A Little Bit of Everything!

This last week and weekend we took a camping trip to Corpus Christi and had a GREAT time. We stayed at a RV park that was right on the water and woke up to wonderful sun rises (a little chilly though) and even started fishing 1st thing in the morning before even getting out of our PJ's. We went to the Aquarium, visited the USS Lexington, went to the beach, Schuyler and my mom went on an evening gambling cruise (that they hated and didn't get back until 2:30 in the morning from), and went fishing a lot! Skyler and Madison had a blast. Here are some pictures of the trip. Brace yourself I went picture happy! :o)

Madison in the car on the way there showing off her binky talents!

Daddy and Madison on the USS Lexington

Skyler...ummm...being Skyler on the Lexington! :o)
Skyler and Madison on the Lexington.

Skyler on a REALLY BIG GUN!

The view from the Lexington...which I might add was within walking distance down the beach from the campsite.

my step-dad, Schuyler and the girls on the Lexington. I wore a sling since there was no room for strollers and we were up and down stairs the whole time. It worked out GREAT! Taking the tour was really interesting too.

A Turtle at the aquarium

The dolphin show was AWESOME, we got to watch it from above then went below and watch some there. So neat.

Madison fishing...that lasted about 30 seconds.

Papaw in his robe fishing

This is a bad picture but Skyler caught a fish all by herself (with her Barbie Pole). Papaw said "Skyler it went under water" and she went into action like a pro. She yanked on the pole and reeled and reeled and finally got it in. Not a keeper but she was so happy that she did it all by herself. Papaw took it off the hook and she ran around the campground with the fish in her hands (eww) telling everyone "Look, I caught my first fish" to every stranger she could see. Finally I made her throw it back before it died. She was on cloud nine.

Me and the girls goofing off.

At the beach

Our Camper after 4 days of camping and junk all around

Sunday morning was Easter and Skyler and I had left a note at the house telling the Easter bunny where to find us and Sure enough he did!!! There were eggs hidden all over the camper and Skyler said "I saw the Easter bunny open the door to my room and make sure I was asleep" I said "did you see the Easter Bunny"? and she said "no, he is magic and I think invisible" When Madison would see an egg while hunting them she would get all excited and tremble and would fight to get there as fast as she could so that Skyler wouldn't take it from her. You would never guess from these pictures that Madison was starting to get sick and we decided to go home early that morning. Monday morning at the Dr she was running a 104 fever. Man one minute they are fine and next bam... They are VERY SICK! Just a bad virus that is running course.

Wearing their shades from the Bunny!

There are 2 good pictures to sum up our trip...this one with our sun burnt feet with flip flop or sandal lines.

And this one right out of our door.

These 2 are just random pictures that I thought were funny...are you seeing a trend here?? Looks like no matter what she is wearing a pretty little outfit or her tough softball uniform, Skyler can strike a pose

This picture was from my grandma's 86th birthday party. I think 86. Oh well...whatever the age HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMAW, we all love you very much and appreciate everything that you do for us! We would not be who we are today if it wasn't for you, as you have made an impact on each and everyone of our lives at one point or another. In some of our cases (me) each and everyday! From being a young child and enjoying family get togethers at your house trying to play quietly while papaw watched his sports, to you "babysitting" me and the other cousins while our parents were away and you getting so frustrated with us you threaten to lock us in a closet, to you coming to as many sporting events that I had growing up as possible, to living with you my senior year to stay in the Magnolia school district, to your keeping Skyler from 3 months to 6 months old so she didn't have to go to daycare, to you always willing to drop everything and help me and anyone around you as soon as you are asked. You are such a blessing and I am so grateful that my girls have you in their lives now!

Skyler's 1st softball game!!!

Skyler finally got to play a game after 2 rain outs. It was so funny to watch all of those little ones play. They were actually better than I was expecting. Skyler really seemed to enjoy herself and did really well. After the game she said..."I was the bestest hitter of the game" :o) 1st time up to bad she had to hit off the T and the rest of the time she hit of coach pitch. Here are some pics.

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Me and Skyler before the game in our matching visors. Hers has her name on the side and mine says Skyler's mom. My mom and grandma got them too saying Skyler's grandma and great grandma...I will try to get a picture of all four of us in our visors next time! :o)

The girls before the game. (Skyler on the far left)
Warming up.

The girls cheering in the dugout "Lets go Aggies, Lets go"!!! They were having so much fun.

Skyler batting

Just a mom???

This was something that was e-mailed to me and I wanted to share it.
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A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. "What I mean is, " explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a ...?" "Of course I have a job," snapped the woman. "I'm a Mom." "We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it," Said the recorder emphatically. I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar." "What is your occupation?" she probed. What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations." The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in m midair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire. "Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest,"just what you do in your field?" Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money." There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom." Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door.

The Girl's Rooms

Madison has been moved out of her crib and into her new big girl bed giving Skyler a new bed. We have 2 side rails on Madison's "big girl bed" for now and as soon as I feel comfortable that she won't fall out I will take one down. She has been doing pretty good so far. Here are their "big girl room's and beds" Both of the rooms are still works in progress. I really want to paint...especially in Madison's white on white on white room and get them both curtains! I just haven't found the time or the color. So many needs and wants in the new house and no money tree. :o) Will post when done with it.

Contratulations Schuyler

Today Schuyler is starting a new position within the company he works for. He expressed an interest in the position a few months ago and it has been in the works but today it is official. He is very excited and really looking forward to the new opportunity and knowledge he will gain from it. He will be learning a totally new aspect of the company and will be such an asset with the broader knowledge he will have. I am happy for him and hope that he enjoys it.

Zoo & T-Ball Parade

This past weekend we took a trip to the zoo. Madison was so excited at one point she turned and looked at me and was smiling and shaking with so much excitement. It was too cute. Madison is starting to get a lot more words out now but one of the cutest things is that she can't say octopus correctly...it comes out as "applesauce", no matter how hard we try to correct it she still says "applesauce". It is so funny.






Then today was Skyler's T-Ball parade. She is on the Aggies and is doing pretty well. They have had about 5 practices and her first game is Monday. Even though I have not worked with her at all, her coach thinks she may have gotten my softball genes! She will be doing T-Ball and soccer until she decides which one she likes the best then I think we will focus on that sport. But until then she is having fun and learning a lot.