Handy Hidy

We made a visit to Hidy's "Garage" for Hidy and Daddy had to do a little work on Brian's truck. The tools were a hit with M&M. They loved to help by handing tools to Hidy and Daddy. M&M referred to the majority of the tools as "wrenches" because they heard Hidy and Brian discussing a wrench. Maya kept repeating "I working it."

Pretty cute.

Too cute not to add

I got some additional pictures from Sunday at the Park...these were too precious not to add.

These girls--they love to hold hands...when it is their own idea..just like everything else!

Sunday at the Park

In past years we have had Easter Sunday at a Park. This year it was cold, so we opted not to do that. So, I suggested having Sunday lunch at the park on a later beautiful Sunday.

Here are the 3 little girls headed to look at the water over the bridge.

Zoe and Maya enjoyed playing with the soccer ball. I got this cool action shot of Maya kicking to Hidy!

Mason, Gabe and Carmen stopped to pose for me in front of the Bluebonnets. I wanted to get the 3 little girls in front of the flowers too, but we couldn't get them all to cooperate long enough to do it.

Rodeo Day at School

The kids had a Rodeo day at school. This prompted Gigi to go out and buy matching outfits and pink cowboy hats for the girls. They both already had the same pink boots...so it was just precious when pulled all together!

I was told that Mason got many compliments... that he made a very "handsome cowboy" and that he looked "good in a cowboy hat".....well, I'm his Mother, of course I agree.

Thanks Gigi, not only for the outfits, but for all the pictures!

Six Weird Things about Me

Well, my sister Angi tagged me to do this...I sort of ignored it, and then Amanda tagged me and I figured I would do it. I don't think I am very weird, but I realize that probably people that I think are weird also think that they are normal....so??? maybe I'm weird?
But, I tried to think of weird things about myself and it is pretty hard. I even asked Brian and a few friends and everyone I asked said that I'm pretty normal?! Maybe I'm just BORING?!
But here goes.

1) I don't like people to touch the scar under my left knee -- or any scar for that matter. It is sensitive because I don't have that much feeling in it, so I see the person toucing it and can't feel it well, and it freaks me out. Not only that, but I really don't like people to touch or discuss my veins. Brian used to do it just to irritate me....squeeze my wrist and say "veins, veins, veins"... (he is the WEIRD one!)

2) And on the topic of veins... I don't eat chicken on the bone, and that includes Wings --- that are disgustingly filled with bones, and VEINS. In general I am very picky about my chicken. I inspect it as I eat it or as I am cooking it and avoid or cut out veins or any questionable things I see.

3) I wouldn't call this "weird," but I do think it is unusual. Many of my closest friends are girls I have known for 20 years!! (give or take a few years depending on the person I'm talking about) I really don't know many girls that have that sort of circle of friends. We have been thru so much with each over of that amount of time! I treasure each of my friends so much.

4) I live within probably 5 miles of my parents and both of my sisters and their families! Our children get to play together during the week which I think is so awesome. I would have loved to be that close to cousins growing up! (We thought we had a chance to have Chip (Brian's brother) and Debbie move close to us last year... but they went to Kansas instead! :( bummer.

5) I am a bit of a control person, but I try to keep it in. For this reason, I often like to drive. Our friends from our church small group always gave Brian a hard time because they would see us pull up and I was ALWAYS driving! After they razzed him several times about it, I decided I needed to let him drive more often. I'm doing better, but we still fight over the drivers' seat sometimes! (I, of course, think I am the best driver who can get us there quickest, and on the most direct route.)

6) I am a mother who works full time outside of the home! Lately I feel like I am in the minority in this category. (Especially among my girlfriends.) So many of my friends with children are stay at home mom's. Some of them may have some part time or side jobs they do. I think it is great that so many of my friends are able to do this... and I have thought about it many many times... BUT, I do want to have a career and a family. Although it is very tough at times, it is the choice I have made. I love my children just as much as any other and I SURELY wish I had more time with them. However, I know that this is the RIGHT CHOICE for me!

So there it is -- 6 things about me.
I think I'm supposed to tag 6? people to do blog on this.... so let's see: Christine (if you need some help with ideas, I got some for you....P.M.-No), Allison, Christy, Chrys, Chip and / or Debbie.....I'll be watching!

Mason and Baby Ryan

Mason loved holding baby Ryan. We went to visit Christine and her kiddos again.

Mason really didn't want to let anyone else have a turn. He likes babies.

Mason turns 4

On Mason's birthday we had BIG HAIL and bad storms! Brian and I came home from work a little early to get ready to take Mason to Incredible Pizza Company for his birthday. But, before we could go, we had to spend some time in an interior hall closet!!! There were some tornados in the area and the Meterologist said with much dramatic emotion "TAKE COVER" for our city. So, we did. Mason and Maya both brought some toys in the closet to keep them busy.

We got, I guess you could say, Easter Egg sized hail!

After the storm passed, we took the boy to Incredible Pizza. It is a new place in the area that has mini bowling and lots of other games. Mason has wanted to go bowling ever since his first time in November. We had a good time, until we thought we had lost Mason. We reported him missing to the employees and it was a scary 5 - 10 minutes. All along he was under our noses in the bounce house that no one saw him climb in!!

I can't believe my boy is 4! The past 4 years have flown by. Mason can be such a gentleman and is normally such a big helper. He holds doors open for people - it is very sweet. He is still very affectionate and cuddly even though he is a "BIG BOY" - which he reminds me of often.

Mason still does not eat like a normal kid, but I just know one of these days he HAS to outgrow this. He has started to eat more fruits, and more often, so that is great.

I love you little (I mean Big) Blue Eyed Boy!

Mason finally got the Buzz he had been wishing for. Santa brought him the wrong one at Christmas, but he was really big about it. Santa, nor Mommy, knew that the Buzz he really wanted needed to have the white outfit on, but most importantly, he needed WINGS!!!

Baby Ryan

Baby Ryan was born to Christine April 6th! He was 2 weeks early. He is such a cute baby boy! Due to the M&M party and Easter, I didn't make it to see him until Easter night. Lauren, a.k.a. LaLa, went with me. Christine is like another aunt to her. Christine did a lot of babysitting for Lauren when she was a little girl! One hot summer day, she even locked Lauren in her HOT CAR and had to call 9-1-1. They had to break her sunroof (or something) to get Lauren out. Then she was promptly put in a cold bath. All was well, but it was scary. Anyway, you could say Lauren has been through a lot with me and my friends!! :)
We got there just after Kiki went to bed, and she was still crying in her room. I asked Christine and Curt if I could get her out -- I felt bad to do it, but Maya came with me and wanted to play, plus I wanted to see her too.

Although the girls (especially Maya) aren't great at sharing yet, they seemed to enjoy each other. Maya really liked Kiki's stroller and her puzzle.
She also liked their dog, "Fletcher."

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday at Hidy & Gigi's. We had lots of cameras trying to get a shot of the 7 Grandchildren together. It's tough. Paloma REALLY had no interest in being there until bribed with some candy.














The HUNT is ON!!





















The hunt is over...and it is COLD OUTSIDE....































Here Maya is very happy with her chocolate / peanut butter bunny!!!








































Gabe & Mason show off their baskets...





























The whole family on Easter...

Bow Head

Maya had a hard time concentrating and focusing on opening very many gifts at her party. So, when we got home, we worked on them slowly.

She opened the A to Z learning Zoo from Uncle Chip, Aunt Debbie, and cousin Lindsay... she thought that was pretty cool! Thanks guys!

A little later we got to Nesha's gift. Nesha was so sweet to make her lots of gorgeous bows and not only that - the cutest pair of tennis shoes ever.
Maya immediately wanted not one of the bows in her hair, but ALL OF THEM. YES, All 6 of them...and they were not small. My sister, Angi, and maybe Allison too called me bow head when I was in college. I think it was college...well, anyway, when I was much younger, bows were in style, and I wore them --- BIG ones! But Maya takes the cake on this one! She has her new shoes on over her footed pajama's too.

Lots more party pics courtesy of Angi

"Wow, I had no idea how many pictures I had!" Angi

Just when I thought I was going to move on to the Easter blogging!!!! Angi had so many pictures, and I even narrowed down to what is left in this post!!! Obviously people were having some fun!


new aqua crocs!! so cute





















look at that height!!




Nesha loves to have her picture taken! ;)









Hidy and Gigi in their "M" shirts!



maya kept removing her bows, so i tried them out.