Kenna's Birthday

Being around cousins gives anyone a reason to celebrate! Kenna has been lucky enough to celebrate her birthday twice! Once at Disneyland in March and again this weekend. This time around it was the real deal! As always, Sam is there to help...like it or not.

Can you see her little finger...I blame Aunt Gail entirely for showing her how to take a taste!

All those years of teaching her kids to be naughty is finally catching up to us. Look at all the snitchels!Now, on to the pinata!Tons and tons of candy....hooray!This little scardy-cat hates loud noises...she stayed safely indoors with a view of the fun.But of course, when the candy came...she came.

Happy Birthday Kenna! Thanks for sharing your special day with us!

Astros vs Brewers

Ray's work treated us to great seats at the Astros Game last night.7th row on the field along the 3rd base line.Games are much more fun up close!

Growing up is Exhausting!

Now that Samantha sleeps in her big girl bed, she can't wait to wake up in the morning! As most of you know, Sam used to sleep from 9pm-9am everyday with a 3 hour nap from 2-5pm. Well. Times have changed, and we are adjusting. She now pops out of bed at 6:45am! This household does not wake up that early...there is just no reason. Blake is still home, so he gets Sam and hauls her into bed with me. No getting out of bed until the alarm rings at 7:30am. Except for books. And potty. And juice. Well, you see where this is heading...

If we're not out playing all afternoon, Sam is tired by about 1 o'clock. Today was no exception. She laid down to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with her pillow and blankie. When it was over I told her she could lay on the couch for 2 minutes before she had to lay in her big girl bed. Well, 2 minutes later, this is what I found. And, yes...that is a ponytail in her hair.

Baby Goats Arrive at the Property

We took a quick trip to the property before it gets too hot. The neighbors raise goats, and the season of the babies had arrived! They had 40 baby goats! We got to go meet them...Sammie had a great time until she realized there were baby kitties too.Blake got a new shotgun for his birthday. Boys and their guns. It was pretty funny to look out the window and see them laid out in the dirt shooting at dirt.They also had way too much fun on the 4wheeler in the rain.Ray created another fabulous meal...steaks cooked on lump charcoal.This is our attempt at taking a family photo. We had Dad's camera resting on top of the smoker...in the wind. DUH! Not a good idea. Incomplete picture and a broken camera...what a bummer!

Happy Birthday - Cinco de Mayo Style

Blake's birthday falls on May 4th...and Cinco de Mayo is...well, duh May 5th. As long as I've known Blake, he has celebrated his birthday with a pinata full of his favorite candy. If only Blake liked Mexican food, we'd have a perfectly themed event. He requested seafood, so Ray cooked up Cioppino. Everyone got a swing at the pinata.Sammie and Dwama took a break because Sammie couldn't handle all the noise and abuse...but still enjoyed the candy.Happy Birthday Daddy!

NO ACCIDENTS in 2 DAYS!

We started potty training the Monday after we got home from California. I affectionately refer to that first week as parenting hell week. Seriously, a toddler peeing all over your house, just seconds after you've sat them on the potty for half an hour...not cool, and not fun.

The second week we introduced a timer. Set for every 30 minutes, going potty became fun! And exhausting.

Last week the timer was put away and Sammie learned the phrase, "Mommy! I need to go potty!" Of course, she says it in a cute, sing-song kinda way.

This week, our last hurdle is stopping the daily dump in her pants. Our strategy is the take-away. Sam's prizes of choice are Princess stickers and Whoppers. Each time she goes to the potty, she asks for a "princ-i-ness sticker" and a "chocolate ball." So, this week, when she pooped in her pants, we made her take off one of her stickers from the potty chart. The first time, she cried and cried and cried. Second time...she was just mad. It hasn't happened again.Now, in celebration of being a big girl, we converted her crib into a toddler bed!This is a moment we wish she wasn't so independent! We are really worried she won't stay put...she's always been such a great sleeper. Here's to hoping those days last!

Dewberry Farms

Every year our playgroup plans a trip to Dewberry Farms. It is a great place to let the kids run wild. Sammie adopted Avery as her special friend of the day.

I wish there were more animals...just a small petting zoo. But, lots and lots of activities! I think these two are ignoring me!