Family Pictures

On the last afternoon with Jamie's family here (Feb. 27), we all got together after church at our house for dinner and family pictures.

My cute Dad and Mom--married for 36 years and counting

Granny and Grandpa and the 10 grandkids

Shad and Amy (8 Days before Molly was born!)

Carrie

Tyler

Jamie (35), Carrie (33), Shad (30), Amber (26), Tyler (13), Mom (56), Dad (58)

Jamie Came!

My sister Jamie moved to Connecticut almost three years ago. She has been back for 2 quick visits since then, but her kids had not--until last month that is! Their whole family (Jamie, Trent, and five kids) came for their mid-winter break* from Feb. 22 to Feb. 29. (*I have no idea what it's really called--"get out of this freezing weather to remember there is life after winter" would also be a good name.)

There is just something wonderful about being together will all of my siblings at the same time. With an age span of 21 years from oldest to youngest, having all of us together has always been a rarity. And with my Mom fighting cancer since the fall, having all of us together this time was even more meaningful.
We had a blast catching up, laughing, playing games, eating good food, swimming, and chatting.  It was like a vacation for us--we did fun things with cousins every day.

We swam (Feb. 22)

We ate Pappasito's (Feb. 23--2 for 1 fajita Wednesdays!)

Well, most of us ate Pappasito's...some of us ate spaghettio's :)

We went to the zoo (Feb. 24)

Julianne (10), Brooke (1), Adam (4), Catherine (9), Chloe (2), Megan (3), and Madelyn (6)

Checking out the new chimp exhibit--so cool...

And of course, the carousel--Megan loved it...Brooke was a little less sure

 

We enjoyed heating the big pool (Feb. 25) and racing as siblings.  I beat Jamie and Carrie (wahoo!) and BARELY lost to Tyler--for being almost 19 weeks pregnant, I was pretty proud! *not sure where Shad was...but I'm sure I would have beaten him ;)

Brookie--our water baby practicing her back float..

The nine oldest grandkids (of ten born at that time)--Megan, Brooke, Zach, Catherine, Hailey, Chloe, Julianne, Adam, and Madelyn

We had a belated Christmas Eve breakfast (Feb. 26) at my parents' back-door neighbor's home--she made it special for Jamie's visit.  Blueberry pancakes, ham, egg nog, grapefruit punch, yum.

*Check out Megan's black eye--she got in a little tiff with the flagstone around the pool and the flagstone won

Brooke thought the grapefruit punch was a little sour :)

Oh yeah, and we swam some more (Feb. 26)

Even Granny got in a little swimming with the grandbabies...

Is keep-away really fair with Uncle Dan in the mix?

Shad's Office

My older brother Shad finished orthodontic school last summer and got into a great practice in Katy, TX.
We got to go check out his sweet office when the staff threw a baby shower for Shad and Amy and their little girl to be on Feb. 17, 2011.
If anyone needs a great orthodontist, be sure to ask me about Shad!

Amy, Shad, and their haul...

See!  I was there!

My amazing Mom and sister-in-law Amy

Brooke loved the giant horse...

Megan loved the arcade room--so many buttons to push...

Megan and Chloe...cousins...friends...occasional enemies...cuties

And a few random pictures just because:

Mommy and sleepy Megan, Feb. 6, 2011

Saturday morning with my 3 favorite people, Feb. 19, 2011

Valentine's Day 2011

To celebrate V-Day this year, Dan and I got to go out on Feb. 11, the Friday before Valentine's (thanks Ashley and Beckett!). We had a yummy dinner at Carabba's and then headed home to watch RED. Getting out without the kids is always a nice change from routine.
Valentine's day itself it was mostly a regular Monday--but Dan brought home some Reese's cupcakes for his 3 Valentine's. It was a fun surprise and a great FHE treat.

Daddy and his daughters, Feb. 14, 2011

Bundles of Joy...

These little bundles of joy have some news to share with you...

The big sisters on Feb. 3, 2011

They're going to have a new little sister! Due date: July 24, 2011

Ultrasound from Feb. 12, 2011

Basketball Ben!

Dan's "little" brother Ben was a freshman at UVU this past year and was a starter for their basketball team.  Lucky for us, UVU is in the same conference as Houston Baptist University so we got to see Ben the day of their game here!  They played each other on Feb. 5, 2011.
Dan and I, my brothers Shad and Tyler, my sister Carrie, and a friend Miles were able to go watch.  UVU won and everything.  It was so fun to have a few minutes with Ben in our hometown--we hope he can come again when he has a little more downtime.

Saying hi at the hotel before the game...

Go Ben! #34

The brothers after the game...

"Snow" Day

Houston was all geared up for "snow" to come on Friday, Feb. 4, 2011. School was canceled, Dan's office told everyone to work from home--it was going to be a BIG DEAL!
And then Friday came and while there was ice covering all the plants and cars, NO SNOW.
None. Kind of a disappointment. But while Brooke napped, Megan and I took a little walk to enjoy the ice before it melted away.  And all that cold air tired her out enough that she fell asleep on the couch after lunch. Cute girl.

Frozen leaves on our bush in the front

Dressed warm...

Picking icicles off a neighbors car (her favorite activity on our walk)...

Frozen patch of grass...

Sleepy girl...