September 2021

I've really been trying to play catch-up with my journaling.  Lots and lots to talk about and SO MANY pictures!  Playing large block Jenga with the kids makes the top of the list in September.  We've been teaching all sorts of new games to the girls- Cover Your Assets, Qwirkle, Uno, Blokus, and Old Maid.

I bought some pumpkins to start decorating for the season, and Howie freaked out! After some time, he warmed up to the new decorations.

We've been trying to expose Howie to different environments...

swimming in the lake and paddle boarding...

driving around in the car (he now hears the keys and runs for the garage door!)...

and running around at the park and playgrounds.

Me and the girls went on a weekend trip to Great Wolf Lodge in Dallas with one of my best friends, Stacey.  It was nice to lounge around in the sun and splash in the water with the kids.

What was not so fun was figuring out the stupid wand that cost oh too much money! The kids didn't want to share and everyone ended up crying.

But after a good nights rest, everyone was friends again.  

We had a great time!

Bryan had an Army competition during my birthday, but sure made up for it with gifts and surprises.  I got flowers, an edible arrangement, a cake with confetti surprise, and chocolates.  I really felt loved, especially since I had to work and he delivered to the hospital. He really planned ahead!

The girls took me out to eat at Bubba 33, a new restaurant in town.

And then we had some cake, which the girls picked out at Nothin' Bundt Cake.

My beautiful bouquet.

Bryan won first place at the medical Best Medic Competition.  He is amazing! He might be the first optometrist to win 2 consecutive competitions.  Now he has to prepare for the FORSCOM Best Medic Competition in January. 

When Bryan got back, we drove down to Kerrville to complete the Aqua Bike race.  Originally we were both signed up for the 1/2 Iron Man, but I haven't been able to run or bike since my injury and Bryan has not been training with all of his other obligations.  And so only he competed and he changed it to the swim and bike event.  Bryan did really well, as always. 

December 2020

A busy, busy December. Like usual.  Kate and Jane both participated in their school's Christmas plays.  Jane was a little pig in "Animal Christmas" and Kate was a part of "The Colonial Christmas".  Both of them did a wonderful job! 

The first weekend in December, I joined Jennifer in Denver to celebrate her friend Brandy's 40th birthday.  We stayed at a nice hotel, ate yummy food, and went to a really expensive spa.  It was lots and lots of fun to get away for the weekend.

Playing games with Mrs. Christie before their Christmas break from piano.  The girls didn't really have a traditional recital because of the COVID non-sense, but Mrs. Christie did a good job making sure the girls had some sort of special event.   

Kate and Jane had some of their friends over to build gingerbread houses.  One of the gingerbread houses was farmhouse and the other was a castle.  

Kate has been having continual nose bleeds.  And of course, we added this to the hectic December schedule.  Luckily, I know everyone from the surgery department.  I knew she would be in good hands.  She was brave and slept and ate a popsicle.

In Texas, our leaves fall a little later.  We combined our neighbors leaves with ours to create a good sized pile for jumping and playing in.

Christmas!

Both girls got American girl dolls. 

Another one of their Christmas presents from mom and dad were picture books for each year of Kate and Jane's life.  I was finally able to catch up on scrapbooking because work drastically slowed down in the surgery department.  Now the catch is to keep up with it! 

S'more kit from Kristi!

Bryan made the girls a swing set for Christmas.  He is so talented and did such a wonderful job!

My bestest friend Jennifer came up on Christmas Day to watch the girls, so Bryan and I could celebrate our 15th anniversary.  We drove down to Austin and had a wonderful time.  We rented scooters and explored all the murals.  

Jennifer had fun with the girls for the 2 days making hot chocolate melting balls and playing

with Roo.  

Oh! And lets not forget Bryan competing in the Best Medic competition in Fort Polk, Louisiana.  He won first place at this regional competition, which means her qualified for the International competition for next year. Great job babe!

October 2020

Happy Birthday to Bryan! We celebrated by going on a family camping vacation to a couple state parks in Texas.  We used my parents tent trailer we borrowed back in November 2019.

Our first stop was Lake Livingston.  Our friends Jennifer and Ryan met up with us for one of the nights.  We paddle boarded, hiked around the state park, played in the pool, and roasted lots of marshmallows and hotdogs.  

Our second stop was Blanco State Park.  It is quite small, but had the best paddle boarding stream and refreshing water.  We toured the cute town with our bikes, played card games, visited the lavender fields, and hiked down Jacob's Well.  

Our last stop was Inks Lake State Park.  My personal favorite.  Again, we paddle boarded, cliff jumped, visited Sweet Berry Farms for fall festivities, and walked under the stars.  It was a wonderful 9 day camping trip without cell phones or work bothering us. 

Hiking with Stacey when we both didn't have kids or work- very rare!

We hosted our first Halloween party.  We invited all the neighborhood friends for hotdogs and chili.  Bryan made a haunted house in the backyard and we rented a bouncy house.  It was so much fun!