Labor Day Fun

We headed to Idaho to spend a long Labor Day Weekend. The house was crowded and crazy, but it was fun. Lance and Courtnee and the kids were there, along with Kara and her boyfriend Steve. Tyler is still living at home and of Jane and Allan were there also. It was a houseful! The kids did a lot of playing outside during the first part of Saturday. Lots of dirt, lots of animals to feed, lots of hay bales to climb on, lots of peaches to pick, and lots of adventures.

Texas, We Will Miss You

8-26 The time has come to say goodbye. I always hate this part. My family can be crazy and loud and obnoxious (kind of like an American version of "My Big Fat Greel Wedding" at times). But they are mine forever and I love them. The last three weeks was not without it's share of drama, but we had a wonderful time and I can't wait to do it all again.

After an eventful and hectic trip back, Cody and I have decided that we will likely drive to Texas from now on. We might be singing a different tune come Christmas, but it can't be any worse than getting through airports and security and rude passengers and terrible airline people who can't keep things straight. But we made it home for two days and then turned right back around for a trip to Idaho. Maybe one day we can all sleep in our own beds again!

Visits With Grandmother

Almost every time I went over to see Grandmother I forgot my camera. Or if I did take it, then i forgot to take pictures! But I did manage to remember it on a couple of occasions. She is my mom's mom and is 91 years old. What a life she has lived! It's always interesting to sit and visit with her and listen to her remarkable stories. I really love this woman and I love watching her with my kids. She can't seem to get enough of them!

Lauren 11 Months

Lauren turned 11 months on August 21. I can not believe this is the final month of her babyhood. I believe that toddlerhood officially starts at one year. My heart is breaking a little as I think about it. Here are a few things I should take note of:

-She is finally doing a real crawl. No more army crawling on her elbows! Now she is unstoppable.

-She pulls herself up on everything and I need to start keeping our bar stools put away because they will topple over on her. Her favorite thing to pull herself up on is my leg.

-She has learned how to wave and can say "bye bye bye" (a little 'N Sync if you ask me!)

-She likes to put the phone to her ear and say "hi".

-Her two bottom teeth finally popped through!

-The girl still loves the boob, but will gladly drink from a bottle or sippy cup as well. She still nurses at night and sometimes during the day. I plan on letting her do that for a while longer, even past 12 months old.

-Lauren is the happiest and most cheerful baby! Her personality continues to come through and we just love it!

Shootin' With The Gov

On Monday evening (8-25) Ethan and the Gov shot some pellets guns out by the shop. The Gov has been saving cans for a long time for just this occasion. Ethan loved it, especially seeing the water balloons explode. That was a great idea. He's a pretty good shot, just like Gov.
If Gov isn't wearing a tan jump suit, he is in blue scrubs. He's all about comfort!

I could not resist snapping this picture. He is a wild man and will drop his drawers anywhere. Like than tan line?

Dr. Granana's Office

On Monday (8-25) we headed up to Mom's office for her annual walk through and showing off of the grandkids. She always gets a kick out of showing her colleagues the cute kiddos. Unfortunately a lot of people were out of the office, but enough were there to make the trip worth it. Afterwards we hit TGI Fridays for lunch. That place is always a winner! Gotta love those Jack Daniels chicken strips!
Hailey seems to collect a new toy where ever she goes. This time it was a birthday bear that Mom had sitting on her desk.

Hailey & Helaman

8-24 While we were finishing up dinner and visiting, Hailey sneaked off to talk to Helaman the horse. I caught her on video singing nursery songs to him and loving on him. It was so tender!

Cousin Visit

On Sunday afternoon (8-24) everyone cleared out and went back home. The house was so quiet! Then Uncle Jack, Aunt Brenda, Emily and her kids came over for swimming and ice cream. Uncle Jack went and picked up some chicken, fried okra, hush puppies, corn, and biscuits for dinner. Talk about your traditional southern feast! Yummy yummy.

Uncle Jack can't get enough of little Briar.


Another action shot! He is destined to be a stunt man.

This girl has started climbing on everything and she gets so proud of herself!

The Gov still had the swing set up in his shop so the kids played on it. Hailey and Lauren were very excited to do so, but Ethan needed a little persuasion just like last year. Love the gasoline cans sitting nearby?

Ethan loves playing in the Gov's old MG.

Wagon Evolution

2005

2006

2007

2008

The Girls

Dana and TJ came up for the weekend and it was just like old times. TJ and Evelyn were best friends since the beginning of time. Dana came into our lives when they were about twelve years old when her Dad and stepmom lived in our ward in Houston. Dana then lived with us for a while during high school and became part of the family. They are all only a year older than me in school so I always tagged along with them where ever they went, and eventually they got used to the idea that I wasn't going anywhere so they "accepted" me as one of them.

The four of us spent numerous nights camped out on our bedroom floor making friendship braclets while listening to Tom Cochrane, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Bruce Springsteen. This weekend was just like old times. I swear we have more inside jokes than there are stars in the sky! We stayed up way too late laughing and reminiscing on Saturday night and barely made it to church on Sunday for Lilly's confirmation. It was a really fun weekend and I hope we can all get together one day again. Dana suggested we take a girls' weekend sometime...just the four of us. I hope we'll actually do it!


Dana is so sexy with her braces!
Evelyn did not want her picture taken so she grabbed a pair of ....PANTIES to cover up with. Gross!

TJ and the Lilly Bean.