Leaf Piles

Jeffrey and I had so much fun watching the kids play in the leaves this fall (until one day when Jeffrey was raking them up and a snake crawled out). Maddie was hesitate at first but once she saw her brother having all the fun she wasn't about to be left on the sideline! Here's some of my favorite pictures:

Jeffrey should have known that once he started flipping the kids like this that he would be stuck there for a while.....Maddie kept saying, "more, more".

My 30th birthday

For my birthday, Jeffrey took me to see Clay Walker. This is kinda funny to us because we've tried to see him twice before and couldn't make it. Once in 1998 when he was on a major tour and the Dixie Chicks were opening for him but after we had already bought the tickets Jeffrey found out it was the night of his club initiation. And four years ago when he came to Cowboys and we didn't have a babysitter. So finally the moment came and we really had a good time, Clay has an amazing voice!

Swimming in Oklahoma

For Labor Day weekend we met Jan and Joey up in Oklahoma for a day get-a-way at this resort with the most amazing pools. It was only about an hour drive and it was so worth it. I wish I had gotten better pictures of all the different pools and waterfalls but we were too busy playing. I think we were out there nearly five hours!

This was the kiddie pool which was so relaxing. At first Maddie wanted nothing to do with it but once we got her off the slide and mommy needed to catch her breath we just relaxed here for a while.

We spent about an hour playing on the putting green. They were both so into it.

Playing frisbee.

Maddie just relaxing.

Hiding in the "cave".

Tyler going down the slide.

Maddie going down the slide for the 110th time.

Body Art

So the other day I wanted to let the kids explore their create outlets with paint. It was fun on the paper for about ten minutes and then Maddie started painting her leg. Since it was close to bed time I thought, "Okay I'll roll with it, no big deal they can be as creative as they like." Maddie lost interest fast because she really doesn't like stuff on her but this little man ended up in time out because he wouldn't stop! Notice the toes (and believe it or not he also painted most of his back).

Fancy way to explain doing nothing....

The other night we were picking up the house and Tyler wasn't contributing like he should have and Jeffrey was quickly losing his patience with him. He told Tyler that he would leave the room and give him five minutes to have all his toys picked up or else he would be in time out. Well, Jeffrey walked in the living room and everything looked just as it had five minutes again so Jeffrey raised his voice and said, "TYLER, why didn't you listen? You didn't do ANYTHING!".
Tyler said, "Yes I did!"
Jeffrey, "No you didn't all your toys are still in here."
Tyler, "I was doing something."
Jeffrey, "What in the world were you doing?!!"
Tyler, "I was putting air in my mouth!"

Moths. From Hell.

If you ever see a moth in your pantry.....freak out!!!!! Many of you are not aware that the last couple of weeks has been really stressful for me. I have have been in a war at my own home with these horrible little creatures called Indian Meal Moths. It all started when we left for vacation and we turned up our AC to 84 degrees (apparently they love the temperature in the upper 80's) and we returned 7 days later to find our pantry had become a residence to these moths. At first I wasn't aware of how much of a ordeal it would be to to get rid of them but when I got online and started doing research I was horrified. I had to throw nearly everything in my well stocked pantry away regardless if it had been opened or not. Then Jeffrey and I had to wash all canned goods in hot water, scrub the pantry (walls and all) recaulk all cracks, set pheromone traps and repeat the process as needed. It had been a nightmare b/c we have had everything that we were able to keep sitting out on the counters taking up space and these moths reproduce like crazy so everyday we were vacuuming or killing dozens of them in the morning, after work and then again before we went to bed! And the crazy part is that it's really hard to spot where they lay their larva and come to find out the main source in my pantry wasn't in dry goods but they were in an unopened roll of paper towels that I didn't check until I was about to set the pantry on fire! Also, most of the time you bring them into your house from the store. My purpose in telling you this is not to gross you out but to make you aware that no matter how clean you are.....nasty things that give you the heeie geebie's can find a way to get to you.

Family Beach Pictures

Gulf Shores 2009

So once again we headed off to Gulf Shores Alabama to end our summer relaxing on the beach and enjoying the company of good friends. It was really hard for me to pick just a few pictures out of the 1,000 I took but eventually I was able to do it.


Our first stop before we reached our destination was the USS Alabama. Tyler and Maddie enjoyed all the climbing and exploring. Before we left Jeffrey and Tyler rode in a simulator (I think they were in an air war) it was Tyler's favorite part but also when we had to leave b/c Maddie was ticked off that she didn't get a turn.

This is kids telling me how much they love me!

We found these silly hat's and Tyler wanted his picture taken in a few.

Madison was the most comfortable near the waves when her daddy was with her.

Will, Maggie, Maddie and Tyler. These little swimmers had so much fun at the pool! Tyler and Will really had gotten good at swimming by the time we left.

"CHEESE!"

Just getting ready for a day out on the boat. Jeffrey and Eric decided to rent a boat with an upper level and a slide, that turned out to be our favorite activity of the whole trip! We had so much fun on this day!

If you'll look ahead of the boy's you'll see the sharks that were swimming near us. Just kidding, they were dolphins. We saw so many of them that eventually we lost interest and decided to go beach the boat and swim.

The boys found a treasure under the big X (that they walked by three times) on the little island we decided to stop at.



I forgot what game they were playing here but it was hysterical to watch them try to get on!



Family beach pictures are going to be posted later!!

Devil's Den Take Two

Mid July we needed to get outta the house so we took a spur of the moment trip to go visit my family. We were so relieved when we got there because we left the 105 degree weather behind us and drove into a high of 80 (at night it was around 50 degrees)! Tyler and I had been itching to take Jeffrey to Devil's Den state park and experience all the awesome things we got to do the last time we were there. I don't think we could have picked a better weekend to have gone.


This is an old tow truck that we found by accident when Tyler had a bathroom emergency. Jeffrey had to pull over as soon as he found somewhere safe to stop (and that's hard to find once you're in OK). Anyone know what character he looks just like?



There is a very good reason that Jeffrey is holding onto Tyler so tight...the drop goes on forever...can you believe he's standing so close?!


Taking a rest.


Tyler was not happy about this!

This is a creek at the end of a trail we walked. We had a picnic and the boys swam (but don't tell the Park Ranger b/c apparently you can only wade). Jeffrey and I were standing in the water enjoying watching the boys and the incredible view when he said this was "the perfect day".

Playing on the swinging' bridge.

We took a horse back ride through the woods and had a blast! I want to do this every time we go back. My horse was named Sugar and Jeffrey and Tyler rode Prize. Jeffrey let Tyler hold the reins and lead the horse and he did really well (better than me...Sugar just wanted to snack along the way)!

Trying to sneak Devin out so we can bring him home with us.

Sweet lil' pigs!