Longest Post Ever

Longest Post Ever - This is for you dad who called me out on my lack of updates (see comments on the previous post). I think the current trend of waiting a few months then having one big update is a trend that you all can come to expect from me. :)


So here we go, from most recent to back in early December:


We had some fun in the snow last week. Preston was even off of work for a day and a half so including the weekend we were snowed in for about 4 days! It was fun but we all got a little stir crazy at times.

Here's an additional use for your recycle bin:





Unfortunately there are no hills around our house so the only way to make the "sled" go is to pull it! Dad got a work out!


Preston and Chase decided to make a snow man...





within 5 minutes Chase decided he was cold and went in...so Preston built a snowman by himself.





I did help pull the sled a little. :)



We found a new friend on our back deck.

Chase goes through phases with toys. At this time he was into playing "trip" and would pack every bag he could find with his toys and would transfer ALL of them with him wherever he went in the house.

At the science museum you wouldn't believe how much time my kids can spend at this table. Stacking and restacking cups. Maybe I should buy a whole bunch for home!

We took a little trip to see my parents.

Chase giving the 4-wheeler a try

We got a new dish washer and...oh the fun that can be had with the box!

We had a party at our house on new year's eve. Here we are at midnight. That's right my 4-year old was wide awake. But don't worry, the 1-year old had already been asleep for like 4 hours by this time. :)

Preston's parents came for a visit and were an AMAZING help with getting some things done around our house!

Remember that green floral wall paper? I try to forget.

The master of pain rolling!

We had a fun Christmas time in Houston with Preston's side of the family.

Ava and Aunt Wendi

Me and my sweeties.

Ho Ho Ho!

Thank you Mimi!

Nice vest Wade.

Ava and Papa.

We had Christmas with my side of the family at our house. Nice decor huh? We have our furniture in now. :)

It was also Kyle's birthday.

Still thinks she's the favorite. Oh and did I mention that my baby sister is going to have a baby! Woo-hoo! I'm an aunt x 2.

Ava and Grammy.

Chase enjoying one of his new toys...oh wait..no, that's Preston. :)

Chase and Ava had a Christmas program at school. Soooooo cute! Ava didn't stay standing where I could see her but here is Chase's video:

I've been meaning to show you all our new family photos that Judson took.

You can see more of this photo on the Valentine Photo Card page of the Photo Card Cafe' website. As of today it's not too late to order Valentine cards!

Chase was getting tired of smiling!

But he did great in this one:

No I will not give you a big smile...but I will give you this little smirk.

Scraping the ceiling. Not fun.

What's worse than Preston scraping the ceiling?....ME scraping the ceiling. Easy. But REALLY messy.

unfortunate photo

All moved in!

I just posted most of this on Facebook but I realize there are a few loyal readers who don't have a Facebook account....(ahem....dad). So this one is for "the rest of you"!

We're all moved in! Yay! It was much harder process than I thought it would be and I'm glad it's over. :)

Yesterday:
Today:

(yes, the curtains and light fixture will soon meet their end....or better yet find a new home via Craig's list)

The day we officially moved out of our old house we went over to say good buy to our old rooms. It was really sad to me. It was mine and Preston's first house...it's where I brought home my babies from the hospital. :( sadness.

Bye bye Chase's room.

Bye bye Ava's room. :(

OK I'm over it.

We had fun putting up our Christmas tree last night! They were such big helpers!

Chase was a pro!

Ava wasn't exactly a pro but she sure tried!

Daddy taking video.

Mommy helping with the ornaments.

Then after the kids went to bed I arranged it fit for a home with a 1-year old! Top half only!
I don't think so!

Moving boxes make for great fun! I've hummed the "pop goes the weasel" song about a million times today. It never gets old....well at least to them it doesn't.

And I just added this one in b/c I think it's super cute. I tried to get a cute picture of Chase too but he would not have it.

I thought you might enjoy this before some of the wallpaper also meets it's end. This house was built in 1976 and I don't think it's been updated since. (We purchased it from some of our best friend's grandparents so I'm not making fun of Apoo and Grandmommy...I mean, I'm sure it was da bomb back in the day.)

Anyway, here's the kid's bathroom (yes, it's metallic):

Master bedroom:

And my personal favorite; Chase's room. Notice the curtains are exactly like the wall. :)

Priceless

Just some random stuff

What a handsome (and tall) little turkey! Here is chase at his school fall program. :)





Fun time at the park. It's soooo funny when Ava tries to run. It usually ends with her falling.

She thinks she's so big!

Chase rolling down the hill

It's hard to get a good picture of this kid these days....

Playing at the zoo.

Fun with friends.

Again with the bad pictures of Chase.

That's right she's in the "glam squad".

Click on this link ;)

Hey people. Sorry for this boring post but I was wondering if you would click on the following link to help me drive some traffic to Photo Card Cafe'.

Christmas Photo Cards, Photo Christmas Cards, Holiday Photo Cards, Photo Holiday Cards, Photo Christmas Magnets

Oh and some people had asked me about a coupon code so here is one for 20% off: PCCBFFXMAS09
Pass it on to whoever you want.

Happy Halloween!

Don't worry! Never Fear! The Flash and Wonder Woman are here!

All the kids at our church class Halloween party.

Breakfast out on Halloween morning

Fall festival our church.

More Halloween fun!

October Photo Update

Here are a few random October things. We've already started the Halloween festivities so I'll have pictures of The Flash (aka Chase) and Wonder Woman (aka Ava) up here very soon.

Ava in Bible Class. She's such a good student.
Eating lunch with the big kids.

The whole crew at lunch time.

Tea Party at grandmas.

Preston showing us his mad muddin' skills. ;)

We had a fun visit with Cooper and his mom and dad.

Checking out the cows.

My baby is getting so big!

No we will not go to bed!

Daddy and Ava. (Ava had to borrow a hat from my mom for the cold day.)

The 4-wheeling crew

U2 concert at Texas Stadium! Was awesome!

Houston to California to Arlington

A week of traveling!

We visited Mimi and Papa

Then Preston and I ditched the kids with the grandparents and spent a few days in California! (Part business trip and part fun in Santa Barbara)

Then we met up with Uncle Wade and Aunt Wendi at their place!

More September Stuff

We traveled to my parent's house last weekend. We got to hang out with the family. Even baby Noah was there! It also happened to be the weekend of the county fair.

Here we all are after dad and his friend won the chili cook-off!

Chase and his second cousin waiting to ride a ride. It was a little muddy as you can see.

Me and my friend Stacy.

Another ride with the cousins.

swings!

The kids with granddaddy.

No trip to the fair is complete without rinsing off in the hog pin.

Grandmother Rice with all of her great grand babies.

Me and my honey.

Cheese!

Ava and her peeps.

I finally found someone who is a bigger mosquito magnet than I am.

A few weeks ago we went on a retreat with our church friends. We had a great time! (Ava stayed with her aunt and uncle.)

The girl raft (AKA the cool people).

Superman caught on camera.

The boy raft.

Float trip crew.

On The Move!

The grandparents have wanted to see this much anticipated video! She walks! (Well...at least when she feels like it.)


Check out these cuties! In other news, we took a little trip with some friends to Branson for labor day weekend.

We're Moving to PreSchool

So I was sitting outside of Chase and Ava's preschool today watching the moms come and go as I was getting all of our things together and I realized something. If you were looking for a way to capture the face of freedom, relief, and weightlessness you wouldn't need to look any further than outside the doors of a preschool. All of these moms go in carrying a ton of stuff; lunch boxes, bags, blankets, car seats, baby carriers, and whatever else their kids may require, but then you should see the change in them as they are leaving. It's amazing. They go from totally weighted down to totally weightless and free in a matter of minutes! I'm not saying these moms don't like being with their kids but boy, moms need a break some times. And the prospect of 5 uninterrupted hours of time that is not dictated by anyone else or their schedule brings a little smile to these moms faces as they practically skip to their cars!

I really started thinking about all of this b/c I was in awe at the amount of stuff I have to pack into my car on a school morning...particularly the first day of school back...It's like we're moving in! I made three trips getting it all (including the kids) in there! But then after I lug all their stuff in and drop them off and am coming back to my car...all I have is my keys. :)


Here they are on their first day back:

(seriously...this is the best pic I got of Ava. I mean, open your eyes kid!) When I dropped her off someone said, "Ava! You grew some hair on your head this summer!" Yes, it's true! I can even put a clip in it!

Chase was really excited! We got in the car and were just backing out of our driveway and he said "Are we almost there yet?". Ha!

And now here's the view from where I sit (that's Rachel Ray):

Stuff

Here's a photo update for all of my blog readers...all 2 of you. :)

Also I thought I would pass along Chase and Ava's stats from their doctor appointments.

Ava: 19 pounds (20%), 29 inches tall (25%), and get this...head is 18.25 inches (80%) -> girl's still got a big noggin

Chase: 33 pounds (25%), 41 inches tall (60%)


Trip to Colorado with friends:

Summer Time Swimming:

Children's Museum:

Frontier City:

Check out that face! But he loves it!

Happy Birthday Ava!

My little girl turned one today! I can't believe it! She's so spunky...lots of personality. She tries to say lots of words...sometimes she succeeds. She can stand but hasn't taken any steps yet. She loves her brother, son shine school, avocado, grapes, cheese, playing in Chase's room, climbing steps, watching baby einstein movies, etc. She has a temper when she doesn't get her way. She's finally getting enough hair to put a little clip in.

Here she is eating her birthday pancakes this morning. :)
This evening we took a fun bike ride.

A few days ago in Houston we had a little birthday party for Ava and Chase.

Hey this is not bad!

I think I'll have a little more.

mmmmm!

Yes, I definitely like birthday cake!

No, those messy fingers may not touch your new present!

Chase already had a birthday party a few weeks ago but don't worry he still enjoyed being the center of attention again....oh and the cake too.

And opening presents is always fun!

Here is a picture of Ava one year ago today....I think her looks have improved over time.

Also I thought you might like to see a comparison picture of Chase and Ava both eating their 1st birthday cake. (First: Ava July 2009; Second: Chase July 2006)

Baby Noah

My Nephew Noah was born! He is sooooo cute and so sweet.
Proud mom and dad Amy and Pete

Lots of dark hair.

Noah was born with a heart defect that is going to have to be corrected with surgery in the next 3 or so months. Please keep him and his parents in your prayers!