Kids = Laughter

Easter Day at Gran & Grandad's

2009-04-21T19:22:00.000-07:00

After going to church, we went to Gran & Grandad's for the afternoon. The kids enjoyed digging through all the goodies in their baskets. Because of the rain, we had the egg hunt in the house. It was still a lot of fun. Lots of cute pictures from the day.

Twas the day before Easter

2009-04-21T19:19:00.000-07:00

... and we were sure busy. We dyed Easter eggs. Just a note, if you want deep blue or orange colored eggs, use brown eggs. Pretty cool. I also made my first coconut cream pie from scratch. It was beautiful & delicious!

Some pre-Easter Cuteness

2009-04-21T19:16:00.000-07:00

April 2009 - Sweet P wearing the super cute bunny smocked outfit that Cousin Melanie gave her. She was all cuteness, and she knew it.

Birthday, birthday, birthday!

2009-04-21T19:10:00.000-07:00

March 2009 - We celebrated the boys' birthdays again & again & again - a big boy "not quite a sleepover," a little boy Chuck E. Cheese party, dinner with Gran & Grandad at PF Changs, and then they went to Grandma's for a few days. So much fun!!! Over a month later, P2 is still singing his "birthday, birthday, birthday boy!" song.

Dinner on the Deck

2009-04-21T19:06:00.000-07:00

March 2009 - Finally warm enough to eat dinner outside, we grilled burgers. Sweet P grabbed P2's burger when no one was looking & really seemed to enjoy it. She also seemed very proud of herself!

Potties, Cuteness, & Amazing Curls

2009-04-21T19:03:00.000-07:00

Misc pictures from Feb & Mar 2009

Ice Day

2009-04-21T18:58:00.000-07:00

January 28, 2009 - We had a minor ice storm. Sweet P decided to get some exercise in. P2 took the opportunity to practice the Polar Bear way - naked in the cold! Really, this is Texas. It wasn't that cold. :)

A new hair-do for Sweet P

2009-04-21T18:56:00.000-07:00

Ah, the fun of having a girl ...

Christmas Day at Granny's

2009-04-21T18:54:00.000-07:00

We spent a wonderful quiet Christmas Day at Granny's house. The kids were really great. P2 especially did a lot of loving on his Great-Granny.

Santa Came to Grandma's

2009-04-21T18:49:00.000-07:00

Santa found us at Grandma's house and left lots of goodies. He also wrote a note of blessings & let the kids know a bigger gift waited for each of them at home. The kids were so cute in their matching pj's. They were so excited opening all their presents.

Christmas Eve at Grandma's

2009-04-21T18:47:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful relaxed Christmas Eve with Grandma. DH read the Christmas story to us. And then we opened presents with Grandma. So many gifts, so many blessings!

Christmas at Gran & Grandad's

2009-04-21T18:42:00.000-07:00

December 22, 2008 - We celebrated Christmas with Gran, Grandad, Aunt Erin & Mamaw a little early this year. We were super blessed. The biggest surprise - the baby dinosaur Kota that came to live with us. P2's reaction when he "came to life" - "Aww, baby dinosaur, where's your Momma?" Too cute!

Making Gingerbread Cookies

2009-04-21T18:40:00.000-07:00

P1 found the recipe for gingerbread cookies and discovered that we had all the ingredients. So we made some cookies. YUMMY!

Decorating the Christmas Tree

2009-04-21T18:33:00.000-07:00

Early December 2008 - When we started decorating the tree, Sweet P suddenly got super fussy. So P1 & P2 decorated the tree on their own. They actually did a pretty good job, and I only rearranged a little.

Misc Pics from November, including Santa Pics

2009-04-21T18:30:00.000-07:00

Guthrie Cousins

2009-04-21T18:24:00.000-07:00

November 30, 2008 - We went to Guthrie, OK to visit family and got to see Baby Cousin S (from Georgia) again. He & Sweet P are just a few weeks apart. Also pictured Granny, Cousin Ron, Cousin Melanie & their dogs.

Sweet P's Day in Court & Celebration

2009-04-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

November 14, 2008 - Happy Adoption Day, Sweet P!!! We love you.

Taking Pictures for Christmas Card Nov 08

2009-04-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

Fall Fun Fest at Cottonwood Creek

2008-10-31T20:15:00.000-07:00

We joined much of the McKinney community at Cottonwood Creek for their Fall Fun Fest. The kids had a great time.

Time to go.

Their Costumes

2008-10-31T20:09:00.000-07:00

Sweet P was a ladybug. P1 & P2 were a Pokemon team: P1 - Ash Ketchum, Pokemon trainer; P2 - Pikachu. So cute. Thanks to friend JP for Sweet P's costume. And big thanks to Gran for making the perfect Ash jacket!

Carving the Pumpkin

2008-10-31T20:08:00.001-07:00

We went very traditional this year, following P1's instructions - "three triangles and a scary smile."

Another day, another Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-31T20:02:00.001-07:00

We went to the Owen Pumpkin Farm with P1's BFF. The kids had a great time feeding goats, seeing animals, riding the hay ride, and of course picking pumpkins.

A Trip to the Pumpkin Farm

2008-10-24T18:42:00.000-07:00

We went to the Pumpkin Farm with our church friends. P2 & Sweet P enjoyed the cool fall weather and all the outdoors fun.

The Many Faces of Sweet P

2008-10-24T18:38:00.000-07:00

Practicing for the Olympics

2008-10-24T18:36:00.000-07:00

P2 tries out his parallel bar skills.

Peas, eewww!

2008-10-24T18:35:00.000-07:00

More P1 & Puma Soccer

2008-10-24T18:33:00.000-07:00

Sooner Born & Sooner Bred

2008-10-24T18:31:00.000-07:00

Great Dad & P2 pics ...

Just a silly P2 moment

2008-10-24T18:29:00.000-07:00

We were out trying to catch fireflies, & I caught a great P2 pic in the middle of the fun.

Sweet P's Baby Dedication

2008-10-24T18:27:00.000-07:00

We got to participate in Baby Dedication on our Anniversary (17 yrs) at the church's Main Campus. Such a great way to celebrate our Family!

P2's Gotcha Day

2008-10-24T17:54:00.000-07:00

P2's Gotcha Day was September 19. We celebrated on Sept. 21 with family. P2 decided he would cut & serve the cake before Mom was quite ready.

Nesting

2008-10-24T17:52:00.000-07:00

On a lazy Saturday afternoon, P1 built a nest on Mom & Dad's bed and graciously shared with his siblings - but "only one at a time - it's a nest for 2."

When the Hurricane Blew Through

2008-10-24T17:45:00.000-07:00

When Hurricane Ike hit Texas, we were prepared for some bad storms even as far north as we live. Instead, we got more of a warm summer shower. The boys couldn't resist stripping down & playing in the rain.

Mom's First Try

2008-09-12T09:20:00.000-07:00

My first attempt at fixing Sweet P's hair beyond just combing it. It took 20 minutes to get that tiny rubberband twisted around that tuft of hair. And I'm not sure Sweet P was too impressed with my efforts.

Go, Pumas!

2008-09-12T09:16:00.000-07:00

First game of the new season, with a new coach, several new teammates, and new uniforms. P1's also trying out playing offense this season.

P2 found a friend to play with, but he was ready to go long before the game was over. Of course, when it was time to go, he screamed all the way to the car.

Bathtub Built for Two?

2008-09-12T09:13:00.000-07:00

After his own bath in the big tub, P2 decides to join Sweet P in her mini-tub.

I don't think she was too sure this was a good idea.

At the Marina

2008-09-12T09:06:00.000-07:00

We went to the marina intending to rent a boat for the morning, but a storm was threatening. So, we decided to hang out on shore.

P2 heading down the dock to feed the little fish.

Dad helps P1 & P2 feed the masses of fish.
EWW!

Dad & P1 also found a quiet corner to fish, while G'ma & Sweet P set up a picnic and Mom & P2 went wading in the swim area.

On the Burger Barge

2008-09-12T08:59:00.000-07:00

We took an evening cruise around Greer's Ferry Lake, enjoying good food, fun music, and beautiful sights.

G'ma & P2 waiting to launch.

Dad & Sweet P listening to descriptions of the lake area.

We're ready to eat!

No more pictures, please!

Sweet P's rocked to sleep by the gentle waves.

Summer Vacation in Arkansas

2008-09-12T08:51:00.000-07:00

We went on vacation with G'ma to Fairfield Bay, Arkansas. We had so much fun hiking, swimming, playing tennis & mini golf. There was an art gallery that put on a puppet show for the kids. And a great marina to visit.

These are some pics from our hike to Indian Rock.

P1 led the way, explorer extraordinaire.

Dad & P2 follow the trail. Something about this kind of picture always grabs my heart.

P2 takes a moment to cool off & enjoy God's beauty.

Look, Ma, No ...

2008-08-12T13:11:00.000-07:00

... training wheels!

P1 accomplished another of his summer goals riding his bike with no training wheels. He's so proud, as are his dad & I!

For Aunt E

2008-08-10T18:37:00.001-07:00

Love you! Miss you! Hope you're having fun at camp!

A Day in the Life

2008-08-10T18:31:00.001-07:00

I swear she was smiling when I grabbed the camera.

"Say Cheese!" P2 is my photog in training. I'll post his gallery another day.
Swt P discovered her dress recently. Now she pulls it up all the time. Why do I have flashes of Children's Choir concert and a dress raised way up?

P1 (& snake) loving on baby sister.

Sweet P's Baby Shower

2008-08-10T18:18:00.000-07:00

Friends from church were kind enough to throw Sweet P a Baby Shower. It was so much fun getting all that girl stuff.

Sweet P with Great-Mamaw. Sweet P looked adorable in a dress Aunt J gave her - smocked with little pink flowers & Classic Pooh.

So many cute dresses & outfits.

Some of Sweet P's fan club.

With Gran, Mamaw, & Mom.

Thanks to all for the great gifts and the great fun!

All American Girl

2008-07-04T22:02:00.000-07:00

Happy Independence Day!

BTW - We were at a friend's house this evening. Staying much later than I intended, I tho't we'd missed seeing fireworks when we left at 9:30 tonight. Instead as we headed north on the highway, we were thrilled with sightings of at least 10 different fireworks displays, some of them quite close up. P1 tho't it was wonderful to see all the sights & not have all the noise. Happy 4th!

I know it's blurry, but ...

2008-07-04T22:00:00.000-07:00

... so funny! He growled, "Cheese!" at me as he made this face.

More Sweet P

2008-05-31T22:24:00.000-07:00

Pretty in Pink

And pretty in blue, too!

Memorial Day Weekend in OKC

2008-05-31T22:14:00.000-07:00

We went to visit G'ma over Memorial Day weekend.

Our first stop - to see Ms. L, the kids' extra grandma.

On Saturday, after listening to the planes roar over during the air show, the kids wanted to see some planes up close. So, we went to the Air Force base Bone Yard. I think the boys were amazed by the size of the planes.

Uncle C takes time to snuggle with Sweet P while the other kids run around.

This is our first family picture with all of us.

Happy Memorial Day!

Bath Time

2008-05-31T22:13:00.000-07:00

Our bathing beauty wrapped up in her new duckie towel.

Hoops for - I mean Slime for Hearts

2008-05-31T22:09:00.000-07:00

Having raised more than $50 for Hoops for Hearts, P1 got to participate in sliming the coaches at the last PTA meeting.

Coach C. & Coach M. were great sports allowing the kids to dump cups & buckets of the nastiest green oatmeal mush on their heads.

Before ...

After.

Sweet P Pics

2008-05-31T22:05:00.000-07:00

Sleeping Beauty

She's stolen our hearts!

Touchdown! Dad's already got her excited about football season. Boomer Sooner!

Do you recognize this kid?

2008-05-10T18:28:00.001-07:00

P1 agreed to a haircut for my Mother's Day present. I just love it, and so do his grandmothers. He thinks it's pretty cool.

Girls just want to have fun

2008-05-10T18:26:00.001-07:00

Anna got to meet her cousins (and Aunt & Uncle) today. The girls were especially excited to welcome her to the family.

Big Brothers

2008-05-09T20:16:00.001-07:00

P1 & P2 are so happy to have their baby sister. They love, love, love her to pieces already!

SO CUTE!!!

Proud Grandparents

2008-05-09T20:12:00.001-07:00

Meeting proud (& surprised!) grandparents & great-Mamaw.

Sweet P at the Hospital

2008-05-09T20:09:00.001-07:00

One glimpse of her face & we were in love. Excuse the lack of journaling - I'm a wee bit sleep deprived. She's one day old in these pics.

Spike, Fireball and Sweet P

2008-05-09T19:04:00.000-07:00

We have some new additions at our house this week.

P1 adopted 2 Chinese Dwarf Hamsters, named Spike (the smaller one) and Fireball.

We're getting used to the constant run of the wheel at night. P1 quickly decided they needed to live downstairs not in his room due to the noise.

And way more exciting, Tuesday we got a call that our little girl had been born. Sweet P was 7 lb, 9 oz and 20 inches long (oddly enough P1's exact measurements at birth). We got to meet her Wednesday around 3:30pm and left for home at 6:45pm.

My how quickly life can change! My world is suddenly filled with pink. I didn't know until Tuesday, how much I love having pink in my life.

More pictures later! I promise.

G'ma & the Geese

2008-04-29T18:25:00.001-07:00

Grandma, P2 & I headed to a local park to feed the ducks. We actually found more geese than ducks & quickly discovered that we didn't bring near enough bread crumbs to meet the demand.

The funniest moment came right at the beginning when P2 came face to face with a big, bossy goose that was taller than him. P2 literally turned on his heels & ran as fast as his legs would go, screaming all the way. I wish I'd had a video camera.

Grandma went to his rescue, and we found some less demanding geese. The little Canadian in the pictures was cute & not too aggressive. P2 even fed it from his hand.

Of course we had to take time to climb & slide, too, as long as we were at the park.

Relay for Life

2008-04-29T18:19:00.000-07:00

DH was on our church's Relay team this year, in honor & memory of his Dad, whom we lost just 6 months ago to cancer.

Grandma, the boys & I also went out to support the team & enjoy the fun. It is such an amazing thing to be part of. I always have this great sense of community & purpose when we participate.

While there, the boys found the Chick-fil-A cow. I had no idea that P2 was a groupie type, but he followed the cow around forever & fussed at other kids for getting too close.

Sharkarosa Ranch

2008-04-21T19:59:00.000-07:00

We visited Sharkarosa Ranch in Pilot Point with a group from church yesterday. It's an amazing place, and we were there at an incredible time. Within the last couple of weeks, they had a baby camel, baby zebra, baby lemur, and foal born. Also 3 joeys had just been kicked out of their mamas' pouches.

P2 enjoyed the petting pen with goats & pigs. He visited it twice.

On the safari ride, we saw some amazing animals - blue-eyed horses, camels, 4 types of deer, emu (P2 tho't that was one big "Quack Quack"), and 3 types of zebras. It's something else to be face to face with a gigantic camel, muchless 5 of them. I really liked the shadow striped zebra, seen below.

Bluebonnets in Texas = TRADITION!

2008-04-14T19:30:00.000-07:00

We headed to Ennis (Bluebonnet Capital of TX & Gran's hometown) Sunday with Gran. According to the Visitors Bureau we were probably a week or two early for peak season. But we did see a couple of good patches and got to drive by the farmhouse where Gran grew up and the home in town they moved to later. We also got to visit a park that I remember playing on as a child when I would visit my grandmother. I swear it had the same equipment - basic swingset, super tall metal slide, and old wooden climbing fort. P2 discovered the joy of the super slide, and P1 learned how to twist the swing up to make it a spin ride.

Here are the bluebonnet pics. Thanks, Gran, for a great afternoon!

Happy Easter! or Aren't they cute?

2008-03-24T20:05:00.000-07:00

Given the general attitude of the two older ones, this will probably be the only year I convince them to dress matchy-matchy, but oh my goodness, don't they look good?!

We went to church with Grandma and Cousin S.F. then to lunch for Chinese food (Both boys have become fans of Asian cuisine. Yea!). After lunch, we headed to a park to take pictures. It was sunny but COLD, so we didn't last long.

The men had to take a picture with the jet since they matched it. P2 was more interested in looking at the plane than posing for pictures.

Happy Easter, everyone! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Egg Hunt at Great-Granny's House

2008-03-24T19:54:00.000-07:00

We enjoyed perfect cool & sunny weather in Guthrie at Granny's house for our Easter Egg Hunt.

The boys love seeing their Great-Granny, and this time was a special treat because we were the only ones there for the visit - lots of love & attention. Great-Aunt MAnn came by for a visit later, too.

After lunch and a few "When are we gonna hunt eggs?" Dad & Grandma went to the backyard to hide the eggs.

P1 was told to look high for his eggs. Granny has lots of tall bushes, hedges, and trees, so there were plenty of good hiding places.

P2 enjoyed the hunt, but he wanted to open each egg as he found it. After about 5 eggs, he got distracted by the fun of a big backyard. It took some time for him to fill his basket.

Of course, the ultimate fun is opening all the eggs. The boys found jelly beans, Airheads, coins, bouncy balls, & mini dinosaurs. They enjoyed all the fun.

Thank you Granny & Grandma for a GREAT day of fun! Good to see you Aunt MAnn. Hope Uncle S feels better soon!

Coloring Eggs or "I DO IT!"

2008-03-24T19:45:00.000-07:00

As is tradition at Grandma's, Grandma & the boys colored Easter eggs. This year P1 helped by placing the color tablets in the cups and measuring the vinegar into each. Grandma added the hot water.

P1 colored several bright & beautiful eggs, including his first rainbow egg.

Grandma thought she would help P2 color an egg or two. But he quickly made it clear with the "I DO IT!" screech that he did not want assistance. I think his fingertips may still be green.

After they finished their eggs, I asked them to pose with their creations. This picture is the first time P2 ever said "Cheese" and grinned ear to ear for the camera. Now everytime the camera comes out he says, "Cheese!"

Thank you, Grandma, for all our fun during Spring Break! We love you!

Where ur Peeps at?

2008-03-24T19:43:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter, Aunt E! We love you!

Our GRANd Adventure

2008-03-24T13:46:00.001-07:00

We stopped over in Tyler on our way home from Nacogdoches. First good news, P2 went to sleep & stayed asleep in his pack & play in a hotel! Greatness, considering our last hotel stay, he stayed up until 2 AM & only went to sleep on my chest.

Our adventure included a trip to the Tyler Zoo. It was a great little zoo, with plenty of upclose encounters with the animals.

P2 enjoyed the petting zoo/goat pen. He kept petting them & saying, "Good doggie."

The rhinos (momma & child) seemed to sleeping peacefully until we arrived & P2 hollered. All of a sudden they were up, and the baby rhino was headed our direction. I guess all toddlers recognize the "Toddler Call."

My favorite spot in the zoo was an area where you could sit & look out over an East Africa savanah. It was arranged to appear that giraffes, elephants, zebras, and other animals were co-existing.

Thank you Gran, for our GRANd adventure!

Merry Christmas?

2008-03-24T13:39:00.001-07:00

Well, we're a little late, but we just got to celebrate Christmas with my Aunt & Uncle in Nacogdoches. Gran took the trip with us.

The boys had fun opening presents - they're experts after all the birthday gifts. And they especially enjoyed exploring their huge backyard.

P1 tho't he should have bro't his Bug Vac as we stomped thru the field. Being a little further south than us, spring had arrived in full force & there were plenty of bugs to be seen.

So, thank you, Aunt & Uncle for all the goodies! Merry Christmas to all!

We say "Happy" You say "Birthday"

2008-03-15T20:12:00.001-07:00

The boys celebrated their birthday today with Chuck E. Cheese and friends & family. I have to say Chuck E. has made some big improvements to the place, and we had a better time than I had anticipated.

P1 had fun playing the games & winning tickets. P2 had fun running around wearing out his dad, mom, Aunt E, Gran, G'dad, G'ma, etc.

The funnest moment was seeing my Mamaw playing air hockey with all the kids. How many 87 year old women do you know that will take on the kids at air hockey?

Of course, P2 had to sample the icing on his b-day cake before he would eat any pizza.

Thanks to everyone who came! I told P1 I better not hear him say, "I'm bored" or "There's nothing to do" for a long, long time.

Got Mi-- uh, Water?

2008-03-15T20:09:00.001-07:00

Apparently, I don't offer P2 enough to drink in the day.

Or maybe he's learning to pretend.

Or maybe he's just the funniest toddler ever created!

You say it's your birthday! It's my birthday too, yeah!

2008-03-15T18:42:00.000-07:00

P1 & P2 celebrated their birthday on the 13th. Grandparents & Great-Mamaw joined us for a b-day dinner at the DQ. And then we went home to open presents - because, according to P1, "Dairy Queen is not the kind of nice restaurant where you would bring presents. Not like Chuck E. Cheese."

P2 was pretty interested in big brother's presents. It took him a minute to decide to open his own.

Of course once P2 opened the Learning Piggy Bank, he couldn't be convinced to open anything else.

Happy Birthday, P1 & P2!

RA Pinewood Derby

2008-03-15T18:38:00.000-07:00

P1 participated in the RA's Pinewood Derby a couple of weeks ago and came in 3rd place in 1st Grade! He was so excited. The last time he raced in a Derby he came in last in every race.

It was one crazy night of racing. 1st - 3rd grade boys, with around 20 cars in each grade. As one of just a few momma's in the room, I felt a little like I'd stepped into the world of the Lost Boys!

Congrats, P1!

Snow, at last!

2008-03-06T18:38:00.000-08:00

It may be March, but we just had our first snow for the year. At least P1 was understanding about the snowman kit being put away already.

P2 wasn't too sure about this cold, wet stuff. He enjoyed it more when we joined the neighbor kids in a snowball fight.

Trying something new

2008-03-06T18:34:00.000-08:00

P2 tried out his new potty chair. We're a long way from getting the concept though. At least three times, he sat on it for several minutes then stood up and pee'd on the floor.

Got Milk?

2008-03-06T18:31:00.000-08:00

Definitely one of those "gotta laff" moments. My very independent, almost 2 yr old, P2 helped himself to the milk.

After he noticed me taking his picture, he just grinned and took another swig.

P1 & Upward Basketball

2008-03-06T18:28:00.000-08:00

P1 tried his hand(s) at basketball this year, joining the church's Upward league.

He had a great time and by the end of the season was really starting to show his defensive moves.

Of course, now we move on to soccer season!

Future Musicians

2008-03-06T18:22:00.000-08:00

P2 and P1 wowed us with their musical abilities on New Year's at G'ma's. G'ma started P1 on his first piano lessons over the holidays. He proudly played Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star after just one lesson.

P2 also attempted to play with his feet as he climbed the piano. Before I could get the camera out, big brother rushed to his aid, and they entertained us with a duet of joyful noise.