Sam's Trip

I had a wonderful Sunday morning with my three boys!! We went to have breakfast at Cracker Barrel and then we headed to Sam's for some shopping. Ryan has a mountain lion hunt next week in Colorado, and he had to pick up a few things. Well a few things turned into this........





Yeah I know, it looks like he will be hunting until next year. We had a shopping cart full and flatbed full. When Ryan goes to Sam's he makes it worth his while!! LOL!!! Hope everyone has a great Sunday! Grammy's on tonight! Woo Hoo!!!!

A Messy Morning

Today we woke up to rain which means no outside play. And that, just means crazy messes for me! Barrett took a shower and got himself ready for work??? Well he thought he was going to get to go to work with his Dad, but that wasn't happening today. He had put on a button down shirt, jeans and his nice boots (which he calls Rodeo boots?). He kept saying, "but Mom I have on my nice work clothes!" I explained Daddy has an important meeting and you can't go today. So the next thing I know he comes out of the "kiddy wing" and exclaims that he has moved himself into the playroom and it is going to be his new room. "Uh NO it's not!" So I hesitantly go into the playroom to see what he has done. He has moved the majority of his closet into the playroom closet!!! UGH!!!!! This is not the best way to start the morning. After I moved his clothes, belts, hats, underwear, and shoes back to their rightful home I entered the kitchen to find my baby having breakfast with Lola.



Never a dull moment around here folks!

I put Jack down for his morning nap and went to shower. I assumed Barrett was fine watching cartoons while I got ready. Keyword being ASSUMED! As I finishing up getting Jack ready, I told Barrett to run and get his shoes so that we could go to lunch. Oh course, I actually had to go get them and this is what I found in his playroom................



This is a cake that Barrett made for us. I think it consisted of a HUGE bottle of baby lotion (it was vanilla oatmeal scented), bottle caps candy, 2 packages of silica gel (found in shoes boxes and purses), and an UGG shoes box. OH MY!!! I literally had to walk away for a while and then come back in to clean up the lotion that was EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!

After the great cake debacle we headed to Tyler for lunch at the Potpourri House. Christie and I LOVE their pimento cheese! We had a great lunch and Barrett made something else at lunch for us. He made a rocket ship out of his grilled cheese.



It's funny Barrett was out eaten by Jack and Mary Michael today, but that is not uncommon. B's appetite lately has been horrible!

Tonight my sweetie is taking me to a movie! I think we are going to see "When in Rome". I really need some time out, even if it is only for a few hours! Can't wait to see what Barrett will have "made" for me tonight!!! Have a great Friday everyone!!!

Canton Trip

It's that time of the month again............CANTON!!!

The kiddos woke up bright and early ready to venture to Canton. Jack did his usually breakfast with Daddy. It is so funny Jack has always eaten by the time Daddy eats his breakfast, but every day he eats some cereal with him. Sometimes Jack sits with Ryan, but other times he get a bite and runs around playing then comes back for more.





Barrett thought it was going to rain today so he suited up for the storm. It never rained on us, but gotta love a man that's prepared!



It was a quick trip. Thursday is such a bad day to go, not all the vendors are open. We were just wanting to get out of the house before the rain came and the temps dropped.



Again, to all you Mom's of three or more. Hats off to you if you can get a good pic. With these three someone is always looking crazy LOL!!

I got the cutest wrought iron tree, I'm using it as a necklace hanger. I have broken no telling how many when they all get tangled together. This is perfect cause it gives each necklace a little branch. LOVE it! I also got this little black knit head warmer thing, it is super cute and keeps your ears warm and hair pushed back. Who could resist these cute necklaces and leather cuff! Not me apparently.





Being around all that fried food today got me thinking about dinner, and I thought how about chicken fried steak. I have attempted a few recipes in the past without much success. Tonight it was, who elses but... the Pioneer Woman's. For once it turned out great. The boys loved it!



Tonight I would like to mention that my second cousin Mark and Callie had their second little girl today. The baby had to be flown to Houston she was having some trouble, I just wanted to lift the family up in prayer!

Coughing and Cooking

For the past few days Barrett has had a horrible cough. I took him to the doctor on Monday to make sure it wasn't anything bad. On our way he said "Mom do I have to take my clothes off today and wear the paper.?" He just had his 5 year check up last week and he didn't much care for that part!! So yesterday the cough was worse, that meant no school for him. He was really bummed about that he LOVES school (hope that lasts). I called the doctor back and he called in some cough medicine for him. Today my little man has rested all day so hopefully he will be back to normal soon. He is such a talker and it has been extra hard for him, the more he talks the more he coughs. Poor thing.

Today I was in a cooking mood, such a gloomy day I just wanted to say inside. I started off making the Pioneer Woman's Pound Cake. Oh my!!!! It is divine. I called my sister and made her immediately take half of it home, sorry Cragg. Then I made some yummy almond tea!!! It is just delish!!! I was sitting back enjoying my tea and thought, after all this cooking I don't have anything for dinner. So, I decided on Chicken and Dumplings for my sick B-Doodle. Now I have a PILE of dishes starring at me, not fun.

While I was busy cooking my mischievous little angel was caught red handed in the snack drawer.........





Hope everyone had a great Wednesday!!!

A Wagon Ride

Yesterday was such a gorgeous day around here, we were outside enjoying it. My parents came up for a visit so we met them for lunch at Posado's or as B calls it the ice cream place.



We came home and breathed in the beautiful day! B is always outside "rain or shine". Recently Jack has been wanting to go out all the time. He goes to the window and points, kind of making some babble like "hey why does he get to go out!"
Well today he did get to go out!!!!!



This little man loved it! As does my first little man, and Jack has apparently picked up his brothers affinity for all things tool related. He had some sort of tool in his hands at all times.



Then my sweet B came over to Jack and I pulling his wagon and said "Mom, can I take Jack on a ride? I have his blanket and his monkey in here." Oh just melt my heart I had seen B with towels drying out the wagon, but I didn't know why. He was getting it ready to take his brother for a ride.





These two had a ball, B would have pulled Jack around all day. I had to stop him when my little daredevil started standing up while riding around! Oh these boys!!



Jack finally cornered Gracie the kitty in the back after chasing her forever! He always sees her from the window and just squeals with delight, maybe that's why she runs from him. Ha Ha!!




It was a perfect day with my boys! I love how they are really starting to play with each other now. I am so lucky to have three wonderful boys in my life!! All the dirty boots and screws in the dryer are just a bonus!

This and That

Today the "big boys" headed to Lufkin to do a little work for Ryan's Mom, so Jack and I had the day to ourselves. I started off the day by making the Pioneer Woman's "Perfect Au Gratin Potatoes"..............




Oh they were so good! I mean BAD, very bad. Jack played around the house with his favorite new toy, the snack trap. He feels after his breakfast he needs to carry around a cup of cheerios, which would be fine if he didn't drop them all over my house. Oh, I guess if your this cute you can get away with things like that.



After a 2 1/2 hour nap, Jack and I met Christie and Mary Michael at the mall. I was looking for a new purse/diaper bag. I don't like to carry a diaper bag so I just carry a huge purse. I was looking online and I saw this one.



When I looked at it in person it just was not big enough for me so I guess I'll be going back to my old standby...............


I have been carrying a Big Buddha bag, I like the way it looks but it's not very functional. If anyone has any good large purse finds let me know!!

Christie, the kiddos and I hit up our regular spot for lunch.....Newk's. Note to young man taking orders who said, "hey there little man!".......... This is not a boy!!!



I mean seriously, what gave it away the bow or the ALL pink? HA HA!!!!

Beautiful Day at the Zoo!!

Today was absolutely beautiful outside so we decided to head to the zoo! The weather was so perfect, breezy and sunny. We had a picnic lunch in front of the giraffes and elephants. As we were finishing lunch we heard some crazy noises and it was two wart hogs fighting right in front of us. B was like "what in the world is that?" I was in such shock I didn't even think to take a picture of it. LOL!!









Jack had such a blast, this was the first time I let him walk around at the zoo. He loved it!! He was running around everywhere. B had a map of the zoo, why I don't know because we have only been there 100 times. Anyhoo, he was obsessed with finding each animal on the map. They had little animal icons to represent different areas, he was insisting that we find each animal. Problem was that there were some animals that we couldn't quite tell what they were. He kept calling one an anteater, I said "Honey that don't have anteaters here." B: "Mom yes they do it's on the map!" This went on until I had to tell him, "Well babe, I guess your right, but they must be inside for the winter." I wonder why he feels the need to be right all the time? Hmmmm?????

It was a perfect Zoo day. The zoo was beautiful as always and it always make me want to come home and do some landscaping. Ha Ha!!!!

Jack is 15 months old!!

Jack you are 15 months old today!!

Here is what your up to:

-weigh almost 22 pounds, 21% percentile

-you are 32 inches tall, 78% percentile

-walking everywhere, err running!

-you still take 2, 2 hour naps a day! Whoo Hoo!!

-you love to play with B and Mary Michael

-you wake up about 7:30 a.m. and go to sleep at 6:30 p.m.

-say: mama, dada, lala (lola),

-hold your hand up to fire and say "haaaa" for hot things

-wave bye ,bye and night ,night

-you love to drag out and carry around my curling irons

-still don't have much hair, more coming in daily (dirty blonde)

-you have eight teeth and are getting some molars

You have the sweetest, cuddliest little personality. When people talk to you in a store you put you head on your shoulder and smile. Your kind of a flirt. I really think you are the easiest baby ever. We love you so much!! You are such a blessing to our family!!!

Cooking and B's garden

We had a fairly calm Wednesday around here. We made a trip to Brookshire's for some cooking I was doing. Luckily the "little buggy" was already in use by some other poor mother, so I avoided that!

As I had mentioned earlier in the week, the loss of our Nannie Murphy. We had some sprays and flowers that the family gave us. B decided to make a "garden" with some of the flowers, he took out of an arrangement. I tried to explain to him that they wouldn't grow, but he was not interested in hearing it.





So he planted his "garden" which has know been moved around numerous times. He even put a little soil around each one. He was telling me "Mom now that it raining they are gonna grow even bigger!"

The rest of our day I spent cooking! On rainy, muggy days I find it so therapeutic to stay home and cook. I began the day by starting the PW's Braised Beef Brisket, which has to marinate for 48 hours. Since that couldn't be eaten the same day I decided to make PW's Comfort Meatballs and Cheese Grits. The cheese grits, OHHHHHH they were "sublime" to quote the PW. Christie and Mary Michael came over to try the grits. Mary Michael was loving them!!!





B tried to open a snack for the kiddos and ended up spilling them all over the floor. But having Mary Michael over sure helped with the clean up!! Are her eyes not the most gorgeous thing ever?



We ended the day with a trip to Sam's for diapers. We made it home just in time for some crazy weather. We had numerous tornado reports and hail in our area. I was on edge with all the reports of hail, hail is one of our worst enemies being in the car business and all!! I know there was some damage in Canton, I haven't watched this morning to see any other reports, but last night there were no reports of any injuries which is so wonderful!!! Hope everyone has a super Thursday!

Doctors and Necklaces

Today B had his FIVE year old check up. Yes his birthday was in November and we are just now getting in for the check up, but hey, we made it. B was about 45% percentile for his weight and height, Dr. Rogers told him he was just right! While were getting checked in with the nurse she had a lot of questions for me and everyone she asked B would chime in after I answered with, no I can't, or yes I do that. She was having a fit laughing at him. Such a ham he is these days.



He was really NOT enjoying this paper gown, he couldn't understand why he had to wear it. Then when Jack got a hold of it and ripped half of it off, well that just made it soooooo much worse!!

Today I received a necklace that I have been wanting for a while. I have been seeing them on some celebs in my weekly magazines and I have been really wanting one. So a few weeks back I ordered it and I LOVE it!!!!!! I think it is so cute!



(pardon my fingerprints, i haven't been able to keep my hands off, literally!!!)

Nannie Murphy

I have been away for a few days, and I come back with a heavy heart. This past week we lost Ryan's Grandmother, Nannie. She had gone to Houston last Tuesday for a check up on her back. By Wednesday we were on our way down to Houston because she was not doing good. On Thursday morning with us by her side, Nannie passed away. It was so unexpected. We are all still in complete shock. Nannie was a wonderful Mother, Sister, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, and wife. We will all miss her so terribly much. Her service was held this past Sunday, it was a beautiful day and it so much reflected her and her joy for life. I am so greatful for her time on this earth and that I was blessed to be a part of her family. We love you Nannie and you will live in our hearts forever.

"Mom it's Unfortunate"

Today B had school, so Jack and I spent the day running errands in Tyler. We had a return at the mall and we had lunch at Chick fil A aka, Christian Chicken. I love that nickname I read it on a friends blog, I think it's HI- Larry- Us!!!

After school B wanted an after school snack. First he decided on a hot dog, then took one bite and moved on to popcorn. The popcorn didn't cut it either, then he said he wanted ice cream! Well, we have been out of ice cream for a while around here, so I told him we didn't have any.

He looks in the freezer in the kitchen and NONE, then he proceeded to look in the garage freezer. When he walks in I hear...."Mom it's just unfortunate for you, cause I found some." Really? "unfortunate". I don't know where this child gets this stuff. It most certainly would not be from his mother.

Jack had a blast climbing on the dishwasher, yes he is very easily amused!!

Hey I can climb on here she's not looking.........

Should I be doing this?????????



Success!! Woo Hoo!!!!!



Ryan is taking me to the movies tonight! I can't wait!

Fun Sunday!

We had a great Sunday. We started off the day by visiting a new church, well new to us that is. We had a great worship service that we really enjoyed and the church was very welcoming. Barrett was very good in "big church", but I see him joining the other children very soon! PawPaw stayed at home and kept Jack so that we could check out the Church before taking him to the nursery.

After church we went to eat at Posados. Barrett picked this place for ONE reason! When I asked him why he wanted to go there, he claimed "cause they give you chips", I knew better. It's for the ice cream. My B man has a major sweet tooth!

When we were stuffed full of Mexican food we headed home for an afternoon birthday party. Our sweet neighbor across the street was turning 3! I had sooo much fun shopping for girlie presents. I don't get to do that to often.





Jack had a ball playing with all of Bre's toys, he had so much fun playing with all the big girls in the playroom.



Barrett had fun helping Ms. Janelle with arranging all the presents and getting the cake ready. I missed him for a moment, and when I found him he had of course found some tractors.



For dinner I made The Pioneer Woman's chicken spaghetti, it was very yummy! It was a great Sunday! Now if it would just warm up a bit!!

Stuck Inside

I was awoken at 4:45 this Saturday morning by crying, which scared me. Jack hardly ever makes noise during the night, just the occasional little grunt or deep breath. So when I woke up to his crying, I knew something was wrong. I went in to check on him and his foot was stuck and twisted in the bars on the iron crib. Oh my, I felt like a Bad Mommy . I freed his little foot and he went right back to sleep. My poor little angel. So needless to say I was up for the day at 4:45! Fun, fun.

Friday was COLD again. I realize that the cold here is not very cold to some people. Cold it was and when my B-doodle can't go outside, well we have a PROBLEM! We had a pretty uneventful Friday. We did however make it out of the house for a Sonic happy hour run.

Barrett decided he would try and brave the cold to play a little football outside. So I bundled him up and he went out for like a minute! He came in red faced and freezing. I knew it was going to be a LONG day.



B and I colored, and played Memory. Big B and SuSu came over to tell the boys "bye" before they headed home. Barrett and Big B played a little game of battle. Barrett even put on a concert for me. He got out his guitar and put on his ipod and sang a few tunes for me.

The highlight of the day was when I brought out the "little chair" for Jack. Barrett had this little leather club chair, from when he was younger. I had it in the playroom and every time Jack saw it he would run and hop in it. (which was not often, Jack is not allowed in the playroom because of all the hazards. Lincoln logs, Lego's, etc.) So, I thought why not put in the den where Jack plays. Hello! That's where it was when Barrett was little. I am just brain dead these days.

Jack LOVES this chair! He won't stay out of it, he climbs and stands on it. Okay, maybe this wasn't the best idea, it's making me a nervous wreck! Oh well, it's worth it to see the fun Jack is having! He has been making this fish face lately, I can't believe I caught it with the camera.





Hopefully today will be a little more productive!