Tuesday, July 27, 2010 – San Miguel Park is owned and operated by the Sabine River Authority of Louisiana. It encompasses 108 acres of land with paved roads throughout. The park is located on the northern part of Toledo Bend near Zwolle, Louisiana. And it is THE oldest park out of all the Toledo Bend Lake Country parks.

I didn’t take near as many pictures as I wanted to (and you will understand why once you are finished reading the blog) but I want to at least document the chain of events of our trip.

This isn’t our exact cabin but this is what they looked like. Never been in a triangle shaped anything before so it was interesting. The inside of the cabin was all one room. It had a double bed and two single beds that we pushed together and all slept side by side. There was a kitchen with an oven that looked like it belonged in my grandmother’s house. But we did have running water in the kitchen and a hot shower. There was no TV but we brought the lap tops for the kids to watch movies to keep them entertained. The entire family rented cabins so we were all within walking distance of my aunts, uncles, cousins and parents. We got to visit a little on Friday when we got there but the reunion and the big feast was scheduled at the pavilion for Saturday afternoon. I was worried about how Stone would sleep in the cabin because it’s been a nightmare trying to lay him down anywhere that isn’t his crib. He actually slept pretty well, only waking a couple of times and going right back to sleep without much of a fight at all. He was up pretty early, but I was thankful to get ANY rest that night! Thank you God!

So Saturday morning we all got up and headed to the pavilion to sit around and eat and play all day.

They look so cute don’t they? This is actually a good shot of them considering they were fighting while I took the picture.

So while we were sitting around starting to eat lunch, we noticed the back of Stone’s leg near his heel looked swollen. Looked like something bit him as it was pussy, bloody and seemed to be bothering him. Not knowing what bit him exactly and not wanting to chance he’d be okay, Mike put him in the car and drove 30 minutes away to Many, Louisiana so Stone could see a doctor.  They were pretty much gone all afternoon. Mike said the waiting room at the hospital they went to looked like a scene out of an Saturday Night Live skit. I felt bad they missed the better part of the day, but the good news was that it looked like Stone just got bit by a fire ant. Poor thing has my weird, messed up skin in his genes, so anything that gets a hold of him makes him swell like a balloon. They gave him oral steroids, Benadryl and antibiotics which we were SURE would knock him out pretty early come bed time. Mike found a Walgreens and filled the prescription and brought little Stone back so he could enjoy a little time swimming with Hunter and Brooke before it got too late. I don’t have pictures of the kids in the lake but they had a GREAT time! Hunter got some ‘big kid’ time playing with Devin and Cody (my nephews). And Brooke and Stone played in the water and in the mud until their hearts content. We got back to the cabin and cleaned everyone up and settled in with one of the movies playing. Brooke was out as soon as she hit the pillow. But Stone. Well, that child would NOT slow down and was bouncing off the walls like he had caffeine in his system instead of all the medicine. He finally slowed down and as soon as he did, that boy was out. Slept through the night too, let me just brag. I have never been so thankful for anything in a very long time.

I did take SOME pictures as my family was sitting down to eat. I did make promises not to post them on Facebook, but I never promised that I wouldn’t put them here! I’m SURE I don’t have 450 people reading my blog…

Let me just say how great my family is. My cousins and aunts and uncles are such wonderful, caring people and I’m so glad that I get to see them every year, but wish it could be more and for longer. We had such a great time playing cards. I came in third place in a wicked game of spoons. We turned in early Saturday night because of having such small kids, but they all were still going strong playing Texas Hold ‘Em and enjoying the company of all the family there. Everyone leaves at the crack of dawn on Sunday, so I never really get to say good bye to anyone. But most of my cousins have emailed me and asked how Stone is doing and checked on him. It so neat to have grown up with them and now we all have kids. Fifteen years ago when I went to reunions, they were the ones with small kids and I didn’t have a glimmer of even ONE in my future. Now all their kids are grown, in high school and about to start college and THEY get to see MY kids after all these years. And it’s kinda cool to hear my uncles say that Brooke looks just like me when I was that age. I can’t wait for future reunions for my kids to grow up and have family experiences like I had as a kid. All our wonderful trips to Louisiana, staying in Morgan City for what seemed like days at a time. We would also stay with my Uncle Sonny and Aunt Estelle in Brusly sometimes too. They live on a farm and have cows and chickens and I even remember a tire swing on a rope tied to a tree in the backyard. I doubt it’s still there, but I can’t wait to take my kids back there so they can see it too. My only regret is that my grandparents aren’t around to see my children and that my children weren’t around to eat Mawmaw’s cooking. But I know Mawmaw and Pawpaw are up in heaven looking down at my family smiling. And they would be VERY proud of THIS family.

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Sunday, July 18th, 2010 – We took the kids to the circus this past weekend. If memory serves me right (which these days I second guess it myself) this was their first trip to the BIG TOP SHOW! We went to the Saturday afternoon show which turned out to work really well with our schedule. Stone napped, we ate lunch and then headed out to the big top (or we call it Reliant Stadium)!!

It was very different from what I remember in years past. I think this was probably the first time I saw it in Reliant Center instead of the Summit. I seem to remember more animals, more circus type acts and less fluff, for lack of a better word. The first part was a lot of magic, illusion tricks, clowns, etc. There were horses and zebras that did tricks but I didn’t get pictures of that due to a certain two year old. The kids seemed to really love it and we had great seats!

At intermission, we got up to stretch our legs (and our wallets). However, I told the kids (Hunter and Brooke) they could get either a snack or a drink. They both opted for snow cones! Stone shared. They came in these huge cups (and yes they had a huge price as well)! But it made the kids happy! Brooke’s was a pony and Hunter’s was a light up mug! We had to help a little because it was a lot for them to hold/carry around with all that ice. But it was fun and it was nice to see they didn’t mind!

As I usually do, I tried to take a picture of all three of them. As I take the first one, they just get sillier and sillier. So I always end up with taking individual ones as well.

And then Daddy getting the last bit of snow cone…He did pay for it after all!

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Monday July 5, 2010 – So we spent the weekend down in Galveston. Sunday turned out to be a gorgeous day!! We decided before we headed back home to hit the beach. But before that, we made a stop at Sea Wolf Park. Neither Mike nor I had been there since we were kids. So we took the tour of the USS Cavalla (the WW II submarine) and the USS Stewart (the destroyer escort that was donated to Sea Wolf Park in 1972). Again, just wanted to post a few pictures here.

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Monday July 5, 2010 – We decided to celebrate the 4th of July in Galveston this year. We took the kids to a show at Moody Gardens. The 71’s (they are actually a cover band from Houston), Sister Hazel and Kris Allen were set to perform. We had tickets for the lawn but due to Hurricane Alex hitting the gulf earlier last week, they moved the show inside the convention center. Turned out to be good for us because the general admission seating was just as good as the people who paid $50+ for their tickets.

The kids had a great time and did pretty well considering it was NOT a concert for them. I think Stone enjoyed himself the most. When the band came on, he just sat there, mesmerized. He even clapped when each song was over. I know someday when I tell him what his first concert was he’s going to say, “Sister Who?” We didn’t stay for Kris Allen, we didn’t really intend to. We went mostly to see Sister Hazel. Mike idolizes Ken Block and they really put on a great show. We even got to meet Ken after the show was over.

Just wanted to post a few pictures here. Had a great weekend and didn’t want to forget it.

I tried to take pictures of the bands but my little point and shoot Sony is not made for that. I REALLY need a better camera.

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Friday, June 25, 2010 - Back at the beginning of the summer, Tricia and I took the kids to a nearby blueberry farm called Chmielewski's Blueberry Farm. We started out early to avoid the crowds AND the afternoon heat. We were probably there a little over an hour.

We picked just over a pound and half of blueberries. We had no idea there was a farm so close (literally just down the freeway), and the kids had a great time filling their buckets. There was also a cage with bunnies for the kids to pet. Brooke (especially) had a field day petting the bunnies!

When we got home, Brooke and I washed them to put them in the container and into the fridge. She is really the only person other than me that eats blueberries. But she's discovered she likes her Cheerios better now with fresh blueberries!

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Sunday, June 6, 2010 - Most people are doing this a year or so after their daughter is born. Brooke didn't START growing her hair until after her first birthday. We've always talked about cutting Brooke's hair but just never had the heart. Well today we did it. The same girl at Visible Changes that gave Hunter and Stone their first haircuts cut Brooke's hair this afternoon.

We brought the video camera along as well, but here are a few of the many pictures I took of our Boo Boo finally getting her first haircut.

So here she is! She looks so adorable, if I do say so myself. She likes it too! And here's a picture of Brooke handing Cynthia her tip for a job well done! It took Cynthia less than 5 minutes to straighten Brooke's hair (and she asked Brooke if she could do it). I was so jealous.

And of course, what would my blog be if I didn't post pictures of my other two children acting silly and doing everything they can to distract me during this momentous occasion...

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Sunday, June 6, 2010 - Last night we took Stone to his very first movie. I wanted to put it on the blog because I was trying to remember what movie we first took Hunter and Brooke to see. Hunters first movie at the theater was Cars. I remember he stood up through nearly the entire movie. I even remember what theater we took him to. Mike and I both remember it pretty vividly. Brooke, on the other hand, I just can't remember and it's really bugging me. I did some researching online last night for animated movies that have been out over the last two years. And I've come to the conclusion that it was probably Shrek the Third. Maybe it was even Monsters Vs. Aliens (I know that was the older twos first 3D movie. I actually keep movie stubs so I found those in my box.)

We decided to stop at McDonald's first for a little playtime and some dinner before the movie. I brought my camera because I wanted to take a picture of Stone inside the theater. He did have to sit at the edge of the seat to keep it from bouncing back.

But I realized ten years from now, I would not remember for the life of me what movie we took him to see. So, while the movie was showing I remembered the giant movie posters they have outside the theater. THAT would be my documentation! So here it is:

Next to the Shrek poster was the Iron Man 2 poster and Stone insisted I take his picture with it too. So I did. How can you tell that adorable face no???

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Wednesday, June 2, 2010 - Another year of school has come to an end. But it's not just ANY year, for me anyway. It's my first born son's last day of Kindergarten. It seems like just yesterday we brought him home from the hospital. I mean where has the time gone?

We're done with bottles, potty training and preschool. And at the end of today, he will officially be a Kindergarten graduate.

The room mom planned a wonderful night for the kids to get together one last time. All the kids families and Hunter's teacher Mrs. Baker all met at Clay's Restaurant for dinner. Mrs Baker gave them each a certificate sending them on to first grade with her blessing! She will not be at Sampson next year, so we will miss her. But she has asked the kids to email her and keep in touch and let them know how they are doing.

Hunter was up at the crack of dawn this morning. Normally I have to drag him out of bed. But today he met me downstairs and was already dressed and ready to go out the door before Mrs.Tricia picked him up one last time. I was thankful that SHE remembered her camera before the boys left.

I took the opportunity to go have lunch with Hunter on his last day of school. I was able to snap a few pictures while I was there. The air was FULL of excitement!! That Christopher is a HOOT for sure! And Hunter asked to have his picture taken "with just me and Alex"!

I am SO proud of Hunter and how much he has matured this year. He can read, he has his own friends and he is so inquisitive about the things in this life that it makes me see our world in a whole new way. Through the eyes of a six year old. I am so thankful to God that Hunter was born first. I learned so much about myself when he was born, and he also gave me my first experience in how to be a mother. You learn a lot when your first child is born. You truly know what it's like to wear your heart on the outside of your chest. You know the true meaning of "up all night" and 3 a.m. feedings. You know what that "bonding" thing REALLY is. But most of all, I have this real, tangible gift from God that was made just for me. I was hand picked by Him to be Hunter's mother. And that is so awesome and trying to wrap my brain around that makes my head hurt. I am SO blessed to be his mother and could not be more proud of the first six years of his life. I know there are many, many more to come. And I look forward to every day with him! I love you Hunter. And daddy and I could not be more proud of you!

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Monday, May 31, 2010 - It started out we were tired of looking at the orange walls in our bedroom. Then we decided we wanted matching bedroom furniture. I'm not much of a decorator, so I relied on Mike for MOST of what you're about to see. It really came together SO WELL and I'm impressed and thankful for his efforts and for the way the room turned out!

Here are some before pictures. This is the corner unit Mike built when we painted the room orange three or so years ago. He did a great job texturing it and putting the shelves in for the VCR and DVD player and then also had a spot for some of my pictures. He had to tear that down and do major overhaul on that wall to sand it down and make sure we could paint over it. You can't see it really, but the bed is on the opposite wall from the armoire and the windows are the opposite wall from the bathroom door.

I don't know why I took so few pictures of the "before". But here are some after we painted and before we had the furniture put in. As you can probably tell, the third picture below is where Mike took the shelf out. The picture makes the corner look pretty good. But you can still see a lot of the lines showing through even after the paint was dry. Don't worry. There's a bookshelf there now so no one will ever know. :) The last picture is me standing in the opposite corner of the room while Mike finishes up before the furniture is delivered. The kids decided to use the empty room as a track and did laps around the dog. Crazy kids.

So here it is. The finished product. Took two guys less than 15 minutes to bring the furniture in. We've found one of the bedposts is cracked and will need to be replaced. But other than that, we are very happy with the room and I have to give Mike kudos for making it all come together in a short amount of time. We put the bed on the opposite wall this time and this is the way we originally had the furniture when we moved in.

Target and Ikea were definitely our friends in this redecorate. The little window sofa is from Ikea and pretty much everything else, from the curtains to the lamps, a few of the new decorations on the dresser and even the pillows on the couch were from Target. Looks pretty good for doing this on such a small budget. The accent wall is actually a darker brown color than what it looks like in the pictures. It's really close to the big beige stripe in the comforter. I would definitely call it a creamy brown.

We're not totally done yet. Still have some paint touch ups to do in the corners and along the trim on the baseboards. Also need to put more stuff up on the walls. But I'm happy to be back in my room in the new KING SIZE bed! Life is good!

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Saturday May 29, 2010 - Brooke's end of the year program at the Christ the Redeemer was last Thursday. The name of the program was The Fish are Gonna Bite! They sang Peter, James and John in a Sailboat and Fish are Gonna Bite. Hard to believe next year, Brooke will be graduating from preschool. Seems like just yesterday that little girl was leaving us for her FIRST day on her own...

Here are a few pictures from the program:

Brooke's last day of school was the week after her program. Tuesday they had water day and Thursday was their last day and ice cream social! Stone and I went and had ice cream with Brooke. She was sad to say good bye to her friends and Ms. Jennifer. But we've planned plenty of play dates and getting together over the summer. Here are a few pictures from the last day of school. This is Brooke enjoying her ice cream and playing with the silly bands Emily gave her. We are going to miss seeing Emily next year. She and Brooke are BFF's.

Stone wanted in on the picture action so he said to take pictures of him with his alter-ego, Buzz Lightyear. And of course we had to take one last picture with Ms. Jennifer. Boy her smile is big in this picture, isn't it?

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