School Pictures!

Last week Abby had school pictures and she was so excited to get all dolled up! She wanted so badly to wear her new sparkle dress (the one she wore the first day of school) and she just HAD to curl her hair! So after bath I got out the sponge rollers and was crossing my fingers that they would stay in all night. (if they fall out I have to curl each piece separately and it takes FOREVER) Well anyways, as I was putting Abby to bed we both prayed that God would help them stay in all night and that her hair would be super curly for pictures. And you know what? They stayed in! They NEVER all stay in! And what really blessed my heart was when Abby woke up and noticed they all stayed in she said, "I knew they'd stay in! We asked God to do it and He did it--thanks God!" What sweet faith-I love it!
I love watching Him at work in the "small" stuff (like our hair:) because when you stand back and look at all those "small" things piled up you see a mighty mountain of faith that can't be shaken! Thanks Lord...you're too good to us!

Cutie Pie!

This is Reese and his Mizzou Tiger...he asked me if I could take a picture of him and his tiger and share it with you all. You know you've been blogging too long when your kids start telling you to take a picture because it would make a good blog story:) ~I welcome the help though....you start running out of material after 4 years!

Oh Happy Day!

me and our pumpkin!:)


yep thats right I'm kissing a pumpkin-hehe;)

It's Fall! And you know what that means right? PUMPKINS, PUMPKINS AND MORE PUMPKINS:) Yay! The other day Abby and I were at the grocery store and purchased our first big pumpkin of the year (we had already bought a "baby" pumpkin as Abby likes to calls them ;)
Notice I said our first pumpkin- meaning there are many more to buy...pumpkin patch here we come!!!!
~Thank you Fall for coming again this year...we welcome you with open arms:)
Here's a few things that bring me joy during this time of year:
*pumpkins (of course)
*both of our kids were born in the fall
*apple cider
*Chex Mix (homemade by Greg's mom)
*playing outside again without having to be in the water on the account of it begin so hot:)
*pumpkin patches/hayrides
*mums/sweet potato vine (love their vibrant green color--my favorite color by the way!
*enjoying the crisp morning air sitting on the back porch
*Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday)
*eating outside on the patio at restaurants
*wearing jackets and sweaters at night
*Christmas shopping (I love to find just the perfect gift for everyone-or at least try:)
*putting the flip flops away and and not having to keep my toes painted all the time-HA
*pumpkin bread
*Pumpkin Latte at Starbucks
*picnics outside
*lighting the fireplace and drinking hot chocolate/tea
*college football (Greg added this one:)
~well goodness I could go on and on so I will spare you anymore but I would love to hear some comments about some of your favorite things about fall!

Another One Bites the Dust!

"Girl, what have you been eating? Your teeth keep falling out!":) HA!

She said losing this tooth has been the hardest one to get used to--the hole is really big and she can't chew with her front teeth at all! Poor girl--I remember the days!


Abby lost her 7th tooth on Thursday right before she had school pictures....classic:) Her teacher noticed that it was hanging by a thread so she pulled it out for Abby--that always seems so crazy to me because I would NEVER pull out some strange kids tooth....way to "germie" for me:) (that's my OCD talking!)
Anyways, she now has a very "holy" mouth--haha-I'm hilarious, I know:) ~I've never been know for telling good jokes but I try!
Well, at least now we'll have a great toothless grin for Abby's 1st grade school pictures....so adorable!!

Fun Times with PaPa!

Finally NO RAIN---Play ball!

Making pizza dough with PaPa

Abby and PaPa at lunch on Friday

We had a great weekend with my dad and really enjoyed the time we got to spend with him!
We were able to go to lunch with Abby, bake some cookies, Reese and PaPa went to see a movie and Papa made the kids homemade pizza Friday night--be jealous....be very jealous:)--his pizza is out of this world AND I now have his new dough recipe and can't wait to try it out! (anyone want to come over for pizza night??:)
Anyways, thankfully it didn't rain so PaPa did get to see Reese play T-ball and the Red Sox won--Reese was thrilled and we were all so proud! Reese got to be the pitcher and first baseman and he did a fantastic job! Yay Reese!
After the game PaPa had to get on the road (long ride back to KC) and I hated to see him go but I'm so glad he is retired now:) and is so flexible with his time-yay for not having a job-hehe! I loved having him around (by the way Dad thanks for hanging my new curtains and sewing up my pants--you are truly a renaissance man:) I love you and will miss you! But we can't wait to see you and Granny next month for Abigail's birthday party--you guys are the best!:)

Butterflies!

Can you see it? This was our first butterfly--he was still breaking free at this point.

Waiting for all the butterflies to come out...


For Christmas LAST year the kids got a caterpillar kit from Maw Maw and Poppa. I kept forgetting to order the caterpillars so the kids never got to use their gift-oops:) Thankfully, Greg took the reins and ordered the kids some caterpillars last week and now we already have 5 butterflies! It was fascinating to watch the metamorphosis and the kids have really enjoyed watching the butterflies do their thing! I can't believe it took so long for us to enjoy this gift, but I am so glad we finally did! Thanks for the gift Debbie and Jerry we really do like it;)

Happy Birthday Papa!

Kids helping me make the cake



Today my dad came into town for a visit and it's his birthday! The kids and I were so excited to get to make him a birthday cake....we started planning a week ago:) My Dad is retired now so he called a few days ago and said he wanted to come down to catch one of Reese's T-ball games (since he has nothing to do now-jk Dad :) Sadly, due to the weather, they keep getting canceled BUT we are crossing our fingers that Saturday's game will be a go! PaPa got here about 5:30 and we had just finished his cake and decorating the house (a little bit:) to surprise him! We decided to make an MU cake (University of Missouri) He loves MU and we got him a new MU flag for his present. After the "big" surprise (Reese kinda told Papa about the cake before he got in the house:) we took him to Joe T Garcia's for his favorite Mexican food! Pretty awesome birthday huh?:) I am SO thrilled that he got to be here today because it always makes me so sad to miss these special days living so far away! (...now to get my mom down here on her birthday...hmmm.....:)
Anyway...Happy Birthday Papa, we are so happy you are here!!!!

Some Serious Baseball!

Reese got out all his baseball players for the Rangers game tonight. He did a play by play during each inning and reenacted every out -amazing! I am always so impressed with his baseball knowledge. He knows every player, their number, position, batting order and how many kids they have:) ~I'm not kidding! When he wakes up in the morning he's not like other kids wanting to watch cartoons (unless it's Tom and Jerry:) all he wants to watch is Baseball Tonight or This Week in Baseball! He's intense, but it's fun to see him enjoy something he really loves!
Thank goodness Reese went to bed before the Rangers lost miserably tonight to the A's--it was terrible! (he won't be happy in the morning!) :(

The Most Perfect Day!

Look at that water coming from our roof! Amazing!

Abby flying down the slide!

Today was so fun! It has been raining since we woke-up so we have had a lazy day around the house! The kids played outside in the rain for about 2 hours, we all played Twister, had ice cream and nachos for dinner:) and we even made it to the mall to start some Christmas shopping. The kids had a great time telling us what they wanted for their Birthday's and Christmas which is always helpful when we go to buy for them! Both the kids have been so pleasant today and didn't fight much at all! That's such a blessing because lately they have been giving Greg and me a run for our money! I think they really love days like this (and so do I) where there is nothing to do but relax and enjoy each other! I hope we wake up in the morning and it's still raining....maybe all the streets will be flooded and we won't be able to drive:) I love the rain!

"Pudge" Hair

Reese and Greg both have the Pudge cut:)

Isn't he beautiful? Really, not many boys are this pretty!

Reese came to Greg the other day and told him that he wanted Pudge hair! One of his favorite Rangers players is Pudge Rodriguez, one of our new catchers. He's actually not so new to the Rangers though- he played for the Rangers back about 7 or 8 years ago and now he's back to finish his career off strong:) Reese really loves his hair which is as basic as you can get--a buzz-cut! I was pretty surprised that he wanted to cut his spikey hair off but am happy for the low maintenance
.....Abby's hair is so long and takes SO long to dry I need a boy with a buzz-cut:)
Thanks Pudge!

Webcam!

The kids talking with Granny and Papa on the Webcam

Caught on camera!!


For my dad's Father's Day we bought him (and my mom) a webcam so the kids can talk and see Granny and PaPa at the same time. Tonight the kids got to talk with them before bed and even though we were having some technical difficulties the kids still LOVED every minute of it!
I just had to get a picture of them talking because if you look real close you can see my parents wearing silly hats! (HA--caught you guys;) My dad is wearing an MU football helmet and my mom is wearing a flower petal hat. The kids loved it and it took everything I had to hold them off from playing dress-up too (we were already ready for bed--I know, I know I am a party pooper:)
Anyways, it was so fun to see you both and we can't wait to talk again soon! Love you guys!

Cleaning for Fun?

Abby going to town on the bathroom floors! NICE!

Tonight Greg and Reese had T-ball practice so since it's so stinking hot (yes, it's still in the 90's here:) Abby and I opted out to just stay home in the air conditioning! When I asked Abby what she wanted to do with Mommy she said, "Clean! Mommy, will you clean with me?" WHAT? Isn't that crazy?:) I told her she could help me scrub the bathroom floors and get some stains out of the carpet and she was thrilled! I was cracking up, but am VERY thankful for the help!
Also what's even crazier is that she is really good at cleaning too! She actually gets the job done and I don't have to go back and fix anything.....am I dreaming??? ;)
Well we had a fun night (I guess:) and the house looks really nice! We even had a little down time and watched a little Food Network cake challenge together! Have I got the greatest daughter or what????
~and yes she is on hire if anyone needs some housework done. We are trying to talk her into starting a house cleaning business to start saving for a car and college! (she is seriously thinking about it!) Guess I need to get some business cards printed up soon huh?:)

Is it Halloween yet?

Reese loved this costume~I was cracking up how chubby it made his face look:)

As soon as Abby saw Reese in his costume she had to try one on too!


Friday night the kids tried on some Halloween costumes. They both decided it would be great if Reese was Buzz Lightyear and Abby was Jessi from Toy Story. Don't they look cute? The only problem is, that if we were to buy these exact costumes from the Disney Store we would spend over $100 for one night trick or treating! No way are we doing that! I am currently looking on Craigslist and Ebay to see if we can find some that are "gently used" :) We'll see though...if anyone reading this happens to have one of these costumes tucked away in their toy chest somewhere PLEASE let me know! I will take them off your hands!

Crazy Climbers

I just love these pictures of the kids climbing through Maw Maw and Poppa's window in their kitchen. The kids think it is so funny to climb through--I think they like it because they think it's forbidden or something:) They were really proud to show me and Greg what they had done and kept saying, "Poppa let us, Poppa let us!" Too cute! I love the things that make kids happy...it's so simple!

New Pictures!

While we were in DC Debbie and Jerry took some new pictures of the kids in their backyard. Debbie told me that Abby and Reese were picking where they wanted to pose....they sure love the camera when they want to don't they?:) I noticed that Abby has alot more poses than Reese..I think he got bored with it before her--don't blame him!

Abby posing with a basket--she's so funny!

I love this one!

I think this is Reese posing like he is taking a shot?? Hmmmm:)

very nice.

Precious!

These are their cheesy grins...still cute!

Getting so big!

What a sweet little lady!

First Day of Preschool!

Ready to go! He's carrying his nap mat (which he's too tall for--his feet stick out the end:) and his Rangers backpack, oh and his hair is spiked--nice!

humoring Mommy with a quick picture....sniff sniff!

Daddy and Reese (he actually wanted to take this one...I won't take it personally:)

Reese and his two fearless leaders:) Mrs. Kelly and Mrs. Becca


Today was Reese's first day of preschool! He could barely go to sleep last night and this morning he was up at 7am rearing to go:) He has been waiting to go to preschool "forever" (as he says). Abby went the year before Kindergarten too and since then he has been counting down the days until he was "almost 5" so he could go to Angel Land too:)
His teachers are Mrs. Becca and Mrs Kelly and he says they are very nice and he told me that he obeys EVERYTHING they say--so cute!
Walking in this morning he was bursting with nervous energy but as we dropped him off he got really quiet and just took everything in. I was kinda hesitant leaving him that way but I know he was just overwhelmed with all the newness of everything. Greg went to drop him off too and it was really weird walking out together because for the first time in 7 years we were childless due to them both being in school! Wow, it's weird but I am ok with it--sad to see them growing up but excited about this new stage in life!
Anyways, I had a fun first day too (with no kids:) I went to have coffee with one of my old youth kids, worked out at the gym, had lunch and cleaned house....fun, fun--so much time not much to do:) HA! ~I think I will find things to fill the time....don't you think?

Oh, and to report--Reese said his favorite thing about school today was meeting new friends! That's my kinda boy!! That was always my favorite too!