Halloween, Colorado & Leaf Piles

Two flappers and a pirate!

Claire getting her face painted.

Will and half of Claire at a trunk-or-treat. They really liked this blow-up thing. Will asked if the bats inside were real. I think he was disappointed that they weren't!

The day after Halloween, Scott and the kids drove to Colorado for vacation with his parents and grandmother. They stopped for a play break at Lake Abeque (sp??) in New Mexico.

Nov. 2nd was Papa's birthday. Here is the crew waiting for cake!

On an excursion to Lemon Reservoir (I think!) up by Durango, CO.

Hiking up Treasure Falls in Pagosa Springs (Claire, Will, Grandma Connie and Papa).

At Treasure Falls

Pic of the waterfall

Scott and the kids at the falls.

Scott at the falls.

Cute pic of Will...not sure where? Still at the falls, probably!

The kids with Grammy, Papa, and Grandma Connie on a bridge at the falls.

On the way home...I think they were tired!!!

Our pecan trees started REALLY dropping their leaves this week. We have raked about four times and our yard is still covered! This was the initial pile of leaves on Monday.

Jumping in the leaves...so much fun!

Cute kiddos!

Throwing them back in the air is almost as fun as jumping in the pile!

Kids and Mom (with no make-up!)

Finally!: July Trip to Katy

Okay, so...I finally got all the pictures from my mom from this summer, we finally got a new camera, and I finally have time to actually post them! So, please, if anyone is still out there, keep coming back because hopefully in the next few days I will be posting several catch-up blogs! I have so much to share! :) For now, here are a few pictures from our trip to Nana and Grandpa's in July:

Nana painting Claire's nails

Look how long her hair was!!

Claire helping Grandpa play guitar. (I think she ended up putting the pick in the hole!)

We went to the circus and met up with our friends, Reuben and Shannon Chance who used to live in Big Spring.

The kids got ridiculously expensive whirly toys.

Will's favorite part was the motorcycles going around in the cage.

Claire's favorite part was the ladies hanging from the rings and scarves.

My favorite were the elephants.

The finale.

Claire loves her some ice cream.

The kids playing in the pop-up fountains at La Centerra.

We went to an Astros game (in which they were defeated quite horribly), but it was fun. Here we are in front of Left Field at Minute Maid Park.

Claire really enjoyed the clapping, music, etc. Will didn't like the loud noises as much.

Me and my boy.

Goings-On

Hello! I am still alive :)

So much has been going on, and most of the time I am way too tired to even consider blogging, but I thought I'd update since I have a few pictures to share.

A couple of weeks ago, we went down to San Antonio to visit my grandmother and meet up with my parents. The kids and I went on with my mom and dad to Katy and Scott returned home to work on his essays for his comprehensive exams. We returned a few days later by plane. THAT was an experience I'd soon like to forget. Plane travel alone with two kids is not much fun. I did survive, though :) My mom took a lot of great pictures of my kids riding my brother's girlfriend's horse, but alas, I do not have those. Maybe my mom will email them to me (hint, hint!) ;)

Scott has since finished his essays and turned them it (Praise God!) and we are done with grad school stuff for a while. We also found someone to baby-sit our kids on those days that they're not in "school." So that is another "Praise!" The flower shop was extremely busy last week with several funeral pieces, so I definitely got in some "practice." This week has been a little slower so far, so that's kind of nice (it is our local schools' spring break, which is always notoriously slow).

The kids are doing well. Claire was sick for a while before we went to my parents' house, but she is better now. Will is currently obsessed with pirate "jewels" (which will explain a couple of pics), however we haven't watched Pirates of the Caribbean for several days as he is currently hooked on Star Wars (my fault, I let him watch it the other day). He still likes to dress as a pirate, though. Claire likes to do everything that Will is doing and is a sweet little helper. She is showing her intelligence here lately by recognizing some of the letters of the alphabet and talking more and more. She loves to sing and dance and is even starting to show interest in the potty. Kids grow WAY too fast!!!

One funny thing that Will has been doing the last few days is asking me if I am going to have a baby. I am not sure what has prompted this question...maybe it was the fact that we went shopping for a baby shower gift a few days ago. Anyway, he's asked me several times since about it and I have told him, no, that I'm not going to have a baby anytime soon. He says that I should and he wants a brother. Hmm. I'm not so sure.

Anyway, time for the pictures!

Scott and the kids watching Cinderella in our bed.

Claire's ponytail!

"Smarty Pants!"

Man, I wish this picture wasn't blurry! It would have been so great!

Will watching a movie while wearing his "pirate jewels", a Mardi Gras mask, and his Capt. Jack Sparrow hat.

Will (again with the pirate jewels) and his St. Patrick's Day hat he made at school (so cute!).

Claire with the leprechaun hat.

This is how I found my children when I came home today...Claire asleep in her chair (but sitting in it the wrong way, with its back on the ground)...

...and Will deeply engrossed in Winnie the Pooh, with my couch's arm cover on his head and wearing (of course) his pirate jewels. Funny.

The Highlights

We were able to go to Master Follies this weekend and it was a great show! Here are the highlights:

Koinonia's Golden Marching Band


"Sweet Dreams" performed a cappella by the hosts and hostesses


If you didn't get to go, I missed seeing you! We had a great weekend and loved seeing everyone. We were also blessed to have Robyn take our pictures, so hopefully I will have those soon to show :)

25 Random Things

1. I can't stick with one hairstyle for very long. I have to get it cut, colored, or *something* pretty regularly.
2. I have recently figured out (after many many years of trying to) what I want to be when I grow up. I am planning on starting a MLS degree (Master's of Library Science) in the near future in order to become a children's librarian.
3. In the seven years since college, I have worked in a funeral home, high school and flower shop.
4. After working for the flower shop for six years, I am finally a "designer" and will have my first Valentine's Day as such in a couple of weeks. I am scared to death.
5. I don't really like to cook, but I will. I prefer baking.
6. I am a very indoors-type person. But I do like spending time outdoors, too. I just never think about it.
7. I am a major list person. I have lists for everything.
8. I don't think I am funny, but my friends do. I guess their opinion matters more! :)
9. I love to sing and am so happy that my daughter likes for me to sing her to sleep every night. (My son doesn't like it when I sing to him).
10. When I was little, I had my own "library." I guess I should have known then.
11. My favorite food is popcorn, but I hate real corn.
12. I am turning 30 this year and hoping to take a fun trip sans kiddos.
13. Sleeping and reading are my favorite hobbies.
14. I am hopeful for our country's future.
15. I recently discovered that I like bleu cheese dressing (by accident--I thought I was getting ranch).
16. My favorite series of books is The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. The first book was over 500 pages and they just keep getting bigger with each new installment. I am very anxiously awaiting the 7th book coming out this coming fall; to prepare I am rereading the 5th and 6th books (with so many pages, a lot goes on.)
17. The main character in the book is named Claire and I only sort-of named my daughter after her.
18. My son's name is Will and he is the most aptly named child I've ever known. He has the strongest will. Ask anyone who knows him!
19. All of my best friends live at least two hours away from me. This is only slightly annoying.
20. I was born on my father's 26th birthday. If my son could have held on 17 days longer (not that I really wanted him to!), he would have been born on my 26th birthday.
21. Scott and I were married on my 21st birthday. No we didn't necessarily plan it that way, it just worked out that that was the best weekend available.
22. My husband is the smartest person I know and I am exceedingly proud of him and his accomplishments. I am also very glad he is inclined in math and physical sciences because those subjects are definitely not my forte.
23. My children never cease to surprise, amaze, and entertain me. They are precious and I am so thankful God chose me to be their mom.
24. I am definitely not a morning person and don't know if I ever will be. I am a night owl and rarely go to sleep before midnight.
25. I love television and movies, and easily get addicted. Most of the shows I like happen to be NBC shows because that is the only channel we get at our house. We don't have cable and our house is in some kind of twilight zone that only gets the one network station. And it's fuzzy (of course!). We did get the digital TV converter but it doesn't work 3/4 of the time. Very annoying!

I'd love for anyone who wants to do this to post a "25 Random Things" as well...I love learning more about my friends!

iTunes Game

Here's another fun thing to do!

1.Put your iPod or other music player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer. The Name of the song is your answer!
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!


IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
"Shifting Sand" - Caedmon's Call

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
"Just to Look at You"-Bebo Norman

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
"Speak to Me"-Rebecca St. James

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
"Love Song"-311

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
"Standing Still"-Jewel
Hmmm....

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
"42"-Coldplay
Odd...

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
"More Than You'll Ever Know"-Watermark
Ha ha!

WHAT IS 2+2?
"Where You Lead Me"-Mercy Me

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
"Unbelievable"-EMF
Again: ha ha!

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
"Sh-Boom"-The Chords
Fitting...

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
"You Win My Love"-Shania Twain

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
"Never Alone"-Barlow Girl
Interesting.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
"Please Only You"-Steven Curtis Chapman

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
"Jump Around"-House of Pain

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
"Mud on the Tires"-Brad Paisley
We've already gotten married (duh), but I'll bet Scott would have liked to dance to this song. Funny.

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
"A Cradle Prayer"-Rebecca St. James

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
"Frozen"-Madonna
Weird!

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
"Immortality"-Celine Dion
Ha ha ha...I've fooled you all!!!

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
"I Don't Know Why (But I Do)"- Clarence "Frogman" Henry

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
"I Have No Doubt"-Point of Grace

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
"California Dreamin'"-The Mamas and the Papas

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
"You Know Me Better Than That"- George Strait

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
"With Every Little Kiss" - Steven Curtis Chapman
Good one...

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
"Nothing Compares"- Third Day

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
"The Kingdom"-Caedmon's Call
I am the Bride of Christ!

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
"Bullet the Blue Sky"-U2

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
"Nightengale"-Norah Jones

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
"One Piece at a Time"- Johnny Cash

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
"Do Not Fear"-LCU Praise Choir

You Can Quote Me on That

It's been a while since I've done something "fun" with my blog. So, I'm stealing something I saw on Facebook. Here's the scoop:

1. Pick 10 of your favorite movies.
2. Go to IMDb.com and find quotes for those movies. Post them.
3. Have friends try to guess which movies the quotes come from.
4. When someone gets it right, bold the quote and put the title of the movie.*

Have fun!

1. All my life, when I'm quite grown-up I will always remember my grandfather and how he smelled of...tobacco and peppermint. - Susan; The Parent Trap (Way to go, Melanie and Mom!)

2. When I'm wrong, I say I'm wrong...You looked wonderful out there. - Jake Houseman, Dirty Dancing (Carrie scores one)

3. Our first television set. Dad just picked it up today. Do you have a television? - Lorraine, Back to the Future (One for Harmony, two for Mom)

4. Person 1: War, war, war; this war talk's spoiling all the fun at every party this spring. I get so
bored I could scream. Besides...there isn't going to be any war.

Person 2: Not going to be any war? Why, honey, of course there's gonna be a war. - Scarlett and one of the Tarleton twins, Gone with the Wind (Mom gets a third point)

5. I don't know, but I think what I've got is something slightly resembling... GUMPTION! - Iris, The Holiday (Alright, Dad!!!)

6. Leslie and I have an amazing relationship and it's very physical, he still pushes all my buttons. People say 'oh but he's so much older than you' and you know what, I'm the one having to push him away. We have so much in common, we both love soup and snow peas, we love the outdoors, and talking and not talking. We could not talk or talk forever and still find things to not talk about. - Sherri Ann Cabot, Best in Show (Yea, Bethany!)

7. I put a bird in my hair. - Carrie, Sex and the City: The Movie (Good job, Kelly B!)

8. John, get ready to have some kids! - Mary, WALL-E (Carrie scores again!)

9. Is this toothbrush approved by the American Dental Association? - Kevin, Home Alone (Two for Harmony, four for Mom!)

10. What's the décor? Early Mexican brothel? - Armande, Chocolat**

*If no one guesses the correct answer, I'll post them in a week. Have a great week!

**No one guessed #10, so I kept my promise and posted the answer on 1/20. This was fun; I'll have to do "fun" things with my blog more often. Thanks for playing!!

Aww, Nuts!

With Fall comes harvest. We've had a bit of a harvest of our own lately. We are the proud owners of three pecan trees, two in the front yard and one in the back. While our dogs regularly snack on the backyard pecans, our front yard is brimming full of ripe, ready to shell and eat nuts. And boy, are they tasty this year! We've spent a bit of time collecting them and have shelled quite a few.

I'm sorry I've been so lacsidasical in posting lately...I know I always say this, but we've really been quite busy. I was sick a couple of weeks ago and on top of that was my shop's open house and a meal the youth hosted for the senior adults all on the same weekend. Whew...I'm tired just writing that. Then of course, Scott promptly turned up sick, too. Thanksgiving was the next week and we enjoyed seeing my family and Scott's brother's family. We spent a little time relaxing and my mom and I went shopping on Black Friday. It was a good time. We returned on Sunday night and I have been trying to get my home decorated and in order in time for our families to arrive for Scott's graduation next week (whoot woo!).

Of course things aren't complete around here without a few glitches. Scott began itching all over his body severely last night and began to notice hives. He took some Benadryl and went to bed, but when he woke up this morning they were still there and now his upper lip is all swollen. Oh, and did I mention we're supposed to have our Christmas card pictures made on Saturday morning? I just have to laugh, you know?

I am just so excited that Christmas is almost here. I guess I am really in the Christmas spirit this year because I know my kids, especially Will, will really enjoy it this year. He is already amazed by every Christmas light display he sees, no matter how pitiful or extravagant, he yells, "LOOK!" It's quite cute. So, merry Christmas, even though it's still early! I will leave you with a few pictures of the Christmas decorations I have done and some others.

If y'all remember from last year, I'm a bit of a Christmas tree-aholic. I have them in almost every room. This year, however, I am lightening up a bit. Instead of a big tree in both my "formal" living room and the den/family room, I am just doing one in the formal living room. So, I have combined my ornaments for both those trees this year. I did this for the simple reason that I can sort-of cordon off this room from little hands. Claire is very interested in the tree and wants to pull all the ornaments off of it. And she's not that gentle about it. I did hang all my breakable ones up high, so I can at least rest a little knowing that she can't really break any of them :)

A mini tree on top of the desk in the family room. I put all my really "folk-sy" ones on it.

Just Will :)

Claire having fun with a piece of cardboard that came with a mixer I got.