Anna's 8th Birthday

Yeah - I know, I am waaaaaayyyy behind!  Her birthday was over two months ago!!   We did celebrate though :)
Nana came to Texas for the holidays and extended her stay a few days so that she could be here for Anna's birthday.  She was so excited!  We are always very happy to have our family with us but especially on special occasions like this.  It was a real treat!
As per our tradition, we all went out to eat at the "fire" restaurant (aka - hibachi).  We have been lucky to get a hibachi restaurant here in Lake Jackson so we don't have to go too far.

The boys

japanese chicken ;)

Onion volcano

The birthday girl at 6:43 pm - the time she was born :)

Luke trying to show me his age with his fingers :)

There we go!  hahahaha!

Make a wish :)

More celebrating back at home.  Have to have birthday cake!!!

A nature photographer I am not

in fact, I don't really even like birds that much! 
But today while I was sitting outside watching the kids play, I heard this "rat-tat-tat-tat" sound like a little machine gun.  The first thing I did was look to try and find the little critter that was making all that noise.  The next thing I did was think of these beautiful pictures my friend, Anissa, had posted on facebook of local birds.  I ran to grab my camera.  I thought, "why not?  I'll give it a shot".  It will be fun to show the kids.  Maybe we can all learn a little something about the woodpecker before his home is gone.  (because we may have to cut the tree down since it is dead and he seesms to enjoy making holes in it and we don't want huge chunks to fall on anyone - there have been some close calls!)

He's really just a tiny little thing. 

An unwelcome visitor

I'm not sure why but our neighbors don't seem to have the same complaints as we do about unsavory house guests?  We have become MVP customers of Killum Pest Control since we've moved to Texas.  Thank goodness for them! 
It seems like the recent construction on the lot right next to our house and the other right across the street has caused all the little critters to make a bee line straight for our house!  It is NOT a good thing!
A couple of months ago the pest control guys did a great job of making our home very un-welcoming for all the enormous tree roaches that tried to sneak in.  We haven't see a single one (and no traces of them either!)
Then, a month or so ago as I was about to get into the shower I tossed a towel in to the bathtub and a little critter started running and jumping around!  I high tailed my naked self out of there and frantically called Chris.  Think I must have called about 23 times before I finally got him.  I convinced him to come home and get this creature out of the house so I could get ready for my appointment. 
But when he went into the bathroom my little friend was gone.  He did leave traces of his presence behind but he got away!
Then, it was pretty quiet.  No more mouse.
Chris and I had a dinner a few weeks ago and my sister-in-law watched the kids for us.  When we got home she told us she saw something little and quick run out from the kitchen to the laundry room.  All the kids went to look but he had escaped again!  Oh no - our visitor wasn't gone after all....
But then things were quiet again.  No signs of anything.
About a week ago as I was cleaning out my pantry to make room for all the groceries I bought I discovered that our visitor had definitely NOT gone away.  There was plenty of evidence that he had been making our home his new home.
Time for an intervention.
I did not want to set out mouse traps and kills the little guy but I definitely wanted him out of my house!  So, Chris found this little humane trap that catches them but doesn't kill them.
One morning this week (very early, thanks to daylight savings time) everyone was up and at 'em.  Chris opened the pantry and announced that the trap was closed.  Could we have caught something??
He was in the kitchen and we were all in the living room when we heard the shrillest, most high-pitched scream. It was Chris!  Then there was a little black mouse high tailing it across my living room.
The little guy was tiny so Chris didn't feel anything in the trap.  But when he opened it to look in he didn't see anything either.  Then, little mousy jumped out toward his face and took off.
Armed with an open door, a bucket, and a broom we all went on a search to catch the mouse!  Chris found him in our linen closet. 
After blocking off all the other doors with towels he opened up the door and pulled out a blanket.  Nothing.
So, he pulled out another blanket.  Nothing.
Where did he go?
After about the 4th blanket he ran out in the pile of blankets and was jumping around.  He finally managed to get out and ran across Chris' foot toward the door.  But he missed the door and hit the step where the kids were all standing and screaming.  He ricocheted himself off the step and out the door!  Hooray!
But, he wasn't out for long...or he had a friend.  The next day Chris caught another in the trap but wisely didn't open it until he was far away from the house in a field out near the plant.
Unfortunately, I found more evidence of visitors under my sink and had to make the call to Killum.  I hated to kill them but they cannot live here!  The nice Killum man did his job and hopefully we won't have any more unwelcome visitors again!!!!

A productive Saturday

Our lives have gotten so hectic lately that it seems like there is always something that has to be done and never enough time to finish or actually get it done!  But, we made a little of progress this weekend.
Chris took Jaden and Luke to Jaden's soccer game. I wanted to go but thought that they less of an "audience" he had the better he might do.  He has been so upset at even the mention of soccer lately that I didn't want to push it.  He had to at least make an appearance today because it was his turn to bring the snacks ;)
Dad "convinced" him to go ahead and get his soccer uniform on (Luke wore Anna's old soccer socks, his soccer shoes, and a red shirt to support Jaden's team) by allowing him to sample the treats I had bought for his team.  Thank goodness I chose the oreo cakesters!  Apparently, they did the trick!
Since the other team didn't show up Jaden's team was split up and they played themselves.  Jaden actually got out on the field, kicked the ball, almost scored and had lots of fun!  Luke even got a chance to get out there and kick a few.  But I was told that mostly he guarded the snacks :)
Jaden was so excited to tell me about his game.  He said he had so much fun!  Later, he asked Chris to play soccer with him outside.  He didn't take his uniform off until we went to the Harvest Festival in the evening.
After lunch Chris and the kids washed the cars.  Luke did an awesome job washing my driver's side door! When I came out he was really seruious about it and seemed to be putting some muscle behind it! Chris said he pretty much stayed in that one spot the whole time!  I'm just happy he wasn't throwing rocks at it....or his brother or sister...

The Pumpkin Patch

I have been to the pumpkin patch three different times already since the day after it opened.  I was able to take many beautiful photos of lots of cutie patooties and their families but wasn't able to  get my family over there!  For some reason, Luke decided it was a good time to start taking a nap!  I can guarantee he would not have made that choice if I had been home with him.  Maybe Chris had something to do with that...

But today right after Church, we headed directly to the pumpkin patch.  I wasn't even sure if they would stil be open or how many pumpkins would be left.  We were lucky that they were still open and there were lots of very cool pumpkins left! We borrowed some for a few pictures and the kids each picked out one to take home to carve this week. 

The proceeds go toward supporting several different programs that benefit the church and community.

It's a great cause and a fantastic pumpkin patch! 

Craft Day with Luke

One day while I was out shopping I happend upon some discounted little craft sets. I picked them up thinking it would be good to have some things to do on rainy or really boring days when the kids needed something to get into that would not involve destroying my house!
Today, Jaden was out school and Luke brought the box to me.  I was surprised at how well he was able to do the crafts all by himself.  We actually made a little wooden frog that he colored and I glued (it was drying and I forgot to get a picture) and this little caterpiller.

Good thing I took these pictures because this caterpillar didn't last long.  Jaden seemed to think it was more fun to take it apart!  Luke put it somewhat back together only to have it taken apart again.  Poor caterpillar :(

Oh and this is a sneek peek at part of Luke's halloween costume...at the moment. Who knows what he'll want to "be" by then.  But, for now he's "Optimus Prime".

Jaden's first day of school

The little man just started 4 year old preschool!  He loved it so much last year that we were excited about him getting to go back this year.  He has been super excited about his new "blue camo" backpack.  Finally he got to use it!

He looks so excited!  He even smiled for a picture!  So far so good. Woke up in a good mood, got dressed with zero problems, had a big smile on his face getting out of the car and walking up to the school...and then...

A cling-on took over my Jaden when we got to his classroom!  I don't know what happened? 

He just would not let go of Chris.  I took Luke and went ahead outside.  He already had enough of an audience.  I felt so bad for Jaden and his teacher...and all the little kids sitting quietly at the table most likely thinking "what the heck is up with this kid?" by the looks on their faces.
I suggested to Chris that he somehow detach Jaden from his body and quickly leave so they could try to get on with their day.  I know how hard this can be.  Poor Chris felt so bad leaving him.  We had to stand outside the school (getting eaten my mosquitos) so he could listen for him to calm down.  He didn't :(.  The director assured me that she would call if she needed to for me to come back.

Fortunately, she didn't have to.  He calmed down and had a great morning.  Chris felt so guilty thinking it was somehow his fault for going with us and upsetting Jaden because he had to leave (since its a special treat to have Dad there).  When he got home he asked Jaden how his day was.  Jaden said "I was crying because I wanted Mama".  hahahahahaha!

Its that time again!

Chris and I are still finding it a little hard to believe that we have a SECOND grader!  Though I'm sure we'll be saying something similiar for the rest of our lives..."I can't believe our little girl is in high school", "I can't believe our little girl is getting married"...
It all goes by way to fast.  Everyone tells you that and you definitely are very aware of it but it's still hard to grasp. 
We are so proud of her - she is a fantastic little lady!  We are so excited for this new year and all the exciting things she is going to do and learn! 
Love you Sweetheart!

The Johns'

Is it Johns' or Johns's? It think it's Johns'. I always get confused about possessives for names that end in "s". Regardless, we love this family and are soooo going to miss them since they are leaving the great state of Texas! Laura and Jay moved here a few months before we did. Even though I hadn't really met them before we moved in (though Laura did make a brief appearance at Granny's one time when all the Tyree's were there) I felt like I knew Laura. She was good friends with Chris' sister Kelli and I had heard many stories with Laura in them. All good, of course! It was nice to have an excuse to cook out some Bobby Flay burgers and drink some alcoholic beverages!!! Plus, I got to have an insanely beautiful little girl running around my house. Little Miss Zoey (Zoey Bee - is what I call her) is a walking machine and she's not even 11 months old yet! I could just eat her and her big blue eyes right up! She is fantastic!
I'm definitely going to have to make some visits to WV to visit. I'll have to look into the Dow shuttle...

The 4th of July in WV

This year even though Grandma and Aunt Megan had to work and couldn't join in the festivities we had lots of fun with Aunt Kellie and Uncle Kicky and their family and friends. We had lots of yummy food and the kids got to play with waterballoons and sprinkers. Afterwards we went to Wellsburg to watch the parade. My kids don't see many parades so this was something different for them. They were surprised to have people throwing candy at them! It was sooo hot even though it didn't start until 7pm.
After the parade we met my friends, Rich and Angie and their sweet little girl from Parkersburg. It was nice to catch up but I always wish I had more time with them. At least we'll get to visit with Angie and Allison once more before we leave!

My sweet niece, Zaylee - she is such a cutie. She is already the little model. As soon as I said her name she would look at me with a smile. She is easy -breezy! I love kids that let me take their pictures :)

Hayden :)

Helping Kicky get the smoke bombs lined up. I was sooo excited about these (can you feel the sarcasm??)

"Maybe a few pop-its will liven up the fun of the smoke bombs?"

The kids love those pop-it things that you throw down and they explode. I don't think my kids have ever had them before.

Luke had to step on his pop-its :)

Kicky set off something that made a really loud sound.

Our own fireworks after the Wellsburg fireworks in Grandma's backyard. They were really cool. Thanks Uncle Kicky and Aunt Kellie (with the red hair - my kids have 2 "Aunt Kelli's - one with an "e" and one with an "i" and one with red hair and one with blonde). It was a lot of fun!

Sparklers!!! I am opposed to kids with sparklers but Kicky was very good at making them take turns one at a time and holding it for the little ones. No one was burned :) My kids have never had these either. Lots of "firsts" this visit.

They are so sweet...when they are sleeping...

June 10, 2010: Luke was being exceptionally crabby today. I have no idea what his problem was but he would not listen to reason so I simply walked away after changing his pants. It wasn't long before the screaming stopped and it was too quiet. When I went in to check on him this is what I found:


Wouldn't it have been easier to just tell me you were tired or lay down and go to sleep? Why all of the screaming and crying that gives me gray hairs and a huge headache??

So,after we left to go to WV for our "summer va-ca" Chris had a little mini-vacation of his own. He went out fishing (and got stung by jelly fish), did some golfing, spent some time with Kelli, Mike and the kiddos THEN broke car and his foot!!! He dropped a 50 lb. weight on his foot and gave himself a good ol' crush fracture! The break is in his big toe right below the first joint. If you look real close you can see it in the x-ray. That bought him a week off from the doctor excuse. I think he really just didn't want to clean up the house ;)