Fabulous Friends

We consider ourselves pretty lucky to have such great friends as the Muellers!! We all met in Atlanta (before kids) and have stayed friends during our move to Texas, and their move to Santa Fe and now Missouri. We all have such a great time together and just laugh and laugh. They came with their two kids over the July 4th holiday weekend and we had the best time! We were so so sad when they had to go home. Here is Mark and Jackson in front of the Reading Tree that Mark drew and painted for us (aren't we lucky??). Swimming with the kiddos

Anna shows off her new tankini

The kids taking a break

Sprinkler fun

The boys

Grant and Lydia

Late dinner on the 4th (the kids are already in their jammies).

Yummy ice cream cones

Fun fun visit!!! We miss you guys!

Fun with Mimi and Dow

With Mike gone this week Mimi and Dow decided to come and help out! Of course Jackson and Anna loved all the attention and the constant playmates. And I certainly get spoiled myself with all the extra help and company. Anna....having a ball

Dow and Anna enjoy some quiet morning time (Dow sticking his tongue out at Anna!)

As you know, Jackson is very into his books so he took a little break from playing to read some books with Mimi.

Jackson loved throwing the ball with Dow. Too bad it was topping 102+ degrees while they were here!

Mimi and Anna in their coordinating outfits.

It was a great visit and we miss you guys already!!

Conversations with Jackson

We think it is just too funny how the mind of a toddler works. I have so many fun conversations with Jackson all day I feel like I just have to talk with Mike for hours each night to make sure he hears them all too.

The other day at dinner...
Jackson: Did you just eat a bite of my chicken poppy seed?
Me: Yes, is that okay?
Jackson: As long as it was a yucky piece

After nap time one day......
Me: Did you rip up this book?
Jackson: Yep, I did
Me: Well honey now the book has to be thrown away because we cannot read it
Jackson: That's okay. We'll go to Target and buy a new one

Last weekend while I was getting ready for Church......
Jackson: Wow Mama, you look really pretty today. Really really pretty!
Me: Wow Jackson that is so nice of you to say. Thank you so much honey
Jackson: Do you think Anna will be pretty too?

Today in the car......
Jackson: Have to be careful with this book. It's a special library book
Me: That's right we do have to be careful with them.
Jackson: But not this book. This is Anna book

This one makes me feel super guilty........
Me: Okay, after you finish your snack we're going to get in the car and go to Kid's Club (a.k.a. my gym)
Jackson: Sure. Do you think that boy will hit me again this time? It not nice to hit and he hurt my feelings
Me: (thinking wow---I had to give him a big hug for that one and talk about hitting and then I almost didn't go to the gym today. Poor Jackson!)

At snack time the other day........
Me: Okay get in your chair so you can eat your snack
Jackson: what is it? Is it a special snack?
Me: Well.... it's pineapple and some cheese
Jackson: OHHHH PINEAPPLE??? I LOVE pineapple! You think it will be juicy? I LOVE juicy!
Me: (thinking how great it is that one person can be so excited about pineapple)

100 books (and pictures of Anna)

CONGRATULATIONS TO JACKSON!!! We told him once he read 100 books we'd take him to Blue Goose (one of his favorite restaurants). Well....it only took him 4 days to read 100 books so we had to make this next challenge a little harder. Now Jackson has to read 100 NEW books and then he can pick out a book to buy. Thank goodness for a great public library. We are 48 books into this new challenge so far. Go Jackson! Anna is definitely a thumb sucker and I just love it!

Some "naked nudie" shots as Jackson calls it.

And a quick video of some of Anna's conversations. She LOVES to talk. I don't remember Jackson ever babbling as much as she does at this age. We have a much longer video that I didn't really think everyone could sit through so this is pretty short. Also her dress actually does fit but for some reason the way she was sitting makes the shoulder straps look huge!

Too good to miss

Jackson got a jump rope this morning from a party and Mike decided to try it out. This is too good to miss! I accidentally cut the video a little short but don't worry---I caught the act first

8 years and counting

We celebrated our 8 year anniversary earlier this week. We tried out a new martini bar and then hit our favorite restaurant for some yummy steaks and wine. Not too exciting this year but it was nice to get out and have an evening together.

Summer Fun

We're kicking off the Summer here in Texas. Just some shots over the past couple of weeks

Bear just about got lucky!

Anna's first hike

Jackson's first trip to "the beach"