Dylan's plate

Here is the plate Dylan made me... isn't it beautiful?

Christmas #2

Yesterday Blake and Dylan got in from S.C. Abby & Jacob were so excited to see them. When they saw them get off the plane they both started jumping up and down and screaming "Hey you!" It was hysterical. It was great to see both of them. Meemaw, Grandpa, and Uncle Dustin got here around 6 o'clock and we began our second Christmas shortly after their arrival.

Abby and Jacob were really excited to have ANOTHER Christmas. Abby loved her cd player and books with cds to go along with it. She quickly retreated to her room to play teacher and read to us. Jacob liked his xylophone. Dylan and Blake had lots of presents and I am not sure if they had a favorite gift, but Dylan liked his Legos (and has already finished building two sets) and his cube people. Blake got 20 Questions from Granddaddy Jim and Granola and none of us can put it down. Dylan made Steve a really nice mug and made me a beautiful decorative Christmas plate.

We had a really nice evening and today we are going to lunch and spending time with Meemaw, Grandpa, Uncle Dustin and the kids!

Christmas #1

We had a very nice Christmas. Abby was very excited about Santa's visit. She asked how Santa would get in the house, how he would get down the chimney, up the chimney, etc. On Christmas Eve Abby decorated cookies with Grandma. We then put out four cookies and milk (which Abby poured). Jacob did not anticipate Santa's visit as much as his big sister.

We actually slept in Christmas morning and had to wake Jacob up to open presents. Abby was scared to come out of the room because she thought Santa would still be out in the living room. I had to carry her out to see what Santa had left. When they emptied their stockings Jacob wanted to eat the jelly beans Santa left for his Daddy. Abby loved digging into her stocking and pulling out each item one by one. Abby was very excited to see the Dora cash register, microwave and tea set that Santa left her. Jacob just wanted to play with Abby's cash register microphone. Abby passed the gifts out to their recipients and helped Jacob open his when all of hers were gone. We all got really great gifts and had a wonderful Christmas morning (with yummy Cinnabon for breakfast). Grandma made pork roast for dinner and it was delicious. Abby could not get enough of the pork and gravy. Jacob spent most of the day pushing around his new tractor with his basketball along for the ride. We had a relaxing Christmas afternoon.

Blake and Dylan will fly in Thursday and Meemaw, Grandpa and Uncle Dustin will drive in from Arkansas. We will have Christmas #2 when they get here. We are all looking forward to Dylan's visit. We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

Blake's Birthday

Tomorrow Blake will be 14 years old. He will also be on a plane flying to S.C. for Christmas. So, I took half the day off of work to take him to the movies to see "Casino Royale." Well, when we looked up the time for the movie it said 2:40. We had planned to watch the movie and then meet Steve, Abby & Jacob for dinner at Olive Garden. When we got to the theater the time we thought the movie was playing was not listed. We could not go to the later movie because we already had plans for 5 o'clock. We ended up seeing "Happy Feet" which was cute, but no James Bond.

We met Steve and the kiddos for dinner, but both of them were misbehaving, especially Jacob. So, Jacob and I left Olive Garden and headed home. When Steve, Blake & Abby returned the Parker's came over and we had cake, ice cream and opened presents. Everything didn't turn out as planned but we had a nice day. It is always fun spending time with Blake.

Like I mentioned, Blake leaves tomorrow for S.C. My mom comes in on the 22nd for a Christmas visit. Blake & Dylan come back on the 28th and Steve's folks are coming down as well. We will have two Christmas celebrations in our house. We are looking forward to all of our company and getting some good, quality time and FUN in with Dylan.

Merry Christmas and please remember all of our service men and women who are fighting overseas and aren't able to be home for the holidays.

Christmas is Coming

We had a really nice weekend. Blake did lots of babysitting for us. Steve and I went to our squadron Christmas party and had a really nice time. We even won an Olive Garden gift card. Saturday I went to a wrapping party. It was fun to get together with the girls and talk, eat, and wrap. When I came home with the gifts, Abby and Jacob helped me put them under the tree. Jacob liked to put his gifts IN the tree. It was very cute.

Sunday, Steve and I went downtown and did some last minute Christmas shopping. Blake was a great help and watched the kiddos for us.

We are really excited to see Dylan (who just earned his next belt in Tae Kwon Do). Merry week before Christmas!

Basketball and Christmas Lights

( Abby with Mrs. Claus. )
(Abby, Amy, Ethan, Jacob, Jillian, Kara, and Niklaus)

Blake had a basketball tournament today. His team won one game (in which he shot three baskets) and lost one game (in which the coach didn't put him in very much... hmmm, maybe they would have won if he'd put Blake in the game?!?). We are very proud of Blake and Steve had a great time watching the games.

After the game, Steve, Abby, Jacob and I went to the River Bend Nature Center with the Parker's to see "Electric Critters." It is an event where they have all sorts of Christmas light displays (mostly animals and Santas) off of the nature walk. It was really neat and the kids enjoyed seeing "Christmas." Both Abby and Jacob were scared of Santa, but Abby warmed right up to Mrs. Claus. She said Santa is too loud, but she likes Mrs. Claus.

Things here are good. Blake babysat last night and Steve and I went out with some friends for a few hours. Today, Abby helped me move ornaments up higher on the tree because Jacob has broken two ornaments already. I haven't put any gifts under the tree for fear that they will be opened.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season!

Blake's Game

Blake (and the Bulldogs) had his second basketball game tonight. Blake started and scored about an 18 foot jump shot. The Bulldogs won!!!! Good work, Blake!

Christmas Decorating

Today Blake hung up the Christmas lights on our house and yesterday he and Abby hung up our stockings. I am trying to get to the rest of the house, but I am slow. Maybe by tonight????

Birthday Flowers

Here are some pics of my b-day flowers (from Steve and the girls). My favorite flowers are daisies... can't you tell? Also, a pic of Abby with a flower out of one of the arrangements.

More Snow Pictures

My birthday and a snow day

I had a wonderful birthday. The girls at work brought me Starbucks, donuts and took me to lunch with a bunch of my friends. They also gave me a cool Starbucks coffee cup, some lotion, flowers, and a cake that said "Welcome to your mid-thirties" (which I thought was awesome). They really spoiled me. Steve sent me flowers at work. Steve was going to make me dinner, but after eating all day at work I really wasn't very hungry. Steve and the kids gave me a nice Adidas workout outfit, some Bath and Body Works stuff and the second season of Grey's Anatomy!!! So, last night I talked to all my friends and family and watched Grey's... that made my evening.

Around 11a.m. yesterday it was almost 70 degrees, by 12 or so the temp had dropped into the 50's and by the time we left work it was 36 degrees. Last night we had rain, snow, sleet and thunder and lightning, which was really strange. So, this morning my boss said we did not have to come in because the roads were so slick. Steve had to go to work and Blake had to go to school. Abby, Jacob, and I stayed home and had lots of fun. We read books, made some pictures, watched Sesame Street (I found the neatest DVD called Sesame Street Old School with episodes from 1969-1974) and had homemade chicken noodle (rice noodles) soup. This afternoon we ventured out into the snow for a bit just so the kids could burn off some steam. Jacob wasn't really crazy about the snow because he did not like how it stuck to him. Abby did not want to come in, but I was cold. I had so much fun just hanging out with them today. We are having chili for dinner tonight... yum!

Yippee... the holidays are here!

I love this time of year. Thanksgiving is the kick-off to the holidays and I just love it. I only wish we lived somewhere that we could have a white Christmas (maybe next time we move???). We had a very nice Thanksgiving. We, along with our second family, the Parker's, went to Steve's folk's up in Arkansas . On Thanksgiving day we went to Aunt Kay's and ate more than anyone could have possibly needed. It was wonderful to spend the day with our family and to give thanks for all of our blessings (and we have so many). The "boys" brought their 4-wheelers and we all took turns riding around. We had such a good time.

Friday, we took Blake to meet his mom and we got to see Dylan. Abby and Jacob were SO excited to see Dylan. Dylan, Jillian (Travis' daughter), Travis and Steve played football while Kara, the kids and I looked on. Later, the guys and Jillian went to see the new James Bond movie. Blake's mom took him to see the Arkansas/LSU game. Unfortunately, the hogs lost, but Blake still had a nice time. The downside to our trip is that the majority of our family caught some sort of stomach flu... not much fun. Luckily, Abby and Jacob managed to stay healthy (so far).

Happy Holidays to everyone! Please keep the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines serving in Iraq and around the world in your thoughts and prayers. -

Just Another Weekend

Right now I am sitting here holding my little man Jacob. He is actually calm; it does not get better than this! We had a nice weekend. We had pizza Friday night. Saturday we went to the Hangar Holiday Bazaar on base. Last night, Abby & Jacob went to "Give Parents a Break." Steve went over to a friend's house to hang out with the guys and play some cards. Blake and I went to the movies. Today, we relaxed at home. Blake took some great pics of the kids outside.

Princess Abby

We had strong winds all day today and princess Abby decided she would wear a dress to school. Isn't she sweet?

Blake Made the Team!

Yesterday Blake found out he made the basketball team. He was so nervous and has been practicing everyday. His dad and I knew he would make the team, but he was on cloud nine last night when we found out. We are all so proud of him!

Happy Veteran's Day

This week was a tough one for me. I have experimented and experimented with various allergen-free recipes for Abby and really most of them have been yucky. Yesterday, I went to the local natural food store and bought $30 of various flours (rice, potato, garbanzo, tapioca) and starches. Last night I made a chocolate cake and let me say it was like chewing on a chocolate sponge. I will keep trying out recipes until I get them right. Abby, Jacob and I made oatmeal-banana cookies tonight. They are not too bad. I think we can get used to them for sure. Abby was sad tonight because we all had Subway for dinner and she had to settle for a baked potato. She kept asking for a sandwich. So, my next adventure will be making some allergen-free bread so she can have a sandwich.

Blake, Steve and Travis went 4-wheeling today at a place called Red River ATV park. It's about an hour and a half from here. They enjoyed themselves and were surprised to see there were lots of nice fall colored trees along the way. Blake said it did not even seem like Texas. I stayed home with the kiddos. We did some puzzles, read books and cleaned.

Tonight, Blake lit the chiminea, had s'mores and watched the Arkansas game. I bought some "safe" logs so he could roast the marshmallows. We are enjoying the cooler weather as we had temps up in the high 80's over the last week.

Happy Veteran's Day!

Jacob and Abby "riding" Daddy and Blake's 4-wheelers.

Jacob giving his teddy bear a haircut!

Abby's 2nd Allergist Appointment

Abby had her 2nd appointment at the allergies on 1 Nov. It turns out she is allergic to peanuts (which we knew), milk, soy, wheat, orange, malt, corn and eggs. She also is allergic to molds, dust mites, dogs and cats. She came up positive for everything that was tested. I am sure if she were to be tested for more foods she would come up positive to those foods as well. However, right now I am dealing with how we are going to avoid all of these foods. I will have to meet with the dietician on base and figure out where she will get all of her nutrients. The biggest challenge will be the daycare and eating out. I have joined an online support group called Kids with Food Allergies kidswithfoodallergies.org/index.php. I have also been reading books to see what I can use to substitute wheat flour, milk (since we can use soy, etc.). I nearly had a nervous breakdown yesterday while trying to grocery shop.

Yesterday Kara and I went to Christmas Magic, a big bazaar held by the Women's Junior League. Steve stayed home with the kids and they went outside and had a great time playing basketball, riding bikes and sitting on the 4-wheelers. Today, Blake and Steve are going to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch football. Abby, Jacob and I will clean the house. Right now, Steve is showing Jacob the hair clippers because he NEEDS a haircut and is scared of the clippers. He is cutting his teddy bear's hair.