March--Spring Break #2

For Jadie's Spring Break (2 weeks after Ashlyn's) we went to Sea World a double birthday party and to my parent's farm. The Sunday prior, Johnathan rode with a work friend to San Antonio. (He had a conference scheduled Mon-Thurs). I picked up Ashlyn from school early on Thursday and we met my mom at Taco Bell in Katy. (We gave her Sally).

Then it was off to San Antonio to meet Johnathan. When we arrived, we headed to our hotel to drop off our luggage. Then we met up with some college friends for dinner. (I didn't think to bring my camera....ugh!)

After dinner they left us at the Riverwalk. Ashlyn and Jadie really wanted to take a horse ride. (It was a Cinderella like type carriage with a beautiful white draft horse.) Of course...Johnathan paid the $50...yes FIFTY dollars for the 20 minute ride!!! The girls loved it. We didn't take my camera....so all we have are cell phone images...which are horrible...but I'll post them anyway. After the carriage ride...we made our way back to the hotel room for a much needed nights rest.

The next day....we woke up...devoured our breakfast and headed out the door to Sea World. It was a GORGEOUS day...not too hot...not to cold...I have a couple of pictures from the shows and of the girls. (pics coming)
After Sea World we came back to the hotel to swim. The girls loved it...and we learned that Jadie just SINKS when she takes that extra step...off the steps!!! (She had me on edge the entire time!) The water (for an indoor pool) was a little too cold for Johnathan...so I didnt' even try it!!! (I'm a wimp when it comes to cold water!)

The next morning we packed and headed to my parents house. Basically, Johnathan dropped me off...and the girls and him headed to Kingwood for Connor and Elizabeth's Birthday party. They arrived back shortly after 5. I immediately started taking pictures of the activities that were taking place at my Brother's Stables. He was hosting a cancer benefit (BBQ and horse events). I captured a few pics of the girls...but mainly I was supposed to be taking pictures of the clients...so there are just a couple.

March...Spring Break #1

Ashlyn's Spring Break was a little early this year. We decided since it was still chilly out to book a trip to the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Tx.

Our adventure started with a McDonald's breakfast in Porter, Tx to drop off Sally with my parents. Then it was off to Rusk, were we stayed two nights at Grandma and Grandpa W.'s farm. From there we headed to Grapevine for 2 more nights. We left Wednesday morning and drove to my parent's house to drop off the girls for some alone time with Grandma and Grandpa. (Johnathan and I drove to Beaumont to stay one night and then we headed to Lake Charles to stay at hotel/casino for a night.)
Friday morning, I dropped Johnathan off in Beaumont, and I made my way to my Mom and Dad's to pick up the girls. We stayed one more night and headed back to Beaumont on Saturday. Needless to say...I'm tired of being in a car!!!

Here are a few pics from Great Wolf Lodge. (Pics coming)

March....Children's Museum

Johnathan took a day of vacation to take the girls and I to the Children's Museum. Unfortunately, I developed a headache while there so we cut our afternoon short. I wound up getting sick in the car on the ride home.  I will post pictures in a month or so....so look for them.  ;)

February has Come and Gone

Well, February has come and gone! It seems that February brought our home lots and lots of rain and cold!!! It seems like the last few weeks we have been trapped in our home by bitter cold temperatures or saturating rains! We have all been battling colds....nothing too bothersome to send us to the doctor....but enough to drain all our energy! We are all looking forward to warmer sunnier days!

I finally decided to take Ashlyn in for a real haircut.  She was reluctant.  I wanted them to just clean up the ends...being that she hasn't had a hair cut since she was 3.  Next thing I know, I'm fighting back the tears as they chopped off about 2.5 inches.  Her hair proceeded to curl and so it looked even shorter....just above the shoulders...which was WAY shorter than I wanted.  I did everything I could to smile and let her know how beautiful she looked.  (She still looked gorgeous....but man am I going to miss that long blonde hair!  Lesson learned...definitely don't go drastic with her haircuts because it kinks and looks shorter than you'd think after the weight is taken off of it.)  Here is the "After" picture.  

A Few More Shots

Photo Attempts--Ashlyn Wasn't into it!!!

New Years' Eve and New Years' Day

Unfortunately John had to work a bit on New Years eve. Thankfully he was home by 4. We had invited our good friends who now live in Houston, over for New Years. We grilled fajitas and ate way too much! We played some Wii, shot fireworks, played wah-who, watched some celebrations on tv, and toasted to the New Years with the kids using some sparkling grape juice! All the kids got along great! The next morning, after breakfasted we played some more Wii while the kids played in the girls rooms. Then we all went outside and played. Stefany and Troy brought their kids big blue jeep. We spent a couple hours out there and then decided to go grab lunch. They were so sweet to treat us to lunch at cheddars. I always have enjoyed that place! It was a great time. We sure do miss those guys!!!

After they left, our entire family took a much needed 2 hour nap. We woke up 30 minutes before our friends Wes and Renee were to come over for dinner! Another great late night! That's what the holidays are for...good food, spending time with friends and family! I don't think we could have squeezed more fun in. This was truely an AWESOME holiday break!

Jadie's First Trip to the Movies

Christmas Day: Santa, Family, Memories, and Fun!!!

Surprisingly, the girls were still asleep when Johnathan and I woke up! So we got dressed, got the camera ready and went to wake the girls! Jadie Ann acted as if it were a normal morning. Ashlyn kinda peaked her head out of the hallway and saw NOTHING! She was a bit confused. She went to the table and saw that Santa ate his cookies so he had to have come! She peaked out the window saying maybe he brought the trampoline. Of course I had to email Santa and let him know that our insurance will revoke our contract if we got a trampoline. It took her a few minutes to track down the gifts. Ashlyn received a new bike withOUT training wheels, a razor scooter, and a chick fil a gift card! Jadie got a pair of princess rollerblades, and a new bike! Unfortunately the weather has been so cold they haven't got much play time on their new outdoor toys!
My mom and dad left shortly after breakfast! Johnathans family came over for lunch! It was great to have everyone at our house! Patti and Tommy brought gumbo over and all the fixins! Yum! It was perfect food for a cold day! The girls got showered with gifts from everyone. Johnathan and I are both so lucky to have such wonderful families! You guys are AWESOME!!!

The day after Christmas, our friends Renee and Wes invited us over for left overs and some wah-who! I'm so addicted to that game. Of course Renee and I took a beating from the boys...but it's always fun to spend time with them.

Christmas Eve

My Mama and Dad arrived just before lunch. We made sandwiches and played for a bit before getting ready for church. We sent Jadie to the nursery, expecting her to throw a fit when we left her. However, she couldn't get rid of us fast enough. Ashlyn went to the service with us and did AWESOME!!! She was so good. She participated in the Children's Sermon and even did communion with Grandma. We were sooooooo very proud of her! When we went to pick Jadie up they said she was soooo good. She played "Grocery Store" the whole time. It's so heart warming to hear when our girls are good! I think that was one of the best Christmas Present a Mom can get!!! After service, we came back to the house. Johnathan cooked us some delicious ribeyes. I made sauteed mushrooms, mashed potatoes, ceasar salad, corn on the cob and sweet rolls. I think we have found our new Christmas Eve Dinner tradition. It was sooo good. None of us even had room for dessert! While everyone cleaned up, Jadie watched a Christmas movie, and Ashlyn and Grandma made fudge! YUM! And of course....after all was done...we sat down and opened presents! Ashlyn was so excited...she was the first one finished! (Even opening one of Grandma's gifts....oops!) The girls were finally sound asleep at 10. The grown ups finished watching the movie Elf! (I love that movie!!!) And we all headed to bed to wait for Christmas morning!

Decorating Cookies!

Johnathan and Ashlyn baked and decorated cookies today. Jadie and I helped out too. It was quite an event!!! After we bathed the girls and enjoyed a movie as a family!

if you look close....at the middle left of this picture...you can see a portion of Jadyn's masterpiece. She buried her cookie under about two cups of icing.

Ashlyn's Christmas Program at School

Let the Christmas Shopping Begin

Jadie and her Hats and Jackets

Here is our little Fancy Nancy!!!

Winnie Rice Festival

I forgot to post this...but back in October, Ashlyn and I went to the Winnie Rice Festival. Her school let them out on a Friday...just to promote the fair. It was so nice with so few people there. There weren't any lines or crowds to fight. We stayed from 10-6. We were both exhausted. Ashlyn thought it was so neat seeing people from her school! I got to meet a few parents too...so it was extra nice for me since I still haven't gotten to know alot of people out here.

Turkey Day

For Thanksgiving we drove to my parent's house for the weekend. My cousins were going to be there along with my Aunt and Uncle. One of my cousin's Ross, I haven't seen in almost 2 decades! My other cousin, Joleen, lives in Kingwood but I am lucky if I see them once a year. My Uncle Bud and Aunt Arleen live in Iowa. It was great getting all of us together. Everyone has at least two kids...so it was quite busy...but so nice to get to catch up.

Here are two pictures of Jadie. The first one she is attempting to fish. The second she is playing in her favorite place at Grandmas...the sand box! (It's just a big tub filled with play sand.)

On Saturday morning we drove to Mamaw and PawPawpaws. Ashlyn wanted to see PawPaw's garden...so the girls and I went with PawPaw and got the tour. Ashlyn and Jadie both got a kick out of it. Jadie was super excited about the Brocolli that was going to go in her Mama's Fridge. Too bad she won't eat the stuff!

After we left MaMaw's and PawPaws...we headed over to see Grandma and Grandpa H. We stayed for a few minutes and visited. The girls were sooooooo good. I even got a picture of them wrestling together. It makes me smile everytime I see it!!!