The Shepperson Saga

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T14:02:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve

2009-12-24T13:00:00.000-08:00

A WHITE Christmas Eve...The girls were so excited!!

Cookies for Santa

Christmas Eve at Grammy & Papa's House...

The cookies are ready and waiting! Ashton wanted to give him a bottle of water too (in case he was tired of so much milk!)

Little Monet

2009-12-22T12:44:00.000-08:00

Dear Santa...

2009-12-21T12:39:00.000-08:00

Sleepover

2009-12-19T12:21:00.000-08:00

Ashton has had a lot of sleepovers with her grandparents and cousins, but she had her 1st sleepover with her friend, Chloe! She was very excited and had so much fun with pizza, cookies and movies! I'm sure this was the 1st of many...

Here is the sweet note Ashton wrote to me after her sleepover!

Christmas Fun!

2009-12-18T10:14:00.000-08:00

Reese's Christmas Party at school

Holiday Parade

Polar Express Day at school-PJ's, Movies & Popcorn

Playdate at Build-a-Bear

Ashton's "Winter" Party

Reese enjoying the reading loft in Ashton's class!

Visit with Santa

The Magic Elf brought the girls a gingerbread house!

HOT HOT HOT

2009-12-06T10:02:00.000-08:00

CHOCOLATE!!

TO YUMMY TREATS...CHEERS!!

Merry Main Street

2009-12-05T09:22:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from the fun little holiday festival that the city puts on every year! It was a lot of fun, but this year it was COLD... In fact, we stopped on the way home to buy some hot chocolate to warm up! Brrrr...

Breakfast with Santa

2009-12-05T08:56:00.000-08:00

Reese's preschool holds a Breakfast with Santa every year! They have a pancake breakfast, pictures with Santa, and crafts! The girls had a lot of fun, but Reese was not too thrilled to have her picture with Santa (as you can see)! In fact, Reese is not big on having her picture taken at all here lately. It is a big challenge trying to get a smile out of that girl. I guess it is payback since I was the same exact way when I was little! Oh well!

SNOW

2009-12-02T08:50:00.000-08:00

First snow of the year (and on a special day)!! Happy Anniversary to my sweet husband! 9 years sure have flown by! Look how far we have come...2 sweet girls and another one on the way, so many great memories and so many more to be made... I love you very much, Johnny!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-29T08:26:00.000-08:00

I have so much to be thankful for...

Go Cowboys!

2009-11-28T08:02:00.000-08:00

While Daddy watched the Cowboys with friends...

We went on a Jeep ride around the neighborhood! The girls were being super sweet (and silly) and had so much fun together! I just love watching them interact! Sweet Sisters...most of the time!!

BIG SISTERS

2009-11-26T10:33:00.000-08:00

The girls went to a sibling class to prepare for Miss Tatum's upcoming arrival! Reese learned some new things about babies, but it was a bit of a "refresher" course for Ashton! I think that she enjoyed knowing the answers to the baby questions...she is an "experienced" big sister! They are really getting excited for Tatum to get here! :)

Let's Skate!

2009-11-26T07:01:00.000-08:00

Makenna had a skating party for her 6th Birthday! Ashton was very excited to go roller skating, and Reese LOVED skating for the first time! She was a little hesitant at first, but she did very well! It was neat too because Ashton's 1st time to skate was at Isabelle's 6th birthday! Happy Birthday to my sweet niece!!

Now starring...

2009-11-23T09:20:00.000-08:00

Ashton's class put on a very cute little play about Arthur's Thanksgiving! She had to memorize several lines for her part, and she did a great job playing the Mother! So proud of our big girl! Way to go, Ashton!

Gobble Gobble

2009-11-23T09:01:00.000-08:00

Reese's Thanksgiving Feast at school

How cute is this little pilgrim hat?

Enjoying the "feast"!

We are so thankful for our sweet girl!

Safety Town

2009-11-21T10:55:00.000-08:00

Ashton loves going on field trips at school! In Kindergarten and First Grade, they get to go to Safety Town and learn about fire and street safety. It is a very neat little town that has the different buildings in our area (homes, a city hall, restaurants, post office, etc), streets and traffic signs/lights! The kids go into the classroom to learn about fire and street safety, and then they get to go outside to the "town" and practice what they learned while driving in jeeps! The jeeps are the highlight of the field trip because the kids don't get to drive them until 1st grade! Ashton had so much fun! It's a good thing that we have some time before she begins to drive...I am not looking forward to that day!

Baby Shower

2009-11-20T09:22:00.000-08:00

My Mom and Sister threw me a very nice baby shower for Tatum!! Good food, Good friends, and lots of fun new PINK things!! It was so nice to be spoiled for one last baby girl!! We are getting very excited about her arrival!!

Parade

2009-11-15T14:14:00.000-08:00

Ashton FINALLY got to participate in the Veteran's Day Parade! We went to the parade 2 years ago, and Ashton decided that she really wanted to be a Daisy since they get to be in the parade. She didn't realize all of the other fun things that you get to do in Daisies! Anyways, she was very disappointed when they didn't participate in the parade last year, but they DID get to march in it this year! She was SO EXCITED!! They yelled a cute little cheer that their awesome leader came up with, and they had so much fun! They even got to see Santa and get their picture taken with Nastia from the Olympics! SO MUCH FUN!!

I think that the girls were a little tired by the end of the parade....

Missing

2009-11-13T13:53:00.000-08:00

Do you notice what is missing in the 2nd picture?

BEFORE

AFTER

Yes, she lost her 1st top tooth! Ashton came home from school with a very loose tooth and wiggled and wiggled until she finally got it out!! She was VERY excited! It is just so hard to get used to it. She looks SO big now!!

Donuts with Dad

2009-11-10T17:23:00.000-08:00

Trick or Treat

2009-11-01T17:51:00.000-08:00

Remodel Updates...

2009-10-27T19:42:00.000-07:00

We have had quite a few projects at our house lately!

The master is done (with the exception of some decorative accessories that I haven't found quite yet!)

Wood floors are completed and the walls and armoire for the nursery are painted. We still have some more work to do in there, but here is a sneak peak! I will post more pics once it is all done! :)

Pumpkin Patch

2009-10-26T12:33:00.000-07:00

We finally got a little break from all of the rain and made our way for our annual trip to the pumpkin patch! The girls had a great time feeding the animals, going on a hayride, eating some lunch and riding a little train! Reese has not been up for picture taking lately, but I managed to get a couple of her smiling!

Finally a name...

2009-10-26T11:19:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it has taken me this long to monogram something for our baby girl! We have had her name finalized for a couple of weeks, but I just got around to monogramming it for the first time! Her name is going to be Tatum Lane Shepperson. So excited to finally call her by name!

BUSY

2009-10-20T15:46:00.000-07:00

My poor blog has been neglected! What can I say? We have been BUSY, and we haven't even hit the busy time of year just yet!! Here is a little catching up of what we have been up to...

School, Asthon's Fun Run, a trip to the Pumpkin Patch with Reese's class...

Johnny has been working on a Rockin' Playhouse for the girls! They are so excited, and Ashton has all kinds of "requests" of what she wants in it!!

We had wood floors installed in the master and nursery (this is pre-scraping and staining)! I LOVE them!!

The monogramming business is picking up and is going to get busier with the holidays right around the corner...

I am going to try really hard to post more often...even if I just post some pictures! Things are only going to get busier with Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and a new baby!! Lots of fun stuff coming up...

6 1/2

2009-09-24T14:54:00.000-07:00

We have a fun little tradition of celebrating 1/2 birthdays (for the kids) at our house. It is really pretty simple. The girls get a surprise, and they also get to pick what we have for dinner! Ashton gets SO excited to celebrate her 1/2 birthday! So, Ashton turned 6 1/2!! We usually just eat her choice at home, but I was feeling lazy and very nice so we went to Peter Piper Pizza...Ashton's Favorite :)!!

Ashton has been wanting some jewelry making supplies so that was her special surprise!! She was very excited!!

Happy 1/2 birthday sweet girl!!

Fun rainy day!!

2009-09-14T14:46:00.000-07:00

I got this recipe online and made it after school for the girls today! It was super easy and a lot of fun, and the playdoh smelled really yummy too!! I will be making it again soon!!

Koolaid Playdoh

What you'll need:

1 cup flour
1/4 cup salt
2 Tbsp cream of tartar
1 envelope unsweetened Koolaid - 2 packets for more scent.
1 cup water
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
a few drops food coloring can also be added for more vivid colors.

1. Mix flour, salt, cream of tartar, Koolaid and water in medium saucepan. Stir in oil.

2. Mix over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until mixture forms a ball in the center of pan. Dough will start darkening in color.

3. Remove from pan {caution: will be HOT}. Knead until soft. Use a little flour to prevent sticking.

4. Store in airtight container or ziploc bag.

Halfway

2009-09-05T18:19:00.000-07:00

It is so hard to believe that I am halfway through my pregnancy! I hit 20 weeks today!! I guess that really makes me a little over halfway since I will have a scheduled c-section at 39 weeks! I better get busy figuring out her name, getting her room ready and finding some bedding because I have a feeling it will be here before we know it! Can't wait!! :)

Here is my first belly picture since it is just now really starting to pop!

Happy Birthday...

2009-09-01T10:17:00.000-07:00

to my sweet Mom and Grammy!!

I'm not sure who enjoyed my Mom's birthday more! Me, Julie or my Mom? When my Dad asked me what to get my Mom for her birthday, I suggested a spa package for my Mom, my sister and me! I have always thought that would be a lot of fun to all go together, but I really didn't think that my Dad would seriously consider it! I wrote it off until my Mom's birthday breakfast! We all sat down at the restaurant, and my Dad gave all 3 of us an envelope! To my surprise, we all got a spa certificate! Not just a massage either. We ALL 3 got a 7 hour spa package!! I am SO excited!! Thanks Mom for sharing your birthday present with us, and thank you Dad for the AWESOME gift!! I can't wait for our special day of pampering!!

Reese's 1st day of Preschool

2009-08-31T11:54:00.000-07:00

Reese had a great 1st day of preschool despite the rough drop off! She was so excited to finally go to school after watching Ashton go to school for a week! She was running around in the front yard for her 1st day pics in her super cute new dress (thanks to my good friend, Charisse at My Sassy Pants )and couldn't wait to go meet her teacher and new friends! She was a little hesistant (which I don't blame her for since this was her 1st time to meet her teacher and all new friends in her class), and she came back for more and more hugs and kisses before Ms Catherine finally had to peel Reese off of Johnny screaming and crying! Thank goodness, the tears didn't last long, and she had a GREAT day!!

First day of school!

2009-08-25T07:04:00.000-07:00

Today was Ashton's 1st day of 1st grade! She was pretty excited, but I think that she was also pretty nervous! I don't blame her since it is a new class, new teacher and all new friends. Surprisingly, I had a harder time with this transition than I did with her going to kindergarten. I think that it makes it tough seeing your baby so nervous and unsure...and it could have something to do with the increased hormones that I have right now...Just maybe. I think that she would be very happy if she could just have her kindergarten teacher again! It will just take a little time to adjust. I still can't believe that she is already in 1st grade! Kindergarten and Summer just flew by! Here's to another great year!!

Friends

2009-08-19T09:24:00.000-07:00

Our good friends FINALLY came to visit us!! We had a lot of fun cooking out, meeting Narci, Jackson and Luke for lunch, going to Peter Piper Pizza, shopping, getting a sweet treat at The Cupcakery, and just hanging out!! We have really missed you guys, and it was so GREAT to catch up!! Please come back again VERY soon!!

Lake getaway

2009-08-09T08:28:00.000-07:00

We finally went to my parent's lakehouse for the weekend! It had been WAY too long, and we had not even been out on my Dad's boat (which he has had for some time now)! We did a whole lot of relaxing, ate at the marina, Johnny played some golf, out on the boat and swimming! A nice weekend for all!

Take me out to the ballgame...

2009-08-01T07:42:00.000-07:00

We finally took the girls to their 1st Texas Rangers game! They both loved all of the snacks...hot dogs, peanuts, a pretzel, and ice cream! Surprisingly, Reese was more interested in the game than Ashton! All in all, we all had fun though, and the Rangers WON!

I scream, you scream...

2009-07-27T07:36:00.000-07:00

Straight

2009-07-27T07:19:00.000-07:00

Ashton occasionally asks for me to straighten her hair, but it really surprised me when Reese asked for me to straighten her hair too! Her hair naturally curls up a little (even after flat ironing it) so this is about as straight as I could get it! I just think that she looks like a different child. I LOVE her curls, but it was fun to see her with straight hair for a change!

SWT reunion!

2009-07-24T06:37:00.000-07:00

We had a girl's SWT reunion with some of our good friends, Courtney, Jenn and Monda along with our 6 kids! We went swimming, to the Wetzone waterpark, a little shopping, cooked out, ate some yummy yogurt at Yogurtville, and caught up on old times back on MLK!! We had a lot of fun, and the kids had a great time playing!! We need to do it again very soon!!

Dora Live

2009-07-19T08:31:00.000-07:00

My sister and I took Reese and Makenna to see Dora Live!! Reese was in awe. I think that she was trying to figure out how the heck Dora was there right in front of us! It was worth every penny to see the look on her face! She LOVED seeing Dora and keeps asking to go back and see it again! I love watching things through the eyes of children....so sweet!!

Pop Star

2009-07-18T10:56:00.000-07:00

Ashton has been invited to quite a few Hannah Montana/Pop Star parties this summer! I guess that "the thing" to have when you are turning 6!

Ashton heading to her friend, Hannah's (how appropriate), Pop Star Party!

Ashton & her friend, Chloe with their cool face paint!

What a fun and creative party...I think that I might just need to step it up a notch after Ashton's party at Peter Piper Pizza! Then again, maybe not!! It was a FUN party though!!

Princess Camp

2009-07-17T16:00:00.000-07:00

Ashton enjoyed her 3rd and final year at Princess Camp! This is a really neat program with a great message about being a Princess of God. In addition to the message being taught, they did fun crafts, puppet shows, music, and painted nails! Reese can't wait until she can go to Princess Camp next year!!

Goodbye Paci!!

2009-07-17T12:05:00.000-07:00

The day was LONG overdue that we toss the pacifier! We went on vacation the last week of June....so that was the deadline! As soon as we got back from our 12 hour drive, we were going to get rid of it! Well, we got back and everyone was VERY tired! We needed to catch up before losing even more sleep! I know...excuses, excuses! Then, I took the girls to the dentist, and we decided that was IT! We "supposedly" left the pacis with Dr. Kelli after she told Reese that the pacis were bad for her teeth! It was a spur of the moment decision, but we went with it! Reese wasn't very happy...crying in the middle of the night to go back to the dentist and get her pacis...but overall it wasn't too bad!!

We had been talking about getting rid of the paci for quite a while, and we told Reese that she could get her ears pierced as soon as she was a big girl without a paci!!

So, after a couple of paci-free days, she got her pink, sparkly earrings as promised!! Poor thing, it was a little more traumatic for her than it was when Ashton got her ears pierced! Thankfully, it was short lived, and she loves her sparkly earrings!! :)

Oh Baby...

2009-07-12T13:26:00.000-07:00

We gave Ashton and Reese a bucket of pink and blue surprises to tell them that they were both going to be big sisters!! I asked Ashton about the color of the surprises, and she didn't get it! I also pointed out the pink and blue baby bottle pops and the Bratz Babyz Movie! They were both excited about the fun surprises, but they were still unsure why they got them!! Ashton finally figured it out when I gave them each a laminated sonogram picture of their baby sister!! Yea!!

Ashton and Reese will both be BIG SISTERS!! I am due 1/23/10! We are all VERY excited!!

Happy 4th of July!

2009-07-05T18:41:00.000-07:00

Gulf Shores 2009

2009-07-03T18:17:00.000-07:00

We headed to the beach with my family the last week in June! It was my parent's 40th wedding Anniversary and my Dad's birthday, and they wanted to celebrate on a trip with the family! Lucky us. We all had a great time!

Loving the beach...

Looking for sea shells!

Sisters

Celebrating Grammy & Papa's 40th Anniversary, Papa's Birthday and Julie & Patrick's Anniversary...

Cheers!!

Fun with Cousins...

Summer

2009-06-26T05:54:00.000-07:00

We have had one busy Summer so far...So busy that I haven't even had time to blog about it!

1. We went to a Spirit Night at the Roughrider's Game on the last day of school! If 200 families attended, Ashton's Vice Principal would die his hair pink! They did it, and Ashton was very excited to see his PINK hair!! Ashton & Reese also rocked some cool PINK hair!!

2. Ashton has been to VBS at 3 different churches!

3. Both girls went to swim lessons for 2 weeks, and they both did GREAT!

4. Johnny and I headed to Conroe for our friend, Kyle's wedding! It was HOT but very pretty and a lot of fun! We are so happy for Kyle and Ann Marie!!

5. AND...We have "tried" to stay cool and spent a lot of time at the pool!!

We are headed to the beach now!! I will post some pics of my little beach babes very soon!!

A little pampering!

2009-06-26T05:42:00.000-07:00

While Reese has had quite a few manicures/pedicures at home, I took her for her 1st real one at the nail salon before we headed to the beach! I was a little surprised that she picked blue polish instead of pink! They looked very cute, and she even got diamonds as the ladies call the crystals! She thought it was pretty special!! My baby is growing up!

Happy Father's Day!!

2009-06-26T05:39:00.000-07:00

Here's to the BEST Husband and Dad in the whole wide world!! We hope that you had a GREAT day!!

Love,

Your Girls

Last day of Kindergarten

2009-06-05T12:04:00.000-07:00

End of the year party at school!

Signing shirts

Friends

The school nurse pulled Ashton's tooth after school! She was SO EXCITED, and we had to tell everyone! I know that will be a memory that we won't ever forget!!

1st grade...Here she comes!!!

Princess Party

2009-06-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

Reese had so much fun at her 3rd Birthday Party! We rented a dress up trunk with Princess/Knight clothes! Here are some pictures of her special day!!

Getting an updo at Sweet & Sassy before the party!

Dressing up with her friends

Reading Princess Stories!

Princess/Knight Fashion Show

Sisters

Reese and her friend Caroline

The Princess is 3

2009-05-25T13:41:00.000-07:00

Reese is 3 years old today!!

It is just wild how fast she has grown from a such a tiny baby to such a big girl! She loves pink, princesses, dress up, swimming, playing with Ashton, playing outside, playing with playdoh and doing anything arts & crafts!

Happy 3rd Birthday to my sweet girl!!

Great Wolf Getaway!!

2009-05-24T08:09:00.000-07:00

We started our Memorial Day weekend with a little getaway to the Great Wolf Lodge! What a fun place... They have indoor/outdoor waterslides, an arcade, an ice cream shoppe, a Kid's Spa, an adult spa, very fun bunkbeds and a tv for the kids in the hotel room, a kid's club with arts & crafts, etc.! The girls had a BLAST, and we are already planning another little getaway this Summer!

Resting just long enough to eat some lunch!

Making necklaces in the Kid's Club!

Reese's Last day of Preschool

2009-05-22T09:27:00.000-07:00

It's a BOY!!

2009-05-19T09:47:00.000-07:00

My nephew, Holden Read Patterson, made his debut on May 11, 2009 at 1:52 pm weighing 7 lbs and 20 1/4 inches long! He is so sweet!!

Mother's Day

2009-05-19T09:39:00.000-07:00

My Mother's Day was just perfect. Johnny and the girls made me breakfast in bed while I watched tv. The girls made me some great homemade presents at school, and I also got Wii Fit (which I have really been wanting), a gift certificate for a mani/pedi and some very pretty flowers!

After our relaxing morning, we headed to my parent's house to cook out and swim and celebrate with my Mom and Mother-in-Law and my sister (the day before she became a Mom of 3)! It was a GREAT day!!

Happy Birthday...

2009-05-06T06:35:00.000-07:00

to my sweet husband!! I hope that you have a GREAT day today! You definitely deserve it!! You are such a kind and caring husband, a wonderful Daddy to our girls and a HARD worker to provide for our family!! We love you very much!! Happy Birthday, Johnny!!

Easter Morning

2009-04-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

Better late than never, right? Easter morning started off with a visit from the tooth fairy! Unfortunately, Ashton was afraid to sleep in her room since "the fairy" would be coming in her room! So, I had both of my girls in my bed!

Here is the pillow...ready and waiting!

And a very happy girl the next morning!

The Easter Bunny made it to our house too!

After the girls enjoyed their treats, we headed to my parent's house for an Easter Egg hunt and a nice casual lunch with my Mom, sister, brother-in-law & nieces! Johnny and my Dad were still in Augusta, GA for the Masters!

It is not easy to get a picture of all 4 of them looking at one time! Just wait until we throw a baby boy into the mix!

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T20:04:00.000-07:00

Just in Time...

2009-04-12T19:47:00.000-07:00

While planning our trip to the Masters, I decided that I really wanted to come home for Easter! Johnny and my Dad would come home on Monday so that they could go to the tournament on the final day on Sunday, but my Mom and I both wanted to be home for Easter!

I am so thankful that I came home on Saturday night. Not only did I make it home to spend Easter day with my girls, but I also got home in time to see my baby lose her 1st tooth! I walked in the door, and she was wiggling her tooth (like she has been doing for the past 1 1/2 months), but I was shocked when I saw how much looser it was! She was pushing it all the way down with her tongue!

Within 5 minutes, she had pulled her 1st tooth! Gran, Grammy and I all got so excited! She was so excited too!! So, the tooth fairy and the Easter Bunny all came in one night! She also looks SO MUCH older to me with a missing tooth! My baby is growing up...

Master's Getaway

2009-04-12T19:23:00.000-07:00

Johnny and I were very lucky that my Mom and Dad got tickets to the Masters in Augusta, Georgia AND that they asked US to go with them!! My Mom and I each went 1/2 a day on Thursday, and my Dad and Johnny went Friday, Saturday and Sunday! I am not a big golf fan, but this was quite an experience! WOW. When/If you ever watch the Masters on tv, it really is that pretty and green in person. The grounds are BEAUTIFUL. Augusta is so pretty, and the tournament was very cool! We really enjoyed ourselves while we were away!! Thanks again for such a wonderful experience, Mom and Dad!!

Party time!

2009-04-01T20:07:00.000-07:00

It has been one BUSY month, and I am just a little behind! Time to catch up...

We had Ashton's 6th Birthday party at one of her favorite places...Peter Piper Pizza! The kids had a great time, and it was so very easy on me (an added bonus)! I still can't believe that she is 6 years old!!

Western Hoedown

2009-03-27T16:42:00.000-07:00

The Western Hoedown is one of the big events at Ashton's school for the Spring! The girls had so much fun riding a bull, doing the donut (not cake) walk, eating junk food and riding a horse! The horse rides, bounce house & rock climbing wall would have been much more fun if that darn cold front hadn't hit that day! Oh well. We had a good time, and Ashton even wore jeans after I convinced her that leggings are not exactly Western!

Six ALREADY...

2009-03-24T14:04:00.001-07:00

I still can't believe that Ashton is 6 years old today!! Where does the time go? She is getting so big and grown up! Here are 6 things about my sweet girl!

1. I can't believe that she is almost finished with Kindergarten (Didn't she JUST start?)!

2. She has her 1st loose tooth!! (She has only been waiting for this day for about a year!)

3. She loves crafts, watching movies, enjoys Daisies, playing outside and enjoys playing with friends and her little sister!

4. She is about to play another season of soccer!

5. She is riding her bike without training wheels!!

6. She is doing awesome in school!!

We are very proud of the big girl that you have become, and we look forward to watching you grow in the years to come!! I hope that you have a GREAT 6th birthday!! We love you very much!!

Mom & Dad

Spring Break

2009-03-23T21:10:00.000-07:00

We enjoyed our Spring Break to the fullest...2 birthday parties, dinner out & a sleepover with cousins (Jessica & Jordyn), a picnic at the park with friends for St Patrick's Day, bike riding, a little getaway to San Antonio (with Grammy, Aunt Julie, Isabelle & Makenna), a day at Sea World, a WILD trip through the Wildlife Ranch on the way back to Dallas, and sleeping until 8 instead of 6!! The weather could not have been more perfect, and we really had a lot of FUN!!

We are just trying to recoup and get ready for another busy week!!

A couple of "Thelma & Louise" shots!

Many Faces of Reese

2009-03-16T13:24:00.000-07:00

Reese was sitting at the table playing with playdoh one day before school, and she was just so happy and making some of the funniest faces. That is when I remembered taking pictures of the many faces of Ashton at about this age, and I thought it would be fun to do the same with Reese! So, here are the many faces of Reese!

And she's off...

2009-03-13T11:37:00.000-07:00

Ashton has been begging for us to take her training wheels off of her bike for while now. So, Johnny finally took them off the weekend after Ashton had her tonsils removed. She was getting pretty stir crazy so he decided to let her ride around the garage while he worked on a project. Last Sunday, we finally got outside, and then she was off in no time!! She seriously got on and never looked back! Johnny tried to hold the back of her bike, and she didn't want help! She didn't need a bit of help. I guess it was time to let her go!! We are very proud of you!!

Way to go, Ashton!!

I'm BACK...

2009-03-10T07:27:00.000-07:00

After almost a month of not blogging, I am ready to get back to it! It has been quite a month for our family, but I just know that things are only going to continue to get better from here on out!

We have a lot to look forward to...Spring Break, Ashton's 6th Birthday and Party, my trip to Canton with the girls, our trip to the Masters, and Easter! I am also ready to get BACK into SHAPE! Johnny and I are heading to the Masters in Augusta, Georgia on April 8. So, I am going to eat healthier and exercise in order to lose 5 pounds by then!! Gotta get that out there to keep me motivated!! I LOVE the way working out makes me feel...It is just tough to get back to it after taking such a LONG break!!

Hope all of my blogging friends are doing well, and thank you for all of your e-mails, texts, phone calls, care packages and PRAYERS!! It really did make me happy to see all of the support from my friends and family!! We are on the mend...THANK GOODNESS!!

Little Mama

2009-02-17T10:56:00.001-08:00

Reese was walking around on Saturday saying "I have a baby in my tummy too!", and she had put a ball under her shirt. She is one silly girl!! I am not so sure where she comes up with the things that she says sometimes, but she definitely keeps me laughing!

GREAT song!!

2009-02-11T16:36:00.000-08:00

My sister just passed this song along to me, and it is great! I have to admit that I nearly had tears. Such a good song and oh so true!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmZtpUfiRqg

Donuts with Mom

2009-02-11T13:57:00.000-08:00

Ashton was very disappointed that she couldn't make it to Donuts with Mom at school on Tuesday, but she was sick and had to miss out on the fun! So, Johnny picked up donuts before heading to work, and we had our own Donuts with Mom at home! It was FUN, and she even got a donut with SPRINKLES which I am sure that they didn't have at school!

Guess what...

2009-02-06T09:39:00.001-08:00

Girly Girl

2009-01-28T13:48:00.000-08:00

Reese is becoming quite the little girly girl here lately! She loves pink, anything princess, dress up clothes and lip gloss! She even asked me to wear a pretty pink princess dress as we were picking her clothes out one day this week! Anyways, she got a little carried away with the lip gloss the other day...

Weekend Getaway!!

2009-01-10T06:38:00.000-08:00

We took a little trip to see our great friends in San Antonio for a couple of days over winter break! We had a great time cooking out, hanging out, playing outside, jumping on the trampoline, cooking smores on the fire pit, going to Gruene & eating at the Gristmill, SHOPPED 2 days while the guys put the girls down for naps, eating lunch at a very cool restaurant (with a playground, soccer field, and basketball court) in the beautiful 80 degree weather, and even had a babysitter while the adults took a limo to dinner and for drinks!! It was a GREAT little getaway! Thanks again for showing us a GREAT time!!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-09T16:03:00.000-08:00

We had a very low key New Year's Eve! Johnny's Mom came over to watch the girls, and Johnny and I headed to Chili's for dinner and a couple of drinks! We were even home by 10 and in bed by 10:30! It was PERFECT...especially since we headed to San Antonio on New Year's day! Happy New Year!!

Christmas 2008

2008-12-29T13:15:00.001-08:00

Finally, I am making my way back to blogging! In an attempt to catch up, here are a few of my favorites from Christmas!

Merry Main Street

2008-12-13T14:42:00.000-08:00

They had this fun little festival in Frisco last Saturday night called Merry Main Street! They had free crafts for the kids, face painting, food, a very neat Santa in a sleigh (with a line that was a mile long), and necklace making for the kids! We had a lot of fun!

Here is Ashton as Mrs. Clause

Reese trying to get a taste of that candy cane!

And my 2 cuties in front of the tree!

Breakfast with Santa

2008-12-09T17:55:00.000-08:00

We went to Breakfast with Santa at Reese's school last Saturday! We all enjoyed pancakes, some fun crafts & a visit with Santa Clause! We had a lot of fun, and Reese wasn't even scared of Santa....thank goodness after Johnny waited in line for about an hour!

Thank You...

2008-12-07T08:33:00.000-08:00

very much to those of you who voted for the Photo Contest!!

WE WON!!!

Yea!! I am so excited!!

BTW-If you need an AWESOME photgrapher in the Dallas area, I highly recommend Andrea B! She is GREAT!!

Please vote!!

2008-12-04T10:49:00.000-08:00

Our awesome photographer, Andrea B, just recently took pictures of the girls for our holiday cards!

Well, she is having a photo contest, and the picture with the most votes wins a FREE 16X20 PRINT!! Seeing how I am somewhat of a competitive person, I reaaaaaaally want to WIN!! In fact, I have already found the perfect spot in my house for that print.

So, PLEASE go to http://andreabphotography.blogspot.com/2008/12/photo-contest.html,
and vote for my little GIGGLY GIRLS, #4 in the comments section!!

You can only vote ONCE, and the contest ends on Friday at 12PM!!

Thank you very much for your help!!

So very thankful!

2008-11-27T12:42:00.000-08:00

I'm Thankful
Author: Unknown

I'm thankful for...
Laundry - because it means that my family has clothes to wear.
Dishes - because it means that my family has food to eat.
Bills - because it means that we have financial provisions.
Making Beds - because it means we have a warm, soft place to rest at night.
Dusting - because it means we have furniture to enjoy.
Vacuuming - because it means we have a home to care for.
Picking Up Toys - because it means I have children to bring joy to my life.

Today, I am taking time to realize just how much I have to be thankful for...My girls, my sweet husband, my friends and family, our home, and our freedom. I am one lucky Mama for all that I have to be thankful for!

Undercover Turkey

2008-11-12T11:55:00.000-08:00

Ashton's homework assignment was to disguise the Tom Turkey as a different animal or character in hopes that it didn't get caught for Thanksgiving dinner!

In an attempt to do that, here is our Princess!

Happy Birthday....

2008-11-11T13:39:00.000-08:00

to my sister, Julie!! Poor thing. She headed out to Las Vegas this morning and won't be home until Friday night! No, I'm not jealous at all. Not one bit. Ok...Maybe I am just a tiny bit jealous. I hope that you enjoy your little getaway! I am very lucky to have you as my BIG Sister! I hope that you have a great day!!

Getting Married...

2008-11-11T07:47:00.000-08:00

Ashton's teacher is getting married this weekend! Being the Room Mom for her class, I planned a Surprise Wedding Shower for her teacher last week! I am going to guess by the 1st picture that she was pretty surprised!

I also had a playdate at our house a couple of weeks ago, and all of the kids put their handprints on an apron! Then, I monogrammed her new name & all of the kid's names! It turned out pretty cute!

Good luck to you, Miss Strain!!

Oh boy!!

2008-11-07T19:50:00.000-08:00

In a family of girls....It looks like Julie might just be having a BOY!

Can you even believe it?

My sister went for her 13 week ultrasound this week, and they are able to predict the gender this early! I couldn't believe that!! Anyways, they would only say that it was an 80% chance that it was a boy, but they said that the baby definitely appeared to be a boy on the ultrasound! We are so excited about the possibility of having a nephew!!

Now, I am ready for her next ultrasound so that I can start shopping and begin the spoiling!

Happy Halloween!

2008-11-02T14:37:00.000-08:00

Ashton had a Nursery Rhyme Hoedown at school on Halloween, and Reese had a Halloween Party & Parade! It was a little challenging coming up with another costume for Ashton, but thankfully we pulled it off!

Ashton dressed up as Hickory Dickory Dock & Reese in her Cheerleader Costume for school!

Trick or Treat

Cousins...A witch, cheerleaders & a ballerina

A few more of my cheerleaders...

Off to Eat Pizza & Trick or Treat with friends...

Trip to the Pumpkin Patch...

2008-10-28T13:20:00.000-07:00

One tradition that we try really hard to keep is making an annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch. We all have fun, and I love that it means that Halloween is around the corner!

This year...

We fed the goats...

Went on a Hayride...

Looked for the perfect pumpkin...

Rode a little green train...

An indication of a GOOD day...I would say so!!

Little Model

2008-10-27T17:01:00.000-07:00

Ashton modeled in the American Girl Fashion show again this year!

Way to go, Isabelle & Ashton!

Princess Pumpkin

2008-10-13T13:56:00.000-07:00

My Little Pumpkin

2008-10-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

I joined Reese's Preschool class to go to the Pumpkin Patch yesterday! Reese had a great time running around and looking at all of the pumpkins, and she got to pick one to take home! Very exciting!

Here are some pictures of my Little Pumpkin! Notice the last picture of her walking with her class...what a BIG girl!! I just love it that she doesn't cry anymore!

And the "attempt" to get a group picture! Maybe next time!!

Walking to the playground with her class!

Kick it!

2008-10-09T07:42:00.000-07:00

Ashton had her 1st soccer practice and game last week! I have to say...I was very surprised that she wanted to play soccer again. We had a Dad on her last team that was entirely too serious about "the game", and he intimidated her when he yelled at her to "Get the Ball, Ashton!" I missed her 1st game because I was out of town. I was really hoping for some pictures to share, but Johnny forgot the camera! I really wanted to see pictures of the pigtails that he put in Ashton's hair too! Oh well. I will just take pictures this week. Anyways, she played very well in the game on Saturday and had a lot of fun too! That is good. That IS what sports are supposed to be about at this age since they don't even keep score yet.

Go Wildcats!!

New do

2008-10-08T13:56:00.000-07:00

I have been wondering what Reese would look like with straight hair. So, I tried it out last week, and this was about as straight as I could get it! It was so funny. She was walking around flipping her hair and saying that she was a rock star! I guess it felt very different since it was so much longer when it was straight! It was fun to play, but I LOVE her curls!!

Oops...

2008-10-07T04:52:00.001-07:00

I can't quite get back on track after my fun weekend getaway! It isn't like we partied or went out drinking. I didn't sleep well the night before I left, and then I had to get up at 5 am to get ready for my flight that morning. Then, we also had to get up at 5 to head to Round Top on Saturday morning. We were some TRUE shoppers getting up that early. Shopping from 9 to 5. Traveling. I guess that is what did it to me.

So, I head to pick Ashton up from school on Monday afternoon, and we are all standing around talking and waiting for school to get out. One of the Moms says something about "I wonder how pictures went today?". WHAT? WHAT PICTURES? Yep. I messed up and completely didn't even know that it was picture day (which is so not like me)!

So, Ashton had her Princess shirt on with some sweat-type shorts and pigtails. Hmmmm. I guess we will be doing make-ups next month! Way to go, Mom!

I do it myself!

2008-10-01T09:09:00.000-07:00

Reese was trying to take her pj's off to get dressed the other day, and she wouldn't let me help her at all. She said "I do it myself!". Little Miss Independent! I think that is so funny because my Mom tells stories of me saying that when I was little! I couldn't resist taking some pictures of her trying SO HARD to get the darn pj's off! FINALLY, she did it!

Let's Play...

2008-09-30T08:26:00.000-07:00

While the Daddies were at the Delt Hunting Trip, we met Monda & Jonah for a playdate! We picked up some breakfast at Sonic & headed to the park to play! It was great weather, and we had a lot of fun!!

Birthday Fun!

2008-09-27T09:55:00.000-07:00

Our neighbors are having their daughter, Channing's 4th birthday party at Jungle Gym today, and she wanted a "4" shirt to wear with leggings and a tutu! So, I was the lucky one that got to make her shirt! I think it turned out pretty darn cute! I can't wait to see her in it!

Then, I was feeling very ambitious as I shopped a little last minute for the birthday gift last night! Channing loves mermaids! So, Ashton actually found this fun little mermaid for the bath!

So.... I decided it would be so cute to make a bath towel to go with her gift! I obviously wasn't thinking how LONG it would take to make. Wow, that was A LOT of work...especially with Johnny out of town! It sure is cute though! I hope that she LOVES it!!

Stir Crazy

2008-09-18T14:50:00.000-07:00

We are getting a little stir crazy around here. Reese and I have stayed home all week because I have not felt so well. I have been congested and coughing. Probably just a sinus infection. I went to a Room Parent meeting on Wednesday morning, and Johnny called me on the way to drop Reese off at school and said that she was acting like she didn't feel well. I got home and she seemed to be acting tired and a little congested. Then, she perked up and was full of energy by 9:30!

Ashton has had the same thing for about a week now, and she just started complaining of a sore throat last night. So, I took her to the dr today, and she has a sinus infection. Thank goodness for an antibiotic! It drives me crazy when it is viral, and you just have to "wait it out"! The girls did also get the flu mist while we were at the doctor too so it was nice to get that out of the way!!

I am so ready to have energy and get out of the house! This weather is too perfect. I am planning to drop Ashton and Reese off in the morning, meet the Moms from Reese's class at Starbuck's for some coffee & get a manicure and pedicure....Just a little "me time" is just what I need.

Oh please, let it all go as planned...

Ironic

2008-09-17T08:02:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to find Halloween costumes for the girls since they seem to sell out of the good ones early! Not sure what Reese is going to be yet, but Ashton wants to be a Princess! I asked her what she wants to wear and she said a dress and a crown! Don't you think that is just a little ironic since she WILL NOT wear dresses or skirts AT ALL right now. I even try to get her to wear them with leggings by saying that it is a long top, and it doesn't seem to fly with her! Off to find a pink princess DRESS...

Another day at school...

2008-09-12T08:49:00.001-07:00

Reese was excited to wear her school shirt today! I even added a little bling to make it look a little more girly...which she said was "cool"! So, how much longer do I have to wait until she is waving goodbye and excited when we walk in the door of school? I don't think that it took Ashton more than a day or two? I guess it helped that she started in January, and noone else was crying.

TGIF!!! So ready to wake up a little later than 6! PLEASE let the girls sleep in the morning!! Have a good weekend!!

School Spirit

2008-09-11T05:58:00.000-07:00

Ashton's school is having a Spirit Night at a local restaurant tonight! So, I thought it would be fun to show our spirit! We've got spirit yes we do, we've got spirit, how about you?

Oh yeah, that also means that I don't have to cook tonight! Woo hoo!!

My Little Gymnast

2008-09-08T12:24:00.000-07:00

Ashton started taking gymnastics again a couple of weeks ago, and Reese reaaaally wanted to go too! I was trying to decide between gymnastics and Kindermusik, but she helped me in making the decision! I made her a custom wee-a-tard that she tried on and wouldn't take it off last night, and she was so excited to go to her very own m-nastics class this morning! She had so much fun!!