Stamps Postings

Texas

2012-01-23T23:08:00.000-06:00

Last week Reeser had his 1st grade performance and it was all about Texas! He was SO adorable and we were cracking up at his enthusiasm on stage...he's such a ham:)

He had a little speaking part and did great. Check out the video of him singing at the bottom of this blog!

What a stud

yep that's right he wore Greg's Roy Rogers belt buckle...snazzy.

this is Greg's belt from when he was little. Greg had to make a new hole in the belt so it would fit. Reese is a tad bigger than Greg was in 1st grade...actually ALOT bigger:)

I love how he sticks his chin out on the high parts...what a cutie!

when Reese is embarrassed or feels the attention on him he makes this face...I love it:)

Happy Birthday Reese!

2012-01-23T22:16:00.000-06:00

Reese's birthday again? YES! His 1st spiritual birthday was yesterday:) Oh happy day!

What a special day, the most important day of his life actually. The is nothing sweeter than knowing your child is a believer in Jesus! So thrilled for him and excited to see his journey unfold before our eyes...thank you Jesus.

opening his gift...a kids devotional book he can read all by himself

a heart cake to make the day complete...it was yummy!

The kids in action!!!

2012-01-19T16:58:00.001-06:00

Here's a video of Abby and Reese tearing it up on the slopes in Santa Fe! Way to go guys!! You make me so proud:)

Here is Reese snowboarding....he did awesome too!

Skiing in New Mexico!!!!

2012-01-17T22:48:00.000-06:00

Who knew New Mexico skiing was so great??? Check it out!!!
We went to Santa Fe, New Mexico and skied at Ski Santa Fe. It was fabulous! We had snow and small crowds! I highly recommend this resort!
Disclaimer: Greg is the commentator---you've been warned:)

Here's the condo we stayed in. Top of the town, and bottom of the mountain.

Here's the view from our front door.

On the Plaza in Santa Fe in front of the Palace of the Governors. Dad is just a shadow of the man he used to be.

Family cards and dice night. We took all the kids money.

Reese is ready to shred it.

Abby is ready to roll too.

Check out the view. The desert is like the mountain's mullet. In a beautiful way.

Becky about to teach a clinic-- Awesome 101, immediately followed by graduate level Awesomeness.

...and there's the beautiful couple. Becky has the post-concussion bucket on her head. Stop laughing people, it's only been 6 months since she tried to karate chop our granite with her head.

Greg's first Black run of his life. The camera takes 15 degrees off the slope. It was truly death defying.

Reese was the Happy Gilmore of snowboarding.

"Hey hot lady, you wanna ride with me??"

She's growing up and riding alone. Editorial note: you know how kids have to be strapped in, locked down, tucked away at all times?? Well our daughter is 40 feet above the ground in a flying chair with death strapped to her feet and nothing holding her in. And she lived. Imagine that.

The family

These runs were bluer than the plaid on Abby's jacket. And she slayed them.

Cheeseburger holla!

Cadillac Ranch outside Amarillo

We joined the artist community

Free the art. Give it back to the people.

Crown Candy

2012-01-09T21:26:00.000-06:00

While we were in St. Louis one of the places we wanted to go was a diner called Crown Candy. We had seen it on the Food Network and heard about their BLT's!

We love bacon.

Well, my family loves bacon more than me, but I appreciate it in a BLT:)

The BLT at Crown Candy was CRAZY HUGE! I was unable to count how many pieces of bacon were on the sandwich but if I had to guess I would say maybe 10...NUTTY!

It was so worth the trip and we had great company! My Great Aunt got to come along with us (and my parents but they had to sit at another table--no big tables in this little diner:)

St. Louis Arch!

2012-01-05T19:10:00.000-06:00

After our time in Kansas City for Christmas we decided to go see my great Aunt in St. Louis. We have been wanting to go for some time but have not been able to make the trip because the long drive with the kids is tough after we already drove 10 hours north!

Anyways we had a great visit and enjoyed some sightseeing on Thursday with my Mom and Dad (they drove up with us)

The kids really enjoyed the Arch and Greg and I made it up without a panic attack;)

(just a tad bit claustrophobic:/)

All was well and the view was fantastic! It's super high:)

We did not die...that is good.

Granny and PaPa!

There she is....it's big!

nice angle shot eh?:) thank you. ha!

here's the tiny capsule we rode up in...ekkk!:)

Going up....

up....up....creeking and bumping all the way.
I was at ease when I saw the emergency staircase outside our tiny window:)

Boo Cardinals!!!!!

checking out the sites

Ice Skating at Crown Center!

2012-01-02T20:28:00.000-06:00

While we were in Kansas City Abby REALLY wanted to go ice skating. We thought it would be fun for the whole family to go so on Tuesday we all meet up at Crown Center where they have an outdoor ice skating rink. It was kinda cold but nothing like it normally is over Christmas so we were able to enjoy ourselves. Abby had a blast skating with Kaden (her cousin, my brother's step-son) her new best bud:)

Reese liked it ok but decided walking around Crown Center with Papa was a better idea. It was fun to all be together and such a blessing to get to spend it with my Dad....very grateful he is still with us.

Everyone about to start skating

me and Greg

me and my sister, Christi

Trevin (my sister's son) and Abby

Granny and Papa with Trevin, Abby, Reese and Tobey

Rob (my sister's fiance) and Christi

Big MaMa's Cinnamon Rolls!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-12-24T23:34:00.003-06:00

On Friday, Greg, the kids, and I had some time alone while Granny and Papa had some errands to get done for Christmas so we headed to Crown Center in downtown K.C. That is where we had the BEST and BIGGEST cinnamon roll in the world! I have been asked many times what my favorite food is and I have never been able to pinpoint just one thing. But after MUCH thought I have decided the cinnamon roll is my favorite food.

It is carbs, it is sugar, it is gooey, it is yummy and I crave it at odd times.

I think it's my favorite food...it's still hard for me to pick just one thing because I am a girl of "many" favorites but for now, at least at this point in my life, it is Big Mama's cinnamon rolls in Kansas City. You should try it sometime....you won't be disappointed:)

yes it fills the ENTIRE pan! Amazing!!

Ready to dive in! Wait for me!!!!:)
We couldn't finish it....well we could have but we stopped ourselves, we like to be healthy;)

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T22:52:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas Eve! We just had a wonderful night of worship, food, family and gifts! AS my sweet niece Eden would say, "It was the best Christmas I ever had!" Nicely put Eden:)

The kids went to bed EAGERLY and can't wait for the morning...guess Greg and I better get to work huh?

Eden (brother's daughter) in her new PJ's and her new Webkin that we got her for Christmas. Abby picked it out for her and Abby also got the same one for Christmas. She was VERY excited that Eden would have a matching one to her. Abby loves her ONLY girl cousin:)

Abby painted this for Aunt Christi. Isn't it awesome? Abby continues to amazing me! So talented!

New journal from Granny and Papa! She loves to write and doodle:)

Rob and Christi

Trevin--looking so much like my sister here:)

Doesn't Abby look beautiful here!

Abby and Reese got iPods! They were ECSTATIC!
They have already loaded the up with music and are dancing around the house:)

The whole family together at the Christmas Eve service...we took up a whole row:)

Chiefs Game!

2011-12-24T22:32:00.002-06:00

Greg, Reese, Trevin and Rob (my sister's son and Fiance:) went to the Chiefs/Raiders game today! I did not go but what I gathered was that it was COLD and they lost:/

Well I'm glad they got to go anyway....good bonding time.

Reese LOVES football right now so this was a big treat for him. It was also great for Greg to get to know my sister's fiance, Rob. He's a great guy and we are very excited for them to get married in June. He will fit into the family just nicely:)

Trevin and Reese outside the stadium

and again:) Cool guys...ha!

Reese, Trevin and Rob....cold:) I think it about maybe 40 degrees out:/ Gotta love football in KC:)

Drive to K.C.

2011-12-21T10:29:00.000-06:00

Yesterday the kids and I drove to KC. Greg had to stay back and work so we headed on and tried to beat the storms. We noticed on the radar that in Wichita, KS there would be snow/ice mix, blizzard conditions so I avoided I-35. We headed through Tulsa instead and look what greeted us there!

I have NEVER seem storm clouds like this before. It was so weird. I felt like I was driving in a tunnel. To our left there were black clouds and to the right white clouds then the black clouds consumed us...it was awesome!

We also saw a double rainbow! I got it the best I could with my phone! So cool!

We got here safely...left about 7am and pulled into my parents neighborhood at 4pm! Great time!

The kids told my parents that Mom doesn't let us stop...ha! There is a little truth in that. We did stop 4 times but only for a potty break, a snack, a stretch and then we were off:)

They love travelling with me....they just don't know it yet:) haha!

You can see the rainbow on the left side there...sky was so black! weird.
Oh and we were able to out run the bad part of the storm. We only had a little rain and besides that we were all sun and blue skies:)
Greg said 30 minutes behind me was a different story so I just kept truckin'!!!!
No food for us:) ha!

sorry the reflection is bad but you can see it.

yikes!

Flag Football Over:(

2011-12-21T10:08:00.000-06:00

Last game was on Saturday:( So sad! This was a nice change for the Stamps. It is always baseball and football was refreshing:)

Reese had a BLAST and we are not sure he will ever play baseball again. We will see when spring comes!

Way to go Hawk-eyes! Great season!!!

Christmas a few days early...

2011-12-21T09:52:00.001-06:00

Since we were going to KC for Christmas we decided to have Christmas at our house about a week early:) We can do this for two reasons:
1. We have never done a big push for Santa...sorry Santa:) We decided when the kids were babies that we didn't want Santa to be the one that got to give all the cool gifts...that's crazy! We wanted to give the gifts and Santa could just fill the stockings with tinker toys:) And this plan has worked out just nicely... especially since we don't spend every Christmas at home so we don't have to "explain" aka "lie" to our kids about some silly old man that brings gifts through a chimney wherever we are....sorry I may seem bah-humbug and I hope to not step on any toes- cause of course you can do whatever you want with your kiddos;) This just works for us.
Don't get me wrong I do love Christmas---AS Jesus' birthday and I DO tell the kids about Him;) He travels easily and doesn't have to fit down a chimney:) haha!
2. And our kids are kinda on the fence about Santa anyway since they figured out that I am the tooth-fairy they have been asking questions-- oops:) So we didn't have to do too much explaining except bring the stocking things with us to KC.

We opened Friday night so the kids had some time to play with their new toys. Reese's big gift was an electric scooter and Abby got legos and a 3-D puzzle to put together--so they needed some time to do those. Her big gift was 20 art lessons to a real art studio in Southlake. She has been wanting to do something more challenging so we found a real instructor that does small classes and teaches technique and art history. She is VERY excited!
Greg and I got some good stuff too! Greg got mostly clothes from me. Some new shoes and a few new shirts and such --oh and soap:)
No he doesn't stink.
He always brings home the sample soap from the Palomar in DC and he LOVES it so I bought him the REAL thing-ha!
I got...well...I like to call it a "kitchen" Christmas;) Greg got me a food processor (to make Pesto Pasta and such:) and a salad spinner--yes, I have been wanting these...thank you honey:)
I also got clothes and I think he only did that to redeem himself just in case I was upset about the kitchen stuff:) I wasn't so he was in the clear:)
We then finished the night off with White Christmas and hot chocolate...oh and we had Mexican for dinner--what else would you have for Christmas dinner?:)
I love my sweet little family...Merry Christmas guys!
Kansas City here we come!

Reese in his new hat and shirt

Let's do this!

W.O.W! Lots of gifts! (not all ours:)

the pass out frenzy!

new blue electric scooter!

oh the love! Thanking each other for their gifts.
Reese gave Abby chocolate and a tiny teddy bear she had been wanting
Abby got Reese the movie Cats and Dogs

Musical Theater Class Recital

2011-12-21T09:47:00.000-06:00

Thursday night Abby had her last musical theater class. Sadly, it wasn't what we thought it would be so Abby was happy to see it end:( She had perseverance though and stayed with it to the end, which pleased us---as if we were gonna let her quit;)

She did learn alot of fun games and seemed to get more confident in front of people. She "seemed" to be having lots of fun and I even got to go and play a game with her during the recital. I was pretty terrible and didn't have the right clothing on to really get into it but tried my best! ha!

Well I got a video of her performing the song Let's go Fly a Kite so enjoy!

Good job Abby!

Getting ready to perform!

Reese and the cousins wrestling while watching:)

the class

silly theater games

me trying to do a good job:/

City View Church

2011-12-12T22:36:00.003-06:00

http://www.cityviewchurch.net/

Times are a changing in the Stamps house! It has been a long, hard yet exciting journey but we have finally decided that we are joining a new church plant here in Texas! I have put the churches website above because they do a pretty good job of painting a picture of what they are all about.
It's good stuff...good God stuff:)

Anyways here's the story: (in short....very short:)

Greg and I are so excited for this next chapter in our lives!
We are beginning to explore the possibility of planting a church one day ourselves!!!
Wow, that's is so crazy to type out:/ Now it's in black in white...now it's real! :)

To make a long story short we have always had a heart for this but not until recently (over the last year) have we really felt a pull, a tug, an uncomfortable restlessness in our souls to JUST DO SOMETHING!

Maintaining is just not our thing:)

This church we have decided to plug into is ALL about reproducing and training church planters so we believe we are in just the right place. We, of course, have so many questions, uncertainties and a bit of anxiety about the whole thing BUT we feel such a peace, weird right?
No, not weird at all...we believe the Bible is our guide to the will of God.
He tells us what He desires in black and white and we just can't deny the fact that the Lord is a missionary God...a God or reproduction and movement and we want to GO with Him. We want to go with Him to the people, the people He loves and wants to gather to Himself.

Like I said we are still uncertain but are ready to learn and be equipped and who knows it could be that God just wanted us to be willing and ready and we will end up going another direction, but honestly right now all that doesn't matter!
What does matter to us is that we are poised and ready for where He takes us, whether it's Colorado (which we are always exploring;) or Uganda....we will go, we will plant wherever, we just want to be wise, ready and unattached to this world.
So, over the next few years, maybe more maybe less, there could be alot of changes in our family.
Let's do this!:)
*on a side note:
For those of you who know Todd Cook... the lead pastor of City View was in Todd's youth group (the church right before he came to us at FBC Raytown...was it Nolan Road?...anyways, crazy right????!!!
Such a small world!!!

City View Church

2011-12-12T22:35:00.000-06:00

http://www.cityviewchurch.net/

Times are a changing in the Stamps house! It has been a long, hard yet exciting journey but we have finally decided (2 months ago:) that we are joining a new church plant here in Texas! I have put the churches website above because they do a pretty good job of painting a picture of what they are all about.
It's good stuff...good God stuff:)

Anyways here's the story: (in short....very short:)

Greg and I are so excited for this next chapter in our lives!
We are beginning to explore the possibility of planting a church one day ourselves!!!
Wow, that's is so crazy to type out:/ Now it's in black in white...now it's real! :)

To make a long story short we have always had a heart for the this but not until recently (about 2 years ago) have we really felt a pull, a tug, an uncomfortable restlessness in our souls to JUST DO SOMETHING!

Maintaining is just not our thing:)

This church we have decided to plug into is ALL about reproducing and training church planters so we believe we are in just the right place. We, of course, have so many questions, uncertainties and a bit of anxiety about the whole thing BUT we feel such a peace, weird right?
No, not weird at all...we believe the Bible is our guide to the will of God. He tells us what He desires in black and white and we just can't deny the fact that the Lord is a missionary God...a God or reproduction and movement and we want to GO with Him. We want to go to Him to the people, the people He loves and wants to gather to Himself.

Like I said we are still uncertain but are ready to learn and be equipped and who knows it could be that God just wanted us to be willing and really and we will end up going another direction but honestly right now all that doesn't matter!
What does matter to us is that we are poised and ready for where He takes us, whether it's Colorado (which we really are exploring) or Uganda....we will go, we will plant wherever, we just want to be wise, ready and unattached to this world.
So, over the next few years, maybe more maybe less, there could be alot of changes in our family.
We are ready! Let's do this!

Reese has BRACES!

2011-12-06T13:19:00.001-06:00

This morning I took Reese in to get his braces on! He was kinda, not really, nervous but excited (that about covers his emotions:) to get them on.

It didn't take long because all he got on were the front 4 teeth and he will have to wear them until the other 2 front teeth come in. ~he didn't have enough room for 2 teeth to come in so the braces and expander are making room.

I am glad (now:) I went through the whole braces saga because I know how it feels to have braces on and what makes it feel better...makes me think of how Jesus sympathies with our weakness in temptation because he was tempted in every way (Heb. 8-10)....sorry I've got BSF (aka the Bible:) on the brain.

Anyways we will see how he is after school...hopefully not to sore!

I better have some mac and cheese and apple sauce ready:)

No pictures please!
Don't be deceived he wanted me to blog him getting his braces on:) He asked me to!

wide mouth frog:)

there ya go...still doesn't have his wire on but you can see how his teeth need to be brought back together and then those side teeth need to grow in.
Fun, Fun!:)

Happy Veteran's Day!

2011-12-05T16:05:00.000-06:00

I don't know how I missed posting this last month? BUT I didn't want to not do even if it was late:/

Abby's class at school did a Veterans Day program and it was so good! They sang and at the end they had all the veterans come to the front and tell there name, what brand of military and war they served in. Abby was thrilled to find out that Granny and Papa extended there trip by 3 days to be able to stay for her program. When my Dad spoke and told the audience that he was Abby Stamp's Grandpa she was beaming (and turned bright red:) I was VERY proud of Dad! He doesn't like to speak in public and he did so good...you never would have thought it:)

Thanks Mom and Dad for extending your trip, it meant the world to Abby! And thank you Dad for serving in the Air Force. I am sorry they way they treated you when you came back from Vietnam and if I could I would take all that pain away but since I can't just know we are very proud of you and love you more than words could express.

Papa talking to the crowd...making Abby blush:)

Papa standing with all his fellow veterans

Abby singing away!

Look at all those Veterans---wow! Such a sweet time of honoring them all!

I Pledge a Allegiance!

I Got Ran over by a Bison

2011-11-29T08:22:00.001-06:00

Here's a story Reese wrote for his teacher the other day....very creative:)
One day I was practicing shooting my bow and arrow and then I saw a bison coming right in front of me so I ran fast but it caught up.
The End.

What happened when it caught up???? Oh no! What a cliff hanger:)

ICE!

2011-11-25T23:25:00.001-06:00

Purty:)

My fleece babies:)

Ready to go in!

Impressive!

Huge!

I had to sit in the ice outhouse....I would have made a funny face but there was a line of people staring at me:)

getting ready to go down the ice slide

Abby and Reese racing

Ice dragon!

Abby got a cookie as big as her face:) Little did she know we were all sharing with her! ha!

Checking out the trains and Christmas decor:)

Burrrr!!! It's cold:)
We had such a great day! We got tickets a few months back to ICE at the Gaylord Texan. It's just a bunch of ice carved into shapes...very impressive actually:)
We pulled out all the stops this year. A few years back we were not so prepared and froze to death SO this year we broke out the ski gear...smart:) Only our faces were cold but we felt like it would be a little much to wear face masks;)
After walking around the ICE display of Shrek we then walked around the Gaylord and saw all their Christmas decorations.....it is officially Christmas people! I must admit I mourned a little today as I threw all my pumpkins away:( NO I do not make pies out of my pumpkins, that's why they sell cans of pumpkin:)
It makes me sad to think I have to wait another year for Fall...I love the Fall. Christmas is cool and all but there's nothing like the Fall, nothing:)
Greg put up the Christmas lights on the house today and tomorrow we break out the Christmas tree...it's gonna look so pretty:) Let the countdown to Christmas Day begin!

The Tale of Two Earrings

2011-11-20T18:27:00.002-06:00

Happy to be done!

Abby got her ear pierced for her birthday and I have been meaning to blog about it forever but I'm glad I didn't because Friday we were sad to find out she had to take them out:(
I got a call from school that Abby was at the nurse. Her ear was infected and the nurse suggested we take the earrings out because in just a few short hours her ear lobe had doubled in size and completely swelled around the earring and you couldn't see the earring anymore:/
After school I took her to the doctor and found out she is allergic to the nickel in the earring --I should have guessed, I'm allergic to the nickel too:(
She really didn't want to take them out and was sad she wouldn't be getting earrings for Christmas but she understood.
It was pretty crazy trying to get that earring out! I couldn't even see it to pull it out and she was wiggling like a worm! I finally did get it after about an hour of talking her into it:/ She kept saying, "Just a second, just second...I'm not ready!" I told her she was never gonna be ready!!! :) It was gonna hurt she was gonna have to deal with it!
I'm not sure she will want to do it again anytime in the near future but I told her she didn't need to make a decision just yet:)
My guess she won't get her ears pierced again until she's about 16...we'll see;)

Thank you Pinterest...thank you:)

2011-11-17T19:12:00.000-06:00

So if you don't know what I am talking about, shame on you:) Ha! Just kidding! There is a new(ish) website that I LOVE and it's called Pinterest. It's basically a site where women post cool stuff about home, cooking, fashion, design..etc. I saw this on there the other day and we decided to give it a shot tonight. It works so good and the kids love it. It's pancake batter in a plastic bottle and they can design their pancake however they want. Abby and Reese got real creative...so did Greg:)
Did I mention I LOVE Pinterest? Ok, just checking;)

Go Mizzou!

2011-11-17T19:05:00.001-06:00

I am SO behind in blogs it's ridiculous! I'm so ashamed:/ Well, not really but I do feel like I need to get caught up! It's such a busy time a year and we have done ALOT of stuff so get ready:)

Anyways, while my Mom and Dad were in town we all went to the Mizzou/Baylor game. My parents noramlly go to most of the games in Columbia and were very happy to find out that while they were in Texas for the kiddos birthday's that Mizzou was playing about and hour south of us!

The weather was perfect, the company was sweet, the football was well, not so good BUT good ole Mizzou (after we left with 8 minutes remaining:/) Came back from behind scoring 3 touchdowns, which was AWESOME but not good enough sadly...we lost by 3 points:( Boo!

Well we still had fun and are just so grateful that Dad was well enough to go to the game! He's such a trooper and is doing so amazing! It blows my mind thinking where he was and where he is now....it's a miracle! God has more in store for my Dad and I'm glad! I love you Dad...and you Mom;)

Thanks for paying the big bucks and taking us to the game!

Abby's Sleepover Birthday Party!!

2011-11-14T23:02:00.001-06:00

Happy 9th Birthday Abby!!

She decided she wanted a sleepover so she could get a bigger gift:) Good idea Abby...hopefully she will do the same when she gets married one day:) Smaller wedding, bigger gift! ha!

Anyways the party was so fun! The girls all got along and it was painless for the adults...yay! Thank you Mom for braving this night with me....you're a trooper and were a HUGE help!!

It was a Movie Night theme and the girls all slept in the living room, two of Abby's favorite things!

She was thrilled all night....she planned the whole thing and was beside herself with joy---success:)

This bowl pretty much sums up the night....SUGAR! Sugared up girls, giggling and being silly!
Recipe for FUN!

Let the movies begin! They watched Enchanted and Tangled...2 of Abby's favorites!

We had a cupcake and ice cream bar so the girls decorated themselves and LOVED it!

opening gifts!

decorating...

before the party began Maw Maw and Poppa brought Abby and Reese a tether-ball pole for their birthdays! HUGE hit with the girls....they wanted to play all night:)

Pizza and D.P. for supper....NO VEGGIES ALLOWED:)

Urban Air Trampoline Park!

2011-11-12T16:21:00.002-06:00

We went to this trampoline park the other night and it was a BLAST! It was probably the most fun we have had as a family in a long time! We jumped for an hour and a half and man were we (Greg and I :) beat! It drives me and Greg crazy that with every year we have more and more aches and pains no matter how much we workout and stretch:( The day after we jumped we could barely move-haha!

I do not like growing older! Not one bit!!!:)

The kids were a sweaty mess and want to go back as soon as possible! Reese has already declared this his birthday party next year....ha!

I think I want someone to throw me a surprise birthday party here for my birthday actually....any takers:)

One big warehouse of trampolines!! So fun!

getting ready to play dodgeball! Greg and I "tried" to take it easy on the kids:)

oh the love:)

the pool of blue blocks was SO fun but very hard to climb out of if you are an adult:)

Reese at a glance...

2011-11-10T12:50:00.003-06:00

I wanted to do write down what ways we have seen each of our kids grow/learn this year for their birthdays...I did Abby (see next post) and now for Reese:

Reese is now 7 and is a bundle of energy. He is always wanting to express his love for you and is quick to melt in your arms. Cuddling is his favorite sport:) He is going to be a awesome husband, he understands peoples feelings and his heart aches when others ache. He loves for me to do "Slice, Slice, Slice" on his back every night (it's a back rub song I sing) and wants me to sleep with him every night. He still has a small piece of his receiving blanket that he had when he was a baby that he carries around. He has broken himself of sucking his thumb but "sometimes he forgets":) He loves crackers, mac and cheese and fruit snacks from Costco. He still pees most mornings off the back porch and thinks it's funny to write his name in pee on the fence:) Boys.are.so.funny:) He rocks my world...he fills me with joy. I am so proud of him.
He has been into football lately and says he doesn't want to play baseball in the spring...we will see if he changes his mind:) He still runs around the house with only underwear on and loves to be around people.

He is a party in himself.

He doesn't like to keep money lying around...it burns a hole in his pocket. Everything is his favorite thing. Everything excites him and he loves new clothes. He can pick out a great outfit for me when we shop...he's got a great eye. He loves to watch old videos of himself and our family. He loves for you to tell stories about him...he thinks he so funny;) When he gets in the car after school almost everyday he has a new joke for me. He's a character.
He could still use an afternoon nap after school and if I make him lay him down he will fall asleep in 2 seconds.
He is thoughtful, sensitive and grieves deeply when someone doesn't like him or makes fun of him. He desires to be loved yet is still learning to be a good sport, not quit and treat others how he wants to be treated. I see great potential in him and I pray everyday for him to see himself the way the Lord does--holy and blameless. I pray he will be a man of God that hungers and thirsts for righteousness and counts others as more important than himself.
He is a joy to have around and we are blessed to be his parents.
I can't wait to see what he will be when he grows up but I am confident of this;
...goodness and love will follow him all the days of his life! from Ps. 23
We love you Reese and have treasured these last 7 years....lets make it a 100 more;)

Happy Birthday Abby!

2011-11-10T12:30:00.003-06:00

Shame on me for not blogger earlier!! I have been so busy and when I do have down time I just feeling like staring at a wall:)
Ok so Abby turned 9 years old on Monday and wow was she excited to have a day all dedicated to her! I heard her say, "Mom, since it's my birthday..." a hundred times;) That's my girl! ha!
We, of course, woke her up to a cupcake and candle but then she wanted ice cream, strawberries and whip cream for breakfast so the cupcake was eaten later!
She had to go to school but was excited to get her birthday book from her class and my parents and I were coming for lunch and bringing Panda Express (orange chicken) so she was thrilled:)
After school Granny took her shopping and she got a new outfit and black boots at Justice. We then headed over to eat at Cheesecake Factory with Greg, Reese and Papa. She had orange chicken again:/ and she was happy about that..ha! Too much for my taste but it's her birthday she's the queen;)
Greg and I got her an electric scooter and she has been loving it! We told her she still needed to get exercise on her bike and scooter so it's been pretty funny to watch her ride then run over and get on her other scooter and say look Mom I'm getting exercise just like I said I would:) haha!
It was a fun day celebrating Abby, we love you sweetie!

Over this past year we have seen her grow up so much.
She is a goof ball and wants to be a singer. She won't sing in front of you but some days if I'm lucky I can stand at her door and hear her beautiful voice...she is gifted. She has a great concern and love for people. She is still learning how to express that but I see the Lord developing that in her each day. She is the one that reaches out to the lonely, friendless and the lame. She is a true gift to all she meets. She is more and more beautiful everyday, her heart just beams through her. She will NOT cut her hair even if I payed her 100 bucks. She is an individual, she won't be easy to tempt when she's a teenager...she's got a good head on her shoulders. She is very determined. She wants to be a pilot and talks daily about how she will pay for college. She talks of working at Chickfila so she can get a scholarship. She saves her money like crazy...I am proud of her.
She really enjoys reading and can read a book in about 2 days. She loves coffee and anything sweet. Her favorite thing to do with me is go to the coffee shop and read or play a game. She loves playing chess with Greg and her and Reese like building tents and playing in the tree house together. If you can't find her look in the tree house she'll be there reading a book. She loves I love Lucy, Loony Toons and Food Network. She still hates Math but is getting better and more confident everyday! She has gotten more affectionate and open to showing her feelings. She still really hates getting in trouble or disappointing anyone but we are watching her learn to process her feelings and is a stable and wise little girl.
I have really been focusing on praying for Abby to be teachable and let the Lord have full control of her heart. Greg and I desire to see her love the Lord above all else and have a desire to get in His Word and hide it in her heart.
I am excited to see what this year has in store...we are blessed beyond measure to get to spend it with her.
We love you Abby!

Wake-up sweet girl!!

Grandma Reese brought by a gift for her....she got some art canvas'! Good pick Grandma!!

Lucy got into the birthday fun:)

Abby and Grandma Reese

getting her scooter!

Hooray!

It goes pretty fast!

me and my Mom:)

Flag Football!

2011-11-02T21:28:00.001-05:00

Reese started a new sport. He has never been interested in anything but baseball but this year he was ready for a change. It has been a welcomed change! He has played baseball since he was 3 and I am loving football! I got to sit on the sidelines in a jacket while drinking coffee cheering for my favorite boy in the world. Good times!
He had an AWESOME first game. He caught an interception and ran it back for a touchdown (or as some people say-- a pick six ;) He also threw 2 great passes that were unfortunately dropped in the end zone:/ Good try Reese!
He is just a super athletic little boy and he seems to conquer any sport he tries. He'll be happy about that when he gets older:)
Got some pics on the sidelines...He's such a stud:)

My boyfriend:)

Quarterback Reese!

Pumpkin Carving

2011-11-02T21:07:00.001-05:00

Sunday Papa and Greg brought home 4 pumpkins to carve. Granny had gotten some cool pumpkin tools that we were anxious to try out. The kids always like to carve but are pretty disinterested once we begin because we didn't trust them with a knife:/ Well this year with the cool tools we decided they could make a go of it. They did great! We spent 2 hours carving and the weather was beautiful! Double bonus:)

I just love fall! Pumpkins AND weather that doesn't make you sweat or cold! Bliss!

the fun part...

hard at work....we were pretty intense:)

Check my pumpkin out!! Wow right? I shocked myself:)

Greg tried the etching route...pretty impressive! Go Mizzou!

My Daddy! Getting better everyday. Still dealing with fatigue but is doing awesome! He was walking with a walker 6 weeks ago and yesterday he went to the gym with me! He's such a rockstar! So proud of you Dad!

our creations.
Greg's, mine, Abby then Reese

for real, I really did do this all by myself!!! Next year I plan to top this one:)

Abby and the pumpkin bling that Granny got for her!

Reese and Greg's creation. Daddy assisted a bit while Reese kicked the football;)

Pumpkin Carving

2011-11-02T21:06:00.000-05:00

Sunday Papa and Greg brought home 4 pumpkins to carve. Granny had gotten some cool pumpkin tools that we were anxious to try out. The kids always like to carve but are pretty disinterested once we being because we didn't trust them with a knife:/ Well this year with the cool tools we decided they could make a go of it. They did great! We spent 2 hours carving and the weather was beautiful! Double bonus:)

I just love fall! Pumpkins AND weather that doesn't make you sweat or cold! Bliss!

the fun part...

hard at work....we were pretty intense:)

Check my pumpkin out!! Wow right? I shocked myself:)

Greg tried the etching route...pretty impressive! Go Mizzou!

our creations.
Greg's, mine, Abby then Reese

for real, I really did do this all by myself!!! Next year I plan to top this one:)

Abby and the pumpkin bling that Granny for her!

Reese and Greg creation. Daddy assisted a bit while Reese kicked the football;)

Trick or Treat!

2011-11-02T20:51:00.000-05:00

Halloween around here brings a mixture of emotions. Both the kids talk about it for months and then the day arrives. I can always count on Abby to get her costume on (with few hiccups except maybe her hair and we normally can noramlly wrap that up in about 20 minutes:) but it's Reese that I can never predict!

About 2 months ago Abby and Reese drew up a costume design for Granny to sew for Reese. He was on a Captain America kick (remember when he painted the garbage can lid into a shield?:)

Anyways we mailed the design to Granny and she was happy to make the costume for him! When they came to town she gave it to Reese and he loved it. I figured we were in the clear (last year I had a crying trick or treater (baseball player) because he didn't want to be in a costume-:/)

Well Halloween came and so did the tears...see below. This is the only picture I got of Granny with Reese in full costume...cape and all. He doesn't look happy but thankfully the tears were for only a season...

Presenting Captain Reese!

After a few houses and seeing some friends from church and school he began to warm up. He did take the cape off but he started to smile. His teacher from school lives 5 houses down from us and as you can see he was very happy to see her! The evening turned out to be a hit and Granny and Papa got to join in on all the fun! Very thankful for that!

I didn't get a great picture of Abby in her costume...she was Princess Leia. She loves Star Wars and she wanted to be a Ninji but I had to veto that one....a girl a Ningi,what? She's a funny duck that Abby:)

Well I was able to get her hair to look like the real Princess Leia and she was pleased with that!

The kids got a ton of candy and actually this year they really scored in the chocolate department!

Way to go neighbors! Greg and I were pleased:)

Princess Leia
-bad lightening but my friend got a good picture and she is going to send it to me and I'll post it later.

Minute-To-Win-It!

2011-10-29T22:51:00.001-05:00

Today we had Reese's 7th birthday party! He wanted to have a minute-to-win-it party so we did:)

I planned about 6-7 games and hoped for the best! It was super crazy but fun! We had about 10 boys and 2 girls so it was a little nutty but I remained calm, most of the time! ha!

Everyone wanted to do every challenge and I didn't expect that but thankfully I planned for it so I had enough supplies to go around. It was fun to watch the kids and I know Reese really enjoyed himself. He said his favorite was pushing the car with the party blower (see below) because he won twice:) that's a boy for ya huh?

I really do love planning the parties for the kids and I really don't mind it BUT I guess with the kids birthday's 10 days apart and the Rangers playing in the World's Series (I don't want to talk about it:/ --ughh!) it just makes it a little nutty around here for a few weeks/months:)

Speaking of parties I better get off of here because now that Reese's birthday party is over I need to plan Abby's! T minus 6 days.....C.R.A.Z.Y.

Friday we will have 9 nine-year old girls spend the night. Thank goodness girls are calmer than boys!

Let the game begin!

Go Nathalie! This is my friend who volunteered to show the kids the ropes:)

Cookie on the Forehead into your mouth with no hands!

you can't see it but they have Vaseline on their noses...

...so they can pick up as many cotton balls as possible and place them in a bowl

Abby and her friend, Emilia

Ready to catch the marbles
Here they had to roll marbles to knock over the pencil.
We had marbles everywhere:)

Eager Beavers!

Me being bossy probably:)

ok here they used straws to suck up M&M's and get as many in a bowl as you can

Cameron was the master! He got like 30 M&M's in his bowl in one minute! Amazing!

You use a bday blower to puch you car over the line. This one was a hit but the blowers kept blowing- fail:)
*if you ever want to do this have PLENTY of extra party blowers
p.s. they are very annoying when you put them in the hands of 15 plus children.

Reese won! Love this picture!

Reese wanted a cookie cake that had a clock on it. I tried. It was kinda lame but tasted good:) Just needed to put more in more time. Again, I blame it on the Rangers.
I have lost lots of hours of my life watching the Rangers. Well spent but still lost! :)

Way to go Greg...perfect timing!!! Make a wish buddy!

Gifts! Gifts! Gifts!
This is a conversation I had with Reese on Friday night (night before the party)
R-"Mom, I really want it to be tonight already!"
Me- "Why buddy?"
R- "Because then right after I wake-up and it's party time and I get to open gifts!!!"
We like birthdays around here. Ok, lets be honest, We like GIFTS:)
Giving and receiving!!!

Check out those dirty feet. What a boy. :)

My nephew, Charlie holding my new nephew Colson. He's a doll.
*and that's sweet Eden (my friend Becky Brooks daughter) in the corner. She's also a doll:)

Happy Birthday Reese!

2011-10-27T21:35:00.000-05:00

Today our sweet boy turned 7! 7 years old? Is that possible? He keeps getting older but I don't seem to age...weird huh?:)

Today we woke Reese to a birthday cupcake and his wish for the day was that the Rangers would win the World's Series on his birthday! OH please Jesus! PLEASE!:)

I remember the day he was born 7 years ago tonight. We were living in DC, actually we were right outside in Reston, VA and I was induced at about 6am and he finally arrived at 5:56pm right before the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004. We will never forget that day. Reese broke the curse for the Red Sox, we're convinced:) We'll see what happens tonight!!! Go Rangers!

Anyways, on another note--Granny and PaPa came into town TODAY! My Dad hasn't been here in over a year and HE'S HERE! He's doing awesome! He's getting stronger everyday and Mom and him actually drove all the way down from K.C. no prob! They are gonna stay 2 weeks and cover lots of ground with the kiddos activities! Tonight we watched Abby preform at the High School with the drill team. She went this past weekend to a junior drill team camp and she loved it! Granny and PaPa are also gonna see flag football games, eat with the kids at lunch a few times, go with Abby to musical theater class and much, much more! SO fun! I am just so overwhelmed with praise and gratitude to have my Dad with us still. Honestly things were looking pretty grim there for so long. I remember praying he would wake-up at least a little so we could spend a few more minutes with him and now here he is recovering! Praise God!

We are gonna have some great fun....so glad they could make it!

Good morning buddy!

TREE HOUSE!

2011-10-23T19:45:00.001-05:00

The kids and Greg have been tree house brainstorming for some time and yesterday the project began!

The kids were ECSTATIC the whole time and "helped" as much as they could. Today Greg finished up the job and tonight the kids had dinner and watched Tom and Jerry from their new fort...very fun!

The tree house is dangerously high which gives me and Greg some anxiety but I think the kids will use "discretion" when playing up there:) We hope! ha! I asked them to sit down the whole time they play up there and they looked at me like I was nuts then they started laughing! Ha! Ok, ok I admit that was a little much but I fear for their lives!!!:)

let the building begin!

Abby handed Greg all the tools he needed...very helpful!

Platform in place...this took alot of brain work for Greg and I but we were able to figure it out! (Greg did ALL the work)

First trip up! Yes, I know it's high:/

Abby made a pulley

Ready to roll!

Dinner and a movie

So fun! Thanks for all the hard work Greg, you're the best Daddy!!

The Ultimate Fan!

2011-10-18T19:01:00.000-05:00

Reese came in the kitchen dressed like this last night....
Mavs shorts, Rangers shirt and Cowboys helmet:)
Nice Reese...way to support those teams!

My New Favorite City!

2011-10-10T21:52:00.058-05:00

I love San Francisco!

A few weeks back Greg surprised the kids and me by booking a mini vacation over fall break!

We were all SO excited and thankful for such an awesome Daddy and husband to always plan fun stuff for us!!!

We had a wonderfully packed weekend with everything you could ever want to do in San Fran! We were actually only there for just over 48 hours because the cheap flight tickets that Greg got had to be on certain days. We didn't care though we made the best of every minute and saw everything we wanted to!

We got in Thursday night about 5:30pm got to the hotel and had a great Italian dinner and walked around Union Square and enjoyed the night life in the city. Friday we hit the ground running catching a boat over to Alcatraz and toured the jail for about 3 hours. We did an audio walking tour and even the kids enjoyed it...it was very informative and interesting. Before our trip Greg made sure that we watched Escape from Alcatraz so it was really cool seeing all the stuff in the movie and having some point of reference... brilliant Greg:)

After the tour we ferried back to shore and went to Fisherman's Wharf. We had fun walking around, seeing the sea lions and eating at Boudin Bakery (wonderful sourdough bread). *Abby's new favorite place to get a burger:) We were also wanting to go to the Golden Gate Bridge and the kids were kinda getting tired from walking so we decided it would be fun to bike to the bridge. We rented tandem bikes so the kids were connected to us:) Don't get me wrong they could have done it but we (I) felt more comfortable having them hooked to us instead of going wild and crazy on their own possibly riding off the bridge:/

Now for the story...

It was a hilariously HARD ride. Little did we know it was about a 4 mile ride to the bridge that culminated in about a mile long, 1,000 foot climb from the shore to the bridge level. And the bridge itself is an incline (who knew, right?) Oh and I was wearing a silk shirt, brown boots, leather jacket and skinny jeans...ha, I looked really funny:) I was struggling keeping my jeans up!!:/

The kids did awesome though and LOVED the ride so Greg and I tried not to cry on all the hills. (Greg did a little;) The kids worked hard pedaling and were a great help and after all was said and done we had a great time...sweaty and happy! We made it to the first tower on the bridge, enjoyed the views, and then started the 4 mile mostly-downhill-but-sometimes-uphill return trip. haha!

After the ride all we wanted to do was take a shower, eat and go to bed...and that's about how the night ended!:)

We ate at a great Crepery in the city and then were in bed by 9:30!! Hey, we needed our rest because we still had to be able to walk the next day;) Don't judge!!

Saturday we had our most epic "eating" day to date! (in the States that is--nothing will ever top Italy:) We went to the Ferry Building Market. I'm not sure I can explain it and bring it justice but just trust me...YOU MUST GO there if you ever make it to San Fran. It's like every "foodie" in the country all comes together and tries to top everyone by making the most incredible food! It's ground zero for foodies in the U.S. of A.

We just walked around all morning spending a few bucks here, a few bucks there eating. eating. eating. I was so sick. sick . sick. I should never, ever eat again. ever. :)

Reese loved this fried bread with lemon custard inside. Basically it was a glorified doughnut BUT it was like no other thing I have ever tasted...it was out-of-this-world. crazy good.

Greg loved breakfast at il Cane Rosso. It was the best breakfast food we both have ever had. The kids got to have bacon waffles....they were happy:) We also ate gelato, cheeses, salami cone, candied almonds, chocolates, etc, etc. The most unique thing was a very thin, crispy rye bread covered in dark chocolate. Seriously?? And of course it was incredible.

After that we needed to walk it off so we headed back towards the hotel (many, many blocks away) and we just walked through the city. We stopped where we wanted to, got coffee, rested here and there, and had a wonderful time to together, our sweet family of four. I love my family. I love to travel with them and experience all the wonderful things each place has to offer, oh and by the way, my new favorite city is San Francisco....sorry all you other amazing cities but this one beats you hands down! So much to offer, so much culture, so many hills:), so many amazing people (not as crazy as I had heard) and great eats! I hope everyone gets the opportunity to go...it was wonderful! Thank you Greg for such a great gift! We love you!

Ferry Building Market!

enjoying the beautiful weather

My kiddos

busy market --amazing food!

resting while the kids eat gelato

playing as we stroll through the city
Reese carried a tennis ball everywhere and bounced it along the way (he found it in a bush somewhere:)

Chinatown

Greg and the kids in Chinatown

Reese with the plate he cracked with his HEAD! He was showing us how to do the old pie-in-the-face and he slammed the heavy ceramic plate into his head---he was hurt a little bit but he was more proud of the crack than anything else:)

Getting on the boat to Alcatraz

on our way...

the whole fam

Alcatraz in the background

taking the kids to jail!:)

listening to the audio tour

Abby in the rec yard

Reese:)

Good picture Greg! (view of Golden Gate Bridge from Alcatraz Gardens)

this was as serious as Reese could be:)

behind bars

Library...listening intently:)

so serious

yikes I would not like to live here!

my funny hubby:) (she made me do it --Greg)

Escaping Alcatraz:)

Bye-bye!

It was Fleet Week in San Francisco so we got to watch the Blue Angels air show--bonus:)

SO beautiful!

Reese and me watching the Blue Angels! Awesome!

one happy chocolate girl:) (and one happy Italian man --Greg) click on picture to see this guy's killer mustache.

dig in!

all gone:)

Reese wanted a cupcake instead;)

Cute little biker with the bridge in the background

Reese and me on our bike to Golden Gate Bridge

Greg and Abby

Made it to the bridge...yay!

Big Bridge!

walking the hills....lots of hills!

on the airplane headed to Cali!

view from hotel window

again...

Union Square with my Abby

Sweet boy...not sure where this is?

Lombard Street...very curvy:)

Reese got an Expander!

2011-10-03T16:47:00.000-05:00

A few weeks back Reese got an expander put in his mouth. He will have to wear it for one year and will get 4 braces across the front of his teeth in a few months. They are not trying to straighten his teeth right now but are trying to make room for 2 more teeth to grow in. This is phase 1 and hopefully when he is 12 he won't need to get braces again! Although both the kids want braces...I guess I made it so cool that they want to be like me;) haha! It's weird how cool it is to have braces now--when I was a kid NO one wanted braces!
Here's a video I took the night he got his expander...he talks so cute:)
It's been almost 2 weeks now and he is already talking normal and is eating pretty good. He gets ALOT of stuff stuck in it and it's pretty nasty but thankfully he is old enough to clean it out himself:)

LIES!

2011-09-29T23:10:00.001-05:00

Today Reese was reading me a book for school about dinosaurs. After reading about 5 pages in he looks up at me and says, "Mommy, this book is full of lies!"

I had to laugh.
I have always prayed that our kids would be able to recognize the lies of Satan and that they would not take root in their minds--thank you Lord for hearing me:)
P.S. The earth is NOT millions of years old...ugh!:) Darn you Darwin!

Ok here's another jewel from Reese.
Tonight Greg heard a gun shoot IN the house. When Greg asked Reese if he had shot the gun in the house he told him NO! This is how Greg found him....hilarious.
P.S. That is our doggie door!

This is just a cute picture that I thought I would share. What a man he is:)
I hope he doesn't shoot his eye out!! ha! jk

Abby is doing Homiletics!

2011-09-29T22:49:00.000-05:00

The whole family is going to BSF this year and we are studying Acts. I hadn't realized until tonight that in Abby's 3rd grade class they do Homiletics for homework! How awesome that BSF teach the children to breakdown the Word and God and figure out how it applies to them personally! What a blessing! How very cool!

Step Aside Vincent Van Gogh....

2011-09-28T18:10:00.001-05:00

Starry Night

by Abby and Reese Stamps

Check out what my little artists did in the driveway the other night....looks pretty awesome don't ya think?

Shooting Practice!

2011-09-25T19:39:00.000-05:00

Yesterday Greg and the kids got the bebe gun out and the kids had fun shooting at a target on the fence. Reese wants to be a hunter...anyone got land we can come hunt on?:) They also want to go fishing---p.s. we need to buy some land:)

Rollin' with the Homies...

2011-09-24T11:31:00.000-05:00

The other day Reese and I (and Lucy:) were hanging out and I looked over and this is what I saw...thought I would share. He's so cool:)

It's the MOST Wonderful Time of the Year!!!

2011-09-20T22:24:00.001-05:00

well for me anyways:)
I LOVE THE FALL! I love everything about it.
~I love the cooler weather blowing in
~I love the colors
~I love pumpkins, eating them and looking at them!
~I love the pumpkin spiced latte
~I love the day when Target puts out pumpkin creamer for the season:)
~I love IT ALL!

Today we decorated the house and went crazy!
I know it's a little early for Thanksgiving but it's never too early to be thankful right?:)
Check out what we did....I'm proud of us! I'm not super crafty but I think it turned out super cute!

Awe...fall decorations make me so happy!!

All decked out and ready for Fall:)

Lucy's also ready to go!

Tired girl from playing with Tuff all weekend:)

the kids helped me do this...they love helping me decorate!

We Have a Guest in the House

2011-09-15T08:35:00.001-05:00

Last night we had a visitor come to "town":) Our little Lucy (our dog) is beside herself with joy. Her Daddy (Tuff, Debbie and Jerry's dog) is here for the next week. It has already been a little wild and crazy...this should be interesting:) 2 dogs?...note to self, one if enough:)
Last night around midnight Greg couldn't find Tuff....this is where he found him.

Showed Reese this picture this morning and he was thrilled he had an overnight guest and he didn't even know it:)

Cafe Medi

2011-09-14T21:04:00.001-05:00

So the other day we met our two friends, Michelle and Floyd for dinner. Michelle was in our youth group back when Greg was the youth minister the first year we got married! She was a sophomore when we were 23 years old and now she's all grown up, married and a dear friend of mine! We have stayed close over the years and now we have falling love with her wonderful husband, Floyd...they are awesome!

Anyways we ate at one of our favorite restaurants called Cafe Medi. They serve amazing Mediterranean food. We decided to order a few things and share so we could sample everything. We ordered a 2 person meat "sampling" plate...it was HUGE! Four adults and 2 kids could not even make a dent in it!

WOW!

We all went away with BIG stomachs and happy hearts....perfect night of fellowship:)

Greg, the kids and Floyd--take one.

take two--a little better:)

HUGE "sampling" plate!!

the plate was bigger than our heads put together-ha!

Stamps Cupcake War!

2011-09-11T22:56:00.000-05:00

A few days ago the kids wanted to make cupcakes but of course they could not agree on a flavor so I thought of an idea:)

We had our own mini cupcake war!

The teams were:

Me and Abby

Greg and Reese

Abby and I's cupcakes were:

brownie bottomed with vanilla/ganache with chocolate buttercream

Greg and Reese's cupcakes:
Chocolate and Vanilla swirl with chucks of cherry and chocolate with Chocolate buttercream

We decided we would not be the best judges of our own cupcakes so we made enough to share with the neighbors. Everyone was too nice to pick just one:)

Honestly they both were amazing and we had a great time making them together!

Next time Abby and I have even a better idea...watch out boys:)

Cupcake Wars 2011

Rockin' and a Rollin':)

Reese and Greg's cupcakes

Me and Abby's cupcakes---thank you Reese for modelling for us.-ha!

Labor Day BLISS!

2011-09-11T21:21:00.000-05:00

The Lord was good to us Texans by giving us a few days of 70 degree weather! It's like everyone crawled out of their caves and EVERYONE was outside...it made me laugh:) These 100 degree days have been really getting to everyone so to have a few days (almost a week) of great weather was such a blessing! The kids and I played in the front yard the other day for 4 hours! I didn't let them go in even when they asked, I told them we could go back inside when it heats up again and today it did:( Boo!

Well anyways back to Labor Day, it was a great day of hiking at Grapevine Lake. Here's a few pics of our adventures!

the park was SO full...probably 50 some people--crazy!

Musical Theater Class

2011-09-05T23:12:00.000-05:00

Greg found out about these cool theater classes you can take at the local community theater and Abby was ALL about it! We signed her up and prayed our hearts out hoping that she would like it and come out of her shell enough to enjoy herself.
The first class went...not so good. She was not comfortable singing and dancing in front of a bunch of other kids and most of them were crazy and outgoing types, which she does not fit in with.
We are gonna take it one class at a time and I am praying that she finds her confidence in the Lord and can let go and be free to express herself however she wants not worrying what others may say or do! I want her to be exactly who the Lord designed her to be walking in freedom! Oh Lord do your work in her!

Isn't this the exact battle we all deal with? Don't we all wrestle with who we want to be with who others feel we should be?
Lord, let us be free to live a life free of worry of exposure of who you made us to be because how you made us was your plan and your design! You didn't make a mistake...we are not a mistake.

Boxes=FUN!!!

2011-08-30T20:24:00.002-05:00

All summer (since we have mainly been indoors due to the horribly hot weather:/) the kids have been very into boxes. They love all shapes and sizes but mostly HUGE boxes that they can fit in, play in, paint, sleep....actually whatever fits their fancy:)
Tonight Abby made a phone call to Papa Larson and she sat in the box. She liked it. Papa thought it was funny. I thought I would take a picture so Papa could see...here ya go Dad. We love you and continue to pray for a FULL recovery everyday!!! Enjoy the pics!

First box of the summer---painted house. They worked together on this and they were very compliant...well mostly:)

talking to Papa

I love my Papa!

Reese and the box:)

P.S. Chick on the last picture and you can see the canvas Greg got me of the family on the mantle...I LOVE IT!!! Thanks Greg:)

Grandchild #5!

2011-08-27T00:14:00.001-05:00

Last week my sister-in-law had a baby! Colson Dean is about a week old now and he's so precious!

The grandchildren are all elated to have another little one to join them at cousins camp, once he's potty trained of course:)

My kiddos could not wait to hold him...neither could I:)

Such a big girl...she can't wait to babysit him:)

My baby holding a baby!

One happy Aunt:)

Reese and the brothers....very excited brothers!

Awe so sweet! One day there will be a picture just like this but it will be her ow baby! Crazy!

I thought this would be fun...

2011-08-22T22:11:00.000-05:00

I thought it would be fun to take a look back in my pictures and see how much Abby and Reese have changed over these past few years. I found these and thought I would share:)

Abby first day of Kindergarten
Mrs. Thompson

1st grade
Mrs. Piland

Abby 2nd grade (she didn't let me get a picture in her class -she was too quick:)
Reese first day of Kindergarten

I didn't want to let him go:)

First Day of School! First Day of Schooooool!!!

2011-08-22T15:12:00.002-05:00

The walk of...JOY:) ha!
My kids are already past liking school...boo!
p.s. I think they are just saying that to be cool!
...at least that's what I used to do:)

the first day of school pose....geez Mom!

Abby and her teacher, Mrs. Hollingsworth

Reese walking to class with Greg

Reese and his teacher, Mrs. LeRoy
He is excited and he tried to hide it;)

Today was Abby starts 3rd grade and Reese starts 1st....wow! I know everyone says it but it's a true statement...TIME FLIES!

I have mourned this fact this summer more than previous summers.

I am super sad they are going back. I feel like they are crossing over to another season that requires less and less of me and Greg. Now I know this is a good thing because we want them to be independent and self-starters (and so many more character traits) BUT it's still hard to let go!
God reminded me this morning before the kids got up for school that it's not all about me. Thank you Lord:) It's about HIM and HIS purpose, HIS GLORY and I want God's best for my family. So I hand them over to the best "babysitter" ever...He is with them when I am not and He cares for them more than I ever could!
He wants the best for them...that comforts me today.
I hope it does the same for you!

Quick Trip to KC

2011-08-20T21:02:00.000-05:00

So the other day I had had it! It is so super hot down here that we couldn't take it anymore! I talked to Greg and he agreed that it would be a good idea to head north to KC to cooler weather. The kids don't start school until August 22nd so we had a full week to go see my family...so we did. It ended up being the perfect little break from the heat. It was only about 75 and raining (we haven't seen rain in months). I also got to be with my Dad while he had another surgery/procedure (of sorts) to check on his esophagus where the ventilator had been. He's having trouble choking after he eats--it's driving him nuts! They didn't find anything alarming and chalked it up to the swelling from the steroids he is taking for his lungs. He gets off the steroids August 31st and he is SUPER excited about that!!!
Anyways we had a fun trip! We went to Worlds of Fun (amusement park), Moon Marble (you get to watch/learn how to actually make a marble), we ate at all our/my:) favorite places (Spin Pizza, Custards Last Stand:) Pizza and custard what more do you need?:)
It was fun to take a little road trip to finish off the summer with a bang...now time to get down to business!
School time again:( I'm gonna miss these little boogers but maybe, just maybe I'll get those kitchen floors mopped! ha!

ready to learn how to make marbles!

Marble demonstration

Spin Pizza with Papa

Granny and Abby (love this pic!)

Raining day Apples to Apples at the coffee shop! My kinda fun:)

Papa and Reese drawing up plans to make a wooden baseball bat!

World of Fun Pictures!

2011-08-20T21:00:00.000-05:00

About to ride a roller coaster! I still love roller coasters!

Granny Loving!

Octupus ride...kids loved this one. I couldn't go...I would yak everywhere!
Motion sickness is a new friend of mine:/

Abby's favorite ride. It spins super fast then the floor drops out and you stick to the wall! My fav as a kid.
Before I got old and boring;)

See.... it's super fast!

she loved it so much she rode it by herself. She rode this ride about 17 times...wow!

oh the love! Right before this picture they were hitting each other:/ Ha!

Rockstar:)

2011-08-18T21:40:00.000-05:00

Check out the outfit Abby picked out for her first day of school....are ties in? I don't know but she feels confident and cute so we'll go with it:)
I always say it doesn't matter what you are wearing if you "own" it everyone will think it's adorable and want to buy one too:)

Lacrae

2011-08-18T21:32:00.001-05:00

While driving in the car we listen to alot of awesome music:) but yesterday I was cracking up while he was rapping with Lacrae (a Christian Rap Artist)
Check it out...he's hilarious!

Expander

2011-08-09T21:35:00.004-05:00

Reese is out of room in his mouth! He has two permanent teeth that need to come in and there's NO space at all!

The other day we took him into my orthodontist and he told us what we were dreading....expanders!

He's actually REALLY excited (probably because he COMPLETELY naive to the pain:( --I won't break it to him:) He actually has to wear 4 braces for a short time to straighten out his front teeth too because they are kinda sideways:/ and causing the "no room" problem.

It's funny but at the kids school it's so cool to have braces so Reese is thrilled and Abby is jealous! How funny is that? Who knew it? I was super cool with braces...weird. :)

Wait no, adult braces are never cool:)

This week we start the whole process....pray the pain is minimal and that the excitement lasts the whole year of treatment!!!

WIDE MOUTH REESE!

Basketball Camp

2011-08-09T21:11:00.003-05:00

This past week Reese was in a basketball camp at our church. He has never played b-ball on a team before because he has always been busy with spring and fall baseball. Greg has taught him alot of stuff in our driveway but he was excited to learn even more in camp. He had a blast and loved going everyday (bonus:) It was a Christian organization that put on the camp so everyday they got to memorize a verse and Reese was all about that making sure he knew the verse for the next day!

The last day all the parents got to come and see what the kids learned and for the award ceremony.

Each kid got a certificate honoring them for a character trait that the coaches saw in them during the week.

Our sweet Reeser got Joyfulness!

I was SO proud. He is such a joyful kid and loves life. He challenges me everyday to focus more on being grateful!

They also gave out 3 other awards and Reese got the Barnabas Award! It's for being the most encouraging kid in the group and for doing all his homework....I got teary eyed I gotta admit:)

It fills my heart with joy to see my child displaying the character of Christ. Sometimes it gets discouraging being a parent as you question how effective you really are ya know?

But he really does listen! Yay! Some of what we are saying and trying to lead by example is sticking with him!

Praise the LORD!

Ready for the award ceremony!

Proudly accepting his award:)

All the kids with the coaches

Well Reese taking a stab at basketball was fun and all but he informed us he's more into baseball.
We were not surprised:)
Our next adventure is flag football...this should be interesting...ha!
Here's a few more pictures of Reese in action:)

Bowling for FREE!

2011-08-07T18:13:00.001-05:00

We love free stuff! Who doesn't right?:)

Everyday at a bowling alley nearby the kids can bowl one game for free....one game is about all they are interested in bowling anyways so it works out prefect!

We are planning on going Comic bowling (glow-in-the-dark) this week...the kids and I are super excited

--glowing makes everything more fun right?:)

cool/weird picture I took--not sure what happened but I thought I would share anyways...

Reese and his prefect form:)

sweetest bowler in town!

Strike? No, but he hit a few...good job Reeser:)

New York huh?

2011-08-07T15:05:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was looking through Greg's coupon book that Abby him for Father's Day.
Quite a request don't you think? Ha! I don't blame her...I love New York:)

Cars 2 Party

2011-08-01T22:12:00.001-05:00

Last week Maw Maw and Poppa planned a Cars 2 party at their house. We are aware Cars 2 came about a month ago but with all of us travelling and such this is the first time all of us could get together to do it:)

They planed a big night: first we to the movie, had dinner (tater tots, hamburgers and fruit--I think Maw Maw let Abby pick-shhh;), dessert (see pics) and games (including pen the tire on Lightening McQueen and "hot potato" with Charlie's lLightening McQueen car:)

We had such a great time and are so blessed to have such a fun family! The kids had a wonderful time and I know the adults liked it too---thanks Debbie and Jerry for all your hard work! Good times!

table all decorated....so fun!

close up---isn't she original? Way to go Deb!

Landry taking the first shot at pin the tail on McQueen...he missed but we ALL missed! some worse than others....Debbie!!!:)

eating cake...Abby's favorite!

Look what she made. It's a cupcake Mater truck! Love it!
That had to take forever! Good job Debbie!

Papa made a big airplane out of cardboard and the kids tried to land their cars in the back while it took off (you gotta see the movie to understand this one:)

there it is up-close...pretty cool huh? Looks like they both worked hard! Way to help out Jerry:)

The finals of "Hot McQueen" We are all VERY competitive. Let's just say none of us (that's Greg's brother Doug in the blue) were going down without a fight!
We were passing it so fast there at the end that we couldn't even tell who had it last when the timer buzzed! Ha! Move out of the way kids we want to WIN:)
Here's a video if Me, Greg, Doug and Anglea in the finals of "Hot McQueen"...we don't like to "let" the kids win---then they will never learn to be losers right? Ha!

Abby's turn!

This is where Maw Maw put her tire....not even close! Good try:)

Maw Maw and Poppa with the grand-kids minus one....Reese was not wanting his picture taken at the moment--if you squint just right you can probably see him though;)

Thanks for all the fun M&P it was fun for all! Good idea!!:)

The Vipers!

2011-07-28T22:35:00.000-05:00

This week Reese has been in a Mini Drum/Band Camp at a local music school in our area and he LOVED it! I mean he really loved it and could not wait to go each day. The class had kids in it that all played different instruments and they all came together to make up a band. Reese played the drums and the teacher was very impressed with his rhythm. He has had a drum set in his room since he was about 4 years old so he had had a little practice before. Although I was very surprised to see how good the kids got in just 4 short days. I got it on video and you can see for yourself how well they did:)

Reese in action!

the whole band

Reese made this sign for the band

their teacher Roscoe--he was really good!

It's Crazy at the Stamps House Tonight!

2011-07-27T22:09:00.002-05:00

Both the kids invited friends to spend the night tonight. It's been a bit interesting keeping the little boys from bugging the older girls but overall we were successful:)

The girls had me teach them how to put make-up on...yay finally they care about the "proper" way to put it on:) They look beautiful with their ice cream don't you think?

They look so grown up!

And here is Reese and his friend Benjamin. They are crazy fun and love to bug girls. They are pros at it:)

Too much sugar maybe? I gave them No-Sugar added ice cream....guess it was still too much:)

After ice cream and running around the house for a few hours Greg played home-run derby with the boys. They girls played a bit but they didn't want to mess their make-up up---don't blame them;)
It's been a fun night...we will see if they fall asleep! Fat chance huh?:)

Omaha, NE

2011-07-24T23:58:00.002-05:00

Ok I'm gonna do some back blogging...please forgive me--my concussion totally cramped my style:)

While in Kansas City we took a little road trip to Omaha to go to the Zoo. The kids and I have been wanting to go for a long time but never had the time on past trips so we were excited to get to go! It was awesome and we even got 2 tours behind the scenes with the giraffes and cats because my sister's boyfriend has some connections--way to go Rob:)

the kids and their cousin Trevin

me and my sis

feeding the gariffes

up close and personal

Reese and I riding across the Zoo over all the animals...very fun!

Granny and Abby enjoying the ride!

Abby's favorite part of the Zoo was feeding these fish....she's obsessed with fish:)

There was an awesome aquarium that Abby and the kids LOVED!

feeding a monkey (extra tour on the side just because we're special;)

two very excited boys and one hungry monkey

tiger up close and personal...he did NOT like us:/ He stared at us like he was daydreaming about eating us!

This was SO precious. Abby has a way with animals. So much in fact that she got this little guy to come over and play with her.
They had a fun time touching hands through the glass. She was talking so sweetly to him...it was precious, absolutely precious!

I could watch these guys all day.

still playing with each other...I love it! I think she's an animal whisperer:)

Captain America

2011-07-23T22:59:00.002-05:00

Reese has been into Captain America lately. He has never seen the movie and really has no idea who Captain America is but he knows he's a superhero so that's enough for him:)
The other day we were at Target and Reese saw a Captain America shield and he really, REALLY, REEEEALLY wanted one. Well his mean Mommy didn't buy it for him so he had to improvise:)
He and Abby came up with a "plan". Step one was to get a trash can lid from Poppa's garage..one of those metal lids that look like a shield. And if step one was successful and it was--thanks Poppa...hope you don't need that lid:) then they would paint it red,white and blue. So this is what they have been up to for the past 2 days.

Poppa, did they explain they were painting it? I sure hope so or I owe you a new trash can! ha!

It's turning out pretty cool! Tomorrow they will put the finishing touches....here's what they have so far....

working hard

yesterday's work...pretty snazzy:)

Visitors!

2011-07-19T22:12:00.003-05:00

This past Thursday my sister, her boyfriend Rob, and her son Trevin came to visit us in Texas. Well actually not just us, Rob's parents live here in Fort Worth too so they were doing double duty:) We had a great time.
I am slowly feeling better so the timing was perfect. Had she came early last week her visit would have been a bust (see my blog post titled "Concussion 101" if you are in the dark here:)
I am still getting headaches and fatigue but I am MUCH better and was very happy to get to do some stuff while everyone was in town.
We did so much I don't even know where to start:/

We ate alot, alot of Mexican food actually, so besides the fact that everyone was getting sick of it after 4 days it was really good:) You can't go wrong with chips and salsa!
Sunday after all of us went to church we headed to the Ballpark in Arlington to get a tour of the stadium. Rob is a big baseball fan so Greg wanted to culture him a bit with the best team...the Rangers:) hehe!
The tour was fun and our tour guide was a hoot! She was probably 100 years old (give or take;) and she was all about the rules. Which is funny because little did she know that one of the guys she was guiding had sneaked into Fenway Park in Boston, Mass (Greg:) (That's another story for another day but lets just say I was super scared we would get caught! We didn't!! We got down to the field! Ha! It was super cool:) )
We also went to our local waterpark for the day on Monday. We got there at 9:45am and everyone but me:( made it until 5pm---that's a long day to be outside in 102 degree weather!) Everyone had a blast though!
I had to leave about 2:30 because I was getting sick/headache being in the hot weather that long--boo!
Thanks Chris for letting the kids stay with you!
Today we went roller skating and everyone did great...thankfully:)
We had a few issues but once everyone got the right skates on and got the hang of skating we had a jolly ole time. I love skating. No, I did not fall and hit my head. Probably not the best thing to do with the concussion and all but you gotta live a little right? :/ I don't fall when I skate anyway...:) promise!

tonight we made ice cream in a bag...it was a bust but it was fun;)
We all enjoyed a bag of cold soup...ha!

our sweet little tour guide...what a hoot!

where the magic happens!

Rangers batting cages.

this was written on the white board in the batting cages area....very cool!

Abby for Rangers President!

walking to the dugout with a little old lady:)

this is the horseshoe that the Rangers touch for good luck whenever they walk out to the dugout

My little Rangers!

I'm taking it all in....enjoying every minute!

The biggest Rangers fan EVER! No joke!

The new Rangers manager!

crazy girl warming up...

homerun!

Christi and Rob in the dugout

The most tacky Rangers shirt I have ever seen! Guess who wanted one? Yep, Reese did...he's got issues;)

The kids recently started taking Karate and Trevin joined in on one of their classes while he was here

Craft time with Greg. Here they are taking an old TV apart...the kids LOVED it! Now we have a bunch of little TV parts all over the house.... awesome;)

playing with the cuz

me and Trevin
*if you look closely you can see that my "boo-boo" is getting better! (right above my right eyebrow) Last night I took the bandage off and was shocked to see how much it had already healed! So glad!

me and my sister....so what do you think, do we look alike? Everyone always thought I was adopted:/

We rock:)

crazy eyes Reese...ha!

me and Rob tearing it up!

happy boys (if they weren't falling:/)

Christi and Rob

Nice Undies Abby!

2011-07-14T11:28:00.000-05:00

Saturday our family went with a group from our church to volunteer at Cornerstone Assistance Network. The kids helped Greg and I sort clean:) underwear and socks to give to people in need. Abby found herself some new undies...wow these suckers were HUGE!! She's a funny little girl that Abby:)

The Gash!

2011-07-14T11:22:00.000-05:00

OK so here's what my face looks after the fall Sunday night. It's not the best picture of me but at least I have some make-up on right? ;) You can't see anything on the back of my head but under all my hair there's a lump the size of a golf ball...ok maybe not that big but it sure feels that way!!! :/
So take it from me, if you have to pass out try to do it on a carpeted surface with pillows all around you. Passing out right above a stone counter-top is no bueno!!!
Tomorrow I get the stitches out and hopefully she did a good job sowing me up...we'll see!

Concussion 101

2011-07-12T22:22:00.000-05:00

Well Sunday night was scary to say the least.

Here's how the story goes:
I passed out standing at the kitchen counter around 11:15pm and on my way down I slammed my head into the granite counter-top fell back and slammed my head again on the stone tile floor. I scared Greg too death (rightly so:/) The reason I passed out (we think) is because I was watching a documentary on the amputation of Aron Ralstons arm in 2003 and I didn't have much for dinner.

Brilliant I know, it was stupid. I will never do that again...

Greg couldn't wake me up for about 30 seconds (which he says seemed like a lifetime) I was out cold and when I started to come to I started to shake violently and could not get my barrings. I was confused. And then there was the blood, way too much blood. I won't go into details (so you won't pass out too) but there was lots of blood which scared me alot. (and Greg, poor Greg) He was so brave, for a man who hates blood and hates even more seeing someone he loves covered with blood he did wonderful...you are wonderful honey, thank you.
To make a long story short I went to the hospital got a CT-scan, lots of blood work, had an IV put in for fluid and pain medicine (my head hurt something fierce) and I got stitches right above my nose and right eyebrow--ouch! Can you believe I have NEVER had stitches? Crazy I know but I am glad I hadn't because then I would have known what to expect. The numbing medicine would not take so 4 shots later right into the gash I was finally numb, I cried, I screamed, I was a baby:/ Stitches are NO fun.
All blood work and scans came back normal (normal meaning no internal bleeding), thankfully, and about 3am Greg and I rolled into bed and tried to get some sleep. I would like to say that happened but it didn't. The pain in my head was almost unbearable, hitting your head in 2 places on hard stone is not recommended. I was in a panic, I guess the shock hadn't worn off.
The doctor at the ER told us that even though all the symptoms were very scary and alarming that they were all consistent with a concussion and we should not worry.

We were worried, we couldn't help it.

Today (Monday) has been difficult. The kids were asleep when I passed out so when they woke-up they were both very concerned. They don't like to see me hurt. (rightly so:/)
I have not had much energy, ache everywhere, and have slept off and on all day. My head just continues to throb and I have been having dizzy spells off and on since last night. I am so tired of watching TV but reading makes my head hurt worse...rats!
Doctor says the symptoms from a concussion can last 5-6 days. I am hoping to feel better faster than that...I sure pray I do.

Now you know the details here's what I'm grateful for:
I'm grateful for my husband. He did everything right, he was strong, kept his cool and even scratched my arm (I like my arm scratched, weird I know:) blood and all... he's my hero.
I'm grateful for my neighbor Tiffany who came over immediately and prayed over me. What a great friend I have in her.
I'm grateful for Amy. My sweet friend who is a nurse and came in 5 minutes no questions asked. She looked me over and pushed me and Greg out the door to the ER. She stayed with our sleeping kids until my father-in-law could get to the house to relieve her. Thank you Amy.
I'm grateful to have some family near by that are always there for us. Thank you Jerry, hope Reese's bed was comfy:)
I am grateful to be alive. Sounds dramatic but it's true. We were scared, head injuries are scary, very scary. Thank you Lord for life and health. I deserve neither but am grateful for both!
I am grateful for my friend Natasha that brought us dinner tonight. Cooking tonight would have been horrible. It was delicious! She's our Italian friend I mentioned in my Italy blog...she can cook. She makes our tummies happy. I love her. Thank you Nat, you're the best.
I am grateful for Cari. She woke her little boy up today from his nap just to help me pick up Abby from Art Camp (I couldn't drive) and took her for yogurt. That means alot Cari, thank you so much.

Well of course there is always so much more to be grateful for but I will stop there for now.

I would add a picture here so you can see the damage done but seriously I look like a truck ran over me, I don't want to document that--sorry!

First World Problems

2011-07-11T23:21:00.000-05:00

I was reading my friend Catherine's blog the other day and I came across this video she posted. It's a humorous take on the not so humorous ways of the culture we live in today. I feel like as a Mom I am daily fighting the culture and trying to teach my kids to have a biblical worldview. Teaching gratitude has proved to be difficult sadly.
Watch the video, it sure puts us all in our places. We have got so much, more than we could ever need or deserve and most of the time we are so focused on what we don't have that we miss the blessings.
I choose to be grateful, grateful I even have Tupperware.... just watch the video you'll understand:)

Eat Your Heart Out Hawaii:)

2011-07-11T22:04:00.000-05:00

OK so I'm aware, or actually not aware of how beautiful the sunsets are in Hawaii (I've never been, not complaining just sayin':) BUT Greg and I sure thought this sunset down the street from my parents house was beautiful. If you squint just right you can see mountains;) ok, maybe not--ha!

Pyros!

2011-07-10T22:16:00.001-05:00

Reese getting a lesson in setting off fireworks.

windy night hard to get the fireworks going...

Fire, fire, fire! :)
I wasn't feeling well on the 4th so I didn't get to partake of the firework goodness as much as I would have liked but I managed to get a few set off!

I think this was just a smoke bomb but Reese didn't care what it was he liked it all!

Abby loved it too! They set them off for 2 hours!

Me and Greg LOVE to set things on fire. Now don't be scared we won't come catch your house on fire or anything but we do love to set things on fire in "controlled" environments. So because of this obsession we try our hardest to figure out a trip to K.C. over 4th of July so we set fireworks off!
Missouri basically has no laws when it comes to fireworks, except no bottle rockets (rats;) because they do not have burn ban laws (actually everything is flooding up there so no worries there!)
Anyways we had (including the kiddos) a blast setting off fireworks all weekend. The kids learned the in's and out's of fireworks and besides one firework blowing up in Reese's hand we were all good:/ No worries it was a little black cat and he was more scared then hurt! He's all good:)
I also have a pretty funny story about my Dad.
When he was 14 he was in shop class at school and instead of making the assigned project he made a cannon--yes, he made a weapon:/ Dad what were you thinking?:)
It's just a little cannon with a wood base but ever since I was little my Dad would bring out the cannon, pack it with black powder and set the little sucker off. It's SO loud, scary loud actually. Now there were consequences for my Dad when he made the cannon and we were careful to explain that to the kids...but secretly I am pretty proud of my Dad for making such a clever piece out of metal and wood at such a young age;) Dad you are such a Renaissance Man!
Here's a video of Greg setting it off this year....

Lazy Days!

2011-07-10T21:17:00.000-05:00

So this is my parents backyard in Kansas City....

We have lots of fun swimming everyday...being lazy together. I love summers:)
I haven't mopped my kitchen floors since school got out. Ok, so maybe that was a little too honest but it's true. I value honesty:)

This is my nutty boy....yes, he's as nutty as he looks. He spent hours in the pool. Abby had swimmers ear so she wasn't swimming as much:( My poor little fish. Torture I tell ya!

and there he is again practicing his karate....a new found love of his and Abby.

Lazy Greg.

Summertime in Kansas City!

2011-07-06T18:48:00.000-05:00

Last week the kids and I spent the week at my parents house and Greg came to join us on Friday for the holiday weekend. We wanted to wait a bit and let my Dad have some time to recover from his "eventful":( last six months.

I have lots and lots of pictures but before I get into all fun we had I wanted to give an update on my Daddy!

He's doing awesome! I am SO proud of him. I know he feels differently and it seems like it's gonna take forever to gain back strength but I hadn't seen him since the 3rd week of April and since then he has done amazing!
He is walking on the treadmill 17 minutes 2 times a day now AND he goes to the gym 4 days a week and lifts weights (which he just moved up in weights just the other day:) He has great discipline and I know he will shock us all with his recovery! Go Dad...Go!
It was great to spend the week with him and see all the progress. One night he and Mom took the kids to see Cars 2 (which was a HUGE hit:) and then met us for dinner and took us for ice cream! He made it the whole time and did it without complaining;) Ha! Good job Dad!

He was also feeling well enough one day to build a car model with Reese and make a wooden tractor (Mater from Cars) with Abby. He is back in his workshop doing what he can to keep busy....see I told you he's doing awesome:)
Here's a picture of Abby working in the workshop with Papa....it melts my heart to see him doing what he loves again.

Abby hard at work

What a blessing....what a miracle to see him doing so good! All glory to God! Our healer and redeemer!
Thank you Lord!!!

The REST of the DC Pictures:)

2011-06-24T23:55:00.000-05:00

Right before we moved from DC Greg and I took the kids on a paddle boat ride on the Tidal Basin. I thought it would be fun to do it again....the kids loved the ride. I loved the workout;)

what a view

this is the park in Rosslyn across the street from Greg's work. A bunch of hobos sleep there but the kids never seemed to mind.
It's the only park nearby:)

My little climbers

our walk to our climbing tree...

this is not it but it's a good ole climbing tree none the less....

and there it is. we spend many a Sunday afternoon picnicking at our tree.

awe it's good to be back

My big boy....where did the time go?

sweet little lady no longer my baby:(

I think this is a cool shot. Up the side of the Washington Monument.

Like this one too...

C.A.N. Volunteering

2011-06-21T13:53:00.001-05:00

On Tuesday's the kids and I are volunteering at Cornerstone Assistance Network. I have been waiting for the kids to get older so they can work in the warehouse and finally they are old enough!
We spend two hours folding clothes, organizing hangers, counting Ice Pops (kids favorite:) and boxing up clothes. The kids did wonderful and were very mature and helpful. I am very proud of them and their heart to serve our community. This is one of Greg and I's number one prayers for the kids, that they would put others first and love their neighbor as themselves. I look forward to many more days volunteering our time together.

being silly between jobs

Counting "sticky" ice pops. One exploded in Abby's face...she thought it was funny and she cleaned up all the mess:)

One Happy Daddy!

2011-06-19T18:18:00.000-05:00

This is all it takes to make this Daddy happy on Father's Day!

Teacher Abby

2011-06-16T15:54:00.000-05:00

Here Abby is teaching Reese to play the piano.
I have been working hard on trying to get the kids to get along. But not just get along but truly love each other and want the best for each other above their own interests.
So this is one of my new ideas to make this happen. Both the kids love to talk about what they know and they LOVE to teach others SO I am having them each teach each other something that the other one doesn't know.
Reese doesn't know how to play the piano...Abby was happy to show him. They got along and even smiled and laughed from time to time. Success:)
Next Reese will teach Abby to hit a home run...oh Reese, couldn't you pick an easier one? :)
I believe in you Abby!