Port A

Once I figure out how to add a slide show (April K I keep meaning to ask you how!) then I will have Port A pics up and running. :)

Beach or Bust

We were going to take a family trip to Port A and meet up with the Fossum, LaMontagne and Ellis family for 5-6 days. We have been preparing for this trip since the spring. The kids were sporting their sunglasses anticipating for the big day!

Emery's New Shoes

We went out to dinner with some family friends of ours who have a son and daughter around E & H's age. Their little girl has Emery with shoe envy everytime we get together. She has the cutest shoes and Emery always wants them! These were too cute to pass up. They are these plastic purple flip flops with the Disney female characters- Snow White, Cinderella, and some other girl. The best part about them is that they light up when she walks. I've seen the tennis shoes and some sandals that light up- but these were so cute!! Probably because they were so little. We had to go to three store to pick up these babies and they were $18 (for some plastic kid flip-flops!) but we got them for her!! She is a happy camper. Thanks again to Kendall Keller- who happens to be a trendsetter!!

Twins!!!

While I was in Chicago (February 2009) I bought Emery her B-day gift at the American Girl Store. Love that place!! I only wished that I had my sister with me while I explored the store. She would have gone bonkers!!! So, I bought Emy one of those little girl doll to match her- brown hair and eyes. Lovey and Jim got her an outfit for her doll and a matching one for Emy. She pranced around the house in it. She even asked me to put her hair in pigtails- just like the new doll.

Sweet Moments

Here Daddy is reading a book to the kids. I was passing by Huston's room (probably doing the laundry) and peeked in the room to see this picture. Sweet moments while dad is reading to them and they are actually still and listening!! Tender moments like this melt my heart and make me realize how wonderful Clark is.

Emery's Family Birthday Party

Since the kids are having a combined party in July, we at least wanted to celebrate her two year old birthday on the day. Huston picked out the cake for her - pink. Emery is totally into Tinkerbell right now so it seemed fitting to have a Tinkerbell themed party. My parents, Clark's parents and of course Felipe made it to her event. She was SOOOO cranky and clingy until she got a piece of cake and ice cream- then she was all smiles!! At her two-year old check-up the doctor said she was looking good and she was in the 50% of kids her age in height and weight. The doctor made note that she no longer looked like a toddler any more but more like a little girl. Such a bittersweet realization- I am happy that she is getting older and able to try new things on her own but then I sure miss my little baby girl.

Happy 2nd Birthday Emery!!!

Our little girl is two today!!! I cannot believe it! Clark and I were noticing last night that she no longer has the "little baby" look. She is growing up (too fast for me!!). We are having a family gathering this evening at our house for cake and ice cream to celebrate her day. Huston and Emery will be having a combined b-day party later this summer.

Cool Huston

Emily's 4th Birthday Party!

Saturday, May 30th we went to Fiesta Farms to celebrate Emily's 4th birthday! The kids had a great time!! It was this heavily shaded "farm" that had pony rides, petting zoo, hay-rides, a huge sand lot and plenty of random farm animals roaming the place. The kids were not into the petting zoo but had a blast playing in the sand. I couldn't get them out of it for food!! They did want to go on a hay-ride. That was fun! We had to leave a little early for naps, but I would love to go back. We played with lots of friends, ate pizza, saw a pig rolling in the mud and watched birthday-girl Emily feed the goats (who decided to jump on the picnic table to eat more food off the table!) The animal that was talked about all the way home was... the Golden Retriever that was roaming the place! (of course!)

Side note: for those city-folk (like myself) they have a nice set-up. There are port-a-potties out there, but they have real sinks with real water and plenty of soap. Plus they had nice paper towels to dry your hands. I was really impressed.

The Four Muskateers!!

School is out and I am sad. Not because it's summer and we have to find stuff to do for the kids instead of watch TV all day. I am sad because Huston will not be continuing at Concordia Lutheran Tiny Tots Program. They do not have "school" when it is condusive to our family's schedule next year. Huston has loved every second of his time there. He and Emery will be going to our church's day school come this September 2009. Huston has formed a bond with three other boys in the class this past year. They have been best buds since school started in the fall of 2008. In fact, the moms are arranging a couple of outings for the boys this summer so they can continue to keep in touch. (Huston looks so thrilled to have his picture taken! ) :)

Myrtle Beach

Each year Clark takes a trip with some "old" Notre Dame friends to Myrtle Beach, SC. He has the best time meanwhile I am going gray taking care of the kids. It's the same song-and-dance each year. I am glad that he is able to get away for a couple of days. My only question is... where's my trip? I still have yet to see my trip because I have to find someone to help me with the kids while he is working. (don't ask- touchy subject)

Memorial Day

Later that day we went with the Allen's to the country club to go swimming and have some bar-b-que. Unfortunately I forgot my camera at the pool, but I have a pic of the new pool toys that the kids got.

Ice Cream #2

On Memorial Day the kids had ice cream with Grandpa and Grandma. They love going to get ice cream with my parents- it's one of their favorite treats. Emery lost her ice cream within seconds of eating one bite and didn't really notice not having any more to eat. Huston enjoyed each bite his chocolate ice cream!!

The White Girls

Since we are really close to the White Family (and our homes are less than a mile from each other) we have started a "date co-op". This means that once a month the White's watch our kids while Clark and I go out and vice versa with Tom and Terri. Our kids LOVE one another and play very well together so it makes it super easy to do this arrangement. Tom and Terri went to the movies while we watched Megan and Addison. We ate Mexican food on the back patio and the "older" kids played in the little house. Addie decided that she was just going to hang out and eat. She ate some beans, guac and a tortilla. Of course to end her meal I gave the kids some red jello for dessert and Addie thought it was amazing! She would get her little hand in the other kids leftovers and just go to town sucking out any jello that she possibly could. If you know Terri you would know that she has her girls dressed for a special occasion all the time- whether they are hanging out at home (you should see their cute pj's!) or going to the park. I always kid around with Terri and tell her to PLEASE bring her kids over in their "junky" clothing because I am not liable for the stains that might occur. Of course little Addie got red jello all over her clothes and (white) shoes. I gave all the girls a bath and Huston was very jealous. He kept asking me why he couldn't go in the tub with the girls. Poor thing... he had no clue. He thought that we were being mean and not allowing him to play with his friends. After hearing him beg and cry we put him in the tub at the very end and he and Megan played for about 2 minutes in the tub. The kids ended up on the kid-couches for a movie before bedtime and Tom & Terri to arrive back. It was fun- it was busy. Heck, there were four kids under the age of four running around. At least they had a fun time. Best of all... each couple gets time off and enjoy each other!!

Happy 4th Birthday Andrew!!

Friday, May 22nd was one of Huston's friends from school birthday party- Andrew. There are four boys in the class that are best buddies and Andrew is one of them. The Allen Family headed over to their house for burgers and hockey! Huston didn't have a clue what hockey was at the time and now has asked us several times for a hockey stick. They gave the boys as treats real hockey pucks. Huston had a blast! And so did Emery with all those boys!!

Abominable Snowman Sighting

Emery loves her cottage cheese...