Grandparents visit

Finally all the grandparents have come to visit with us in our new home. It only took 5 months, and we were happy to have them here. Of course, we get to see Granddad and Grandma Jules on a regular basis now that we live closer to Padre. We enjoy getting to have them over for a Saturday night dinner, watch a movie, then wake up and go swimming! Hayes said Granddad and Grandpa to Sam for the first time unprompted last weekend..it was such a sweet surprise, but I think a bit confusing..make your mind up Sam!!Grandma, Daniel's mom, was the next to visit. She came in early June after she and Grandpa went on a cruise to Alaska. Grandpa stayed to care for their dogs Scout and Kody and will be here in September for hunting season. Sherry came during the end of VBS and got to see the girls in action singing and doing hand motions to the new songs they learned! While she was here she took each of the girls out for an individual date. Georgia got to go get icecream with Grandma. She chose chocolate and loved it! Emmaline got to go to see Madagascar 3 and got candy and popcorn and of course loved it. We went to check out the Farmer's Market. It was ok, but we managed to find some good herbs and cute hair bows!While we never made it to the beach, we swam our little hearts out almost everyday. We also had a nice brunch at the Country Club. It was definitely one of the fancier meals our kids have had. There are no pictures because I was busy making sure they didn't destroy their crystal! They did pretty well and loved the endless dessert. We also checked out the pool and decided we would be back. It was a great visit with Sherry. We also got to go on 2 date nights while she was here! The first night was last minute and we went to a local bar where there was karaoke. It was kindof a biker bar, but lots of fun, open air. And the karaoke is always hilarious. The next night me and Daniel made reservations in McAllen at a swanky restaurant we had heard good things about. House Wine was super nice and really yummy. It was so hard to choose what to get off the menu. We got flights of wine so we could try out all different kinds. I went for Pinot Grigio. We had a cheese and meat tray for apps, then I had salmon risotto and Daniel ordered mahi, I think. So good and I can't wait to go back! Thanks Grandma for everything! My parents came next. They came Father's Day weekend while Daniel was sick, poor thing. We enjoyed Mexican food, swim lessons, where Georgia finally jumped in the pool thanks to Pop! She also glided to him a bunch! One day was spent downtown browsing antique shops, trying out an old tyme soda shop and enjoying an overcast afternoon! It was really fun, there was lots to look at (and buy for the right price) and the girls did really well. They were oohing and aahing and loving all the pink, frilly things! We ended up dropping off Hayes with Daniel; they were both sick at home and took long naps! Hayes ended up at the dr. with double ear infections and swollen tonsils. We went to the beach one day, ate at Daddy's and enjoyed a thunderstorm on the way home. We never got to do much since Daniel was so sick the whole time they were here. He ended up taking himself to the doctor, thank goodness, and after being told her had all kinds of issues he had to check into the hospital for an IV for 6 hours. Pop's father's day gift! The moon is Pop and my kids 'thing', so it was fitting! my outfit from when I was little!! Thanks to our families for coming way down south to see us! We love ya'll!

VBS, dates & a dog

Last week we had VBS. I was excited to sign up the girls for it because Georgia could attend as well as Emmaline..usually G is too young. They loved it and had the best time each day. Me and Hayes got to sneak in for the last half hour and watch them in the gym sing their songs with hand motions and play with their new friends. It was so good for them to have a few hours each day to be separated..they were so happy to be back together and got along well for the rest of each day. It truly is the little things that make a difference! They loved singing "If you're happy and you know it" and "the Amazing Desert Journey" among others. Such fun!I picked up the girls from VBS and we had a picnic at the park. We tried a new one out and it was fun! G is quite the climber. She is pretty fearless in trying things as long as it isn't my idea! She made it to the top! While the girls were at VBS me and Hayes had some Mommy Son dates. We also got to try out a Thai restaurant here in town that gets great reviews. The lady who runs the kitchen is said to be like The Soup Nazi in Seinfeld. Don't try to change up or sub things from the menu - 'NO SOUP FOR YOU'! It was delicious, though! Me and Hayes mainly just ran errands, but one day we went to the park and fed the ducks and played. It was fun to be with just this sweet guy, with no distractions from his Sissies! Finally, our hunting dog, Gauge, is not doing well. I knew he was sick when he wasn't eating, didn't want to fetch and was sleeping in the bathroom. He is usually by Daniel's side or the girls at all times so this was all weird. Daniel took him to the vet, where they did an ultrasound, found a huge mass and scheduled surgery to remove it. Within a week Gauge was feeling so much better, castrated and without a very sick, bloody spleen. He was like his old self again. We just had to wait on path reports. Turns out poor boy has a bad cancer that usually comes back with a vengance and the drs gave him 6 months. So we are sad and trying to have as much fun with him as possible. At least he is back to being Gauge! And we are really hoping he is healthy for hunting season in September!Gaugeman is loved and we are so thankful he is back to fetching the ball in the pool!

Cambrie's 1st Birthday

There 1st weekend in June me, Daniel and the kids went to San Antonio to celebrate Cambrie Alise's 1st birthday. She is such a sweetie and we were happy to be there to see her enjoy her cake..we have been there since day 1! Georgia was not the only one loving the cupcakes...or mainly just the icing! They loved those and the rock candy! We also got to see our friends, Anna & Lisa, who we went out with later that evening. Look at her smirk! Cutie pie! Emmaline & Georgia got to see their 'friend' Hannah. She is Ainsley's next door neighbor and an older girl who they love to play with! And finally Hayes got attacked by the cupcakes!! He was so hopped up on sugar and all the girls thought it was hilarious to spike his hair with the icing to give him his do! After the party, we went to one of our favorite spots, Momaks where the kids played and played. That evening we had a babysitter come and stay with the kids who were very wild I must add, while me and Daniel met up with AJ and Lisa at BJ for dinner and drinks. Sunday we met for a yummy breakfast and then went to see the Sullivan's new house. LOVE IT! It really is super nice and I know they are going to love the yard and location. Can't wait for a little housewarming party!

Zoo with friends

We finally made it to the Brownsville Zoo. It was a warm day but at least it wasn't too crowded and we were prepared to cool off in the splash pad. Me and the kids drove down with Beth, her 2 kids, her sister and met 2 other Moms and their 4 kids. We had a large group but everyone got along so well. Of course, we had to make 2 stops in front of the giraffes for Georgia. She loves seeing those mommas with their babies! I didn't get as many pictures because I was trying to corral all the kids. They loved to run and chase eachother! It was really fun and I like their zoo. The animals are in large areas and there was a good amount of shade. We hope to go back soon and also check out the Children's musuem too!

Daddy's Day

Happy Father's Day to the Daddy of this blog! We love you very much and are so thankful for everything you do for us and with us! We love having you around more these last months since our move. We love that you work so hard for us and still make time for each of us individually! Thank you for loving us too! Hope you feel better (Daddy's a little sick this weekend)!!Here's a fun old pic I found in a frame way back in my drawer. This is from Spring Break 2002 at Panama City! What a fun memory! And how scary to see what a difference 10 years makes! Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful fathers out there, including my dad/Pop, my brother Michael, Grandpa Gee and Granddad Sam! We love ya'll! the canvas me and the kids made for him. I really like how it turned out!

Hayes Bryant is 21 months!!

So here we are just 3 months shy of 2 years old!! Hayes seems so BIG to me and it seems like it happened quickly. He went from this little baby boy to a big boy wearing tennis shoes and running around giving his sisters a run for their money. *Hayes is almost 30 pounds these days, not sure how tall...getting closer to Georgia. *He loves balls, throwing them, trying to catch them. When we ask him to 'put your hands out and catch' he lifts his shirt up proudly and rubs...we are slightly confused at his confusion! Who knows what he is really thinking?!! It is funny though! *Hayes wears size 5 diapers, size 8 shoes and size 24 months/2T clothes. I love him in his little shoes with khaki shorts and a polo! *I am having a hard time deciding about his hair. I have cut the back myself (to cut off the rat tail) but am not sure how I want it to look now. I kindof love the short hair with the mohawk look, but I also like it a little longer. The main problem is his hair is so blonde/white that I am afraid if I cut it short you won't be able to see it..when it is wet you can't hardly see it! HELP!! *HB is really chatting it up lately. He loves to count to five, says thank-you and please, sorry, yes ma'am, Dixie, Gauge, Emma, Georgia, Sissy, Pop, paci, blankies, outside, go, amen, etc... He is doing really well, just that DANG PACI gets in the way. :) I know it's my fault..one day I will pay when I have to pry it out of his fingers but for now I'm ok with it. He also gets shy and won't open his mouth much if you ask him something. The look on his face is priceless when he does that. *Hayes and Georgia are starting to really play together well. She mommies him til he can't stand it, but they also will spend time in his room just playing. Emmaline is known as Sissy to Hayes and Georgia is just Georgia or Georgie. They both make sure he has what he needs at all times and if he gets in trouble, the girls take up for him and question what happened very accusatory like. They always have his back! *He is pretty sweet. He gives kisses and checks on the girls if they are upset or crying. He will say 'Sorry' and give a hug too. *HB naps once a day, for about 3 hours and goes to bed at 8. He usually gets up around 8-9 a.m. He doesn't usually make a peep til I go get him as long as he has his paci and blankies. One day I'll get rid of that thing...one day. *Hayes eats enough for sure, but is still my pickiest eater. He doesn't like sandwich meat, and lots of other meat too. He only eats peas, carrots & some bell pepper but does love yogurt, crackers, cheese, and most fruit! He looks like a chipmunk because he stuffs his cheeks full of grapes and other things if he thinks he's gonna miss out. It's hilarious. *Hayes still has his sumo wrestler walk and either walks like that or runs everywhere. And he usually will fall flat on his face. He has so many cuts, scrapes, bruises. He has had numerous bloody lips, noses and scrapes knees. It doesn't slow him down a bit; he just get right back up and does it again. I hope he isn't as clumsy as he seems and it's just cause he's growing so much. *HB loves the water, blowing bubbles, jumping in and going under. He likes to hold onto the side of the pool and scoot around like Spiderman. He also loves to run in the sprinklers and then jump on the trampoline all wet. Hayesman, We love you so much and enjoy all the fun, sweet and wild moments with you! You are all boy but still have a gentleness to you that I hope sticks around! I am so thankful I get to spend everyday with you watching you grow, laugh, smile and play. I love putting you down for sleep at night, as you fold your hands for prayers and say 'Amen'. You are so loved and we are blessed to get it ten-fold in return! I am excited to celebrate your 2 years here on earth soon and to watch you become a little man!