Make a Smilebox slideshow

Pumpkin Patch 2009

What wonderful memories!!! I am sitting her looking at the pictures of my precious gifts from God and just feeling so thankful for everything we have. We are a blessed family. The smiles on my girls' faces in these photos and the giggles I heard as they ran through the pumpkin patch trying to figure out which pumpkin was the best for them (or in Ashlyn's case just giggling and running away from me!) is awesome. My prayer at this moment is that everyone everywhere can find this type of happiness for their life.

Baby Lily . . . 7 months old

Oh, so darn cute!!!!

Nothin' better than having fun with the Grandparents!

No, seriously guys I want THIS pumpkin!

Crazy Sock Day

It is Red Ribbon Week for Texas schools. This is a fun week for the kids and an opportunity for them to learn how to say NO to drugs!!! Brook has had so much fun this week. Each day the kids are asked to wear a specific type of clothing. Today was "sock it to drugs" day and the kids got to wear crazy socks. She was so excited when I showed her the "crazy" options we had. Above you can see what she chose :) So cute!!!! She was so pumped up that when she got to school she jumped out of the car and started yelling to all the teachers she could see. Then she started kicking her legs to make sure they caught sight of her lovely socks and the poor kid could hardly walk . . . . think I'll say a little prayer for her teacher today!!!!

My Boys

Just had to write that the Cowboys post was not mine :) I actually love the Cowboys . . . win or lose. Sorry Zach!!! Hope bloggin' helped you get your frustation out though!!

Seriously, Tony Romo is common street trash. The only think worse than Tony Romo is Wade Phillips.

Tony Romo is the Michelle Wie of professional football.

Brook's Timeline

Brook had another big, but fun, assignment this week. She had to create a timeline of special events in her life from birth until the present. I think this was a fabulous family project and we had tons of fun doing it together, despite the fact that I dropped the ball on timing and we ended up doing it all in one night (kinda tough!). Brook was amazing, as usual, as gave it her all! The hardest part was choosing which events to place on the timeline. We have been very blessed with many fun and special moments in her 6 years. So, many events did not get placed on this timeline but the project did inspire us to remember all of those precious moments together. Click on the image to see it larger.

seconds matter . . .

OH, where to even begin with this story . . .? The pictures say it all! I think to get the full gist of the story I must include all the details . . . so here goes. This all took place on one of our busy afternoons. It was the first or second week of school and I was still getting our new afternoon schedule worked out. I needed to run to the restroom and asked Brook and Riley to keep an eye on Ashlyn, as they were all in the living room together. Brook was deliriously tired from her new school schedule but said sure she would watch the baby. She then asked if she could have a drink. I told her "after I am finished I will get you one", to which she said "I'll just drink some of Ashlyn's." I of course said, "No, I'll get you your own just give me one second." She said "okay" and started drinking Ashlyn's drink as I walked away. I obviously saw her and asked her what she was doing. She replied she was drinking some of Ahslyn's milk. Baffled, I asked if she had heard anything I had just said and she repeated me verbatim. Thus, she ended up in timeout for not listening and following directions. In the midst of all of this I STILL NEED TO GO so I do and I completely forget that Brook was going to be the one truly watching Ashlyn and she's in timeout. So, when I return from the restroom a mere minute or so later the above is what I found. Ashlyn atop the kids picnic table digging into Brook's noodle soup, Riley zoned into the TV and poor Brook just calming sitting in timeout. Needless to say with Ashlyn's tabletop history my heart flew out of my chest and I was on top of her faster than I even new I could move! I then realized I had to document this wonderful mommy moment that I had just created so I had Brook spotting Ashlyn on the table as I snapped a few quick shots. Goodness, you'd think I would know better by now! Moral: just take the baby to the potty with ya!

1st Grade Project

Ms. Brook had her 1st first grade project. The teacher sent home a poster with Brook's name in the center and 6 questions surrounding her name. The questions were all related to Brook's name (meaning, who named her, does she like her name, any nicknames . . .). The class was told to answer the questions and decorate the poster anyway they wanted. I am so proud of the job Brook did on her poster! She worked really hard, reading each question herself and even thinking of the complete sentence(s) to answer it!! She then had a blast using her glitter pens to decorate her name and put a picture of herself on the poster. So cute! GOOD JOB B-BEAR!!!!

P.S.
On the question . . . Does she like her name? . . . Her answer was: Sort of, I wish it was kinda different but I like it. ;) LOL

Back to School

Brook walking to class . . . and looking for me to make sure I hadn't left yet :)

walking out the door

Brook with her 1st Grade teacher, Mrs. Housley

Well, my "baby" girl has had 2 days of First Grade and she LOVES it! She has come home each day just as happy as can be and saying she is "so exhausted!" It is hard to believe she is already in First Grade! Being a former First Grade teacher I often thought about Brook as a 1st grader but the time has just snuck up on me! Today, when I asked how her day was she said "Well Mom, if you thought I did alot of work yesterday . . . you should have seen today!" Brook really likes her teacher (as do I!) and she just keeps saying "she is so nice!" I am so grateful for wonderful, amazing teachers out there who love, nurture and teach our babies during the day!!!

South Padre '09

We went on our first South Padre Island vacation this last weekend. It was a blast and I can't wait to share more pictures! There was just so much to do . . . playing on the beach, swimming at the many different pools, cooking out, going out on a pirate ship and even crashing a wedding . . . that's right we crashed a wedding (sort of). With 3 busy girls and so much fun to be had it was hard to always get the camera out but I wanted to share a few of the photos I did get. These two playful dolphins came right up to the pirate ship we were on. Awesome animals! The girls loved seeing them up close. Well, there is still tons of unpacking to be done so until then . . .

More Baby Lily . . .

I just can't get enough of this cutie pie! I finally finished up baby Lily's 3 month photos (indoor and out) and I had to add two of my new favorites from our outdoor pictures. OH! She is going to be such a heartbreaker!!! I warned you about that smile . . .

Generations . . .

A very sweet friend of mine asked me to take some photographs of her family while almost all of her children and grandchildren were in town. Though I have much to learn about photography and my photographs aren't perfect I had so much fun with these families and capturing hopefully some special moments for them. These were just a few of my favorites. As you can see this grandma and grandpa have a gorgeous family!!

The Lake House

Silly Cousins!
Barry & Linda

Monkey Man :)

My Girl's

Justin's Aunt and Uncle invited us to their amazing lake house at Lake Livingston this past weekend. We were so looking forward to the trip but I don't think any of us knew how much fun it truly would be!! This was the girls first trip to a lake, much less on an awesome boat and other fun water toys!!! To make the trip even more special the girls' cousins Blake and Alex and their Mimi and Emily were there too! I have so many pictures to share from our weekend that I can't fit them all on here but I chose just a few for now . . . I am sure I will have to post more later. As I sit at home now I can't help but think how incredible this lake trip was. Every moment was filled with something special . . . even if we were doing nothing but sitting by the water . . . it just filled the soul. I know that my children made many special memories in those few short days, as did I, and that is what life is all about! Thank you Barry and Linda for your special invite and for creating moments we will treasure always. Love you~

Swim Lessons . . .

This summer Brook and Riley have been taking swimming lessons. They were both a bit apprehensive to start but jumped in with both feet and have been having fun ever since! I am so proud of how hard the girls have worked during their lessons. They are becoming so confident and just can't wait to learn more and more! This past Tuesday Brook mastered all the skills in her level class and got to ring the bell to move up to the next level. She was very proud of herself . . .and so were we!! Keep swimming my little water babies :)

More Baby Lily . . .

Nothin' like a Grandma's love!

Sweet Kisses . . .

Tummy Time!!

Baby Lily . . . 3 months

You might remember this precious angel from her newborn pictures. She is now 3 months old and has changed so much! Her wonderful mommy and grandma brought her over to capture some of her new milestones . . . SMILING for one! I truly think Daddy better watch out for this one! Her smiles light up her whole face and just capture your heart! There will be more to come of this cutie pie but I just had to share two of my favorites.

Riley turns 3!

On Sunday, June 21, 2009 my sweet Riley Roo turned 3. It is hard for me to believe she is already 3 years old . . . it just seems like yesterday we were anticipating her arrival and wondering how another little girl would change our lives (little did we know what the future had in store :)hehehe!) God has blessed us with her spunky personality and caring little soul! She is her daddy and I just love that about her! We didn't do a big party this year . . . but had a nice "relaxing" day at home doing some of Ri's favorite things . . . swimming, jumping in her new bouncy house, eating pizza and of course chocolate cake! Aunt Emmie and Papa were able to come hang out with us along with two of our sweet neighbors . . .which I thought was pretty awesome seeing as it was also Father's Day. All in all she had a fabulous day . . . and one of her biggest surprises hasn't even come yet . . Dora the Explorer should be calling soon to invite her to Dora Live!!!! YEAH! Tons of FUN! Just trying to decide when that phone call should happen since the show isn't until the end of July . . . don't know how many days I can take of non stop questions about when we get to see Dora! Happy Birthday my sweet girl! Mommy and Daddy love you so!

Growin' Up!!

Brook has been wanting her ears pierced for some time now. . . and today she FINALLY (in her words) got to take the big step! Justin and I didn't set out to do this today but Riley had her 3 year well check and so I decided to ask the doctor a few questions about ear piercing and see if they happened to do it in the office. Well, they DO! It seemed very important to Brook so we decided (after a few phone calls back and forth) to let her do it if she was ready . . . which of course she was :)! She picked out a very sweet pair of pink sparkley flowers. She did extremely well when the nurse did the piercings. The anticipation was really the worst. . . I think she said ouch before the nurse did anything and then when they were actually pierced she just sat there. I had to ask her if she was okay and happy . . .I then realized she felt very big and was (I think) just trying to act mature . . . pretty cute!!!!!! I love ya big girl and your earrings are just precious!

Family

Sweet Riley

Pa's Family . . . all his kids, some grandkids & great-grandkids Cousins

brothers

Check out the look on Hannah's sweet new puppy . . . . ahhhh!!!

On Sunday May 31, 2009 my husband's grandfather, Mr. Travis Brock (Pa), passed away. He was a truly amazing man, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. I feel truly blessed to have known him and for my children to have had the blessing of knowing such an angel of a great-grandfather. His family and friends gathered this week to celebrate his life. Though the occasion was a somber one it was wonderful to visit with family that we don't get to see often enough. I know Pa would have loved our visit!