Sunday, July 29, 2012

Guinea Pig Max

The kids are loving Max. We only have him a few more days. I'm a little worried about how the kids will deal with giving him back!
It's a good thing we have Sharley or we might have ended up at Petsmart.


Wednesday, July 18, 2012

West Texas, Brother's wedding

I convinced Bryan to leave after volleyball on Tuesday - I WANT TO SEE THE KIDS!  We switched off driving, it was not fun.  Also stopped in Gatesville at Wal-mart, I think there were 1000 crickets.  It was disgusting.

Finally made it to Lubbock.  Dropped of the dog, unloaded some clay targets we got the boys and headed on to Portales.  My mom was getting her hair colored, so we drove straight there.  Kenzie wasn't too sure when she saw us...she wanted me to hold her immediately, but wouldn't talk at all.  She kept her hands in her mouth (this is what she does when she doesn't have a paci - great habit, huh.)  She finally decided she'd go with us to see Landon.  Landon and his cousin were at my mom's house - he was definitely excited to see us and was talking a mile a minute.  He kept hugging us over and over.  Loved every minute of it.

Mom came home and we ordered McCarty's for lunch - definitely one of our favorites when we visit.  Fried green chili strips - yum!  Mom decided the house wouldn't get clean in time for her usual Wednesday dinner for the family so we all  met at El Rancho.  Then it was time for church.  Have I mentioned how much Kenzie talks during church? A LOT.

Thursday mom made french toast - I had 6 pieces - yes 6!  I absolutely love my mom's french toast.  It was fantastic.  Mom left for woman's bible study and we headed back to Lubbock.  Bryan and I got fajita's from Leal's for lunch, got the kids Sonic. (Landon thinks he gets a double extra large cheeseburger from sonic - which is really just a number 1 with cheese.)

My younger sisters kids were already at my older sisters house.  Bryan dropped us off, then he and Landon went to get the tux and haircuts.  Then it was time for the rehearsal.  There were 10 bridesmaids and only 9 groomsmen, so the maid of honor asked Landon to hold her hand - she's a beautiful young blonde - Landon was in HEAVEN.  After rehearsal, we went out to Spirit Ranch for the dinner.  Fajita's and all the fixing, along with cheesecake and key lime pie.  There were peacock's everywhere.  The kids (and older boys) had a great time chasing them around.  


On Friday, my sister and I woke up early and worked out, then enjoyed coffee on the porch.  My younger sister came over and we went shopping to find my niece a dress.  Then it was back home to get Kenzie to nap before the wedding.  Thankfully, she did.  We had to be at the Legacy at 3 (wedding was at 7) for pictures.  Luckily both kids handled that well - Kenzie played with her cousins while Landon stayed in the boys room playing Wii with Bryan and his uncles.  I got to visit with my Granny, sisters and Dad.


The wedding was short and perfect.  Landon had us cracking up the whole time.  The preacher asked for the rings, Landon lifted up the pillow, but my brother reached over him with the real deal.  When Landon realized what he had was fake...well, then the pillow was no longer important...he was kind of tossing it around.  (This is all second hand, because I was trying to keep Kenzie from talking...she had already yelled "My Granny" when Granny sat down, and then waved at the girls until they started laughing.)


After the wedding, it was back to Spirit Ranch.  Enjoyed visiting with family.  But we left early (ish, around 10pm) to get the kids to bed.

Next morning, more coffee on the porch - I really enjoyed that.  Then we made breakfast for everyone.  My mom came over with another cousin, and the kids had a grand time.  We went to Bodyworks and let the kids do the ropes, trampoline room and trampoline dodgeball.

It was HARD to leave that night.  I miss my sisters, my mom, my cousins.  I am praying investments come in so we could possibly move out there.  It's a long way off, and most likely not going to happen....but I sure wish it could.  

Rehearsal Dinner - at Spirit Ranch


Grandpa (my dad) talking to Kenzie and Landon




My sisters, brothers and dad.


My sisters



Bryan and I 


Kenzie and her Vera purse




Flower girls




Landon with his trophy!


Landon at Reception


Bryan and KK


Monday, July 16, 2012

Max, the Guinea Pig

We are pig-sitting Max. He sits in his crate which is currently on top of Sharley crate.
The kids love him. He will be spoiled by the time he returns to his owners. Kenzie's tower is the perfect height for her to stand and watch, and give a commentary on what he's doing.


Well child

Yes, I'm late on well child check up. And I almost had to reschedule, but they couldn't get us back in until August 27th!
Landon is now 6 years and 4 months. He weighed in at 46 lbs for the 3rd year in a row. He's exactly 48 inches tall.
Kenzie was 31 pounds, and 36 inches? Can't remember for sure. The kids did okay, Landon has never had issues letting the Doctor examine him. Kenzie is a different story. She did okay. It took some coaxing and help from Landon.
Landon didn't need any shots thank goodness, however Kenzie got 4! Can you imagine how much she likes the dr now?  She was limping most of the night and would keep saying "ouch" - of course, she says "ouch" for almost anything.


Monday, July 9, 2012

Only two more days...

Only two more days until we leave to get the kids.  If I had enough vacation, I'd leave right now.  I miss them sooooo much. I'm not saying Bryan and I haven't enjoyed our time, we definitely have....some things are much easier without kids - like shopping all day, or sleeping in, or eating at a restaurant that takes a million years to serve your food.  But I would give those all up, so quickly, to be back with my kids.  Nothing in the world compares to the feeling of being a parent.  Nothing.

The kids have been having tons of fun, swimming with cousins, fishing at Nana's, playing at Grammy's, camping out at my cousins.  I love having FB with all my family on it commenting on the week events, so I can see all the updates and what they're doing each day.  Hopefully the next few days go quickly. I'm SO ready to see them!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

No kids! (And a trip to NM)

My niece was here for 5 weeks, but sadly, that time went by SO fast.  She had to return to New Mexico before July 1st to attend a church camp in the mountains.  So, we planned...My niece, the kids and I headed for West Texas.  We left around 9pm on Wednesday and I drove through the night.  I stopped to rest twice, once for 10 minutes and once for 15 minutes - both times the kids woke up...and as soon as I got back on the road, they were out.  Not fair.
We got to my sister's house very early, but they were already outside working on the yard!  I handed off the kids and went to bed.
We stayed Thursday night there.  We all went to their gym - which is crazy.  They have a trampoline room where the kids played trampoline dodgeball.  They also have a media room - this dark and cold room with 4 rows of cardio equipment in front of a big screen.  Awesome.  And a ropes course that is above a play area.  The kids loved it - I didn't think Landon was going to leave!
My other sister came in on Friday and the girls went shopping (and one nephew.)  Left in the afternoon for New Mexico to go to my mom's house.  Landon and Kenzie love her little dog - a brussels griffon that looks like a mini chewbaca.  They chase her and wrestle her, it's hilarious.
On Saturday, my mom made french toast.  I LOVE her french toast.  LOVE IT!  Who cares about sugar addiction, right?
After that delicious breakfast, we got a call that the power might go out.  Luckily, it didn't.  However my cousin and aunt live just down the hi-way and they did lose power.  My aunt (nana) came over to visit for a while, and then my cousin visiting from Colorado came over to shower - since the power was out where she was staying.  (they're on a well, so no power = no water.)  My mom, the kids, my cousin and I headed for the big town (lol) for lunch and shopping.  We had Leal's, then went to the mall and to Mariachi Frog - a cute little boutique/antique place.  Then of course, we had to stop at Bahama Bucks for a shaved ice.
I was stuffed, but had asked mom for lasagna, which she made. (Yes, I completely ignored my food rules on this trip, as I do every time I go out there.)  The lasagna was delicious.
On Sunday, we went to church, where no surprise, Kenzie talked the entire time.  In fact, one time, Dee, the preacher walked toward the side we were sitting on and Kenzie says "Hey!" then turns to Grammy and says "I say Hey that man!"  and then "No, No whisper!" She's a handful.  (You know we got asked to leave a movie a couple weeks ago cause she wouldn't stop talking!)
After church we had a delicious meal at my Aunt's house, complete with an apricot cobbler.  Then it was time for me to leave.  I had been so worried all weekend about how Kenzie would do when I left...Landon had cried a few times at night, saying he missed Dada and Emma...but he kept saying he wanted to stay.  The kids were going back to Lubbock to my sister's house, I loaded them up in her car, said good bye and got in my car.  And bawled!  For about 30 miles.  The trip home went okay.  I haven't driven by myself for that distance in a long time - like since Bryan and I met!  But I did it.

Since then, my sister has sent and posted a ton of pictures of the kids - they are having a blast.  She took them to the lake and back to the gym, then to the other gym.  They've done so many things.  They went back to my mom's to see the other cousins for the fourth, they swam, played baseball.

We are going out there next week for my brother's wedding.  7 more days til we see the kids!