Happy Anivesry

16 Years Ago-

add in the 5 that it took to marry me and we have been together over 20 years now.

I love to see others Wedding pictures that they post on their Anniversary. Everyone looks so young and outdated!

Here is the sappy part. Tom had this card sitting out for me this morning. The beach is where we met and that is where we are headed back to today. I didn't include the inside but he has dinner reservations for us when we get there.

Jackson asked if we would be eating before we got to Hilton Head ( this does not surprise us) He suggested Cracker Barrel-- Jordan yells- "that is not fancy enough- it is their anivesry" (as she spells it!!)

This just makes Tom and I smile

And this is why you have a girl in the family:

Tom wakes up at 5:30 am to find this display for us. He knew immediately that Jordan had been to work. This has made our day start off so great!!!

Yesterday she was up to all of this but she completely kept me in the dark. I did see her working on the Ferris Wheel but just thought she was bored and arts and crafts is a daily occurrence at our house. I did ask Larson where the top to the Lego box was. He jumped up to say he knew where it was but then just said he was joking ( he remembered what sissy was doing with it) Jordan was in my closet and I asked her what she was doing - she just said nothing! ( getting a wedding photo of us) She also asked me to teach her how to work her alarm and that did not set me off because she has been mad a couple of times with the alarm going off now that she can be sleeping in. no, she was learning how to set her alarm so that she could get up at 5 am and do all of this.

I love that it is our Anivesry today and not our Anniversary!

Now, in each seat of the Ferris Wheel she had something. Tom and I did not see that this morning.

First was a poem:

Roses are Red, Violets are blue.

This poem is made for you two.

It's time to shout hooray.

Cause its your aniversary today.

Remember the moment you said "I do".

Look at the old pictures of you, too.

Remember the dresses and black shoes.

now you have four kids and nothing to loose!

The black comb was because she thought Daddy looked funny in some of the pictures she was looking through.( Did she not see my hair???)

She tied two strings together that she said can never come apart. (Mom and Dad)

the black bracelet was fancy and represented our black and white wedding.

Two sweet candy canes just like us

And of course a wedding photo in the shape of a heart.

(by the way- Tom and I dont have anything special about Ferris Wheels -just her creation)

And this is why we have our girl!

This was the best!!!!!

I did get a hug from Jackson this morning and he said "Happy Anniversary"

Larson said "You got married today?" Like we had already gotten up and went to see a judge this morning or something. This really confused him. Then he said "oh a hundred years ago"

We love them all, we love each other, now onto Hilton Head for another great vacation!

Mom/daughter Pedicures

Young Womans was at Sis. Graffs house this Wednesday. Jordan has not been able to attend mutual since she got in due to her musical. She was very excited. I do not know how excited she was to be touching her Mothers feet. I dont know how excited I was to have her painting my toes. It had nothing to do with the bright purple color- I quite like that- it was all about the application. I am still wearing it out of love!!
It was so nice to just be with Jordan and enjoy a night together. Thank you Tracy- you are so much fun. It is crazy for me to see Jordan in with a group of girls that age goes to 18! She is the baby in there!

Goodbye Gemma

Gemma is moving to San Antonio in July. Although this is sad, we know that we will be able to see her since it is only San Antonio. Jordan wanted to have a going away party and with camp and going away this week I just thought a day at Six Flags would be easier. So the 4 girls- Allie, Gemma, Jordan, and Mariana spent a fun day at 6 Flags. I had the two little ones with me and the girls just kept checking back in. It was a really good day.
Jordan made packets for each of the girls with friendship bracelets, pipe cleaner rings, and other girly things. She is her Mom. Going to 6 Flags was not enough- she had to have going away presents.

Cub Scout Camp

Cub Survivor

We gave Jackson the choice to go to camp or leave for Hilton Head a week earlier. It was a hard choice because he thought that everyone really wanted to get to HH but he did want to go to camp.

He made the right choice. He loves going to this camp each day. 100 degree temperature and he has never complained to us once. He just comes home and tells us about all the fun things that he did. His favorite has been swimming in Lake Austin. He also liked the different sports that they played. Some were typical but he liked extreme Frisbee and badminton. BB guns are always a favorite. This year he did some paper mache and built a big bird house.

He did not come home as dirty each day as last year. Maybe swimming was later in the day!

So glad that you could go and have fun Jackson! Now onto Hilton Head

6 months- not bad

Well, I knew the day would come but I have to give Larson allot of credit for making it this long. He has never once played his drums without checking first that the baby was not sleeping. I just heard him going to town on the drums and knew within seconds that Logan would be awake. I just hope that was not too traumatizing to wake up to. The drums are only one room from Logans. Larson quickly ran down in a panic and of course told me the sad story. At least I could reply, its OK Lars, we need to get going to the airport anyway. He said he was sorry and would never do it again. He is such a good boy.

Another quick Larson story. Yesterday at church, I came around the corner to see Larson with the primary president. He was out there trying to recite an Article of Faith from memory. This is something that is required of the 8-12 year olds to get their Faith in God award. Larson never once mentioned this to me but he is just a determined kid that he is not going to be left out.

Round Rock Express

This was our first trip out to the Dell Diamond

An Amazing facility

We sat in the berm which was perfect for us. The boys could run around and you sat right over the bull pen.

It was a very warm night but the lightning and thunder stayed away!

Would reccomend this to any family looking for a fun night out.

The Express won 1-0

A Firework show ended the night. We were just expecting a little show but it actually went on and on. We started to the car and then would find ourselves stopped and watching again.

Jake at 6 Flags

This is one of our big summer hang outs.
I spent most of the day with just Larson and Logan. The 3 older would go on "extreme" rides and check back in with me.
We took a mid day break at the water park and that was perfect!
It was different for me to have Larson be one of the "little kids". I am so use to him being with the older two. Surprisingly enough he was just having such a good time that he did not even care.

Thanks to the big souvenir cup, way too much soda was consumed. It was very hot and we had our cousin with us to I thought a special treat instead of just water. I learned my lesson. I was taking Larson to the bathroom every 30 minutes and the baby only took a 20 min. nap the entire day. Next time, its water! Sorry Kids!

This was a perfect day. Everyone had so much fun! They are trying to talk us into it again before Jake goes home.

With Jake at the Lake

Jordan and Jake in Tucson in 2003.

On Saturday, we had our Cousin Jake fly in from Tuscan to stay a week with us. Our kids were really excited about having him. Uncle Chris took Jake hunting Sunday night and I think I can say that was a success since Jake shot at two wild pigs. We have been swimming, hiking, and just hanging out.

Tonight was family night with Uncle Chris out on the lake.

Swimming at Uncle Chris' Cove

Dinner at the Hula Hut. This is always fun and festive but with 5 kids and hungry adults a 45 minute wait was a little long. We actually ended dinner with Larson sleeping and Jordan got sick. Hopefully she will feel better in the morning.

Thank You Uncle Chris for a fun time at the lake.

Cute Kid Eating Corn

Following in his big brothers footsteps: He loves to eat!

Happy Birthday Jordan!

Jordan 12 Years Old

Last night we were finally able to celebrate Jordan's birthday. I was actually in Hilton Head on her birthday and she had to be at school from 7:30 am - 10:00 pm for rehearsal. She was so good about not getting a whole lot of attention the day of her birthday.
I did her brownie cake and she just wanted to order pizza. Easy enough! She loved all the Twilight presents and new ear rings. The pink theme evolved from "Wilbur the Pig".
Jordan has been a dream daughter. I know that she just turned 12 but acts like she is 18 in this house. I love being a parent to her and will love being her best friend.

Jordan as Baby Wilbur

Charlotte's Web- The Middle School Musical

We are proud of her part as baby Wilbur and a townsperson. Singing a solo is quite an undertaking when you are not use to singing in front of others.

She was great as baby Wilbur. She had everyone laughing. She has a very good snort!

Larson couldnt wait to see the show and Jackson asked if he really had to go. Jackson was taken by surprise and loved the show. He thought his sister was really funny and did a good job. It was great for them to support her and told her how much they liked the show.
(notice the height difference on Jackson and Jordan) She just says, I dont care!

Jordan got to take her big bow at the very end! I can tell you she was loving it! This is definitely her thing. It makes her so happy.

Spring Ball is Over

Jackson's team started the season out so great with the most intense and exciting games. Mid way through they started to sizzle out and the morale got low. They did end on a high note as they were in 3 extra innings and finally took it to a "California draw" at the end to lose by one run to the first place team. Everyone came away feeling like it was a win and that was a great way to end the season and the free Baskin Robins ice cream didnt hurt!

Supposedly they dont keep score in T-ball but they have to for the tournament placings. Our boys were pumped to win the first tournament game that started at 7:00 on a school night. At 8:00 we were still tied and went to extra innings. At 8:15 the coaches had to start picking some boys up off the field. At 8:30 a couple were asleep in the dug out. By 8:45 coaches, parents, and players were all beside themselves. FINALLY went to a "California draw" and our boys won the game at 9:00. A late 2 hour t-ball game for 5 & 6 yr. olds was tough. That was OK we still had to go to Jacksons field and finish his game at 10:00. Have I mentioned that you really have to love this sport to stay in it?

Larson's very first trophy and he could not be more proud. He was holding it up in the car so other cars could see it as they passed by, has shown our neighbors and anyone else passing by. Took it to school today for show and tell, and has slept with it!

That made all the late nights out at the ball field worth it!

Now for some reason he thinks that I have agreed to let him play tennis this summer followed by bowling (he asked me if bowling was a sport before he signed up for it) By the way, I have not agreed to any of that. The sport of my choice for the summer will be riding waves at the beach!