Spring Break 2009

We were blessed this year for Spring Break because Lance got to spend the WHOLE week with us. He took the week off and it was so fun to have him home. We all stayed up watching movies at night and THEN got to sleep in...so awesome! Tomorrow morning will be interesting since we have to all be up and at 'em by 6:30.

We also did some fun things with the girls through out the week:

Dawn's 32nd Birthday
The Dallas World Aquarium

Farewell to "The Ranch"

28 Great Years!

I can't believe that I am actually writing this post, but as I type Aunt Sue & Uncle Jack are packing up the last few things at the Jumping "J" Ranch. They sold the ranch and bought another great piece of property close by. We went down there yesterday so that Lance could help them move.

The first thing they moved was the Hot Rod. Uncle Jack, Jackie & Dad have been working on the Hot Rod for a couple months now. However, it is on hold now until the new shop at the new ranch gets built.

While the guys were busy packing & moving, the gals we hanging out in the house.

We then loaded everyone in the car and followed the guys for their last drop-off of the day.

Our final stop on our trip was to the "New Ranch". The land is beautiful. After seeing what Uncle Jack was able to do with the Jumping J, I can't wait to see what he turns this pretty land into.

Some last few shots...

This is the door frame that Aunt Sue & Uncle Jack have measured Jackie's height around Christmas every year. They are leaving it...I pray that the new family has as much fun seeing how they are compared to Jackie as me & my kids have.

So that was our last trip to the "The Ranch". Our last drive down "The Rocky Road". I have been blessed to have the "Jumping "J" Ranch" as part of my life for the last 28 years. I have so many amazing memories there. Thank you Aunt Sue & Uncle Jack for always welcoming me and now my family. Thank you Mom & Dad for taking us out there so many times! Gracie & Gwynie have had so much fun doing the same things I remember doing 20 years earlier. Lance & I can't wait to see what the "New Ranch" has in store for everyone. Uncle Jack~ you said to give you 6 months and we won't even recognize the new property. Okay then...the clock is ticking ;).

Good news~ The new family that bought the ranch all have names that start with "J" and don't intend to rename it. So the "Jumping "J" Ranch" lives on.

The Dallas World Aquarium

On St.Patrick's Day we took the girls to The Dallas World Aquarium.



We had not been there yet and had a GREAT time. It was crowded and the incense smell is a bit much but the building and the animal are amazing!

The girls really enjoyed the animals and Gracie was our little tour guide as she pointed out all the animals we were seeing in the guide they gave us. In the end we saw a ton of animals that we had never seen that close before. But it was the last animal that we saw that stole the show...

NEMO!!!

My Birthday!!

The first thing we did during Spring Break was celebrate my birthday on Saturday. We took the girls to Main Event for some games and bowling (or so we thought). We waited over 45 minutes, but then decided that we would try bowling again later in the week. They did have fun playing the games...

After Main Event we came home to eat my yummy ICE CREAM birthday cake...delicious!!!

What did I get for my birthday you ask...

A NEW CAR!!! Lance traded in his truck and surprised me with a Buick Enclave. I have been driving it for over a week now and I LOVE IT!!!!

Thanks, Sis!!!

My sister (and blogging coach) Kathy gave me this sweet little award...thank you Kathy!

I have gained a few blogging buddies over the last couple of years and I want to hand out a couple "Kreativ Blogger" awards of my own...

The rules are super simple: List 7 things you LOVE and then pass on the award to some amazing bloggers!

My SEVEN Loves:

1. My Lord & Savor, Jesus Christ. I don't let a day go by that I don't thank him for what he has done for ME...a sinner.

2. My husband Lance. We are coming up on our 9th wedding anniversary soon and babe...I'm STILL amazed by you!!!

3. My precious little girls, Gracelyn & Gwyneth!! True blessings from the Lord above!

4. My Family & Friends ~ What a wonderful support system I have!

5. Ice Cream ~ Okay not that sentimental, but I do LOVE it!!! Nothing crazy...just a big bowl of Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla...Mmmmm.

6. Scrapbooking ~ I will NEVER catch up, but I really love the whole process.

7. Lazy afternoons at home ~ there is nothing more relaxing that knowing there is nowhere you HAVE to be or anything you HAVE to do. Those days are few & far between, but I love it when they come around.

Okay, drum roll please...My awards go to:

Lauren~ I met Lauren when our daughters were in the same pre-k class. She is so creative and talented! I always look forward to her new posts. Her photography is so relaxed...I just love it!!!

Aimee~ I have known Aimee since college. She is such a beautiful person with an amazing family. I love that she blogs all that happens in her life...not just pictures, but her honest thoughts too!

Kathy's Baby Shower!!

Last weekend I hosted a baby shower for my sister Kathy. It was a great time! I can't wait for the next few weeks to go on by so I can finally meet my precious little nephew, Preston!

I took all the pictures on Kathy's camera, but you can jump over to her blog and check them out.

Kathy's Baby Shower

Here was the invitation...

Tacky Tuesday

This week at Gwyneth's school they are learning and reading about Dr. Seuss. Everyday they have something fun for the kiddos to do and today was Tacky Tuesday. The kids got to dress in crazy/silly outfits.

Gwynie in her Tacky Tuesday outfit!She loved her silly hair. She told me that she wants to wear it like this all the time...yikes.

Gracie Says The Pledge!

This whole week was Gracie's class turn to do the announcements. The teacher gave each kiddo a task & a day of the week that they would say their portion during the announcements. Some kiddos had the Pledge, the Texas Pledge, what was for lunch that day, etc. The kids that went M-TH did their portion of the announcements over the principals intercom which they thought was cool. Gracie was selected to say the Pledge of Allegiance in front of the ENTIRE school at their Friday morning assembly which they call "Friday Morning Live".

Friday was a special treat because the whole family took Gracie to school. We all wanted to be there to let her know how proud we were. She was nervous, but after a lot of practice speaking into a brush...she was ready to go.

Gracie sitting at the front of the assembly waiting for things to get started.
Like any good paparazzi...I moved up closer so I could get the best angle...or so I thought.
So exciting, she's up next!!

Gracie asking everyone to please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Here I was thinking that the spot I had wasn't perfect but I could get some good shots. The fact that this one is blurry kills me because...
The whole school then turned to face the American Flag. Which happened to be on the OTHER side of the cafeteria. It never even crossed my mind to look to see where the flag was.

Gracie telling the school her name.
All of her classmates did such a great job!
All done...time to head to class!

We didn't get to talk to Gracie after she said the pledge because her teacher took a short cut across the front lawn. But, after school we told her what a great job she did. I asked her if it went how she thought it would go. She said yes but one thing was different..."The microphone is much heavier than a brush." Ha!