A Blessed Baptism

The night before the baptism, my old neighbor came by and we had a good visit. Abby loved her.

I had the baptism at my home parish, St. Rita, in Fort Worth. This is where I made my first penance, first communion, confirmation, and attended school. I was a member of the youth group and even more active as an adult. I knew I might run into some old familiar faces but I didn't expect to see Mrs. Cihak, my 4th grade teacher.

Abby is ready for her special day.

Abigail Claire, baptized in the name of the Father

and the Son,

and the Holy Spirit.

Parents and Godparents

plus Grandparents

add my aunts and uncles

Abby's Godparents, Megan and Ryan.

Stephen's Family

Granny and Abby

The cake and invitation.

Aunt Joanie (my Godmother and Caleb's Godmother)

Let them eat cake

The Whole Family!

Easter Bunny 2007

Easter Bunny Picture 2008

Last year I started making some "year-by-year" scrapbooks for the kids. I have one Easter book for each child and I want to put their Easter bunny picture in each year until they stop going to see him. When they are older, I think it will be neat to go back and look at how they changed.

I have also made a birthday book for each child where I will put pictures of them with their cake. I have a Halloween book too where I'll put pics of them in their costumes and don't forget Christmas books for their pics with Santa Claus.

I know I took pictures of these books but I have no idea where my husband stored the pics on the computer and the actual books are in storage since we are trying to sell our house.

March 18

Spring Break March 15

Spring Break March 14

Last year I started a google search to find a good friend from middle school. He moved away our freshman year (21 years ago) and we lost touch. Thanks to the internet, I found him and we had a little reunion at Chuck E. Cheese's during Spring Break. Isn't it funny how a friendship picks up right where it left off when you have reunions with true friends?

Spring Break March 11

Recent Pictures

We finally made it to the photographer this week. We had the "naked" pose done with Lauren and Caleb and we wanted to have it done with Abby as well. As I was undressing her I realized what a bad idea this truly was because Abby absolutely hates being naked! That being said, I think the picture turned out fine. We couldn't get Lauren and Caleb to smile at the same time so we'll try again next month when we have Caleb's 2 year pictures made.

We've picked Abby's Godparents: my cousins Megan and Ryan!

Can your diaper do this?

A dry diaper weighs 1.5 oz. This diaper is holding 35.4 oz. How do you test your diaper? See next picture.

Lesson we're still trying to learn: Parents must run faster than 22 month old boys!

Caleb likes to tell us he is finished with his bath and when we get him dressed, he likes to run back to the tub. We have known this for months but Caleb has learned that the addition of his baby sister gives him more opportunities to achieve his mischievous goals! If at first you don't succeed, try....try again!

6 Dozen Cookies- FINISHED!

I did not advertise my goodies this year because I knew I'd be too tired to fill all the orders and I feared that Abby might come before I could finish, but word of mouth is amazing and I got an order for 4 dozen decorated cut-out cookies. So I told myself I could do it in baby steps. Monday I made the dough. Tuesday I made the frosting, Wednesday I cut out as much as the dough would let me (Lauren got her own dough too) and I baked and baked. Last night, while Stephen was at a show, I decorated until 9:30, taking a short break to feed the kids. They're done and I'm pleased.

Help! What gets ink out of fabric?

My SAH husband just called to ask if the ink from the ink pad I gave Lauren will come out. I asked why and he said our DARLING Caleb got ahold of it and it's not only all over his face but the carpet and the couch too! I probably shouldn't have done this but I said, "Take pictures honey, this is great blog material." Then I said to try baby wipes because I've heard they take anything out of anything.
Future Blue Man Group Member- or Smurf? You decide!

That's sign language for "MORE"

Any other suggestions?

Sandra, thanks for your idea, his nails still look like the picture, it was great fun to go shopping with him last night!

I have to add that this happened while Stephen was preparing a Crock Pot meal for dinner. When he started the ink pad was safe on the table with Lauren.

Our family Christmas Pictures

I know you can't tell in the pictures but Stephen is wearing a green shirt. The lighting in the studio made it look black.

Caleb keeps us very busy!

Look at our little stinker. Saturday we took him for his first haircut so we could have our Christmas pictures done minus the 'Shaggy' look. See that picture? That's about as long as he would sit in that chair. Well... he sat a little longer as long as I made a fool out of myself and did Aggie yells. He likes that. When we got home, I trimmed and I trimmed until I was satisfied with his hair. In my next life I am going to open a kids' haircut salon where each station has a children's theme and is playing a movie that will capture the kid's attention! Anyone out there on board?

The other pictures were taken a few minutes ago, Stephen sent them to me. Caleb was waiting for his breakfast and decided to go exploring. He hasn't done this before because it is rare that the table is cleared off. Again, he is a stinker but at the beginning and end of the day, he is the most loving, snuggly boy around.

Little Pig, Little Pig, Let me come in!

A friend of ours bought this cute house for her little boy and we thought it would keep Lauren busy for hours. She loves to color and she is very good at staying in the lines. So we printed our 40% off coupon and headed to Hobby Lobby to buy the house. We told Lauren we'd put it together right after dinner. Poor Stephen wasn't allowed to finish eating because she begged him to put it together. Caleb-who is ALL BOY, let me tell ya- started knocking it down before it was even put up. He was like the Big Bad Wolf except he decided he wanted to go through the windows- and he's never even seen the Dukes of Hazzard. After Caleb had had enough of Mommy and Daddy telling him no, he started knocking the house down! We could not believe this sweet, precious little boy. He even picked it up by the roof and just plopped it over on it's side. As you can see in the pictures, he finally gave in and went through the door. What a stinker he is!

My new house!!

Oil Ranch

Best Weekend in a Long time

We had such a wonderful weekend with Uncle John and Aunt Ellen (Lauren's Godparents). We swam just about the entire weekend, except breaking for church. Friday night we swam right after dinner up until almost 11:00. Saturday we were in the pool right after breakfast.

Lauren swam like a pro. She was all over the pool with the help of her little floaties. The weather was just perfect. It was nice to walk around outside without the College Station humidity. What a difference that makes.

We did take a break for lunch and I got to watch the end of the Aggie-Baylor game. Uncle John was teasing Lauren and told her, "Hook 'em horns." She gave him a puzzled look, paused, and her reply was worth millions to Aggies. She said, "Saw Varsity's horns off." I could not believe her little 3 year old brain processed such a perfect reply.

Wow, I DID NOT sink to the bottom! By Saturday night, Lauren was very comfortable swimming without her floaties (but with our help). I got it on video, unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of Lauren and her daddy.

Poor Caleb just never could enjoy the pool because he has some teeth coming in.
One of many wonderful meals they cooked for us, Uncle John treated Lauren to her first milkshake. It was delicious as you can see by her milkshake mustache. Notice the big girl cup? The first time Uncle John brought her some juice, she told him he forgot the lid. We just give her sippie cups so Caleb doesn't spill her drinks.