worth the trip

As a said in yesterday's post I drove home to visit family this past weekend, this moment was worth all of the rain, all of the "are we there yets", the potty runs, ant bites, being frozen out by my father, and gas money in the world.  

reunion season has begun

Every year my family is the best about hosting family reunions, unfortunately we are not close enough to make them every year.  This past year I lost two family members that I normally only get to see at the reunions, so I really wanted to attend this year, but circumstances were just not going to allow it to happen.  Last mintue, Ben told me I should go, so Friday afternoon I loaded the girls, bikes and camera in the car to meet my parents in FBG to go on our first camping trip.  We got rained on almost the entire day Saturday, but I was glad I made the trip.  I recently heard a quote, I wish I could remember who said it, but it is my new standard - At the end of your life you will not regret the things you did, but the things you didn't do.  I hope this reigns true.

necklaces, noodles and notes

six questions, tagged by Susan

Six names you go by:  

1. Mommy

2. Mom

3. Mama

4. Hey you

5. Mrs. Richards

6. Miss Kristi

 
Three things you are wearing right now:              

1. white capris

2. wedding band

3. blue top

Three things you want very badly at the moment:            

1. my own house

2. my own backyard

3. money to go on a mission trip (and a planned trip)

Three people you are certain who will fill this out:          

1. Ben (yeah right)

2. My mom (maybe if she had a blog)

3. Amy (she is on bedrest)

Three things you did last night:  

1. slept through LE waking up crying at 1 a.m.

2. read 

3. looked at houses over the internet and in G'town

Two things you ate today: 

1. popcorn

2. watermelon

Two people you last talked to on the phone:      

1. Ben

2. Melanie's voice mail

Two things you are going to do tomorrow:

1. hopefully - go to gym in the morning

2. hopefully begin a new Bible Study   

Your favorite beverages:         
1. sweet tea

2. lemonade

"exercising"

This is not the best pic I know, but Bella came in today with her tinkertoys and said "look, Mommy I am exercising."  

Cameron Park Zoo continued

The zoo has this great play area which includes the coolest tree house and water area.  The girls were soaked by the end of the day, guess it is that time of the year to take jackets out of the trunk and replace with their swimsuits.

first zoo trip of the year

Happy Birthday Aunt Susan!

teamwork

I love the friendships that I have seen building between my girls and the boys this past couple of weeks.  What was once a competition for my attention and daily task of reminders that these are not "your" toys, they are the school's toys have turned into extended free exploration b/c they are working so hard on their creations and working together for a purpose.  I truly have been in awe of the love they have for each other and the willingness to see past the differences in age or gender, likes and dislikes to work together and be such a team.

letter of the week?

Spiders, Snakes, and Swimming, oh my.  Can you guess what our class letter was this week? We made strawberry jello, which none of them liked.  Both girls did try it, but did not like the texture.  We went swimming at the Duncan's pool on Wednesday, so we got to throw that element in the week.  On Tuesday we found this beautiful spider web perfectly in tact.  It accidentally got messed up and when we checked it Thursday the spider had repaired it.  What a learning experience it was for all of them.

weekend full of birthdays

The girls were invited to three birthdays this weekend, but once again we overdid it and only made it to 2.  On Friday night the girls went with me to one of our longest relationships here in Austin, I did not want to say oldest friends, but our friends Ben and Julie Richards (yes, his name is Ben Richards too) youngest daughter always invites me to her parties.  I taught her when she was 4 and now she is turning 12.  It was so funny to see what my future holds- 

she's grown an inch

Packing for an out of town trip is, let's just say a whole 'nother type of fun.  I packed Bella's shoes that fit at Easter and got her dressed on the way to the wedding.  Poor baby, she did not care, I did.  

busy weekend - the reception

Bella and Landry danced the night away at Kayla's recpetion.  My 80 year-old grandmother got in on the action too.  Landry asked Cameron to dance, and shortly after Bella cut in.  Cameron just danced with both of them!  

busy weekend part 2

Saturday night, my cousin, Kayla got married.  The girls were so excited about the "marry girl"  The wedding was beautiful, on a ranch near the YO.