Snow!

So we got about 24 inches of snow this week. Every school district in the city was closed on Wednesday except for mine, but it had the good sense to close on Thursday. Unfortunately it snowed so much that we can barely play in it (up to the Ryan and Luke's waists), but that didn't stop the boys, especially Ryan. We had hoped to sled in the backyard, but the snow is too deep-maybe tomorrow.




Video of the boys and dogs playing in the snow.



The boys dressed up on the Halloween costumes tonight to go the Children's Museum. They were super cute and I'll add those pictures plus what I take tomorrow later in the weekend.

Back from Vegas, Baby!

Greg and I had a good time in Las Vegas this past weekend but it is also good to be home. Vegas is a neat place, but I think I've had my fill of it for next several years. For someone who doesn't gamble and is sensitive to loud noises (think slot machines) and crowds of people, it is a little overwhelming. The best part of our trip by far was the U2 concert on Friday. It was great and was well worth the trip. It was my first concert (yes, my first) and I don't think anything/anybody will be able to ever top U2 (Neil Diamond might be close, but that is it). Fortunately the weather was great and I was able to lay out by the pool and read my book on Friday and Saturday. Greg enjoyed hanging out at the sports book on Sunday and placing a few bets on some games. We even went to a sports book on Saturday to watch TCU play, but we got there too late for me to place a bet on TCU (darn it).

At the U2 concert and picture of the crazy huge stage below.

A rare picture of me at the garden in the Bellagio- I have to include it because they are so few and far between (since I'm always the one with the camera).

The boys spent with the weekend with Nana and Grandad and had a great time playing with them and helping Grandad build a huge train track in their playroom. They got to go to Home Depot, Target and the toy store twice (so Grandad could continue to build onto the train). Ryan helped Nana make cookies and Luke "cooked" in his own little kitchen with her. Grandad even taught Ryan to tell me on the phone, "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" which sounded super cute in his sweet high pitched voice. Below is the train set that Grandad built. It is still standing, but will probably not last too much longer. I'll build a new one on their train table and attempt to maintain it for them and Grandad.


We're bracing for a snowstorm tonight (which probably means nothing will happen), but it is supposed to be nice by Halloween. I can't wait to get the boys dressed up in their costumes - pictures of them trick-or-treating will come this weekend.

Fall Weekend

This past weekend was gorgeous, unlike the previous weekend, so we had a good time playing outside. I took the boys on Saturday to a nearby nursery and took their picture in the pumpkin patch. We also were able to go on a short hayride, which the boys thought was pretty neat. Later that afternoon we went to our neighborhood fall carnival and we all got to help make hand press apple cider and pick out more pumpkins. The Broncos played on Monday this week, so Greg tore himself away from his weekly Sunday couch/TV vigil and we all went to the Children's Museum on Sunday. Overall, a good weekend. Greg and I leave for Las Vegas on Thursday and Nana and Grandad are coming to tomorrow night to stay with the boys for the weekend.


Ryan at the Children's Museum giving us a puppet show.

Luke helping to wash my car. He picked up his sponge, looked at me and said, "Mama, take my picture" and then proceeded to stick his tongue out of the side of his mouth.

Helping to wash the car on Sunday.

At the neighborhood fall carnival - they weren't really impressed with the tepee.

Helping to make cider - which was by far the best apple cider I've ever had.


Lastly, another picture of the boys in the pumpkin patch. I hadn't realized that they were sitting with the sun in their eyes, so it didn't turn out too well.

Another Week is Gone

We've been busy this week doing our normal stuff. The boys seem to still really enjoy school and I am glad that they are now able to go 5 days a week - they seem to really be benefiting from it. Last Saturday, Greg and went to the TCU v. Air Force game. It was 19 degrees at kick off and we froze, but we were true fans and stayed the whole game. The boys got to spend the evening with Aunt Jenny and Baby Thomas and they had a good time with them. Thank you Jenny for coming over. Not a whole lot else has been going on. The weather is gorgeous this weekend (unlike last weekend), so I hope I can get the boys outside - we have a neighborhood fall carnival tomorrow and maybe I can even convince Greg to go on another bike ride.


Ryan loves to wear his Woody jamies with his new cowboy hat.

Normal bedtime routine - running around in circles while I try to get them dressed.

The boys talking to Jacob and Olivia tonight on the computer. It was mainly the 3 boys trying to talk over each other.

New sweaters/jackets. Nana and Grandad got these last year and they were too big then, but they now can wear these instead of their normal little hoodies - these are super cute. Also, the top picture is of the boys in their shirts from Nana and Grandad - I love taking pictures of them in new clothes.

Lastly, here is me and Greg freezing our bottoms off at the game last Saturday. It was one of the only pictures where the picture isn't clouded over with our breath.

Have a good weekend!

The Plane Ride

The boys had a great time on their first airplane (or as they say, erplane). Luke sat with me on the way to Texas and Ryan sat with me on the way back. The flight was smooth and short and uneventful - which is the perfect way to fly.

Going through security.

They really liked checking out what was on the TV.

Their first plane.

Luke on the plane. Notice that Ernie and Baby Tiger are safely buckled in with him.

Ryan got to go into the cockpit on our way off the plane and say hi to the pilot.

Grandad picking us up from the airport.

Ryan crashed 10 minutes after taking off on the way home He slept the whole way including through the bumpy landing. He was upset when he woke up and realized he had missed the juice.

Before we left on Monday we had lunch at the Big Texan in Amarillo (Greg's request). Part of the appeal of the place is that the boys get free cowboy hats, which took a little while for them to warm up to - but once they did, they wore them around the airport.


Lastly, a picture of my grandmother (G-Nanny) with me and the boys. She recently had a pace maker put in, but she is looking great.

Happy Birthday Jacob!

We had a wonderful weekend in Lubbock for Jacob's 5th birthday. We took the boys on their first plane ride, but I'll post pictures of that in a few days. I forgot to put the battery back in my camera, so I had to take pictures with my cell phone. These pictures are from my mom's camera. Jake's birthday party was at Jumpin Jungle (like the Bounce House) and all of the kids had a blast bouncing all over the place and then Conny and the kids came over for dinner Sunday night. It is great to see how they are all 4 so excited to see one another and they have the best time running around and playing games.

Jacob loves any Eric Carle book, so I made his cake from the book The Very Hungry Caterpillar.



We got to Lubbock Saturday night and I made the cake that night and finished it up Sunday morning before the party. The boys had a good time watching me and sticking their fingers into the empty icing bowl when I they thought I wasn't looking.

The birthday boy.

Jacob and Olivia

I also made the cookies as party favors. If you've read the book you know that the premise is that they caterpillar eats his way through many foods and then becomes a butterfly at the end. I made fruit shaped cookies with a caterpillar hole in it to go along with the cake.


I have too many plane pictures to post now, so I'll add those later this week.