Christmas

We had Christmas at Wendy's parent's ranch. Lauren had a lot of trouble sleeping Christmas Eve in anticipation of Santa coming. Lauren asked Santa for, "a car that goes all by itself and a Tinkerbell movie". Santa must be a longhorn, because he brought Lauren a burnt orange Texas Power Wheels jeep (and the Tinkerbell movie). Connor got a little piano, like Linus from Peanuts.

TEXAS SNOW

Lauren has been away from Colorado for so long now that she thinks this is a big snow storm. We weren't sure how long the snow would last or if it would even be around in the morning so we woke her up around 11:30pm and put a coat and boots on over her pajamas so she could go play. She did it all in about 15 minutes; made a snowman, threw snowballs with daddy and made a snow angel. She keeps referring to this now as her, "Big Snow Adventure!" We told Lauren several times it does not snow in Texas like it does in Colorado so she keeps laughing now that the snow broke the rules.

Tree Farm

This year we decided it would be fun to go to a Christmas tree farm and cut down our own tree!

Lauren finds Santa

Lauren was in Cuero with her Mimi (who may have known Santa would be around) and as she was walking on the street she found Santa! She got to sit by him and tell him what she wanted...a car that goes by itself (Power Wheels) and the Tinkerbell movie. Connor came too but was quite unhappy with seeing Santa.

Moving Target

I have cut Connor's hair a few times myself but it was time for a professional to take over and do more than a trim. Connor was not thrilled about this and the sweet lady had to keep going after a moving target and Connor continued to grab for mommy to get him out of the fire truck.

So grown up

Our babies just aren't babies anymore.

Pony ride

This was Lauren's first pony ride.

Pumpkin Patch

We took our annual fall trip to the Pumpkin Patch in Marble Falls to select our Halloween pumkins.

This is the story of our lives right now - Connor wanting whatever is in Lauren's hands.

Texas Longhorns

We have been enjoying a great Texas football season so far and the kids have done a great job cheering on the Horns every weekend!

Homemade songs

This one is for you Kristen.

Daddy is really good at turning everything he does and feels into a song for Lauren and Connor. It seems as though Lauren is starting to pick up on this and is now beginning to form her own songs.

This morning Lauren and I walked out to the garage to get a stroller so we could go for a run. Lauren began to break into song (to the tune of Farmer in the Dell), “What stroller will we take? What stroller will we take? Hi-ho the derry-o what stroller will we take?”

Wendy and Kristen’s lyrics when we were kids went like this, “Wendy is so hungry. Wendy is so hungry. Hi-ho the derry-o Wendy is so hungry. Wendy needs a burger. Wendy needs a burger. Hi-ho the derry-o Wendy needs a burger. The burger needs some fries. The burger needs some fries. Hi-ho the derry-o the burger needs some fries. The fries need some salt. The fries need some salt. Hi-ho the derry-o the fries need some salt. The salt needs a drink. The salt needs a drink. Hi-ho the derry-o the salt needs a drink. The drink needs some ice. The drink needs some ice. Hi-ho the derry-o the drink needs some ice.”

Sarah Palin

The day McCain announced Sarah Palin as his VP was an exciting day. As Lauren’s mother I felt this was such a wonderful opportunity to show Lauren that girls can do anything that they want. Regardless of how the election turns out this seemed like such a great thing to show Lauren. The Friday afternoon of the announcement Lauren and I watched Palin’s first speech together on TV and Lauren began to learn about presidents and America. Lauren saw on TV how everyone was really excited when she came out and I told her this was an exciting part of history. Now every time Lauren sees Sarah Palin’s face on TV she says, “Hey – that is the exciting lady!” It is nice that Lauren can recognize someone on TV from government and who isn’t Dora!

You're my best friend

No, we aren't talking about Connor and Lauren...it is Connor and Samantha that are best friends. Connor's first word was "dahg" and he just giggles in excitement when she walks into the room. He even enjoys trying to play tug a war with Samantha. It is interesting to see them as buddies because when Lauren was younger Samantha pretty much just tolerated her; but this is different.Holding hands and looking out the window together.

Back to school

Lauren started her first day of preschool in Ms. Debbie's 3 year old class today. She is returning for her 2nd year at the Oak Hill United Methodist Preschool.

Ride 'em cowboy

Connor has not exactly mastered his walking skills yet so we are working on his riding skills for now!

He's ONE!

Connor turned ONE on August 15th! We celebrated with a little backyard party and a fish fry (thanks to our wonderful neighbors for all the fishing and cooking). Connor also had the opportunity to eat cake for the first time with his own large personal cake (baked by his Mimi). However, he decided playing with the icing was fun but really had no interest in even tasting the cake. The night before we took him out to eat and he did enjoy some birthday ice cream for the first time.

We are blessed to have Connor in our family. He has been such a precious baby and we cannot believe a year has passed already.

Gymnastics

Lauren has been enjoying some gymnastics this summer.

Roly Poly

When we first heard this song at the Salt Lick, we knew it had to be Connor's new theme song. The line 'Roly Poly, daddy's little fatty' really caught our attention!

Roly Poly eatin’ corn and taters
He’s hungry every minute of the day
Roly Poly gnawin’ all the biscuit
As long as he can chew it, it’s okay

He can eat an apple pie
Before a cat can wake his eye
He likes everything from a soup to hay
Roly Poly, daddy’s little fatty
I’ll bet he’s gonna be a man someday

Roly Poly scrambled eggs for breakfast
Had bread and jelly twenty times a day
Roly Poly will eat a hardy dinner
It takes lotta strength to run and play

Well, he pulls up weeds and he does the chores
He runs both ways to all the stores
He works up an appetite that way
Roly Poly, daddy’s little fatty
I’ll bet he’s gonna be a man someday

Roly Poly eatin’ corn and taters
He’s hungry every minute of the day
Roly Poly gnawin’ all the biscuit
As long as he can chew it, it’s okay

He can eat an apple pie, never even bat his eye
He likes everything from a soup to hay
Roly Poly, daddy’s little fatty
I’ll bet he’s gonna be a man someday

Lake

Lauren's preschool teacher from last year invited her former class over for some fun at their local lake. Lauren had a blast playing with Ms. Gwyneth and as you can see in the picture had fun riding around in the boat with her friend Reese. Mommy had enough of the lake after the fish kept nibbling at her legs.
There was also a playground area where the ducks kindly begged for food. And, Lauren got to ride on her first see saw and merry go round. I was surprised when I realized this was Lauren's first time to see those. The newer playgrounds in our neighborhood don't have those fun toys.

Tea Party

Lauren's friend Kate celebrated her birthday with a tea party. This was Lauren's first real tea party that did not just have dolls and stuffed animals as guests. Mommy is really looking forward to taking Lauren to a grown up afternoon of tea sometime soon!

4th of July

We had a great 4th of July thanks to my good friend from college, Courtney (well - really her daddy). Courtney came to visit for the weekend and her dad got a rooftop hotel room just north of downtown with a large outdoor patio that had a direct view of the fireworks. Lauren kept herself awake and patiently waiting by dancing continuously that by the time the fireworks came she sat down to watch most of them because she was so exhausted. We told her several times that she could take a break from the dancing but she said, "The music is still going - I have to keep dancing." If you are wondering how Connor enjoyed the fireworks - well - were not sure, he was unable to keep stay awake that late and slept through it all.

Daddy still loves mommy

Matthew and I were lucky to have an overnight night out this weekend! Lauren and Connor spent some time at Mimi and Papa's ranch while we spent an evening on the Riverwalk and floated the river the next day. Typically we would not blog about a date night unless it was a special occasion, but Matthew turned this date into a special date by paying to have a message written up on the mirrors of the piano bar we were at. It read, Wendy - Marry me all over again! Matthew. He even got down on one knee when they were done writing it. It was a wonderful moment but sadly didn't last too long because Piano Bars are set up to make money, and somebody stepped up soon after and paid another dollar higher to have the message changed.

I gotta wear shades

The future's so bright...I gotta wear shades.

Swim lessons

The big news of the week over here is that Lauren will finally go under the water at the pool! Lauren is taking swim lessons at our neighborhood pool. She is gaining confidence in the water with each lesson as she learns her strokes and practices her kicking. Lauren enjoys the pool very much but has had no interest in putting her head under water. She kept saying that when she learns to swim she won't be scared anymore...and she was right! We bribed her with goggles, but in the end what really worked was Mimi coming to watch her at one of her swim lessons. Now she proudly wears her pink (of, course) goggles and will go under the water. Photo is of Mr. Matt, Lauren's swim teacher helping her swim.

Trip to Colorado

This week Lauren, Connor and I joined Matthew on his monthly work trip to Denver, Colorado so we could visit with friends and be with daddy on his birthday! We split our time staying with Kristen and Tara and had a blast!

While in Colorado we took Lauren and Sydney to the Butterfly Pavilion. Oddly they were a bit timid around all the butterflies, but the tarantula, well that was no problem for Lauren. She held a tarantula in her hands just to get a sticker.

Last day of school

Today was the last day of school for Lauren. She officially ended her first year of preschool. They recognized each child in the 2 and 3 year old class and the 4 year olds had a Graduation Ceremony.

Lauren's teacher, Ms. Gwyneth put together individual photo albums for each of her students with pictures of all their activities throughout the year. They were presented with the photo album and a preschool diploma at the ceremony.

1st Haircut

Connor was looking a little shaggy so he got his first hair cut courtesy of Salon Mommy.

Nap time / Dress up time

Today I thought Lauren was napping but when she came out of her room it was clear she had not been. She found in her drawers a combination of clothes including items she has never worn before and items that were passed down from her Cousin Josephine (JoJo). On top of her shorts and shirt she already had on she put on a pair of black dance pants, a tutu, socks and black boots. She then put on leotard over it all. To top it off she found a black belt made of ribbon to put around her neck and her antenna headpiece from her Halloween costume. All she says is, "I'm ready to dance like JoJo." Eventually I got Lauren to let me help her get the tutu on the outside of her leotard and I let Lauren wear her actual dance tap shoes.

So what inspired all of this? Well this past weekend we went to one of Jo's dance recitals and Lauren sat in my lap hardly moving an inch for an hour and half watching the whole thing. She really enjoyed it and hasn't stopped talking about all the different dances and outfits she saw. I think it might be time for dance class for Lauren.

Our little ham

Connor is 9 months old today and he is hamming it up for the camera. This boy loves to be silly just like his daddy. Connor's smiles can always turn our frowns upside down.

Mother's Day

On Mother's Day, after church, we drove down to Wimberly for lunch on the river. But dinner was even more special - Lauren treated mama to a home-made pizza.

1st trip to the Dentist

Lauren went to the dentist for the first time today. Lauren's dentist was really nice. Mommy and Daddy's dentist doesn't brush their teeth with chocolate flavored toothpaste! By the end of the visit Lauren had sparkling princess teeth.

3 year old

Lauren turned 3! She had a party with her friends at Goin' Bananas (a warehouse full of inflatable jumpers) on Friday and then had two other parties to attend on Saturday for other friends that were turning 3 as well. We quickly learned a 3 year old's birthday party consists of 5 minutes of cake and 2 hours of running around screaming. I think she thought it was the best weekend ever!! And, her Gigi (great grandma) flew in from California to help celebrate.

Destin, FL

Our family took a week long trip to Destin, Florida to celebrate our 6th anniversary at the same place we got married. We spent our days on the beautiful white sands and enjoyed the emerald waters!
Connor looking forward to his first day at the beach!
Lauren had a funny way of looking for shells!!! Or maybe she was practicing being an ostrich.

Like Mother - Like Daughter

Lauren and mommy got coordinating outfits for the summer.

Big Girl Bed

Lauren is very excited about her new very big BIG GIRL BED!

Getting ready for vacation

The kids are excited (well, I'm guessing Connor is) about going on vacation in a week and half (so are mommy and daddy). We are going to Destin, FL were Matthew and I were married to celebrate our 6th anniversary.
Our neighborhood pool isn't open yet so we made due today with a small kiddy pool out in the yard. It was Connor's first time in a "pool". The water was pretty cold, but he did okay in it as long as his sister wasn't splashing water on his belly. He was not a fan of that. Lauren had a great time playing and splashing in the small amount of water that there was. Since she has come inside, all she can say is, "I had fun. That was fun." over and over. I think our upcoming trip to the beach is going to be Heaven for her.

When I grow up

Today is the first of what I am sure you will see many, many more posts to come on this topic.

Lauren climbed in the car today after preschool and declared that she wanted to be a teacher when she grows up. This is how she said it, "When I grow up I want to be a teacher just like Ms. Gwyneth! And then I can teach all the little boys and girls about bears. But I have to wait until I get a little bigger."

Finger Foods

Connor is now successfully feeding himself some finger foods. If you are a mother you know that the word 'successful' doesn't mean there aren't still 20 cheerios on the ground when he is done, but I would say a good 90% make into the mouth. We are proud of him and happy that he can feed himself a snack mostly because it buys us some time to get his food ready. The 20 seconds it takes to warm is food is just too long in his opinion. Connor is a very good natured boy, but when it comes to meal time - the boy does not like to wait.

Mommy's Birthday

Mommy had a birthday and celebrated like she was 30 again! I actually did get to have a fun birthday and as always tried to stretch the celebration out as long as I could. My mom came to babysit so Matthew and I could have an actual date. We get so few dates that we made this one last as long as we could starting with dinner, then a movie and then we hit downtown to dance the night away. Saturday night I also went out downtown with the girls for some good food and drinks. My friend Kristen was in San Antonio this week so on Wednesday I stayed the night in San Antonio with her and drank more pitchers of margs than I can count! On Thursday (finally my actual birthday) I came home in the morning to balloons, flowers and candles lit on a birthday cake that Lauren and Daddy had baked for me the night before. That evening we went to dinner as a family and ate lots of "noodles" as Lauren calls it. By Friday I was just plain tired from such a long week and was really feeling my age.

Easter

Lauren had a triple dose of egg hunts this year and a double dose of egg coloring! She had egg hunts at preschool, in our neighborhood and at Mimi and Papa's ranch. Wow - she had fun! I am pretty sure by Sunday afternoon she was starting to think the whole Easter bunny thing was better than Santa Clause!

Sea World

We ended Spring Break this year with a trip to Sea World. This was Lauren and Connor's first time to see Shamu. Lauren loved every minute of it and even rode on her first roller coaster ride with mommy! Connor mostly slept while daddy carried him around in the Ergo Carrier during the day. We planned this trip while Aunt Kathy had her sisters in town, so we ended up having a large group that consisted of Matthew's sister, Aunt Katie and cousins Jo and Nathaniel along with my brother, Uncle Ron and as just mentioned, Aunt Kathy and her sisters and their children as well.

Birthdays

Lauren is very excited (to put it mildly) about her birthday coming. She has been ready since Christmas. And now that her Mimi just had a birthday - oh boy - is she even more ready. We have told her that she has to wait because after Mimi's birthday is Mommy's birthday and then it is her turn. (The girls in this family have their birthday's on the 3rd of the month in order - First my moms on March 3rd, then mine on April 3rd, then Lauren's on May 3rd.) So now when we go anywhere and see any stranger at a store she has to make sure they know the birthday order of our family. It goes like this - somebody says, "hi" to Lauren. Lauren then says, "First it is my Mimi's birthday, and then my Mommy's birthday, and then it will be MY birthday!" If she is really into it, then she will continue on with, "after my birthday, it will be daddy's birthday and then it will be Connor's birthday."
We have asked her what she wants for her birthday and she is very certain that she wants flowers - ORANGE ones! She has also added that she would like a pink cake and maybe balloons. I asked her if she wanted any presents and she looked at me like I was crazy and said, "Of course!".

Blue Eyes

Just look at my two beautiful blue eyed babies!