Sea World!!

We headed down to San Antonio for a three day weekend. We plan our driving mostly while the boys should be sleeping. However, a rented minivan with a DVD player did the trick between naps. 

The moment I saw this waffle maker, I had to have a waffle from it!

 G spotting dolphins for the first time.

 And the whale show was pretty killer! (haha...get it?! ok, lame...but funny, right?!)

 Completely entranced. He wanted to sit in the splash zone, but we knew better after he insisted that earlier, then cried for 10 minutes once he got a little wet. (incident happened seconds after video below.) On top of that, the whales weren't as cute and cuddly once he got a close view of all 10,000 pounds.

 G couldn't get enough of the rides. I didn't realize with age came increased quickness to dizziness. boy I feel old to say that!

Our party animal. Look at those cheeks!

Next morning we fed the dolphins. L wanted nothing to do with them. I guess a gaping mouth full of teeth is a bit daunting. ;)

L enjoying himself, but sensing something...there is a presence near.

 I thought so.

"I want to get splashed! I want to get splashed!" Famous last words.

 More rides for the G. You can barely see his head by my left elbow. He really was enjoying it, and insisted on the front row. I guess the sudden stops and whacking his head on the seat taught him some self preservation techniques.

And one more ride before we left. Look at that grin! You know he loves it!

I had to take a picture of our hotel bathroom. It's a great idea, but poorly executed. First off, no tub. That means 3 days of no bathing for the boys. Also, notice the drains. The one in the shower is set higher than the middle of the floor, and the whole floor slopes to the carpet (where I am standing.) All the towels on the floor were used as a barricade to protect the carpet. It didn't work. 

We stopped at the Alamo on the way home. I have ALWAYS wanted to see it!

It's small and in the middle of the city, but awesome!

Thank goodness for that minivan!

It's Laundry Day!!!

This is a big deal.
A month ago our washer broke. :( I had to wash our clothes by hand in the tub using the bathmat as a washboard. My back hurt, by knees hurt, my hands were weak for hours after wringing the clothes out, but it was a great workout! I seriously think my arm muscles are bigger!
We found a great set at Lowes but they were out...even at the warehouse. 3 weeks later, it was delivered!! Then they realized they had the wrong cord for the dryer. :( I washed all my clothes, but had to dry them outside...then we got some major rainstorms coming through. Finally, another week and I got my dryer!!!! So today is washing clothes day, and it couldn't have happened soon enough. Boy is my house stuffy. I only washed what was really necessary.
Thank goodness for these machines that make life SO much easier!!!!!

PICTURES!!! Finally!

Finally I am posting pictures from way back. At least the ones from my phone. :)

Not much is as exhausting as being carted around a store.

G as Slimer and Luke as the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man. Again...nothing is quite as exhausting as being carted around. Even if there is candy to be had. 

We decided Fall wasn't coming soon enough. So we encourage it along by kicking and throwing balls into the trees.

And then trying to catch the falling leaves.

Build and Grow at Lowes

Oh!! Look who's awake!

Raking up the leaves we helped so lovingly to fall. The boys helped squish the leaves into the garbage can. Well, in all honesty, L just taste tested them all.

Poor Tristan tweaked his back on Thanksgiving Day. At least there was lots of football to entertain.

This boy loves bathing in the sink.

And these two adore each other.

It's super sweet.

Another Build and Grow at Lowes.

L waits patiently. Isn't that the cutest hat?!

Free of the hat and still all smiles.

Right after our project at Lowes we went to the airport to spend Christmas in Utah.

The drive to Tristan's parents from the airport. G in style and L in his usual style.

Visiting with my my Grandma B. Aren't those pictures sweet.

Christmas morning! Wow...I'm just realizing how happy they look. They were, despite the picture.

Still a necessity on his bed to this day...a cougar pillowpet.

Back at home, G plays Santa for all the good mommies and daddies.

The boys enjoying their gifts.

G unwrapping his tool work bench.

I came out to find this one day. If you look closely, L has a huge grin...thank goodness.

My squeaky clean chubby boy.

Love, Love this picture.

Reading to the boys before bed.

Before our long trip.                                     Well into our long trip.

Warm(er) days mean trips to the park!!

A trip to the dinosaur museum! All the way down G talked about the bones we would see. Once we got there, I had to bribe him to look at this triceratops for the picture. That way you would think he actually loved looking at the bones instead of only wanting to participate in the interactive wall features. And then on the way home he talked nonstop about how neat all the bones were. 

It snowed!

Considering it doesn't much ever here, this was a much enjoyed activity.

Even if our snowman family was half leaves half snow. It saved me from raking when it all melted. 

How sweet is this picture?! He LOVES the swing.

And just plain being outside.

It's been such beautiful weather, we set up the tent in the backyard and had a picnic.

And G chased bugs.

L has all these goofy faces. He is such a cheese.

These boys sure love playing together.

Posing for a Valentine picture. I love the look on L's face!

Another walk on another gorgeous day. I love spring in Oklahoma (except for the tornado days!)

Just FYI

Mylar balloons can and will set off your motion sensor alarm which will then contact the police. You know...just FYI.

Would you like that burned or just slightly black?

My 2 year old likes to turn the knob on the toaster all the way to black. He yells done when one of two things happen. They pop up charred, or the smoke alarm goes off. More often than not, it's the smoke alarm. At least he still eats scraped toast. (As long as I give him free access to the cinnamon sugar.)

Love Your Kiddos

I have so much to update...once I can face the uploading pictures part. I dread that part. Until then, if anyone is still checking this blog...THANK YOU!!! I am so sorry I've been so terrible about keeping it up the last 2 months.

I did want to post a little bit though. I have been trying to be a better mother. I want to enjoy my children, discipline them with love more than with frustration and be happy for them, because let's face it, mom's attitude affects the home's attitude.

Two events in particular have really pushed me to focus on myself and how I am around my boys.

I keep hearing about stories of missing children, or children who are caught up in an adults world. It breaks my heart when children are part of a political disagreement. They are so sweet an innocent and yet we push our biased and hateful or angry views on them. There are too many sad stories in the news concerning children. I just want to hold my little ones close and let them know they are loved.

The other incident was on Sunday. I was stressed because I was teaching a lesson and I just didn't feel up to do anything that day. G walked in and grabbed a picture I keep on my desk of Tristan and I. He pointed at me in the picture and said "Happy Mama." Then he pointed at me and said "Sad Mama." Boy, I felt bad. It's time I check my attitude more often.

And one more thing if you're still reading. It helps to write this down just to get it off my chest. I keep praying that in certain situations I will stand up for my children and they will know they can count on their mom. I was never good at standing up for myself, or really anyone or thing for that matter. I am so scared of what people think and I certainly don't want to draw attention to myself. When I am successful though, I feel awesome! It's so easy for some people, and I want to be that way. Especially for my kids. Today I failed. I'm trying not to beat myself up over it. Next time I hope to do better.

More posts soon! With PICTURES!!! :)