Jordan's New Room

 Before we even moved in this new house, I was out late at night painting her room so she could move right in.  

Being new to Texas I was very freaked out by all the coyotes howling and the thunderstorm didnt help either.  We didnt have any homes around us then and it was a little scary but Jordan's room was ready when we moved in.

 Now it is time for a transformation.

We arrived from SC with Colbys furniture for Jordan.  After driving straight for 24 hours and a couple hours of sleep, I started painting her room right away. Jordan actually helped with all of the rolling.

Colby helped by laying on the floor and making us laugh.

 Had it done and carried up the furniture.

7 years later and it doesnt even look like the same room.

Love the 2 colors of grey.

Wasnt sure what her accent color was going to be but she went with her favorite purple.

 This is so Jordan!  I like that we could add a piece that really was all about her.

She is a girly girl and loves those heels.

My favorite part is always the accessories for the room.  My Mom, Jordan, and I had fun shopping.

Fun mirrors and a numbers clock.

 My Mom found this purple statue of liberty on a bottom shelf at Garden Ridge.

Could not have been more perfect.

Jordan said,  "shut the front stinkin door, where did you get this?!!!!"

She was so excited about this little gem and so was I.

 This NYC mural was the inspiration for her room.  She loves NYC.

This is the one that Dad and I built the frame for.

She has an autographed photo of Justin Bieber that has found a home here.

We love the way her room turned out.

Of course her curtains are back ordered until June but we tried about 6 others sets and none of them worked.

Jordan loves her new room.

It took about 2 weeks for her to understand the deal.  

Bed made and no clothes on the floor!

She has done the stomp back up the stairs a few times to make sure her end of the deal is taking place with a little inspiration from her mother.

I think she has it figured out now!

This was just added to her room.  It finished off that corner for her.

 Logan already thought these were little chocolates wrapped in tin foil.
Nope, just cute little purple balls.

Mom and Dads Visit to Texas

So now its a little time to let my parents relax.

Their journey started by driving from NC to SC to get the trailer and help pack up everything that was coming to TX.  Pat Pat got on a plane to TX while Papa drove 24 hours with me home.

As soon as we got home the unloading began and the trailer was returned.

This is when all the work started.  Mom and Dad were left in Austin with the kids for 4 days.  This meant they were going to be extremely busy driving the kids everywhere,  going to choir concerts, and 2nd grade plays.  There was also a big list of projects at the house to be done.

So Saturday was going to be all about what they wanted to do.

First stop was Naegelin's bakery in New Braunfels.  Their claim is the first bakery in TX.  I had never been to New Braunfels so this was fun to see the river tubing and Schlitterbahn waterpark.

The next town over is Gruene, TX.  I had just visited there with Jordan's choir group.  I knew Mom and Dad would really enjoy this.

Dinner at the Gristmill

Gruene is a small town so we took a small tour.

We went into an antique shop and saw allot of the pieces that Mom and Dad actually have at their house.

This is just a very fun TX paraphernalia store.

I loved spending this day with my Mom and Dad.

So thankful for all the hard work they did for me over the last 2 weeks and for spending so much time with the kids.

I try to tell them that retirement looks good on people in Austin but I know they love NC with good reason.

Sunday church included Larson giving a great talk in primary and then Jackson was ordained to be a Deacon in the priesthood.  Very special day for Jackson and our family.  So thankful that Tom could be the one to confirm Jackson and that Papa could be a part of it too.

Very proud of Jackson.

Cant believe that he is in the youth group now at church.

It is fun watching him mature.

Family dinner back at the house.

Colby really feeling at home since this is the furniture straight from her  own room in SC.

Thanks for sharing Colby.

And here we have the birthday girl!

It seems as there is always a birthday going on around here.

Glad we could celebrate with her.

Larson made a card that said, you must be 100 but we don't care!

Larson, Pat Pat loves you.

So we had 2 more full days in Austin to have some fun.

We of course went to the Oasis to eat.

Mom and I did some shopping and yes, Papa continued with projects and still helped me drive the kids around.  It was just so nice to have that.  So thankful for their help!!!

So at 11:00 the night before they were going to leave, Dad and I were trying to figure out how to hang Jordan's new mural in her room.

Well, we were at Home Depot the next morning at 7:00, got what we needed.  Started building an amazing frame for the mural.  Not only did I learn how to do it but it was amazing that we actually did it ourselves.  I had a friend take the same mural to Michales and it cost her $250.

Mom was so patient as we were squeezing in one more project and they had a very long drive ahead of them.

We finished and hung it on the wall,  looks amazing!  The next post will be all about Jordan's new room and you will see all the hard work that was put into it.

We hung it at 11:00 and then with that Mom and Dad pulled out of the driveway.

I was so sad to see them go.

Loved all the time that we all got to spend together and was so grateful for everything they did.

It is my Dad that says , "don't be sad it is over but be happy that it happened".

Las Vegas

 Two people with big smiles.  

We just got off a plane that that we both were on and it took us to Las Vegas.

Oh, and we dont have any kids with us.

They got to stay home with Pat Pat and Papa.

 I got to bring my sister so she could play with me during the day.

Tom had some meetings to attend for work.

 Tom had plenty of time to come out and play with me too.  It had been far too long since we were away without any kids.  We were like two kids ourselves.

Hanging at the pool and nice dinners out.

The weather was perfect.

 Charlene and I hit the Mirage buffet a few times, worked out, ran, and shopped.

Thats what we love to do!

I was having so much fun, I did not know what to do with myself.

 The Bellagio had an amazing all flower display from Holland.

 Char and I got a trip to Kelly Cardenas salon and got our hair done.  You just would not understand until you have experienced it.  AMAZING!

 Our last afternoon at the Hard Rock Hotel pool.  Tom stayed very disciplined with his studying for CFA.  I can promise you there were not any other people at this pool with a book in hand.

Tom and I forgot what it was like to have this time to ourselves.  We totally enjoyed every minute.  We enjoyed it so much that I think the kids will be left more often.

Spring Break 2012

 Early morning flight!

We dont travel by plane all together very often.  I realized they all walk on their own and carry their own things.  This isnt so hard anymore!

 The dogs get tons of attention from the kids.

Poor Gisele

 Walking to the beach, Logan picked a dandelion.  The kids all yelled make a wish Logan.

He thought and got all serious, then made his wish:

I want to be a Power Ranger!

aaaaahhhhh!!!!

 A little chilly but not too bad.  The kids were able to run around and have fun. 

Logan at one point went in to the water all the way.

 Then he had me dig a hole in the sand, got wrapped up and warmed up.

 Crazy kids!  The pool water was freezing.

 While at Aunt Chars, Pat Pat & Papa brought down Sage and Haylie.  The morning that we were leaving we got to see Aunt Jackie for a while.

 Sage & Jackson so glad to be together but sad their time was short.

We were able to spend a few days at the beach, see a movie, visit some favorite restaurants, help Aunt Char pack, and relax a little on this spring break.

This is us in the truck with Papa sitting in a traffic jam somewhere in the pan handle of Florida.  We had the truck and trailer loaded with Colbys furniture for Jordan's new room and tons of other things Aunt Char was giving us.  We drove straight through back home to Austin.  2,000 miles.  Kids were great and I loved spending time with my Dad and talking the whole way home.

Was very thankful for a safe drive home and all of my dad's help.

Big Monster Leading 2 Little Monsters

Jordan is such a good babysitter...

she let Logan tag along so he could play with Sam!

Our Newest Cub Scout

For Larson being the middle child is hard. He is so much older than his years so waiting to be able to do things that his older brother does is a long 4 year wait.

The wait is over for Cub Scouts!

He loves going and of course has already gone through half of his book. He will be done with each level so quickly. He thinks about things he can do to check off all day.

(I wonder where he possibly could have gotten that trait from?)

Larson will be the best cub scout ever!

Jackson and Larson's Birthday Celebration

Jackson turns 12 & Larson is 8

So nice of the boys to let us do their family party together.

Kind of stinks sharing your birthdays but they were good sports about it.

Mom certainly appreciated because 2012 so far has seemed like one big celebration for me.

Love our family nights on Sundays

Football theme couldnt be easier.

Logan is now being referred to as L2. (thats Larson #2)

You cant have a football party without being in uniform.

Corn dogs, pizza, dips- all good and easy football food

Its Ok to share a cake when you can both get what you like:

half white/half chocolate

It is never ever quiet here on Sunday nights

Sometimes its the older kids causing all the trouble

A different type of football game going on

battery powered water guns

Jackson had asked for a pogo stick for about 3 Christmas' in a row and that Santa never brought him one.

Now Larson is the proud owner and you can hear this thing going up and down all the time.

Uncle Chris came with Camo gifts.

Love my boys!

Jackson turning 12 meant many things for him.

The biggest was that he moved from primary at church into the youth group.

So now he attends church on Wednesday nights with Jordan. That is so crazy for me to see him in there with all of the big kids (12-18)

Jackson does very well in school

Likes doing his sports

Loves reading books

Eats everything in site

Is growing into a young man that we are very proud of!