Mother's Day

Mother's Day 2009

Mother's Day 2008

Old Friends

While we were in Dallas, George's parents had a graduation party for George. Some of our friends were nice enough to come by and say hi. We had a great time seeing two families in particular since we have kids the same ages.

The moms of kids below.... Lauren, Jodi & me (Brooke took this picture)


Brooke, Bryce & Aidan 2009

Aidan, Brooke & Bryce (November 2006)

The Jacobus & Steward Kids (2009)

The Jacobus & Steward kids (May 2008)

Dallas & Graduation

This past weekend we went to Dallas/Fort Worth for George's graduation from Seminary!! We are SOOO excited he's finished. No more Tuesday commutes to Houston ... no more $$$ going to Southwestern... no more reading because you "HAVE" to. I'm so proud of him. He finished in about 6 years all while working full-time, moving twice, and having THREE kids. He did great!!

George & the proud wife!
George w/ his mom, dad & brother

I wanted to hold the degree since I helped him earn it!! HA HA!!

The kids stayed back at George's parents with his aunt during the ceremony. So, this is our best attempt at a family shot w/ him in his cap & gown.

Brooke really wanted George & I to get under the table with her...and it turned out to be a fairly cute family shot.

Brooke and cousin, Jack

Jack & Hallie

Jack & Hudson

Brooke helped YaYa bake cookies

Enjoying the Back Yard

The past few days we've been enjoying the back yard while the temperatures aren't ridiculously hot! (and when it's not raining!) Yesterday I decided to break out the "nice" camera and try to get some good pictures of the kids. They are so active and all over the place that it is really hard to get good ones where they are actually looking in the general direction of the camera. They seem oblivious to the fact that I am attempting to take their picture when there is any type of distraction going on. So, here is my best effort. Hallie is the hardest... she is so stingy with her smiles that I tend to only get "serious" photos of her. But, she's precious smiling or not!

Brooke is trying to pull a branch off of the weeping willow.

I just think this one is cute... He seems to be very seriously looking at something.

I'm STUCK!!

Central's Country Fair

Our church had a country fair this past weekend. We took the kids and attempted to enjoy ourselves. Having three little ones - two of which are more interested in walking ANYWHERE but where you want to go makes things a bit more challenging and less enjoyable.
We took our red wagon and Hudson & Hallie stayed put for a while...but then decided it would be much more fun to walk. In an effort to avoid meltdowns we let them out - BAD idea!! Hudson wanted no part in any direction we were going which forced us to carry him (all while he is squirming out of our arms). Hallie was slightly better (or maybe not). We did get the chance to enjoy the petting zoo before all chaos ensued. Maybe next year it will be better for George & me. I'm beginning to see why people actually use those kid leashes.....

Everyone is still calm....
Hallie in the petting zoo

Hudson checking out the goats

Brooke in her 'cool' shades in the bounce house

When it rains... make cookies!

This past week it rained two days in a row. While we needed the rain - it causes real frustration for a stay at home mom!! What to do for two days - no back yard, no going out for entertainment purposes... So, Friday I tried to think of something fun that Brooke would like to do that was still somewhat "educational" - the videos and computer games had been long exhausted by this point. So, I looked through the pantry and all I had enough ingredients for were peanut butter cookies. To my delight we also had leftover Hershey Kisses from Easter so we were able to make MY favorite cookies - Peanut Butter w/ the kiss in the middle. YUM!! Brooke liked it so much that she asked to make them again on Monday. It just so happened that we were having a guy over for dinner that night and I thought "what better reason to make cookies!!" - that and I just LOVE them too!

Hallie wanted to join in on the fun!

Brooke & Daddy rolled the cookies balls into sugar.

Here she is waiting to begin the process!