Splash Park

Last week at play group we met at the splash park. The kids never really got "into" being there and really I had no use for the beach towels I brought because they hardly got wet. But, it was at least fun to get out and try it. Maybe the next time we go Hudson & Hallie will be more excited about it. We hadn't been there since last July or so, so we may need another trip to figure it all out.

Goodwill

This is my first Goodwill purchase.... Most of you know that we are going to be moving in about 3 weeks into a new (old) house. We have much work to do including remodeling the kitchen, redoing the floors, and of course, my favorite... redecorating. So, we have this big room that was once the living room before previous owners added on to the back and made a new living room. We'll be using this old space as our dining area with a big table with seating for eight. There is so much extra space (we think) that I want to also have a little sitting nook/conversation area in that room too. So, I have been trolling around on the internet and discovered all these blogs devoted to redecorating, etc. They inspired me to start looking around at my local Thrift shops and Goodwills for the "perfect" find! I went today for the first time and found this chair. I love the look of it and think it will be just right for my conversation area! Now comes the hard part...reupholstering it!!! The fabric is pretty and I like it just fine...but the arms and seat are pretty worn so it will need to be recovered. That's where any crafty bone in my body ends... so hopefully I will be able to make this chair even better (or at least reasonably pay someone to do it!!).

Stairs....

I've told you before she is our daredevil. On Sunday we went to visit my parents for Mother's Day. My parents have stairs at their house and since we live in a one story house now Hudson & Hallie aren't as used to them as Brooke was. My mom has this gate up on the stairs that is pretty heavy duty. But obviously our little one is smarter than we thought!! I came around the corner and found her half way up the stairs on the inside of the gate... that was still closed! I had a suspicion as to how she did it...but wanted to see for myself. And this is how she did it....

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.