Busy Weekend

Jacob at Chuck E. Cheese's.

Abby and Chuck.
Mommy and Abby (Abby is doing a goofy dance and Mommy's eyes are squinted from the sun).


We've had a busy weekend. Last night, Steve went out with some friends. Today was Nik Parker's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's. This evening I had a Dining Out. Normally on the weekends we have a bit of down time, but not this weekend. Grandma gets here Wednesday for a two-week visit. Abby is counting the days until her visit. I know Dylan will enjoy some company during the day (although he seems to be enjoying his alone time because the house gets so hectic once we're home).

CONGRATULATIONS, DADDY!

Steve found out the other day that he made Master Sergeant! Whoo-hoo. Way to go, Daddy. We are all so proud of you.

Hello Little Fellies

Abby and Jacob helping mommy mop Abby's room.


One of Jacob's favorite sayings is "Hello little fellies (fellows)." It is so cute when he says it. He is such a comedian and keeps us laughing. Everyone is his "best friend" and when he is mad at us he says "Fine, you aren't my best friend anymore." Since it is getting to be summer, the light stays out longer. When we tell Jacob it is time for bed he says "No, it is still light outside."

Today, Ethan and Nik Parker were here and Abby wasn't being very nice to them. I told her she was the oldest and it was her job to be a big girl and show the boys how big girls act. Her response to me was "If I am the oldest, I get to tell everyone what to do." Hmmm, I think she must get that from her mommy?!?

Dylan's Here...

Abby and Jacob have been SO excited to see Dylan. When they woke up Thursday morning they could not wait until they got home from school so they could see him. They've been playing outside and Dylan's really been keeping them busy. I know he must love to see them go to daycare so he can get a break. We are so happy to have Dylan here.

Blake is having a good time in South Carolina, but has been having issues with all of his electronics. His cell phone got wet and his iPod isn't working. Hopefully he will get all of that stuff fixed soon (I think the phone is on the mend). We miss you, Blake.

Abby's New Haircut

Since it is getting really hot here and Abby WILL NOT keep her hair in a pony tail, we decided she should have a nice, cool cut for the summer. She was more than happy to pose for the camera with her cute, new do!

Way to go, Blake and Dylan!!!!

Blake's report card came in the mail the other day and he made all A's once again! He made all A's all year and on all of his finals! We are so proud of him... what an incredible accomplishment to have all A's your entire school career (I am sure he will continue this trend into high school)!

Dylan had a great year as well! He finished with A's and two B's... the B's were 92's. Great job Dylan!!!

Blake and Dylan are such smart, wonderful young men and we are proud of them!

Five More Minutes

Abby ready to leave for Danielle's party.

Jacob's newest line is "Five more minutes." When we wake him up in the morning he says it, when it is time to come in from playing outside and when it is time to leave the house... always "Five more minutes." I think he gets it from me because when Steve wakes me up in the morning I always say that. It is very cute.

Blake left Friday for South Carolina. The first thing Abby said when we got home Friday evening was "Where's Blake?" Jacob likes to go in his room and check out his stuff. We have to remember to keep the door closed. Dylan will be here in a few weeks and we're really looking forward to his visit. Abby counts the days of the week until he will be here.

Today, Abby had a birthday party to go to so Steve and Jacob went out on a boys' day! Jacob got a haircut and then went to Burger King to play and eat lunch. Abby's party was a Jump For Joy which is a big gym type setting with slides and bouncers. She had a great time with all of her friends from school. I made her an egg-free cake to take with her and she loved it.

Abby and Jacob making yummy (allergen free) pizzas.
Abby eating her pizza!


Abby and I have been having fun walking around our neighborhood. Yesterday we saw some dogs on a leash. Abby asked me what the leash was for and I said "So the people can tell the dogs where to go." Abby's next words to me were "Mommy, you are my leash because you tell me where to go." It was so funny.

Jacob has been acting like a kitty cat lately and meowing and saying words between the meows. It is so funny. "Kitty love you Mommy... meow." His teacher has been calling him Mr. Personality. She says he is so much fun and she loves having him in class. He is constantly making her laugh. Today he told me Ms. Peggy (one of his teachers) has lots of pets to include "dogs, cats, elephants, tigers, pigs and ducks." He sure is fun!

Blake has one more day with us before he goes to his mom's in South Carolina. We sure will miss him, but know he will have a great time. Dylan will be here in a few weeks and we're looking forward to seeing him.

Memorial Day

Blake doing his favorite thing... texting friends.

The four kiddos eating their burgers and dogs (Jacob had Shrek Cheetos that turned his tongue and mouth green).
Mommy and green mouth Jacob!
Steve and Travis playing basketball!

:-)

We have had a very nice long weekend. Friday, we celebrated Blake's last day as an 8th grader by going to see Spiderman 3. I really thought it was a pretty good movie. Saturday we drove Blake and Temi to go see Pirates of the Caribbean 3, so he had fun seeing that. Yesterday, we did a bunch of running around and while we were at Sam's there was an older gentleman sitting on a bench and Abby said to him "Hey there little man." Luckily, he had a good sense of humor and laughed about it. It was a good opportunity to talk about good manners and how a simple "Hello, Sir" would have been fine.

Last night Blake babysat for us while we joined some friends at the new casino and had dinner at the Morning Star Steakhouse. It was pretty good food and nice to have an evening with adult company. We are lucky to have such a responsible young man like Blake to sit for us... thanks, Blake (he had other offers from friends but helped us out).

Today, the Parker's and the Cooper's came over for a cookout. We had lots of fun and were very lucky it did not rain (we've had loads and loads of rain lately). Blake went over to a friend's house to go swimming... his perfect day... sun and friends!

We hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day. Let's remember the reason for this holiday and think of everyone who has given the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom.

Pictures!

Blake and the other award winners (he is 5th from the right in a green shirt, right above the "R" in Burkburnett).

Abby playing in the playground behind our house.
Jacob in the driveway playing basketball with Daddy and Blake.

Blake pushing Abby, Jacob and one of their friends on the merry-go-round.

Happy Mother's Day

I have had such a great day. Abby was so excited for it to be Mother's Day. Yesterday, she and Steve went shopping so she could pick something out for me (Jacob and I went to a birthday party). All evening she kept telling me that she would not tell me what she got me for Mother's Day, but it was in a box she picked out for me. First thing this morning she ran up to me and told me "Mommy, your presents are in Daddy's dresser. I got you the candle and Daddy got you all the other stuff." She was so cute and so excited. Once I opened all my presents she wanted to know when was Sister Day and what presents would she get. The best gift of all was the card from the kids that she signed both hers and Jacob's name as well as wrote "Mommy" on the front of the envelope! She is getting SO big.

We went to lunch at McAlister's (one of my favorite places) and came home to do some unpacking. Afterwards, the four of us went outside so the kids could play and ride their bikes. We've been on several walks today and really enjoyed the sidewalks in our new neighborhood. After our playtime, Abby and I made graham cracker sandwich cookies (just like my mom used to make me) for a snack!

I have really enjoyed this Mother's Day. I could not ask for two more special children. My day was topped off by Blake and Dylan calling me to wish me a Happy Mother's Day! They are such sweet boys and I am lucky to have them in my life, too! Happy Mother's Day to everyone!

Blake's Award Ceremony

Blake had his 8th Grade Award Ceremony Monday evening. He was recognized for being a member of the Junior National Honor Society (the induction ceremony was last night but he missed it because he was heading to S.C. for Mother's Day... hope everyone has a nice visit with Blake). He also received a Certificate of Honor in Pre-AP English. The grand finale was when he was awarded The President's Award for Academic Excellence! In order to receive this award the student must maintain a 95 average for the entire 7th grade school year as well as the first 3 semesters of the 8th grade (since the final grades are not in). Way to go, Blake!!!

As soon as I can find my camera (it is somewhere safe after the move) I will post pictures!

8th Grade Dance

Tonight was Blake's 8th grade dance. We rented him a tux and he looked so handsome. He "took" Audrey to the dance and bought her a beautiful two-rose corsage. He met a bunch of his friends and they took a limo to the dance... he is becoming such a fine young man and as always, we are very proud of him.

Hard Candy

Blake's Theater Arts class has been working very hard on their play "Hard Candy" by Jonathan Rand. Yesterday, they performed in the 2007 One Act Play Festival. It was a competition between four local middle schools. Each class presented a one act play and at the end there were critiques and awards. Blake earned one out of two "All Star Cast" awards (out of 51 actors)and his class won first place for their play. We are all very proud of Blake and his class!

Blake with his awards!

22 April

Jacob with Duncan.

Abby in her Duncan "safe" zone (on top of the chair).
Abby and Jacob zonked out after playing outside in the water all day.

Biggest brother Blake being silly outside.

We've had a nice weekend. Yesterday, Steve and I took Abby & Jacob out to lunch at Chili's. They were pretty well behaved and we had fun talking to them. They really come up with the cutest things. Abby loves to know who is "big than" who... who can pick up who, etc. She is so smart because I work with a girl named Nikki and she says to me "Mommy, can you pick up Nikki?" and I say "No." She responds "Nikki Parker, not Nikki from work." She's always trying to trick Mommy.

Last night was "Give Parents A Break" so Steve and Blake went to dinner and I stayed home and worked on my homework. It was nice for Steve and Blake to spend some time together. They went to the mall and bought Blake some new shoes.

Today, Kara Parker and I had to work so Kara brought the kids over and all of the kids played and played and played. Blake was the best big brother and made water balloons for them to play with. He also made all four of the little kids lunch. He really is such a help to us.

Duncan Zipper Copeland

We have had an exciting week... we have a new member of our family... Duncan Zipper Copeland. He is an 8 1/2 week old Jack Russell Terrier and is so sweet. Abby is no longer allergic to dogs, so we were ready to add another member to the family. He loves to play with the kids and is so much fun. Steve and Blake have been diligently working to housebreak him. Isn't he cute?

Happy Easter

We had a quiet Easter at home today. I made allergy free chocolate chip cookies and we've been snacking on that and the Easter Bunny's treats today. We had an Easter egg hunt inside because it was too cold out. Happy Easter to everyone.

Blake and his new Bible.

The Easter Bunny left us these baskets.
Jacob checking out his goodies.
Abby showing Daddy her new nail polish.

Our Week with Dylan

We had a wonderful visit with Dylan. Steve and I both took a few days of leave so we could spend time with him. Steve took him 4-wheelin' and to a movie. The big boys played basketball while the little kids watched. Thursday, Dylan and I ate breakfast at school with Abby and Jacob. Blake was out of school Friday so Blake, Dylan and I went to lunch. Then, we met Steve and saw another movie. We had a great time with Dylan and we miss him very much.



Dylan playing football with Abby and Dad.

Blake and Dylan being goofy.

Our Trip to Sea World

Dylan came in Friday night for Spring Break. After weather delays, we ended up going to Dallas to pick him up. Then, we headed to San Antonio to meet the Parker's for visit to Sea World. It took us about six hours due to the heavy rain, but eventually we got there.

Dylan and Jillian Parker watching the dolphins.

Jacob and his new "favorite snack" raisins.

The kids and Dads playing on the Pirate Ship.

More Pics of Sea World

Here are Blake and Dylan holding a snake at Sea World.
Here are the dolphins... Jacob LOVED them. Once Abby got over being nervous, she was very interested in them also.
Mommy and Abby (with Kara's sunglasses) waiting to see Shamu!
Shamu... Blake, Dylan and Jillian Parker saved us seats in the third row. The grown ups and the smaller kids headed up to dryer seats. All three big kids got soaked!!!

Blake and Abby on the Pirate Ship... the kids loved it.