MORE PRE-CHRISTMAS FUN...

I have not updated my pictures from Christmas yet, but as soon as I do I will make my Christmas post. For now, I am posting some more pre-Christmas fun.

Last Monday we went and met my friend Sarah, her husband Matt, and their sun Brody who were in town from California. My friend Janet and her husband Anthony and daughter Maddie were there as well. It was such a fun time catching up and laughing. We haven't seen Sarah and Matt in over a year. It was fun to just hang out and let the kids play. Here is a picture of the three kids sitting on the bench outside. This is my pic, but I am sure someone got a better one. It is so fun seeing these kids grow up.



On Tuesday we had part of my family over for dinner. It was fun. After dinner the kids all made a rice crispy house. It was so much fun to watch them decorate. Maggie just kept eating the candy. She had so much fun.





The rest of the week we just spent wrapping presents and getting ready for our trip out of town. I can't wait to share all about our Christmas with you. Until then....

SILLY ORNAMENT..

You see this silly ornament that now hangs on my tree? I received it as part of a gift I received from a coworker. I had all intentions of "regifting" it, but today it hit me. This silly ornament now has a real purpose.

Today would have marked the 38th birthday for my brother Allen. Many of you remember that almost 5 years ago he was tragically killed in a dirt bike accident. Growing up we have always celebrated Christmas traditionally, but we always got together to celebrate my brother as well. My step mom has always done a good job of celebrating your birthday on your birthday. She did just that with Allen. In the middle of all the hustle and bustle and last minute shopping we always stopped as a family and got together to celebrate Allen.

Today, I am stopping to celebrate Allen. Allen was a huge out doors kind of person. We always played in the creek, rode our bikes, went to the lake, and he loved to fish. I am hanging this crazy fish on my tree as a celebration to him! Allen the fish will forever have a place in my heart.



Happy 38th birthday Allen. We will always love and miss you! Your memory will always be remembered.

CAN YOU FORGIVE ME?

Okay, can you forgive me for my lack of posting? This year has been the craziest year of my life. I am working so hard, that I just have not had the time to post things. It makes me pretty sad, because I'm not documenting the parts of Maggie's life. She has grown so much and just does the funniest things. Maggie and I have had the opportunity to spend the past few days together and it has been so much fun. We have had a busy time since her 2nd birthday. Now, we are at Christmas and the year is almost over. Before I know it she will be 3. Here are some picture post to keep you updated! Have a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! I promise I will do better in 2011!

Maggie with her cousins at Thanksgiving.


Maggie and her crazy daddy in their mask


Maggie and her cousin Maddy at her other cousins birthday party


Maggie's santa picture


Maggie at mommy's favortie place, Chuy's!!!


Our new Christmas tradition: lunch at Chuy's then the trains at Northpark! Lots of fun.


On Sunday we also had our annual friend gift exchange. We meet at the Saavedra's house and opend up gifts with Jonathan, Michael, and Will. We all went to Babe's for dinner. It was a fun time even with 4 kids. After dinner we hit up Frisco Fire Safety Town for the tour of lights. It was so much fun. The kids loved everything. The fire truck in the last picture was the biggest hit!








We have lots more fun ahead! Again, I wish everyone a very happy holiday!

CAN YOU BELIEVE...2YRS

Can you believe that this little girl is 2 years old? I can't! It seems like just yesterday we were heading to the hospital to meet Maggie. She has grown so much, and just does so much.

Here are her stats:

Height: 34 1/2inches - 68%
Head: 19 inches - 71%
Weight: 25.2 lbs. - 30%

She is a long and lean machine.

Maggie has grown so much this last year. Her vocabulary is amazing and growing everyday. She will point to things and say what they are. Just yesterday we were at the Dr.'s office and she pointed out a little girl wearing a backpack. I had no idea she even knew what a backpack was!

She loves to sing. Everyday we sing Yo Gabba Gabba songs in the car. She also sings any nursery rime around. Ms. Nan, said she will walk around the house and hum or sing songs all day long. We call her our little song bird.

Maggie is not the best eater. We struggle everyday to get good things in her. She loves ranch and ketchup! Who did she get that from?? She also hates to change out of her PJ's. Daily, we fight over putting on clothes. Daddy is really good at that battle.

We just have so much fun. Maggie really makes our life so complete! We look forward to spending so much time with her and watching her grow!

Happy Birthday to my little baby!

We love you so much!!!

I'M ALIVE

Sorry it has been so long. I have started back to work, and it has been the craziest start in 11 years. I guess it is one little bump in my road! Before I headed back to work we ended the summer with a bang. We took our family vacation to the beach. We were headed to Gulf Shores, but due to bad oil, we changed our plans and made it to a Texas beach. It was beautiful. We had the best time and enjoyed every minute of it. Here are some pictures from our journey. I was really sad to leave, as always. We have some great memories of our trip. You will have to check out smugmug to get the full gallery! For now, here are some pics.

Maggie and her cousins. Robby, Maddy, Aly and Kennedi. Maggie was not happy with me stepping out of the pic. Hopefully, we will be done with that phase soon.

Maggie dancing to the Glee music. She is a big fan!

Maggie really loved the beach. She didn't understand that she couldn't get down in the water. She really wanted down, but we just had to hold her.

This is our house! It was beautiful. We stayed on Crystal Beach. Things have really changed from Hurricane IKE.

Our family photo opp! This was the end to a wonderful trip.

WEEK NINE - A FIRST FOR EVERYTHING

As many of you know Maggie went to my sister Amy's house for the 1st part of her life. Well, my sister Amy's last kid is starting kindergarten next week. She has decided to not take Maggie on any more. Yes, I am very sad. I also feel very blessed with the fact that Maggie got the opportunity to spend all this time with Amy. Maggie also got the opportunity to spend time with my other sister Lori as well. So, both of them have given her such wonderful care and love. With this first chapter ending, we have a new chapter beginning.

Maggie will be going to a lady's house down the street from my school. Her name is Gretchen. Gretchen (Nan,) is wonderful. Maggie is in such good hands. She is a former pre-school teacher for over 25 years. She has kept kids in her home for over 20. She has taught at private pre-schools as well. So, I feel that we are very blessed.

As part of this week she got a chance to try Nan out. It was hard on her, but she had so much fun and brought home her first picture for us to hang on the fridge. I love it.

On Monday we spent the day running errands and then meeting up with two of my friends from high school. Teresa, Adam and I have been friends forever. Teresa and I have been friends since Junior High. It was lots of fun hanging out with them.

On Tuesday we had to go meet up with Jenny and Will. They had been out of town, so we missed them. We had lunch at McDonald's and then played. It was a fun day.

On Wednesday we had our first day at Nans. Maggie cried the majority of the day, but did have fun and do some things.

On the way to Nan's house. This was before I left her!


She went back on Thursday and still cried, but had a really good day. Both days were her first time to nap on nap mats. We didn't think she would do go, but she did!

On Friday, we had a play date with some of my Shawnee Trail friends. It was so much fun with all the kids and babies. Hopefully, we can do it again!

Picture from our play date.



Sorry these post are so behind. We went on Vacation for week 10. I hope to have that post up soon!

WEEK EIGHT - COUSIN TIME

This was such a fun week for us. We got in a lot of family time, and it was fun! Monday we headed out to Celebration park for a play date with Will and Jenny. The kids had such a great time. It's a splash park and playground that the kids can run wild on. They did so good. After we headed to McDonald's for a happy meal lunch. Maggie set on a cube for the first time and did great! After naps, Jenny and Will came back over for coloring adventures! They always do so well together.

Maggie loving the splash park.

Maggie with her friend Will. They have grown so close to each other.

Coloring time!


Tuesday was a down day for us. Maggie and I organized her closet. We are very lucky to get so many hand-me-downs. This girl has a dress for everyday now! We hit the jack-pot.

On Wednesday we had our cousin Kennedi over. We call her Kiki! Kiki and Maggie had a blast. Maggie cried all day after they left. I think this was the hardest day for me this summer. I couldn't entertain her enough. I wonder who she gets that from?

Kiki and Maggie playing blocks and watching Dora.


On Thursday we ventured out to the mall to meet daddy for a Chick-fil-la lunch. We then met up with Amy (my sister,) her two girls Aly and Maddy, and my other sister Lori, and her daughter Kiki. Eddie Coker was playing, so I pushed back nap time and we had lots of fun dancing. We brought Maddy back with us and had a sleep over for the night. She is going into Kindergarten this year and she was such a big help! I just loved having her here. We ate pizza, played outside, watched 100 episodes of ICarly, ate cinnamon rolls, and went to library time. Maggie loved having her here. It was the best visit.

Maddy and Maggie playing at the water table.


After bath time.


Friday was our last day of library time. It has been a great experience all summer. We hit up the Plano library this summer and I think it was a good choice! We had lots of fun with all our friends. We will miss them all! I am sure we will all get together again.

Here are Madison and Kinsley taking a picture after library time. Maggie was wanting nothing to do with it.



We have had such a great summer. I am sure that this summer will sure go down in the books as fun!

WEEK SEVEN - QUICK AND FAST

We started off the week by going swimming with our friends Jenny and Will and they came over and played that afternoon. Maggie has really learned how to navigate the pool. She has been so brave and I am so happy. I have to watch her very close, so she won't go in by herself.

On Tuesday we headed out shopping with my friend from work Nichole and her daughter Anderson. We hit up Kid to Kid and our favorite cheep Mexican restaurant, El Chico. Maggie didn't do the best job, but mommy sure enjoyed her time and loved lunch.

Wednesday we hit up the duck pond. I was so worried Maggie was going to take a dive into the water. She would get so close. I just knew I was going to have to go in after her, and it freaked me out. I couldn't sleep that next night worried so much about it. After the duck pond, we headed out to the mall for a chance to play at the play park. Maggie just wanted to play on the couches.









On Thursday and Friday I had to go on my team leader retreat, so Maggie spent some time with her cousins and aunts. She had lots of fun. I did as well.

On Friday Jack's parents came in town for the weekend. We had lots of fun with Nana and Gandy. We love when they come to visit!

Dining on Hibachi! Maggie had McDonald's and was not happy with the fire!


We did make it to the lake on Sunday. It was so much fun. Maggie had no problems wearing her life vest.

It's winding down for me. I am very sad. We are making the most of our time together.

WEEK SIX - HOW DID WE DO??

We made it to week six of our summer. I feel like I'm in school and should be producing a report card. If I was, I guess we would be getting an A-. I think that is because I am failing at getting picks of our week.

We did have a lot of fun. We started off the week every morning with swim lessons. Let me just tell you what a difference a weekend made. On Saturday, we headed out to our neighborhood pool with daddy. It went really well. She was sitting on the stairs and cried a bit, but something just changed and she was so happy. We got out of the pool to head home, and she walked back to the pool, and got in herself. Now, we did watch her to see what she would do, but we were right there to get her. Let's just say when we finally left she cried. It was classic. Who knew? I didn't.

Maggie crying when we left the pool. I never thought I would see this.


After the pool and naps, we headed out to Taste of Dallas with our friends the Abraham's. It was lots of fun. I even got to have a "mommy" drink. It was yummy. Maggie and Will were very hot, but I think they enjoyed it as well. Let me just tell you my favorite part was the "Cake Balls!" I wish I was cleaver enough to come up with that idea. It was so yummy!!!

Maggie and Will just hanging out. They did so good.


So, for week six we went to swim class on Monday and had no tears. It was awesome. We headed back to the pool with our friends the Saavedra's and the Abraham's. After that we went to lunch at the Saavedra's and back home for a nap. The Abraham's came over for Spaghetti dinner and play time outside.

Lunch time at the Saavedra's. Will, Maggie and Michael all eating "Cizza!! (Pizza!)


On Tuesday, we were back in swim class and then lunch out with the Saavedra's. Maggie decided to have an explosive diaper on me. It was not fun. I had to tell the people at Chick - fil - la that we had to use their sink in a crazy way. After that we went to my sister Amy's house to hang out and visit while Maggie napped. We then went over to the Abraham's for dinner. Jenny made a yummy pasta and shrimp dish. It was good!!

Maddy, Kiki, Aly and Maggie playing with pattern blocks. My baby is getting so big.



Wednesday was a slow day after swim class. We headed over to Amy's house to chat and play and then came home for nap time. I think I took a nap on Wednesday as well. That night we went to my favorite place Spring Creek BBQ for dinner.

Thursday was our last day of swim class. Guess what, we graduated!!! It was so fun. Maggie swam underwater, and just did a great job. I am a believer of all things happen on Maggie time!!! She is a crazy girl that loves to make her mommy wait!! We then headed out to go shopping and run errands with our friends. It was good times.

Maggie ready to leave for swim class. She got a new purse and was ready to hit the road.



On Friday we didn't have to wake up early. It was nice. We headed out to library time and then lunch with a special friend. Who knew that I would still be chatting it up with a former parent of mine? Kathy is a special person in my life, and I am so glad that we still talk and hang out. Her son was in my 1st 4th grade class, and I will never forget the day I meet her. He graduated this year and is headed off to the military. He will be in the Marine Core band. I am so proud of him. He graduated 89th in his class of 1200 something. Wow, that must be some amazing work that his teachers did! After lunch we came home to my sister-in-law Ashley and all my nieces and nephews. We had a crazy night with taking pictures with Kala. You will have to go to her blog to check out our sneak peak! She is one amazing person and with 100 degree heat at 7:00, she did amazing! I can't wait to see the rest.

http://sweetpeasneakpeeks.blogspot.com/


We had a fun weekend. On Saturday we got up and hung out, went swimming and I went to a birthday party for my nieces and nephews on my side. It was a great time. Overall, we had a great weekend with our family. We love when we get to see them!

The family picture with all the cousins. Drake, Maddy, Dirk, Aly, and Robby. Maggie was at home napping and Kiki just was to hot and decided to sit this one out.


Playing outside on Saturday with the water table.


Bath time with Kate, Caroline, and Maggie.


What will week seven have in store for us? I just have to say that we didn't have to set an alarm!!!

WEEK FIVE - TORTURE ME MORE, PLEASE

This week was a very crazy week for us. We ended our 4th of July holiday with Daddy having the day off on Monday, and Maggie starting her 1st week of "torture", I mean swim classes. Let's just say, I don't know who had it bad, me or her. Maggie has always loved the water. She has never not wanted to go swimming until last Monday. She cried, and cried, and screamed, and kicked, and so on. It was so awful. The class is full of moms and dads, and babies that were younger than Maggie. They all did a great job, but my kid sat on the sidelines crying. So, I figured the next day would be better. Here is a picture of her one morning on the way to class. Do you think she wanted to go?


After swim class we met up with Jack and headed to the Apple store. I got a new phone, no not a brand new phone, but a new phone for my version. It was a pretty cool treat. After that we ate at my favorite place, Cheesecake factory, and then headed home for nap time. It was a fun way to wrap up the 4th of July. We had lots of fun.

On Tuesday we headed back out to swim class. Day two was not any better. She got dressed, got excited to leave, and as the gates opened up for us to head into Mrs. Margaret's pool, she froze up and started screaming. I wanted to just die. I started to leave, but I got the courage to go inside and handle it. Maggie set in the water and just screamed. It was not a fun experience. I thought that maybe heading out to our neighborhood pool would make it easier, and boy was I wrong. We even met Jenny and Will, and that didn't help. It was a long day for both of us, but we managed to make the best of it and have fun.

After torture class number 3 for the week, we met up with some old friends that I use to work with at our pool. It was lots of fun, and good times. Maggie did get into the pool with my frieds today and had fun, so I was thinking that Thursday at Mrs. Margarets house would be better. WRONG AGAIN!! We did finish out the day at Jenny's house and had lots of fun just hanging out and chatting.

So, day four of swimming rolls around. You think it would be better, right? WRONG! She cried harder this day over any other day. Mrs. Margaret told me that day three would be the hardest. Well, it was day four. After swim class we meet Jack for lunch and just spent a quiet afternoon at home.

Here is a picture of Maggie walking in my shoes and learning how to drink from a straw sippy cup. I remember last summer trying to get her to drink out of a sippy cup. Wow, what a difference a year makes.



So, we have now reached day 5 of swim lessons. I really didn't expect much at this point and really wanted to just count my losses and give up. I decided to keep going, but it didn't get any better. I even cried on my way home. I really didn't think I could take much more. So, my only hope was practicing over the weekend and trying again on Monday.

After a week long of torture class, we headed out to meet Jack at the Honda dealership. They were doing their annual fundraiser for the RMH and we need to get the car inspected and oil changed. What a better way then lunch, and seeing daddy. We had a great time. That evening we went to the Saavedra's house for pizza and games. The kids had so much fun. Here they are during bath time!



Overall, we had a pretty good week. Hopefully, this week will turn around in swim class and we will see success. Check back with us for our progress!

THAT MRS. 4TH OF JULY TO YOU!!!

As many of my friends will tell you 4th of July is my favorite holiday! I would have been married on 4th of July just to have fireworks! Yes, I know I'm crazy, but I love fireworks to music and just celebrating the good old Holiday. I think I would rather have the 4th over my birthday any day! This year we had so much fun. I am starting the post with our library time on Friday. I had Mags dressed up in her 4th of July dress. It was her dress from last year. Here is a little before and after. What a difference a year makes.




I paid $5.00 for it and have gotten a lot of use out of it. Now, I am looking for one that she can wear on the beach. Anyone got any ideas, or know someone who will make me a white one for cheep?

Okay, back to our 4th of July fun! We went to the library on Friday with our friends. Here is a picture of Madison and Maggie dancing at story time. Madison is so fun and loud. She cheers after every story.


Here is Will and Kinsley waiting for bubbles. The kids love when they do the bubbles. We love our friends at the library. It makes for fun times!



After the library, we went to eat lunch and then run some errands. Do you think Maggie and Will will get tired of each other? I hope not. Jenny and I have so much fun on a weekly basis. What would we do without Jenny and Will?


Later that night we headed out in the pouring rain to my nephew's 10th birthday! Once again my sister had big plans. We were to go put-putting! Well, the rain came and came! Put-putting was out. We tried to go bowling, but ended up singing on the Wii instead. Here is Jack and Maggie singing and rocking out! Lots of fun was had. I don't know how Maggie slept through the house of screaming kids and loud adults. We had a lot of fun!



Here is Robby enjoying is ice cream cake! It was yummy!!!



On Saturday we were very unsure of the weather. We always do fireworks on the lake for the 4th. The weather looked kind-of iffy and we didn't know what are plans were. We finally got out on the lake. It was a lot of fun until the big storm rolled in. We did make it safely back to the slip and just hung out there until the rain passed. Here are a few pics form the day!

Here are Aly, Maggie and Kiki looking at the water! It was so cute how much fun they were having.

Here is Maggie in her 4th of July swimsuit! She was very hot at this point and wanted in the water!

Here is Maggie driving the boat. Watch out Captain Dewey!

Here is Maggie and her daddy! They are so cute!!

Maggie and her cousin Robby! He is so great to her.


After we swim, eat, and hang out we head out to watch the fireworks. This is the best part.

The best part of the night are the glow in the dark bracelets and necklaces from the dollar store. Here are Aly and Maddy showing them off!


Fireworks don't show up very well on camera, but here is what I love best!

Here is what I love the most. My daughter enjoying the fireworks right beside me. Jack was taking the pic, but I love him as well!


On the 4th we headed out to Rick and Stacy's to enjoy a yummy dinner, play outside with the water table and head to the park to watch fireworks. The kids stayed up late and had so much fun. Michael kept saying, "How pretty, can we go yet?" It was fun. Here is Maggie in her pj's with Michael watching the fireworks.


Once again it was a successful 4th! We had so much fun! Watch out lady liberty, this is my holiday!!!