No Excuses!

As usual, this blog posting is LONG overdue! I know there are a few of you who will probably open this up only expecting to see... "Life as we know it." I know you'll be surprised (probably shocked) to see that I've finally posted some new pictures!!

I've been in Fairfax, VA (near D.C.) since last Thursday and Tommy and the girls have been holding the fort down at home. I'm here essentially by myself so, besides a lot of time in the office, I have no excuses not to get my blog updated while I'm here. And the great news is that I found out I'm coming home tomorrow (I was supposed to be here all week) and my "me time" is about to be over, so I better get after it. And what else is there to do when you're sitting in a hotel lounge surrounded by a bunch of middle-aged men in shirt and ties watching ESPN... why look at pictures of your kids, of course! As much as I hate to admit it, this little trip has been almost refreshing... although I have missed the girls terribly. I'm embarrassed to admit how long it's been since I've ready a real book (other than an pregnancy book or parenting magazine) and I'm proud to say that I'm well on my way to finishing one! It's been almost 4 years since I've spent more than a few hours by myself, so it's probably good for me. And thank goodness for iChat (like Skype)... Claire and I have been able to see each other and talk almost every night. I just hope that Kate remembers who I am and is excited to see her Mommy too!

So, enough about me and my travels... on to the pictures!

Claire at the Rodeo!

We were voted "Family of the Month" at the girls' school!

Kate loves to swing!!

Yes, she still has those cheeks!

Easter egg hunting

Not a big fan of the Easter Bunny

Easter Sunday

Life as we know it...

will never be the same. I now have TWO girls who are on the move... Kate started crawling last night! She just looks at us with that "look what I can do now" grin on her face. And to prove it, she completely skipped her first nap today (other than a couple minutes in the car) because she was too busy sitting up in her crib, pulling up on her knees, and trying to look over the side... more new tricks. Looks like time to drop the crib mattress!

Here are a couple pics of Kate in action!






And have to include one of big sister too -- Actually two fancy girls... Claire & Emily

February Fun!

Thought I'd share a few pics of my two little Valentines! They are both having a great month and we're all gearing up for some exciting new changes around the corner. Claire is about to move up to the Preschool II class at school... which is a very big deal if you ask her! She'll be back in the class with her Father, Grandmother, and (most importantly) her Brother, so her "play family" will be back together again. Her big thing at school these days is to play "family" with all of her friends and the roles seem to be pretty well defined. Although lately since most of her friends moved up to the Preschool II class last month (she's the youngest out of her buddies at school), Claire has recently deemed herself to be the "Mother" and has chosen two of the new kids in the class to be her "little babies." You know you're ready to move up to the next class when you're calling the kids in class your "little babies." :)

Another big (or maybe HUGE) change around the corner is my return to work on March 1. Returning to work always comes with mixed emotions, but I think we're all prepared and just about ready. My plan is to work 4 "shorter" days a week... getting home in time to pick the girls up when they wake up from their naps each day. The change will be no big deal for Claire at all, but will probably be an adjustment for Kate. I think she'll do just fine though and I feel SO much better knowing that she will have a great teacher... the same one that Claire when she was that age and we loved her!

Claire at her Valentine's party at school

Claire and her friend Sydney... glad Claire chose the white cupcake instead of pink!

My Valentines!

Claire

Kate ready to crawl

A Long Overdue Update

January was a GREAT month! Lindsey and Greg finally are married and I celebrated the passing of another year... or better yet, the beginning of a brand new one (my 34th)! The wedding was perfect and Claire has been "getting married" almost daily ever since. We all have to walk down the aisle arm in arm, kiss the bride, eat cake, and DANCE. Needless to say, Claire had quite a time at the wedding and it has made quite an impact on her. I can't wait to see the video... I have a feeling she got her fair share of "air time"!

Kate is doing great as well and is still the sweetest little baby around! Despite her brief little "mommy phase", she has turned out to have the best disposition and is such a happy baby. She wants so badly to crawl right now (to keep up with sister, I'm sure) and is awfully close. I'm not sure that I'm ready to have 2 girls all over the house yet. I'm not having any more, so I need at least one of them to stay a baby forever!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the past month...

Getting pampered before the wedding (Claire's first pedicure!)


Me and my beautiful sis!


Proud flower girl


Claire's favorite spot... the dance floor!


My sister did this to me. Just wait until I get a little bigger!


Claire reading the Bible to Prissy (and I'm pretty sure she was listening!)


Swinging at the park


Happy baby


Your next American Idol!

A Very Merry Christmas!

Hard to believe Christmas has already come and gone, but Claire and Kate had a really great time and opened more presents than should even be allowed. Between Granna and Grandad, Aunt Lindsey and Uncle Greg, and Uncle Howard... they made Santa look like a slouch! We are so blessed to have wonderful family and friends who all do so much for our girls!

Ready for church on Christmas Eve

Family pic

Kate loved the bows!

Baking cookies for Santa

Opening Santa presents on Christmas morning

Claire "needed" Barbies... and she got plenty!

"If you think I'm cute, you should see my Uncle" (from Uncle Howard) :)

Claire was really proud of her presents!

Mommy's favorite present this year!

Christmas Day 6:15 p.m... and yes, that's a leopard swimsuit under that sweater!

Happy Holidays!

Our holiday season is off to a great start! Thought I'd take a minute to share a few pictures of the girls getting into the Christmas spirit!

The girls loved Santa this year!

Claire at her preschool Christmas party

After her "Rudolph" dance at ballet

We had a great visit with Aunt Sarah & Uncle Bryan and Grandma Mimi

All smiles in her new highchair!

Kate's first biter biscuit - BEFORE

Kate's first biter biscuit - AFTER :)

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

I guess it really is like they say... time flies when you're having fun! My last blog posting was Nov. 8 and it really just seems like yesterday. A lot has been going on in the past month (as I'm sure it has for everyone). Bridal showers, a quick trip to Aunt Sarah & Uncle Bryan's house in Dallas for Thanksgiving, a bachelorette party, and getting ready for Christmas and Lindsey's wedding! Kate is now 6 months old and sitting up by herself like a big girl. I think she enjoys being able to sit and be eye-to-eye (almost) with her sister! Claire has been playing "wedding" quite a bit lately, so I think she's getting pretty excited about the big event. She's doing her best to stay on the "good list" these days, so we'll see if Santa agrees come next week! :)

My ballerina after her "Turkey Wobble" dance


The girls playing together on a lazy day at home


Kate sitting all by herself!


All dressed and ready for church... and Christmas!