New Years New Blog!!

Okay, I am horrible at this blog thing. I keep saying I am going to get better but I haven't. The point of me blogging was for it to be more like a journal of everything that is going on with the family and things that I am processing or thinking about, but I have been too busy or not comfortable writing what I am really feeling or thinking at the time. Anyway look for a new blog in the new year....................................

Im Back!

So I am back! Did anyone miss me? Or did anyone even notice that I have not posted in 3 months?? Where do I even start? Umm, we survived the IKE - lost a couple of trees and it put some holes in the garage but no big deal. Gary is now over booked and is working 6-7 days a week. At least he is in town! I made it up and back down the mountain in Colorado. That was the best experience and wish I was up there right now. Would have pictures but I uploaded them to our laptop which has crashed! Just a little mad! The kids are great. Lillie Beth will be 4 next month. Soooo hard to believe my baby is growing up. She is in ballet and gymnastics. The only reason she is in both is b/c it was easier to put her in so Jackson and I could do a mommy and me gym class. Which he loves!! She seems to be enjoying both. Jackson is 19 months - the terrible twos have come early with him. But he is getting so big and wants to do everything his sister is doing. Lillie Beth is in PreK this year, she is loving being in the big kid class! Jackson is also going to mothers day out and loves it! Well that is a run down and a very quick update. I try to post more often, but will not promise. I am not even sure anyone even reads this. I almost forgot, I am officially a Realtor!! That is right. I am working for Gary Greene Prudential and am loving it.

More of Lake LBJ

Well I have been meaning to do this post for a while. We found the coolest waterpark at Lake LBJ. It had all those cool blow things that you always see but never get to play on. There was also a waterslide that you tubed down. The kids were able to carry their own tubes up and ride down. They loved it. Everyone is required to wear a lifejacket if you were in the water. I am not sure who and more fun, the kids or the adults. Oh at this place they also have cabins you rent. Really cool place! The trampoline had a katapoult next to it. I have to say my niece Davie Joy was sent flying by Gary. When I say flying I mean flying. She did a belly flop and cried a little but not as much as I thought she would! I am soooo proud of her. Next time she knows to reach for the sky not the water! I wish I could have gotten it on camera!

Here is some of it - there was more!

Lillie Beth sliding! She loved it. The new pool in The Woodlands has a slide just like this but you have to be 48 inches to ride! She is really mad that she cannot ride it!

Look at my monkey!! She climded up this and slid down like 5 times!!! It took a lot of arm muscles b/c my niece was unable to make it to the top!

There was a little beach area with shade. Jackson just hung out and loved watching everyone

Hope everyone had a happy 4th! We started the day by going to a parade. It was sooo hot and thought it was going to ruin our party, but it rained mid day and cooled way off. We had about 20-25 people over, the kids played in the pools and the adults just hung out. We then drove over and watched the fireworks! For those of you that watch The Woodlands fireworks, Lamar Elementary is the best place to sit for them! The kids ran around and played on the playground - unlike last year we had to keep them confine them to the vehicles (bowling alley parking lot). Overall, itt was a great 4th!

We are really enjoying the boat and going out on the water. If ever you want to go - just call!!! We have alot going on in the next couple of weeks. Gary and I are taking a trip to Vegas with my sister and brother in law. We get home and then leave for Colorado for till the 6th or 7th of August. Gary will be keeping the kids in Crested Butte while I go on trek with our church youth group! Keep me in your prayers, I did this in High School but that was over 10 yrs ago!! Oh and Gary too, it will be the first time he has kept both the kids for a week. He will be in the same town as his parents so there will be help. I will try to post while in Colorado. But if you don't hear from me it is because I am having way too much fun. I am so blessed to be able to go up there.

We have a WALKER!

Well Jackson has kind of been walking for like a month but now he is officially walking! He will go from room to room and just about anywhere walking. Before he would just prefer to crawl.

Lake Babies!!

We rented a lake house at LBJ and had a great time. My sister Shawn and her family came with us. Jackson had a blast on the boat and enjoyed riding in the tube! We were gone for 5 days. Lillie Beth loved climbing on the back of the boat and jumping in! As soon as we would get on the water she would say I'm ready to JUMP!!! She is definetly my daughter, She loves the water! Did I tell you we got a Pontoon boat? Its the best! Great to play on and can tube behind it! Very kid friendly. I will post more picture later!

Here are some pictures from our trip to the beach. We had a blast! Lacie and Tyler came and spent a day. It was nice to have someone for Lillie Beth to play with so I could relax and not have to entertain her. I love the beach! I woke up early and was usually the first person on the beach and I would be almost the last off! But Gary is not too fond of the beach - he likes the lake. So instead of me planning another trip to the beach - We found a lake that has a beach like setting!! So we are renting a Lake house on LBJ later this month!! Oh and we got a pontoon boat!! YEAH - but if Gary thinks getting me a boat will make me want to go to the lake more and the beach less then well it might work! But I will need my beach every now and then!! Hope everyone is enjoying the summer!! WE ARE!!

PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!

Finally!! Here are some pictures from this spring! Lillie Beth got her first trophy and meddle in the same week!!! Lillie Beth played soccer and had Olympic day at gymnastics. She and Tyler were on the same team, they had a blast. Cam her cousin went to gymnastics too, they were not in the same class but got to do Olympic day together.

You like the picture with the wine cork in Jackson's mouth? We went to dinner and didn't take a pacifier and well we just put a cork in it! :) It was hilarious! He would not take it out. I will upload the pictures from the beach and post them soon! Oh and I will do a back post and put pictures of Jackson's 1st birthday!

WE ARE ALIVE

Sorry for the long time no post! Not sure if anyone really reads this or not! I know grandparents do look at the pictures! But anyway.

I did complete my first triathlon!! I am hooked. I am ready to do another one. I should say it was a sprint not a full - 500 meter swim, 15 mile bike, 3.1 mile run. My goal was 2 hours and I finished in 1 hour 52 minutes!! I was like 3rd to last for my heat, but I did it! I will be doing it again next year. I hope to get a better bike - that will cut a lot of my time. It was sooo much fun. It is getting a little hot to be doing so much outside, but I am still working out, and swimming a lot.

Lillie Beth is out of school for the summer, we have already made a trip to the beach. I will post pictures as soon as I get them off the camera. Both the kids had a blast. I think I had the most fun though! I love the beach. I was out there all day! Even when I was sick and running 101.1 fever!

Jackson is walking, well if he wants too! He can do it he just chooses not to! When his friends are over and they walk he will do it but he still thinks its quicker to crawl. Oh he is 15 months! Where has time gone.

Gary is still working in Dallas a lot. But it sounds like he is hiring someone to over see the projects there! Work is busy! He is still fishing a lot - but he gives me nights out all the time :) We also have been doing date night once a week, this week we did it twice! Its really nice to be able to get out and spend some time to ourselves.

Well we have a busy summer a head of us - going to the lake for a long weekend, trip to Colorado and lots of swimming! I will be better about posting I promise!!

Tagged - 7 Random things

I was tagged by Kellee!!
1. I am training for a triathlon that is only 2 wks away!!!!!!!!!
2. I am horrible at doing laundry. I try to do 2 loads a day but that never happens.
3. I still have not opened all our wedding gifts! I've been married almost 7 years!!
4. I am working on my real estate liscense. I lack one class to take the state exam.
5. I hate my hubby working in Dallas so much!
6. I have only printed a few pictures of the kids - I have all of Lillie Beth''s and Jackson's baby pictures saved on the computer. I only change out pictures in frames every 3-4 years!!
7. I sit and watch way too much T.V. and read too many blogs!

I tag: Amy M, Becky and Lacie

Teen pregnancy

Okay it is really disturbing reading the news today! A 14 year old girl gave birth to a baby in her school bathroom and then tried to flush the baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! People heard the baby cry but it drowned in the toilet. Oh and on Sunday a 14 year old gave birth to a stillborn and put it in the trash. She gave birth in an airplane bathroom!!!! She told the authorities that she did not know she was pregnant and so did her mother. Two stories just days apart. These girls are just babies!! Where are the parents????????? I better stop right there!

Lord, I ask you to put your hands on these young girls and please help parents to pay more attention to there kids! Amen.

Easter

Easter

I just realized that this was not posted!! Easter was just wonderful, besides being sick. We could not have asked for a more beautiful day. Mimi and Papa came into town and Aunt Shelle (Really sick) and Uncle Chris came over for lunch. Lillie Beth had a blast hunting eggs. When she was done hunting she started hiding and rehunting! The Easter Bunny brought her a bike! Yes, I know how in the world is the bunny going to follow this?! Jackson got a basket full of balls and cars! He loved them.

Update on Please Help

Thank you everyone for all the help! Not only did people leave comments but I also go several emails and phone calls. I used a little from everyone. I got some cute boy colored paper and attached it with a ribbon. It says "Andra is still expecting a bundle of joy! Little did she know it's really a boy!! Now expeting: Kale Jacob"

I will update on the family soon. But I have some prayer request before I go. My sister Shawn is still not right - for those of you that don't know she is having several issues right now and the doctors are not exactly sure what it is. Please pray for her. She has two young children and is just not with it these days. Also, I have come to know an elderly couple from our church and they live right around the corner from us. She she fell the other day trying to unhook her husbands wheelchair and fell. She cracked her hip and will be having surgery on Thursday. Please pray for them - The Sutton's.

Thank you!

Help Please

Well I have been working on a baby shower for a friend of mine. Here is the invitations I designed on the internet and they came in the mail today..

I get a phone call from her this evening. She tells me about her doctors appt and tells me they did a sonogram. I ask how Kynslee is doing and she informs that "Kynslee has grown a penis and is not a Kynslee". I just started laughing and was like no way, but yeah way!! So I have spent some money on these invitations. I am wanting to make this really funny. I want to send this invitation with something attached saying something funny. But I am hitting a brick wall! Your help would be greatly appreciated!

Busy busy busy

My little man turns one next Sunday!!! AHHH I cannot believe a year has come and gone! Man I feel busy now but thinking back to last year - I was 9 months pregnant, moving, 9 lab puppies and a two year old! Don't know how I did it! I feel extremely busy just keeping up with my crawling son! He is everywhere! I have had baby gates on the stairs for ever but I have not locked them b/c Lillie Beth has no problem with the stairs. Every time I go up with Jackson I make sure they it is locked but have not had to lock the down stairs one well today I run upstairs to get my shoes and I hear Lillie Beth "Mom he can climb the stairs" he had only made it up one step but if you know our stairs (you can see through them and nothing but tile under them) he could have really hurt himself! His favorite place to go is in the bath tub with or without water in it! He will just crawls in and laughs laughs!! I will post pictures after his birthday. I tried to do a slide show but something was not working right!

On to Lillie Beth - she is so much fun these days. Loves to play dress up and pretend! Her favorite is running from Jackson calling him the baby monster!! She is in gymnastics and will be starting soccer next week. She will be playing on the same team as her friend Tyler. I love Tyler and his mommy Lacie! It will be so much fun watching the kids play on the same team. She still goes to mothers day out. She is dying to go back to Colorado! If you ask her what she wants to do today she will say play in the snow! Its too cute. Her favorite thing to eat is chicken and french fries. Not only is it her favorite but its like the only thing she will eat. I can sometimes get her to eat green beans but the only meat she eats is chicken!! Its really starting to drive me crazy.

Me- where do I begin? Umm well I cannot remember if I have said anything about Junior league? Well I am joining! I am a provisional this year. I am helping head up are class project- Kids in the Kitchen - to help children eat right, obesity and prevention, and exercising. Its fun but taking up a lot of time. I also am taking a running class at the Y. I am up to running about 3.5 miles. I was suppose to do a 5k tomorrow but it was postponed due to the rain. I also have been swimming a lot. Lacie and I are going to do a sprint triathlon in May! Wish me luck! Swim 500 meters, bike 15 miles and run 3.1 miles I think I can do it I have about 8 wks to train. Oh and did I say I am working on getting my Realtors license? I have 2 classes until I can take the state test! I should have done this a long time ago but better late then never!

Gary- Fishing, fishing and more fishing. If he is not on the water, he is watching it or talking it! He is doing great. Still traveling a lot but he tries to only be gone one night! Jackson loves his Daddy and gets really upset when he leaves, its quite funny.

Well hope everyone is doing great and I will post pictures soon and update more often! Oh to end on a funny note! Lillie Beth peed in a car at the Houston Car Show! Thankfully it all ended up in her shoes oh and the interior was black!!

Deceptively Delicious

I decided that my daughter was not getting enough veggies! So I bought the Deceptively Delicious cookbook. Well let me tell you I watched Jessica Seinfeld on Oprah and she just made it sound so easy. She said that she pureed her veggies every Sunday night. She has to be super mom b/c each veggie took me about 45-60 minutes to wash, cut, stem, puree and divide them into storage containers. The process is a whip! My kitchen was a mess. Oh and the book does not tell you how much of each veggie to buy. Thankfully my neighbor informed me that one thing of broccoli only makes like a cup and a half. Anyway I would NOT do this every week. Its a huge mess. I made sure and made enough of each puree to last at least a month. My neighbor and I agreed that next time we will have a pureeing party and do this together.

So I spent all this time and decide to make mac and cheese for the kids. Well it called for 1/2 cup of cauliflower puree so I put it in. Let me say I cannot stand the smell of cauliflower but think okay this cannot be to bad. Well my Lillie Beth would have nothing to do with it! She said it stunk!!!!!!!! Jackson on the other hand had never had mac & cheese and thought it was just the best. I tried it and it wasn't bad but had my mom put it in front of me I would have not eaten it either. It was tooo funny so if you are trying this I would say start out with a smaller amount then what it calls for like 1/4 cup.

Good luck to anyone who is trying to deceive their little ones! I hope you have more success then me. I will let you know what else I try and how it goes over.

Home Sweet Home

We are home. We got home on Wednesday. I am happy to be home but I have to say I miss the cold. I cannot believe it was in the 70's today. I at least got one cold day before it warmed back up. I am sorry for not posting everyday like I said I would but time got away from me and I was exhausted at night. Lillie Beth and I both skied. It was okay. I think if I was in better shape I might enjoy it more but I think I am going to try snowboarding next time. Lillie Beth had fun. She made a couple of 10-15 feet with out falling. It was really cold so she was only out for an hour or so. We hope to go back in March and it will be warmer and we can try again. I have tons of pictures and videos to upload (still not sure how to do that) but will work on it. We are getting a back into our normal routine. OH Jackson is going to get his first haircut this week! I will post pictures. He is starting to look like a little girl with all his hair and its driving Daddy crazy! See ya later!

White Christmas

I will start with Merry Christmas to all!! The kids and I are enjoying our first white Christmas! We are in Crested Butte Colorado. Gary's parents have a house here and have been so kind to let us come and hang out. We drove up here. We left on Friday and got here on Sunday. We just took our time. We stopped in Lubbock to love on a new precious baby. My best friend Cydnie had her second little one on Thursday Dec 20th. Sadie Elaine Moudy. She is so tiny and precious. We will be stopping back by on our way home to love on them some more. The kids did really well and the weather was great.

Well we have not been up to much. I have been getting use to the weather and trying to decide if I am going to ski or not. Last night we saw a torch light parade down the mountain. The ski instructors skied down with tourches in both hands (no poles) It was so beautiful. Lillie Beth and Jackson have been enjoying playing in the sled. Lillie Beth has made some snow angels. The snow is so dry that we have not been able to make a snow man yet. We are going to have to wet the snow to get it to stick together. Lillie Beth will start ski school tomorrow, she will really enjoy it. We are planning on doing a lot, my knees are really bothering me so I am not sure if I will ski or not. I want to try but am just a little nervous. The mountain is really not that busy. If you want a nice place to come and not to expensive check out Crested Buttes websites! They offer some sweet deals. Here are some pictures of our trip so far. I will update more later.

She is 3!!!!

My precious baby girl turned 3 yesterday! I cannot believe it. She is growing up way to fast. Its amazing how time is flying.

These days she is really understanding what I say. She is a little too smart sometimes. But the other day we went shopping at a Holiday Market and I let her pick out a book, but I told her we would get it on the way out if she was good. We where there several hours and came upon an umbrella. She asks me very nicely and I tell her if you get this then you cannot have the book. Which one would you rather have, she picks the umbrella. We then walk by and stop at the books again. She points at the book and tells Aunt Shelle that was the book she was going to get but that she picked the umbrella and was not allowed to have both!! I was so impressed. Now if she would just do that on other things I tell her.

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We had her birthday party at JW Tumbles. They really do great parties. She had a great turn out and got lots of great gifts! Its so hard with Christmas next month. I think I am going to let her play with most of them and put a few away and pull them out one at a time. Her are some pictures from the party.

Thank you Aunt Shawn for helping with the cake!!

Well I have been a big slacker and I know from my last post I said I would be better. You can just call me a big fat liar. Lots has been going on but I will just post Halloween pictures and try to catch up later! If anyone knows how to put up a slide show I would greatly appreciate some help on getting it on my blog. I know how to do it on myspace but cannot figure it out here!

Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving! Please pray for everyone who is traveling!