June 2021

Kate finished school a week after Jane's kindergarten graduation. Jane had the time of her life hanging out with me, while Kate went to school.  We ran errands, went to the park, shopped, and got our nails done.  Poor Kate was jealous every day we picked her up.  

Kate excels in everything she does.  She is a perfectionist and gets really upset when she misses a question or spells a word incorrectly.  She has really taken off with her reading skills.  I am very proud of her, as that was a big struggle for me with her.

Her class had a field day, which Jane and I attended.  The kids got pizza and played silly games.  

Kate loves her teacher, Ms. Brinson.

One of Kate's friends had a birthday party at a near by trampoline park.  It was fun to have some of the teachers stop by and the kids having one last hooray before summertime.  

We took Howie to Stillhouse Lake.  He was a little skittish with the water, but eventually warmed up (especially when we all got in!).  We have taken him several times since, and he pulls really hard on his leash trying to get down to the water.

I finally got my MRI done.  I was told I have a stress fracture on the right hip.  I needed to start being on crutches from this point until seen by an orthopedic doctor.  I've literally been walking on a broken hip for 2.5 months- what is 1 more week!  

We grew butterflies and released them!

I saw my orthopedic doctor.  After he ordered a rushed CT scan, I found out surgery was required for my fracture.  I was really sad.  My friend Jennifer sent me flowers.  

The next day, I had surgery.  I was supposed to have it on Friday, but because of Juneteenth holiday and some anesthesia providers not wanting to work, I was schedule (without me knowing) for Thursday.  I came to the hospital for pre-operative work ups and ended up having surgery.  It was delayed until the evening because of course I would eat breakfast before coming.  It was very frustrating and I was all alone and my children were at a camp and Bryan was in Oklahoma.  

Luckily, my best friend saved the day! Stacey grabbed the girls from camp and they had the weekend of their lives! 

Meanwhile, I am over here watching too much tv and using crutches for 3 weeks.  

My sister came to help for the week as she was demobilizing at Fort Hood.  What a blessing this was because my mom and dad couldn't make it out.  

The girls weren't sad she was here! I loved cooking for her and she loved pampering me!

Cavity fix! 

Cavity fix.

After about a week after surgery, I was able to get around better.  I took them to their dentist appointment and the YMCA to swim.  I really hated being in crutches.  They are the worst.  

 

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!

November 2017

I went to a Yoga Convention with some friends up in Austin.  It was really fun and nice to get "away" for the day.

We went out with some friends to Oktoberfest in New Braunfels, Texas.  It was pretty close to the same thing, minus the language barrier.  

For Thanksgiving, we had 21 people over at our house.  Wendy and her family (7) drove all the way from Idaho to come visit.  Adam and his family (5) came from Oklahoma.  The Moore family (5) came locally.  We divided up the food, had an already cooked turkey, and ate way too much food.  Everything was amazing.  I made the best sweet potato dish and will probably make annually.  

The next day, Bryan's parents drove down and we all went to the San Antonio Aquarium and Sea World.  Yes, all in the same day.  

  Trying to capture Jane's sad face or pouty lip.  I just can't seem to get it!

   Touching the sting rays.

 Holding the birds.

 Being squished by snakes.

Riding the roller coasters at Sea World.

The Monday after Thanksgiving, Kate got her tonsils and adenoids removed.  She was like a roller coaster of wellness and sickness.  I was so grateful to have Bryan's parents available to help on the day of her surgery. She is doing very well now.

 And then the December festivities began.  We do the 24 books of Christmas...

and the beloved Elf on the Shelf.  Her name is Dassie.