Our 20th Wedding Anniversary

October 14, 2009 was our 20th anniversary. Hubby was in Canada for a business trip but got back in town around 5:30pm. He was able to meet Z and I at The Olive Garden for a quick dinner. We had to be downtown to see the broadway musical Grease by 7pm to pick up our free tickets. Yep, you read that right. I won 4 free tickets through ParentWise:Austin magazine. We had fabulous seats and Z was thrilled to see his first musical. Hubby and I have been to many musicals together (I just love them!) and we had already seen Grease twice before. Poor little Z fell asleep after intermission but what he saw he says he loved. It was a great night with the ones I love most!

Happy 20th to my wonderful, loving husband! I love you more and more everyday! I remember the day I walked down that aisle with you and have loved every minute of our lives together since. Yes, we have had our problems, who hasn’t, but we made it though each of them with a stronger bond! We have beat the odds that were against us and I look forward to another 20 years with you! I love you!

Our wedding day, October 14, 1989.

Z and hubby outside the Long Center before the show.

Z and Mom before the show.

My wonderful family before the show.

WOW these are great seats!

This is one excited kiddo!

Z is always silly when the camera comes out.

I only had 3 tickets in this picture but the 4th one was in my wallet. It held our souvineers and my purse.

Our pumpkin plant

Ok, last Halloween, we carved pumpkins on the back porch. Well apparently we didn’t do a good job at picking up all the seeds. Look at what we have now. We think it is pretty cool! The flowers it bloomed were really big and quite pretty!

 

This thing has a mind of its' own. It grows more and more everyday. It is about 15 feet long as of the 10th of October. I am sure it is way longer now that a couple days have passed.

This is an itty bitty pumpkin growing. It will be huge soon I am sure.

Brushy Creek Lake flooded

Monday night, October 5, 2009, we took a drive over to the lake at Brushy Creek to see how flooded it was. Well, it was crazy flooded! The new park they just built with baseball and soccer fields were completely under water. The park where Z and his daddy go fishing was completely under water too. It was absolutely amazing to see. In this photo the water is right next to the parking lot which used to be next to tons of grass and trails. We couldn’t belive our eyes. And yes, we have been getting a lot of rain!!!!

Hang on tight.....you don't want to get carried away.

New Build A Bear

Let me back up a bit and explain this one. Z’s school does one super huge fundraiser in the fall and it is the carnival. Each class at the school is to come up with a ‘basket’ idea and get donations from that class to make the ‘basket’ for a silent auction at the carnival. Since I am one of the room moms for Z’s class, we got to choose what ‘basket’ we wanted to do for our room. S and I picked Build A Bear for our ‘basket’. So on Friday, September 25, Z and I went to Build A Bear to pick up some coupons that I will be passing out to each parent in our class in hopes that would help get in more donations. So it is nearly impossible to take a child into that store and leave empty handed so I set a limit of $10 that Z could spend. He really looked at everything and after a long time of weighing all his options, he selected a dark brown bear. He named him Chocolate and has cuddled him everyday since.

 

Bear has been selected and getting ready to be stuffed.

Z is pressing the pedal to help with stuffing the bear.

Holding the heart that goes in the bear and making a wish.

Putting the heart in the bear.

Giving the bear a bath.

Scanning the bar code on the bear to create a birth certificate for the bear.

Fun day with Mom!

After Z’s first day of VBS, July 27 2009, we came home and ate lunch. Then we baked chocolate cupcakes with chocolate icing. Of course we had to deliver some to a few friends in the neighborhood. Z just loves to do that! Then Z made a few shirts with fabric markers. He had so much fun making them and has worn them to bed every night since. Z and I had such a nice, relaxing day at home. I cherish days like that!

What could be better than licking the bowl???

DELICIOUS!

This is the front of one of the shirts he made. Very fun!

...and the back of that shirt.

Front....

...back.

Front...

...back.

Showing off a shirt.

Don't forget to show the back....

Second VBS of the summer

Z attended his old preschool for VBS the week of July 27 and the theme was Croc Dock. He had a blast! He went with his friends, B, A, P and G. Each day Z would come home all excited about what all they did and he just loves to sing all the songs they learned. We even bought the CD. Z can’t wait to go back to VBS next year.

First day! Z, A and P are in this picture.

Z posing next to the sign for his class. He was in the Swamp Buddies class.

Day two with P and G.

Catching a fish....

Posing with friends after VBS in the boat. We couldn't get them out of the boat they were having so much fun!

Last day of VBS. They had to bring stuff for a collection the school took.

This little light of mine......

Z with his teacher L from the Swamp Buddies class.

Miss. L got each of the kids in her class this cool toy. What a neat idea!

Z wanted a picture with these two lovely girls.

Mom, that was such a fun week! Thanks for signing me up!!!!

Happy 4th of July 2009

Z and I got home from our Indiana trip just in time to enjoy some fireworks with some friends! We started the evening with dinner at home and then to a friend’s house for some dessert. Then we all headed to Milburn park for some fireworks. What a fabulous display this year!

Family pose on the 4th.

Z and A really missed each other while we were gone.

June 23 – July 3, 2009 – Travels to Indiana

Z and I went to Indiana to attend my grandfather’s funeral and to catch up with family. We left on a Tuesday morning and it was hard to say by to hubby since we were going to be gone for 10 days. Our flights were ok but it was great to finally be done with them. I can’t stay awake on airplanes. Good thing I have a perfect kid to fly with! It was fun for a little boy to take a truck to the airport, then an airplane, then a train to go to the next terminal when in Houston, then another airplane, then a car to take us to the house. He told that story to anyone who would sit still and listen. It was pretty cool I guess! Did I mention we rode on those riding sidewalks? Kids LOVE those!

Anyway, my uncle was at the airport to pick us up and drive us to Lafayette, Indiana. We stayed at my cousin’s house. She has 3 kids, ages 4, 6, and 10 so Z would not be bored! Those kids played from sun up to well past sun down! Seriously, they didn’t hit the pillows any earlier than 1 or 2 AM each night! Catching lightening bugs is about the coolest thing for a kid to do at night! Our visit was very nice! I got to see family that we don’t get to see often and I even got to meet some of my other cousin’s children for the first time. The funeral was very sweet and the kids were very respectful and quiet during the service. All the other days we just played and hung out with my awesome family: Grandma A, Aunt P, Uncle B, cousin H and her kids, cousin A and her daughter. It was hard to leave then behind when it came time to go home. But we missed hubby/daddy terribly and so wished he could have joined us.

On the plane to Indy

The kids could not wait to go to the park that was behind Hs house.

 Wednesday, June 24:

M fixing my hair.

Z and H take a break from playing UNO.

My Aunt P.

Rock Band anyone?

Being silly at the park.

Family is everything!

Getting Grandma kisses after reading to her.

First of MANY nights of catching lightening bugs.

Thursday, June 25:

Swimming at my aunts house.

Uncle L.

Uncle D.

Z and Barkley.

Kids pin down Uncle B.

We make this look cool!

This was taken before the big accident Z and I had with the scooter.

Friday, June 26:

Kids doing crafts.

Loving this spray gun!

Who is cool in the pool?

Thanks B for cooking dinner!

Barkley is HUGE!

Saturday, June 27:

H and her kids before the funeral.

Z and I before the funeral.

Grandma A, Uncle D, and Uncle L at the funeral.

Z put flowers on my moms grave. Thank you honey!

All the great grandkids.

Z and D.

 

M made As hair look FABULOUS DARLING!

Hugs before bed.

Sunday, June 28:

Making a yummy craft.

DELICIOUS!

More Rock Band.

Me, H and Z.

I make this look cool!

Monday, June 29:

Fun at the Columbian Zoo.

Sweet picture!

I love this picture that D took.

Cute!

Petting zoo.

Sitting in the eagle nest.

Love the butterfly.

Train ride.

Riding on some of the rides.

Boat ride.

Dont we look beautiful?!?!

Tuesday, June 30:

Chuck E Cheese.

Posing with the mouse.

H got the kids matching shirts but D wanted a hat.

Z finally said yes to getting a haircut.

Applebee's with Grandma!

Wednesday, July 1:

Z looking cool with his new DS game system.

Aunt P with M while we were at Moe's for dinner.

Thursday, July 2:

Kids having a blast at Monkey Joes.

That is MY grandma!

We look like an OREO cookie.

Me and my boy!

Friday, July 3:

On the airplane home playing with the new DS.

Home at last! Daddy got this surprise for Z while we were gone. We call it an alien space ship.

It is great to be home! Thank you Daddy! I love it!

 

 

In memory of Paul

My grandfather, Paul G, passed away in his sleep on Father’s Day, June 21, 2009 at 8:02am. He was 88 years old. Z and I will be attending his funeral on Saturday, June 27 at 11am.  We will miss him very much!!!!

This photo was taken on June 24, 2007. We will miss you very much!

This was also taken on June 24, 2007. This is my Grandma A and Paul.

I love you Grandpa P!

My Grandpa P is not doing well. He had a stroke over a week ago and never got better. He is now at my cousin’s house in hospice care. We are all so very sad to see and hear of Grandpa P this way. I will be taking Z with me back home to be with family and hopefully to see Grandpa P before he passes. We love you so much Grandpa P and Grandma A. See you soon!

Taken 4-20-2006 of Grandpa P, Grandma A, and H.

Taken 4-20-2006 of H, Grandpa P, Grandma A, A

Taken 4-20-2006 of Grandpa P.