Oh The Beauty

Sunday was such a beautiful day. We went to the nursery to get the plants for the garden and I just couldn't resist the beautiful flowers. We got home and Brian planted the garden and I potted the flowers.

Speaking of beautiful things, look at this amazing buffet that was passed along to us from Brian's grandparents. A few years back they asked if we would like their dining room table and eight chairs, and we graciously (jumped for joy) said yes. Later, after we moved and they visited our house here they commented that the buffet that matched the dining room set would fit perfectly on this wall, so we told them whenever they were ready to part with it, we would be willing recipients. Brian got to go there this weekend and pick it up. The boys and I had other commitments so we didn't get to go and visit with them. Thank you NaNa & PaPa, we love you!!

A teenager

Nicolette (my brother's oldest) turned 13 today.
The morning started out busy & in all different directions, but by the afternoon most of us were able to go to the pizza place for a fun time. I think she really enjoyed her day - I know we did.

It's Getting Closer

Last week the box with the Race goodies came. In addition to the tickets and pit passes, there was a cap, a koozie, a cooler, a small die cast car, and their itinerary. The guys are really getting excited as the day get closer.

Opening Ceremonies

Today was opening ceremonies for little league, so we spent all day at the ball park. Kade had to be there at 8:30 for pictures, then the T-ball teams and the 7 & 8 year old teams were announced. During this part Noah was the one who had the honor of holding the flag for the National Anthem. After this, Angelette had a game which was good because Noah's pictures and ceremonies weren't until afternoon, and then he had a game too. We left the ball park a little before 5 - the last picture of Kade about sum up the way we were all feeling.

Spring Break - Day 2

Day 2 of spring break has been productive and fun. We cleaned and tilled the garden, we trimmed the dead of winter away from the flower beds, and we tidied up the house. We then picked up lunch and headed to the park for some fun.

Twenty Years

March 19, 1989 at 1:03 am, Brooke was born.

It seems like just yesterday we heard that first cry. She captured many hearts that night / morning with that little cry, and has captured many more since then.

She is a beautiful person inside and out, has a good head on shoulders, has some attitude, and is an all around wonderful young woman. We couldn't love her any more than we all do - Happy Birthday Princess!

Spring Break - Day 1

Ok, so we only have two days for spring break this year, but we're trying to make the most of it.

Today we slept in till a late 7 am - why is it that when you can sleep in you never do. I know why I don't, because of my boys, they are the ones who refuse to sleep late on a day off from school. Anyway, Brooke & I had appointments at the day spa at 9 so it was fine. We soooooo enjoyed it, we had a neck and shoulder massage, a facial, and a pedicure - note to self, do this more often.
The guys morning was as enjoyable because they all had dentist appointments, but they didn't mind too much. After all the appointments were done, we went to the pizza place for good food and good fun (and a good bit of money too). Kade tried all he could to get out of eating and just going play, but he did manage to get a little pizza, spaghetti and ice cream down, then Brooke & Aunt Net took them over to the game room and Brian & I soon followed. They ran from game to game and had a lot of fun. The four of us did the bumper cars and had a blast, I think was Kade's first time, but he was right in there bumping us around.
We would have like to stayed and done a little more, like go to the park or somewhere outdoors, but we had get back home, because both boys have baseball practice.

Conner the Photographer

Yeah Spring Break is here!!
We went to Victoria this evening, and are having a good time.
I know Conner loves snapping pictures with his kids camera, so I asked if he wanted to take a few with my camera. He was so excited, but it was hilarious. When he was taking the pictures it looked like he was missing us, but he wasn't. Because we thought he was cutting us off I asked if we needed to move down some and he said yes, so we did, and he said "up a little" so we moved, and he said "down a little" so we moved - well after looking at the picture we didn't need to move anywhere. For the last one he said he wanted to take one of something different, so he titled it up and snapped, then looked at the back of the camera and said "your heads are at the bottom".
For being 3 years old, he did a really good job, and yes, I was laughing so hard that I was crying.

Hard Day in Pre K

Brian was off on spring break already today so he picked Kade up from school at noon. The following conversation took place:
Kade: 4 people got their pen's flipped today . . . . but not me
Brian: are you sure, not you?
K: yeah, it was hard holding that mean in . . .
B: huh?
K: my head was going "grrrrrrr" (clinching his teeth & grunting)
B: it was?
K: yeah, and when it was over it went "whew"
B: what were ya'll doing that everyone was getting in trouble?
K: oh . . . . I don't remember

Baseball Practice

Yet another sign of spring - baseball.
Noah has had a few practices already, but this is the first one I came to. Brian is able to be here more with our boys now because he is only coaching a 'C' team at the high school. So this is the first time in five years I haven't had to be the primary one to get him to every practice. Don't get me wrong I didn't mind it, but I'm hoping that it will help Noah be more aggressive having his dad on the field with them instead of his mom sitting in the stands giving her loud comment.
They are still at the beginning stages and practicing different positions, but here's one he practiced today - pitching - .he did pretty good, he just need to get the confidence in himself.
Yes, instead of sitting in the stands watching I'm sitting in the car blogging.

Another sign of spring

Creative Boys

With the rainy days and being kept indoors the boys brought out the Lego blocks and recruited Beau to help them build a new house. They went above and beyond with this one - not only did they make separate rooms, they added a refrigerator, bunk beds, a tv and all the comforts of home.

I'm still here. . . .

Yes, I'm still here. . . . I just haven't taken the time or had the energy to post. The combination of time change and traveling kicked my butt.

Sunday we had a family reunion and it was a lot of fun, it was so great to see everyone, to look at old pictures and to reminisce about old times. The kids also had a lot of fun playing with relatives that they don't see very often.
After the reunion we went to MoMo & PoPo's so the boys could go fishing, they didn't catch a lot, but they did have fun.


On Monday I had to fly to Dallas, sat in meetings Monday & Tuesday, then flew back.
We did have a welcome sight this week, we finally got some rain . . . only about and inch and a half over three days, but at this point we will take what we get.

Schloppity Schlopp

Last week Kade's teacher gave them a recipe for scholppity schlopp - it's a mixture of corn starch, water and food coloring. I mixed up a batch of it this weekend and the kids had a blast with it.

His Name Is . . .

Drum roll please . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dusty
I'm not completely sold on the name, because I think since he's the first calf to Queen Sheba he should have a royal name, but I couldn't sell them on naming him Prince Caspian.
I showed his picture to our niece Katelynn and without even knowing the names we've tossed around, she said "I like Dusty". This was the original name Noah picked because of his color, and Brian said it's something simple and we're in a drought right now, so everything is dusty.

Innocence, isn't it wonderful

As we arrived home the day after the calf was born the following conversation took place:
Noah: can deer get married?
Me: huh?
Noah: I know cows don’t but can like deer or other animals, do they get married?
(Kade had a few interjections but I don’t remember exactly what he said)
Me: well not the way that humans do, but I don’t know if in their own way they might – why?
Noah: well, how do they have babies if they are not married?
I just smiled and thought, God, I love that my kids go to a Catholic School, if only they could stay this innocent 

Naming our baby (calf)

Our cow, Sheba had her first calf one day this week, and he is a cutie.
We're having a problem deciding on a name for him.
Suggestion have been Dusty, Ashes, Giovianni, Duke, Taco, Hank.
Look at him, what do you think?