Just a swingin'

I cannot believe our sweet Hadley Kate is big enough to swing!! The kids had the best time ever all being together on the swings - with Had in the middle. Lane and Mil thought that was the best. That was all before our swingset couldn't take the weight of all three, and Miller's side snapped.... So, now we have two swings instead of three, but it was fun while it lasted!!!

Singin' in the rain

It was such a rainy, yucky day here on Monday, and the kids jumped at the chance to wear their rain gear...We probably wouldn't have gotten out at all that morning, but we had our music class downtown. I never really encourage them to go hog wild in rain puddles, but that morning I couldn't resist as we came out of the class and saw a long row of huge puddles that were just begging to be splashed in. So, they took off, proceding to get totally soaked in spite of all the rain garb! I just happened to have my camera on me, and I'm so glad I did. This was a precious moment.

Fun in Austin!!!

We visited our precious friends, the Selfs, in Austin this past weekend. It was just the best time. I thought Miller would surely bust before we made it there, and Laney too!! We had the greatest time just catching up and hanging out at their home. We went to a fun parade on Saturday celebrating the independence of Texas from Mexico, which the kids loved. Saw some proud, proud Texans!!! The pics above were taken at a restaurant that we ate at - it had these two metal statues of a dino and a hippo. You seriously would've thought the things were alive by the way our kids acted!!! I think it was a combo of excitement over being together and the statues... We got all of them (except the babies - Gray and Hadley) on the hippo. (Check out all of their hands in the pictures - we've got "peace", "number one", and "go longhorns"!! ) We love you Self family!!!!!!!!!

Who says American Idol can't be educational?!

Okay - I'll be the first to admit that we are totally addicted to American Idol. The guy with dreds (Jason Castro) goes to our church, and we think he is AWESOME!!!! We don't know him, we've just heard him sing at church a few times, but you would seriously think we're related by how excited we all get. Miller was wondering lastnight how to spell his name, so today at school we made this sign. We got letter recognition, math (the jewels), fine motor, art - all at once!!! Now what's more educational than that?? :)

Father/Daughter Date Night

I'm a little late with this one, but here's a pic of Jay and Laney before their date. LakePointe (our church) does a father/daughter date night once a year, and Laney so looks forward to it! Jay brought her a flower home from work that day, then they left for the church where they ate dinner, had entertainment, and had their picture made together. Sweet, sweet time.

Don't it make my brown eyes blue??

Did this baby come from my body?? I just think it's so funny how different your children can look - Hadley looks like her sister, for sure!!!

Happy Kate Allen

We used to call Hadley "Spitty Kate Allen" when she was nursing because she was so, so spitty. She hadn't put on any weight or height in almost 2 months because she just couldn't keep anything down. Now, she is on soy formula and we have officially changed her name from "Spitty Kate" to "Happy Kate"! She has always been an easy, happy baby, but now that she keeps so much more food on her tummy she feels SO good!! What a love she is. I told her just tonight that I can't imagine all the joy I would've missed if I had not been blessed with her! She is our precious gift...well, one of them...