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Monday, August 23, 2010

End of Summer Fun

Just a quick post to share a few pics from our trip to the Hyatt Lost Pines resort. It was the perfect place for our family "mini-vacation" and there was plenty to keep the girls busy... riding the waterslide and floating the lazy river, face painting, making s'mores, late night movies on the lawn. And all of us big kids had a pretty great time too! Will definitely be going back!

The Scillians at Lost Pines

On the porch with Granna & Grandad

They even had a chocolate fountain at dinner!




And back at home... caught one of the sweetest moments ever! I love this picture!

Friday, July 23, 2010

Where Has The Summer Gone?

I'm a confident woman... I can be honest with myself. I am the world's WORST blogger! In this age of social media, I enjoy having the ability to keep up with friends and family (and maybe even a few complete strangers, I admit) just by logging on to my computer. The problem is that I can't keep up! I can't keep up with reading all that interests me and I sure can't keep up with posting about my own life. My intentions are good, but once I get behind it's tough to catch up. So here I go again!

We're already heading into the last week of July and it seems like we were just getting ready to celebrate Kate's first birthday and kicking off the summer. We've definitely managed to stay busy and the girls have had a great time this summer. After the birthday party and Claire's first dance recital, we started right into swim lessons and gymnastics, vacation bible school, plenty of parties on the weekends, and trying to get as much pool time as possible. And there's plenty more planned for the remainder of the summer... weekend mini-vacation to Lost Pines, girls' weekend in Vegas (just for me!), and Claire's birthday will be here before we know it!

I'd sure hate to over-promise and under-deliver, but my "mid year" resolution is to do a MUCH better job at keeping up my end of the deal in the on-line world. Wish me luck! In the meantime, here are a few pics of the girls from this summer...

The Birthday Girl

Little doll!

Every girls needs at least one costume change on her birthday!

Claire's first dance recital

Easter Parade (her dance)

Kate on her actual birthday

All about the bikini!

Ready for the pool on the 4th!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Happy Mother's Day

A very Happy Mother's Day to my amazing Mom, my sweet Mother-in-law, my great mommy friends, and all of the other mothers who inspire me every day!

We've been getting outside and enjoying the springtime weather lately and that has meant a few weekend road trips. A couple weeks ago, we made our annual trek over to Round Top to see the bluebonnets and eat at Royer's. It was a little late in the season to see many big patches of bluebonnets, but we were able to get a couple good pictures and eat our piece of pie (gotta love Royer's!). This weekend, the girls and I went with Granna and Grandad to the Bayou Wildlife Park. I have to say that I didn't quite know what to expect (I've lived in Houston all my life and had never heard of it before), but we all had a great time! Kate wasn't so sure about it all at first, but she warmed up to the animals after the initial shock of a big elk peering into her car window. Claire was her usual daring self (except around the ostriches with their big eyes) and was feeding llamas and riding horses before it was all over! When Kate gets a little bigger, we'll definitely have to go back.

I'm officially into birthday party planning mode... my baby will be 1 in less than a month! I have to admit that I'm a little obsessed with it right now. I think it's something about having a party at home. Every detail is important! It will be a big weekend with both Kate's party and Claire's first dance recital. I'd expect a few pictures to be taken over those two days! :)

Here are some pics from the past few weeks...

























Tuesday, April 20, 2010

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

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

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

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

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

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

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!

Monday, August 23, 2010

End of Summer Fun

Just a quick post to share a few pics from our trip to the Hyatt Lost Pines resort. It was the perfect place for our family "mini-vacation" and there was plenty to keep the girls busy... riding the waterslide and floating the lazy river, face painting, making s'mores, late night movies on the lawn. And all of us big kids had a pretty great time too! Will definitely be going back!

The Scillians at Lost Pines

On the porch with Granna & Grandad

They even had a chocolate fountain at dinner!




And back at home... caught one of the sweetest moments ever! I love this picture!

Friday, July 23, 2010

Where Has The Summer Gone?

I'm a confident woman... I can be honest with myself. I am the world's WORST blogger! In this age of social media, I enjoy having the ability to keep up with friends and family (and maybe even a few complete strangers, I admit) just by logging on to my computer. The problem is that I can't keep up! I can't keep up with reading all that interests me and I sure can't keep up with posting about my own life. My intentions are good, but once I get behind it's tough to catch up. So here I go again!

We're already heading into the last week of July and it seems like we were just getting ready to celebrate Kate's first birthday and kicking off the summer. We've definitely managed to stay busy and the girls have had a great time this summer. After the birthday party and Claire's first dance recital, we started right into swim lessons and gymnastics, vacation bible school, plenty of parties on the weekends, and trying to get as much pool time as possible. And there's plenty more planned for the remainder of the summer... weekend mini-vacation to Lost Pines, girls' weekend in Vegas (just for me!), and Claire's birthday will be here before we know it!

I'd sure hate to over-promise and under-deliver, but my "mid year" resolution is to do a MUCH better job at keeping up my end of the deal in the on-line world. Wish me luck! In the meantime, here are a few pics of the girls from this summer...

The Birthday Girl

Little doll!

Every girls needs at least one costume change on her birthday!

Claire's first dance recital

Easter Parade (her dance)

Kate on her actual birthday

All about the bikini!

Ready for the pool on the 4th!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Happy Mother's Day

A very Happy Mother's Day to my amazing Mom, my sweet Mother-in-law, my great mommy friends, and all of the other mothers who inspire me every day!

We've been getting outside and enjoying the springtime weather lately and that has meant a few weekend road trips. A couple weeks ago, we made our annual trek over to Round Top to see the bluebonnets and eat at Royer's. It was a little late in the season to see many big patches of bluebonnets, but we were able to get a couple good pictures and eat our piece of pie (gotta love Royer's!). This weekend, the girls and I went with Granna and Grandad to the Bayou Wildlife Park. I have to say that I didn't quite know what to expect (I've lived in Houston all my life and had never heard of it before), but we all had a great time! Kate wasn't so sure about it all at first, but she warmed up to the animals after the initial shock of a big elk peering into her car window. Claire was her usual daring self (except around the ostriches with their big eyes) and was feeding llamas and riding horses before it was all over! When Kate gets a little bigger, we'll definitely have to go back.

I'm officially into birthday party planning mode... my baby will be 1 in less than a month! I have to admit that I'm a little obsessed with it right now. I think it's something about having a party at home. Every detail is important! It will be a big weekend with both Kate's party and Claire's first dance recital. I'd expect a few pictures to be taken over those two days! :)

Here are some pics from the past few weeks...

























Tuesday, April 20, 2010

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

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

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

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

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

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

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!