more beach fun

Father's Day weekend

I had no idea what to get Ben for Father's Day, on Saturday at 3:00 I asked him if he could do anything for Dad's Day what would it be - "go somewhere that I can sit back, relax, and watch the girls play." For weeks we have been talking about going to the beach with some friends, but we are holding off until after the high season ends. But, we got a wild hair and decided to load the car up and go. I shot maternity photos at 6, came home loaded the car and we left at 8:30 p.m. It was the most unstressful trip to date, yes, we plan to do it again.

guess where we went?

Happy "Married" Day Mimi and PawPaw

Happy Birthday Uncle Troy!

powell reunion 09

Every year the girls and I attend my great-grandmother's family reunion in the Hill Country. This year it was held in the one-stoplight town of Center Point. Yes, the little town upgraded its flashing light to a genuine redlight this past month, it's growing.

Every year one of the cousins BBQ a brisket, sausage and chicken (yes, BBQ is a verb in my family). My granny always brings the potato salad, my mom makes 5 or 6 different sides, usually something she has learned from "Paula." There are more desserts than "growing food" to choose from, and always way too many leftovers. Then, we have an auction of everything from Aunt Nell's peanut brittle to Hook 'Em wall plaques to Hurricane Survival Kits to raise money for next year's meat and location. The girls and cousin Zane were the Vanna's this year.

my daddy...by landry and bella

How old is Daddy? Landry - "10 years old" Bella - "2"

What is Daddy's favorite color? both - "blue"

What is Daddy's favorite thing to eat? "Landry - "eggs" Bella - "cereal"

What does Daddy do when he is at the house? Landry - "clean his toys" Bella - "eat"

What does Daddy drive? Landry - "his car" Bella - "motorcycle"

What is Daddy's favorite thing to drink? Landry - "coke" Bella - "water and coffee"

What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy? Landry - "dance" Bella - "color"

What does Daddy cook? Landry - "cereal and yogurt" Bella - "cereal"

What is Daddy's favorite restaurant? Landry - "Chick-fil-A" Bella - "chicken"

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

rockstar

The girls favorite song to sing is Rockstar by Pink. They heard it one night on Dancing with the Stars and LE sings it almost everyday. Her daddy decided to get her some rockstar glasses.

flashback

My Paw-Paw, my mom's dad, Lefty as he was known was a guy's guy. He was just the cool guy that everyone wanted to be friends with (sorry Mom and Gran, I am sure you are already crying by now too) . He played ball, batted left-handed, thus the name (there is only ONE kind of ball in my family). He fished, and caught the biggest catfish I have ever seen, every time the Guadalupe flooded. He wore the biggest, bulkiest, brightest, yellow coat that anyone would need in Texas, thus the reason yellow is my fave color still to this day. He grew peaches in his yard, the kind that would make your lips itch b/c you would pick them off the tree and eat them without washing them first. He went to every sporting event that my brothers ever played and he always had his cowbell, always.

A couple of weeks ago, we went to see the Austin Outlaws women's professional football league and behind us sat a grandma rooting her 20-something granddaughter on with a cowbell. LE wanted to ring it, so I asked the grandma and she could not resist my little blondie. Both girls rang it and I flashbacked to Antler Stadium.

My grandfather passed away 12 years ago this past spring, so to see pics of my girls rooting on their uncles with their Paw-Paw and my Paw-Paw's cowbell, well you can imagine I am balling my eyes out now trying to type.

Happy Father's Day to all the Paw-Paws, PopPops and Grandpas this weekend. We love you.

thank lins for the photos

swinging bliss

where do i begin?

It fells like our summer has been a big blur. The big news Ben officially finished his last class last night at 12:30 a.m. He submitted his final assignment Saturday night, so he is now done. He is still working on his short film and his reel. We will be flying to San Fransisco next month for his graduation and a job fair at his school and some much needed Mommy/Daddy R&R.

The food/lifestyle changes/diet is still going well. I have not had a Dr. Pepper or sweet tea all summer (except a sweet tea last weekend - seemed sacrilegious to drink tea with sweet-n-low at a reunion, thanks Anna!) No carbs for dinner, lots of water, veggies and fruit, plus we feel alot better.

We have spent many hours at pools, water parks, sprinkler parks, but my take-along camera is out of commission and I do not like to take my "big" camera with me to the park.

Sorry, for the lack of blogging. I have enjoyed reading your blogs, just been short on pics and things to share.

God, is that you?

Yesterday, the girls and I were vegging on the couch watching Horton when LE innocently asked about the invisible voice telling the story- "is that God talking?" "No, baby that is the narrator."

Roar!

Letter L activities included making lemonade, difference between land and water animals, The Grouchy Ladybug - learning about clocks and one of my fave animal crafts - lion masks. Yes, she twisted all of the curly q's for her mane and his nose reminds me of a bird. Bella's lion only had two curls and no very good pics of him.

Happy Birthday Brayden

According to my mom I have been MIA for too long, sorry its the lazy days of summer. That and being mom to 2 pre-schoolers, that and life in general.

The girls were invited to Brayden's Transformer birthday this past weekend, complete with an autobot. The girls completely freaked, so they enjoyed the party outdoors with my friends so I could take pics for the birthday boy.

egg muffins by Kalyn's kitchen

Egg Muffins - south beach approved
15 eggs (mix in bowl that pours, add 1 t. crazy salt)

1 cup low fat cheese

3 diced green onions

1/4 diced bell pepper

6 diced mushrooms

low fat turkey bacon

She recommends using a silicon muffin pan, which I found at HEB for $10, it was worth it. They pop right out.

Spritz the muffin pan with olive oil and sprinkle bacon on bottom of the pan. Then top with green onions, fresh veggies, cheese and then fill to top with egg.

This made 12 muffins. I wrapped them in saran wrap and put them in the fridge, so Ben could have breakfast on the go. Also really good with salsa.

Happy Birthday PawPaw!

apples and air

sprinkler park is open!!!

2 week fast

Ben and I started the South Beach Diet again this week.  Although I like to not think of it as a diet, but that we are trying to make permanent changes to our lifestyles.  I have been taking body combat at the gym which I LOVE, yes, I said love and I do mean it -it has been a while since I have had positive thoughts about my gym or workout regiment.  Ben has 3 weeks of school and then he will join me again.  

We tried the South Beach plan before and could not stick it out for lack of food ideas.  There were only so many ways to cook fish and chicken, but now b/c of the blogging world I have found hope and inspiration in cooking.  I found a great blog which she did not intend to be a south beach blog, but it has turned into one, so almost every day she has a new recipe to try.  I have some great recipes and I am just trying to make it through these first couple of weeks, which I am only on day #4 and have become incredibly cranky missing my free will towards food.  For the first two weeks you are supposed to fast carbs and fruit.  The carbs were easier to get rid of than I thought, but cutting grapes for your children and having fresh watermelon at your pool party is a killer!  

We have made some really great dishes and I plan to share some with you.  The do not taste like a diet at all.  I discovered Coke Zero with a wedge of lime beats the craving for sweet drinks too.  

Happy Birthday Matthew

while Mommy's away...

Marcus called and asked if we wanted to come over for a little this weekend to hang with Abby Lu while Anna was away for the weekend.  Abby loved the girls, I wish she felt the same about me.  As soon as I started talking to her she cried and then when I held her she cried.  She did not cry when I fed her the bedtime bottle.  I cannot believe how much she looks like her momma!  She is the happiest baby I have seen in a long time even though she had issues with me.

cannot pick just one...

memorial day fun