We are loving the Spyder!!

Greg and Autumn had a great road trip travelling back home, but once here we all had to take a turn!! All the kids have enjoyed a ride with one of us, but we have yet to use it for a date!! Hopefully we'll get to do that soon.... after all its supposed to be a DATE CAR!!!

Date Car on its way...

For months Greg has looked for the "perfect" date car... two seater, convertible, affordable, low mileage... you get the picture. Needless to say, this was not an easy feat. But, in August, he finally found IT... but it was in St. Louis, MO. His sister was kind enough to store it for the last few weeks. But, Greg and Autumn left this morning on a flight to St. Louis to go get it, see a few sites, and visit some family. We took them to the airport this morning, where the boys got in some last minute Daddy time, and Autumn didn't want to leave my lap. While we waited for their plane to arrive, the boys helped Autumn entertain us with a few cheers!!

Can't wait to see it- me and the boys will all be fighting for a ride!

Big boy!!!

My "baby" Tristan has decided he is ready to be a big boy!! He's been doing a great job this week. He is so funny. When he sits on the potty, he occupies the time singing the Days of the Week song, the ABC's or counting. We took this picture the first day he wore real underwear, so now every time we put on a new pair, his first response is "mommy, you take a picture??" We always said when we got out of diapers (its been almost 8 yrs. now!) we were going to have a big party, but now that we are here... who has the time???

Laughing in the Rain!

The other night, as we were eating dinner, it started raining. The kids got so excited, they could hardly finish dinner. They all begged to go out and play. Once we got finished eating, the rain was subsiding, but instead we found this beautiful creation of God's outside. Shannen still managed to have lots of fun (with his usual

enthusiasm and abundance of giggles) playing in the water dripping off the house!!

Sea World San Antonio

This weekend we took the kids for a long awaited trip to Sea World- our first this year. It was super hot, so we spent as much time in the water as possible. But, even with the heat, we all had a great time!!!

Summer is over... time for School...

It is so hard to believe that summer has come to an end and school is here already. Like they always say (whoever they are), "Time flies when you're having fun!!" Autumn started 3rd grade this week, and has yet to say she is enjoying it. She is worried about the new things to learn even though they aren't doing them yet! Shannen on the other hand, could not be happier. He started Kindergarten this week- that is hard to believe!! He is all grins even thinking about it. He was so ready to "be like Autumn" and go to school. He smiled for a picture then told me I could go :) But, at the end of day one, he told me repeatedly how much he missed me and hugged and kissed me numerous times that night! Vanson and Tristan are just trying to adjust to being w/o them all day....

20 yr. Reunion

It does not seem quite possible that 20 yrs. have passed since I marched on that football field as a Channelette!!! But, it has. So, we went to Galveston for a night out while the kids stayed at my Dad's. (what a blessing) We met Kim and Eric for a seafood dinner, then ventured out to the once famous Balinese Room for the reunion. Saw lots of old friends, chatted for hours, and sweat like pigs!! (the air, if there was any, was not working).... good thing we dressed cool. All in all we had a great time, though. By being there, Greg missed his 25th Reunion... yes he is older....lol

Trip to "Houston"

After dropping the kids off in Texas City, Tristan and I travelled all over town visiting all my long lost cousins.... we started in Spring staying with Natalie and her sweet new baby Jack. Then, we ventured to Conroe to see Ginger, Kim, & Sherri with all their teenagers! Tristan had a ball with all those big boys, and especially loved Kolton's "monster truck". I so enjoyed seeing them all... its been way too long. On one hand it was weird knowing they all have teenagers, and I have a 2 yr old!! But, I felt better when I realized that by the time my boys are as old as theirs, they'll probably be grandmas!!! (sorry girls) But, really it was such a joy to see them and their precious kids.... 1 beautiful teenage girl whom I adore, 1 almost 10-ager who loved on my Tristan, and 6 teenage boys all so polite and well behaved!!

Fun @ Nana and Papas...

The kids (except Tristan) went for a visit to Nana & Papa's this month. While there, they visited the Children's museum, the Tx. City Museum, and a Safari place they are still talking about! The got to visit with my Memaw in Alvin as well. They even convinced my Dad to crawl around on the floor pretending to be a bear as they camped in the "tent". At the end of the week, we returned to hear Autumn sing in church (a real treat :) then joined Aunt Carolyn & Uncle Bob for lunch at one of our favorite restaurants... Pappadeaux!!

Girls Night Out

This annual event was planned for weeks- Autumn wrote out a list of everything we HAD to do on our night away from all the boys. We went to dinner at her favorite - Olive Garden, then shopped for school clothes. Once at the hotel, we swam, played card games, snacked, painted our toenails, then read ourselves to sleep. The next morning, we got made up and had our long awaited tea party before heading home. This is a very special mother/daughter time we cherish each year. Autumn's wish is that we do it once a month. :)