25 years later...

I can't believe I am old enough to say this but yesterday I got to see a friend I haven't seen in 25 years! We were 7 and living in Fitzgerald, Georgia the last time we saw each other and thanks to the fabulous internet, email and facebook we got in touch last year. She now lives in Texas too and was in Arlington to take her son to some Rangers games. Sorry Nicole you got crappy games, but glad Laker enjoyed them! We had a great visit and it was so good to see her and meet her family. Next time we will head her direction for a visit!

In leiu of a party...

Anut Kelly thought it would be fun to take the big kids to 6 Flags for the first time for Austin and Alex's birthday...what a fabulous idea! It was great to see them be so adventurous! They lasted to the very end through the light up the park parade. We couldn't have asked for a better first experience! We barely waited in any lines and the kids were so good, we didn't have any behavior issues. We all "buddied up" Daddy with Kyler, Me with the birthday girl, Aunt Kelly with the birthday boy and Uncle Shawn with Brianna until she went home. I can't believe how many rollercoasters they were tall enough to ride!! And they rode ALMOST everyone they were tall enough to ride. Kyler was cautious to get on the first one but once he got a taste of it...it was on! He wanted to ride it all. Austin was still going when we got to Gran and Papa's to pick up the 3 year olds, Alex and Kyler were passed out! Thanks Aunt Kelly for including us...it was a great day!

Cheerleading car wash

Saturnday morning I took Daddy's truck to be washed at the cheerleading fundraiser. Aunt Kelly, Alex and Brianna did a great job on the truck. It isn't everyday yoru sister-in-law washes your truck...HA!

Morning Ballerina

Every morning this week the first thing Mandy does is put this dress up ballerina costume on and dance around the house wtih her baby! She cracks me up...several times a day. If she isn't talking she is singing and dancing, keep in mind...she doesn't want to go back to dance, just dance whereever she is! Hilarious. I love my little spitfire.

Playtime with Abby

Our neighbors across the street have a little girl about Mandy's age and they have become fast friends. Abby came over to play in the backyard with the puppies and the pool. They had a lot of fun together and Kyler was a very good sport. The dogs did a great job of playing nice too...

Adventures in Peanut Butter...

So apparently while playing with Daddy and Kyler, Mandy's hair "flew" into her mouth (per daddy) attaching itself to her GUM! Yep, our first gum in the hair adventure. Her hair was up this morning but as always...she pulled the ponytail out first time out of my sight. Tips given by a friend...peanut butter first then conditioner...The entire time I am telling her I am going to walk her to Mrs. Tiffani's house to get her hair cut if she doesn't stay still! Well, as messy as it was, it worked! Gum is out of her hair via peanut butter, the little pieces left behind slid right out with the conditioner...I used a handful of both...HA!

Father's Day...

What more could I ask for in a Daddy for my kiddos? Kyle (nor I) are anywhere close to perfect but he is a FANTASTIC daddy! Kyler made him breakfast in bed (raisin bran), I brought him coffee and Mandy delivered his shirt. What a way to wake up! He did get to sleep in...a little. We got to spend time with all three grandpas this weekend to celebrate too.

Saturday we went to Gran's family reunion at Pappadeaux's ... YUMMY! Enjoyed visiting with her family and I got to play with, snuggle and put Connor to sleep for a short nap. Picture courtesy of Aunt Erica's blog. Afterwards we went back to Gran and Papa's house for playtime and to celebrate his father's day. The cousins all really enjoyed themselves and played to exhaustion! Papa, we love you and thank you for being you and are thankful you are here with us. LOVE YOU PAPA!

After a slightly relaxing morning, we headed off to Poppy's father's day and playtime with Sydney, Aunt Lisa, and Uncle Mark. The kids had a great time swimming in the lake and discovered the FUN of jumping off the boat house deck!




After a bath and showers we dressed and headed out to Lawry's for Father's Day dinner with PawPaw and Grandma Sarah for PawPaw's father's day...PawPaw you see is a very stubborn man! Yes, I come by it honestly...he wanted to celebrate his bonus and Father's Day together. We obliged since he is PawPaw. We had a fabulous dinner and the kids were AWESOME! I was just totally impressed with their behavior in this restaurant. They earned their ice cream for sure! Thank you PawPaw...we love you, it was as special for us as for you. Daddy, I couldn't have asked for a better Daddy in my life! You are and have always been an amazing Daddy, I am eternally your girl.

First summer soccer game...

 

 

 

 

Yes, I am crazy! I am letting my son play soccer in the summer in Texas. Just take a look at the joy in that close up shot and you can easily see why! He refuses to miss t-ball for soccer again (Ooops, if I only I knew a 5 year old could get so mad over that...) but still wants to play so....here we are...a soccer season that won't interfere with t-ball. He is having FUN and becoming much more aggressive than this past fall. The game was a tie, wouldn't have been if they would have counted Kyler's block/shot but we know better than to argue with a ref :) Mandy did watch/cheer/support for a good part of the game, as you can see she spent the rest of it wandering around the fields (yes...we could see them) with Hope, one of her favorite big kids.

1st Tee Golf Camp

Poppy signed Kyler up for a golf camp once a week this summer. Kyler is still stoked about this! This was them heading off for their first day Thursday, he even has his own set of clubs and golf bag and can't wait to go back for more! Thanks Poppy! For those who haven't seen Kyler in a while...he wants to "play every sport in the whole world!" 3 down Kyler! OH...if you are wondering about Mandy, this is her ambition these days "I want to be a pony when I grow up! A pony with purple wings!" Yep...she is my free spirit.

I don't want to take a nap!!

Is what I have heard every day this week from Mandy...Wednesday this is where she finally "fell". Too funny for words sometimes! The fact that she just dropped in the doorway cracks me up! She may not want naps everyday but she is MUCH nicer when she has had one!

Look how he's grown!

No, not Kyler...Spike! He is getting so big and Kyler is STILL loving him, Kyle too! I took this picture on Tuesday after we got home. Spike was SOOO glad to have company again and Kyle can't wait for him to get big enough to travel with us!

My fishermen!

Kyler and Daddy got to go on a special fishing trip just the two of them and Mandy and I got some time alone too! Definitely special times...
The score: Kyler got 4 fish and a clam, Daddy got 0!

Our last day...

Aunt Kelly, Uncle Shawn and crew headed back on Monday. The kids and I played in the pool while Daddy took a nap...Since he and Uncle Shawn fished until 4am every night he was exhausted! We had a great, lazy day.





This is Kyler being a daredevil AGAIN! As if trying to get ON TOP of the monkey bars wasn't enough...he is definitely a BOY! First thing he said was "MAMA! Do you want to see me do it again???"




Then there is Mandy! If she isn't talking, she is singing! Lately her song of choice is from The Little Mermaid...

Girl time!

while the boys went fishing the girls had baths, snacks and a movie!

The sandy beach...

Our day trip to Rockport...