February 2014

I love lots of things about this picture: how Audrey is looking at him, and his "concentration face". 

 He was scared.  She saved the day. I love when they love each other.  And want to pull my hair out when they don't. 

More bubbles.  More hours spent in the tub. 

I love these pictures because they demonstrate Austin's admiration of Joshua.  Anything Joshua does, Austin does too.  I love how Austin in looking at Joshua trying to kiss his muscles...

and then gives it his best attempt.  Joshua is so patient with Austin and never gets mad or frustrated by his little shadow that copies him on everything he does.  I feel like I need to put this in writing so someday I can remind Joshua of this. 

My friend Christina turned 40 so we had a black out party for her.  Everyone wore black, except the birthday girl. Chrissy did a really fun photo booth, lots of great food, and lots of great people. 

Hosting Heather's baby shower for baby Estelle!

I did this job as a "sequel" to the commercial I did a few months back.  It's showing how easy it is to deposit checks.  "Hey! I can deposit my check even when my daughter is putting crazy makeup on me!" This will be on billboards in Florida and online. Audrey wasn't my daughter because they did the casting from an acting agency that Audrey doesn't belong too.  She doesn't have time for acting classes.  Either do I, but I got the first job because all I had to do was act like a frantic mom. Easy. 

All about Audrey.  She finds it funny that she wants to go swimming with sharks, but it's also what she fears. Third grade. 

I love finding notes like this. 

I'm pretty sure we momentarily forgot there were little ones waiting for us at home. #goodthingwehavelifeinsurance #doesitcountifyougetmauledbyatigerorcatchonfire #imissvacation

The babiest of my babies is three today.  He was born during the middle of a Texas snowstorm, and I love that it is snowing today. Happy Birthday to my spunky firecracker.  I love you Austie Boy. 

Swimming and snow. #snowday

"People don't take trips...trips take people." -John Steinbeck 

I have been taken. 

Guess whose? Hint: They're not Audrey's, although she was definitely involved.  It was way too quiet while I was cooking dinner. #worththetrade

Happy Valentines Day from these three and their lazy mom. Off they went to school with the Valentines of their choice...ready to go airheads and fun dip. (That's how I roll Regan, Chrissy, and you too Jamie. Are you embarrassed to be my friend?)

My newest niece, London Diane. There hasn't been a girl born with my maiden name in 23 years. She was blessed today in the same dress that my Grandma Jeanette (Audrey's namesake) made 35 years ago.  My four sisters and I all wore it, and so did Audrey and my niece Savy. #sentimental #tradition #blessed 

A few of my happy places: snuggling baby London. Watching my Dad with three of his six grandsons (payback for having five daughters). Eating yummy food with my family (garlic breath for days).

We are now pet people.  Meet Thunder, Flippy, and Avery. We have had them for 48 hours. 

RIP Thunder. RIP Avery. 

Our attempt at seeing The Lego Movie. Austin lasted until the sugar ran out and then he and I had some serious bonding time riding the escalator over and over and over again. We probably rode it 17 times. #dizzyandnauseous #wantedtobarf

Audrey's very first dance competition.  They did a dance to the song "California Girls". They did so well! 

January 2014

Next up to blog about it our trip to Thailand.  But since my kids only have six days of school left (SIX) I'm going to have to wait and do that in the summer.  That will be one long post. Here is the rest of January, after we got home from our trip. 

It's official.  Falling out of shape is way more fun than getting shape.  #imissfriedcrepes #coveredinnutellaandmangos #imcravingthaifood 

Audrey, with Audrey. Hobby Lobby. 

I did a bridal show. 

An entire container of bubbles in the tub. They loved every second of the 2 plus hours they were in there. 

Austie with his lady friends. 

A little magic. 

A beautiful Saturday.  Dave was cleaning out the garage and I was laying in bed, with the stomach flu. Bleh. 

Eating lunch with Sissy at school.  I have this picture framed in my house. 

Building. 

Suuuuuch a big helper.  #idoindishesmommy

Kristin and Jared's Wedding!

We flew into CA on Thursday, Dec 12.  The wedding festivities started that night with a trolley ride around San Francisco with a bunch of people who love Kristin and Jared.  It was a really fun night!

We met in the parking lot of our old church, and it was fun to see Audrey (and Austin) in the room where Audrey used to go to nursery- with awesome nursery leaders, Jamie and Kim. 

And seeing our great friend, David L. 

His two favorite women of all time.  It might have been the best night of his life. #grandmasandwich #unionsquarechristmastree #magical 

The day before the wedding I went over and did mani/pedis with the girls while Jared and Kristin went and had real mani/pedis.  Yay for more girl cousins! 

Let's have a wedding! Beautiful day for a beautiful bride! 

Mr. and Mrs.! 

It was a great day. My heart is full. 

December 2013

December was a very busy month.  We got back from Mexico on Dec 1, and then went to CA for Kristin's wedding (next post) on Dec 12.  We came home from the wedding for less than two weeks and then went back to CA on Dec 28 so we could drop the kids off before we went to Thailand. 

Busy, yes.  Very, very fun, yes.  Lots of sleep, no. 

First annual "Goodie Bags for the Homeless Night".  My friend did this in CO, and I loved the idea. We all brought lots of one item (water bottles, toothbrushes, packs of gum, hand sanitizer, hot coco packets, etc) and we assembled bags for each of us to have in our car to pass out to the homeless people.  Fun night.  

Joshua wrote this note to put in Dave's lunch. 

Sticking to tradition, we went to the nursing home with some friends to sing and pass out snowflakes.  It only took me 235 youtube videos to learn how to make a snowflake. 

Christmas Eve.  Acting out the Nativity with friends. 

Merry, merry, merry Christmas! #hopeeveryonegetsanap

I loved watching Austin open his pez from Santa and put them in this bowl. Breakfast. 

Joshua working on something, can't remember what, and Austin and Audrey playing Barbies. 

I started taking down Christmas decorations at noon on Christmas Day.  We were leaving three days later for over two weeks, and I didn't want to have to come home to Christmas. But we did do one more tradition on Christmas Day night that we almost forgot about. Decorating gingerbread houses. 

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night. 

Huckle Buckle Beanstalk with cousins! #wereback! #cantkeepusaway

Dec. 28

Shopping with the girls, for the girls. #twoniecesontheway #eeeeekkkkkk