San Diego 09

We had the opportunity to go to San Diego the weekend before my grandma passed away, here is an overload of pictures and a brief synopsis. I am really glad we got to take this trip, it was a breath of fresh air and we really had a great time. We arrived at the Del Thursday evening and spent some time on the beach. Friday morning we got up and went to Sea World, which the kids loved. We spent about a half day there and the rest of the day at the beach. Saturday we went for a bike ride on the beach, then just hung out on the beach for a while. We went back to Sea World that night and saw some cool shows and animals that we missed the day before. We spent a few hours relaxing on the beach Sunday morning and came home that afternoon. I had a hard time coming home, it's just been such a long hot summer for me with this pregancy and it was nice to just take a breather. Thanks, honey, for taking us on this great trip!! We can't wait to go back! This is how Kinsey feels about the beach :)
I debated on putting this picture up because I look so chunky and not necessarily pregnant, but it's the only one of the whole fam on the beach. Try not to judge too harshly ; ).

Travy had a great time boogie boarding, wish I could have gone too. Next time we may take a sitter so we can do that sort of thing together.

view from our hotel

Saturday morning we rented a... I can't think of what it is called... but basically a four seater bike, and rode around the boardwalk and through some nearby neighborhoods. It was really fun, and a highlight of the trip, although I'm sure everyone else was ready for us to get off b/c Connor couldn't stop ringing the bell!!

Faces tell all!

The ritual burial...

Kinsey would work really hard to build a sand castle just to have Connor come and knock it down, aww...boys. He thought it was hilarious.

My children could play in the sand for hours

Our "aisle" as Kinsey kept calling it.

Sea World

Of all the animals, she was scared of the dolphins. Silly girl.

Kinsey LOVED Shamoo, although the name was first Shampoo then Bamboo until finally they got Shamoo.

We got there Thursday evening, and the beach was empty. It was cold, but we still had fun!

Love You Grandma

I didn't think I would be able to write this for a while and actually make it through, but I just needed to get some clarity. Don't expect eloquence or even coherency. Grandma had a blood clot in her heart, a massive heart attack, and has passed away suddenly today. I can't believe this happened. I thought I would have my grandma for many many years to come. She was so vibrant and alive, it still seems surreal. Grandma was so much fun and always kept me on my toes. I am grateful for the time I have had with her over the last few years to really get to know her better and for my children to know her. We have spent probably at least 75% of the last Thursdays with her for the past few years and those are times I will cherish forever. My kids love their GG. I know everything I am feeling is pure selfishness, because I know beyond doubt that she is with her husband, who she hasn't seen for 20 years, her parents, and her siblings. I know that she is happier. I know that she was ready to go. But. it. sucks. I wish I could have seen her one more time. Hugged her one more time. Gone to lunch with her once more. But I guess that would never really be enough either. I was talking to my mom on the phone yesterday and did hear her say that she loves me and I was able to say it back, at least I have that. My heart is just broken, I don't even know what to do. I guess just stay really busy and try not to dwell on it. This post isn't really supposed to be about me, it was supposed to be about her and how great she was. I will have to post more about her when my thoughts are a little more clear, but for now- I love you grandma.

Connor at 18 months

I can't believe Connor is 18 months old! It has gone by so stinking fast. He had a check up today, here are his stats:

Height- 32 3/4 in tall which is 65%, 22#13- 10%, and his head is in the 50th% at 18 3/4 in.

This little boy melts my heart multiple times a day, he is really sweet. I want to remember all of the reasons why I'm so crazy about this little stinker so that when he colors all over my walls in crayon (like he did today) or pulls everything apart like the picture above, I'll remember why I keep him... so here they are: 1. His dimples. 2. the way he dances 3. He is talking so much and his words are so cute! Blapes=grapes, flop flops= flip flops, tinsey=Kinsey, the way he says thanks is too cute, he says, "hand" when he wants to hold my hand, he says so many more words and they just sound so cute when they are first learning to talk. 4. The way he always has to be playing with my hair or rubbing something soft. 5. He is such a snuggler. 6. He always says, "book", gets one, and then says , "lap" and plops on my lap. 7. I love the way he smiles. 8. The way he wraps his tiny little arms around my neck to give me a hug, especially when he just comes over to give me one out of the blue. 9. I guess I should quit telling him when things are cute because now when something strikes his fancy he says, "cute!" (I think it's cute but trav thinks it's not a manly enough word : ).) 10. He will lay by us at night and just watch TV or relax, Kinsey never did that. Okay well that's to name a few I've been feeling bad because I haven't written about him much, but he is just such a good little boy. He is really tender hearted and happy, always smiling. Travis definitely has a soft spot for him, too. He comes home from work and carries him wherever he goes. Connor cries the saddest heart wrenching cry every time Trav walks out the door. A little annoying to me, but cute all the same.

Little Ballerina

Kinsey has been begging and begging for me to put her in ballet. She refuses anything but ballet. So, I finally gave in and signed her up for a combo class so she could explore her options. I think I was more excited than she was to put her in her little black leotard and pink tights and watch her "moves" as she calls them. I was dying to take my video camera, but was sure that would scream, "FIRST TIME MOM!!" So I refrained. She really takes after me, I must say just about zero coordination. It was her first class though, so I'm sure she'll improve. It was just about the cutest thing I've ever witnessed. She tried so hard to follow what the teacher was doing, her little bod making all sorts of contortions-just not the right ones ; ). Kinsey had a blast though, on the way home she kept asking if she could go everyday.

Kinsey's Preschool Party

I realize this is about a month and a half late, but someone just sent me these pictures. Kinsey had an end of the year safari party at preschool, it was so cute. They sang their songs and we got to make crafts together. I love to watch Kinsey interact with the other kids in her class and see how her manners/disposition change when we're in public. She's always a little shy at first and then opens up and does great.
I don't know why my eyes are bulging out of my head right here... but she was so proud of the habitat she made for her raccoon.

Mrs. Limon, Sam, Ryan, Megan, Madilyn, Kinsey, Spencer, Aiden

Sporting their safari hats.

Outside Relief

We always go outside and play first thing in the morning, and by that I mean 6 am as Connor wakes up at 5 am bright and early, when it's not very hot out yet.  Connor LOVES outside, it's the first thing he wants, besides daddy and a bottle.  Anyway, this morning we're all outside, I'm eating a bowl of cereal so I don't get really sick, Connor's playing on the tramp, and Kinsey says, "Mom, I have to go potty!" I told her to go in and use the potty.  Before I know it she's stripped off her jammie bottoms and panties and is standing up doing her deed, and has pee all over her!  Maybe, now that she realizes she'll be covered in pee if she goes standing up, we won't have this problem anymore.  But, in all honesty, I don't think she really minded.  She just hosed off and was on her merry way.  What is it with boys, and now Kinsey, peeing outside? 

Summer Visit to Texas

We had a great trip to Texas for the past 10 days. It was really nice to go home again and relax. The kids love going and getting to see grandma, grandpa, the boys, and all the cool toys.

We took a day trip to visit Fossil Rim, you take a drive and all different kinds of animals come up to the car so you can feed them. It's pretty awesome.

Dustin looks real happy here.

Kenedi is getting so big and is such a cutie.

This ostrich attacked Audrie right in the crotch. It was pretty hilarious.

Photo taken .2 seconds before Connor falls back and hits his head on the concrete. Poor baby.

Grandma, Grandpa, Kinsey, Connor, and I also visited the Dallas Zoo. We had a great time and the kids were angels.

Mowing the fields with grandma : ).

Connor's first horse ride, and he really enjoyed it. A man after my own heart.

Just about every morning the first words out of Kinsey's mouth were, "Can we ride horses?"

Love this pic.

One of the main reasons we took this trip at this time was for Nick's graduation. Congrats Nick!! We told him we'd give him 200$ if he tripped while walking across, but he chickened out.

I think this is Craig's way of coming out of the closet. Again, Dusty looks really happy; for some reason he won't smile in pictures. Silly boy.