MEOWY CHRISTMAS

We put the tree up and the cats seem to think we did this just for them. The white cat sits under it like she owns it. Lizzie took a picture of the cat and grandma. A rare happening to find them together.(grandma is not a huge fan of the cats) We laughed because the cat went and sat next to her on the couch.:)

Choir Concert

Kathryn had a concert at school for choir. She has a wonderful choir teacher who is VERY serious about what she does and she gets the kids to accomplish great things.:) They were to dress up for this event(I have found out that it is rare for people to dress up in AZ-more laid back in the south I guess). Anyway, about a month before the concert the girls and I were at one of our favorite stores(Ross) and while we were standing in line we chatted with the lady behind us. We left the store and we were in our car when Lizzie saw that lady running out of the store waving at us. She told us that she was returning a dress but didn't have a receipt and they were only going to give her $1.47 because it was marked down now. She thought it might fit Kathryn and gave the dress to her. We thanked her and K couldn't wait to get home and try it on. It fit great but was a sundress so she just wore a black sweater over it. Here is pictures of her on the night of the concert.

THANKSGIVING

We enjoyed spending Tday at the 4 T's. Everything was yummy! We enjoyed the little ones and even went for a walk before we had our pie.

OCTOBER 31st

HSM3

Any of you who have pre-teen girls know that the 3rd installment in "High School Musical " movies came out in the theaters Friday. Kathryn and I had planned for weeks for her to skip school that day(they had an early release day anyway) and head to the first showing of the day. So that's what we did!! I find myself enjoying these movies just as much as my kids. Of course I love musicals and have subjected my children to the classics, (ie.-The Sound of Music, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, My Fair Lady, etc...). After the movie we had lunch at Panda Express and talked about our favorite part/song in the movie.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIZZIE!

October 19 we celebrated the birth of a super special and unique girl - our Lizzie. She has brought adventure, insight, challenge, drama, laughter, etc... to our lives. The Lord knew what He was doing when He gave her to us. She had 2 friends for a sleepover(minus the sleep), they had pizza, brownies,went in the hot tub, watched movies all night, had waffles with strawberries and RediWhip for breakfast and ended the fun with a trip to the mall. Our family had a bday meal together and then headed to the 4 T's with a chocolate cream pie. The day ended with me tucking Lizzie into bed and praying with her. We love you Lizzie and KNOW Jesus has wonderful plans for your life.

"MOM! GET THE CAMARA!"

Lizzie had a friend over one night and I was wondering what they were up to in the front yard when Kathryn came in and yelled for me to get the camara. Much to their delight, they had managed to catch a quick moving lizard and had it displayed on Brenna's arm ready to be photographed. :)

PAPA? GAMMA?

My parents left 2 weeks ago for a road trip to the north. One day when I was playing with Tori she picked up her play phone and said "PaPa?" "Gamma?" She misses them both and will be ready to welcome them home with lots of new words and hugs.

SWEET BABY!

I can't believe it has been almost a month since I updated this. I have been busy with work, homework projects with the girls and helping with the new baby.:) It is finally cooling off here and was only about 65 degrees today. Good hot tub weather. Here are a few pictures of that sweet baby. I love my time spent with her and her big sister.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

This week my parents will celebrate their 43rd wedding anniversary. WOW! These days that is a major accomplishment. Those of us who are married know that it is NOT easy. Thanks mom and dad for your commitment to eachother and your family. We love you!!

"I Might Even Be a Rock Star"

Well, he's no Hannah Montana or the Jonas Brothers, but he's my "rock star".:)

He grabbed this toy guitar when we were in the toy store and struck a pose. He hasn't lost his sense of humor after all these years. Thanks honey for adding joy to our lives.

WELCOME SWEET BABY T

Taylor Rose was born on September 12 and 6:30am. She weighed 8# 14 oz. and is 21" long. So far she is a very content baby and is already 9#4oz. She definately looks like her daddy. Tori is learning how to be a helpful big sister and likes to put toys in the crib for baby. What a blessing babies are and we look forward to watching her grow!

THE LITTLEST LESTER

11 years ago today our precious Kathryn Allena Joy was born. She has definately lived up to the "Joy" in her name. She is my girl with a ready smile and sweet disposition. She announced today that she is now a "pre-teen" which is exciting for her and a little bittersweet for me. My baby is growing up. The traditon in our house is that you get to do your favorite things on your bday(within reason). We started the day with breakfast burritos from McD's before school. After school we headed for the mall to Build a Bear to buy a new bear with a gift card received for her bday from the 3 T's. The food court was next for her fav- Panda Express. Then the candy store, Claires, the toy store and the Pretzel shop where a friend of mine works and gives us yummy treats. The day ended with me tucking her in with her new bear Bubbles and saying a prayer of thanks for her life and for being a special part of our family. I love you baby(or should I say "pre-teen")

BABY WATCH

Sunday I took pictures of The 3 T's before they become 4. Baby T's ETA is September 13th(or anytime now). We are excited to welcome a new little one to our family. Our prayers are for a safe delivery and healthy baby.

BIRTHDAY BASH!!

Sunday we celebrated 3 birthdays in our family. My mom's is the 7th, Kathryn's is the 10th and Daniel's is the 11th. We had the family over for kabobs(that for some reason,maybe a new marinade I tried, got VERY well done). Kathryn requested "Angel" cake with strawberries and Redi Whip for dessert. I usually make cheesecake for Daniel, but decided to make a chocolate layer cake with chocolate frosting from scratch(one of his favorites). A great time was had by all and here are some pictures of the day. Thanks mom for all your help! :)

BLOOMING BUSH

We have a Texas Sage in our front yard and after all the rain we had it was in full bloom. It only stays in bloom for a few days so I wanted to capture it before the blooms disappeared. It will bloom just about every time it gets enough water.

YUMMY!!

I had a white cake mix on hand and a new recipe for frosting so I decided to make cupcakes in addition to Jon's Recees Peanut Butter Pie for the birthday celebration. Needless to say they were a big hit and the frosting is very yummy. It passed the yumm yumm test by little T.:) Here is the frosting recipe if anyone wants to try it.

Vanilla Sour Cream Icing:

1 cup butter @ room temp

2/3 cup sour cream

1 tsp. vanilla

6 cups powdered sugar

beat butter and sour cr. until smooth, add vanilla

add powdered sugar 1/2 c @ a time

beat med./high for 1 minute

cover and chill for 30 minutes

ENJOY!!

Happy Birthday Firstborn

July 27,1991 a lifechanging event took place - Jonathan Daniel entered the world, making me a mom. We celebrated his 17th bday yesterday. As I went into his room to wake him I thought about the contrast between looking into a crib at a 7#14oz baby who woke me at the crack of dawn and 17 years later looking at a 6'4" young man who is content to sleep until noon. The smooth baby skin that is now sprouting whiskers. One thing that remains the same is the GREAT love I have for this boy that I carried within me, held in my arms and who now has to bend over to give me a hug(which he does often). I love you Jonny Boy and I am soooo blessed you are my son!

HORSE CAMP

Lizzie was able to attend 4 days of a horse camp that was offered by the riding school she takes lessons at. It was from 6:00am -11:00am(thanks PaPa for doing the early morning drop-off). On the last day they had a "graduation" and performed some of what they learned for the parents. Lizzie did barrel racing. She loved it - even though she had a horse that made it clear it was just WAY too hot to be racing around anything! At one point the horse did a half buck/sidestep move in an attempt to scare or dismount his rider. Lizzie hung tough and when asked later by one of the girls if she was scared she quickly replied "No, I was just frustrated that the horse wouldn't do what I wanted!"

Summer Fun!

Today we met with my brother & family at the local pool. Of course, normally you can plan anything anytime outdoors and not have to worry about weather conditions. However, today while we waited for the 3 T's to get to the pool we watched big dark clouds get closer and closer. By the time they arrived the wind had picked up, but we decided to stick it out until it started to rain or lightning. We enjoyed about 20 minutes of watching little T have fun in the pool before we saw lightning and the call came from the lifeguards to get out of the pool. We all headed to our house for Pizza and dessert(thanks mom) and the fun continued.