Catching Up April: Girls' Weekend Away

On one of the weekends in April my friend, Jenny, invited some of her girlfriends to her in-laws' house in the Hill Country near Austin, TX.  I had visited their home once before and remembered it being a couple of days of heaven... and this time it was, as well.  The atmosphere and scenery there are beautiful.  Jenny's in-laws, Steve & Shereda, are so caring and hospitable.  And it is just relaxing.  So very relaxing!

~ me & Jenny ~

We have been friends for over 10 years.

 ~ Friends ~

Randi, Amy, Stacy, 

Vicki, Jenny, Kim, & Michelle

Shereda & Jenny are amazing hostesses.  From being met at the front door with a margarita when we arrived to the goody bag on my bed to the water bottles and fresh flowers in my (very own) room, every detail was thought of...

The first night that we were there, Shereda made us a delicious lasagna, and we enjoyed a long, slow dinner with great conversation.

After dinner the girls all went out by the fire pit and made s'mores with Peeps Easter candy.

The next morning, Steve took us on a boat ride across the lake for brunch.  It was fun and delicious!

~ Shereda, Amy, Randi, & Tate ~

~ Jenny & me at brunch overlooking the lake ~

 The food was beautiful & delicious.

After the boat ride, we hung out in the hot tub and sat by the pool overlooking the lake all afternoon.

~ Steve, Shereda, & the girls ~

That night Steve & Shereda took us to a great Hill Country restaurant that is at a vinyard. 

It was such a good weekend....

Catching Up April: Misc. @ Home

As I am going through trying to catch up my blog, I am coming across some random photos that I will lump together into Misc. posts.  Here is a look into the life of our family on some random days in April 2010

These days, Cooper can often be found in a costume reading the new children's Bible that he received on Easter.  

He is ALWAYS ready to play a game!

One day in April, Corey told me to go in the backyard, and this was sitting on the table.  

Just Because.

~ Tulips for Allie from Daddy ~

We have many birds in our neighborhood.  We were surprised when we saw this red-headed woodpecker though.  He looked just like Woody Woodpecker!

Catching Up April: Easter 2010

April 4, 2010 - We had an untraditional, but really good Easter this year.  Our pastor asked that if at all possible, the regular attenders come to the Sunday evening service at our church to make room for those that don't typically come to church but come on Easter.  We decided to try to help by doing as he asked.  We have never not been in church on Easter morning.  It felt a little strange at first, but we ended up really liking it!  Corey started the day early, alone in the backyard with the squirrels (as seen a few posts before), and the rest of us slept a little later.  The boys woke up and had to rouse Allie from her sleep, then we were off to see what the Easter Bunny had brought to the kids' baskets and shoes. 

We literally spent the rest of the morning and afternoon in the backyard.

I even prepared our Easter Dinner on the patio table.  This is the preperation of the Apple Dumplings that I made for dessert.  They were to die for!!!

 ~ Corey, 100% relaxed ~

 ~ coloring Easter Eggs ~

We invited Allan & Emily and their kids to join us for Easter Dinner.  

~ my roast, potatoes, & carrots with a centerpiece from the backyard ~

 ~ Allan's homemade crescent rolls ~

 ~ Emily's cauliflower "brain" ~

~ The Kavaliches & the Powells ~

(Jacob & I are there - just not pictured.)

The men (even the tiny one) had their traditional after-holiday-dinner-naps.

~ our family ~

~ Corey & me ~

Since Allan & Jacob were sleeping at the house during our "photo shoot", I just took a quick iPhone photo of the Kavs at church.

~ me & my sister ~

I love this photo of us and that we got to share part of this holiday together!

Well, I Guess We Know How THAT Went

Catching the ol' blog up in August? ...not so much. 

I have blogged a little bit, however... just somewhere new.

The kids and I (or just *I*, so far) are keeping a chronicle of our (new and improved) school year on a blog that I created over here.  If you are interested in keeping up with that part of our life, check it out.  

And maybe, just maybe, I will somehow get back to this blog and catch us all up on my family's daily life.  I miss it, and I still look through it every so often.

Here's one little tid-bit of an update (while I'm here chatting with you)... Allie had wanted a new puppy for a LONG time.  I asked her to wait until summer to get one, so she could help take care of it.  As soon as we got back from our (heavenly) summer vacation in June, she was anxious to look for a pup.  We found super-cute, super-sweet little, baby ShihTzu at a rescue and adopted her.  Allie chose her name - Norah Jonas - (remember her love of the Jonas Brothers?), and the whole family has fallen in love with her.  Well... almost the whole family.  I am not sure that Corey would admit it, but I think he kinda likes her too.  

So, here is Miss Norah Jonas in her bloggy debute (at least on THIS blog)...

Isn't she just adorable?!?

Catching Up April: Easter Morning Photos by Corey

This year on Easter we did something different than ever before.  Our pastor asked for all that could come to the evening service to do so to make room for those that don't typically come to church on Sundays other than holidays.  So we did.  I don't think that I have ever slept in on Easter or hung out in my PJs/ swimsuit all day, but I did this year... and I kinda liked it.  

Anyway...

Corey was up before the rest of us on Easter morning and spent some time on the back patio.  He caught this little varmint stealing out of our bird feeder... and I thought that they were some really cool photos.

  

Catching Up April: Hard Rock Cafe & A Mavs Game

Our April began with a night out to downtown Dallas.  We ate dinner at The Hard Rock cafe then went to a Dallas Mavericks game.  It was a great time spent together as a family.

~ Jack at The Hard Rock Cafe ~

~ Jack & Allie getting ready to go cheer for the Mavs ~

~ Jack watching the pre-game ~

Cooper's favorite part of the game... the snacks!

~ Allie ~

~ me & my boys ~

Cooper was having a bad "allergy day" and was worn out.  By the end of the game, he was asleep in my lap.