Yes I finally blogged again...

It has been so long since I have been able to blog! We have had a rough couple of months with our computers and internet at work. I blog from home but I have to upload the pictures from my work computer. Dallas was out of town from late November until mid February with work. Add in the holidays and blogging was about the last thing on my mind. I think I am going to have to copy my picture programs for home so I can blog without limits. :) So welcome back everyone...

We don't get a chance to see our old friends; Melissa, Landon & Addison much anymore. Their house is not convenient and life is steadily getting more busy as the kids get older. A few months ago she made the trip over to our house so the kids could play. We met after school, ordered pizza and played until they were completely worn out. We had a wonderful time and will have to definitely do it again soon. After all Landon and Addison were Ethan and Paige's very first friends. Aw!


Straight in the door and already going crazy together!

The poor pizza delivery man had no clue what was waiting for him behind our door. He rang the door bell and the kids attacked, screaming and jumping up and down. They then moved straight into the kitchen where they all sat and started going nuts beating on the table.


I guess they were all hungry from playing so hard. :)


I unfortunately was too busy playing to take that many pictures. We even got out the bounce house to cap the evening off. Landon has never liked bounce houses but after a short time he too was having a great time jumping.

The random things four toddlers come up with... I just thought it was cute.

Just hanging out having a drink and chatting. :)



Look at Paige! Its been a long day.

Happy Birthday Nana!

December 2nd was Linda's birthday and I wanted to do something special for her. It was on a Wednesday so I knew it would take some strategic planning. I picked up the kids from daycare and we rushed home. I had their dinner all ready to go so they started eating. As soon as the kids finished eating I hurried them to the big table to sign their card. I love that they are old enough to actually "sign" their own names. We signed the card and loaded back up in the car.

They were really excited about Nana's birthday. I told them we were going to surprise her at work and sing happy birthday. They practiced singing the entire way through Ft. Worth and into the parking lot. When we arrived I had to figure out how I was going to get a small cake, balloons, a big bag and two toddlers in the building safely. I had my hands full but managed to hold Ethan's hand and I ask him to hold Paige's hand. They held hands and we all walked in a line in the door. It was about the cutest thing I have ever seen!!!

The building is always on strict lock down since she works in an Alzheimer's facility but the receptionist was very nice. She let us go up and walk onto her unit. It took us a minute to find her but we shocked the crap out of her! Of course when we actually got up there they would not sing with me but they were very happy to give her the cake and card. I think she only got to look at the balloons but we all knew those were never really leaving the kids hands. Ha!











It was a great surprise and definitely worth the extra trouble. We headed back home for bath and bed time and Nana went back to work knowing she was loved.

The big 60

On December 5th, Wendy and I hosted a 60th birthday party for my Mother. This summer Mom had emergency surgery that could have turned out much worse than it did. I really wanted to celebrate her life and how lucky we all are to still have her with us.

We invited all the close family and a few friends of Moms and all met up at my house for snacks, cake and a good time. This was the first time I have ever hosted an event without Dallas at home. It was definitely more difficult without his assistance but with the help of some great friends I pulled it off. Remember this was the first weekend in December so I had to get all my Christmas decorations up as well as clean and such. It was all worth it for Mom!


Our little Lily pie. Mom and her friend, Kayla.


The newest twins Lily and Lauren with their grandma, Sharon and their mom, Krissa. I am so glad we had a set of girls added to the bunch. They are so adorable.


I love this picture of my brother and Lily. Miss Abby had to make sure she kept all the balloons safe throughout the party. Little stinker kept moving them in front of her face as I tried to take her picture. Ha!


Its fun to pull the decorations... until they come down.


Mom got some really good cards but Nikki's Star Trek card was the def. winner! Ethan had to help her open and look at every card.


Happy 60th Birthday Mom, Grammie and Cynthia! Cake time!!!


What a great picture! (I don't know which twin either one of them is, isn't that awful.)


This would have been a great picture too but I only got Lily in it. Crap!

My Granny and Pap Paw with all 11 great grand kids! Wow!!!

Lily, Paige, Ethan, Jake, Weston, Abby, Austin, Alex, Jake, Lily and Lauren.


I had bought some fun party blowers for the kids and I had forgotten all about them. Austin and Alex found them near the end of the party and ask to have one. I passed them out and they were a huge hit! All the kids LOVED blowing them over and over. Lily was not too happy when they all came flying at her on Grammie's lap.


Austin and Alex were the only ones that could blow hard enough to make noise. Thank goodness, HA!


The kids all marched around in a line blowing their noise makers...

around the Christmas tree...

through the hall and around through the playroom.


It was seriously the cheapest party favor ever and they could not have loved them more.


Ethan fell into a chair while running at daycare. Doesn't he just look wonderful for the entire family to come over. Ha, oh well.


My Mom, brothers and I.


Mom with her sister and parents.


Thought this was a cute picture of my brother's family.


Some of my favorite men. My other favorite man, Dallas, was out of town.


Lily crawling all over her Grammie.

It was so nice to get together with our entire family and let the kids play together. It was amazing to celebrate my Mother's life and what she has meant to all of us. We love you Mom!
Thank you so much John Mark and Wendy for supplying all the food and cake! I could not have done it without you.

Thanksgiving w my fam

Our last Thanksgiving celebration was with my family at my brother's house. Paige was not feeling well at all and had fever. I was really upset that we might miss spending time with my family so Dallas offered to keep her at home. She was getting over an ear infection at the time but she was extremely too miserable for that to be the only problem. Turns out she had another ear infection in the other side and a fever virus. I did not want to cancel the entire gathering but I knew Paige could not be around all the other kids.

My younger brother, Brandon, drove in from Austin and we rode together since I had room in the car. Once Ethan woke up from his nap we headed out. I felt bad leaving Daddy and Paige at home but I knew he was very capable of taking care of her.


Of course the kids wanted to go outside immediately.


Push faster Uncle John Mark


Wendy taught her kids to swing on their tummies so she did not have to push them all day long. Genius if you ask me! My poor son could not figure out how to do this for the life of him. He did not understand the running and pushing off but Jake and Abby sure have it down.


He quickly remembered where to go to dig in the dirt in their backyard only Uncle John Mark had gated off the really messy part.

Carving our first fried turkey!
Lily wondered why Ethan was messing with HER toy but she did not protest.


Grammie playing with Lily. I told the kids to stand together and smile for a picture and they actually did it. Too bad it is only three of them but I will still take it.




I love this one of Ethan and Abby reading together.


Doesn't Abby look tired. I hope our kids remember Pap Paw when they are older. He is such an amazing man.

We missed Dallas and Paige but we had a great time visiting! Thanks for having us all over John Mark and Wendy!