Update!

Wow - this semester has really gotten off to a busy "start" - funny to say since the semester is actually 1/2 over by now.  I am teaching an extra class this semester so it means 4 nights a week, while I usually just teach 2.  The difference is way bigger than I had anticipated!

We are pretty busy with scheduled activities Tuesday (My Gym), Wednesday (BSF, or as we call it Bible class) and Thursday (Music class at TCU).  Unfortunately we have been shut down for the last couple weeks because of flu season and the kids have yet to get their flu shots.  Better safe than sorry, right?

Here's a couple final pics from summer; just a pretty shot in our neighborhood and then the kids 2 year pics.  They just would not hardly smile for some reason! But they're still my little cutie pies!

Baby Julian

My "little" cousin Michele (she's 30 but still my little cousin!) was scheduled to have a baby shower July 25 - the baby was not due until early September.  But as a big surprise to everyone, he decided to arrive a "little" early on July 21!  He was a tiny little thing and we never imagined we'd be seeing that baby before the baby shower! But he is a sweet little blessing and now, as I post this in September he is just growing and growing and doing great!

During this visit, my mom and I took the kids to the Abilene zoo.  It is really cool! They have a bridge that goes over the giraffe (which my kids pronounce with a hard "g" sound) exhibit.  You can buy treats to feed them and they reach up with their long tongues and take them right from your hands! It is wild!  The kids would just squeal anytime the tongue got close to them!  They also loved the monkeys, which got fed while we were watching, and proceeded to carry their carrots and lettuce around with them - it was really cool to see! The kids pretty much fancy themselves monkeys anyway, what with their cool backpacks and all!

A note on the backpacks - I never thought I'd have my kids wear something that seemed like a "leash".  I mean I looked down my nose at people I saw in the mall with their kids on a leash

 and scoffed "oh I'd never do that..."  Never say never, right? Especially when it comes to parenting.  My kids love those silly backpacks and for me, I can keep them close (aka safe) without impeding their fun!

Summer's winding down

We have had such a fun summer.  We went to the zoo every Monday in June since members could get in early.  The kids love the zoo! I can't wait to go this Fall when it's a bit cooler and less crowded.  They got to ride the train for the first time and boy was that a HIT!  We did My Gym on Tuesdays, which of course is something they love! Wednesdays we did Music Class at TCU (it was also neat having Hannah in our class).  It was a haul getting out there but by the end I had decided it was worth it.  These pics are from the last day of class when you're allowed to bring cameras (and Daddy!).  I think it is so good for them and they really seem to enjoy it.  So we are signed up again for Fall! We also went to Paradise Pond a few times with Adley and Angelina.  We went swimming and to dinner at Central Market with Rilee and Amy lots of times.

We went to the bounce house with Rilee and Reed.  It has just been a wonderful time to play and get closer with our friends!  We are so blessed by the friends we have and are thankful for the fun times we get to spend with them!  It is always sad to see summer end, but Fall will just bring a new set of adventures for us (and some cooler weather...whew)!

Happy 4th of July!!

What a wonderful July 4th we had! We started the day with a parade in Coppell.  The Amersons turned us on to this idea and it was a great one! The kids loved it!  We loaded up some Capri-suns in the little red wagon (thanks Nonnie for this awesome gift - it is a must, especially if you have twins!) and found a nice spot to watch the parade go by! Their favorite was the police officers on their motorcycles, which Chris insists on calling "fuzz"... We will definitely attend a parade next year!  Late afternoon, the family came over and we grilled out, even great-Grandma Ruby was in town.  We created this nice little set-up for the kids - their own little water slide, classy, I know!  The kids still go to sleep between 7 and 8, so they missed the fireworks.   Everyone came back over about 9:30 and we walked to the field right behind our house where we got to see fireworks from 3 different cities! It was really incredible! What a wonderful day!  

I'm 2, too!

Happy Birthday, Charis and Price!! I can hardly believe my babies are 2!! We had a super-fun birthday party at My Gym.  They have been going to My Gym since they were 6 months old and the kids love it there, as well as the owners, Jenna and Jonathan (Price loooves Miss Jenna). We had lots of friends there, balloons, rice krispie cupcakes, and an "airplane" ride (see top left photo).  It was really just perfect.  The kids got lots of wonderful gifts too.  They have just turned in to the cutest little kiddos.  They are more fun, even if more mischievous, every day! Charis is so nurturing, cheering Price on as he tries to climb out of his crib or finish his fruit.  "Yay Pricey!!" she yells and claps for him. He is generally sweet and loving, quicker to give out hugs and kisses.  Walking past a car the other day, I guess Price really liked it, but he stopped to give it a kiss!  They are my little angels and we are so blessed to have these two.  I never would have thought I wished for twins, but I could not ask for anything more perfect!

Hometeam Retreat 2009

 

The weekend before Chris' birthday, we loaded up and headed to Glen Rose, TX.  This was our first family vacation! Our Church hometeam does a retreat every year and we had not been in 4 years. This year the location was the Hideaway Ranch, and this place was wonderful! Each family had their own cabin.  The property had animals just roaming around.  This included, llamas (which I incorretly identified as deer when I first saw them...city girl, yes I know), horses, dogs, cats and turtles.  Our first morning the llamas were grazing right outside our cabin! It was really amazing.  We got the kids outside and they just loved it - they wanted them to come closer "C'mere llamas!"  We went to Dinosaur World, which was pretty neat, although quite hot.  Then there was swimming, a cookout over the campfire, some much needed adult time and even time to just relax.  There were 5 families that went, which meant lots of kids - all seemed to have a great time!

Birthday parties galore!

 

June 6, 2009, we were so happy to get to attend two birthday parties! First was Hannah's; she turned two and there was a petting zoo at her party!! The kids love animals so much, especially Price.  They talked about the goats for days!  Next was Will's party; he turned one! What an exciting birthday.  There was a bounce house at his party - oh and a wagon.  This was when I realized that a wagon was a must-have for us!  Happy birthday, sweet friends!