Our Little Cover Girl...

If you're in Lubbock check out the latest copy of Kid's Sake Magazine. Taylor is on the cover:)

Tea Parties and Mema...

Taylor and Averi are always coming up with fun and crazy things to do. They are the girliest little girls you'll ever meet. They are so creative and use their imagination all the time - more than any toy they have. Yesterday they decided to have a tea party. Here is what they came up with!

Notice the pinkies are out - that is the mark of a true lady! HaHa






Here are some pictures from one of their tea parties 4 years ago. Taylor was 3 and Averi was 9 months old. This was the summer we lived in VA.





And this past Wednesday my Mema came to visit us. Isn't she cute? The kids absolutely love her:) And of course she adores them.

Mama Can Kneeboard...

We made a day of it yesterday and took another roadtrip to LAH. This time we went with our friends Seth and Stacy, and their son Bryce. Well, Stacy was brave and decided to try waterskiing and kneeboarding. She did good and made it back in one piece, so I gave it a go. I was not brave enough for the skiis - it was kneeboard, and kneeboard only for me. I was soo nervous. But once I got the hang of it, it wasn't so bad. I actually got up and rode for a few seconds. It was fun! But today Mama is sore:)

Seth



























Bryce and Taylor


Chad floatin' away


me, Bryce, and Stacy





Chad kneeboarding


Stacy kneeboarding


Mama kneeboarding


This is the only picture I got of Seth doin' his thang:)

His New Favorite Thing...

Is to climb the stairs. And the little toot is lightning FAST! I normally have the gate up, but sometimes I forget. There is nothing more annoying (or cuter, I might add) than having to hike my leg over that thing everytime I need in the girls' room. Anyway, back to Connor. He loves it when I forget about the gate. And believe me, he takes notice. On more than one occassion his sisters (aka "other-mother") and I have caught him sneaking up to the second floor. Talk about getting your heart rate up. You've never seen me move so quick up those stairs as I have to capture my little man! And he's just so proud of himself!

Look at that sweet face:) I can already see the little boy in him trying to come out. Luckily the clean sheets that I still have not put on the beds are blocking his way:)

Gotta Love JibJab...

Send a JibJab Sendables® eCard Today!

Big Brother is Back...

This is definitely our favorite summertime TV show. We have looked forward to it every year since 2005. I would consider the two of us BB addicts:)! Luckily we get our fix 3 times a week. The newest season premiered this past Sunday night, and all day I was so excited. Sometimes I would forget and think there was nothing to look forward to, then I would remember BB10, and I would be happy again! Is that bad? I don't really know what it is that keeps us coming back for more. It's just a group of people stuck in a house for three months, with no access to the outside world. I guess it's all the drama that ensues and the fact that I'm not sure I could do it. I don't think I could leave my family and be secluded from everything and everyone I know. So far nothing crazy has happened, but I'm sure that will all change. Who knows what twists and turns they will surprise us with.

It always takes me awhile to get to know the house guests. Presently, only a few have grabbed my attention:

Renny: Because she is so loud and flamboyant.

Jerry: Because he is 75 years old.

Steven: Because he is a gay rodeo rider (from Dallas, no less).

Anyway, we will be watching faithfully every Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights to see who is eventually crowned the winner of BB10!

Some Much Needed R&R...

Yesterday morning, after Averi's T-ball game, we drove to Lake Alan Henry to spend the day with Dondi and Poppi out on the boat. It was the first time this summer we have been able to go. The weather was perfect and it wasn't crowded at all. The girls had a blast jumping off the boat, swimming, and shooting waterguns at D&P:) It felt great to get away, even if it was only for the day.

He Still Can't Walk, But at Least He Uses His Legs...

Yesterday Connor and I took a little trip to Barnes and Noble. The girls were with Nana so it was just the two of us. I didn't have the "boy" stroller in the car. All I had was the pink ladybug one and I just couldn't bring myself to put Connor in it, so I decided to hold him (and make it quick). Well, it didn't matter how quick I was, Connor wanted DOWN! He did not want to be held. I don't know what it is about that place that intrigues little kids. Maybe it's the rows and rows of books that they can throw off the shelves;) So, instead of holding a wiggly, squirmy, squealing baby boy - I let him down. And when I put him down, he stood up holding onto the bookshelves for quite awhile. I got the camera out as fast as I could to get pictures of the amazing feat!













By the way...I bought this. So far it is really good! It is all about the life of David.

Eight Years and Three Kids Later...

And we're still goin' strong!
Today, on July 8, 2008, we celebrate 8 years of marriage;)
I couldn't imagine or want anyone else by my side.



The wedding party













"I now pronounce you..."


The garter


Seth, Brian, Chad, and Nathan


Love this picture


Bye


I cannot believe we drove off in that truck - what were we thinking? He didn't even wash it, I don't think:)

Happy Fourth...

First of all, I think I have fifth disease. Just wanted to throw that out there;) Last night I felt terrible: sore throat, chilled, achy, and just plain yuck. I figured it was probably a sinus infection - LOVE those;) But today I noticed a strange rash on my arms and legs. I only know about fifth disease because Averi had it not too long ago. It's nothing big - just a virus. And once you have the rash (which is how you even know you have it) you aren't contagious anymore. It's too little too late for all the poor people we came in contact with last week. I think I must have got it from the Con-Man. About a week ago he developed a rash. It still comes and goes, but I assumed it was from being out in the heat. Guess I was wrong! Now Chad is in bed with a fever. FUN! So Kristi, looks like good times are in store for you! Just kidding...y'all should be fine:)
Second of all, I am so thankful. Thankful that I live in the good ole USofA. Thankful that I am free to worship how I choose. Thankful that I am free to write this blog. Thankful for three healthy, beautiful children. And thankful that I have a hope and a future that continues long after this life is over! I don't ever want to take any of that for granted.
So...today was a good day. The rain...the clouds...I love days like today! This morning Dondi, Kristi, Logan, and Sydney came over to decorate the girls' bikes and Connor's wagon for the parade that was supposed to be at Vintage tonight. We ate lunch at Chili's, and then took T, A, and S to get their fingernails painted and decked out for the 4th. It was a great start to the holiday weekend!

All-American Boy (with a flag in his diaper;)














Logan


They chose blue polish with red stars (much to the lady's disapproval that was doing their nails. She said "Fingernail too short" What?! The little stars were about the size of a pinhead. We kindly insisted that red, jeweled stars were what they wanted and that is FINALLY what they got;) You gotta love Wal-Mart nail salons!


My kiddos: Averi, Connor, and Taylor


Sweet boy


All-American Girl


All-American Girl #2















They were ready for the parade.


Almost time...


Just Kidding - it started pouring down rain.


Look at the sky!


They had so much fun! That's Taylor sliding down. (Can you see Averi at the top of the slide? She FINALLY went down after much hesitation)


I love my baby boy and a good thunderstorm!













They ended up going on with the parade, but by then the kids were soaked and ready to go.


He loves playing with balloons. He was cracking up in the back!