Harkins-Houston-Humidity

We went to Camp 3-H for the weekend!! A childhood friend of mine lives there with her husband and two boys. We've not had a chance to catch up in years... years!!! Jennifer and I were cheerleaders together in high school but really our tight bond goes back to middle school. We cherished each other so much.

So, I have a wow-factor to this post! Ready? I drove two boys, under age five, to Houston all by my big-girl self. Don't forget, I can count on one hand how many times I've gone to the store with both boys. We even made a pit stop... got our shoes back on, grabbed diaper bag, pulled iPad out of the car charger, got inside, changed a diaper, let Ryan potty, let mommy potty and got back in the car and headed on. Big deal.

So, Jenn lives in a neat area near downtown Houston. Check out the sprinkler park that is just two blocks from her house. Oh, and on the way is a fire station. Every boys' dream. So, we packed some wine, sunscreen and cups and made our way to the only spot to relieve one from the heat!






Sorry lady for catching this shot of you. I needed this photo to show all the sprinklers.



My little busy-bee made himself at home. We stayed in their "backhouse". So neat. Ryan and I slept together (for the first time ever). And, Samuel in the closet! It was perfect and the bed was amazing!!!! Thanks Jenn!!



As soon as the boys (all of whom released their fire hoses in the bathtub) took their baths and were down, Jenn and I had a yummy Kashi pizza, salad and wine and a much needed, catching-up chit-chat late into the night.






These two were so cute together.



Jenn, thank you for such a nice, relaxing weekend. Fun times!!!! Hope to do it again!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Harkins-Houston-Humidity!!!

My Pinterest Crack-up!!

I cannot tell you how many times I've looked at this picture, or even just thought about this picture, and just have busted out laughing! This is one that makes me cry-laugh. My friends know what I'm talking about. When something triggers a laugh from deep in my belly, I start crying. So, if nothing comes of all my Pinterests ideas, i've gotten some good, to the bone, laughter. I'm sorry if this isn't funny at all. Millie, I have you in mind when I look at this, and the cake decorating class you took. Rod said it reminds him of me as well.


Nailed it! Hahaha. I can't take it! (rod, I know you're in disbelief that I created an entire post on this picture). He politely laughed with me as I was lying in bed doing my cry-laugh just thinking about the mom that had big ambitions for these cupcakes.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Blog Worthy... For this Family

It's not often. Not often at all that you see both my boys still, watching a movie. Despicable Me captivated Samuel. Nice work DM.





As a busy activity at school, Ryan cuts out things he likes.



And, just a cute pic of my cute little man.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Someone likes the Camera!

Besides me.












- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Phone Camera Clean out!!

Just testing my blogpress app on my iPhone! I feel like the gates have opened and I can run free from the restrictions from Blogger. Wish me luck!!

Rod sent me this picture during a meeting. Looks like he stuffed an Okie burrito and a macho tostado into his face.




These boys look like they are up to no good. Wonder whose buried under there.




Doritos were a fan fav with adults and kids alike.




Lately, ryan's been wearing his hat everywhere. Lease note his backpack too. The two together make him so cool!






It started off right.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My Little Ham-a-lam-a-ding-dong

I can't stop watching this...  love him.

Happy 4th of July

Happy Independence Day to you all!!! Love that America is celebrating. Sadly, without a fireworks show in Texas. The ole burn ban that I'm sick of hearing about.

We celebrating a day early at Mimi and Pop Pop's house for two of my favorite things. Swimming and grilling. Rod made fajitas that were a total crowd pleaser. Give it up for the husband and mastery skills on the pit!!!

Mimi and I had a photo session with the boys the next morning.




Mimi kept saying I was choking Samuel but for whatever reason, it wasn't registering...



















EVERY HEART BEATS TRUE FOR THE RED, WHITE, AND BLUE...

Brooke, help.  blog pics are blurry coming from blogpress.

Location:Tootles

Five on Friday!!

1. I'm confessing to being a lazy blogger. Having a hard time getting pics on my iPad into Blogger.com. Any tips? Would love to be able to work from one device when blogging. I'll revert back to the old school Dell but loving my little Paddy.

2. I've been cutting back on Facebooking and in doing so, I've not been able to share my random thoughts that pop in my head (because I know the world cares about them... And yes I know the world). These thoughts usually rush in my noggin on the drive into work. Examples:
"I cannot possibly understand how the act of declining Mama Margies tacos doesn't present itself as an automatic calorie deducter."
Or a confession such as "I vacuumed my car for the first time since Ryan was born.". (eeks, that was tough to admit).
Or, how about a justification like this, "being a worker-outer is just not in the cards for me during this phase of my life. Perhaps when I retire.".
Or, a kid update like "Ryan no longer wants me to hover over him when he goes #2. He told me to 'Go watch your show and let me finish.'"

3. Samuel was referred for speech therapy. We had an evaluation before the evaluation (pointless) and soon after that samuel's motor turned over, and we are lovin' to imitate everything mom says. I'm totally in love with the way he says "no, no, no". It's like a "neo, ne-o, ne-o". Accent on the "ne" part, please. Oh, and pucker up your lips when saying it. Hard for us, staple for him.

4. I don't know if I mentioned this before but I won an iPad while at a work event in Denver. Remember, rod just won one not three weeks earlier. So, we gave our second iPad to the Arnolds, who in turn booked two flights for Ryan and I to head out there. I'm so excited Ryan will have time with his cousins. The Solace kiddos will still be there so I'm beyond thrilled to be a part of such a beautiful, humbling and ..... Oof, So many words but can't fully describe it without clouding such an amazing _________ with a bunch of adjectives. so, let me just say, thank you Lord for giving me the opportunity to be a part of Solace again!

5. Kid updates: Ryan of course is still showing off his mad swimming skills, even to all the neighborhood swim team kids in their matching speedos. Oh jenny and stace... Our glory days. Kim, we killed the other neighborhoods with our medley relay!!!

Jenny got Ryan a Fedora hat from Seattle, and Ryan has worn it to school everyday.

I've got samuel's food preferences figured out. He does not "dig" bland foods (like Ryan and I). He wants the savory, poor on the sauce kind of food. You could throuh marinara sauce on a pancake and he would love it. He doesn't care for buttered noodles, French fries without ketchup, toast... Think savory. So what works well for this packaged-food-meals-mom are the Chef Boyardee cups of rigatoni, lasagna, raviolis. Score!! And a packaged cup of manderaine oranges. (confession #2 in this post).




Samuel

5.

We have multiplied!  We got a little Kruger, Gibson, Thompson, and Rudd mixed in this group of munchkins.
While I may not see all of these mini-mes often, I love them all so very much! We 're missing some childhood friends and their kiddos! One day we'll all get together again!

Mom, Where are my Josh Davis Goggles????

Ryan has been taking swim lessons at the Josh Davis Swim Academy at the JCC.  Ryan literally went "floatie-free" after the second lesson!

Family Happenings!



Check out the art work!  Jenny made this for mom's Mother's day present!  Isn't it beautiful?! 

We had a low-key Father's Day this  year.  Rod wanted to grill and watch golf, so the kids and I went to Poppy's house for a bit.  Thank you to Ryan and Samuel's school for the Father's Day gifts.  If you look closely, you'll see a picture of Ryan on this bobble clip.  Really cute.  I was informed that a picture of Rod and Ryan was needed, the day I left for Colorado.  So, it's just Ryan in the photo... not a bother to Rod at all.  We came home from Poppy's day, and saw Rod on the couch, doing what he wanted to do, still wearing his crown.  It was really sweet.

Check out the kid swimming without his floaties!!!!  Go Ryan!  He started swim lessons at the JCC, and let me tell you!  This kid is rockin' in his class.  If y'all want your kids swimming, fast... send them to the JCC.  I'm tellin' ya!  Money WELL WORTH IT!  

Nice work buddy boy!  You're an official swimmer!

 

Here's my little stud muffin #2!  Samuel got a haircut, at the polite request of the daycare.  No, I didn't take it personally, or get offended.  It was VERY true.  The kid needed a haircut.  BADLY.  They said his hair is in his eyes.  I'm still waiting for them to give me the "go ahead" and get his nails clipped.  Can't seem to ever remember to do that mommy task.

We celebrated Nama's birthday at Bigz, and then headed to their house to eat cupcakes and open presents.  This is a picture of the kids' table. 

Just another piece of evidence of the giving nature of this woman.  She wouldn't dare celebrate her own day, on her own.  Love you Mom, Nama, Giver, Believer, God-lovin', God-feain' woman, that I get to have as my mom!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!



Seven on Sunday

1. First a few administrative things to take care of: Nama's diva birthday month has started and I am loving that she is finally having time for herself. Resting, refocusing, and pampering her adorable self. Secondly, my neicey-poo just graduated from her preschool program. So, if you see her in the halls, tell her congratulations. Jenny arrived home safe and sound from Haiti. Now she's in Seattle, falling in love with Rod and I's favorite city. Now, Seven on Sunday.

2. I'm a proud owner of an iPad!!! Fun surprise from the husband! I head to Denver this week, and Chicago in August (for work) and can't get over how this device makes the idea of traveling sound like so much fun!!! Send me your app suggestions!!! So far, I'm loving my Paprika, Words, photo editor and best of all... The Beth Moore study, I'm doing right now, has an iPad application!!!! I can fill out my workbook, watch her videos and click on a Bible verse all at the same time.

3. Speaking of Bible study... I have the most amazing women that I'm Breaking Free with. No, truly. They are the sweetest women. I found the most trusting, caring and open hearts in these gals. Thank you!!! Example: study is from 7pm to 9pm. We don't finish until about 11:30pm.... Or until at least two or more husbands have texted asking when we'll be home, and/or "do you know what time it is?"

4. Peekinourworld.com made me think to post this... Ryan is getting more and more tiny, faint freckles on his face. They are adorable!!!! He just gets more and more like me!!

5. Samuel was referred for Speech therapy. We had our first meeting to get all the insurance info and other details ironed out before the actual evaluation. Since that needless meeting, he's started spitting out all sorts of words. We can now add to this baby book: cheese, milk, thank you, all done, yayan (Ryan), Lola, doddy (doggy). another note on Samuel, he officially has asthma. I asked If we were just talking about seasonal, allergy type asthma. Nope. Rod passed down his childhood asthma (assuming and hoping it's just childhood) to the little toot. We're back on the two inhalers for a few days and then will maintain him on one, daily.

6. One of our favorite things to do in the car is run through everyone's names as we sing, "there's a Nama in my tummy. So yummy. So yummy." "there's a Lola in my tummy. So yummy. So yummy." Which turns into the boyish "there's a poo poo in my tummy..." (which isn't actually totally wrong.

7. Ryan has A Fish out of Water memorized. It was one of my favorite books as a kid. We've also been reading children books on my nifty iPad at night. Ryan's FAVORITE. Mine too.

Have a restful Sunday. We may hit the pool to work on our freckles.

Memorial Day 2011

We had a busy, yet oddly enough, relaxing weekend.  Saturday, we hung around the house and swam at the neighborhood pool.  Rod grilled fish, made salmon sushi (AH-amazing... from Groomer's), and seared tuna.  DELICIOUS! 

Sunday, we had a birthday party to go to out by Mimi and PopPop's house!  So, we mozied our way on over for more swimming, grilling and relaxing.  I don't know what it is, but those four year old birthday parties are a whip!  I didn't even do anything but graze on the food, and made sure Samuel didn't dump any more plates of food on the floor. 

Definition of "spoiled"????  See below.  As the sun sets, Ryan has his cabana man (PopPop) pitch an umbrella. 

Samuel loves sand.  After a few bites of sand (last weekend) he no longer eats it.  He thought long and hard and felt it appropriate to scoop up sand and drop it in the pool. 

I wish I knew more about what's going on in this picture.  It was just too funny to pass up.  And, I love this of Mimi and her sassy sunglasses!  Samuel may be a man of few words, but by golly the kid has MANY facial expressions. 

Monday, the kids swam, and we grilled!  AGAIN!  And, I could easily go for a fourth round.  Easy! 

Don't you just LOVE this pic of Nama and Samuel? 

I spy, with my little eyes, a little blue dragon in the picture. 

This was my greatest surprise!  SUTTON!!!  The Knockes brought over their grandbaby girl, Sutton!  She's soooo darn cute, and loved getting to see her. 

Great Memorial weekend.  I always feel odd celebrating on Memorial day.  Thank you to the many, many men and women that have lost their lives for our country and for our freedom to have many days of swimming and grilling.  And, to their families....  woof, don't really have words.  Prayers to you all and a TIGHT hug if I could give you all one. 

Beach Trip 2011

Three dads, three moms, three kids, and three toddlers headed down to Cinnamon Shores in Port Aransas, TX!  Melanie and I headed down with our kids, and as we pulled away, I shouted out to Rod, "Port A or bust!"  Just didn't have the same ring to it.  We were missing the shoe polish on Mel's car, announcing our destination and how cool we look heading down there.  The four carseats spoke for us.

Let me tell you what's great about traveling with these two mommies.  We all three had the same nap schedule and SAME early bedtimes.  So, each evening was warmly welcomed with a nice glass of wine, a yummy dinner (thank you Rod), and a nice breeze outside!

Ah, aren't we cute in our matching green?!  This is our family photo op as Rod was in the kitchen working on the shrimp boil, and Samuel, well... just don't really know why he's not with us. 

But, did catch a pic of the boys! 

I had the wrong setting on my camera, so the coloring is off.  But, aren't they just the cutest little toots around town?!

Kid pic attempt. 

And, of course you gotta have a pic with the shark!  Ryan had already headed deep in the belly of the beast.

The Sturm boys!  Hudson's face makes this picture worth the humid air pic. 

We had such a great time.  Now, all of us over the age of four, agreed that six kids are a lot of work on a beach trip!  But, we did it and truly had a great time.  I didn't take my camera down to the beach in fear I wouldn't take care of it. 

We would absolutely head back!  The house we rented had a shed full of beach supplies, a high chair, pac n play and a kids room full of beds and a flat screen t.v.  Ryan was in HEAVEN. 

Thank you Sturms and Rivenburgs for such a fun trip.