going...Going...GONE!!!

going...Going...GONE!!!

This last weekend Sarah, Gabe, Daniel, Dad, Derek, and I all got to go river rafting down the Arkansas River in Colorado. My dad and I have been several times and Sarah's been once before, but for the rest of the boys it was their first river rafting experience. It was a fantastic trip, and we all survived without being thrown out. YES!! Thanks Dad for treating us to an awesome ride!!

Happy Father's Day Derek!!!

It was all about fishing this year for Father's Day. Derek got to sleep in late this morning (in part due to Father's Day and in part due to working the night shift), and when he woke up he had a treasure hunt to keep him busy. He followed the clues around our apartment, each written on a fish with something at each stop like goldfish, gummy worms, and Swedish fish. At the end was a new fishing pole and all the gear for it. Yeah!! Who saw that one coming??Then, because I'm still a teacher at heart and can't get rid of silly themed ideas, we had salmon for dinner and worms in "dirt" for dessert.

Happy Father's Day, Derek!! You're the best!!

Goats, Sprinklers, Pools, and Cupboards

So I realize that it's been almost 2 months since I've updated this blog, but I have some fairly good excuses. I've been on several small vacations here and there (with several more to come!), babysitting my adorable niece Avery, getting sick along with the 2 kids, doing the typical duties of a wife and mom, and spending every available moment in between trying to keep Houston entertained and cleaning up after him when he finds his own means of entertainment. So here I am on a Saturday night making up for my disgraceful lack of blogging. :)

We spent Memorial Day down in Meadow this year. It was so much fun! Houston had a fabulous time outside, and one of his favorite things to do was feed the goats with Grandma Tammy. There aren't any pictures of it (yes, I'm a horrible photographer!), but Houston kissed this goat on the nose a couple times. So cute!! Houston feeding the goats... or himself... along with his cousin, Hailie.He had a distressed look on his face and shivered the whole time he played in the sprinkler, but he was captivated nonetheless!This was playing in the pool luxury-style. Grandma Tammy and Aunt Amber made it warm with pots of hot water, and Houston loved it!

Who needs expensive toys and elaborate playgrounds when there's a good cupboard around??Houston will get up in the morning, head to the bathroom, unload everything from the cupboards, then play in there off and on for the rest of day. Cheap entertainment :)

A Week of Easter

Houston, being the insanely lucky boy that he is, got to start his Easter fun a week before the actual Easter. We were down in Meadow with Derek's side of the family where Houston got his first Easter basket ("basket" being more like, "freakin' awesome dump truck") from Grandma Tammy and Grandpa Jim. He LOVES whacking everything with the carrot bat (including me), and has to push the growling monster button on his monster book at least a million times a day.... but who's counting?? :)Then the following Saturday, we met up with Aunt Sarah at Macey's where Houston got to meet the one-and-only Easter Bunny! Houston didn't cry, but he didn't look too thrilled either. Maybe his mind's been warped by his dad's strong, often violent, opinion of rabbits....
After that we went on an Easter Egg hunt throughout the store. Sadly, after Aunt Sarah slaved away for hours on a pair of stellar rabbit ears, Houston would have nothing to do with them. So sorry, no cute pictures.Then we all went back home where we (Aunt Sarah, Gabe, Natalie, Derek, Houston, and I) all dyed eggs and decorated cupcakes.

**Special Note** I married one heck of a warped man. His idea of decorating a cupcake involved a cupcake, a decapitated Peep head, and a lot of red frosting. You do the math...We ended our festivities on Sunday. After hitting up church we headed over to (get ready to follow this chain) my cousin's husband's sister's house where we had a fabulous Easter dinner and Houston got to enjoy another egg hunt. Only this time the loot went to mom and dad. :)

Just Because He's So Cute...

Houston in his incredible fort

Just being his happy self

With his cousin, Avery. He loves sitting and watching her. Cute or creepy? :)

Houston's been walking for some time now, but just a few steps here and there, and of course it's never when I'm ready to catch it on tape. I finally got it! Houston's only problem? He's trying to run, not walk! For anyone who knows Houston, this really isn't a surprise at all. In the second video he's so wound up and going so fast that he crashes into me and sends me flying. This kid cracks me up! Oh, and in case you didn't notice, Houston's laughing in both videos. He laughs every time he walks. So cute!

Happy Birthday Derek!!!

Today is Derek's 27th birthday!!! We love him tons and are so proud of all he does and all he's accomplished. He's a fabulous father and an awesome husband. Happy Birthday Derek!