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Mountain Laurel

2009-02-18T15:34:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited that my mountain laurel is actually finally blooming! I think these bugs are too. Oh well....I have had if for 6 years and that's how long it took. They are just so pretty. I know I'm a dork! What do you think these bugs think of each other?

Blisters!!!!!

2009-02-04T12:29:00.000-08:00

So Brock and Cody decide that they need to dig a hole big enough for them to both get into. Who knows why kids do the things that they do but I am glad that they love to spend the majority of their time outside. They both got blisters from digging. I hope you can tell how deep it really is.

Geocaching

2009-02-04T12:23:00.000-08:00

This is actually a picture of the other team looking for a cache that is in the top of this pole. All of the kids on our team went over to sit on the fence to try to give them a hint without really giving them a hint.

This was us watching from afar so none of the kids would give it up.

This was the last one that our team found. Bruce found it in the roof of this thing we are standing next to. It was real small.

Sweet Hogan found this one in the trunk of this tree. He was real proud.

This was actually the first one we found in the top of this pole.

We went geocaching for my nephew's birthday. It is so much fun. We put coordinates in a GPS and then follow them to find a cache. For Allen's birthday we split up into 2 teams and took off through this park looking for 3 different caches. Our team found all 3 just about before the other team found their first one. It was real funny because my sister in law Sheridan and I were running all over this park with the kids and Bruce following behind. I guess I do have some competitiveness in me!

Grandma Turns 69!!!

2009-01-21T09:13:00.000-08:00

So we have kinda been teasing her about turning 69. Beth and I are bad children! She says that she doesn't know what 69 means. Well I think as we got nearer to her birthday, she learned. Anyway, Beth and I and some really close friends had a small surprise party for her on her birthday. One of the grand kids gave a little bit of the surprise away, but she was really surprised all in all. It was a very nice party. She deserves it.

I am amazed every day!!

2009-01-08T13:22:00.000-08:00

Harley's kind heart amazes me every day!! We have a friend whose son died 7 months ago and Harley and I went to replace the flowers that were there(I let Harley pick new ones and they were crazy) and put up some lights around them that he had bought. She knew Clint and she is just so sweet and thoughtful even though she is just 5. She sat there real somberly and cried a little and acted a little silly too. After we left she asked all about the whole death thing. It is hard to explain exactly what happens to a child her age but I hope I did a good enough job. She is an awesome child and it was a meaningful experience.

Money, 40, Friends

2009-01-08T12:26:00.000-08:00

Beth hit a Royal Flush and won a$1000.
Grace let loose...or just acted herself!

It was so much fun I smiled the whole time.

I have the most awesome sister in the world. As kids we fought like we hated each other, but as we got older we can't live without each other. I always say we are like twins and know when something is going on with the other before we are told. Well, at least a year ago she decided that she was going to take me to Vegas for my 40th birthday. All I can say is that I could not have asked for a better trip or time. Beth, I and 3 really close friends headed out for the weekend. We had so much fun and I am so blessed. I was treated to everything by all of them. We had the best time. Thanks BC for all that you do!!!

2009-01-08T12:18:00.000-08:00

Carissa and Beth
Dionne and Grace

Grace treated us to a comedy club night. It was the first time I had ever been to a comedy club. I got to do the neatest things. I am so thankful!

No way I'm forty right?????

The end of our trip as we were leaving the hotel. It was so much fun. I couldn't have asked for anything more. I am so thankful. Words don't even describe my feelings!!!

This could have been bad but it is real funny!!

2009-01-08T12:10:00.000-08:00

We were at a friend's ranch and they have so many fun things to do...golf carts, 4 wheelers, hunting and just hanging out. Well the kids love to take the golf cart all around the property. Right before we were going to leave to go home, Hailey decides she is going to go out one more time. Well a short while later she comes back walking and comes right to me and says "Mom I flipped the golf cart". After finding out that she was ok, I started freaking out because I couldn't believe she did it and worried that she totally wrecked it!!!! Well long story short she supposedly went out of control, ran up the side of a fence and flipped it. We got it back on all fours before really anyone knew and all is good. I just couldn't believe it and love this picture! That day we teased her a lot and she cried every time because she was embarrassed! Poor Hailey

Here fishy fishy!!!

2009-01-08T11:57:00.000-08:00

Fishing guide Bruce!!!
Brock was fishing in our back yard and caught this puffer fish! He went to pick it up to take it off the hook and it started puffing up! I still laugh thinking about him running in the house saying "come look at this fish I caught!!!" He knew there was something about it that was different and he shouldn't touch it. They are poisonous but I think you have to be poked by one of their spines instead of just touching it. He was very smart though!

One of the boys caught this ugly fish a month or so ago. I still don't know if we have figured out what it is.

Bruce took Brock and Cody floundering one night. This was the first time either of them has actually gigged a flounder. They were so excited when they got home at 1:00 in the morning! They got me up to go and look at everything!

Bruce, Brock and our good friend Mark from San Antonio went fishing a couple weeks ago. Don't you just love pictures like this. Look at Brock's humongous red fish that he had to tag to keep and look at Mark's awesome little trout. Too funny!

At the Lake for New Years!

2009-01-08T11:46:00.000-08:00

We just have so much fun. It was really a quiet New Years. We popped fire crackers, hung out and just had fun!
Rode little motor cycles........

rode big 4 wheelers with cousins........

and if you can believe it even got in the lake for a swim! (not a very long one it was cold but they just can't stand not to get in)

Samuel's swings

2008-12-22T14:11:00.000-08:00

Nine years ago December 13th my sister and brother - in - law had a baby boy named Samuel. He died in the womb due to a cord death. He was perfect. The whole thing is like nothing I have ever experienced, but I am so thankful for all of it. Their strength has shown so much to me. Shannon and Jerry are awesome. It is so hard to have a child die, but they are the best parents to the three other children that they have and I know Samuel is so happy that they are doing so well . I know that the whole experience touched people's lives in ways nobody knows. They got these swings in memory of him for their church. We had so much fun when we celebrated his 9th birthday and dedicated the swings to him. How awesome!!!

Samuels Swings

2008-12-22T14:06:00.000-08:00

All the cousins had a blast at Samuels swings dedication. We are so thankful to be part of this family!!

2008-12-10T04:10:00.000-08:00

More fun at Brewsters. Somehow I always manage to save these backwards. This is Hailey and her friend Brady.

Brook!!! We love her. She is so much fun. Brooke and Brady's dad is in the band.

Henley and her cousin Carley. Henley wasn't going to come, but then found out Carley was coming and decided she needed to be there too. The love to hang out when they can. We should do more with them.

2008-12-10T04:07:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday night we went to see Five Card Draw at Brewster Street down town. They are friends and we had a blast.

Hailey and her friend Katie

Henley

Bruce and his cousin Darren. We were so glad they came out and we had a blast with he and his family!!!

Getting in the Christmas spirit!

2008-12-10T04:05:00.000-08:00

Harley, Henley, Megan and Marin all walked in the Children's Christmas Parade last Saturday. Grandpa took them down there and walked with them. We all had other things to do, but they had a blast with grandpa!

My friend Kim had a Christmas brunch Saturday morning. It was a lot of great food and fun.

Sweet kiddos!!

2008-11-28T12:13:00.000-08:00

It is so hard to get a good picture with all these kiddos. They are the best!

The End Product YUMMY!

2008-11-26T09:16:00.001-08:00

Apple Pie!!

2008-11-26T09:16:00.000-08:00

I'm thankful for help making yummy apple pies!!! The kids had a blast. I think they ate half of the apples dipped in the sugar, brown sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon.

Can you say DOGFOOD!!!!

2008-11-17T14:57:00.000-08:00

So tonight I tell Harley, Henley and Megan (my niece) that they have to feed the dogs all together. Well....I carried the dogfood in and for some reason Henley held it the wrong way!!! All over the kitchen floor it went. I told them all that I would pay them two dollars each if they would clean it up. The kitchen floor is all greasy! Gross!!!!

Just Fun!

2008-11-10T08:39:00.000-08:00

One of our friend's parents won some of these gorillas and the little girls wanted them so badly they went back and won some for Henley and Harley.

Wurstfest!

2008-11-10T08:23:00.000-08:00

Who is the TURKEY?

Bruce and I have taken the kids to this fest almost every year of their lives. It is just a fun get-together where we listen to music, eat German food and some drink a little beer. You will notice in the one picture of me just like any mom I am basically holding everything. Oh well what good would moms be if they couldn't get it all done!

Beautiful Canyon Lake

2008-11-10T08:17:00.000-08:00

We headed up to the hill country last weekend to relax and go to Wurstfest. We stayed at a friend's lake house. It was the most beautiful day. There are tons of deer that are like pets all around. The kids had fun feeding the deer. We went to a little flea marked on a corner near the house and found these beer glasses and thought they would be perfect for Wurstfest.

Wineries in Texas Hill Country! So much fun!

2008-11-06T20:36:00.000-08:00

These were a few that we went to. It was a fast but fun day!

The girls went a wine-ing!

2008-11-06T20:34:00.000-08:00

Tuesday this week I went with some friends on a quick day trip to the hill country to visit some wineries. We had a whirl wind trip but had a blast. We visited 6 places from Comfort, Stonewall, Fredericksburg and just missed one in Johnson City before we headed home. It was fun. First time I had done anything like this. It was a beautiful day too. One of the wines that we tasted doesn't even have a label yet. I love to take pictures. That is how I journal instead of writing. The pumpkins were at the doors to one of the tasting rooms. Too awesome to refuse a picture. I am a dork but love taking pictures.

Fun with family!

2008-10-08T14:08:00.000-07:00

We spent last Sunday afternoon in the pool with cousins. I tried to get a picture of all of the kids on the rope, I always give up and just accept the picture that I get.

I just like the coloring of these pictures. I'm weird!

2008-10-08T14:06:00.000-07:00

Cody-our 5th child...he thinks he is and we're glad!

Sweet Henley

Hailey!

2008-10-08T14:03:00.000-07:00

So we all have heard of walking on water....but what about sitting on water. We were at grandma and grandpa's condo and I couldn't take enough pictures of the kids. I love stopping them in action.

I'm back.....at least for today!

2008-10-08T13:52:00.000-07:00

I am a looser at trying to keep up with my blog. People keep telling that I need to update it so here goes. Hailey is in her last year of school before high school....oh my goodness!!! Brock is playing football for the first time and is doing quite well. Or at least I think he is-I don't know anything about football! Guess I can learn. Henley is playing soccer and loves school and reading.....can't believe I actually have a child that likes to read! Harley is home for her last year before she starts kinder. We try to do some kind of school at home each day. She is a fireball for sure!

Fish, Fish, and more Fish!!

2008-07-17T07:35:00.000-07:00

The kids had a blast throwing the cast net trying to catch small fish but catching big ones instead. It is amazing how happy it makes them to catch these fish.

Cousins

2008-07-17T07:32:00.000-07:00

I guess maybe they are not always this sweet to each other, but Harley and Beck are sharing a cookie. These kids love each other.

Harley and Gates

Brock and Wyatt

Sweet girls! Lolly and Henley

Just 4th of July Fun

2008-07-17T07:28:00.000-07:00

Hogan was oh so proud of this fish!

WILD aunt Shannon trying to throw the kids off the jet ski. She loves to drive this thing but when I get on it with her and want to drive she screams the whole time and tells me to slow down. She is the wild one!!

Jammin on the porch. They were probably singing "Yellow Submarine"

baby Benjamin enjoying an oatmeal cookie

My Sweet Girl is 13!!!!!!

2008-07-17T07:07:00.000-07:00

Hailey turns 13 today! (July 17th) It seems like yesterday (kinda) that she was born. Really she is the joy of my life and is just like me-that's why we butt heads some, but she is awesome. Happy Birthday Hailey!

Friends at the lake on the 4th.

2008-07-11T09:15:00.000-07:00

We had lots of friends join us at the lake during the weekend. Troy, Michelle and Preston came for the day from San Antonio.

Jalyn and Harley play in the pool.

Averly and her mom and dad came for a couple of days. We love all of our friends!

Brock in Allstars!

2008-07-11T09:04:00.000-07:00

Brock was chosen to play in All stars this year after the regular baseball season. There is a city tournament and then all of the best from that tournament in each league are put on one or two teams. He was chosen to play on this team mainly as a pitcher. He did so awesome. I never would have guessed that he would pitch. One of the first games he hit a home run too. It was so much fun and I am kinda sad that it is over. Harley doesn't really watch the game too much all she does is ask for a dolla so she can buy something from the concession stand. Drove me crazy!

Long Time Coming!

2008-07-09T09:18:00.000-07:00

So I have totally not been able to mess with my blog for way too long. My sis-in-laws keep asking me about it. Well here goes. I'm going to post some pictures from Colorado, All-Star baseball and 4th of July at the lake. Thanks to everyone who still checks to see if I was ever going to come back.

Paper Boat Races

2008-07-01T09:12:00.000-07:00

We hiked to Spreig Lake. (think that's how it was spelled) Before we left the cabin, the kids, Stephen and dad all made paper boats to have a race with. Well by the time we got to this area, the boats that had been in backpacks, were kinda smooshed. They fixed them and then set them to race down this water way. I can't remember who won, but basically, by the time they got to the finish they were all under water. It was fun.

The Freezing Cold Creek

2008-07-01T09:06:00.001-07:00

Everyone wanted to cross this creek on these logs. The kids also had a blast just playing around on them. I just knew that someone would fall in and get cold and complain the whole way back but I was wrong. Everyone stayed dry.

My sweet kiddos!

and my sweet nieces!

Hiking!

2008-07-01T08:59:00.000-07:00

The family hike!

Harley's quite big walking stick. Every stick that was found that was like a walking stick was picked up.

Henley and Marin with their sticks. Marin's had a wart on it. I was teasing her.

BC and Stephen

Estes Park-----so much fun!

2008-07-01T08:57:00.000-07:00

Brock was really high up in this pine tree and someone ran in the cabin to tell me to take a picture. The picture doesn't give it justice.

This was the mountain that we drove up in the YMCA camp and hiked from here and back. I think that the flowers are wild snapdragons.

Dionne's going away party!

2008-06-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

One of my best friends Dionne has left! We are all so sad that she is leaving but know she is going to have a blast in Houston. We love you Dionne!

Dionne and Jackie

Dionne and Henny, and below Kristen. We went to the Office lounge out on the island and had lots of fun.

BEACH TO BAY 2008

2008-05-18T16:12:00.000-07:00

My cousin James and his wife Claudia

Stephen and Sheldon (and Eric)

Grace is the funniest! She made all of these posters and taped them to her truck. We thought up this funny one because we had an architects team.

Sisters!!!

Beecee and Henny

BEACH TO BAY 2008

2008-05-18T16:11:00.000-07:00

Henny and Eric

My cousin James, his wife Claudia and Kelly a friend

GIRLS RULE!!

(from left)Beth, Claudia, Kelly, me, Henny, Grace and Heather

Boys think they are cool(but they're really not!!)

James, Eric, Stephen and Sheldon

We absolutely had a blast in Beach to Bay this year. It is the biggest relay marathon of all ( I think). It is always held this weekend in May. There were over 1300 teams. There are 6 runners per team. We had a lot of fun. My goal was to just run my whole leg without stopping. I ran the first leg which is all on the beach, and I did it!!!!! Didn't stop. Yeah!!! That's all I cared about. I am a jogger not a runner. It was fun. We had a couple of fun teams. Most are old friends and some are relatives. Most of them have run on some of the same teams for years. Hope everyone else had a good weekend too!

Mom and dad (and Todd and Charles and the MOON newspaper) at the Kentucky derby

2008-05-09T15:10:00.000-07:00

Mom and dad went to the Kentucky derby last week. Some of our friends from the island helped get them all of the great tickets and gave them awesome info on the derby. Todd lived in Kentucky and has gone to the derby for years. They had our local island paper the "Moon" FedExed to them there and took a picture with all of them to take to the "Moon" to have it published. It was a once-in-lifetime experience for mom and dad. They had a blast!

2008-04-22T07:59:00.000-07:00

So if you know anything about South Texas beaches, you know this is what we find a lot of in the Spring. Seaweed and man-o-war! Henley couldn't resist popping this one and got some of the poison on her, but not too bad. I think it is kind of pretty though.

FO, FO, FO, FO!

2008-04-14T10:32:00.000-07:00

So if you know Harley, you know that she can't say her R's very well. Well this is so funny. Watch the whole thing(it's not long) and you can get a good laugh. We were at Grace and Jason's ranch, and Averly, one of our friend's daughters, got Hailey or Brock's phone and pushed some buttons. I guess that is a good set up for this video. We had a blast Grace and Jason!!!

Brock and bubblegum! GREEN bubblegum

2008-04-14T09:04:00.000-07:00

The kids find ways to have fun no matter if they are stuck in the car or wherever. They love to take videos of each other. It's neat to see what the kids see through their videos.

Typical of my kids!

2008-04-14T08:39:00.000-07:00

The kids love to take pictures and videos. This is Henley's camera and after her game on Saturday the kids were acting themselves.

We're moving!!

2008-04-07T15:22:00.000-07:00

These are most of the girls that I work with. I am a very part time hygienist in this office, but all of the people that I work with are awesome. This week we are moving to an awesome office that is state of the art in all ways. I went in today to help out, and thought that I would take a couple of pictures. I think the move has just about killed the Dr's, but I believe they and all of us will survive. Hats off to Dr. Robertson!!! Both of the Dr's that I work for are awesome-Dr. Robertson and Dr. Orchard. Hopefully on Wed. we will have a great first day in our new office!!

PRESTON!!

2008-04-07T15:19:00.000-07:00

This is Preston, one our best friend's son. Isn't he a cutie. Troy and Michelle came out to Bruce's game (actually to pick up a trailer, but I was so glad so that I got to see them and Preston). He is getting so big. Thank God for good friends!!!
Troy is crank calling Hailey and she is believing him. It was real funny (you had to be there, but it was really funny.) He got Hailey and her friend.

South San Antonio park

2008-04-07T15:15:00.000-07:00

After a nice and relaxing weekend in San Antonio, I met the kids at a park that was next to the baseball field that Bruce was playing on. The whole time the kids climb on one thing or another and say"take my picture now mom". I finally had to say-I have lots of pictures just like that one. Then the kids take the camera from me and start taking their own. Sometimes the pictures they take are better than mine. I've taught them well!!(he he!)

2008-04-07T15:02:00.000-07:00

I headed out last Thurs. for some CE courses in San Antonio and some fun with friends. I went to a CE course on Meth Mouth-very interesting-it's not the actual meth in your mouth that causes meth mouth, but rather what it does to the rest of your body that makes your teeth rot an makes a person look soooo bad when they are hooked on meth. I had a couple of fun evenings with friends at LaHacienda restaurant, which I would recommend to everyone if you are ever in San Antonio-we sat on the patio and it was beautiful. Just a fun and restful weekend. The top pictures are of my best friend from dental hygiene school and me. Rickie met me there for the courses we spent a couple days together. The next is one of my closest friends that lives in San Antonio, Amy and her boyfriend, Scott. We had a lot of fun. Thanks Rickie, Amy and Scott for the great weekend!!

Brock's science fair project

2008-04-02T09:29:00.000-07:00

Brock was required to do a science fair project for his third grade science class. It is worth 2 grades and the best ones will be entered in the science fair. I always want to pick something that not everyone else is doing. In talking to my sis-in-law Shannon, she had just taught a home school class on owl pellets. While at the lake last weekend we found an owl nest and found a pellet in it. Shannon had some that she had ordered left from when she did her class. He dissected 3 pellets and his objective was to see how many different kinds of animal skeletons he would find. Well all three had been eating rodents. The were of all different sized though. And we matched the bones with the chart we had. It was actually really interesting and fun. Thanks Shannon for the idea! I will follow with some of the owl and her babies sometime.

God's beautiful creations!

2008-03-30T06:40:00.000-07:00

It amazes me how my kiddos are so fascinated with frogs and toads!

The moon was so beautiful this night. Just by chance I got a decent picture of it.

The kids found this crab on the new jetty's that we have by our house. When I took the picture I couldn't see it. I just pointed the lens down this crack where the kids said it was and got a good shot of it.

Recently, there were hundreds of beautiful butterflies at my sisters house.

2008-03-30T06:39:00.000-07:00

I can't believe the way all of the feathers on this pelican are just perfect. I enlarged this and framed and you can really see detail that way.

Little baby toad!

God's beautiful creations!

2008-03-30T06:38:00.000-07:00

Most of the pictures I take are of my family, friends and dogs. I thought this was a perfect day to share some of my fav picts that I have taken of nature. Might bore some people, but I love capturing awesome moments of nature. Have a great Sunday!!!

Can you believe how many Purple Martins are on this martin house.

Ranch animals

2008-03-29T14:32:00.000-07:00

Some of the animals that we saw that day on the ranch. I can't remember exactly what they are. I'll have to find out. The birds below were just a few of the awesome birds that I saw. I wanted to take more animal pictures, but it got dark before I could. Next time.

More at the Ranch

2008-03-29T14:28:00.000-07:00

Jalyn loves the ranch. She is the cutest thing ever. Her hairdo is the best!!!!

Can you tell that Bleu had company that wore him out. Sam and Buddy had a blast with Bleu and Bailey!

Sebastian gave Brock some insight on the Hahn ranch. They were standing at the top of this (Nazi - per Sebastian) watch tower that he helped weld to make it safer when they bought the ranch.

At the Hahn ranch

2008-03-29T14:25:00.000-07:00

We had so much fun at the Hahn ranch a couple of weekends ago. We rode all over the ranch in their golf cart and Brock's 4-wheeler. It was actually a really hot day. When we weren't in the golf cart, we sat on the porch where it was cool, and had fun times. After one of our golf cart rides, the dogs wer so hot, they ran and played in this little tank. Sam would lay down in it because it was soo hot.

Hailey in trouble-taking it out on Harley!!!

2008-03-29T14:21:00.000-07:00

HAILEY was in trouble and sent to her room. She can't stand to be in there alone, sooooo she persuaded Harley to come with her. This was the result. Hailey took her troubles out on Harley. Harley enjoyed every bit of it not knowing she was being taken advantage of. It's hard to make out, but Hailey did her face and then wrote-I am a dork-on her face. The poor fourth child.

Easter at the lake!

2008-03-28T10:39:00.000-07:00

Henley and Harley hunt around the cabins for eggs.

All of the the cousins kids plus some frineds hit the pinata. Aunt Shannon set them up for this so you know it was so much fun.

I just think this is the best picture of Harley with the sun hitting her from behind and her yellow sundress. Before this picture she was probably a mess, but she had showered. Her nickname is PIGPEN!!

Everybody loves an Irish girl especially when they have red hair!!!

2008-03-19T18:06:00.000-07:00

All the Kids Watching the Rain

2008-03-19T17:58:00.001-07:00

2008-03-19T17:55:00.000-07:00

Irish girls watching the rain!