Chloe and Morgan

Back to school... fall and fun

2010-09-27T05:44:00.003-05:00

Happy 4th

2010-07-06T09:27:00.003-05:00

This by far was the best 4th of July that I can remember!! The weather was perfect! We started the day with a good service at church. Then helped my mom get ready for her 4th party.... one of my famous minute to win it parties, then off to the lake.

We went out on the boat with my sister and ate some wonderful food. We had the best catfish in the world... so good I even ate it. I swear it was caught, battered, and fried up all in about 1 hour. Thank goodness for un-incorporated areas because we got to shot off tons of fireworks! The girls had a blast (oh Eric had even more fun) then we went back out on the boat to watch fireworks from the water.

It was spectacular and the kids had so much fun!

Happy Fourth!

Oh now it is in the blood

2010-07-01T14:25:00.002-05:00

Oh we are all about Twilight around here... and here is proof.

Chloe has gone full TEAM EDWARD!!

ps. she is sitting in Bella's truck!! no really she is!

Blurp

2010-04-20T21:37:00.004-05:00

Well, I used to blog. I was a faithful blogger then I became an uninspired blogger.

I spent a wonderful weekend of worship with friends.

I am feeling more inspired.

Captain's Log...

2010-03-05T07:58:00.002-06:00

well... time to start a log for the fun we are about to start.

captain's log:

Day 1: Morgan banged on the kitchen window yelling in that it stunk outside and she didn't even fart. Upon going outside we discover a smelly swampy mess on the side of the house. I immediately call the plumber and Eric and I start shoveling s***. More specifically, anything that I had put down my garbage disposal over the past few weeks.

Day 2: Plumber arrives.... 5 minutes and $125 later plumber stops and says it is a sewer line break and to call a plumber (seriously that is what he said). My sphincter muscle then tightens. He also mentions I might want to call my homeowners insurance. Check and check. Lengthy conversation with our insurance agent my sphincter muscle relaxes. I call my hubby at work and tell him the news. Based upon the plumber's estimation that the problem was 12-14 feet from the clean out drain access point we place bets on where the leak is.

Day 3: Real plumber arrives. My dad also comes over... we won't go into why... but I am grateful for all of his help! The plumber pulls out some cool tools and tells us the good news... the leak is right under the wall in our newly redecorated office (um, the good news part... that was sarcasm). I call and tell Eric the good news... he won the bet. The plumber then moves to the drains on the other side of the house...sphincter muscle workout begins again. My dad chimes in... "I have been thinking there were problems on this side too." Really?? Huh. The diagnosis on that side is good... no leaks. Then go inside and the plumber starts asking me if I have extra tiles for the kitchen... and the entry way.

This is going to be interesting!! We are now taking bets on how may feet of pipe will be replaced and which direction the pipe is laid... will it be going into the living room?? the entry way?? will the take the cabinets out??

stay tuned!

Happy Birthday Sweet Chloe!!

2010-02-21T21:29:00.000-06:00

cold weather and warm hearts

2010-02-18T07:10:00.003-06:00

getting ready

2010-02-10T22:26:00.001-06:00

I love the great day of love..

Happy Valentines Day!!

picture of the day

2010-01-23T17:15:00.002-06:00

a. I am such a horrible mother for showing this

b. my daughter needs a new swimsuit

sometimes you just had to be there...

2010-01-07T08:12:00.004-06:00

or just remember that you were there...especially when you see the picture.

I had heard this picture existed, I sort of remember it being taken, and then I see it posted on Facebook.

Yes, this is a friend and I standing in front of an oven. We really wanted our picture taken in front of it.... yeah!!

See back in December we had this awesome ladies night out. We all gathered for dinner and drinks then enjoyed a limo bus ride (with drinks) around the city looking at Christmas lights. We stopped for coffee and cupcakes (Sprinkles, of course) at someone else's house. This house we stopped at is a little famous because of the previous owners... the Bushes...yes Georgey boy and Laura used to live there.

SO HELLO.... of course we HAD to get our picture taken in front of the oven that Laura baked in. We also used the same toilet she once used, but I guess we drew the line somewhere.

I must also say this, girls... I too had my camera that evening. Although, I have no idea who was using it to take pictures, there are tons of pictures on it.

big girls don't cry

2010-01-03T21:38:00.002-06:00

Ode to Miss Piggy

2009-12-22T13:15:00.002-06:00

I love all of my ornaments.

I have one from every year since I was born.

We have them from all around the world.

I look at them and think of adventures, times in my life, and love ones that have passed.

I have a tree full... and them some. Each with their own story, a special memory attached.

Miss Piggy is my favorite, always has been, always will be.

I have no idea why, but she is more dear to me then all the others.

I get giddy when I look.

I just had to share her with you, enjoy!

oh my mother... I swear

2009-12-20T20:32:00.003-06:00

So we can all agree I just don't blog as much as I used to.

I guess I should and I am going to do more.

So I have to vent a little about my mother... because in the end we all have our mommy issues. Here is mine, I angle some of my shots, my mother gripes...

then this shot appears on my mother's blog.

hello pot.... this is kettle.... did ya have something you wanted to say??

Gobble... Gobble

2009-11-26T22:32:00.001-06:00

Light on words

2009-11-11T09:31:00.002-06:00

So lately I have sat down to blog and I have felt light on words. I have been so busy with ministry outreach, life, the kids, and all the stresses that come with it. I have been busy with sick kiddos, kiddos on crutches, sporting events, work, sick kiddos, trips, and not blogging.

Speaking of which... I am late for about 3 things because I have overbooked myself and oh yeah we are out of groceries.

Fall....

2009-11-10T08:07:00.002-06:00

In love with all things fall..

In the little moments of our busy lives I am reminded of the glory of God and all of his beauty.

Fall is a wonderful time to see it with all vivid colors and crisp air.

Happy Halloween

2009-11-01T15:17:00.003-06:00

a much needed weekend escape...

2009-10-26T10:22:00.006-05:00

We have been so busy lately (I will catch up on a later post) that when a friend suggested a mom/daughter weekend escape I jumped on the chance...

I spent a weekend at the lake

Oh.. it was just such a rough weekend!!

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

2009-10-13T19:38:00.003-05:00

Tonight we celebrated my mother's 61st birthday... and I tell you what, I couldn't imagine my life without her!!

She is a wonderful mother and grandmother, she is caring and loyal.

There are so many reasons I am grateful to have her in my life,

but most of all I am grateful she is such a dear friend.

Happy Birthday MOM!!!

Haunted fun...

2009-10-11T11:06:00.004-05:00

So in our fall fashion we had a haunted party last night with the girls...

We had all the fixins

look... Mummy made some mummies!!

We made some crafty clips!!

And decorated cookies...yummy!!

We then had a wonderful time watching scary movies and drinking hot apple cider around the fire!

I LOVE FALL!!

Ready for Halloween

2009-10-07T21:19:00.003-05:00

we are ready for Halloween... my second favorite holiday!

We are ready!!

we have had pumpkin twice a week...

we have decorated the house

just for the occasion I have made sure not to dust for the past few weeks

(haven't you ever asked yourself... huh, do I really want to dust off the cobwebs right before I hang up fake ones??)

5th Grade Camp ROCKS

2009-10-03T17:11:00.002-05:00

So Chloe had 5th grade camp and I had the wonderful privilege of getting to go too!!

The weather was perfect and we had the greatest time.

It is hard to loose

2009-10-03T17:06:00.002-05:00

Chloe made a good speech and I am so proud of her... unfortunatly she did not win.

She cried over lattes and we went and over to a friend's house and stayed up late having a girls night.

We are better now.

the campaign begins

2009-09-28T11:13:00.002-05:00

Chloe is running for student council treasurer.

I hope she wins, but if not, I am just so proud she even ran!!

Go Cowboys

2009-09-21T11:30:00.002-05:00

Ms Morgan turns 7

2009-09-19T21:21:00.003-05:00

Well my Ms Morgan turned 7.... she is getting too old.

While her sister went out of town to camp Morgan had a birthday weekend.

Which included taking a movie in with friends...

Then a out to eat at Morgan's favorite restuarnt...

Shogun Habachi

As a birthday special they let her cook (way cool!!)

Morgan was just thrilled!!

Plus... yum... fried ice cream!!

We of course went to Mimi and Papa's.... nerf wars!!

Then Ms. Morgan pulled a left hook.. she wanted to do something girly... really girly...

we went to Sweet and Sassy for a facial an pedi.

The pedi was way relaxing

We also had to make a trip to Build-A-Bear... too fun!!

PEARS FOR SALE and I totally rock

2009-09-12T21:39:00.003-05:00

So, we have literally 20+ pounds of pears.

Seriously.

So today on our cooking endeavors I decided to try my hand at some pear butter.

Um, I don't can. I bake, broil, grill, and saute, but I am not a canner.

So I headed up to my momma's house to utilize her expertise and her handy dandy electric peeler.

So today, side by side, my mom and I made pear butter...

It brought back memories of my grandmother, like flashes I saw her pickeling and canning with her towel in her waist band. I kept wishing she were there, I could see the three of us in the kitchen. Actually, if it were to take place, I would start(cause I get the creative spell), my mom would come in and tell me what I was doing wrong (she is an expert at all), she would get bored, or go for tacos (she did that today), and my grandmother would finish up while I watched (and clean the kitchen spotless all while cooking dinner). My grandma had some mad skills in the kitchen and she was a cleaning machine. I do miss her....

she would have loved the way we finished up the evening....

rockin out with Rock Band Beetles!!

mom or me on vocals

Chloe on guitar

Morgan on drums

WE TOTALLY ROCK!!

Our 8th Anniversary Dinner by Chloe

2009-09-07T20:21:00.004-05:00

OOOOOhhhhhh my... I must share this...

2009-09-06T10:43:00.003-05:00

Ok, so I know that I created a recipe blog... but a friend told me about this and it has CHANGED MY LIFE!! Seriously!! My kids (and husband) love popcorn. It is priceeeeyyy!! We have tried air pop... too messy! We end up just buying microwavable. I don't know how we started talking about this (well lets see, I am the most frugal person I know) but she says..

"you dork, why don't you just microwave the kernels?"

Huh? What? Why do I not know about this??

So I did..

1/3 c kernels

2 tbs butter (ahh... more or less)

dash of salt (pepper, or what ever you like)

put it in a paper lunch sack, fold the top over a couple of times (easy does the fold size, it does expand)

microwave for 2-3 minutes... please stand by!!

ding... that is it!!! Seriously!!! We love it!! IT IS CHEAP!!

I love LOVEE LOVE LOVE IT!!

Mr. Claims Adjuster

2009-08-31T14:33:00.004-05:00

Dear Mr. Claims Adjuster,

I am attempting to file a claim for damages to my car and psychiatric fees. Here are my recollection of the events that took place Sunday Aug 30, 2009 at approximately 6 pm. I have also included some photos taken with my iPhone. (please note we are not in a school zone as I do not want any tickets).

We were heading home from an afternoon at the park when my mother called asking us to stop by and try a bite of her latest recipe. We did and I must say her taco meat was delicious. We took a couple of bites (all that she left us) and were leaving. We did not invite her to come with us. (Please note, I did not witness my mother drinking any booze.) As we were getting into our van I notice my mother acting strangely, she got on a scooter.

I was concerned about a possible gas leak or mental break down so I immediately locked our doors and made sure the windows were up. Then I put the car in reverse and tried to escape as quickly as I could. I noticed my mother coming

straight after me. The

children screamed and my husband yelled at me that he really should have gotten to know my mother a little more before he proposed. It was a busy time of day and I had to stop to let a car of nuns go by.

That is when the attack occurred. I then started honking to gain as many witnesses as I could, afraid for my life. I was no longer trapped in the driveway and made a very narrow escape leaving the crazy woman in the driveway.

The entire family was in shock and have had horrible nightmares... the girls have sworn off scooters. The van has never fully recovered either, it keeps honking at old ladies, afraid of getting another random attack. I think that I will forward this to our congress... we really need a stronger mental health awareness act.

Thank you for your time,

Angie

Day at the park

2009-08-30T19:45:00.003-05:00

It has been such beautiful weather so we decided to spend the afternoon at the park...

It was an absolutely perfect day!!

Back to school....yeah!!

2009-08-24T09:33:00.003-05:00

PREPARATION IS KEY

2009-08-23T18:51:00.004-05:00

In celebration of the up coming year we had our back to school feast...

with the theme of Preparation is Key!!

The girls picked the menu... breakfast for dinner... yum!

We toasted the upcoming year... and set some goals.

Then we packed to get ready... so we can be prepared!!

just to catch you up

2009-08-22T22:40:00.000-05:00

well we have been busy busy around here...

so I thought I would just catch you up with my photos from my iPhone

Well while at my Bunco game I left Eric home to supervise a campout...from what I hear it went really well. Not a lot of sleep but a lot of fun. Well the lack of sleep led to the following day being very... um... interesting. Thus or first piece of evidence...

this was what we called a "quiet" time out which led to a 4 hour nap.... making the day much better.

Next up.. ear infection... go figure... Dr. Norah informed us that she is going on vacation (her 3rd this summer) and Morgan is not allowed to get sick while she is gone... ok we will try to listen.

Mimi, who is just awesome, took the girls on a date to get them some school clothes. Everyone needs a Mimi like ours!! First she took Chloe. She let Chloe get exactly what she wanted and then treated her to a wonderful lunch at her fav restaurant... El Fenix (huh). Here is Chloe in one of her outfits.

Then Mimi took Morgan... I don't think it went as well. We all know Morgan is "different". Definitely her own style. Then again I went through my black phase.... for like 10 years or so. She wore Mimi down in like an hour flat... new record. Mimi gave up and took Morgan out for her fav... Italian.

Then Friday Chloe and I went out shopping and we came across this...

dude... this is so our Dollar Tree. We go like once a week. It is an awesome store. Yeah, multiple stabbing by disgruntled customer. I swear, totally good part of town.

We continued our shopping trip and scored some cute jeans and accessories. Chloe and I then went to lunch at La Madeline. She is getting so fun... and too old.

This was also meet the teacher at school... totally excited!!! Morgan is going into 1st and going to have the same teacher Chloe had (score). Chloe is going into 5th and she and her friends totally own the school!!

Ahh... so ready for school to start!!! Tomorrow is our great back to school dinner party!!

Ewww... Annie

2009-08-12T21:48:00.004-05:00

This is the dead... really dead.... for a while dead rabbit that we found in the yard. (no I didn't kill it)

Annie and Coco caught it... and they have been rolling around on top of it.... FOR DAYS!!

How do I know for days... we kept noticing an aroma about them... regardless of the bathes they kept getting they still stunk, now I know why. I just love thinking about how they sit in my lap, lay on my bed, all those belly rubs, and kisses....

GAG!!

dinner with the hubby

2009-08-10T21:35:00.000-05:00

ahh the girls left us for 5 days to go on vacation with Mimi....

what to do, what to do???

Well, lets see.... after my wonderful trip to the Leadership Summit...

shopping, reading, and a whole lot of me time!!

I did decide to make my hubby a dish that the kids would never enjoy!!

it was a wonderful couple of days, as much as I missed the girls...

I suffered through!!

The Leadership Summit

2009-08-07T21:52:00.002-05:00

So I guess I need to take a moment to give you a little history... remember the wonderful outreach program that I have spoken of... my community outreach. See I feel so strongly about this cause that I took on the responsibility as leader of the partnership between my church and this wonderful organization. As a member of our outreach ministry leadership I was given this wonderful opportunity to attend The Leadership Summit with the other leaders and the staff of the church.

All I can say is WOW. I am literally overwhelmed with everything that I learned. To learn more about it check out the Willow Creek Church website

I have so much to pray on and soak in!!

I am ok... I think I can make it

2009-08-05T00:09:00.004-05:00

I will make it 18 more days until Morgan goes back to school.... I really can!

birthdays and paddy whackin'

2009-08-01T15:33:00.006-05:00

It is Shelia's birthday... our favorite Canadian.

So for her birthday we got her a bucket of beer.

The bucket is from Morgan who found it at a garage sale, and custom beer opener is from Chloe, and of course the beer is from Eric & I.

So happy birthday Shelia!!

Now on to paddy wackin'... other people may call it ping pong.

I got a call from a friend saying hey come and pick up this ping pong table before I give it to goodwill.

Roger that!!

So we scored a new paddy wackin' table.

For those of you wondering where in the world paddy whackin' came from... I will give you three choices and you choose.

1. this is the game we played at our favorite little pub... Paddy Whacks!! A great little pub Eric and I love visiting when we are near... we even have t-shirts!!

2. The paddles, known as paddys in our house, double as devices that are used to whack some one's behind.

3. While playing the game small children obsessively sing this little chant:

ping pong paddy whack a.... zing zong

zing zong paddy whack a... ding dong

ding dong paddy whack a... bing bong

paddy whackin' all day long!!

Well come on over and play some paddy whack with us and we will let you in on our secret!!

barbie invasion

2009-07-30T21:15:00.000-05:00

Help.... my house is being taken over!!! It is a barbie invasion!!

Annie is just waiting for them to drop one little bite!!! She can chew a hand off a barbie in 10 seconds flat!!

fun times at the zoo

2009-07-29T19:37:00.003-05:00

So we had this brilliant idea to go to the zoo since the weather has been crazy cool with a chance of rain. My dad was going to take the girls but has recently had water troubles to deal with so the girls asked me to take them. My sister heard about it ad decided to tag along. My dad heard my sister was going so he was back in. Then my nephew wanted to go. So we all loaded up in the van and headed out.

Now you all know that I just love love love snapping photos and since we were going to the zoo I was looking forward to it. Well we get there and I am getting ready to take a shot and I see the dreaded words... NO SD CARD INSERTED!!!!! NOOOOOOOOO!!

I almost cried... seriously!! I went to the gift shop (they should be hip to the common needs right??). I see tons of photo supplies behind the counter and ask for a SD card and the guy says sure (score!!). I ask him to open it so he does and I pay (we won't talk about the cost). I walk out and start to place it in my camera and I realize he sold me a memory stick (totally different). If I wasn't fighting back tears/screams/anger before I was now. I call Eric and beg him to come and bring me one... he says no. I beg my mother (who I help out all the time and can't even count how many times I have driven obscene distances to bring her crap) she said no... (I am still bitter). I catch up the group and tell them of my sadness... my dad then continues to harass me the entire day, "oh no, how are you going to blog" and other mean things. I personally think he was really upset I couldn't take pictures. Anyway, I move on, because I was really there to be with the kiddos. I do have a camera on my phone too... see...

Here is Ms. Morgan and her new little friend. It was so cute because she would walk up and down the walkway and this penguin would follow her... long lost twin.

The kids also fed the birds... one of their favorite things.

Here is my nephew Matthew... he even joined in the fun!!

pampering the crap out of me

2009-07-26T22:41:00.004-05:00

So the girls love to do sweet things for me.... the love pampering me and I try to remember that I am going to miss these moments when they are older, really I try to remember. But it is hard to keep that in mind when I am stuck in the moment... held hostage.

See it starts out while I, an innocent bystander minding my own business (washing dinner dishes), get asked a seemingly innocent question... "hey mommy, do you want to by a ticket?" I of course do, right... This seems to please the small child and she runs back in the other room sharing the great news to her giddy sister. I then hear my name being called and I come and then the hostile short people start with their demands. They use those darn sweet smiles as silent weapons. I sit in my assigned seat. At which time I am told of my impending doom... pampering Mommy... yeah!! I then have weird smelling creams (it was my Burts Bees Coconut Mint Foot Creme) slathered on my face. Then huge cucumbers, that I swear have been pre-chewed and licked, on my eyes. Morgan proceeds putting on my makeup (which is oddly painful!) and Chloe gives me a foot massage (jabbing her fingers in between my toes)

I hear Eric in the room so I beg, plea, and threaten for help (in the most positive upbeat way). He laughs and I hear my camera flash. At this point the dogs, who I had lost somehow, were now on top of me. The children are irritated, and whine at me to stay still. I do. We soon discover that Coco is under the impression that she likes cucumber. She starts licking my eye and steals a cucumber. This sends one of my captors into a high pitched frenzy. Coco then jumps on the top of the chair and in an attempt to keep the cucumber she falls off the back (now stuck behind the chair that is angled at the corner of the room). I jump up to save her, this angers the captors, sending them off pouting and crying, Eric starts laughing at me, and Annie decided the whole thing was just too much so she goes and hides under the bed.

I make peace with my captors by making brownies. I was released with prejudice. My skin burns, my face is many shades of brown (they stuck with neutrals), my feet feel slimy, I think that I have injuries, and I am still missing part of the cucumber somewhere in the house ( I am sure the fruit flies will show me in a couple days).

Oh the memories we share!!

A week in review

2009-07-25T22:23:00.003-05:00

I will say....sorry for the quality of the pics... but they are all from my phone. Also sorry for the blah blog, it is being updated soon.

Here is our week in review...

Let us start with Ms. Chloe and the stick. See the stick... Chloe decided that this was the most awesome stick ever. She wanted to bring the stick home to show her dad.

So she rode home with it across her handle bars. Then she swerved and caught a tree with the stick. Her bicycle stayed put and Chloe flew about 4 feet landing on her left side. Which sent us directly to an acute care center. Here is a wonderful picture of her goose egg.

Here she is getting xrays.... broken elbow (which doesn't hurt too bad, doesn't require any action, and better not prevent practicing piano)

She is in a sling (most of the time) and is doing well. Tonight is our regular day to do outreach ministry. If you remember we started this about 4 months ago. Here are some pictures from our evening... Ms. Kaitlyn is leading the story...doesn't she look cute (she is preggers). This ministry has given us more than we could ever give. We have learned so much and grown so much. We are so blessed.

Have a blessed day!!!

wabbit hunting season

2009-07-21T11:27:00.003-05:00

Ok...so I love my garden. Every morning I have my routine. The past few weeks I have been noticing that my cabbage has been munched on.... I mean it get stripped.

Then when I was doing my [least] favorite part of my morning routine, pooper scooper duty, I noticed this...

(yes I took a picture, because my hubby never believes me)

So I now declare....

i heart iPhones!!

2009-07-20T21:54:00.003-05:00

So I am one of them...

those people with an iPhone!!!

I love it!! I mean it!! I love my iPhone. I tried others and there is just no comparisons. I know, I know it is just a phone but what can I say, I am a sucker!! I love downloading frivolous apps. Like the Moron Test (addicting), Facebooking while listening to my grandfather's stories, and taking pictures and emailing them with ease!! Ahh, I could go on and on...

ps.... I am blogging from my iPhone

swimmers and muffin kids

2009-07-19T21:38:00.004-05:00

So the girls are such little fishies!!!

At the local pool you have to pass a swimming test to jump off the diving board. When you succeed they give you a bracelet. You could of course bring the bracelet back each time and then you wouldn't have to retake the test.... not these girls... they love to take it!! Morgan, who is known for her unique swimming style (we call it the drowning kid look) recently observed someone doing the overhead stroke and has since started something closer to normal swimming.

I am having some issues with my oven...like the fact it is not working ( I diagnosed it as broken control panel). Well that it isn't the end of the world but I did plan the menu for the nest few days around the ability to bake. So I am improvising and cooking in my TINY toaster/convection oven. We were to have muffins this morning and I had to scratch that... we had to have mini muffins. Chocolate chip and blueberry muffins taste even more yummy if you make them tiny... and then when we eat the ENTIRE batch it doesn't feel as bad.

This sparked the idea for the girls (please remember we try to live our lives like we are in musicals)... The Muffin Kids!!

Mind you, we litterally were required to go around singing all evening. They even made a Muffin Lane. I know that isn't in the song, but the kids thought this name was better.

It was a secret hide-out.

They are now accepting applications for cleaning crew... because bakers and sales mangers (according to the contracts it is a 60/40 split).

Fatigue... plain old fatigue

2009-07-16T22:47:00.006-05:00

So I am tired... extremely tired!!

I am helping my mother clean out her house, I mean top to bottom clean out her house. Not to say that she is getting rid of one single item, all the items in her home will just go to a better

place. That place could be my house or in storage.

My mother did have another colonoscopy today. Same old same old. New medications, I hope it helps.

I am off to bed... to go back for one more day and one more room (the dreaded bedroom)! I left the kids at my moms, they of course are treated like little princesses over there....

PS.. my children are sending me pics from my mom's iPhone. So far I have had to play guess whose belly button and look mom I swear that we are asleep!!

The Farmer and The Dog

2009-07-14T23:15:00.005-05:00

Well chalk up the day to working on the farm... see Chloe abandoned us to go swimming with friends. I was at the mercy of dear sweet Morgan. Having seen the movie Hannah Montana, Morgan was inspired in such a different way... she now wants to go into farming. So we turned the front room into a farm.

May I present Farmer Morgan, oh did I mention we raised alligators?

We had produce that we grew to sell.

These are our guards... guarding the farm from the crows (see the crow).

We grew soy beans. We planted them, watered them, and harvested them.

We also tended to the alligator eggs. We did not sell them, just tended to them. That way we could raise more alligators.

The dogs were more than happy to play ( eat our soy beans) so Morgan decided they were soy cows. These cow were where we got soy milk. Annie provides chocolate soy milk and Coco vanilla. The cows were treated like royalty getting their fill of soy beans. Then it happened...

Annie revolted destroying the harvest. Seems she got a little mad cow disease....

it might be catchy.

PS. all the farm hands had to wear bowls on their heads and have Morgan do their makeup.

The kids went to Mimi and Papa's for the evening. I cleaned up and celebrated with some Mexican Chocolate Pudding

no worries, no soy cows were harmed in the making.. it is made of almond milk.

great music...dear lord is that a snake???

2009-07-13T23:19:00.003-05:00

We have had a fun filled Monday. We have discovered that the dollar theater has 50 cent Mondays so we are now celebrating Movie Monday. We enjoyed the Hannah Montana Movie (finally... we don't see many movies). We went out to lunch then headed to the doctor for a well check. After a clean bill of health we went grocery shopping and came home to prepare dinner. While cooking I get a call inviting us to go the see the Plano Community Band performing a concert in the park. The girls and I jumped at the chance (Eric is under the weather).

It was a little warm (101) so we got some cool drinks and tried to stay in the breeze.

Morgan was not that all interested in listening to the band so she stuck around for a while then ran off to the play ground. She made a new best friend (go figure) and she was just as happy as can be.

After we got home I realized that we were out of dog food. The puppies were just not going to stand for this!! Annie was also protesting the fact that we were out of dog chews by chewing up one of the kids head bands. I got the hint and went for a late night run to the store.

As I am pulling in the driveway, I see something at the edge of the garage door.... dear lord it was a snake!! I do not do snakes. I have no gun (I am a good shot with a bb gun) so I call Eric and make him come out to get this thing. I could just see it getting in the house, or in the back yard.... the dogs would have gotten bit or killed the thing, either way it would have been messy!!

Now you may not be able to tell, but this snake is like 3 feet long...or longer. In my book the only good snake is a dead snake. My hubby on the other hand disagrees. He catches the snake in a big red bag.

He proceeds to tell me that he wants to keep the snake in the back yard until the wildlife rescue guy comes tomorrow (remember the darn birds). I tell him that if he leaves it, I WILL kill it. So we (the girls, my mom, Eric, and I) embark on a release program. The guys wanted to put it in my mom's back yard (Mimi get your gun) but Connie was not receptive to the idea. So we go down to the creek and release the darn thing.

Good ridden....

let them eat pie

2009-07-12T20:43:00.005-05:00

So today was the local animal shelter dog wash fund raiser...$10 bath and nail trim, this was definitely on our calendars!! Especially since in all of the excitement of Cow Appreciation Day,

we might have painted Coco like a Jersey cow... it was a failed attempt, but she did get a free chicken nugget!!

yes, she does look pitiful!! I know.... I know!!

So after church, and a horrible brunch with friends (horrible food not horrible friends), Eric said he would head down and get the dogs shiny and smelling good. 20 minutes later he calls me all in a huff, seriously he was irritated!! Both dogs were freaking out and wouldn't stay on their leashes, he wants me to come. I, of course say.... no!! It is hot and I am always the one that has to take the dogs to the vet, store, etc. That and it is freaking hot!! Like I want to stand outside...right. So after I give my wisdom, like well hold Annie and put Coco on your shoulder, we hang up (or maybe he hung up on me??) 10 minutes later he came in the door and gave me a $20 bill and said something along the lines of "not worth it!!" I agreed and we decided that I need to do it... ugg!

We had dinner company tonight... lots of dinner company!! We just had a pot of black eyed peas... apparently my girls favorite!! For a special dessert.... pie... and I mean Morgan LOVES this pie... She helped me make it and let me tell you, we are lucky there was pie in the crust!!

She helped herself to a slice (um.. or two) after dinner. (notice the dog not bathed)

Yum... let that girl eat pie!!

So we have a fun filled week, so off to bed we go!! We have wildlife rescuers coming tomorrow to save the birds from the chimney.... and save my sanity (whats left)

what we wouldn't do for some free food

2009-07-11T11:12:00.004-05:00

Oh what we won't do for free grub...

especially for the world's bestest diet lemonade and the kiddos favorite chicken nuggets!!

So of course on Chick-Fila's Cow Appreciation Day we just had to be there!!

Twice!!

Yup, twice!!

Come on dress up like a cow and get free food...

too good to pass up!!

That and what better things do we have to do when we are stuck inside all week??

Chloe just loves loves loves their breakfasts...

so we had to go for that.

Morgan just loves their kids meals...

so we had to rally up with other cows (aka our friends)

and go for lunch.

We discovered one possible side effect...

Mad Cow Disease!!

Who knew...

who knew??

a great treat

2009-07-09T23:00:00.004-05:00

So what can cheer up two sick little girls...

two sick little girls that are very spoiled by their Papa...

A surprise trip to Build-A-Bear!!!!

The girls have be confined to the indoors (doctor's orders!!)

and can not exert themselves too much...

so we are soooo bored!!!!!

So here are our new friends...

Zack

and Sara

We also enjoyed a little gourmet dinner courtesy of Mimi..

chicken jalapeno sliders

I made mango salsa and guacamole (because I make the BEST)

After dinner I headed off to my Outreach Ministry Leaders meeting at church.

My phone kept ringing (vibrating)

When it was over and I get a chance to listen to my messages, I hear frantic calls from my children...

apparently there is a family of birds living in our chimney (this isn't the first time, our flute is easily pushed through)

now Annie has been living for this moment her entire life!!!

She is now holding vigil... she is the best huntress in town!!

So here we sit

2009-07-07T23:19:00.002-05:00

Time-- 11:30pm

and what are we doing??

Well Miss Chloe and I are sitting in the living room watching some teen witch show.

She is still sick, in fact both girls are, but Chloe is up getting breathing treatments and has a hot compress on her ear.

She has pneumonia (both girls do) and an ear infection.

Poor baby gets spurts of energy and then crashes with fever. We did how ever did manage to have enough energy to go out to dinner with Mimi and The Papas. El Fenix (of course).

So here we sit until Chloe falls back asleep... soon I hope.

We are back to the doctor tomorrow for Morgan...fun!!

badge work catch up

2009-07-06T22:23:00.002-05:00

So the girls are still not feeling 100%

We filled our day with indoor fun, which sucks because it was a really nice day!!

Chloe and I did badge work... fun fun!!

See, we took last year off from our girl scout troop and went with Juliettes ( self paced)

it was great, but Chloe missed her friends.

She is rejoining her troop and we need to make sure that we have the same badges completed...

really important stuff.

So today Chloe mastered braiding.

She practiced and practiced.

Chloe is so easy to take care of when she is sick, she takes after me... just leave me alone until I get better.

Morgan doesn't.

She has a lot of energy and between her breathing treatments and medications, she is going to send me to the funny farm!!

She has not left my side and thinks it is loads of fun to play the Ask Infinity Questions game.

Today she wants to be a Bone Hunter.

She keeps digging up the yard looking for all the dead bodies.

I promised her that if she found one in the yard she could keep some of the bones.

She will sell the rest.

I bet you can't wait to see the signs for that one.

She is making me translate everything into french, because french people love to buy bones.

(little known fact, I am sure)

We did have a sweet moment when we were reading,

she was still and quiet for like 5 minutes and we read "I Love You Forever."

After she got over the weirdness of the mom climbing in the grown man's window, she announced that it was her favorite book and was happy I was her mom.

Then she went right back to bouncing off the walls.

Lord help us all!!

netty pots, nebulizers, and rental movies..oh my

2009-07-05T11:07:00.006-05:00

Netty pots, nebulizers, and rental movies... oh my!!

Oh yes, you know what that means... summer colds!!

On top of that Ms. Morgan has a sunburn... but not all over.

Apparently having children put on their own sunscreen doesn't work,

although I have to say I never thought it did.

So here we sit today... watching rental movies while heavily drugged (can't risk a further illness)

and I wait on my kiddos hand and foot...

PS.. Motrin make Morgan act like she is crack!! I mean it!!

4th Parade

2009-07-04T14:11:00.004-05:00

So this morning we had our annual 4th of July Parade...

remember last year??

This year Papa Provine rode in our float...

it was a lot easier to just throw him in the back then try to out do the competition

We won the float for most patriotic...yeah

Parade Prep Pep Party.... it was peppy

2009-07-03T21:53:00.003-05:00

Great wrap up to a wonderful week!!

2009-07-03T10:11:00.003-05:00

Yesterday wrapped up the end of our VBS week.

Whew, it was fun and exhausting!!

The girls made great friends and had a fabulous week!!

Here is Chloe and her new friend.

We had a family VBS night last night.

Everyone was there...

the Papas and Mimi and Daddy!!

We danced..

We made a crafts!!

We also got to act out some Bible stories...

this is Chloe and Papa going though the Red Sea, just as Moses did.

It was such a unforgettable week!!

Now off to clean... pray for us!!

v...b...s....day 3

2009-07-01T20:30:00.002-05:00

Another great day of VBS.

Just as much fun, but goodness gracious I am tired!!

Today we studied Passover...

so here is Morgan painting her house with lambs blood (red paint)

During the fun in the sun...

she did get a little thirsty.

When we got home the kids went swimming in the creek...

and mud sliding.

I am too tired to go into anymore detail, and yes once again Chloe was there!!

Just once again she just seem to disappear when I got my camera out.

VBS day 2

2009-06-30T21:01:00.000-05:00

I wish I had some of Chloe, but she is in a different group...

they are doing the same things so I know she is having fun!~

VBS and swim fun

2009-06-29T19:32:00.003-05:00

All aboard the VBS party train!!!

The girls and I have started our week at church for VBS...

what a blast!!

We loaded up the van...

seriously loaded it up.

I went up and down the streets of my neighborhood bringing every child I could find.

I found 4 and will bring an additional child tomorrow.

Wait, what, you didn't get your invite...

well come on!! I can strap a few to the roof!!

We had fun making crafts, singing, dancing, playing games, and sharing the love of Jesus!!

Then we spent the remainder of the afternoon, when it stopped raining, swimming.

Chloe gives this day 2 thumbs up.

We are exhausted!!

After having a yummy grilled dinner...

tons of veggies from the garden

(okra, squash, onions, and tomatoes)

avocados (thanks mom for the idea)

and grilled bread (again thanks mom)

We are off to bed, cause 7:30 comes too early for us!!

Sometimes I wonder....

2009-06-28T17:14:00.004-05:00

I was chatting with someone last night and she said that she is strongly considering running off with a group of gypsies.

I said, semi-yet not really kidding, I feel like I have.

You know I wonder....

I have spent the better part of the day at church preparing for VBS.

I come home to my hubby playing (I am sorry, reviewing ) a new toy.

A online karaoke thingy.

The manufacturer sent it to him to review...

(he has a column for a daddy news blog)

Here he is belting out some tune...

I don't know which one (I am not that old)

No photos, please!!

Morgan, who refuses to work on her reading, uses this as some sort of announcement system.

She announces random things like our family blue light special.

Chloe has been entertaining us as well.

I am hiding out in my room...

getting rested up for a awesome week of VBS with the girls, blogging, and watching Netflix!!

**please note apparently Eric has stated that I do not have his written approval on these photos

they may be removed**

if they are, they were kinda funny

lonely sweet basil

2009-06-27T20:33:00.000-05:00

4 little froggies

2009-06-25T23:06:00.006-05:00

Sing it with me....

4 little froggies caught at the pond....

brought home by Morgan because she was fond...

opened up the jar and one jumped away!!

he must have gone off to play...

bye bye little froggie

3 little froggies put in a sink...

crazy little froggies don't really think...

1 jumped out to live behind the dryer!!

um, if Mimi finds you, you'll end up in the fryer!!

bye bye little froggie

2 little froggies livin in a box...

those froggies are sneaky as a fox...

1 sneaked out in Mimi's kitchen headed towards the sink,

wooo I hope it doesn't cause a stink!!

bye bye little froggie

1 little froggie sittin in Morgan's hand...

poor little froggie doesn't know where to land...

he jumped out to watch television...

Froggies in the house might be a bad decision!!

bye bye little froggie

No little froggies cause they all went to hide....

when Mimi reads this they all might as well died.

Poor little froggies are all in hiding...

my time I am a now biding!!

**this song was based on a true story**

good luck froggies

look for the long awaited sequel... the turtle song

and if we don't stop getting new pets, the husband song

my rockstar photo shoot

2009-06-24T00:02:00.003-05:00

(um... this is the "undead/redead groupie rocker chick")

**ps... they do not get to wear make up!! This is all left over from cheer days and Halloween!! We were just playing dress up to make Rock Band on the Wii more fun!!!

My day with the girls

2009-06-22T23:34:00.006-05:00

So we did nails....

Played Rock Star

We had an action packed day!!

It has been a wonderful day...

I am tired!!

So there goes the yard

2009-06-22T17:56:00.003-05:00

My back yard has been turned into a mud pie factory...

Wooo hooo!!!

I have a extra kiddo the next week or so and we are going to have a blast!!

I am back.. and my mom is making me blog

2009-06-20T23:35:00.009-05:00

I am back from vacation and I am proud to say I have converted my children to a summer sleep schedule.

I have also promised my mother I would make time to blog... I do so miss my blogging.

I have been trying tweeting... just not the same.

I have been facebooking... just doesn't give you that same tingling feeling.

So I am back, and not just cause my mommy made me.

I am back because I miss my bloggy friends too!!!

Whew... ok now that I have that off my chest here is what I have been up to...

Livin it up in Galveston

Long drawn out reason for a trip (really wanna know ALL about it go visit my mom's blog)

but I had a wonderful time.

I have learned a couple of things...

1. Bryan the cabana boy who served me my favorite drink, Mango Margaritas, is from Lubbock. He was born in South Padre... if you are wondering why I would ever have wanted to know, I didn't. But I was sitting with my mother as she alienates every individual in ear shot.

2. My favorite drink is Mango Margaritas.

3. My boobs are either uneven or my bathing suit was on wrong... tell tale sign is the odd fact that my tan is not even.

4. Mango Margaritas are served with pineapple slices in the evenings, unless you get them directly from the bar.

5. You must always assume that Morgan's butt crack will be showing when you apply sunscreen.

6. Chloe LOVES chocolate cake and ice cream

7. I missed my hubby!!

Check out the sidebar for all the photos.

xoxo Angie

ON VACATION....

2009-06-18T14:53:00.004-05:00

I am on vacation... at the beach!!

I will update you all soon!!

xoxo Angie

Hiho-hiho its off to camp we did go

2009-06-08T22:18:00.004-05:00

Blogworthiness and busy businesses

2009-06-06T13:29:00.006-05:00

I have been pretty busy... too busy to blog.

Busy with so many unblogworthy things, and a couple of blog worthy things.

My mother has been bugging (constantly harassing) me about updating my blog.

I quote "Am I the only person that still BLOGS in this world?"

So today when I go to pick up Chloe from Mimi and Papa's house I drive up on Morgan's Zucchini Enterprise.

Her partners in crime were right there with her.

You know Mimi is at golf all day...

want proof that they were under some sort of supervision (I didn't qualify with the level of supervision)...

Look closely at the sign

(Adults - $1, Papa - FREE, children - $0.25)

They even offered cooking demonstrations... free of charge.

They even made great signs... ALL over the yard.

They were also very energy conscious.

Chloe is very much into energy conservation....

her own energy conservation!!

They made a total of $11 of which they had $7.75 left when I picked up Chloe.

They are dividing it up equally... $1.75 for helper(take $.25 for copy of recipe), $2 for each girl, and $2 for Papa.

They did complain about one mean neighbor, who yelled no at them and slammed the door in their faces.... can you imagine.

Just wait until Mimi sees this!!!

I am sure she will call the cops.

help... I have lost like a month!!

2009-05-19T08:31:00.005-05:00

Help... I have lost like a month!!

What day is it?

Where am I?

Goodness, I need some real sleep.

Here is a recap of the past few weeks,

minus the whole camping thing (prepare yourself... that post will come soon)

and the whole kindergarten (over the top) graduation celebration

So here it goes... in no particular order (mostly because blogger is uploading pictures at random and I am too tired to reorganize them)

Morgan rocked out the microphone at Wildflower

with her version on Up On the House Top

My big hearted Chloe loved on tons of animals, opting out of the whole singing thing.

She is just so compassionate!!

Morgan completed another season of soccer... yeah!!!

Chloe did as well but no photos (sorry she is so picky these days)

Morgan and her dentist have been really tight lately (2 cavities)

She finally lost that stubborn tooth!!

Also here is some proof that she will indeed have two front teeth!!

We celebrated Mother's Day in style...

The girls surprised me with new planters,

because I think we are running out of ground space in the back yard/garden.

We finished off Mother's Day at the girls ballet recital.

They were both just beautiful!!

I have to note that they switched shoes and Chloe performed in shoes that were 3 sizes too small, and waited to complain until after she was done...ouch!!

My Mother's Day Present

2009-05-12T22:12:00.008-05:00

That is right...

don't be jealous!!!

For Mother's Day I got a totally cool...

3 lane...

super fast...

slip and slide!!!

It allows for tons of creative slides...

like the side ways slide...

SOO FAST...

you have the went too far slide!!

Plus when you get thirsty...

it has a built in water fountain!!!

Oh....

lets not forget the air guitar slide...

TOO MUCH FUN!!!

ps... it is possible to get a sunburn after 4pm...

just a little mental note.

I am so Lois

2009-05-09T14:29:00.002-05:00

Oh I am soooo having one of these days!!!

butterfly... butterfly

2009-05-07T19:54:00.004-05:00

meet Fire Bomb and Goldilocks

Fire Bomb is a Painted Lady

Goldilocks is a Monarch

quack quack

2009-05-07T19:48:00.002-05:00

No worries...

Gary is feeding them!!

morgan and her papa

2009-05-01T14:16:00.001-05:00

just another papa's girl

Hello, pleased to meet you

2009-04-29T14:19:00.008-05:00

Hello...

I am Sheldon (might be renamed to Shelly formally Slicks formally Slippery).

The Turtle for short.

I am a Trachemys scripta elegans, Red Eared Slider, for short.

I have not chosen to reveal my gender.

I know that everyone has asked, but as my new neighbor has informed everyone,

until I reveal my underbelly shape or get big enough for a rectal exam

my gender will remain hidden.

I am still young and was separated from my family.

Chloe rescued me from the trails and I was not on my way to the creek.

My new sister Annie would really like to eat me, she has heard that I am some what of a delicacy.

I have heard stories of her carrying around toads in her mouth for fun,

but this is not an activity for me.

I have become sort of a super model and enjoy a good photographer taking my picture.

There is some speculation that I might be blind from all of the flash photography.

I am not.

I do need to let everyone know that I do not like lettuce, leaves, or any other type of vegetation.

You may now stop scalping the garden.

I have discovered that Angie is a germ freak.

She constantly yells at anyone that touches me, my tank, or the 3 foot perimeter around me to wash their hands.

Rumor has it that we have gone through an entire bottle of purell in one day.

We won't reveal where I was allowed to crawl at Mimi's house.

Angie states that I am just a visitor and will soon return to my home.

Papa, Chloe, Morgan, and Eric did reveal to her that they have been awaiting my arrival.

I am think that she should have known since the empty tank appeared on her back porch 2 months ago and even though she has protested it remained.

She knows that she will be the one taking care of me in this household (zoo).

Angie also states that this hotel is over the maximum capacity.

I don't know who will be the first to leave, but there is speculation.

I might move over to Mimi's house.

I hear they love wildlife over there and I am too small for Mimi to shoot at, so it will be fine.

mastering my Monday

2009-04-28T08:12:00.003-05:00

Wow... so Mondays are usually my catching up day.

The kids are back to school and I can get to the store

(with out risking my life)

This Monday was packed!!!

Miss Morgan's class had a field trip and I had the privilege of tagging along.

It rained and rained but we had a blast and I can honestly say that I have learned a thing or two about birds...

I will spare you.

Chloe had piano lessons and I like to go to the park with Annie and Morgan while I wait...

or just catch up with my mom.

Annie loves it because she gets sometime without Coco.

Annie sure has her routine...

-jump out of the van first

-bark at the door until someone opens it

-run to the back door

-go outside and make a check of the perimeter

-come back in find Gary

-roll over to get her belly rubbed as she pees on herself

-find Connie and do the same

-get someone (Gary) to go into the kitchen and get her some ham

-go to the front door and wait for someone (Gary) to take her to the park

-prance down to the park

-poop-

-go back to the house

-take a nap

-try to get more ham

-go home

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I told the kids about when I was a little girl and lived in Topeka.

Papa had a workshop in the basement and he would always make me toys

out of spare wood.

He was pretty good.

I had some cool planes, cars, trains, and houses.

They were so thrilled they insisted that Papa make them a workshop.

They picked up some spare wood from a neighbor and got to work.

Chloe made a bird house and she is patiently waiting for new tenants.

God brought us here today to have tape

2009-04-25T21:03:00.005-05:00

I feel absolutely blessed today.

We had the greatest privilege of working with our church and participating in

Operation Inasmuch.

Operation Inasmuch is a community outreach program that is in churches across the country.

Chloe and I worked with the local Somalian Refugee Ministry.

It was the most rewarding experience.

We had no idea what we were getting into.

We knew we were helping small groups with games, crafts, and Bible based story time.

We arrived at 5pm at the organizer's house.

(this woman is truly an angel)

She split us up into groups

Of course Chloe wanted to help with crafts.

We didn't organize this event and were just providing assistance (important fact).

We get there and are setting up to do puppets that went along with the story.

Paper plate puppets....

outside...

in the 25+ mph wind...

using the following items....

glue

plates

tongue depressers

string

markers

paper

googly eyes

(and that is all they brought)

It was a mess... things were flying everywhere.

Someone just happens to say.... gosh I wish we had some tape.

I think to myself hmm.. I just saw a roll of masking tape in my car.

Why I have masking tape in my car?? Who knows?? I just know it was in there.

So I went and got the masking tape.

I taped down everything.

It was literally the must have item of the day!!

That stuff saved the day I tell you.

Then I hear... gosh I wish we had thought to have brought trash bags. Again I think to myself... hmm, I have 2 of those big black trash bags (unused) in my car. I just happen to have them from a bluebonnet photo shoot.

Then I had the wet wipes that were forgotten,

then the first aid kit,

and then the mesh bags to hold stuff in.

Now I am fairly well prepared, but seriously this was totally weird.

Who carries masking tape in their car?

I certainly can't remember why I had it.

Then it occurred to me when

my new little friend Amisa chimed in....

"God brought you here today to have tape"

Totally random right??

God works through us in so many ways.

Seriously though, this was just the most amazing experience.

We were less than 15 miles away from our house, yet it was a different world.

We arrived and

the second they saw Ms. Kaitlyn (the organizer)

pull up children just started pouring out of the apartments and swarmed the van.

The love and compassion we were given and witnessed was unreal.

No words can express what we received today.

God worked through them to reach us just as he worked through us to reach them.

We are so blessed and as Chloe and I drove away tonight we were just overwhelmed with the emotions.

So as I go to bed this evening, I am just so grateful for every blessing in my life.

home sweet home

2009-04-22T20:00:00.002-05:00

Connie is out of the hospital and I am home at last!!!

It is so nice to spend the evening with the girls.

We spent the evening playing in the back yard and sharing stories.

They are so much fun!!!

mother - daughter bonding time

2009-04-21T20:06:00.003-05:00

So my mom is sick... she has been having chest pain for a couple of days.

She has a hiatal hernia and her current medications do cause heartburn... and a million other things are wrong with her.

She sipped on mylanta all day on Saturday and it went away.

Monday she woke up and it was unbearable.

She suffered through it until I took the girls to school.

(she waited to call so she wouldn't bother me)

I took her to the ER (where I retired from)

The doctors, of course, started down the path of ruling out every cardiac problem.

The whole time the doctors saying that they thought it was GI related.

The cardiologist was doing every test possible but we were really waiting for a GI consult.

The last test, an angiogram, was this afternoon.

That is where everything changed...

They found that her LAD (left anterior descending) coronary artery was 99% blocked.

YIKES!!

They went ahead and did the angioplasty and inserted a stent.

Very upsetting.

We love this doctor for being so thorough!!!

I have been up here for the duration of this with her.

We are just bonding.

Chit chatting, watching tv, and playing on the Internet (blogging away).

Thank you all for your prayers.

She is doing really well!!

blue bonnet photo shoot

2009-04-19T14:46:00.005-05:00

Well today after church I decided it was a perfect day to get the girls pictures in the blue bonnets.

There is a great patch (seriously like over an acre) really close to our house.

It seemed the stars were aligned for this.

the girls were in matching outfits and...

look at this glorious day

Then we get there...

Here is a recap of the joy....

Chloe, you look in pain dear. Please try to stop squinting and if you don't feel a smile, don't smile.

Fix your hair too, it is flipping up.

Morgan, try and OPEN your eyes.

STOP RUBBING YOUR EYES MORGAN!!

Fine,let me move to the other side of you and I will get you individually.

Morgan, stop rubbing your eyes!! It doesn't help!!

Man your eyes look really red.

Seriously, your eyes look freaky red...

Oh yeah we let you get face painting yesterday.

Here is a picture of why her eyes look so red

(taken yesterday after face painting)

Um, yeah, Morgan just put on my sun glasses.

Chloe: "Mom, I think this wind is making my hair look like I am a snork"

(true that)

Fine, forget the posed shots. Let me switch lenses and I will do some candids.

Ok, lets try this...

Morgan tell me a story...

Morgan: " So ok, there once was this superhero that..."

It is going great, then....

And Morgan sees a bird...so she is off.

At this point, Chloe went to the van to grab here camera.

I am left waiting, just waiting.

Oh look ,this lady bug will cooperate.

I look up as Morgan is running off....

(me yelling) Morgan, do not go so far... people are trying to take pictures and they don't want you in it.

(pause as she runs further away)

Morgan NOW!!!

Chloe, go get your sister... she is going too far, there are other people are out here trying to get shots.

Chloe catches her and they head back towards me..

I decide that I can get some shots of them moving...

Chloe.... fix your hair and move away from you sister, since she is pouting ... I can get some candids of you.

Yeah Chloe..... that is so much better!!

Morgan are you crying???

Why?

(because I didn't listen and I am in trouble)

Just forget it and get in the car...

Morgan is now napping.

tea party

2009-04-16T13:29:00.004-05:00

you know me...

making my mama proud!!

(mom... are you rolling your eyes yet?)

Eric and I packed up the family and joined the

protests yesterday.

We sure partied like it was 1773!!

Here is Morgan sporting my sign and

hers reads

"I AM NOT YOUR ATM"

the back of mine...

If my family budgets so should the government!"

Chloe and her

"I DON'T WANT YOUR DEBT"

sign

and her back says

"PARTY LIKE IT IS 1773!"

Here is a picture of some random child with the greatest sign.

Don't you love the fact she is sucking her thumb!!!

I went to 3 different protests and they had great turnouts!!

Too bad it didn't get the news coverage it deserved!!

So hey Ang... sick of blogging?

2009-04-15T10:09:00.003-05:00

So I am talking to my mother, and the same question keeps coming up....

So Ang are you over the whole blogging thing or what?

Get a new camera and leave your blog in the dust?

Um, no and yes and no.

I am so not over the whole blog thing....

I am just choosing to express what is going on in photos.

Want to see what I have been up to....

visit my JPG Magazine web page..

HERE

or look on the side bar and see my slide shows.

I will most certainly have some interesting photos to show tomorrow.

CAUSE TODAY IS TEA PARTY DAY

I won't step up on my soap box too much, but

being that the government is labeling just about everyone a right wing extremist radical

as seen

here

and

here

I will be joining many others, including Glenn Beck and Gov. Rick Perry, in protesting the over spending of our hard earned tax dollars.

So God Bless America!!

ps.... my taxes were done in January!!!

proud mama alert

2009-04-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

my sweet angel Chloe made the Principal's Honor Roll!!!

We are soooooooooo proud!!!

where my gray hairs are coming from

2009-04-14T08:57:00.000-05:00

Happy Easter

2009-04-13T22:05:00.003-05:00

first off....

hi mom!!! hi mom!!!!

We had such a wonderful Easter!!!

It got off to rushed start.

Annie ruined my baskets.

Easter eggs are like her drug of choice...

she love the first batch of m&m filled eggs!!

This is her passed out from her egg hunt.

Poor thing, she could hardly move, she was so stuffed.

We had a wonderful sermon at church. The girls were so pleased that the Papas joined us!!

Mimi stayed and prepared our brunch and a fun egg hunt for the girls.

No worries, she is coming with us this Sunday.

YEAH!!

Great afternoon at the arboretum

2009-04-11T08:44:00.003-05:00

So Eric took a day off work yesterday.....

(giving you a minute to recover from the shock)

We were going to get some yardwork done and some other blah work....

so whatever could we do...

We decided to ditch the work and enjoy the day at the Arboretum.

We had a blast!!!

Here are some pics....

enjoy!!

GO MAVS

2009-04-09T10:24:00.004-05:00

Last night we went down to Victory Park and enjoyed a Mavs game.

My dear, sweet, thoughtful mother won tickets and let Eric and I use them.

If she only knew what all those tickets included she might not have been so generous.

We arrived a hour and half early and up the escalator we went to the Platinum Club.

There we enjoyed a gourmet dinner buffet and drinks before the game.

(ahh... all included in our tickets)

We leisurely walked (all of 30 feet) to our box.

There we enjoyed concierge service during the game.

We were totally in heaven...

it was like a sports club/nice restaurant/bar all in one.

Our tickets were in the front row, so we didn't move,

but everyone kind of floated from seat to seat.

Half time came and the dessert buffet was brought out.

Yum...

I could suffer through any game to enjoy these perks...

and of course the Mavs won.

YEAH

The Chili's blimp dropping gift cards floated by...

one of the downsides (if that is how you want to look at it)

you don't get any of the freebies.

Just for our Canadian friends,

the ole' flag hangs high year round...

cool aye?!

The children suffered the night at Mimi's house.

It was a 8:30 game so they spent the night...

poor children...

oops and didn't I mention that Morgan had a diorama due tomorrow.

Did I forget to do that with her before sending her over.... oops, my bad.

Of course, if you have ever met my child you know that she can get creative.

Her creativity is usually strong and comes in bursts that quickly fade.

Just like any true artist, she must really feel it deep in side her to truly perform at her peak.

From what I heard last night was not one of those evenings.

So check Mimi's blog out to see how that went.

Hehe... and I didn't have to take the children to school... which starts way before I like to wake up.

dental day and off to see carps

2009-04-08T09:12:00.002-05:00

See...

poor Morgan's mouth in numb....

or as she puts it...

"mum"

God Bless our dentist!!!

She literally didn't feel a thing and was soo comfortable she

didn't so much as flinch as they

"painted her teeth"

dear little Chloe went to the orthodontist...

she had some major moving going on so she stayed home after her appointment

(hey... she was counted there for the day)

so we hit the trails to go check out the carp

see them swimming...

they were HUGE!!

seriously well over 1 1/2 foot long!!

ahh...

I love afternoons with the girls.

photos from some spring fun

2009-04-05T20:35:00.003-05:00

spring has sprung and we are enjoying it!!!

Eric and I have been exploring some fun places close to home!!

now that I have my new camera you will probably be seeing quite a few pics

of these little angels...

we are just love love loving soaking up the sun!!!

here is a picture of Eric and the girls...

aren't they just precious....

I am soo lucky!!

new camera

2009-04-05T20:33:00.004-05:00

notice a difference in my photos...

yeah, I upgraded my camera

thanks dear!!!

a day in fort worth

2009-04-04T22:10:00.005-05:00

oh so we took the afternoon to enjoy fort worth in all of its glory!!!

today was family day at the kimbell art museum

the girls enjoyed crafts and we got to see the

new art in love in renisannce italy

free...

fun!!!

we also went to the fort worth water gardens

the girls love it!!!

here are just a few photos....

I will put up a slide show TOMORROW!!

i am tired and going to bed!!

Trip to White Rock Lake

2009-04-03T11:34:00.003-05:00

morning conversations with morgan

2009-03-29T09:10:00.006-05:00

"Mommy I love you!"

i love you too.

"Do you love my eye ball?"

yes.

"Do you love my feet?"

when they don't stink.

"Do you love my elbow?"

yes.

"Do you love my heart?"

the most.

Proud Mommy Note

2009-03-28T22:16:00.002-05:00

***warning don't gag.... this is a PROUD MOMMY NOTE****

My sweet little angel... who refused to allow me to commemorate this with yet another photo

(I tell you she is a tough one!!)

came home sporting a STRAIGHT A report card!!!

She has made consistent A's since 2nd grade!!

I am so proud of my smarty pants!!!!

Stitch

2009-03-28T22:03:00.003-05:00

So Auntie M surprised the girls with tickets for

Disney on Ice!!!

It was fabolous!!!

While there Morgan announced her love of Stitch from

Lilo and Stitch....

um yeah.... I think that we have seen that one maybe twice

well she begged plead... semi offered to clean bathrooms

and was a mommy helper today

all so she could

con sucker-mommy

into taking her to the Disney Store

Now she has a new

B.F.F.S.T.F.

(best friend forever stay together forever)

welcome to the fam

2009-03-26T15:01:00.002-05:00

may I present Swimmy I

walk me....

2009-03-25T20:35:00.001-05:00