Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Happy Birthday, PaPa!
We just want to let our PaPa know that we were thinking about him on his 53rd birthday Sunday. We hope you had a super day, PaPa, and we can't wait to see you this weekend! We love you!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Father's Day, Part II
We were driving home from Dixie Dude on Father's Day, so we gave Daddy our presents before we left town. But, here's a little tribute to the greatest daddy in the world, the father of my sweet babies, and the most amazing husband I know!
Reading to Emma
Coming down the slide with Alec
Here he is swinging the kids at the park. Alec thought it was hilarious when he'd suck air in as he came toward him.
Reading to Emma
Coming down the slide with AlecHere he is swinging the kids at the park. Alec thought it was hilarious when he'd suck air in as he came toward him.
Top Ten Reasons Our Daddy is Awesome:
10. No need for carnival rides...he's the best ride ever!
9. No need for radio, he's got his guitar and a great voice with which to sing to us.
8. He is really patient.
7. He is super funny.
6. He tolerates our messiness.
5. He tolerates double the poop!
4. He makes the BEST macaroni and cheese!
3. He works super hard to take care of us and make sure that we and Mommy have everything we need.
2. He's better than Moose and Zee.
1. He'd never tell you that he's any of these things.
WE LOVE YOU, DADDY!
Thanks for driving 11 1/2 hours the day that you were supposed to be relaxing!
...Deep in the Heart of Texas!
Well, we're back from the dude ranch! We arrived back home around 1:15am yesterday, and spent the day recovering from the super long drive. It was frustrating because it took us forever just to get out of San Antonio and headed up I-35 because of an accident right at the intersection of I-35 and Loop 1604. Ugh! Basically took us 11 1/2 hours to get home. The kids did pretty well, although they really weren't thrilled about being confined to the carseats for so long...and when they did go to bed...they really just wanted to be in their cribs. We managed, though, and we are safely home, thank the Lord!
Dixie Dude was lots of fun again this year. Although we were missing a lot of the extended family, we really enjoyed being with Aaron's parents and brothers and uncle. We all met at Mamacita's in San Antonio for lunch on Thursday, and got to the ranch in Bandera around 4pm. Alec and Emma had lots of opportunities to roam around the grounds in the yard and the rocks and the dirt and dust. They got to swim a lot, play on the playground, eat lots of amazing food, see a buffalo and a trick roper, take a hay ride to a cowboy breakfast, and play with their cousin, uncles and g'ma and g'pa and great uncle.
The only unfortunate incident was early on Friday after breakfast, when Emma walked up to a table outside and reached out for a red wasp. As she was walking toward the table, it occured to me that there could be a nest or bugs under there, and so I went after her, but it was already too late. She grabbed for it, and I hurled her out of the way to get away from the nest and started trying to shoo the darn thing away, but it had already stung her finger. Her middle finger and right hand were pretty swollen, and after lots of hugs and kisses, treating it with Clorox (chlorine takes the sting out), some topical hydrocortisone, some Motrin and sending Daddy and G'pa to the pharmacy for some children's Benadryl, Emma was all better. Hopefully, we are through with stings for the year (remember that Alec got stung by the ginormous bumble bee at church a few months ago).
Other than that, we had a fabulous time, and enjoyed being with family. I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story! Here's the link to the Facebook album:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=86397&id=543072123&l=d5aafeb0c3
And by the way...for those of you who do a double take and a "huh?!" everytime we say we're going to a dude ranch, the Today Show was scheduled to do a feature story on Dixie Dude Ranch as part of a series on the best vacation spots in the USA. Unfortunately, due to the swine flu outbreaks in several different areas of the nation, this series was cancelled (I'm hoping just postponed, because I really want to see the feature!!!)
Dixie Dude was lots of fun again this year. Although we were missing a lot of the extended family, we really enjoyed being with Aaron's parents and brothers and uncle. We all met at Mamacita's in San Antonio for lunch on Thursday, and got to the ranch in Bandera around 4pm. Alec and Emma had lots of opportunities to roam around the grounds in the yard and the rocks and the dirt and dust. They got to swim a lot, play on the playground, eat lots of amazing food, see a buffalo and a trick roper, take a hay ride to a cowboy breakfast, and play with their cousin, uncles and g'ma and g'pa and great uncle.
The only unfortunate incident was early on Friday after breakfast, when Emma walked up to a table outside and reached out for a red wasp. As she was walking toward the table, it occured to me that there could be a nest or bugs under there, and so I went after her, but it was already too late. She grabbed for it, and I hurled her out of the way to get away from the nest and started trying to shoo the darn thing away, but it had already stung her finger. Her middle finger and right hand were pretty swollen, and after lots of hugs and kisses, treating it with Clorox (chlorine takes the sting out), some topical hydrocortisone, some Motrin and sending Daddy and G'pa to the pharmacy for some children's Benadryl, Emma was all better. Hopefully, we are through with stings for the year (remember that Alec got stung by the ginormous bumble bee at church a few months ago).
Other than that, we had a fabulous time, and enjoyed being with family. I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story! Here's the link to the Facebook album:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=86397&id=543072123&l=d5aafeb0c3
And by the way...for those of you who do a double take and a "huh?!" everytime we say we're going to a dude ranch, the Today Show was scheduled to do a feature story on Dixie Dude Ranch as part of a series on the best vacation spots in the USA. Unfortunately, due to the swine flu outbreaks in several different areas of the nation, this series was cancelled (I'm hoping just postponed, because I really want to see the feature!!!)
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Stars at Night are Big and Bright...
Those of you who grew up in Texas will understand that I have named this post such that when we return from our trip, we can title the new post appropriately and finish the lyrics. :-)
We are heading down to the Texas Hill Country to Dixie Dude Ranch. We will leave tomorrow after lunch and drive to Waco, spend the night, drive to San Antonio and meet family for lunch (Mexican fare, no doubt), and then the rest of the way to Bandera (the cowboy capital of the world). Aaron's family has been meeting up for family reunions at the dude ranch for over 20 years now. This will be my 8th visit to DDR. Wow, time flies! This year is different, however, because Aaron's G'ma Davis, the one who always plans and sets up the trip, has had to undergo two surgeries for four vertebral fractures in the last few months. She is still recovering, and we are praying for complete restoration of mobility for her, and for pain relief! The trip was originally cancelled, due to her being in recovery...but then Aaron's parents and we decided that since we've already put in for the vacation days, that we might as well go ahead and go and spend the time with eachother...just as a much smaller group. Usually we have 25+ people. This year, I think it's just going to be Aaron's mom and dad, his 3 brothers and one niece, our family, and his uncle and girlfriend.
It's going to be different, but I'm sure we'll manage to have a super time visiting and playing at the ranch. We'll surely miss all of the extended family, but hopefully we will see them all soon!
The next post will be about all of our adventures in Bandera, and of course there will be plenty of pictures! We'll be heading back home Sunday, and are taking Monday off to recover from all of the driving! Until then...
We are heading down to the Texas Hill Country to Dixie Dude Ranch. We will leave tomorrow after lunch and drive to Waco, spend the night, drive to San Antonio and meet family for lunch (Mexican fare, no doubt), and then the rest of the way to Bandera (the cowboy capital of the world). Aaron's family has been meeting up for family reunions at the dude ranch for over 20 years now. This will be my 8th visit to DDR. Wow, time flies! This year is different, however, because Aaron's G'ma Davis, the one who always plans and sets up the trip, has had to undergo two surgeries for four vertebral fractures in the last few months. She is still recovering, and we are praying for complete restoration of mobility for her, and for pain relief! The trip was originally cancelled, due to her being in recovery...but then Aaron's parents and we decided that since we've already put in for the vacation days, that we might as well go ahead and go and spend the time with eachother...just as a much smaller group. Usually we have 25+ people. This year, I think it's just going to be Aaron's mom and dad, his 3 brothers and one niece, our family, and his uncle and girlfriend.
It's going to be different, but I'm sure we'll manage to have a super time visiting and playing at the ranch. We'll surely miss all of the extended family, but hopefully we will see them all soon!
The next post will be about all of our adventures in Bandera, and of course there will be plenty of pictures! We'll be heading back home Sunday, and are taking Monday off to recover from all of the driving! Until then...
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Dance, Dance!
Here is a video from last Saturday afternoon. We had just gotten back from doing some shopping, and Daddy was playing a clip of NoDoubt from Jimmy Kimmel Live. The kids always seem to want to dance to this, and we got this cute video.
At one point, I swear Alec tries to do a rond de jambe en l'air en de dans (for the dancers) or he picks his leg up to the back and then moves it in a circular motion to the side, and then the front, holding on to the gate (for the laymen). It's in attitude (bent) from the back to the side and then he stretches it to the front...and he's trying to point! It's in the genes, people!
The kids also show you how they know where their bellies are. Alec does this all the time, but Saturday was the first time that Emma showed hers off too. It's pretty funny with Alec, but I don't know that I want Emma running around flashing everyone! :-) Keep that girl away from Mardi Gras!!!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
WEEDS, The Leak... and stuff!
My good friend Natalie just reminded me that its been a while since I've posted. It seems to me that for some reason, now that it's summertime, I am acutely aware of how much STUFF there is to be done around here! And that being said, I haven't been as faithful to posting to the blog. Mind you, I check the blogs I follow everyday...but I need to keep up my end too.
So, last weekend we tried to really tackle the flower bed out front. We actually have two out front...a bed and a retaining wall/bed. There is so much that needs to be done with these, it's really kind of baffling, and its hard to get around to it all because usually we are entertaining 2 wonderful 14 month olds. We do what we can when they nap...or in the evening they sit out in their stroller and watch us work. Anyways, the order of last weekend was WEEDS. Oh my gosh...it was so out of control. I mean, we had pretty well neglected the landscaping ever since the kids were born, and it was pretty pitiful. We did nothing but weed for two hours on Saturday during afternoon nap. Aaron also wants to re-grade the bed and retarp (weed tarp cover thingy). And we need to remulch, add a bit more topsoil and the white rock stuff that edges the garden. Not to mention the new plantings. Oy!
The other retaining wall bed needs to be built up with some new soil as well, and we are trying to decide on a few more bushes and a tree to put in. Maybe by this time next year it will all get done.
And then there's The Leak. The Leak was discovered in the front corners of our formal dining room about 3 months after we moved into this house. While the builder was still around and the house still under warranty, we had the flashing on the roof redone about 7 times. Several times we've thought that The Leak was gone, only to get around to winter and a real good snow, and find that The Leak has returned. Now, its under the window...and still in one corner. We've had several people look everything over...and evidentally The Leak is a pro, because everyone is scratching their heads.
I am at the point that I just want someone to rip the wall down and completely rebuild it, rebrick it, and reinstall the window...but that's pretty expensive. So, the plan right now is for us to cut out a chunk of drywall from 4ft and down, and pull insulation, and to see what we can see on the inside. If we can't see anything, someone has to stand outside with a waterhose spraying the house down in quadrants while someone inside looks for The Leak. Totally stoked about having a big gaping hole in our dining room, but then again, I'm the one who just wants to rip the whole wall down.
We have been contending with The Leak for 6 years. I want to win this battle. I think when The Leak is finally gone, we'll have a big party to celebrate on a nice new floor.
In other news, I decided this afternoon to try to wash our totally spit-up and snot stained couch cushion covers. They're cotton, and I figured it would be fine. After throwing one in the machine on a cold hand wash cycle, I discovered the care label on the other side of the couch that stresses that this is the kind of thing that should NOT be done. Awesome! So, I got on the internet and google "can I wash my couch cushion covers?" and find that I can, but I have to put the cover back on the cushion right out of the wash so that it doesn't shrink. Thank God for the internet!
So, now that I've told you about all of these silly shenanigans...I know that everyone has a to-do list that they're working on. Really and truly, our life is peaches. I realize that in the grand scheme of life that weeds, and leaks, and shrinking couch cushion covers are not of great import. I have a TON to be grateful for, regardless of what we get around to...today, tomorrow, or next year. :-)
So, last weekend we tried to really tackle the flower bed out front. We actually have two out front...a bed and a retaining wall/bed. There is so much that needs to be done with these, it's really kind of baffling, and its hard to get around to it all because usually we are entertaining 2 wonderful 14 month olds. We do what we can when they nap...or in the evening they sit out in their stroller and watch us work. Anyways, the order of last weekend was WEEDS. Oh my gosh...it was so out of control. I mean, we had pretty well neglected the landscaping ever since the kids were born, and it was pretty pitiful. We did nothing but weed for two hours on Saturday during afternoon nap. Aaron also wants to re-grade the bed and retarp (weed tarp cover thingy). And we need to remulch, add a bit more topsoil and the white rock stuff that edges the garden. Not to mention the new plantings. Oy!
The other retaining wall bed needs to be built up with some new soil as well, and we are trying to decide on a few more bushes and a tree to put in. Maybe by this time next year it will all get done.
And then there's The Leak. The Leak was discovered in the front corners of our formal dining room about 3 months after we moved into this house. While the builder was still around and the house still under warranty, we had the flashing on the roof redone about 7 times. Several times we've thought that The Leak was gone, only to get around to winter and a real good snow, and find that The Leak has returned. Now, its under the window...and still in one corner. We've had several people look everything over...and evidentally The Leak is a pro, because everyone is scratching their heads.
I am at the point that I just want someone to rip the wall down and completely rebuild it, rebrick it, and reinstall the window...but that's pretty expensive. So, the plan right now is for us to cut out a chunk of drywall from 4ft and down, and pull insulation, and to see what we can see on the inside. If we can't see anything, someone has to stand outside with a waterhose spraying the house down in quadrants while someone inside looks for The Leak. Totally stoked about having a big gaping hole in our dining room, but then again, I'm the one who just wants to rip the whole wall down.
We have been contending with The Leak for 6 years. I want to win this battle. I think when The Leak is finally gone, we'll have a big party to celebrate on a nice new floor.
In other news, I decided this afternoon to try to wash our totally spit-up and snot stained couch cushion covers. They're cotton, and I figured it would be fine. After throwing one in the machine on a cold hand wash cycle, I discovered the care label on the other side of the couch that stresses that this is the kind of thing that should NOT be done. Awesome! So, I got on the internet and google "can I wash my couch cushion covers?" and find that I can, but I have to put the cover back on the cushion right out of the wash so that it doesn't shrink. Thank God for the internet!
So, now that I've told you about all of these silly shenanigans...I know that everyone has a to-do list that they're working on. Really and truly, our life is peaches. I realize that in the grand scheme of life that weeds, and leaks, and shrinking couch cushion covers are not of great import. I have a TON to be grateful for, regardless of what we get around to...today, tomorrow, or next year. :-)
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