Fun Times

It was a long time coming! My sisters and I haven't done anything all together in a very long time. I can't even remember when. So, after a failed attempt last summer, we managed to plan a day this summer to go to Six Flags over Texas together. We were sure with it being July, we would burn up, but it was actually the perfect day to go! We went on a Thursday, so that helped on it not being as crowded and then there were rain showers all around with a big chance of rain there, so I'm sure some people may have changed their plans. It didn't rain on us all day! And the lines were not bad at all. We got on everything really quickly. We rode all the big ones besides the water rides. It was a great opportunity to visit and just hang out together. We need to do this more often! Love you, sisters!

My pictures aren't so great because I took them on my phone since I didn't want to carry my camera around all day. The first are us waiting on Batman, the ride.

Acting out: Whack a Mole!


Then, us and Heath Ledger....we wish!

Meanwhile, Grandpa JD and Jamie took the kids to a local indoor waterpark. They said the kids really had a good time and enjoyed splashing in the water. Lillian was still too scared to go down the slides, but had a fun time none-the-less. Thanks, Dad and Jamie for spending the day with them so I could enjoy my day with my sisters! I think we all had a great day!

A Buddy's Visit

We had my college buddy, Erin and her daughter, Ava, over to play yesterday. They live in South Austin and she still teaches, so we try to still get together several times a year to visit and let the girls play. Look at how much our girls have changed! The first picture is from when Lillian was 2 months old and I think Ava was 6 or 7 months. Then there is one from yesterday. Such sweet girls!

Rock'n R

Sunday afternoon, we headed out to try the local little water park with the kids. It has still be in the 100's and we thought the kids would love the water. Turns out, Lillian loved it! She was all over the place wanting to swim and slide. Andrew on the other hand, wanted to go back home. We got him out there to take a few pictures, but he laid on my chest the rest of the time. I think he got sunscreen in his eyes since he kept rubbing them and it just hurt and made him madder and madder. I'd definitely love to take Lillian again sometime if I had just her, but I know next summer, this will be lots of fun for both kids when Andrew is a little older and will enjoy it too.

Me, trying to get Andrew to like the water

He didn't know what to think about all the fountains!

Lillian didn't want to stand still to take a picture, she wanted to take it all in!

Starting Over Again!

A dear cousin of mine emailed me a couple of weeks back asking me to update my progress in my dieting and working out saga. I promise you, (you know who you are), I wasn't ignoring you. I have been trying to get back to where I was last year. No, I haven't gained all my weight back, but am back up 5 lbs from where I had gotten down to. I'm still 27 lbs down from where I started and proud of that, but really want to get this last 10 lbs off to my goal. It is depressing that I was 5 lbs away and am now back to 10!

Anyway, I knew I would have to wait until after this past weekend to get really serious again. I went to my grandparents and with all that driving and how hot it was there, I knew I wouldn't be getting much exercise. Plus she always makes such good food and desserts there, I knew I would just cave and wreck my plans, so I waited until yesterday to get going again. (That is why I haven't emailed you back!) My major setbacks have been a week at the beach this summer without working out and just the weather being so hot and terrible. It makes us stay in more and not get out to the park and be as active. Plus all the wonderful ice cream I crave during the hot weather!

So now I am really going to push myself to get busy again and reach my goal and maybe in more by October. The first weekend in October is my 10 year h.s. reunion, so that gives me something to aim for. I plan to do more running during my workout and sticking more strictly to my diet. This isn't a real diet, but what I mean is eating right and not caving in to so many treats and snacks!

My next step is to run again in the Race for the Cure 5k November 1st and beat my time from last year. Let me know if anyone wants to run with me. I plan on setting up a team soon to start raising money. (This means you too, Tory, Katy, and Mole) Then I hope to run in a 10k by the end of the year. I need to look into when one is that I can do, but that is my ulitimate running goal. I know I'll never run a marathon or even a half-marathon, but I think a 10k is pretty darn good for someone that wasn't a runner until not too long ago and couldn't have run a quarter of a mile in high school. We'll see and I promise to keep you better informed as I officially start over again. I'm resetting my weightloss counter today...it is going to be the same as it has been, but hopefully you'll see some movenment on it soon!

And, I hope I can still be of help to and an inspiration to you, dear cousin!

***The pictures above are first, me at Tory's Graduation May 2008, when I began and then me in May 2009 before I ran in the Bun Run 5k where I am about now.***

First Watermelon

We had a great visit in Louisiana with my grandparents. The kids got to be spoiled by their great-grandparents and we visited. One of the things we did was have a watermelon party with Mamaw. Here is a video of the kid's first watermelon experience:

4th of July Weekend

We went to Houston this weekend, well actually, Spring to be specific, but we did go into Houston to the museum.

My sister Katy and her husband, Clay, are getting ready to move out near Abilene, so we got one last good visit in before the move. We had a great time hanging out with the family. They took us to the Natural Science museum. The exhibits were great and it was indoors so with the 100 + degree heat these days, that was a definite plus. Lillian was a little scared of the things looking like they were coming at her in the planetarium movie, but otherwise enjoyed the rest.

We also met our grand puppies. They are really cute! And we brought Duncan back to our house again. He's been down there since Andrew's birthday.
















Us out in front of the museum

















Andrew slept on me through the whole butterfly exhibit

















Lillian enjoyed the beehive



















The giant caterpillar




















Andrew and the dinosaur bones
















Me and little man
















Katy and Lillian
















The kids enjoyed playing in the moving boxes

















All packed up!
















The puppies
















The kids like them!