May Day

It was a day in May when we took Tyler and Chase to the neighborhood park.

Chase, following the lines while running around the play ground.

Reminds me of another little boy years ago.

Seriously, these are the type of ladders the put on the equipment. They really expect kids to be able to climb them and still get to the top. Chase's first few attempts were challenging, I held his waist while he got his footing.

The red tubes, were a fun place to hide.


and to tell silly stories...

and to contemplate how to explain how he received the hole in the jeans.

Two Weeks in June

After Saturday's Baby Shower for Jill we had the rest of the week (in April's case two weeks) to play. Unfortunately the weather wasn't cooperating. The highest we saw it was 77 degrees, a little too chilly for water fun.........Ahhh, but we have the favorite all weather water slide, with the temperature control feature.

Lexie enjoyed a little water fun, we just had to watch and make sure the kids didn't slide into her.

Creating a new slide ride...sliding down the steps.

I loved this shot....

It was a little cold, kids enjoyed warming up in the sun.

Little Texas beauty in California.

Even Texas beauties get tired...she loved reading all the books that Jill received at the baby shower.

Grandpa showed April how to drive the tractor by herself.

Okay, I was caught...This is Halli, April's just wishing she had learned so young.

After a long weekend and Grandma and Grandpa a little too sick to do much...we doctored up and headed to FUNDERLAND!!!

The Dragon roller coaster was definitely Peyton's favorite ride of the day.

By the end of the day the girls rode this ride three times in a row, sitting in the front and negotiating with the ride operator for just 1 more time.

Sweet kisses for Lexie

The Airplane...Halli wanted to fly it home, she missed her daddy.

The Merry Go Round - Lexie's favorite ride.

Halli LOVED this ride. The first time on it with Peyton the cup didn't spin too well. The second go around with Peyton, Halli found one that would spin with the just a flick of the finger, and Halli had that cup spinning and spinning long before the ride even started. Then the ride started and it took all of 3 minutes before Peyton was crying and screaming and wanted OFF!!! Here Halli has the cup all to herself and LOVING IT!

Driving around town.

Fun with Grandpa.

Saturday night we headed to the BIG SPOON, where we dished our own ice cream and toppings.

Here Tyler and Chase enjoy worms?

Chase looking for more, but April's cup was empty too.

Peyton felt she hadn't had enough ice cream and wanted you to know it.

Lexie escaped to the back yard.

A motorcycle ride with Grandpa.

Our five Grand kids.

Peyton.

Halli and Chase....enjoying the cool breeze and birds flying overhead.

Tyler swinging....a favorite of the kids.

Running...notice the string Halli had Chase hold.

Of course time together won't be complete without some sewing project. April wanted to make this stuffed stack toy for Lexie's birthday. We finally sat down on Monday and figured out how to put it together. She has to stuff it at home for easier packing in the suite case. BUT we weren't done, or I wasn't done. April wanted to sew a skirt for Lexie's birthday too, she showed me a picture, her fabric and asked if I could do it? Without a pattern? Of course, why not. Here's the results and it was very cute on Lexie.

SURPRISE!!!

It started a few months ago, April called and wanted to throw a baby shower for Jill. You need to know that April has become the baby shower queen in her area in Texas. Her ultimate quest...was to make it Surprise Baby Shower in California... I was game, but she had to work out the details and how she was going to surprise Jill and get her on the plane.

The Scheme - We told Jill that I would fly into Texas for the week and we would spend the entire week preparing for the baby, sewing and shopping and painting, etc. This was Jill's excuse to get the week off and to have a weeks worth of clothes all packed and ready to go.

We were anxious to know the sex of the baby and had to wait for two ultra sounds to know they were having a girl. April had created the cutestest storybook invitations and once we knew it was a girl, the pink flare was added and it was sent off to the printer. Brittany planned the games and made sure those little details were taken care off, no stone left unturned.

April's goal was to have a garden shower, with a story book theme. Now she's pushing the envelope....(I love my yard, but I don't LOVE my yard and we had decided to let our backyard die since we need to dig it up anyhow to began the remodeling). BUT we gave in and began to water and weed and plant flowers. Logan worked on the side yard and graded the driveway to the back. I had envisioned the people parking their cars in the back and walking up the gentle sloping hill towards the deck, the garden lined with huge flowers all in bloom, the deck would have sheer curtains bellowing in the breeze.............Yea, that was all just a dream.

The week of the shower the weather here decided to go cold. I've got to come to terms with the fact that my ideas are always grander and more beautiful than reality. So we moved the garden theme indoors, I think the shower turned out nice.

The "Day" arrived...and we were so excited. Britt invited Jill down early to go to lunch before my "Arrival". This was to make sure she was in Houston and in time for the flight. That morning April told her girls and they shouted out through out the day "I'M GOING TO CALIFORNIA, I'M GOING TO CALIFORNIA". Oh dear, now she had to take it back to keep Peyton quiet, Halli was in school. Now Peyton was now stating/asking. "I'm NOT going to California?" Britt and April said that during lunch they kept saying little things that were giving the surprise away, they had to hurry home and tell her.

After lunch the girls gave Jill a card, to explain their gift, the card is the invitation to the shower, she is reading it in the video.

Enjoy the video of Jill being VERY SURPRISED!!! She had no idea what was about to happen and her reaction is priceless. (Thanks Master Card).

April Photoshop'd this beautiful framed name.

Storybooks and Teddybears - all gifts for Jill

These suckers are heavy when loaded with dirt, but we moved them indoors anyway.

Delicious mini Mint Brownies, these are very addicting. Kara took a plate full for the car ride home.

Fresh Strawberries from the local fields.

Good food, Lemon Poppy Seed cake with strawberries, so yummy.

Darling clothes layed out for Jill.

LaNea's blessing Dress.

Tag: (From Four and Twenty Sailors)

Lexie, contemplating the answer to the quiz.

A Beautiful Diaper Cake Gift

I want to thank Brittany and April for all their hard work and planning. This wouldn't have been the success it was without them. They covered all the little details and provided the food and the beautiful invitations. Thanks to Kate for the wonderful photos. What would I do without you girls - All of you - Kate, April, Brittany and Jill? You are such a blessing to me, you'll never know who much I love you, I take such pride in how thoughtful and loving you are of each other and I cherish how much you love your husbands.