Hey, put that camera away ....
Uh oh ... busted
that is hilarious!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Elliot's new tricks ....
Elliot is getting more and more mobile lately and it's so much fun!
He gets so excited when he realizes he can do something new!
Emily is learning the joys of having a mobile brother.
I think she liked him better when she could BRING him the stuff she wanted him to play with ... now that he can actually go GET the things he WANTS ... she's not so sure about this brother thing - HA
on the move ...
OK, now what do I do?
Look at me ... !
Hey, Mom ... I am ready for my drivers test now ...
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Buddies!
Meghan took this cute picture at Harper's party last weekend!
For those of you who always hear Emily talking about Bella, JT and Zach here's a picture :)
WOW!!! I still can't believe how big these kiddos are getting - where does the time go???
Bella is in Kinder this year and JT and Emily will start in the fall (YIKES)
AND baby Zach turns THREE this summer - WOW!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day!
These are two of my favorite mom emails ... I see them often and LOVE to get them!
(I'm probably not supposed to post since I don't know who to give credit to ... but oh well!)
Have a WONDERFUL day!
MOTHERS and MOMS
This is for the mothers who have sat up
all night with sick toddlers in their arms,
wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer
wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying,
"It's okay honey, Mommy's here."
Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end
soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.
This is for all the mothers who show up at
work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains
on their blouses and diapers in their purse.
For all the mothers who run carpools and
make cookies and sew Halloween costumes.
And all the mothers who DON'T.
This is for the mothers who gave birth to
babies they'll never see. And the mothers
who took those babies and gave them homes.
This is for the mothers whose priceless art
collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.
And for all the mothers who froze their buns
on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead
of watching from the warmth of their cars.
And that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?"
they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't
have missed it for the world," and mean it.
This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids
in the grocery store and swat them in despair when
they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner.
And for all the mothers who count to ten instead,
but realize how child abuse happens.
This is for all the mothers who sat down with
their children and explained all about making
babies. And for all the (grand)mothers who
wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.
This is for all the mothers who go
hungry, so their children can eat.
For all the mothers who read "Goodnight,
Moon" twice a night for a year. And then
read it again, "Just one more time."
This is for all the mothers who taught
their children to tie their shoelaces before
they started school. And for all the mothers
who opted for Velcro instead.
This is for all the mothers who teach their sons
to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.
This is for every mother whose head turns
automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?"
in a crowd, even though they know their
own offspring are at home -- or even away
at college -- or have their own families.
This is for all the mothers who sent their kids
to school with stomach aches, assuring them
they'd be just FINE once they got there, only
to get calls from the school nurse an hour later
asking them to please pick them up. Right away.
This is for mothers whose children have gone
astray, who can't find the words to reach them.
For all the mothers who bite their lips until they
bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.
For all the mothers of the victims of
recent school shootings, and the mothers
of those who did the shooting.
For the mothers of the survivors,
and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs
in horror, hugging their child
who just came home from school, safely.
This is for all the mothers who taught their
children to be peaceful, and now pray
they come home safely from a war.
What makes a good mother anyway?
Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips?
The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and
sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?
Or is it in her heart?
Is it the ache she feels when she
watches her son or daughter disappear
down the street, walking to school alone
for the very first time?
The jolt that takes her from sleep to
dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put
her hand on the back of a sleeping baby?
The panic, years later, that comes again
at 2 A.M. when she just wants to hear
their key in the door and know they
are safe again in her home?
Or the need to flee from wherever she is
and hug her child when she hears news
of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?
The emotions of motherhood are
universal and so our thoughts are for
young mothers stumbling through diaper
changes and sleep deprivation....
And for mature mothers learning to let go.
For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.
Single mothers and married mothers.
Mothers with money, mothers without.
This is for you all. For all of us...
Hang in there. In the end we can
only do the best we can. Tell them
every day that we love them. And pray
and never stop being a mother....
BEFORE I WAS A MOM ...
Before I was a Mom
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom -
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache,
the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.
(I'm probably not supposed to post since I don't know who to give credit to ... but oh well!)
Have a WONDERFUL day!
MOTHERS and MOMS
This is for the mothers who have sat up
all night with sick toddlers in their arms,
wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer
wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying,
"It's okay honey, Mommy's here."
Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end
soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.
This is for all the mothers who show up at
work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains
on their blouses and diapers in their purse.
For all the mothers who run carpools and
make cookies and sew Halloween costumes.
And all the mothers who DON'T.
This is for the mothers who gave birth to
babies they'll never see. And the mothers
who took those babies and gave them homes.
This is for the mothers whose priceless art
collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.
And for all the mothers who froze their buns
on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead
of watching from the warmth of their cars.
And that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?"
they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't
have missed it for the world," and mean it.
This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids
in the grocery store and swat them in despair when
they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner.
And for all the mothers who count to ten instead,
but realize how child abuse happens.
This is for all the mothers who sat down with
their children and explained all about making
babies. And for all the (grand)mothers who
wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.
This is for all the mothers who go
hungry, so their children can eat.
For all the mothers who read "Goodnight,
Moon" twice a night for a year. And then
read it again, "Just one more time."
This is for all the mothers who taught
their children to tie their shoelaces before
they started school. And for all the mothers
who opted for Velcro instead.
This is for all the mothers who teach their sons
to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.
This is for every mother whose head turns
automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?"
in a crowd, even though they know their
own offspring are at home -- or even away
at college -- or have their own families.
This is for all the mothers who sent their kids
to school with stomach aches, assuring them
they'd be just FINE once they got there, only
to get calls from the school nurse an hour later
asking them to please pick them up. Right away.
This is for mothers whose children have gone
astray, who can't find the words to reach them.
For all the mothers who bite their lips until they
bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.
For all the mothers of the victims of
recent school shootings, and the mothers
of those who did the shooting.
For the mothers of the survivors,
and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs
in horror, hugging their child
who just came home from school, safely.
This is for all the mothers who taught their
children to be peaceful, and now pray
they come home safely from a war.
What makes a good mother anyway?
Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips?
The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and
sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?
Or is it in her heart?
Is it the ache she feels when she
watches her son or daughter disappear
down the street, walking to school alone
for the very first time?
The jolt that takes her from sleep to
dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put
her hand on the back of a sleeping baby?
The panic, years later, that comes again
at 2 A.M. when she just wants to hear
their key in the door and know they
are safe again in her home?
Or the need to flee from wherever she is
and hug her child when she hears news
of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?
The emotions of motherhood are
universal and so our thoughts are for
young mothers stumbling through diaper
changes and sleep deprivation....
And for mature mothers learning to let go.
For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.
Single mothers and married mothers.
Mothers with money, mothers without.
This is for you all. For all of us...
Hang in there. In the end we can
only do the best we can. Tell them
every day that we love them. And pray
and never stop being a mother....
BEFORE I WAS A MOM ...
Before I was a Mom
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom -
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache,
the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Happy WAAAY late Birthday to Nana!
I was moving pictures over to the external HDD this weekend and realized I never posted these ... !!
Right before we left for our Griswald vacation we spent time in SA for Nancy's 29th Birthday! We had a great time visiting and eating :)
You'll see in the pictures we had some confetti eggs and it's hard to tell who gets a bigger kick out of them ... Nana or Emily?!
John and Traci brought some cool goodies for the kiddos from their Seattle trip.
Elliot an iPoo'd shirt - I can't wait until he grows into it because it's hilarious! Emily a great art clock. John and Emily drew some out-lines on the clock for Emily to fill in with paint and she completely changed gears when we got home. She ended up painting it "rainbow" colors ... I'll take a picture soon.
Right before we left for our Griswald vacation we spent time in SA for Nancy's 29th Birthday! We had a great time visiting and eating :)
You'll see in the pictures we had some confetti eggs and it's hard to tell who gets a bigger kick out of them ... Nana or Emily?!
John and Traci brought some cool goodies for the kiddos from their Seattle trip.
Elliot an iPoo'd shirt - I can't wait until he grows into it because it's hilarious! Emily a great art clock. John and Emily drew some out-lines on the clock for Emily to fill in with paint and she completely changed gears when we got home. She ended up painting it "rainbow" colors ... I'll take a picture soon.
Crawfish in Winnie!
We just spent the weekend in Winnie and were treated to a bottle fed Longhorn, a Longhorn birth, 350lbs of crawfish and mom dressed up in sparkles and a blonde afro wig … yes, sounds like a completely normal weekend with my family … HA!
Uncle Lester and Aunt Franny had a great crawfish boil at their beautiful home and invited a ton of people over to celebrate. It was a great time and I am still full from all the crawfish and yummy desserts!
Trent, Austen and Wayne were the official crawfish boilers (mostly Austen and Trent!) and they did a GREAT job! The crawfish were perfect …
Emily was able to bottle feed a baby calf (she’s sooooo cute!) and of course ride on the steers . Then Sunday morning when she was helping Me Me in the flower bed, she got to see a baby be born! Well, almost … Mom saw the calf “plop out” and Emily was able to see him/her seconds later. It is amazing how quickly baby cows can get up and run around … very cool!
Now back to the blonde afro wig … Lester and Franny needed some entertainment for their party and did they get it! First there were Lester’s Exxon friends – they were good and put on a fun show!! THEN came Mom, Regina and Joan … talk about funny! It was the first time Austen and I were able to see mom perform and we laughed and giggled and laughed some more. Dad said last time he saw her perform he was in the hospital for a week … HA! I thought they did a great job! Too funny! I'm just sad I didn't have a video camera ... it would have been great to be able to put that up on YouTube!
Elliot got a kick out of the crawfish ... he ate them, the played with them and he laughed at them. Emily wouldn't go near them, but she enjoyed sticking Elliot's hand in the tub of crawfish (before they were boiled!) ... man, when he's old enough to get her back, it's going to be funny!
I’m sure I missed something, but here are a few pictures for your enjoyment!
sweet new baby (not even an hour old!)
this little baby is 2 weeks old
A bunch of jackasses ... HA
Elliot dancin'
"I am going to swim today ... "
Mom, Regina and Joan
Mom, Regina and Joan
Dad on Big Red (their new steer )
Uncle Lester and Aunt Franny had a great crawfish boil at their beautiful home and invited a ton of people over to celebrate. It was a great time and I am still full from all the crawfish and yummy desserts!
Trent, Austen and Wayne were the official crawfish boilers (mostly Austen and Trent!) and they did a GREAT job! The crawfish were perfect …
Emily was able to bottle feed a baby calf (she’s sooooo cute!) and of course ride on the steers . Then Sunday morning when she was helping Me Me in the flower bed, she got to see a baby be born! Well, almost … Mom saw the calf “plop out” and Emily was able to see him/her seconds later. It is amazing how quickly baby cows can get up and run around … very cool!
Now back to the blonde afro wig … Lester and Franny needed some entertainment for their party and did they get it! First there were Lester’s Exxon friends – they were good and put on a fun show!! THEN came Mom, Regina and Joan … talk about funny! It was the first time Austen and I were able to see mom perform and we laughed and giggled and laughed some more. Dad said last time he saw her perform he was in the hospital for a week … HA! I thought they did a great job! Too funny! I'm just sad I didn't have a video camera ... it would have been great to be able to put that up on YouTube!
Elliot got a kick out of the crawfish ... he ate them, the played with them and he laughed at them. Emily wouldn't go near them, but she enjoyed sticking Elliot's hand in the tub of crawfish (before they were boiled!) ... man, when he's old enough to get her back, it's going to be funny!
I’m sure I missed something, but here are a few pictures for your enjoyment!
Pretty!
sweet new baby (not even an hour old!)
this little baby is 2 weeks old
A bunch of jackasses ... HA
Elliot dancin'
"I am going to swim today ... "
Mom, Regina and Joan
Mom, Regina and Joan
Dad on Big Red (their new steer )
Here's the snapfish link for ALL the pictures .... !
Friday, May 02, 2008
New Snapfish Link
I haven't been the best at posting pictures lately ... and I realized this week I had not updated Snapfish folders since January (other than vacation!)
Here are all of 2008 ... I've added some new pictures for February, March and a couple for April!
Enjoy!
http://www1.snapfish.com/share/p=48321209780632236/l=373794687/g=7281183/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Big Bed News ... that I keep forgetting to share
I keep forgetting to post about our new bunk beds!
They are super cool and the kids love them! E
mily and Elliot are sharing the front rooms. They sleep in Elliot's old room and the toys are in Emily's old room. We haven't re-painted yet, but hope to soon.
We just can't decide WHAT to do in there to make it look boy and girl like - HA! I
t is working out well and everyone has been sleeping pretty OK ... if Elliot could find his binkie when it falls out, we probably wouldn't have to get up at all.
Here are a couple of pictures just for you MeMe .. HA! They really CAN sleep through anything ... even a super duper flash!
They are super cool and the kids love them! E
mily and Elliot are sharing the front rooms. They sleep in Elliot's old room and the toys are in Emily's old room. We haven't re-painted yet, but hope to soon.
We just can't decide WHAT to do in there to make it look boy and girl like - HA! I
t is working out well and everyone has been sleeping pretty OK ... if Elliot could find his binkie when it falls out, we probably wouldn't have to get up at all.
Here are a couple of pictures just for you MeMe .. HA! They really CAN sleep through anything ... even a super duper flash!
Update on Trina's CD Release Party!
Trina's CD party started out great ... there were some weather "concerns" but it seemed the worst of the weather was going to blow over - BUT less than an hour into the first set the clouds decided they wanted to come visit and the bottom fell out ...!
It was a yucky yucky storm that caused Emily to completely panic. I have no idea WHY she thinks every bad storm is going to produce a tornado and blow us away, but for some reason that's the case!
Thankfully some great friends helped get Caitlyn, Elliot and Emily out of the rain!
Kathy carried Elliot to the car, Sara pushed the stroller while Rick and Amy transported Caitlyn in their van. We camped out at Rick and Amy's until the storm passed (and Trina was able to pick up Caitlyn) ... talk about a memorable night!
Trina will re-schedule - keep an eye on her myspace page AND her new super fancy website www.trinamclarty.com
It was a yucky yucky storm that caused Emily to completely panic. I have no idea WHY she thinks every bad storm is going to produce a tornado and blow us away, but for some reason that's the case!
Thankfully some great friends helped get Caitlyn, Elliot and Emily out of the rain!
Kathy carried Elliot to the car, Sara pushed the stroller while Rick and Amy transported Caitlyn in their van. We camped out at Rick and Amy's until the storm passed (and Trina was able to pick up Caitlyn) ... talk about a memorable night!
Trina will re-schedule - keep an eye on her myspace page AND her new super fancy website www.trinamclarty.com
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Kindergarten Round-up!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Trina is live on iTunes AND is having a CD release party!
While we were on vacation, Trina went up on iTunes - sweet!
Check out her MySpace page when you get some time!
AND there is a CD release party happening on the 25th in Leander!
See text below from the flyer:
Check out her MySpace page when you get some time!
AND there is a CD release party happening on the 25th in Leander!
See text below from the flyer:
Trina McLarty presents STAND!
Trina McLarty & The Three Finger Jack Band
will be playing all tracks from Trina's brand new album
Stand
as well as other crowd favorites.
FREE!!! Live Music!!!
Old Town Leander Stage
(106 W Willis St., Leander, TX 78641)
Friday, April 25, 2008
7:30pm-9:30pm
There will also be food and beverage concessions for sale
www.trinamclarty.com
Trina McLarty & The Three Finger Jack Band
will be playing all tracks from Trina's brand new album
Stand
as well as other crowd favorites.
FREE!!! Live Music!!!
Old Town Leander Stage
(106 W Willis St., Leander, TX 78641)
Friday, April 25, 2008
7:30pm-9:30pm
There will also be food and beverage concessions for sale
www.trinamclarty.com
Monday, April 14, 2008
We're home!
We made it home after 2,500+ miles and a ga-zillion stops!
I'll come back and do a brief update soon ... but before I can do that, we must un-pack the van!
I'll come back and do a brief update soon ... but before I can do that, we must un-pack the van!
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
It's snowing!!
We woke up this morning to snow! It's not sticking, but Emily is having fun!
PS - I've been updating in the Adventure post and added a Snapfish link to the picture post!
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Keeping you updated on our adventure ...
Day 1
We packed the van to the brim with suitcases, toys, food, kids stuff, etc etc etc!
We left Cedar Park a little later than planned because it was pouring (and hailing!) when we woke up.
We had to stop a million times on our way to Lubbock and Emily asked WAY too many times if we were there yet.
I hid a Mariposa Barbie for Emily that she found on the first day (OOPS) ... I had planned to give it to her on day 3 or 4 ... oh well ... it kept her occupied for most of the trip!
On our way to Lubbock we saw some wind farms. Very cool ... but creepy at the same time.
I had to call Dad at one point to see what was planted between Abilene and Lubbock because there is nothing but fields on the road we were on. He thinks wheat ... but I've decided all farmers need to put a sign on the main road to let people know what is planted there ... HA
GPS = very good investment!
We drove through Early and Lawn - funny names of towns!
The drive wasn't as boring as I thought it would be ... not MUCH to see, but it really wasn't all that boring.
We made it to Lubbock with two tired kids (and two tired big kids) and ate at one of Wayne's old hangouts - Gardski's. When I asked him if the food was good, he said "Well, I don't know ... I used to go to the bar and eat onion strings" .... HA! It was actually very good!
After we ate, we drove through campus, then went back to the hotel for the night.
Day 2
Wow, Elliot decided to surprise us by crawling (finally!) ... he was tired of sitting and decided to come see what we were up to! I think the hotel carpet (gross!) helped him get traction and off he went!
We toured the campus. I wasn't expecting it to be so pretty! There were tulips planted all over the place (my favorite!!). I can't imagine going to school there because it was so %$&#@ windy there! BRRRRRRRR!!!!
We bought out the Red Raider Outfitter - Elliot got a cool TT football, Emily got a stuffed donkey (yes, another stuffed animal), Wayne got some flip flops, a hoodie and a t-shirt AND he bookmarked their site so he can get some more stuff later.
After we left Lubbock we headed to Albuquerque.
We made a million stops again, but stopped for the kids to play in Farwell, TX. There was a neat park and they were having fun, but we decided to leave after 4 of 5 cars drove up and made me nervous .. HA!
New Mexico is WIDE open spaces. Who knew (OK, you guys that have driven through NM before know ... but I had no idea!)
The kiddos so so many trains and because New Mexico is so OPEN Emily was able to see the ENTIRE train!
The kids watched the movie Cars as we drove along side Route 66. Pretty funny!
We made it to Albuquerque and rode on the Sandia Peak Tram - it was gorgeous! It must be beautiful when there is lots of snow on the mountain.
When we made it to the top, it was COOOLD and there was still snow on the back side of the mountain. Emily and Elliot got to play in it for a bit (well, walk on it since it was super hard) ... we are bad parents - Elliot was wearing sandals (no socks) and Emily had on flip flops - whoops!
We had hoped to drive for a couple more hours after Albuquerque, but we were too beat to try - so we stayed in Albuquerque at the Laquita. It wasn't too bad.
Day 3
We had to make an emergency toy stop at Target for Elliot. I wasn't smart and didn't pack many small toys for him (oops!) ... I packed big ones, but he didn't like them in the car.
We headed to the Grand Canyon ... the scenery was beautiful.
We stopped at the Continental Divide for pictures and potty break.
We had a picnic in the dirt (there is only dirt in New Mexico!) and Emily ran off come energy.
After the Continental Divide we saw nothing and nothing and nothing again.
Very peaceful drive. I still can't believe it's so opened!
Emily is playing the Slug Bug Game and beating us all. We haven't told her about the actual slugging part. She just thinks it's fun to yell Slug Bug when she sees a VW bug!
We saw snow under the trees in Flagstaff and actually drove on Route 66 for a little while. The GPS took us to someones house when we were looking for a gas station ... and we ended up on Route 66.
We finally made it to the Grand Canyon after 1100+ miles!
We are staying in a cute little town right outside the park called Tusayan - not much to it, just hotels, and places to eat. The food is pricey because there just isn't anything else here! We spent $23 for lunch at McDonald's! Good thing we packed sandwich stuff!
We only have cell phone reception in the park - not in the town ... strange!
We learned that time zone changes + kids = baaaad sleep!
Day 4
We went to see the Grand Canyon - WOW! It's just amazing. I don't know how to describe it. The only word I can think of is WOW! We stayed just long enough to look at the Canyon for a little while - mostly at Mather Point - and pick up Emily's Junior Ranger stuff. Then we went back to the hotel and crashed - for three hours. Yes, we all napped that long ...
After we napped - we headed back to the Grand Canyon and saw the Canyon from different points. AMAZING!
Day 5
We started today by visiting the Desert View Watchtower - it gets another WOW!
Emily climbed all the way to the top without complaining - now that's amazing!
Elliot rode in the pack back and seemed to be taking it all in.
After our trip we stopped at McD's for lunch and headed back to the hotel for naps. Well, Wayne and Elliot are napping ... Emily is telling me in every way she can that she's not tired. Siiiigh. We are planning to see the sunset tonight - hopefully she's not too whiny!
That's our update for now!
I hope I don't jinx us by saying the kids have been very very good and we are having a super duper time!
After nap we rode the bus out to Hopi point. WOW! Double WOW ... that's the best view by far! It was super windy and cold, but very beautiful! Emily and Wayne saw a Condor -I missed it (of course)
We missed the sunset ... not because of cranky kids, but because of cloudy weather ... bummer!
Day 6
We woke up to snow! Fun! It has snowed off and on all day!
It is too warm for it to stick, but Emily had fun playing in it!
After our snow adventure Elliot started throwing up ... poor bug! Off and on most of the morning. YUCK! We ended up taking him to the local clinic and found out he has an ear infection (poor guy). I asked the doctor if we should stay here another day and he recommended we go ahead and leave to get him to a lower elevation ... so we'll leave tomorrow with some Amoxicillian and Tylenol ... say a prayer for us.
Emily finished her Junior Ranger stuff and received a Raven award.
We are so proud of her and she's very excited!
She has a certificate, a badge and a patch (not to mention a sticker and a tattoo!)
Wayne and Emily did some laundry today so we will have clean clothes for our trip back to Texas and tomorrow we start our journey back.
We cancelled our Ruidoso reservations and plan to made our way to White Sands and Roswell.
Day 7
We decided to take one last look at the Grand Canyon and saw some Elk ... very cool!
Then we drove and drove and drove.
We went a different way and Wayne wants to report he got 28 miles per gallon ... HA!
The wind was at our back and we were cruisin' ... on Route 66 for part of the way!
We had some lunch at Joe and Aggie's in Holbrook, NM - it was tasty!
We saw The Cozy Cone ... I mean, the Wigwam Hotel in Holbrook - pretty funny!
We also saw these cool antenna things outside of Socorro - called VLA
We made it to Socorro (even tho there were 60mph winds!!) and will drive on to White Sands tomorrow.
Emily told us when we drove up, that she misses the Grand Canyon and wishes we could live there ... awwww.
Elliot has an upset tummy now (I think he has 20 teeth coming in at once!) but he seemed to perk up once we got down in the lower elevation. Hopefully he'll do better tomorrow. We won't be in the car as long tomorrow, so he should be fine!
Day 8
Emily and I played Car Bingo - she lasted 10 minutes and then I had to play myself - I won!
Went through Elephant Butte - that still makes me laugh.
We stopped in Las Cruces and had lunch at Blake's Lotaburger
Went to White Sands - VERY cool ... white sand everywhere ...
We sledded down the dunes .... let me tell you, getting back up from the bottom of the dunes was a b*#$h! It was lots of fun and worth the up and down and up and down and up and down and up and down. Very pretty area .. wild that it's really white sand!
Elliot slept for most of the White Sands adventure, but he seems to be feeling better.
We stopped in Alamogordo for the night, ate at Applebees and played Uno.
Day 9
In the car for a short jaunt to Roswell to visit the UFO Museum and have lunch at the McDonald's shaped like a UFO
There wasn't a lot to see here, but it has been a fun stop!
Funny alien stuff everywhere.
We are here for the night in the Days Inn and will start our trek back to TEXAS tomorrow!
We stopped at a Pistachio Farm on the way to Roswell ... who knew they grew Pistachios in New Mexico? At the Pistachio Farm we bought a cute little book for the kiddos by Sonya Devine ... she was there and signed it for them. I am a sucker for cute kids books!
Day 10
On our way to Cedar Park! Emily was so excited when she started seeing cars with Texas plates ....
We stopped off in Big Spring to eat lunch and drove to San Angelo for a break. Wayne got stopped for speeding (shame on Wayne) but was let off with a warning. Emily didn't cry this time (last time she was sure daddy was going to jail .. HA) ... We played at this super cool park in San Angelo and then had some dinner. Wayne decided he could make the last 3 hours and we drove and drove and drove ... and ended up in CP by 10pm. We were wiped out, but super glad to be home.
Now we need to un-pack, clean the van (it's so trashed), wash out dirty clothes, go grocery shopping and get ready to go back to work on Thursday!
We packed the van to the brim with suitcases, toys, food, kids stuff, etc etc etc!
We left Cedar Park a little later than planned because it was pouring (and hailing!) when we woke up.
We had to stop a million times on our way to Lubbock and Emily asked WAY too many times if we were there yet.
I hid a Mariposa Barbie for Emily that she found on the first day (OOPS) ... I had planned to give it to her on day 3 or 4 ... oh well ... it kept her occupied for most of the trip!
On our way to Lubbock we saw some wind farms. Very cool ... but creepy at the same time.
I had to call Dad at one point to see what was planted between Abilene and Lubbock because there is nothing but fields on the road we were on. He thinks wheat ... but I've decided all farmers need to put a sign on the main road to let people know what is planted there ... HA
GPS = very good investment!
We drove through Early and Lawn - funny names of towns!
The drive wasn't as boring as I thought it would be ... not MUCH to see, but it really wasn't all that boring.
We made it to Lubbock with two tired kids (and two tired big kids) and ate at one of Wayne's old hangouts - Gardski's. When I asked him if the food was good, he said "Well, I don't know ... I used to go to the bar and eat onion strings" .... HA! It was actually very good!
After we ate, we drove through campus, then went back to the hotel for the night.
Day 2
Wow, Elliot decided to surprise us by crawling (finally!) ... he was tired of sitting and decided to come see what we were up to! I think the hotel carpet (gross!) helped him get traction and off he went!
We toured the campus. I wasn't expecting it to be so pretty! There were tulips planted all over the place (my favorite!!). I can't imagine going to school there because it was so %$&#@ windy there! BRRRRRRRR!!!!
We bought out the Red Raider Outfitter - Elliot got a cool TT football, Emily got a stuffed donkey (yes, another stuffed animal), Wayne got some flip flops, a hoodie and a t-shirt AND he bookmarked their site so he can get some more stuff later.
After we left Lubbock we headed to Albuquerque.
We made a million stops again, but stopped for the kids to play in Farwell, TX. There was a neat park and they were having fun, but we decided to leave after 4 of 5 cars drove up and made me nervous .. HA!
New Mexico is WIDE open spaces. Who knew (OK, you guys that have driven through NM before know ... but I had no idea!)
The kiddos so so many trains and because New Mexico is so OPEN Emily was able to see the ENTIRE train!
The kids watched the movie Cars as we drove along side Route 66. Pretty funny!
We made it to Albuquerque and rode on the Sandia Peak Tram - it was gorgeous! It must be beautiful when there is lots of snow on the mountain.
When we made it to the top, it was COOOLD and there was still snow on the back side of the mountain. Emily and Elliot got to play in it for a bit (well, walk on it since it was super hard) ... we are bad parents - Elliot was wearing sandals (no socks) and Emily had on flip flops - whoops!
We had hoped to drive for a couple more hours after Albuquerque, but we were too beat to try - so we stayed in Albuquerque at the Laquita. It wasn't too bad.
Day 3
We had to make an emergency toy stop at Target for Elliot. I wasn't smart and didn't pack many small toys for him (oops!) ... I packed big ones, but he didn't like them in the car.
We headed to the Grand Canyon ... the scenery was beautiful.
We stopped at the Continental Divide for pictures and potty break.
We had a picnic in the dirt (there is only dirt in New Mexico!) and Emily ran off come energy.
After the Continental Divide we saw nothing and nothing and nothing again.
Very peaceful drive. I still can't believe it's so opened!
Emily is playing the Slug Bug Game and beating us all. We haven't told her about the actual slugging part. She just thinks it's fun to yell Slug Bug when she sees a VW bug!
We saw snow under the trees in Flagstaff and actually drove on Route 66 for a little while. The GPS took us to someones house when we were looking for a gas station ... and we ended up on Route 66.
We finally made it to the Grand Canyon after 1100+ miles!
We are staying in a cute little town right outside the park called Tusayan - not much to it, just hotels, and places to eat. The food is pricey because there just isn't anything else here! We spent $23 for lunch at McDonald's! Good thing we packed sandwich stuff!
We only have cell phone reception in the park - not in the town ... strange!
We learned that time zone changes + kids = baaaad sleep!
Day 4
We went to see the Grand Canyon - WOW! It's just amazing. I don't know how to describe it. The only word I can think of is WOW! We stayed just long enough to look at the Canyon for a little while - mostly at Mather Point - and pick up Emily's Junior Ranger stuff. Then we went back to the hotel and crashed - for three hours. Yes, we all napped that long ...
After we napped - we headed back to the Grand Canyon and saw the Canyon from different points. AMAZING!
Day 5
We started today by visiting the Desert View Watchtower - it gets another WOW!
Emily climbed all the way to the top without complaining - now that's amazing!
Elliot rode in the pack back and seemed to be taking it all in.
After our trip we stopped at McD's for lunch and headed back to the hotel for naps. Well, Wayne and Elliot are napping ... Emily is telling me in every way she can that she's not tired. Siiiigh. We are planning to see the sunset tonight - hopefully she's not too whiny!
That's our update for now!
I hope I don't jinx us by saying the kids have been very very good and we are having a super duper time!
After nap we rode the bus out to Hopi point. WOW! Double WOW ... that's the best view by far! It was super windy and cold, but very beautiful! Emily and Wayne saw a Condor -I missed it (of course)
We missed the sunset ... not because of cranky kids, but because of cloudy weather ... bummer!
Day 6
We woke up to snow! Fun! It has snowed off and on all day!
It is too warm for it to stick, but Emily had fun playing in it!
After our snow adventure Elliot started throwing up ... poor bug! Off and on most of the morning. YUCK! We ended up taking him to the local clinic and found out he has an ear infection (poor guy). I asked the doctor if we should stay here another day and he recommended we go ahead and leave to get him to a lower elevation ... so we'll leave tomorrow with some Amoxicillian and Tylenol ... say a prayer for us.
Emily finished her Junior Ranger stuff and received a Raven award.
We are so proud of her and she's very excited!
She has a certificate, a badge and a patch (not to mention a sticker and a tattoo!)
Wayne and Emily did some laundry today so we will have clean clothes for our trip back to Texas and tomorrow we start our journey back.
We cancelled our Ruidoso reservations and plan to made our way to White Sands and Roswell.
Day 7
We decided to take one last look at the Grand Canyon and saw some Elk ... very cool!
Then we drove and drove and drove.
We went a different way and Wayne wants to report he got 28 miles per gallon ... HA!
The wind was at our back and we were cruisin' ... on Route 66 for part of the way!
We had some lunch at Joe and Aggie's in Holbrook, NM - it was tasty!
We saw The Cozy Cone ... I mean, the Wigwam Hotel in Holbrook - pretty funny!
We also saw these cool antenna things outside of Socorro - called VLA
We made it to Socorro (even tho there were 60mph winds!!) and will drive on to White Sands tomorrow.
Emily told us when we drove up, that she misses the Grand Canyon and wishes we could live there ... awwww.
Elliot has an upset tummy now (I think he has 20 teeth coming in at once!) but he seemed to perk up once we got down in the lower elevation. Hopefully he'll do better tomorrow. We won't be in the car as long tomorrow, so he should be fine!
Day 8
Emily and I played Car Bingo - she lasted 10 minutes and then I had to play myself - I won!
Went through Elephant Butte - that still makes me laugh.
We stopped in Las Cruces and had lunch at Blake's Lotaburger
Went to White Sands - VERY cool ... white sand everywhere ...
We sledded down the dunes .... let me tell you, getting back up from the bottom of the dunes was a b*#$h! It was lots of fun and worth the up and down and up and down and up and down and up and down. Very pretty area .. wild that it's really white sand!
Elliot slept for most of the White Sands adventure, but he seems to be feeling better.
We stopped in Alamogordo for the night, ate at Applebees and played Uno.
Day 9
In the car for a short jaunt to Roswell to visit the UFO Museum and have lunch at the McDonald's shaped like a UFO
There wasn't a lot to see here, but it has been a fun stop!
Funny alien stuff everywhere.
We are here for the night in the Days Inn and will start our trek back to TEXAS tomorrow!
We stopped at a Pistachio Farm on the way to Roswell ... who knew they grew Pistachios in New Mexico? At the Pistachio Farm we bought a cute little book for the kiddos by Sonya Devine ... she was there and signed it for them. I am a sucker for cute kids books!
Day 10
On our way to Cedar Park! Emily was so excited when she started seeing cars with Texas plates ....
We stopped off in Big Spring to eat lunch and drove to San Angelo for a break. Wayne got stopped for speeding (shame on Wayne) but was let off with a warning. Emily didn't cry this time (last time she was sure daddy was going to jail .. HA) ... We played at this super cool park in San Angelo and then had some dinner. Wayne decided he could make the last 3 hours and we drove and drove and drove ... and ended up in CP by 10pm. We were wiped out, but super glad to be home.
Now we need to un-pack, clean the van (it's so trashed), wash out dirty clothes, go grocery shopping and get ready to go back to work on Thursday!
We made it!
I had planned to update for the our trip so far, but Wayne said I have 20 minutes or the bus is leaving without me ... so, I'll just say ... WOW!
Elliot's face was priceless when he first looked out at the canyon ...
He got really still and just looked around ... like WOW!
Emily is working towards a Junior Ranger badge and is having a super time looking for all the things she needs to find!
A few pictures from along the way ....
In Lubbock (of course!)
Elliot's face was priceless when he first looked out at the canyon ...
He got really still and just looked around ... like WOW!
Emily is working towards a Junior Ranger badge and is having a super time looking for all the things she needs to find!
A few pictures from along the way ....
In Lubbock (of course!)
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Yes, it's official - we are crazy!
It's official ... we have lost our minds!
As we start packing for our trip to the Grand Canyon I wonder - what in the world were we thinking?!
Two kids on a road trip to the Grand Canyon???? Yikes!
I am going to try to update some on the road, but don't know how that will go over!
Hopefully we'll have some great pictures to share when we get back!
Now, I am off to figure out how in the world Wayne will fit all this stuff in the van!
As we start packing for our trip to the Grand Canyon I wonder - what in the world were we thinking?!
Two kids on a road trip to the Grand Canyon???? Yikes!
I am going to try to update some on the road, but don't know how that will go over!
Hopefully we'll have some great pictures to share when we get back!
Now, I am off to figure out how in the world Wayne will fit all this stuff in the van!
Stay at Home Dad's invade the Today Show!
JT, Zach, Rick and Meghan are officially TV stars!
See this clip from The Today Show http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23916728#23916728.
Great job guys!!!
See this clip from The Today Show http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23916728#23916728.
Great job guys!!!
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