Say Cheese!

Three little monkeys.......

Pretty days....

The weather has been beautiful the last few days! Just sunny and a perfect temperature. Spending as much time out as we can. Took the little bits to the park yesterday, and when J got home we all spent the afternoon in the backyard. They were all so content - I even got to read a magazine while everyone enjoyed themselves!!

Anna - B LOVES her floppy hat! Never complains!!

:)

K

All's well...

Another week, another tornado. I'm telling you....Texas has never felt truly like home to me...and this spring is going to do me in. We had another severe weather day on Tuesday...does it mean I'm getting really paranoid if I tell you this is third Tuesday we've had severe weather? We've had one bad Friday, too. Anyhow, no trouble here at our house, thank goodness. I'm realllly getting ready for summer...

The kids are good. Miss B and I took a road trip to Houston this past weekend sans males. She was a gem - the trips there and back were completely unremarkable. In Houston, Anna's mom shot Blaire's 6 mo portraits. Love, love, love them. I'll post when she officially turns 6 mo next week. I'm in no rush for this girl to grow up.

We had a lovely weekend with our good friends, though, celebrating the news that they are joining us in the looney bin. They will have a third before Christmas! So this time next year we'll be requesting a table for TEN when we go out to eat. I'm about to pop I'm so excited about this baby!

I can't tell you exactly what went on around here with me gone....but there were krispy kreme boxes, Happy meal boxes...and evidence of missed bedtimes. So I think everyone was happy! It is so sweet to see your kiddos when you've been gone long enough for them to miss you, too! Justin nearly bowled me over....he's getting a little big for the running-leap-into-my-arms....but I'll take it as long as I can get it.

Here's an old (january) but cute pic....

K

A whole new world

We had a great weekend! It started off rough....we had tornado activity again on Friday night. When the sirens went off, I realized we might have to get Collin treated for a stress disorder. He was really quite terrified. But off to the powder bath we all went with our mattress on our heads and the gameboys in hands. They have determined that four touched down. This spring is not turning out to be my favorite, in terms of severe weather. Thankfully, we and all our local family were fine.

Anyhow, Papa came in for a visit this weekend. He came and saw Justin play soccer (it was freeeeezing on Saturday!). Collin was a little-brother-popsicle. Blaire and I arrived at halftime and rescued little C. Saturday evening, Dad and C took the boys to see Meet the Robinsons, while I hosted a baby shower. They had a big time and we girls did as well. Blaire was well behaved and only spit up in front of people once.....or twice....

Sunday we went to a late brunch and spent the day at the zoo. The weather was perfect and it was a very nice surprise for the kids. The mandrils were putting on a great show, chasing each other around. They reminded me so much of two little people I know.......

Collin got a haircut and just looks so GROWN UP to me. Something about this cut made him just look older suddenly. And Blaire has found a whole new world....the upright one. She's sitting pretty well....longer periods each day. Not LONG, mind you...but getting longer. And she's found her toes. And she likes those toes!!

accomplishments

I snapped a few quick shots today...have to show a few things I'm proud of.
First, for Layne, is the glorious Easter Petit Four. I'm proud of how they looked and they were delicious - but I took a picture b/c I'm NOT making those again. No matter what you charge, Layne...you should charge more. That was a whooping.



Secondly, I take great pride in these sweet rolls of chunky monkey. Don't you just want to pinch your monitor???

Easter

We had such a fun day!
I didn't take a single photo, but John took a million so I'll look forward to seeing his.
The kids got up at a VERY reasonable 7am to hunt baskets...they were very happy with their water guns, jump ropes and new "Cars" cars...And they made an attempt at double dutch (they watched "Jump In" yesterday...which is a Disney tv movie about a boy who joins a double dutch team...) and it didn't turn out to be as easy as it looked!

We made it to church ON TIME on Easter Sunday. It's an Easter MIRACLE! I told Carleton I was pretty sure it was the first time we got into the sanctuary to sing "Christ the Lord is Risen Today!" since Justin was born. I just love, love, love that song. And I hate that we always miss it! Well, today we MADE IT! Justin asked to join us in service today and it was so nice to have him there. And it seems Collin pinched someone in Sunday school for a) sitting by him and b) being female. He says he's sorry and won't do it again. We'll see. With his flirtatious nature, we should probably be grateful he didn't pinch her on the behind for the same offenses!!

Lunch was pleasant and went off without a hitch. The Petit Fours I decided to make were delicious...which is good, since I won't be doing that again! Way too much effort. But they were yum and pretty. The kids hunted eggs with Robin, Blaire blew raspberries and we all stayed warm.

The late afternoon consisted of us snoozing to the Masters...the boys playing outside and cuddling with the baby. Oh, and stealing chocolate from the boys' easter baskets!
Sweetest words were Collin saying, " Jesus is.....Alive!".
Can't get much better than this day!

K
A few pictures from Easter weekend.

J Tball game:

Decorating Eggs:


The princess supervising:

Spring

Spring in this area brings 2 things.......
bluebonnets and tornadoes.

One good, one bad. We've gotten to experience both in the last few days.

We took the children for bluebonnet photos on Saturday....and again on Sunday. It was an experience and I have gained respect and admiration for my father. Year after year, getting that Christmas photo was an exercise in self restraint. I'm lucky my snotty 14 year old self didn't get put out on the curb. Why oh why don't children understand that 5 minutes of cooperation would END THE PROCESS? ha ha. They will get it when they are parents!!

Actually, after the fiasco Saturday, we returned Sunday and were over and done in 10 minutes. We knew exactly where to place the kids in regards to the sun....and the kids knew there was a capri-sun and a cupcake in their future if they gave us their best! And they did.

The tornado....not so fun. The sirens went off last night and our party of five was huddled around the porcelain throne of our powder bath. There is nothing more disconcerting than realizing you have more children than you have arms. #2 was terrified of the sirens and #1....well....we let him bring his gameboy in the bathroom so he was totally cool. #3 thought the whole thing was really fun and I was nearly wetting my pants once the hail hit.

Obviously, a tornado didn't touch down here and we are all safe... but WHEW. I really miss my basements!!

Here are my sweet little critters. Critters, for sure...but they are just the sweetest things.