Pamper Party

Two of my very best friends are having second boys this summer and I could not be more thrilled for them! Like over the moon happy for them. On May 6, we got together to "Pamper" Carin before her baby arrived. Ryne has since made his arrival and he is simply PERFECT. I will hopefully blog about him later...

Glimpses 11.5

This week calls for a double dose of glimpses! On Wednesday afternoon, we took off work and headed to the rodeo with the boys.  We ate fried food and let cotton candy melt on our tongues. We met a few pigs and some cows. We rode ponies and tractors and a wagon... and maybe we didn't get to ride on the Ferris Wheel just yet, but they boys were flying high on one of the free rides at the rodeo... and couldn't have been happier!

Making the "Honey Do" List

I am posting a tad out of order, but in an effort to meet my new year resolution goals, I am posting as soon as I edit... or lack of edits... I have two amazing little 2 year old birthdays to post and I promise they are coming, but for now... let's talk about Nathan and Diana!

Birthday Preparation

There is a ton of preparation that goes on before a big event such as Liam's second birthday party! The theme is carefully picked months in advance and the weeks leading up to the big day are well, crazy! I take all the help I can get, even if it is from a toddler!

Santa's Lap

We took these three monkeys to the mall to see Santa...

Texas A&M Class of 2032

The Domann Family invited us to join in on their yearly visit to Aggieland for a Texas A&M tailgate tradition. We loaded up the Suburban, bleeding Maroon, and headed back to our Alma mater. As we walked through the tunnel on the way to the game, we were feeling pretty good about how well we “fit in.” I mean, we still look like we could be students there, right? We passed by the Stadium window and quickly realized that even though our hearts still feel 20, maybe the almost 2 year old boys in strollers gave us away?

Go Texans

It took my husband 6 years in Houston to finally become a Texans' fan. They owe it all to #38 Danieal Manning!

Big Bang Birthday

This year we wanted to do something really special for Bill's birthday because he totally deserves it. Because he would have nothing if it meant that his son and his wife could have everything. It is his selflessness and his giving heart that makes me want to do even more for him. And we found the perfect gift to let him know just how amazing he is. A very special gift to say how much we love and appreciate our husband, daddy, son, brother, son-in-law, and grandson! A present with a Big Bang, just in time for dove season! A voucher for an over-under shot gun, which he has already turned into a beautiful Berreta!

Homerun

Cold beer, peanuts, the wave, cracker jacks, cotton candy, icecream out of a hat, seventh inning stretch, "take me out to the ballgame." You guessed it... baseball!

Star Spangled Celebration

I don't know why, but the Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. I am not sure if it is the time spent with families and friends eating some of my favorite foods or the overwhelming sense of pride you feel when you see a row of American Flags flying high on your neighbors' houses. July 4th brings back so many wonderful childhood memories at the Corsicana Country Club. My papaw almost always grilled out on the 4th and we all dressed in our best red, white and blue. We would load up and go down to the pond to enjoy the firework display with all of our closest friends. Blankets and blankets of families, staying up past their bedtime!. My mom would allow sparklers and the occasional Roman candle which was the very best part of the night, of course. There is nothing quite like celebrating the Fourth in a small town.

Ways to Get Wet

It is Hot. Houston Hot. This means we are in the water alot. And we are always looking for ways to cool off and get wet! Luckily there is a close by splash pad and we tagged along with Ashley and M'Lee to check it out! The kids had so much fun running through the shooting water.

Park Day with Brooks

The very next day after tubes, we met Brooks and Carin at the park for a hot, but fun morning of play. You would never have guessed Liam had gotten surgery the day prior. These boys crack me up!

Memorial Day Weekend

For Memorial Day we did not make any set plans and that is just how I like it! We got to visit with lots of friends and family and even participated in several fun Houston activities.

Ashley seems to introduce me to all activities kid related. I rely on her a lot for the best places to play, eat, etc. Sometimes I wonder what we would do without her expertise. Then I think... well, we would be Ashley! She is such a great mom and surely paved the way for all us moms coming up behind her! She first introduced us to the Children's museum here. Liam wasn't even crawling at the time! Bill and I thought Liam would be the perfect age to try it again and we were right!

Piggies and Paws Playdate

For May's playdate, I wanted to come up with something fun and different. When I heard that one of the moms in Liam's class was a Piggies and Paws artist, I knew it would make the perfect get together. Father's Day is just around the corner and Piggies and Paws offers hundreds of options to turn your child's fingers and toes into a masterpiece!

Carin is 30?

I am waiting for thirty. Thirty seems to be the magical number of respect. Thirty means that you are not the 'green' one at the office. That when you speak you have enough years under your belt not to be brushed off. Thirty means that you can officially be a mom. Thirty means you are old. I do not think that saying bye to my twenties will be that big of a deal to me. Because my thirties are gonna rock! I should have enough money saved for vacation and eating Ramen noodles will forever be a thing of the past. You have amazing friendships built by thirty and you are considered 'wiser!' Well, I don't know how wise I will be when I am thirty but thirty is going to be smack dab in the middle of the best years of family! Where the little one's worlds still revolve around mommy, but mommy is still young enough to potentially be called 'hot!' I have heard that 40 is the new 30, so does that make 30 the new 20? Bring them on!

Last Sunday we kissed Carin's twenties goodbye by celebrating with her family and friends on a Sunday afternoon by the pool. It is was so thirty perfect! Carin couldn't look thirty if she tried... I think she is totally considered a thirty hot mamma!

Rodeo Kids

Bill and I have lived in Houston for a while now and we have been lucky enough to attend the rodeo and concerts at least once a season if not more. We always have a great time. Our absolute favorite is to watch the 5 year olds Mutton Bust and it is on the list for Liam for certain! The bull riding is a close second as it is so intense to watch and the crowd goes wild for those who manage to hang on the entire 8 seconds. This year we got to watch Amazing Race's Cord McCoy ride which was an extra treat. And I cannot watch the girls ride barrels without reminiscing about my very own barrel racing experience. I completed the race without falling off and red floppy bow in tact. I always had adventures with Lauren Holmes and I did learn a few things that day:

1. Walking a horse near an open door arena means "Go" to the horse

2. Yelling "Whoa" to a horse only works if you are not digging your heels into their sides holding on for dear life. This only encourages the horse to go faster.

3. Always wear your number while in the arena or the announcer might dis-qualify you whether you are in the race or not

4. Always wear a floppy bow so that Billy and Charla can identify you. They need to contemplate how in the hell they are going to explain this one to your parents.

5. And last, but not least don't agree to walk a stubborn horse unless you are a much more experienced rider! Love you Lauren!

Ringmastered Two

I remember the day that Noah was born. Bill was mowing outside when I got the call that he had come early and I must have screamed pretty loud because Bill came running to the door to see what all the excitement was about. Excitement quickly turned into panic as I had not put the final touches on the baby hospital box I was gathering for the new arrival. I mean, I thought I still had two weeks and with first children, everyone knows they almost always miss their due dates, right? When we got to the hospital we were introduced to the most amazing little 7lb baby boy.