Frio River...

Earlier this month, we took a trip to the Frio River in Leakey, Texas, with Matthew's family. We had a great time, and as you can see, even Ellie got to enjoy the cold river water for the first time!




(Mason even jumped into the cold water in his pj's one morning.)

(Matthew's two sisters and family, and Mimi and Pop with the grandkids)

Eight Month Comparison...

We might not look exactly the same, but you can definitely tell we're brother and sister!

A Date With My Son...

Yesterday Mason and I spent some special time together, just the two of us. We went to a painting store where you select unpainted pottery, you paint it however you'd like, the store glazes and fires it for you, and then voila--you have a masterpiece! I painted a small bowl, and Mason painted a little race car and trophy. We had a fun time together, and Mason is already talking about what he will paint next time we go!

I Wonder...

I wonder why this infant toy states that it's only made to be enjoyed by babies ages 4-12 months, when clearly, it can very easily accommodate four-year-olds as well:

(My favorite part is the entire lower half of his legs dragging the floor!)

Happy Daddy's Day!

Today the kids and I took Matthew to a nice restaurant for Father's Day. While we were waiting on our food, things got a little hectic with the kids. After all, Ellie was starting to get very fussy since she was tired and long overdue for her nap, and Mason was overflowing with energy. As his little heels kicked and kicked the booth seat below him, he inadvertently got in a few kicks to Matthew's legs as well. And somehow, whenever Mason sits at a booth, he tends to creep closer and closer into the personal space of the parent he is sitting next to (which today, also happened to be Matthew). So in the midst of trying to enjoy a nice meal while eating one-handed and holding a flailing, crying baby; and enduring the kicks, crowding, and non-stop chattering of a four year old, I look up at Matthew and tell him 'Happy Father's Day'. At first, we both laughed, as if I was being sarcastic due to the chaos that surrounded us with our two kids. But then quickly realized that if it weren't for these two precious little ones, we would not be celebrating Father's Day today. So today we give thanks for a lively little boy who sometimes finds it difficult to sit still while waiting on lunch to arrive. We give thanks for a sleepy little girl who is forced to miss her morning nap every Sunday so we can all go to church together. And I give thanks for their daddy who we celebrate today--a wonderful, strong, consistent, patient, dependable, hard working, loving daddy! Thank you for all that you are to our family--we love you!!!

Swimming Lessons, Part 2...

Today Mason completed his two-week swimming lesson! Since it was the kids' last day, the teacher let them play in the wading pool, just for fun! I'm so proud of how great he did, and it's so much fun to watch him become a better swimmer every year!

Mason and his swimming friend, Russ

Mason with his coveted swim t-shirt, and his teacher, Brian

Way to go, Mason! I'm so proud of you!!

Eight Happy Years...

Today Matthew and I celebrate our eighth wedding anniversary! It's hard to believe that this man whom I've known since junior high has been a part of my life, in some capacity, for over half of my life! These years of marriage have passed so quickly, and I feel so blessed to call Matthew my husband and the father of our children. I wanted to put together some photos of the two of us over the years, but unfortunately, back then our camera was not digital, and since we are not the proud owners of a scanner, I couldn't achieve my goal. But hey, at least it will spare you from seeing some cheesy high school and college pictures! However, I can share some photos of us in our post-digital years together:

Matthew and me in the winter of 2004
(This is what it looks like to be 9 months pregnant with a 9 pound Mason!)

Spring of 2007


Summer of 2008

Here comes Ellie! (As Matthew and I are leaving for the hospital)

Fall of 2008
Matthew and I welcome our daughter into the world!

Happy Anniversary, Matthew! I love you, and I look forward to many many many more years together!!

My Little Duckling...

Ellie has a very cute, but strange hair situation going on right now --you know, one of those conditions where the hair just sticks straight up in the air as if it defies gravity. Many strangers have approached me to comment on her hair, but today a lady at Mason's swim lessons came up to me to say that Ellie's hair reminded her of a little duckling. I'd never heard that one before, but come to think of it.....

Swimming Lessons...

Today was Mason's first day of swimming lessons for the second year. He was very excited to go until we pulled into the parking lot, at which point he unbuckled his seatbelt and jumped into the back row of the minivan in an attempt to hide from me. No such luck, son. I have stealth eyes--and besides that, it's pretty difficult to hide behind a bucket seat that is half your size. So, we go forth. He ended up doing great, and I was very very proud of him. He was a little timid to get into the water with his class, but once he was in, he did every thing his teacher, Mr. Brian, asked him to do (except for holding his breath to go under water to fetch a little swimming toy.) While he performed this task very well when it was done on the steps of the pool, he was a little apprehensive to venture out into the depths of the 3 foot water to retrieve it. But all that aside, he paddled, kicked, and blew bubbles like a champ, taking frequent breaks along the way to give Ellie and me smiles and waves while we watched from the side of the pool. I know he'll do great again this year, and I can't wait to see him sporting the cool swim t-shirt that he will receive at the end of his two week lesson! (Getting the t-shirt was his favorite part about his lessons last year!)