Girls Photo Sitting

Here are the pictures we had done this past Saturday and Kiddie Kandids. I have to admit that the girls were not on their best behavior on this paticular day, but luckily it didn't come across on the photos. Mama ~ Thanks for all your help.

Enjoy!!

Adios Eldorado Royale...Back to the Real World

We have been back from Mexico for a week now. We had such a great time that we were sad for it to end. We really missed the girls, but it was all so relaxing. The couples we went with were great. We pretty much just hung out by the pool/beach and sipped on cocktails. That was exactly what we needed. We went parasailing and spent an afternoon shopping in Playa del Carmen, but other than that we just ate, drank and slept...paradise!! The locals were pretty impressed with Lance's ability to speak Spanish. I have no idea what he was saying, but he was able to get his point across.

I am ready to plan our next trip already. I highly recommend the all inclusive resort for anyone who is thinking of taking a trip!!!

Gracie's First Gymnastics Class

Gracie started gynastics last week and LOVED every second of it. She had an absolute blast. She got to pick out her first leotard which she is very proud of...

Very "Mary Lou" don't you think?

She got to try out all this fun equipment and exercises. She really amazed Lance and I at some of the things she was able to do on her first day.

Learning to do a back rollover

Balance Beam

Gracie and Coach Nancy

Doing a front roll down an incline is harder than it looks!!!

Gracie has wanted to get involved with gymnastics ever since she took a toddler class at her old day care. Seeing how much she enjoyed herself and realizing that this is one of the perks of being a stay-at-home-mom makes me realize that we have made a good decision for our family. She can't wait to go to her next class. And to tell you the truth...neither can I!!!

Gracie has no idea who Mary Lou Retton is, but I think she is practicing her "Mary Lou" smile!!!

Seven GREAT years!!!

Today is our 7th anniversary!!! Wow time has flown by. We had a pretty low key day. We are are counting the days until Mexico!!! What a blessed sevens years it has been. Praise God! I look forward to many, many more.

Our Wedding Day!! July 8, 2000

On Our Honeymoon...

what a couple of baby face kids we were!!

Happy Anniversary Lance!!
I Love You!!!

Hanging out with Nate!

On Friday Nathan came over to spend the day with us. Kathy wasn't feeling a 100% yet so she asked if Nathan could hang out with us for a while. Tony dropped him off on the way to work. We had a great time. The kids played and played. They really have a fun time together.

Nathan coloring

Gracie and Nate watching a movie

It rained ALL day so they couldn't play outside, but we made the most of it. Kathy had to pick him up a little earlier than planned because I had to take Gwynie to the doctor. Turns out she had strep throat...yuck! She is doing much better now.

Then Saturday we picked up Nathan and took hime to the Ranch with us for our annual 4th of July Celebration. It was a blast. We had BBQ, homemade ice cream, played games and even has our own private fireworks display...courtesy of Lance. The guys had their annual sporting clay tournament. Lance was the "sharp shooter" this year and Uncle Jack took home the "dull shooter" award. Everyone really had a great time.

Crazy First 2 Days...

Today is day #3 as a SAHM. I have really enjoyed spending time with the girls, we all really needed that. Day #1 went off without a hitch. I woke up, made the girls breakfast and headed to to gym. Gracie was excited to see the gym I have been talking about for the last several months. We came home, ate lunch, played outside (when it wasn't raining) and the girls took naps. We cleaned up around the house, made dinner. We really had a great day!!!

Day #2 didn't go quite as smooth. I got a call at 12:45 in the morning from Tony saying that Kathy was taken by ambulance to the hospital due to complications from a miscarriage. She already knew she was going to have a miscarriage, as if that wasn't horrible enough to endure she started to hemorrhage at home and had to go to the hospital. I spent the early morning hours with Kathy & Tony at the hospital trying to figure out what was happening to Kathy. Once I got home (at 6:30am) it was time for Lance to go to work. So it was just the girls and their very tired mommy. Needless to say the day was pretty laid back. I slept when they slept. The house was crazy messy but I couldn't have cared less at that point. I have had to deal with all that today!!

The loss of the baby has been very hard on Kathy & Tony but they are so strong and have handled it better than I could even imagine. I am relieved to report that Kathy is doing much better and is now at home resting. They are grieving their loss but are looking towards the future and trying to find out what keeps causing the miscarriages.

Tony & Kathy, you are in our prayers (as always)...We love you!!!

Ready or not...

This is it, my last day of work!! Gracie was so excited about her last day of "school" that she wanted to dress up today. So she went to school dressed to the nines with a bunch of cookies to share with her friends at snack time. Gwynie was so tired this morning. I think she will just be happy to get to sleep in and not have mommy waking her up anymore.

Weird thing happened last night. I was finishing up a couple of tasks around this house. Lance had already gone to bed (tired from driving 16 hours in 2 days). Anyway, when I got done I let Marty (Our 7 year old Springer Spaniel) out to do his business before we headed off to bed. I got in bed and after a couple of minutes I heard what sounded like something running water. I couldn't tell at first if it was coming from inside or outside (it is constantly raining these days so I wasn't sure). Anyway, I jumped up and turned on the light. Marty was standing by our door. I couldn't see anything so I walked around...didn't feel anything. Just as I went to turn off the light I noticed that Marty had peed on our comforter, right at the foot of our bed...where he sleeps! He has only peed inside the house once the entire 7 years we have had him and that was after major hip surgery and he couldn't get up by himself. It is so weird. He never whined like he had to go out. I don't know if it is something physically wrong and he couldn't help it or if he was mad at us or something. Anyway, very strange...I will be keeping my eye on him.

Only 1 More Days to Go!!!

Tomorrow is my last day of work!! I am so excited and nervous at the same time. Gracie is SUPER excited she is VERY aware that Friday is her last day of "school" until pre-school starts. She has been going to this daycare for the past 3 years. I think she too is ready for a change. Gwynie is at the age now that Gracie was when she started daycare so even though she is my 2nd kiddo we will have a lot of firsts together. For example, when it is time to potty train. Gracie's daycare pretty much potty trained her since she was there 11 hours a day. So when it's Gwynie's turn it will be a new experience for the both of us. It's definitely going to be an adventure, but I am ready to get started!!!

Here goes nothing...

This is my first attempt at blogging EVER. We will see how it goes. As I am typing this post it is raining cats & dogs outside...what else is new. The girls are in bed. Gracie stayed home from school today with Strep Throat. Lance is about 5 hours into his 8 hour drive to Mississippi. His flight was cancelled do to the weather but he has to be in Mississippi tomorrow morning for a meeting so he had to drive, poor guy.

Just a few more days of my J-O-B then I officially become a stay at home mom...CRAZY! It will take some getting use to, but I think it is all for the best. Gracie is SUPER excited she doesn't have to go to day care anymore. Gwynie doesn't really know what is happening, but I think she will enjoy me being home too.

Lance and I are eagerly anticipating our vacation that is coming up. We leave for the Playa del Carmen area of Mexico on July 19th. We can't wait. This is our first vacation (more that 2 nights) since our honeymoon almost 7 years ago.

Well, I think that is it for my first official blog post. I figured I would end it with a few recent pictures of us...

Gwyneth on her 1st Birthday!!!

Gracelyn on her 4th Birthday!!!

Lance & Dawn, this past April!