Still no pictures

The other computer is still having issues, so I still can't put pics in my blog entries. As a result, I've not been posting. Doug ordered new parts to rebuild it but only one part is here, so it will likely be a while before we have a fully functioning desktop again.

Speaking of Doug, he is working today. On a Saturday. This time of year stinks. He's going to be working for a week in Houston too, which stinks. I never sleep well when he's gone. And I hate being a single parent, even just for a week. I don't know how my sister-in-law does it for months on end.

My parents left on the 23rd. We had a great time when they were here. They loved the trip to Banff. We went on the gondola, which the kids just loved (and even their acrophobic mom enjoyed it). We drove up to Lake Louise, which was still 90%+ frozen even though the air temps were in the mid-upper 70's. On the 20th, the kids and I took them to the zoo which was another big hit. We almost had the whole place to ourselves for the last hour it was open. Every night, after the kids were in bed, the grown-ups played pinochle. It was great fun for all of us. The first night they weren't here, Doug said "what are we going to do tonight?" LOL

Gracie's class had a field trip this past Tuesday. She's had plenty in the past, but I could always go with her. The one time I didn't go was right after Bradley was born and my mom went with her. The idea of my little girl riding on a bus and going to the science center without me there made me physically ill. I thought long and hard about not signing the permission slip and just keeping her home with me that day. After all, at home there are no bus accidents or kids separated from their grown-ups. In the end, I signed the paper and let her go. Bradley and I waited for 10 minutes to watch her load the bus and leave long after most of the other parents were gone. What a horrible feeling. How am I ever going to let her ride the bus to school every day? Well, she was fine. No bus accidents or separations from grown-ups. And she had a blast. I heard all about it when she got back. And I think one of her favorite parts was riding the bus. She said they hit a big bump and all the kids went flying up in the air. :)

One last thought for this post since it has already been all over the place. I am not trendy. I never have been. I'm a t-shirt, jeans and flip-flops kinda gal. Up here, everyone is trendy. Even when it is snowing, they still have their cute little clothes and shoes on. I don't understand this. I choose my clothes for comfort more than anything. I'm sure Stacy and Clinton would have a fun time trashing my entire wardrobe. Also, there are no fat people up here. That's a good thing b/c there are way too many fat people back home. But for this mom whose body is far from where she wishes it was, it's kinda annoying. I feel like the only woman who isn't in perfect shape. Yesterday, I took the 'long' way to take Gracie to school and pick her up. I'm sure that won't get rid of the extra pounds, but it can't hurt either, right?

Happy Birthday Gracie!

Our little girl turns six today. Where did the time go?

Six years ago today, I woke up at 4:30 in the morning with cramps. Finally at 7:57 pm, Gracie made her entrance via c-section. I was convinced I was carrying a boy and cried happy tears when the doctor said "It's a GIRL!" She is our little princess and our life hasn't been the same since she entered it. Happy Birthday big girl.

Sorry for the delay...

I have tried multiple times to post pictures from Banff, but our computer keeps locking up. It is on it's last leg and needs to be replaced, but since we don't use it for much, it hasn't been a priority. I keep all my pictures on that computer though, so I always use it for blogging (instead of the laptop). After fighting with it forever, I decided to just go ahead and post with the few pics that I have been successful in uploading. At some point in the future, I'll have more pics from Banff to post.

Also, while we were in Banff, we were at the waterslides in our hotel and I threw our camera in the hot tub. I missed a lot of great pics b/c of that. Doug and I spent the night Sunday night at the Marriott downtown while the kids stayed at the house with my parents and Doug and I got to Best Buy and got a new camera, so we only missed out on a couple days worth of pics. Once we get the computer up and running, I'll have more pics to share.

Grandpa and Bradley peek down at us from upstairs in the hotel.


Daddy and Bradley go down the waterslides.


Grammy and Gracie go down the waterslides.

The waterslides were a huge hit. On Thursday, there were hardly any other people there, so we basically had it to ourselves. Both kids just loved it. We are already planning to go back again sometime.

We have company!

My parents flew in for a visit Tuesday afternoon and leave next Friday. The kids are having so much fun with them here. Luckily the weather has been fantastic so far.

Playing croquet yesterday.


Grandpa pretends to hit Gracie with his mallet.


Bradley loves croquet.


Grandpa helps Bradley look through the binoculars.

Gracie's turn.

We ate dinner outside since it was so nice. Doug was bummed that he missed the first meal on the new patio furniture. (He had a work function until late last night.)

After dinner, we stayed outside to play, except Grammy who was cold (despite it being 60+ outside!).

Grandpa and I played soccer with the neighbor kids. They beat us 15-9.

Grandpa always ends up as a jungle gym.

(And yes, my kids were running around in their undies until time to put on PJs.)

This morning, Grammy and Bradley have been building houses for Diego over and over again. (Thanks again, Shannon...your gift is still a favorite 6 months later!)

This afternoon, we are headed up to Banff to show my parents the Canadian Rockies. We found a great family friendly hotel with waterslides and an indoor playground, so hopefully the kids will have a good time too. Pictures to come...

Be safe little brother

My brother left for Iraq today. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts over the coming months.

Happy Mother's Day

For Mother's Day, I just wanted ice cream and the Astros to win. I got both. :)

I also got this beautiful frame that Gracie made at school.


She also made me a card and decorated the bag it came in.


And we finally got patio furniture. It is a joint gift for me for Mother's Day and Doug for Father's Day. Hopefully it will be warm enough soon to eat out there soon.


It was a good day.

The Circus!

Gracie decided that she wanted to go to the circus this year instead of having a birthday party. When she turned three, we went to the beach for a weekend instead of a party. Last year, we took her to Sea World. So, we gave her the option this year to have a party with friends from school or go to the circus. She chose the circus and her parents were thrilled! So, yesterday was the day and it was fun for all four of us.

Here are the kids standing outside the circus. It was an old-fashioned tent circus, which was a new experience for all of us. After seeing Ringling last year at Reliant in Houston, this was a dramatic change. But it was lots of fun.


We couldn't take pictures during the show, so the only pictures I have are from intermission.

Gracie eating cotton candy...


and riding on the 'chariot' in the ring. (She's in the back.)

I kept meaning to blog earlier this week about how Spring was officially here. We had flowers in the front yard and it rained every day this week. Do you know how many times I wanted it to rain but instead we got snow? I was thrilled to have non frozen precipitation! Well, I missed my chance b/c the snow is back. We woke up to a white blanket on everything, but it's already melting and I'm sure most of it will be gone by this evening.

The flowers in the yard on Tuesday.


The flowers in the yard this morning.


Yesterday, we had really thick fog when it was time to pick up Gracie from school.

This is our backyard this morning.

It's a happy day today, despite the snow. The sun is shining and that makes all the difference.

Perspective

I complain about the weather a lot. I let it get me down when we go days without seeing the sun (like this week). We're supposed to get snow tonight and I was going to come on here and complain about it, like I always do.

Then my friend Heidi brought this story to my attention: http://www.mattlogelin.com/ Thanks for reminding me what's really important, Heidi. Doug and I are so blessed to have each other and our two beautiful healthy children that I have no right to complain about crappy weather.

I needed a little perspective this week.