Mavs Weekend 2011

Each year we go with our best friends, Ben and Ashlee Johnson, to see a Mavs game.  This year we weren't able to make it for a regular season game, but then when they made the playoffs we made a bold decision- to wait until the finals to go see them play.  It paid off, they made the finals and we went to see game 5 in Dallas at the American Airlines Center.  Here we are in our hotel room taking a mirror picture before leaving for the walk to the AAC.

The doors opened at 6:00, so you know we where there waiting in line when they opened!

I think they best word to describe how we were all feeling about being at the NBA finals game was was GIDDY!!!

Can...

You...

Tell???

The game was amazing!  The Mavs won by around 10 points and that put them up 3-2 in the series (they won the Championship the next game in Miami).

Of course the weekend can't be complete without some yummy food, good chats and lots of laughs- which we had plenty of each!  We are so thankful for our sweet, faithful friends and loved each second of our Mavs weekend with them!

Camping trip 2011

The last weekend in May we planned a camping trip with our sweet friends the Crows and the Garners.  We had a great (hot) time!  I am more of a RV-type camper, so this was a relatively new experience for me.  Katelyn as never been camping, so it was all new to her and Adelyn has only been RV camping once and she was only a few months old at the time.  Here is the camp site all set up.

We didn't have bowls so the washed fruit was put into a skillet- I found that a little funny...

Tracy was cooking the hot dogs and ummm... it was hot!  I think the look on her face explains that really well!

Here is Fielding cooling off in the pool- no, wait- no water in the pool.... 

Here are Katelyn and Adelyn playing with an empty pool, some bubbles and dirt- nothing better! 

We went for a hike the first night, here is Katelyn working her way up the rock.

They had a small body of water (supposed to be a mini-waterfall, but no rain=no waterfall).  The kids didn't mind, they had a great time splashing around fully clothed!

Here is a great family picture of Chet, Laura, Fielding and Wren.  Why didn't I get a family picture of Travis, Tracy and Tanner???

Katelyn and Jared hanging out before she went to bed.  Speaking of going to bed, when she did go to bed, she laid in the tent for a good hour or two playing with her flashlight and reading books.

In the morning we tried to get a group picture of all the kids, here is the best we could get!

And sweet Katelyn and Adelyn!

We had a fun time camping, although next time I will be sure to plan it in March or April!  The best part was spending it with two families who love the Lord and challenge us to draw closer to Jesus. 

Adelyn- 15 months old

Oh dear- Mommy may cry typing this post.  I can't believe you are already 15 months old.  A true blessing and joy, that is what you are sweetness!  We had a great month; you have grown, changed, and been as sweet as ever.  We went camping this month and even though you were hot, sweaty, and were running a fever, you still did great.  We slept in a tent and you would wake ever so often and fuss a minute then go right back to sleep.  Here you are playing with the camping cooking equipment.

We went for a hike the first night we were there.  You were happy as could be just being carried around in the carrier (although I think you are getting too big for it based on this picture).

Katelyn had swimming lessons this month so you and Mommy got some good quality play time while waiting for Katelyn.  The lessons were 30 minutes long and you would just sit, play, read, watch happily the whole time.  Here you are with an empty animal cracker jar.  You played with it for a good 15 minutes each day!

Here it is again, this time with sippy cup inside..

You had your first finger painting experience this month too.  Honestly, you didn't care about getting paint on any of the paper, you just liked rubbing your hands in the paint on the plate.

We said good-bye to the highchair this month.  You are now in a booster seat and you do great (except you enjoy throwing food on the floor when you are bored or finished)

You LOVE, and I do mean LOVE, to read or be read to.  You have your favorite books, but if those aren't handy, then any book will do. 

Speaking of reading- One morning Katelyn decided to read a book to you.  Here is the play-by-play:

Katelyn: "Adelyn, come here, I'm going to read a book to you."

You begin to make your way over to her...

Katelyn "Adelyn, sit down so I can read to you."

You sit...

I loved watching you two interact like this... So glad I caught it on camera, but it was even sweeter in person!

This week we are at VBS all morning.  You are completely exhausted by the time we get to the car.  So far you have fallen asleep in about 30 seconds and then about 5 minutes. 

You have started to really understand what it is we are asking and you are generally very compliant.  When I change my tone you are very aware that Mommy means business.  You cling to Mommy some, but it isn't 24/7.  You are usually pretty happy when dropped off in the nursery.  You eat pretty much whatever is served and usually pretty fast, just like your Daddy!  You communicate well, but it's more pointing and sounds than words typically.  Although, you do use some words, I don't think you say any new ones since last month.   

Sweet girl, you are so precious to us and we are so thankful for you! 

Katelyn's quote for the day

This morning Katelyn was sitting in her chair watching Mickey Mouse while I was getting a few things done.  Next thing I know she burst out in tears and was very upset.  I came running thinking something terrible just happened.  She calms down and says, "Mommy, my toe is just really tired".... I'm assuming her foot fell asleep, but when I said that she corrected me- her toe is just tired... 

Katelyn

Katelyn is my busy,

happy,

silly,

did I say silly?,

gift from God.

Adelyn- 14 months old

Today my sweet Adelyln is 14 months old. I decided to interview Katelyn to see a glimpse of Adelyn through her big sister's eyes.

*video won't work*

I love at the end how Katelyn says, "I just love her." It is so true, Katelyn does love her, but she sometimes shows it in funny ways (like running her over, giving her long/tight hugs that make Adelyn mad, or taking her toys). Regardless, they still love each other and are always in each others business!  Adelyn loves to give hugs and kisses.  Her baby dolls are the ones who recieve the most loving!

The weather has been pretty nice out so we spent quite a bit of time outside.  Adelyn is walking great, but she still does the bear crawl to get up/down from any step.

She loves to be outside.  If she hears anyone say the word outside she immediately walks to the back door and starts saying, "uh, uh, uh" which I translate to "Can we please go outside Mommy?"  Once outside, she is off!  She loves the little play set.  In the tunnel....

and out...

Her favorite outside toy right now is the little car.  She gets in and out over and over and over.  She likes to pick a toy and just go sit in the car playing with her toy of choice. 

I was cooking dinner one night and walked around the corner to her playing happily in the toy bucket.  I wonder if her sister "helped" her get in the bucket? 

Adelyn is still eating pretty much whatever she is served.  She always eats her fruit first, then carb, then veggie and then protein.  Her favorite things in life:

"baby"- monkey or baby doll

purses

car

"ba"- ball

"bb"- books (Choo Choo, Whooo Whooo book is her favorite along with Baby Noah world animals)

old cell phones (she chews on them constantly- 2 new teeth this month!)

Her favorite words:

"baby"- monkey or baby doll

"da da"- Jared and Haley

"ba"- ball

"bbb"- book

"Bubba"- Bubba

"uh, uh, uh"- Mommy, may I please have whatever I'm pointing at or go wherever I'm trying to get. Okay, that is my translation :)

Seriously, we have the two sweetest little princess girls!  Love them both so much and am so grateful for what a blessing they both are!

Museum Monday

On Monday we went to the Austin Children's Museum for a fun play time with our sweet friends Miss Melissa, Isaac, and Elyana.  Katelyn and Isaac are such sweet friends to each other, I love to watch them interact!

The museum was only open to toddlers (3 and under) on Monday mornings.  It worked out great for us, didn't have to worry about field trips, big kids, or getting trampled.  The have story time and song-a-long time.  They also bust out the parachute- a 3 year old's idea of the most fun ever!  Then of course there was the kitchen.  That was our last stop and we were pretty much ready to go.  Next time we will have to go there first, Chef Katelyn was loving it!

Adelyn and Elyana were so good.  Sweet Elyana took a nice long nap in Melissa's arms and Adelyn was happy just roaming around or getting carried by me.  Here we are fixing to leave to go meet the daddy's for lunch.

Thankful for good friends, fun places to go explore and parachutes!