Elijah said a prayer thanking God for sending Jesus to us...

Once we said it was time to open gifts Sadie got really excited! Elijah was really sweet, he let Sadie go first and then said he wanted to let Sadie open all her gifts first. We talked him in to taking turns and had a great time watching them enjoy each gift...

She got The Beauty and the Beast (or "Booty and da Beast) movie...

Elijah got some new books...

Beau got Farkle, his favorite game...

And a rocking chair...

Elijah also got an ant farm...

Sadie added a tea party set and a Cinderella (Cinderrerra) doll to her loot and Elijah also got some dinosaur sheets. I was contemplating giving him sheets as a Christmas gift, thinking it was pretty lame, but it was actually the gift he was most excited about. He was SO excited to put them on his bed and pick out all the dinosaurs he knows. One more reason I love that kid.

Their stocking were packed with candy and new cups (Toy Story and Princess)

and Sadie got Cinderella bubbles...

and Elijah got a big toy dinosaur...

We had our traditional Monte Cristo sandwiches (I don't think anyone but me really likes them, but they are tradition!) and fruit. We ended the morning going to see the very fantastic (enter sarcasm font) Alvin and the Chipmunks. It was a great day!

Barber Shops and Books

2012-01-02T19:16:00.000-08:00

I've been cutting Elijah's hair since he was about a year old and I'm tired of it. He hates getting the clippings all over him and I just don't do the best job. So I told Beau from now on he gets to take Elijah to the Barber shop with him. When I told Elijah his one question was "does he have something to cover me up so the hair doesn't get all over me." Yes, Elijah it will cover your whole body. "It will!!" He was sold. Beau made a big deal out of it and took Elijah out for a burger and sweet tea first!

He was very excited to get started...

I hear he did great and even got a lollipop afterwards...I didn't get an after shot. I guess that's what happens when Dad's in charge of capturing the moments.

In other news...Elijah and Sadie got another early Christmas present from Jannie and Larry.

It's Jannie and Larry reading Twas the Night Before Christmas!!

They have read it so many times we need to change the batteries already!

So precious!

Thank you Jannie and Papa Larry!!

13 MInutes of Special

2011-12-27T19:21:00.000-08:00

The kids had their Christmas program and it lasted 13 minutes from start to end. It was precious.

In walks my handsome prince with his class...

My little princess wanted to take her time down the aisle...

Cousin Brooklyn came to watch the program. I think she had the best seat in the house...

Can you spot my little weirdos?...

Elijah got to hold the "Grace" sign...he did a fabulous job...

Trying to get a group picture never goes well...

Mimi came to our program too!!

The girls were too busy with their juice and cookies to smile for the camera...

But of course Elijah wanted a picture with his best friend, Koby...

Merry Christmas

A Very Alvin Christmas

2011-12-23T06:46:00.000-08:00

We started a new tradition 3 years ago of going to Alvin the weekend before Christmas. That year was our first holiday season after we moved from Alvin. We wanted to go back to visit our Alvin family. Aimee and I had big plans that year to have a last girls weekend before her second son would be born a few weeks later. Well, it just so happened that the afternoon before we planned to go she called and said she was in labor. This year we celebrated Grayson's 2nd birthday while we were there!

As soon as we arrived to John and Bibby's we had dinner and the kids wanted to open their presents. They wouldn't even wait long enough for me to go get my camera so I had to snap pics on my phone.

They each got an outfit, a pair of pajamas and a toy. Sadie got a Barbie princess and Elijah got the Guess Who game.

The next day we spent the whole day at the Scogin house. We had a great dinner then let the kids open their gifts.

First we tried to get a picture. They were not cooperative...shocker.

Grant 3, Elijah 5, Grayson 2, Sadie 2.

Grayson went AWOL...

Elijah got a new movie...

Sadie got a princess puzzle...

Grant got a new helmet (he doesn't know he's getting a bike for Christmas)...

Ha! At least it fits!

Grayson needed a little help opening his gift.

It was a cute box filled with all sort of goodies like blocks, puzzles and so on. There are no pics of it because as soon it was opened we had to start refereeing the kids who were all fighting over the different toys inside.

Sadie wasn't fighting. Where was she? Playing with her puzzle...she LOVES it!

While we were there we also were able to go eat our favorite Indian food with our friends, the Welches!

Merry Christmas!

Leave it to JoCarol

2011-12-21T07:47:00.000-08:00

The kids got packages last week. They were so excited to open them, but I had to snap a picture first. Even if I didn't already know who they were from I could have easily guessed. Only JoCarol would wrap a gift so cute! We saved the the Scrabble pieces and the kids think that's part of their gift too...

The next few pics were taken with my phone (not sure why I put my camera down). My living room is a little dark...sorry.

They each got an ornament for the tree. Sadie got a Tinkerbell and Elijah got a Curious George. They were so excited to hang them on the tree that I couldn't get them to stand still and look at me for a picture...

see....

Thank you J0Carol!!!

Scroll down for another new post.

Oh Christmas Tree...

2011-12-21T07:24:00.000-08:00

The kids were super excited to put up the Christmas tree this year. We talked Beau into pulling down everything the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Not sure why this picture is so fuzzy...

This was Sadie's first year to really be into all the decorating...

Elijah is always into decorating anything...

Except for moving some things up higher (where they weren't able to reach) I left it pretty much as they decorated it.

Elijah hung our stockings. I hadn't taken down the fall stuff yet, but he wanted me to take a picture of our stockings...

I have always tried to make my tree pretty and color coordinated, but I'm really enjoying where its going now. The older the kids get the more the ornaments change from sparkly balls and baubles to hand-made ornaments. It means so much more when I open up all the ornaments and see the sweet things the kids have made...

Merry Christmas

2011-12-13T19:16:00.000-08:00

Some one (who by the way is horrible about updating her blog, but has no problem telling me I need to update mine) reminded me I've neglected to put something on my blog...

I have always thought "oh, I'm not going to be like those other people who don't keep up the scrapbooks or whatever for their third child...I'm going to do just as much as I did for my first." Well, now I understand why that happens. It has nothing to do with the third child not being as important at all. Its just so hard when you already have two small children at home to take care of! I totally get it now! Whew...I'm tired!

*Note to my third born who may some day read this...I love you! I have loved you from the moment I watched that second line appear. I fell in love with you even more when I saw you for the first time on November 1st. My love grew deeper when I heard your heartbeat for the first time on November 29th. My love will continue to grow every minute of every day. Though there may be fewer pictures or less intricate scrapbooks please know its not because of a lack of love...its because you're big brother and big sister have plum worn me out! Smooch smooch...Mama*

Another thing the unmentioned friend has been hounding me about has been my lack of belly shots. I just haven't taken any. The times I actually think about it are when I actually get a minute to myself and those times usually don't bode well for pictures. I have one picture I took on my phone to send to said friend so she could see the beginning of my baby bump. It is a horrible picture since I took it in the middle of cleaning. It was taken on November 2nd. The day after my first appointment. I was 9 weeks and 5 days...

Notice anything in this picture to support my claim that I hardly ever have any time to myself? I am now 15 weeks and am feeling much better than I did for the first 7-12 weeks. I have now apparently decided to attempt the record for how much food can be consumed by one person in a single day.

I am looking forward to the next 25 weeks, but am not rushing it. I'm a little nervous about having a 5 year old, a 3 year old and a newborn by myself for much of the summer. Okay...I'm a lot nervous. Fine...I'm terrified. There...I said it.

A Thankful Thanksgiving

2011-12-10T16:34:00.000-08:00

I'm a little behind, but a few weeks ago I went to Elijah and Sadie's Thanksgiving feast at school. I apparently got there a few minutes late since Sadie's class had already come in and started eating.

Sadie gets water every day for lunch (I know...I'm so mean) and this day the school provided juice for all the kids. I couldn't even get her to look at me until she drank half the juice...

Not sure why she thinks she's so funny and has to make funny faces all the time but I think she gets it from her mom. If I ever find that woman...

A little bit later in came Elijah's class (the oldest class). Can we just take a minute to realize that Elijah will be graduating from preschool in the spring and starting kindergarten in the fall. K.I.N.D.E.R.G.A.R.T.E.N. single tear.

My sweet, rotten, wonderful weirdos...

KINDERGARTEN!! I just can't fathom this! How will I handle him being gone all day?! Just look at this face!

Elijah wanted me to take a picture of his whole class eating their feast. He is, of course, sitting next to his best bud, Koby.

The Flower girl and the Cup Bearer

2011-12-03T17:02:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago the kids were in their first wedding. Elijah was asked to be the ring bearer 2 years ago (yes, it was a LONG engagement) and Sadie had to step in when the other flower girl couldn't do it.

Elijah kept calling himself the Cup Bearer. Guess all those Bible stories are getting him all confused.

The rehearsal went okay. The kids were hungry and tired, but they did a good job...

Then came the rehearsal of the ceremony. Sadie was not at all interested...

Those steps are just the right size...

Luckily we were able to get Sadie to take a nap the day of the wedding (since the wedding didn't start until 7pm) but she was a grouch when she woke up. She was refusing to put her dress on and was just in a horrible mood. As soon as we got to the church building we gave her a little pick-me-up...Seven Up...

A quick shot with the bride just before the ceremony...

Aimee walked them to the aisle. As soon as Sadie saw how many people were staring at her I immediately saw her face change...

"Please don't leave me Aimee"...

We got her to drop one handful of flowers and then she came straight to me to sit down. Elijah did great. He walked all the way down the aisle and stood with the groomsmen for about 5 minutes then joined us to sit down.

The bride did great...

I think Sadie had 4 cups of punch while we waited on the new couple...

My babies are precious...red mustaches and all.

We spent the weekend being spoiled by Bibby and John. I didn't take any pictures until Sunday morning when I caught them on the porch swing. Bibby was singing their favorite song "Zippidy Doo Da" and they were just cackling. Too cute...

Their first wedding was a success!

Fun for families!!

2011-11-23T14:10:00.000-08:00

We were invited to a Family Fall Festival at my parents' neighborhood a few weeks ago. It was great and we had a wonderful time!! The neighborhood really went all out. They are hoping to make it an annual event and I really hope they do!

The first thing Elijah saw when we got there was the giant blow-up jump house and slide. He ran right to it and that's where he stayed most of the night.

Sadie went straight to the petting zoo to feed some goats...

As soon as Elijah saw there were animals he ran right over...

View from the petting zoo...

There was also a giant tent. Inside was pumpkin painting, face painting and toddler sized play equipment...

The best part of the party (according to Sadie) was the train!

Choo choo!!

I had to pull Sadie off the train. No one was even driving it and all the kids had moved on. She rode it for at least 30-45 minutes and wanted more!

Refusing to look at the camera, but she looked so cute!

Getting her face painted...

Then it was time for dinner. Everyone that lives in the neighborhood brought stuff to have hotdogs and frito pie (and LOTS of sweets!).

Once it started getting dark the kids loaded up for the hay ride around the neighborhood...

We had a great time and really hope they do it again next year!!

The Fairy Princess and the Dinosaur

2011-11-07T19:21:00.000-08:00

I just wasn't feeling like doing family costumes this year so I let the kids pick what they wanted to be. Elijah wanted to be a dinosaur. I couldn't find a dinosaur costume anywhere and didn't have much time to make one. So we turned a sweat suit into a dinosaur costume which Elijah actually loved! Here we are at the church's Trunk or Treat...

My ferocious dinosaur...

My girl was, of course, a Fairy Princess...

She played a few games...

with a little help...

We were so excited to see our friend Maci!! She came as a fairy princess too!! But she wasn't in the mood to take pictures...

Look at all that candy!!!

Elijah tried his hand at a few games (actually I didn't see him most of the night because he was playing games)...

He also got a spider painted on his face. He begged me to cover it with a band aid that night during his shower so it wouldn't get washed off.

I let her wear some makeup...she was SO excited!! I love her.

Taking a break to enjoy some (ok alot) of candy...

They were dancing...should have gotten a video!

More games...

Saturday night we went to the First Baptists Annual Fall Festival. They do it up big and the kids love it. We didn't get to stay for the monkey show, but we caught him outside during a break and got to get in a few high fives...

This year Sadie was big enough to ride the ponies!! She LOVED it!

She did not, however, enjoy the petting zoo as much because the animals' faces were right in hers...

Elijah, of course, loves it!

They also enjoyed the big room of games! (and prizes!)

Gone Fishin'

We are enjoying our fall so much!! Can't you tell?!

Dinoriffic!!

2011-10-24T18:12:00.000-07:00

Elijah was so excited about turning 5 this year. He picked out his dinosaur theme months ago. I have to say I was happier about a dinosaur theme than I was a lake animal theme (even though lake animals turned out to be pretty fun).

Starting on Friday Elijah got to have donuts for breakfast and then we played outside all morning. Then Elijah got to open a present from his dad...

He got a soccer ball. He loves it. And yes, that is how Elijah was dressed all day. Even in public.

For lunch Elijah wanted to go to McDonalds to get a Happy Meal and play on the playground. He was allowed to play his computer games (PBSkids - we love it) a little longer than normal while Sadie took a nap and then we talked him into changing into his Robinson Rockets shirt and we headed off to eat Pizza (another choice of his - the day of junk...I know) and go to the ft ball game.

Saturday morning we woke up and got everything ready for his big dinosaur party.

I have to say his cake was not special this year, but he loved it anyway.

Here's a rundown of the food...

(chili)

(tea)

Not pictured was Brachiosaurus Burgers and Dino Dogs

One of the treats was fossils. They were rice krispie treats cut into the shape of bones and dipped in white chocolate!

The kids played outside for a while, then we ate. After we ate I had a very special activity planned. All the kids were brought into the house. I told them (very convincingly) that before anyone woke up that morning I looked outside and saw a huge Tyrannosaurus in our back yard. (the kids eyes were huge) I said she was looking for somewhere to lay all her eggs. I told the kids we were going to go out and hunt for the eggs. They were so excited I couldn't even get out the door to take pictures of them hunting because there was literally a stampede out the door to find their egg.

The birthday boy found an egg!

More eggs!

Breaking open the eggs...

They were filled with all kinds of goodies!!

After our egg hunt we decided to cut the cake!

I just love Brooklyn's face. It says "how many more pictures do we have to take before we can eat the cake?"

What a great party!!

After the party we had an after party for family only. I had asked his friends to not bring any gifts so we had an after party for family to give him any gifts they might have.

In the above photo Elijah got a remote control car. I was shocked. The reason I was surprised is that Elijah had been telling me for weeks that all he wanted for his birthday was a remote control car. I actually didn't pay much attention to it because I knew we weren't giving him one. Then the first gift he opened was from Beau's parents and was a remote control car. I asked Janice how she knew. She said she had taken him to Toys R Us a month or so ago and he had told her he wanted the car for his birthday. I had no idea...ha!

The rest of the gifts I have no idea who they came from...it was a bit of a frenzy!!

We looked over and saw these little angels all sitting together! Henley, Brooklyn and Sadie...

We'll show this picture at their high school graduations!!

Happy Birthday Elijah!!!

Let the Fun Begin!

2011-10-11T18:37:00.000-07:00

I took Elijah's birthday treat to his school today since I have to work on Thursday. He was so excited! He wanted M&M's on his giant cookie...

I love having lunch with Elijah and his friends. They are the cutest kids!

I'm getting excited for Friday. We have a whole day planned of everything Elijah wants to do. We'll see if we can fit it all in. Then Saturday is the big Dinosaur party day!

Need a Pick-Me-Up?

2011-10-04T06:57:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when my baby girl misses her afternoon nap and sits down to watch a show while I cook dinner...

I took donuts to work last week and before they were all gone I snagged 2 for the kids. I surprised them with chocolate donuts when I got home (I can't help it that they had just taken their baths!)...

Sadie likes to eat the chocolate off the top and leave the bread.

Elijah now asks for donuts every day. We have told him they're for special occasions so now he's asked for donuts for his birthday!

Love my babies!!

Early Birthday Present

2011-09-29T20:00:00.000-07:00

Mom and Dad came to visit this last weekend to help us work on some DIY projects we have going on around here. They have been taking care of Elijah's birthday present for a few weeks and were ready to pass it on to him. We were all so excited we didn't even make it out of the driveway!

Mom (Juju) was talking to Elijah about what he might like to have for his birthday...

Oh the anticipation!!!....

Its a hamster!!!

It was love at first sight!

Elijah was so excited!

We got a special place for him set up in Elijah's room. Elijah and I were trying to decide what we should name him. We were going through all different names like Hammy, Nibbles, etc and then Elijah said "Mom, he looks like the rat on Charlotte's Web...Templeton". So we decided to name him Templeton.

Poor Templeton. Elijah carries his whole cage all over the house. Yesterday he even sat his fish bowl next to the hamster cage "so Templeton and Tooker could get to know each other". We had our first experience of Templeton getting loose in Elijah's room today. Actually, I was at work. Elijah put Templeton in an exercises ball but didn't lock the lid so Templeton got out. Beau was able to catch him though.

Luckily Elijah is a deep sleeper because Templeton is definitely nocturnal. And Elijah's room does not smell fresh, but he is loving being able to have some real animals to take care of!

Random snaps of our life

2011-09-18T19:22:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of pictures of our lives lately. They're random....

Elijah took this picture of Sadie, but I think its really cute. The new favorite way for her to wear her hair is in "pony tails" (plural means pig tails)...

Later that day this is how I found Sadie taking a nap...

On Labor day we wen to Homestead Heritage. They didn't have their annual Sorghum Festival. They didn't grow any crops this year. I'm not sure if it was due to the drought or if it was their "off year" that they do every 7 years to let the land rest and replenish. We still had a good time though. The kids watched the sheep dog demonstration (always a favorite)...

This time they even got to pet the dog...

We also went to Homecoming. The kids have been loving going to the football games. Aimee has made them some super cute shirts that they love. Here's Sadie's...

They sat and smashed and ate peanuts for pretty much the whole first half!

Saturday was Janice's (Mimi's) birthday so we went to Salado for a birthday dinner. Elijah wanted to take some pictures together...

Then he said he wanted to do funny faces...

He was SO impressed that we made the exact same face!

Then he wanted to take a "surprise face" picture...

Once again he was SO impressed we made the same face and I gotta admit...I was too. I think we actually look alike in these pictures. Its the first time in 5 years I've ever thought we resembled each other!

The kids had a great time at Mimi's birthday party. They sat and ate cake and loved it! Every time some one would walk up with a camera Sadie would set her fork down and put her arm around Janice's neck say "Cheese" and then go back to eating cake. It was really cute.

Happy Birthday Mimi!!

There you go...that's what we've been up to!

It was ugly

2011-09-06T15:58:00.001-07:00

My friend, Lori Anne, invited me to go see The Help today. I haven't read the book yet, but I plan to! I just have to say you have got to go see this movie! I'm sure the book is even better, but if nothing else please go see it! I laughed a lot, but I did a lot of crying too. I hurt inside knowing this kind of abuse took place not so long ago. At one point Lori Anne handed me a burp cloth out of her diaper bag because I had gone into the ugly cry...out loud! I cried all the way home. I walked in the door, Beau took one look at me and said, "That bad huh?!".

As soon as I saw Sadie I sat her in my lap and told her "You is kind. You is smart. You is important" and then I cried some more. (Go see the movie and you'll understand)

Pre-K Rocks!!

2011-08-27T19:44:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday was the kids' first day of Pre-K. They both were SO excited. I had a hard time getting them into bed the night before. Sadie kept saying "I need to go to school to see all my friends!!"

This was their loot...

Cheeses...

Such a nerd...trying to look all grown up!

I adore the way Sadie is looking up to Elijah. She thinks he is so cool. She has to do everything he does...

Thanks for our new first day of school clothes, Mimi...

Backpacks on...we're getting serious now!

I really was just like some hard core paparazzi. I was running after them in my pjs and bare feet trying to get a few more pictures of them on the way to the truck...

"Okay...one more picture, Mother"...

"Mom, that's enough pictures!"...

They had a great first day. They had to tell me all about it when I got home from work that night. I love to see them so excited!!!

Sweet dreams!

2011-08-26T06:52:00.000-07:00

With the kids starting a new school year I decided I wanted to try a new craft. I wanted to make the kids nap mat covers for their mats at preschool. I think they turned out pretty good and they weren't all that difficult.
Aimee put their names on them for me!!

Elijah's was dinosaurs...his favorite animal right now!

Sadie's was just frilly and girly....like her.

A princess can't just nap on a plastic nap mat!...not that she naps at school.

The kids loved them so much I had to keep them put up in my room the last few days before school started. They were using them all the time. They would lay on them to watch tv on them in the living room and even napped on them in their own rooms a few times!

Update: When Beau took the kids to school on their first day he handed Elijah's nap mat to his teacher and she said "Oh...what's this?" He said "Elijah's nap mat." To which the teacher replied, "we don't take naps in this class". Of course. Beau even said he knew that, just didn't think about it. Oh well, Elijah loved Sadie's so much I probably would have ended up making him one anyway...I guess he can take his to sleepovers...

New Beginnings

2011-08-23T19:32:00.000-07:00

My babies start another year of preschool on Thursday. This will be Elijah's last year in preschool. I can't believe I will be taking him to kindergarten next year! He is very excited about this year. Mrs. Cyndi is an excellent teacher.

This will be Sadie's second year at preschool. She has a new teacher...Mrs Jenni. I didn't warn Jenni about Sadie....I don't want to scare her off just yet. I'll giver her a few weeks to "get to know" Sadie and then when she comes to me (like everyone else does) and says "Sadie sure does think she runs the place" I'll say "my Sadie?! Oh...I hadn't noticed." Come to think of it...it may not take a few weeks to have that conversation.

Here's to a new school year!!

Are you my best friend?

2011-08-17T13:52:00.000-07:00

Aimee and the boys made their 3rd annual August trip to see us. (Grayson was technically there the first year, though still in the womb). I had lost my camera. Wait a minute....Elijah had lost my camera. I actually found it about 10 minutes after they left (I had been looking for 2 1/2 weeks for it!). I did snap this picture on my phone while the kids played at the Mayborn Museum.

We had a great couple of days. We have decided we will make a trip to the Mayborn a new tradition. It was great! The weirdest thing was that almost every hour Elijah would ask Grant "You're my best friend, right?" or "Are you my best friend?" I think Elijah just really wanted to hear Grant say it. He never did though. Actually, at one point he responded by saying "Stop asking me that!" Ha! Just what we all wanted to say! We're already looking forward to our next time together....November!

When memories are made...

2011-08-11T17:59:00.000-07:00

Our last activity for the summer was Camp Bandina. Before leaving, though, we had a dinner date with our good friends the Shaws. Before we left Sadie modeled her new shirt from Aimee...
She just looks so grown up to me!!

She kept pointing at her shirt saying "There are shoes on my shirt, Mama!!"...

When we got there we were able to give Maci her birthday present. Only a few months late!...

A crayon roll and a matching shirt and clip! They were so excited!!

Sunday it was off to camp for us. It was a long, hot week! Having Gage there totally saved the week, though! He and Elijah were fast friends. Elijah now tells everyone that Gage is his "Best Buddy"...

One day we took the kids into town for a bit to run some errands...

Every night I would take the kids back to my cabin for a nice shower. Then they would get into their pj's to eat popcorn, drink milk and watch a movie! Not too bad! During that time Missty (Gage's mom) and I would have some much needed quit time/girl talk!

I love how kids can act the exact way you want to act and totally get away with it...

Sadie was too hot for shorts and too tired to sit up!

As soon as we got home Sadie and Elijah wanted to ride their bikes. I told Elijah to go put his safety gear on. When I came outside he had hooked Sadie up too!

Her legs aren't even long enough to pedal herself, but Elijah thought she needed a helmet and knee pads! Safety first!

Right after Elijah took off he fell. He jumped right up and turned around to Sadie and said "See Sadie, I fell, but its okay. I wasn't even hurt because I have my (tapped on knee pads) knee pads; and I have my (knocked on helmet) helmet!!" He stopped for just a minute and I could tell he was thinking. Then he said, "You remember when I scrapped my knee on the rocks at Papaw and Juju's pool when I was swimming?" Of course I said yes...it was a horrible accident. It didn't draw blood, but to Elijah it was huge! "Well, maybe I should wear knee pads when I swim!"
I love this kid with every fiber of my being!

I also love the fact that SUMMER IS OVER!!

Camp Jupaw 2011

2011-07-31T08:07:00.001-07:00

This year was the 3rd annual Camp Jupaw. All four grand kids were able to attend. I need to get some pictures of the actual camp from Juju, but the week culminated with Independence Day so I was there to take some pictures.

This was our attempt at trying to get all four kids in a picture after church on Sunday...

not so much.

This is how the kids were toted around all week...

We had dinner at Jannie's house Sunday night. Zac got in some wrestling time, as usual. I'll be interested to see how he does with his new baby girl...who is only days away!

Monday morning we headed downtown to watch the parade...

There are no words for how my dad decides to go out in public, but they did make a great couple...

Waiting on candy...I mean...the parade!

Sadie was able to let us know what was coming....

The fire trucks were fun, but the sirens were a bit too loud for Sadie...

Cale was so excited when the State Troopers drove through. He kept yelling "my daddy, my daddy!"...

There they are again...

No Stephenville parade is complete without some one riding a longhorn...

We had a great time. The kids spent so much time in the pool I may have to re-potty train Sadie. Sunday morning when we came down for breakfast and to get ready for church only to find out that Dad had gone to get donuts and already had the kids out in the pool (with there donuts) before 8:30am! Many great memories made!

Baby Henley

2011-07-22T20:00:00.000-07:00

My niece, Henley, will be arriving in days! I wanted to make her something special (with the help of Aimee). I wasn't able to attend the baby shower so I gave it to Zac and Heather a few weeks ago.

It was a reversible bib, a blanket and a burp cloth. All personalized, of course. I think it turned out great!

I can't wait to meet her!!

I Heart New York

2011-06-29T20:03:00.000-07:00

To make a long story short my grandmother, Jannie, invited my mom and I along for a long weekend to New York City. It was fantastic!! I took a ton of pictures and want to share so much of what we did! But where to start??? Oh, I know...FOOD!

Our first stop when we got to the city was to eat lunch. Jannie wanted to go to the famous Carnegie Deli. There was not a native New Yorker in sight!! Ha!! A total tourist attraction! When we turned the corner and saw the restaurant we were dumbfounded by the line waiting to get in!! Luckily we didn't have to wait long since not all those people were waiting for a table. We decided to share 2 entrees. One for Jannie and Larry and one for Mom and I. When our food came we thought maybe we should all have just shared one!

Jannie and Larry's Pastrami and Corned Beef Sandwich...
I bet there was a pound of meat on that sandwich!!

Mom and I got a salad quartet: egg, turkey, chicken, and shrimp. We could have eaten on it for days!! We didn't even make a dent!

I just have to tell you about the bill....keep in mind we shared an entree, no appetizer, no dessert and we had water...$60!! Before the tip....and they only take cash!! That's how it was all over the city!!!

After dinner we walked to Central Park and took a pedicab tour thru part of the park. It was probably my favorite part of the trip! We had an excellent tour guide! We took 2 cabs and they pulled us side-by-side the whole way. He was constantly pointing out parts of the park used in movies which my mom and I loved (Jannie and Larry had no idea what he was talking about...not big movie watchers!). He would say things like "See that statue there? Its Daniel Webster...you know Webster's dictionary?" and we would say "Oh ya!" and he would respond, "that's a different Webster!" Ha! At one point Jannie asked him how he knew so much about Central Park (he was from Istanbul and had only lived here 4 years) and he responded "Central Park dot com!"

Our view from the cab...

We saw Balto's statue...I had to take a picture to show Elijah, we read that book all the time!

This is Bethesda fountain. Probably the most recognized area of the park. There have been A LOT of movies shot around this fountain...

Love birds...

Don't we look good!?!

One thing I loved about this city was all the amazing architecture...

This is the "Friends Fountain". Friends was actually shot in LA and they rebuilt this fountain there, but this is the one it represents...

If you ever go to NYC you should definitely take a pedicab tour through Central Park...

Friday evening we went on a Harbor cruise. It started out about an hour before sunset. We went almost all the way around the island showing all the different points of interest and telling so much history about the city and island. The trip back was done in the dark so we could see the skyline all lit up. It wasn't as impressive as is should be because it was so foggy. We were cold, but loved all the sights and history lessons!

Ellis Island...

I didn't think I was going to be that impressed with the Statue of Liberty, but it was great and I have to admit I was a little chocked up!

Self portrait (see the SoL?)...

The Brooklyn Bridge...

I honestly can't even remember what the name of this cathedral is. There were so many and they were all so magnificent! The first thing I said to my mom was "I should have been married here!!"...

Okay, and for one of my favorite parts of the trip. I remember exactly where I was when I heard about the terrorist attack on 9/11. I spent most of that day and night in my dorm room glued to the tv trying to make sense of what was going on. I don't know why, but I have always been so interested in anything that has to do with this tragedy. Maybe its a way of trying to understand it. So seeing the site was very emotional. Our tour guide took us onto the 2nd floor of a nearby building so we could see over the fences. I learned a few things I hadn't known. There are actually 7 buildings making up the World Trade Center. Buildings 1 and 2 were the ones hit and later fell. Building 7 was not hit, but also fell and . They are rebuilding all three buildings and adding one more to make 8. The two buildings you see on the left are the ones being built now. The trees in the background on the left and right are where Buildings 1 and 2 were. The building on the right is finished. The building on the left will be the new World Trade Center 1 building and will be twice as tall as the one on the right. There's no way to show in a picture how tall and breathtaking the buildings are.

As the tour guide talked about his experiences that day tears rolled down my cheeks. There is no way to hear about it and not think God was watching over. City tours start around 10 am. The first building was hit around 8:30am. At the time, many tours visited the WTC first. There were over 40,000 people at the WTC every day, touring, working, visiting, having lunch... If the attack would have happened later in the day the number of deaths could have been so many more. As we're standing there listening a reflection of a plane flying through the air passes across the glass of the building on the left. Chills.

The new buildings will be twice as tall as the ones around it...

Part of our tour was another (shorter) harbor tour. See the Chrysler building? It was once the tallest skyscraper in the world...

The 3 skyscrapers in the picture all once held the records individually as the tallest buildings in the world...

There she is again...

We were laughing so hard because we were having to work so hard to stand up straight and look "normal" because the boat was rocking back and forth so bad. Jannie was sitting down looking a bit green so she refused to be in a picture!

It was just amazing to me how they have packed every possible space with buildings...

A view of Central Park from the top of Rockefeller Center....

You're fired!...

After the boat ride Jannie was still a little green so she went back to the hotel. Mom and I headed out to find a dinner adventure. We headed toward a famous restaurant, Serendipity. When we got there it was a 1 1/2 hour wait! We didn't want to leave because we didn't know anywhere else to go and we had walked SO FAR to get there! A local man told us that they come, put their name on the list and walk across the street to Patsy's Pizzeria, enjoy some great pizza and come back to Serendipity for dessert. So that's what we did! The pizzeria was great and after we ate we still had some time so we went into a boutique next door and browsed the $400 sun dresses!

Finally we got a table at Serendipity to enjoy dessert. We decided to split The Cinnamon Fudge Sundae. It was apple pie topped with butter pecan ice cream, caramel, toasted pecans, hot fudge, whipped cream and slivered almonds!

Don't be fooled by the picture...its the size of my head (and costs about as much as it normally costs Beau and I to eat dinner!)

"Let's dig in!!!" On the way back to the hotel we were walking through a neighborhood and mom noticed a truck. She said "I was just thinking I haven't seen any trucks since we got here." I said, "lets see where the plates are from..." Texas!! Ha!

Sunday we decided to go back to the WTC on our own so we could visit the museums. We also decided it would be cheaper (and an experience in itself) to take the subway!

Mom looking "I'm so cool...I ride the subway all the time."

Jannie headed to see the Frick Collection and mom and I went to The American Museum of Natural History. We loved the movie Night at the Museum so we just knew the actual museum would be so fun! Boy were we wrong! Its nothing like the movie! We should really not base our history on movies!

The exhibits were gorgeous, but we couldn't find Sacagawea anywhere!!!

I wished Elijah was there SO bad!

"You dum dum. You give me gum gum."

On the way to get Jannie we took a stroll through the park. One of the lakes...

One of the many "street performers"...

Sunday night was our Broadway show. We saw Billy Elliot. It was okay. I've seen better, but it was fun just to go. We walked thru Times Square on the way back to our hotel (after stopping for custard at the Shake Shack).

Monday morning mom and I walked over to FAO Schwartz. I looked for some "prizes" for the kids. I also wanted the kids with me when we saw the giant floor piano from BIG...

After shopping around some and having a nice lunch outside we headed to the airport. It was a great trip. I would love to go back some day. I'd like to take Beau. I think he'd enjoy all the history. So I scratched something off my bucket list...and had so much fun doing it!!

Day 2

2011-06-26T06:47:00.000-07:00

Sent from my LG phone

Day 1

2011-06-25T08:43:00.000-07:00

Sent from my LG phone

Swim Lessons

2011-06-22T17:31:00.000-07:00

These are a bit out of order...I'm learning how to blog from my phone!! I love it!

Elijah is LOVING swim lessons! He has completely lost his fear of the water and can't wait to show me after ever lesson what he learned. His favorite thing now is to jump in and go underwater! If you only knew what a huge step this was for Elijah!!

After every lesson the kids get to go down the slide.

The only pictures I have of Sadie are after the lesson since I have to be in the lesson with her. She's enjoying it too!

Father's Day 2011

2011-06-19T19:55:00.000-07:00

Today was a great Father's Day, I must say. We started off the day by sleeping a bit late, but we made it to church just in time.

After church we headed to Cheddars. It was Beau's pick for lunch...

After lunch we all took naps. Well, at least Beau, Sadie and I did. Who knows what Elijah did, but he stayed in his room for 3 hours so we could all nap! When everyone woke up the kids and I hid in Sadie's room so we could get Beau's gift ready. I tried taking a picture of the kids with Beau's gift. This is how it went...

I was trying so hard to get them to both look at the camera. This particular time I said, "look! how many fingers am I holding up?" See Elijah counting his own fingers?...

I have no words...

We got him some new shorts, some fancy underwear (yes-boys can have fancy "sporty" underwear), Oreos and some Southwest Jalapeno Popcorn.

After an attempt to carry the basket together Elijah had to take over. He was so excited to give it to Beau...

I'm so blessed to have my sweet babies and they could not have a better father. We love you Beau!

Totally Terrific Tuesday

2011-06-17T07:15:00.000-07:00

This past Tuesday was packed with fun. We started the morning off at the gym where I had some fun. After my workout we headed to Peter Piper Pizza for our Kids Club activity of the week. We enjoyed some pizza, games and an art activity.

Sadie kept asking to sit on the train. This sweet girl from church offered to let Sadie us a token to ride the train. I tried to tell her that Sadie could just sit on it and have fun, but the girl insisted. Once the train started Sadie freaked out...

and I had to hold her hand the whole time...

around...and around....and around...

So to all of you that gave me such a hard time about just letting her sit on this train last year I'll be accepting apologies.

Elijah remembered right where his favorite dinosaur racing game was...

These kids are so sweet. They would put in a token (not arguing over who's token it was) and all take turns rolling a ball. There was no arguing, just lots of sharing. Love them!

After their pizza, games and activity they had some ice cream. Sadie was showing off her bunny that a little girl gave her...

After nap time we headed over to the Bruces for some swimming and fajitas!! The three stooges...

And of course Elijah had to do a silly face picture...

It was a great day!

2011-06-17T07:12:00.000-07:00

Dinosaur George!

Startin the Summer Off Right

2011-06-08T19:07:00.000-07:00

Beau left last weekend to go on a mission trip to Arizona so the kids and I left to to spend a few days in Alvin. We left on Saturday *side note* Sadie made the whole trip without any accidents...we've been in panties for 1 week! Elijah was able to spend every night (and most of every day) at John and Bibby's. Unfortunately I've been having some problems with my camera so I didn't take many pictures at all.

Sunday we went to church and enjoyed a wonderful lunch at John and Bibby's. We spent the rest of the day relaxing. Monday Aimee and I enjoyed some time to ourselves. We had brunch, we shopped, we got pedicures and mostly just enjoyed a few hours free of being responsible for cutting up food, buckling seat belts and singing the ABC's til our throats hurt! We got together with freinds for a little playdate, did some crafting and had fun staying up too late and waking up way too early!!

I cannot for the life of me remember what day this was. We let the kids have a good time trying to cool off in back yard...

Then, Gary - as dads will do- had a great idea...

I don't think Sadie even noticed how "outnumbered" she was...

This was hilarious. Sadie kept waking up WAY too early in the morning. I noticed she was FREEZING. Monday I asked if she could borrow a pair of pj's from one of the boys...some warmer ones. This is what she spent the rest of the time sleeping in...

They are flannel Christmas pajamas!! Ha!! She looked funny, but she slept better!

Sadie and Grayson seem to have a thing for each other...

Well, hello there...

Sadie and Grayson sittin in a tree....K.I.S.S.I.N.G...

The kids were exhausted when we left. This was the view from the front seat not long into our trip home...

Aimee texted me that her boys were both asleep and she was going to lay down. I was very jealous. I was so tired, but had a 3.5 hour drive to do.

So this is what I looked like...

We had a great time and Elijah did great spending the whole time at John and Bibby's. I think there are many more trips for him in his future!!

Kids Under Construction

2011-05-25T19:28:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday night the kids had their end of the year program. The front of the auditorium is reserved for the family of the "graduates" so the pictures aren't very good...just wanting to remember this day, though. The theme was "Kids Under Construction".

Elijah's class walking in. Can you see the "bubble" he caught (to keep them quiet) and their "bunny tails"...

Sadie was bringing up the rear of her class. Little Miss I have My Own Time Table and I'm Stickin' To It...

I took a few pics of them on the stage but they were just so dark and you couldn't even find my little needles in that haystack so...

They sang all their favorite songs and Sadie was front and center just singing and dancing her little heart out.

This is what happens when a mom says to the teacher "Oh, can we just get one picture with whole class?"...

Sadie's class this year: "Annnn-Na!" (Anna), "Tarson" (Carsynn), "Taylee" (Caylee), and "Pooper" (Cooper). I'm sure Cooper's mom loves that! Such cuties!!!

She's a big girl now!!

2011-05-18T19:16:00.000-07:00

Sadie-baby has started climbing out of her crib. I tried to deny it for a while, thinking it was just a freak thing, but I was wrong. I am afraid she would hurt herself if she fell or hung her leg somehow so we decided to switch her bed around. I really was thinking I would keep her in her crib till she is 7, but I guess she had other plans!

She's pretty excited about her Big Girl Bed...

In hind sight this picture may be one of the last times I get her to lay down in her bed without a fight...

This whole Big Girl Bed has not been all butterflies and rainbows! Now that she knows she can get up whenever she wants...she does. Luckily she's been so exhausted at night she has gone down without too much of a fight, but nap time is another matter. The reason she's lost some of her fight at bedtime is because she is so utterly exhausted from not napping at all. Hopefully that will change, but I'm not too hopeful!

She finally had her 2 year well-baby appointment yesterday. Here are her stats:

Weight: 25 lbs 9oz = 29%

Height: 34 inches = 42 %

Head: 18.5 inches = 32%

Weight for Length: 33%

The doctor said she may be right on physically, but thinks she is probably a little ahead in vocabulary and such. I give her big brother props for that. Speaking of her big brother...I love him.

Our EGGStreme Easter Part 5

2011-05-05T19:27:00.000-07:00

Part 5 was actually Easter Sunday!

I totally forgot to put together Easter baskets (I know...call CPS). I remembered to put two together on Sunday morning before the kids got up with some things I had collected to give them.

Sadie got her first panties, a new cup and bowl, a new sun hat and some M&M's...

Elijah got a bug book, a bug viewer, a build your own game box, and some M&M's...

After church we drove down to Rosebud for lunch with some of Beau's family. This is what happens when you try to get 3 kids to take a picture...

LOOK AT THE CAMERA!!

LOOK AT THE CAMERA!!!

Okay, my wonder child is the only one who will LOOK AT THE CAMERA!!

Our windy family picture...

JoCarol brought Sadie a birthday gift. She was so funny opening the gift...she acted SO excited...

and she WAS excited to get 2 new dresses!!

I loved seeing the kids playing together after lunch!

Then it was time for the egg hunt!

JoCarol also got the kids giant pinwheels...

"See, Mamaw, it spins around!"

Our EGGStreme Easter Part 4

2011-05-02T19:52:00.000-07:00

Part 4 was spent at The Ranch. We showed up on that Saturday in time for lunch. It was windy, but we had a great time visiting.

Brooklyn and Sadie "driving" the golf cart...

Elijah and Cale "driving" the tractor...

We took advantage of the wind and let the kids fly their kites...

Now on to my dad's doings. This is the kind of stuff my dad comes up with...

Cale flying his kite in comfort...

Actually holding onto the kite might give these princesses callouses....

so Dad helped them out...

Then we took a break from the sun to have some "down time" in the ranch house. My girl LOVES to color!!...

Then it was time to head to the river!! It was so nice. It was cloudy and there were so many dads there to play with the kids in the water. My dad even brought my parent's hammock so all the moms sat with our feet in the water and just relaxed. My little girl could not be talked into hanging out with the ladies. She loves the water...

My dad said he was exhausted after spending a few hours with Sadie in the water just trying to keep her alive! She has no fear...we will be doing swim lessons this summer!!

Taking a break back on shore getting ready for dinner...

Rusty put his Eagle Scout skills to work to make us a fantastic Mexican feast for dinner!...

We (of course) had an egg hunt for the kids...

Sadie helped herself to the chocolate...

And this little lump of sweetness is Giada. She is precious! Sadie thought Giada was her own personal baby doll and kept telling me "Mama, I hold her!!"...

We're almost done...

Our EGGStreme Easter Part 3

2011-05-01T19:16:00.000-07:00

For part 3 of our Eggstreme Easter we went to one of our favorite local shops. Its Pinwheel Kids...a cute shop for moms and kids. They have lots of activities for kids throughout the week too. Every Friday they have a free painting session and on Good Friday they also had an Easter party.

First we did some painting...

"See my blue paint?"...

Hard at work on their masterpieces...

Elijah did more of a Picasso...

Sadie refused to look at the camera....

Then we played a bit on their indoor playground inside the shop...

This has got to be the smartest business move ever! The kids are entertained giving mom plenty of time to shop around...love it!

I don't know why Sadie's skirt is so hiked up, but she was too busy cooking a very delicious meal to worry about fashion...

After playing for a bit the kids did a little egg hunt around the store. We took a few minutes to check out our loot before heading home...

Whew...tired yet? Still 2 more to go!

Our EGGStreme Easter Part 2

2011-04-30T18:50:00.000-07:00

On the Thursday before Easter the kids had their egg hunts at school. The rain pushed the schedule around a bit so Beau missed Sadie's class, but was able to catch Elijah's.

His precious little class...

and he's off...

The purple or the blue...the purple or the blue...

Both!!!

2 down...3 to go!!!

Our EGGStreme Easter Part 1

2011-04-29T07:11:00.000-07:00

We had 5...yes, count 'em...5 Easter Egg hunts and parties this year!! If anyone is interested we are running a small candy shop over here and even made $12.40 on the kids' eggs!

Our first party was the Saturday, a week before Easter Sunday. It was our church's children's party.

When the egg hunt started I noticed Elijah was opening the eggs then either putting them back or putting them in his bucket. No, he wasn't deciding on which ones to keep based on his love of which kind of candy was inside, but he thought he was only supposed to pick up the eggs he brought...

Sadie was a champ!

Our great friend, Maci, or "Paci" as Sadie calls her...

Checking out their loot...

We even had a special visit by an Easter bunny...

Just doing a little late afternoon farming...

Happy Easter!!

Good Friends, Good Times

2011-04-27T19:54:00.000-07:00

A week or so ago Beau had a meeting out of town on a day I had to work so our good friend, Jackie, picked the kids up from school and kept them for a few hours. My camera was sitting on the end table which proves to be too much of a temptation for Elijah. I found about 50 pictures on my camera of a few of his toys and Mickey Mouse Fun House. However, there were two cute ones...

My kids adore Miss Jackie (and I think the feeling's mutual)...

I don't know if Elijah or Jackie took this, but oh my...

That Saturday we had a double birthday party to go to. It was at one of our favorite local parks...

Elijah getting a little help from Joel...

Joel LOVES Sadie. His mom said he's always talking about how much he loves her and how she's his best friend. They have the same birthday, but he's a year older. He was so sweet, helping her around the playground...

The party was Trains and Tutus...too cute!

Many more posts to come soon!

A Too Two, Tu-tu party!!

2011-04-09T18:59:00.000-07:00

A while ago (when Sadie was only a month or two old) I heard of a little girl turning 2 and having a Tu-tu party. I loved the idea and knew I would have to have a tu-tu party for my girl and celebrate everything 2! Well, the time finally came! Here's how it went... The dining room table for the guests who didn't want to brave the "heat" and sit outside. The pictures on the table were the party favors for the adult guests... The refreshment station...

There were 9 girls and 1 boy so the party was definitely catered to girls. The party favors were tiaras, wands, tootsie rolls, princess gummies and a pink juice box...

For lunch we had a whole menu celebrating 2. (From L to R) We had Pimen-two Cheese and Two-na fish sandwiches, Pota-two chips, cake, Pink Meringues, Two-tsie Rolls, Chee-twos, and olives...

The meringues had nothing to do with 2's but I had always wanted to make them. No one warned me, though that if it was the least bit humid outside they would be sticky. They were perfect when I made them, but by the party they were a sticky mess. They tasted good though! The olives are just because they are Sadie's favorites.

I made the cake. Only my second attempt at fondant. I made a huge mistake at first, but I was able to cover it up with decorations. It was a lemon cake with raspberry filling and buttercream icing under the fondant. It was a really good cake and went perfectly with the homemade ice cream!!

Then, the best part!! One of the youth group girls who takes ballet was willing to come and be a ballerina at the party. The girls were so excited when she came out to the back yard (with The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies playing in the background) and taught them all how to be ballerinas.

They turned....

Juilliard should be calling any day...

The learned all 5 positions...

The curtsied...

Oh my gosh, they were so cute and so excited I just wanted to cry!

Next came cake...

My big girl...

Shelli, who is also an awesome friend, came dressed up for Sadie's party too!

Gifts!!!

Styling...

Sadie and her twin, Maci playing outside...

This is one of Sadie's favorite gifts. I told Amy she would love to have a stroller for her baby and instead she got everything she needed to raise a small child!! She has carried the swing to every room and had a small breakdown when she couldn't put it in her crib for bedtime.

After all the friends left our families stayed around to hang out. This next picture shows one reason its good to be pregnant in my family...

That's my dad giving Heather a foot rub! I told her that's exactly what he always did for me and Katy...NICE!!!

Amy decided to see if Sadie would sit still long enough to have her hair braided (and if it is long enough)...

She was so tired she just sat there in a trance. But her hair did great!!

How old are you now, Sadie?!?

It was a great day and we had such a great time!!!

Holy Flash Bulbs Batman, That's A lot of Pictures!!

2011-03-22T19:28:00.000-07:00

We we had Sadie's 2nd year pictures taken a few weeks ago. Once again, she did not particularly cooperate, but that doesn't matter when you have a super photographer! I was going to post my top favorites, but they were all just so good I had to post most of them!! Have fun!!

I love the little bags under her eyes (I doubt she will when she's older) ha!

I will be ordering one of these...

uh...and a few of these...

with a couple of these on the side...

I know some day I'll look back and love his corny fake smile, but grrrr....he's still precious...

by the way...he LOVED his bow tie!

My little fairy...

I LOVE how chubby she looks in this picture!! My baby!

Oh my....I can feel the tears coming....

This one will be large and on display on my wall!

Their personalities exactly...

Its a bird...its a plane...

She likes to yell out "SADIE!!!!"....

They love each other...

Little Cutie Patootie!

And just a little icing on the cake...

Happy Birthday to Me!!

2011-03-04T20:02:00.000-08:00

Forgot to ever publish this...Sorry Mandy...

This year I had to work on my birthday (I seem to do that a lot). I really enjoy my job (as long as its only 1 day a week) so I knew it would still be a good day. Anyway, around 9 am I got a text from Beau, it was the kids singing me Happy Birthday. It was great...I went around showing it to everyone.

A few hours later Beau showed up with lunch for me. Gyros from our favorite (and only) Meditteranian restaurant here. We had a nice little lunch date in the break room...very romantic! Ha! When I walked him outside after lunch he said, "Get excited...there's more to come at home!" I was a little worried...Beau, hunka hunka burnin' love that he is and precious as can be, is not the best gift giver. For example, I've received a lot of bath salts and bubble bath. I don't even have a bath tub and have maybe taken 5 baths in the last 10 years. Ha! So the rest of the day was spent wondering if I was going to come home to find him naked and covered in whipped cream or if I was actually getting a gift this year.

My friend Keri treated me to ice cream and cobbler for my special day (and since I was having a crazy, busy day).

When I came home I played with the kids some and then went to the kitchen to get Sadie a snack. On the way, I passed the dining room and out of the corner of my eye I saw that the table was all set with china (and when I say "china" I mean the the cheap, fake stuff from HEB). I thought, "So my surprise is that we're having people over for dinner at 8pm?" As I got closer I noticed the china had a pattern on it and my fake china doesn't have a pattern. I stopped and saw this...
Let me explain what this is and why my husband is so awesome. I found this china in the antique store back on New Years when I found my dining room table. Somehow I got talked out of registering for real china when we got married. I wanted it really bad, but just couldn't justify spending the money (even though it was oober cheap compaired to what it would costs to actually buy real china like this...the whole thing costs as much as one place setting full price).

I spent the next few weeks talking about it and pining over it. When Beau went to pick up the table I had made up my mind. It would cost less than 1 shift at the hospital to pay for it (that's how I measure costs and worth of everything) and I really wanted it. I told Beau to call me if they still had it. He never called. As soon as he walked in the door I said, "was the china still there?" He said, "no, sorry, she said she had just sold it". I was so upset. I was mad at myself for not getting it before.

A few weeks later we drove by the antique store on the way to Rosebud and I said, "You're sure the china is gone?" "Yes, honey, I asked her, it was gone." "Man! I really wanted it. It would have been awesome if you bought it and kept it a secret and gave it to me for my birthday!" "Awe yeah, that would have been good. Sorry." I knew he was telling the truth because Beau CAN NOT lie.

So he HAD done that! He had planned it all along! My wonderful, bad gift giving, truth telling hunka hunka had pulled off a surprise and the best gift!!!

And of course my little man made the sign...

Wanna come over for a fancy shmancy dinner? You can...I have china.

Love. It.

Egg-celent

2011-03-04T19:17:00.000-08:00

So we started out with 4 chicks. Then one died. So, of course Beau decided to replace it with four more...of course. A few weeks later we were given 3 full grown chickens...White Rocks to be exact....2 hens and a rooster. We said we didn't want a rooster because of the early morning cock-a-doodling, but we took him anyway with the thought that if he got too annoying we'd turn him into dinner. He's okay so far, he makes a lot of noise when we're outside, but the neighbors don't seem to have a problem with him so he lives to see another day. Having these full grown chickens, though, has sped up our "return". Elijah has gotten the biggest kick out of going to check for and (sometimes) gather an egg a day from our one laying chicken.

Heading out to the farm...
He says "its so fun...its like Easter!!"

See it?...

The chicks are in the house so the chickens have the yard. We haven't made them a nest yet so they just lay anywhere.

Meet Colonel Peck...guarding his future heir.

So proud of his find...

When we walked into the house he asked, "can we take another picture of it?"

After storing the egg I left Elijah in the kitchen while I did some house work. A day or so later I was going through pictures on my camera to blog and found these....

Before..(unorganized)

Admiring his find...

Again.

After (organized)...

His little photo shoot just cracked me up. I love that kid. My little zoo keeper, farmer, gardener, rule keeper. He's the best.

Fun on the Run

2011-02-27T13:19:00.000-08:00

We've been going and doing a lot lately! Last week Beau took the youth to Abilene for Sing Song so the kids and I had to find something to do. We decided on Saturday to go on a picnic and to the zoo for the afternoon. We went with our friends, The Bruces and also invited the Shaws. Well since Beau was out of town and David had a study group it ended up being Brian, Erica (who's pregnant), Lori Anne (who's pregnant), Me an 4 kids under the age of 4. We laughed the whole time that we looked like a Polygamy family. The girls and I kept referring to each other as sister wives and Brian as Big Daddy! Ha! Brian was such a good sport! And the kids had a blast.

We wanted a pic of all of them together...not easy.

Then Elijah asked if we could take a silly face picture...

We kept getting asked all day if Maci and Sadie are twins. They do look just alike. I've even gone to pick Maci up thinking it was Sadie. They are so precious.

Wednesday Brooklyn came over for a few hours to play. Sadie is in love. They had so much fun. Sadie would just follow her around and be her little echo.

Oh, and no, I did not make Sadie wear that flower in her hair. She threw a fit until I put it in her hair for her! Yup.

Elijah is so proud of himself that he's finally mastered swinging by himself!

Anything Brooklyn did, Sadie would just laugh and laugh...

This past Friday we went and spend part of the day with Beau's grandmother, Mamaw...

Explaining to the kids that you only use one finger to play (instead of hitting multiple keys at a time with their whole hand)...

Such a sweet picture!...

Beau was out of town again this weekend and I got to spend Saturday evening with the polygamy family again...Thanks to the Bruces for taking care of me while Beau's gone!!

Brooklyn's Surprise Party

2011-02-24T19:27:00.000-08:00

This year Brooklyn told Katy she wanted a Surprise Party for her 6th birthday. "You know, Mom, the kind where I show up and everyone is hiding and they jump out and yell 'Surprise!'. She cracks me up!

We drove to my parents' for the day and made Brooklyn think we had just come to hang out for the day (which is the reason Jon and Katy gave her for coming too). My mom bought Dad a real popcorn popper for Christmas. I'm not usually a popcorn fan, but Lya brought home butter from the movie theater so I was all in! The kids got a kick out of watching it pop.

Brooklyn needed to pose for a pic...

So, of course, Elijah wanted to pose for one as well...

Then Sadie chimed in....

When the first kernels started popping Cale started cheering...

After enjoying our popcorn I announced our family needed to go "run some errands" so we had to leave. We actually needed to get to Katy's parents' house where the party was supposed to be. Here's the conversation that followed...

Brooklyn: "Can Elijah stay here and play?"

Me: "No, Elijah has to come with us."

B: "Why?"

Me: "I need him with me when I run errands."

B: "Why"

Me: I can't come up with any more lies! "Because I said so, get in the car!!!"

When we arrived Katy had made this super cute Tangled tower cake...

We all hid and waited for Brook to come in. Once she stepped in we all jumped out and yelled "Surprise!!!" She was actually really surprised!

After she had to change into her birthday costume we got down to business...CAKE!

Zac and Heather enjoying their cake...

Time for gifts!!

She tried on her cowgirl dress up clothes and they fit!!

When I asked her to pose for a pic of her clothes...

After a while we were wondering why it had become so quiet...where are the kids? We stepped outside....

Dad has this pheromone that seems to draw children to him and relax them. Luckily he uses this talent for good and not evil. There was one little girl just whining and crying all. day. long. Jon took her outside, walked around with her, rode her around on the golf cart, looked at the animals, nothing worked. He walked up to my dad, my dad took the girl into his arms and she immediately stopped crying and was just happy as can be. Jon's mouth drops open, he looks at my dad and says, "Do you know this kid?" Dad pulls her away to get a better look and says, "No, who is this?" Nice. That's my dad in a nut shell...beautiful on the inside and the out.

Aimee and the Good 'Ole Boys

2011-02-17T19:52:00.000-08:00

Last week we had our annual end of winter visit from Aimee, Grant and Grayson. We had a few days spent crafting, cooking, playing, and lots and lots of talking!

Hey, kids, are you having fun?!!....
I think this picture is hilarious. Grayson was not at all impressed with me "imprisoning" him in a high chair for his snack so we could work. Sadie, however, wanted nothing more than to sit in her old baby chair and eat!

Aimee hard at work on her new embroidery machine...

A cute shirt she embroidered for a little girl at church...

Brooklyn requested "cowgirl dress-up" clothes for her birthday this year. I made this outfit and Aimee embroidered the shirt...pretty cute!

Each night Aimee would take the kids to the bathtub while I cleaned up the kitchen. Friday night she decided to catch the kids' acting crazy.

I love this picture of Grayson...makes me laugh every time!

Wow. No words. A tub full of weirdos...

This was our attempt at a group picture. The older they get the harder it is...

I can't wait till the next time we get together. I really can't wait till Aimee and I can get away together without those weirdos!!

Yee-Haw!!

2011-02-16T11:59:00.000-08:00

The past 2 years Jannie has bought our whole family Rodeo tickets. It really brings back memories of going every year as a little girl with my mom's family.

We drove up and met my parents and brothers' families for lunch. Sadie went straight to her Papaw and loved on him for a while...

The cowboys...

Let the show begin!

Sadie loves her Uncle Zac!!

Couldn't you just gobble this little cowboy?!!

This was Sadie the whole rodeo!

We had a great time!!! Thank you Jannie!!

Snow Day!

2011-02-05T19:43:00.000-08:00

We got a lot (for central Texas) of snow on Thursday night so when we woke up on Friday morning the kids were ready to go out and play in it. We held them off until close to 10 and they wouldn't wait any longer.

I'm waiting...

Is it impossible to take a normal picture?...

Are you excited to go outside and play in the snow!!!....

I sent the kids out with their dad and said "Stay close to the house so I can get some pictures!" Beau then began in on me not going out with them. It took a few minutes, but he eventually guilted me into going out. It also didn't help that Sadie seemed to be less excited about the snow once she was actually out in it (like mother like daughter)...

Can you come out here and carry me Mama?...

One look from her and I was on my way to find some warm clothes! Beau said, "I thought you liked the cold weather!?" I said, "I do, I like it to be cold outside and me sitting inside, under a blanket by the fire with a hot chocolate!"

Beau taught Elijah how to make a snow angel...

Can you see it?

My other little Snow Angel...

Here's Beau's chicken house I was talking about...

Throwing snow balls...

After coming inside and warming up the kids thought my hair needed fixing. They brushed and attempted to put every one of Sadie's bows in my hair (please ignore the no make up, a la natural look)...

Nice.

Even though everything we had planned for the day was cancelled due to the weather, but we still managed to make the most of it.

What a Chick!

2011-02-03T18:39:00.000-08:00

I think I've mentioned that Beau built a chicken house for our back yard (I need to get a picture of it). Yesterday Beau and Elijah went to get the new chicks.

Oh how my boy loves animals...

May I introduce you to Fluffy, Stormy, Ruby and Brownie...

They sat and watched the chicks forever!

Today was Pajama Day at the kids' school. I asked Beau to take pictures of the kids in their pj's. I made these matching pants. They're not technically supposed to be called pajama pants because they are not flame retardant, so we call them lounge pants. They each had two pairs of pants and two shirts on because its so incredibly cold outside, but they loved their monkey pants...

Of course...

And just because its pretty....This was our Amaryllis. It was one of Elijah's Christmas gifts. I know that seems like a weird gift for a 4 year old, but Elijah loves gardening and he's watched this grow from a bulb...

Fun-0-Rama!

2011-01-31T18:56:00.000-08:00

Friday we worked around the house then after lunch Elijah and I went to run some errands. We told Elijah we would take him to the zoo if he was good all day. The weather was so good we planned to go walk around the zoo for a bit. By the time we got there we only had about an hour because we forgot they close so early. Oh well, that's the beauty of having a membership!! After that we went to get some burgers and then Sadie and I went home to chill and the boys went to watch some basketball games (they didn't get home until after 10pm!!). Elijah LOVES getting to go with Beau to watch "the guys".

Saturday we had another day of going to the gym and working around the house planned, but Janice called and said Amy and Brooklyn were in town and they wanted to go to the zoo and to Chucky Cheese for lunch. So we changed our plans and headed to the zoo.

Elijah helping pull the girls in the wagon...

I have never been able to talk the kids into taking pictures here, but since Brooklyn wanted to they were all in. If this is how they're going to handle peer pressure we may be in trouble....

My itty, bitty butterfly was a little short...

Looking at the bear...

Showing us how a bear growls..."RRRROOOOAAAARRRR!!!!"

Group shot...

Making beautiful music....

Brooklyn's face is so sweet in this picture!!! Amy was trying to get her to look at the camera and she was having none of it. Then Amy said, "say 'Chucky Cheese!'" and she was so excited!!

Just hangin' out. Ha! I crack myself up!

Are you freaking kidding me. How old is this little Sugar Plum Fairy!?!

Just looking at this makes me want to go wake her up and gobble her! She is a maniac and a weirdo supreme, but I love her!

Sunday night Beau planned a Chili and Dessert Cook-off and Silent Auction as a fundraiser for the youth's summer mission trips. It was awesome and we had such a great turnout! I have been looking for an excuse to practice making and decorating with fondant. I want to make a cake for Sadie's birthday, but I've been too intimidated to try fondant. I made it on Saturday and after putting Sadie down for a nap I tackled the cake.

I do have to say it turned out great! Right about the time I was ready to give up because it was too hard I figured out what I was doing wrong and after that it was a breeze. I think it turned out great! Its not the cutest cake in the world, but my expectations were so low! I will do better for the party now that I know what I'm doing (somewhat)...

The bow is a little sad, but I needed something to hide the seam of the rope...

And just to keep it real...

I was fairly certain I ruined my table and I still have powdered sugar from floor to ceiling (literally), but I was able to clean the table and I was so excited the cake turned out I didn't mind how long it took to clean up!

My hands were a different story...

I don't think the cake boss will be calling any time soon but I had fun.

It was a great weekend and we have a few busy weeks ahead!

Craft Happy

2011-01-25T19:13:00.000-08:00

So the fun with my new sewing machine continues...

I had a baby shower at church to go to on Sunday so I, of course, made a little something for the baby...

After searching Etsy for more inspiration I made Sadie this shirt...

The flower comes off and and is also a bow, which means any other flower clips she has can be placed on the shirt....pretty cool.

There HAS to be matching bows, right!! My girl loves her bows!

Lately I've also made the kids some matching pajama pants (pictures later), a cape and crown for a recent birthday girl and some pajama pants for a girl in the youth group who is tall and thin and has never had long enough pajama pants. I didn't get a picture on my camera of those, but they turned out great and she was so excited. I also plan on making some placemats soon for my new dining room.

Table for 10

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My mom and I were browsing an antique store near my house a few weeks ago and we saw this dining room table. I thought it was really pretty, but I have always know that it will be a LONG time before I can afford a dining room table that will fit 8-10 people. I just happened to glance at the price tag when walking by. So cheap!! I was floored. The store was closing and I wanted Beau to see it so we were there Monday morning when the doors opened and bought the table!!!

The chairs really baffle me. They match the table in color, but look more like kitchen table chairs than dining room chairs. One of the 6 is broken so I only have 5 chairs. However, I already had the bench in a spare bedroom and it matches perfectly. Some day I may be able to afford new chairs, but the table seats 10!! I. Love. It.

So the only obvious thing to do was to throw a dinner party!! We had 2 couples over and had a great time!!

So now the dining room transformation is under way!! I made these curtains and a matching table runner...its really looking great!!

I'm ready for another dinner party...

another new blog below...