marker boy

"Hey Mom, I figured out how to get the lid off markers!!"

birthday girl

The family is complete.

"family party"

If you ask Bella at any given family time what she wants to do, 9 out of 10 times her response, is "family party".  She makes decorations, creates food and menus for all of us. 
On Sunday, we were able to surprise her with a family party. 
LE gave her Buzz, R2 gave her Bullseye and Mommy and Daddy gave her a pair of twinkle toe shoes. 
Her menu choice - girl cheeses, strawberries, grapes, lemonade and surprise pink cupcakes.

5 years old

Oh my, Bella Boo Bunny. 
I love hearing your stories, and your ideas.  I love to hear you read.  I love how you write your numbers backwards and insist they are right.   I love how you sleep with 42 stuffed animals every night.  I love how every morning you talk in grunts and sign-language until after you have had breakfast.  I love how you cuddle in bed with me and put your cold feet on my legs.  I love you how you insist to pray first and how you lay your hands on everyone when you are praying for them.  I love your very colorful sense of style.  I love how you love to sing and always want music playing.  I love how you love your family and always remind us. 
You are my joy, my laughter, my unique kid. You are so free-spirited, so lively and creative.

You are so very special to Daddy and I.  You are Landry's best friend, and Read's favorite person to laugh with.
I love you, Boo.

best buds



R2 and Uncle Troy



SuRpRisE!

 I called Granny last Thursday just to chat and she told me the family was taking her out for her birthday that night.  I was kind of surprised mom hadn't told me, but figured she had forgotten.  I got home and was very upset to miss.  Even my Bryan and Susan were going to be there.  I called Ben downstairs and tried to hold back the tears.  I knew money was tight, but I really wanted to be there.  I called Ryan and he filled me in on the details, even with mom at the table.  I told him to keep it a secret.  Called Ben's parents to make sure the kids and I could stay the night, packed the car and headed  back home.  When we left it was 71 degrees, when we arrived it was 51.  I had to pull over and change the kid's clothes.  When we walked in my mom's brother said, "there's Kristi".  The look on my mom and Gran's faces was priceless.  Mom told me she didn't tell me b/c she didn't want me to be bummed about missing.  I am so thankful Ben made it possible for me to go and so thankful we got to be there for the night.  I even got to watch the world series with my brothers, Gran and Dad, nothing like watching tv with fans.

Hook ' Em

On Saturday afternoon, I was in the dressing room at the outlet mall and I get this text from Ben:

"The game is only on the longhorn network?  Want to go see it live?"

"Live? Where?"

"DKR"

I can say he has never gotten me out of a dressing room more quickly than that.

We drove home, changed clothes, bought tickets and drove downtown.  And we won!

I love spontaneous events.  It was one of the best nights.  Thank you honey for an awesome date and thank you Mimi for staying ALL day long with the kids.

pumpkin carvin' party

We enjoyed a fun night of burgers, hot dogs, and pumpkin carving at our friends the Richards last week.  Daddy carved Bella a special Pooh Bear Pumpkin and LE created her own special pumpkin complete with makeup.

11 months old

We now say Mama and hi dad; but more communication is happening with non-verbal cues.  He shakes his head no, waves hi and bye, pulls his head away and makes the worst faces when he doesn't like something. 
He has become a very picky eater.  It has to be on a spoon and someone has to feed him, except for his puffs (no cheerios!)  He will not drink out of a cup and will not drink water.
He pulls himself up and is a speed crawler.  He pulls books off the shelf and his favorite toy is a dinosaur-ball game.  He can throw a ball, which makes his dad so proud. 
He has 8 teeth now, 4 came in at the same time this past week. 

the costumes



the veterinarian

 

Yoda



Barbie