One Memory At A Time

Slip and Slide...

2010-06-15T19:51:00.004-05:00

I found a $5 Toy Story slip and Slide at Wal-Mart the other day so we set it up for Landrie, it didn't last too long because it didn't come with the slide floats like Ace and Kennedy's! lol She had fun while it lasted, besides it was only $5! :)

Swinging on My Own...

2010-06-12T20:54:00.006-05:00

Daddy and some of his good friends decided to go out to Shenanigans to celebrate Daddy's birthday which was on the 10th. Landrie and I decided to hang out and play for a little while and then later on I decided to clean some while it was only her and I at home, always makes it so much easier. While I was cleaning she decided to go out and play on her swing set. All of the sudden she started calling for me so I ran outside to see what was wrong and she said "Look Mommy, I can swing all by myself!" We were both so proud, it's the little things in life that are the most important! :)

Baby Reese Is Here!!!

2010-06-08T19:45:00.029-05:00

This past Sunday we celebrated Miss Lily Bug's 3rd birthday. Her real birthday isn't until the 13th but baby Reese was due on the 7th and they knew how tired and busy their lives would be once he got here. Her party was at phase 1 community pool, we had a blast, it worked out great. I did get sunburned, but that's what I get for not wearing any sunblock. But of course L had sunblock on because I am a good Mommy like that. lol

Here are the flip flops and matching bow I made for Lily Bug, she loved them

On Monday, June 7th at 5:59 pm Aaron Douglas Reese Jr. (A.J.) was born. He weighed in at 8 lbs. 1 oz. and is 21 1/4 inches long. He is absolutely adorable, we love him so much already! :)

Daddy and A.J.

Landrie looking at the new baby, she just loves him.

On Tuesday night we decided to help out our good friends by inviting them over for dinner and a water balloon fight since their Mommy and new brother were still in the hospital. We all had a blast, I think the Dad's might have had more fun than the kids. lol We just love this family! :)

Birthday Invitation...

2010-06-04T21:00:00.016-05:00

I found these ladies on etsy.com that created invitations and all kinds of party stuff. So I had them create an invitation for Landrie's rock party for her 5th birthday. Her theme is going to be rockstar and the colors are pink, black and white. I can't wait we have the fabulous cake lady Wendy with Oh Boy Baking Co booked and the invite list ready, we are so excited!

Here are the pics that I took of Landrie in literally 15 minutes right by our house at the pond. They were so fun to take of her, she was so cute posing. I can't believe my baby is going to be 5!!!

These pics are SO her! She sings practically all day everyday. Her dream is to sing on stage one day, I am sure she will and we will all be in the audience cheering her on. I love watching her dream. ;)

So sweet

Love her goofy/fun side, she has the best personality

My punk rock girl

The finished product, we loved it

I blurred out the personal info. ;)

Memorial Day Weekend...

2010-05-29T18:45:00.010-05:00

We decided to have a small get together for Memorial Day with family and close friends, we had a blast hanging out with everyone and eating good food. Hope everyone else had a great Memorial Day as well, loved the 3 day weekend. Any extra time I get with my family is the best! :)

I have been crafty again lately, I made these for Landrie while I had strep the other day and was confined to my bedroom. lol They were so much fun to make and I thought they turned out super cute. Landrie loved them!

The tank top I made for her to match, can't wait to put it on her

Landrie holding Braxton at our get together, he is such a good sweet baby, we just love him

Graduation and Big Red Ball!

2010-05-23T17:31:00.018-05:00

Landrie had preschool graduation the other night at her school. The kids sang some songs and then they all were presented with their certificates. It was so bittersweet, it means that my baby is fixing to start BIG school and isn't my little baby anymore, but she will always be my baby in my heart. I love her so much, as her and I say... "Around the world and back again". :)

She pretty much just stood there and barely sang, she did a few of the hand motions and that's about it, we were laughing, she has done this before and we have no idea why. The child LOVES to sing, but I guess it's because this isn't her type of music. :)

Landrie with her certificate of completion of preschool

My pretty girl

Landrie with Mrs. Johnson

Landrie with Mrs. Harris

Landrie with her buddy Chloe, such a cute and sweet little girl

Had to get a family pic

Faith, Chloe and Landrie

Landrie with her Nana and Meme

Shawn is known for buying crazy toys and things for Landrie and of course he didn't disappoint when he bought her this big red blow up ball that you get in and roll around in. The kids LOVE it.

Croup... AGAIN! and Field Day...

2010-05-19T21:44:00.030-05:00

Well Landrie stayed the night with Cory's parents on Saturday night, Sharon called me on Sunday and said that Landrie had a horrible cough and fever. So I went and got her and took her to the doctor. She had an ear infection and croup. Shocker, NOT! My poor baby has had so many upper respiratory things this winter I am sure it's from all the allergies she has, it just makes all the illnesses you get worse when you get them. I am so glad summer is on it's way, I sure hope this means we will get a break from the illnesses Landrie has had this winter and spring.

My parents left to go out of town to Shreveport to get their prescriptions. Since Landrie got sick I decided to just take off and stay home with her. Since my parents got a new puppy we brought her back over to our house since she is younger and can't hold it as long as the older dogs can. Landrie adores Libbie and Libbie adores Landrie, it's so cute to see them together. Makes me want to get Landrie a puppy for about 10 seconds and then the sweet, warm, mushy feeling is gone. ;)

Later in the week was Landrie's field day at school, they set up a "Texas Motor Speedway" for the kids to ride, drive or scoot their way around, it was so cute. There was 2 bouncehouses, water and sand tables and snacks. The kids had a blast, as did the parents, it is so much fun to watch your own children do fun things like this. I just wish it was going by as fast as it is.

Libbie Lou Lou

Landrie playing with Libbie, don't you just love the beanie and white flower girl dress Nana gave her.

Playing on the bounce house

Popsicle time

Best of friends

Beginning of May...

2010-05-07T22:57:00.010-05:00

Not too much new going on, Christina's baby shower is tomorrow so I made this diaper cake for the shower. It was SO easy and so much fun to make, I can't wait to make more of them for other people. I am loving my crafy side that is coming out lately, it's been a blast and nice to know I can actually do and make more things than I ever thought I could. Now if I could just maybe make a little money from some of them it would be so nice. :)

While I was making the diaper cake Landrie came out of her room dressed like this, it was so cute and SO her that I had to snap a pic. I just love her spunk and kind heart. I am so glad she is my daughter.

Christina's shower, diaper cake

Zoo Field Trip

2010-04-15T22:47:00.070-05:00

Landrie got to have her first school field trip, it was to the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler. I must say... this has got to be one of the prettiest zoos I have ever seen. We loved it! The prices were great, no crowds like Dallas and Fort Worth and all the extras for the kids are wonderful. It is hands down my favorite zoo, in Texas at least. :)

About to head into the zoo

So cute

Now onto the animals...

I saw this butterfly sitting on a rail and thought it was so pretty

Beautiful white tiger, just wish it wasn't behind plexiglass, there was no part of his exhibit that was where you could see him in the open. :(

Bobcat

Yuck! But a beautiful color

We thought this frog was such a beautiful blue

I thought this was such a cute picture, I love silhouette pictures

Landrie wanted me to take a picture of this orange and black frog because orange is Daddy's favorite color

Landrie wanted to take a picture using Daddy's iphone, she is too big

Having a snowcone

Mommy and Landrie in our matching camo pants :)

Landrie loved the bird sanctuary, she loved getting to feed the birds, it was one of her favorite things to do

So pretty!

They had the neatest sandbox area, it was huge. It had an old red Chevrolet truck in it that Landrie loved, it was so cute.

My beautiful baby

So cute

My Daddy would love to have a (running) truck like this

Working hard ;)

Daddy and Landrie hanging out in the old truck

The 2 loves of my life!

Mommy and Landrie having fun

Love all the trees, it really is a beautiful place

While Landrie was playing we were sitting on some benches that had a turtle exhibit behind it and this one kept going up to the fence like he was trying to break free

Fun tractor to play on

Love the beautiful birds

We loved the goat exhibit that was also a petting area. Almost all the female goats were pregnant, we can't wait to go back and see all the cute babies!

Landrie loved it

She had to pet everyone of them

Outside the petting zoo were the cutest hand washing stations, each one had an animal face with the water coming out of it's mouth

The flowers were gorgious

So pretty

I love, love, love this picture and all because she looks so small walking, it takes me back a few years. I will take it, anything to keep my "baby" a baby for a little longer. :)

This little waterfall was so nice, love this place

The giraffe exhibit was phinomenal!!! I have never seen anything like it.

The cafe tables overlook the giraffes and their habitat

Made for such a beautiful background in pics

Landrie had to have a picture of the longhorn for Daddy! ;) Hook 'Em Horns!

As soon as we hit the main road from the zoo she was OUT! She had a blast, we love that zoo and can't wait to go back

Easter 2010

2010-04-05T18:26:00.065-05:00

On Good Friday before Easter we dyed our Easter eggs, Landrie had a blast, she is getting so big and each year she can do more and more by herself, so bittersweet.

My sweet angel baby

So pretty

Finished product

On Saturday before Easter my parents stopped by to bring Landrie her Easter basket from them. They also hung out for a while and played with her, she is so spoiled!!!

Doing what she loves the most... singing

Basket from Meme and Poppie

Playing with Poppie

Poppie and Daddy decided to change out and fix the sandbox on the swing set, Landrie supervised of course. :)

Cutie pie

Lizard Landrie found in her sandbox and asked me to take a picture of

Weed cloth is down

Love her!

Poor old Bella, still a pretty girl though

Poppie up in Landrie's clubhouse

Landrie found a ladybug

The lady bug started to act like it was going to fly and scared Landrie, lol

Meme, Poppie and Landrie

We couldn't resist catching this shot, we were "cracking" up literally!!!

Loving playing in her sandbox with new weed cloth and sand in it

Daddy being the sweet Daddy he is and playing in it with her

I love feet and hand shots, so sweet

The Easter Bunny stopped by to visit Landrie, he left her all kinds of great loot

Just woke up, my poor sleepy baby

Love this pic, so cute, she was trying to pose for me

Getting more into it as she sees what she got

Yay! "Princess and the Frog" Movie

Super cute Flip flop Gymboree shirt

Matching polka dot Gymboree beach hat

Playing outside with the sidewalk paint she got from the EB

Easter outfit, at the circus

Riding the ponies at the circus

Pretty baby

Elephants were so neat

As usually, she didn't make it through the show, poor baby was so tired.

Back at Nana and Paw-Paws, getting some family pics

Mommy and Landrie

Nana and Landrie

Paw-Paw and Landrie

Being silly

Nana, Paw-Paw and Landrie

Cute pic of Nana and Paw-Paw

Happy Easter Everyone!

Spring Break 2010...

2010-03-17T12:56:00.016-05:00

This year for spring break we decided to stay home and do fun things around town, including hanging out with our great friends from Weslaco. On Saturday before spring break started we went to Meg's 6th Birthday Party at Bouncin' Around and had a great time. Landrie had been really grumpy all day, except at the party but I thought no big deal. So that night Landrie spent the night with her Nana Banana and the next morning about 10 Sharon called me and said Landrie was running fever and had a cough. Of course she would be getting sick, we were about to be off for a week for fun and time with our good friends from Weslaco. So I took her to Care United here in Forney on Sunday and they said it sounded like croup and that she also was getting an ear infection. Poor thing, they tested her for both flu and rsv, that was awful, she knows what those sticks are for and immediately starts crying when she sees those sticks come out. So we got together with Myra and Jayda while the guys were out fishing and the girls played great. We planned a full day of shopping for Monday since Landrie seemed better and her illness wasn't too serious. Bad choice, once we got to one of my favorite places... Sam Moon, you could tell she didn't feel good, she was whiny and just really sleepy and coughing still when the other times she has had croup she only coughed at night, not during the day. Plus, her fever kept returning every 3-4 hours which doesn't happen when she has croup either. So we didn't shop for too long and we went home and had them over for dinner and let the girls play at our house again. On Tuesday when Landrie wasn't better we decided to go see our regular pediatrician, our beloved Dr. Chinn, who pretty quickly figured out that Landrie had bronchitis, it explains the deep cough, fever, fatigue, length of illness, all of it. So more medicine to get filled, but within a day or 2 she did feel better and I was able to snap some pics of her that are below, she still didn't feel 100% but a lot better. We also went to Six Flags on Friday, but unfortunately I started to feel bad Thursday night but I just brushed it off as allergies. Well I kept ignoring it all weekend and felt worse each day so I went to the doctor finally on Monday and yep, I had bronchitis too! This month is going to wind up being one expensive month for co-pays and prescriptions. Hopefully next year's spring break will be much better!!!

Landrie playing with my small hand held camera, she wanted to be like Mommy ;)

Rocking her sweet baby, she is going to be such a great big sister ONE day. :)

Pretty girl

Practicing writing her name, if I could only get her in the habit of writing just the L capital and the rest lowercase we would be great

Silly thing

Just thought this was cute, the way our feet were on the couch together

Braxton Bo Is Here!!!

2010-03-06T17:50:00.016-06:00

On Friday, March 5th my best friend had her precious miracle, Braxton Bo Deville. He weighed in at 7 lbs exactly and was 18.5 inches long. He looks just like his daddy and is the sweetest thing. I am so happy for my friend, this has been a long road but a road that had a rainbow with a pot of gold at the end. We saw him on Friday as well as Saturday, we just couldn't get enough of that sweet baby and his great parents.

Landrie being a big girl and holding Braxton, she loved him

Already trying to be "motherly" and getting something off his face

Torrie's sister Taylor

Taylor, Braxton, Landrie and Debbie, Torrie's mom

Torrie's Dad, Mike

Sweet baby

Look at that little foot

Bo touching him to calm him, so sweet

Landrie checking him out

Congrats again Bo & Torrie!!!

Baby Zoey Visits...

2010-03-01T18:27:00.009-06:00

We decided to have a small fish fry one night spur of the moment and invited our good friends and neighbors over as well as Nana, Paw-Paw, Zeke, his wife Melanie and their 2 kids Jason (5) and baby Zoey (2 months). The girls went nuts over Zoey, they wanted to hold and play with her the whole time, they were so good and sweet to her. She is such a cutie who looks like her daddy. :) We all had a great time hanging out and enjoying great food!

Kennedy holding Zoey ALL by herself. Melanie is so calm, she even gets up and leaves the girls holding the baby all alone, so much braver than I am. Love that calmness about her, I know I wouldn't be that way. lol

Landrie and Kennedy with Zoey

Sweet Zoey sleeping

Once everyone had left and I went in the bedroom after cleaning up I found this...

Sooo cute, they were so tired and were asleep in no time

Allergy Test for Landrie...

2010-02-19T21:26:00.015-06:00

Today I had to take Landrie for her allergy press test, umm yeah, that was NOT fun. My poor baby was tested for 40 things both inside and outside, she tested positive for EVERY SINGLE outside allergy, all kinds of grasses, trees and weeds. Worst part was when the area was welting up because it was positive it would itch ...and burn and she couldn't scratch or move her arm. Glad it's over and that we have some answers. But I was pretty upset with the nurse who told both Landrie and I that the test wouldn't hurt. Every part of the test hurt my poor baby, the scratch/press part, it's like having your arm scraped over and over and then when you are allergic to something it starts to itch and or burn and you can't do a thing. :( But at least now we know her chronic cough she had wasn't just an annoying learned habit. She is going to start taking Singular and Xyzal at night to help with her allergies, I sure hope it helps. Next is blood work to test for the allergies the scratch test doesn't like foods and insects. Not looking forward to that test! We are pretty sure she has an allergy to mosquitoes and bees but not sure about foods since she never seems to have a reaction to anything. Should be interesting to see what shows up. Funny thing is the nurse told us that the bumps where she tested positive for the allergy would go away within the hour, but these pics were taken about 2-3 hours after the test, just goes to show how allergic she is to all the outside things. Our poor baby has been suffering and we had no clue! :(

Despite the bad memories from the test earlier that day, she sure was in a good mood to post for pics. I just love that baby! :)

These are from bath time the next night, I love taking pics of her in the bath, she loves to play and pose, it's so funny.

Pretty girl

So silly

Hook 'Em Horns!

Pretty smile

Ahh relaxing

So funny

Valentine's Day...

2010-02-15T07:11:00.010-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day!!! Today we got up and gave Landrie her gifts, we gave her some new books, the new "Lady Antebellum" c.d., princess bracelet, princess crown earrings and some roses. She loved it all! Then we all got ready went and did a little shopping, had lunch and went to see the movie "Tooth Fairy". It was so cute, Landrie loved it. We had a great day and it was a nice end to a unexpected long weekend.

Had to get a princess Valentine card of course!

Apparently Mommy used all the hot water so we washed L off in the tub really fast and then I washed her hair in the sink, she loved it. She said we were playing "booty shop" a.k.a. "beauty shop". lol

Landrie and I before heading out, had to add a little twist to it, thought it was cute!

True Snow Day in TEXAS!!!

2010-02-12T08:36:00.090-06:00

Alycia's Birthday, Big snow in Texas, Landrie's V-day party and Granny passed away
February 11th was a combination of lots of things, some planned/known and some a surprise and unexpected.

First it was my nieces 17th birthday, Happy Birthday Alycia, wish you were here so we could celebrate it with you.

Landrie had her Valentine's party at school.

Next was probably the most memorable and unexpected thing for the entire metroplex, SNOW! It started around 5 am and wasn't supposed to be much, but it wound up being 14 inches!!!! I have NEVER seen this much snow in my life, well in TX at least. I have seen it in other places, but not here. The funny thing was that Landrie had just said that she wanted to play in snow and I kept having to tell her, "baby, we live in TX, we don't get snow like that. We are lucky if we get an inch." But to everyone surprise, she got her wish. She said, "see Mommy, I told you it would snow because I wanted it to." Oh the innocence of a child. :) We had so much fun playing in it, but it also made me realize that I am so glad that we don't get snow like that here all the time. Once a year would be awesome, but for months at a time, NO THANK YOU! It was beautiful though and perfect, no wind, not real wet and not too cold, it was perfect. Hope we get it at least once a year now, that would be awesome, especially for the kids to get REAL snow.

Then there was a very sad event that happened on this day as well... Cory's granny passed away, Martha (Marty). She lost her LONG, hard battle with cancer. We all know she is in a better place and not in pain anymore, but it's still hard and sad. She could make you upset with her one minute and then turn around and make you laugh and adore her the next. You never had to worry about her not speaking her mind, but that is what everyone loves the most about her. She was a great cook, who loved and adored her family. She will be greatly missed.

Landrie's party at school

Chloe, one of Landrie's best friends at school, she is a doll!!!

Crazy girl

Opening all her valentine cards
Sweet girl

Landrie and Mrs. Harris, we sure are going to miss her next year.

On my way back to work after the party, the snow was beautiful!

Once we got home you know we had to go right outside

Our good friends and neighbors bought their kiddos down to play with Landrie in the snow but like typical Texans we don't have snow gear so their poor kids got cold and were ready to go in. Luckily I had bought some stuff on clearance last year for Landrie that was snow gear and worked out great for it. Landrie lasted HOURS out there. She was determined to make the best of the snow, can't say I blame her.

Miss Lily
Lily Bug, she is so cute

Ace Man
Miss Kennedy with the beautiful eyes. Poor thing was upset, her brother Ace had just hit her in the face with a snowball. But this picture of her is still breath taking.

Yes, it's dark and it's STILL snowing and we are STILL outside. Looks like it will be a true snow day! Wahoo!!!

Landrie ready for bed with her "Olivia Pig"

The next morning when we woke up, beautiful!!!

Landrie playing outside with Daddy

Landrie's Snow Princess

Our street
Landrie with Daddy

Making a snow angel

Yep, gotta eat the snow

Mommy and Landrie

Ace Dude

Lily Bug

Miss Kennedy

Look out, he has a snowball

Landrie and our neighbors daughter Tori

They were using the driveway of the empty house next door to us to sled on

My beautiful baby

We built a huge snow woman in our neighbors yard, so much fun

Landrie with her snow princess

The entrance to our subdivision has a ton of hills and we went sledding down them, it was a blast!!!!

Must get a family snow pic

Torrie's Baby Shower

2010-01-31T16:41:00.033-06:00

This past weekend I helped host a baby shower for one of my best friends, Torrie. This baby is definitely a miracle baby. It was a very long journey for them with lots of tears and questions, but it has the best outcome... Baby Braxton on his way, due March 14th. I can't believe how soon he will be here, everyone, especially Landrie is so excited to meet him. I can't wait to experience motherhood with Torrie, she is such a sweet person and would do anything for anyone. She is also an AWESOME teacher, one of the best I have ever seen. She is going to be a wonderful mother.

The cake table

The food table

The Mommy To Be, looking great!

The adorable cake from "Oh Boy Baking Co"

Gift opening, she had a TON of gifts, she is very blessed to have so many people who love and care about her.

Posing for Grandma Debbie (Torrie's mom)

Early Valentine Cupcakes...

2010-01-24T13:36:00.012-06:00

Landrie was dying to make cupcakes and Valentine's is the closest holiday so we decided to make "early valentine's cupcakes". She loves to bake, she pretty much tastes the entire time, but that's the fun of being a kid. :)

Caught in the act of "tasting"

Saying Goodbye...

2010-01-18T12:01:00.009-06:00

This past weekend we had to say goodbye to my 17 year old niece. Her stepdad was loosing his job here in Dallas and was offered a good job by the company that he use to work for in Alaska. Yes, I know everyone is probably thinking... "ALASKA!!!" but that is where he is from and actually where Alycia lived for about 6 years when she was younger, that is the last place my brother was stationed when he was in the military, where he got his divorce and all that stuff so it does fit into the equation. It is just so sad to watch, she is 17 a Junior in H.S., has a boyfriend, tons of friends, and she is having to move, not just a city or even state away, she is having to move thousands upon thousands of miles away from everything, including family. Pretty much all her family is here from our family to her mom's, poor thing is leaving everything. I can't imagine having to do that at 17. High school can be such a hard time, especially when you are the newbie in a complete new place. I wish her all the best and hope to see her soon, she should be back for summer, summer can't get here soon enough. We love you lots and will miss you more than you will ever know Alycia!!!

Some pics of Landrie and Alycia, they adore each other, even with the 12 year age difference.

Bronchiolitis...

2010-01-13T20:47:00.014-06:00

Ahh, Landrie is sick again, poor baby! Now she has something called Bronchiolitis.

What is Bronchiolitis?

Bronchiolitis is a common illness of the respiratory tract caused by an infection that affects the tiny airways, called the bronchioles, that lead to the lungs. As these airways become inflamed, they swell and fill with mucus, making breathing difficult.

Bronchiolitis is usually caused by a viral infection, most commonly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV infections are responsible for more than half of all cases of bronchiolitis and are most widespread in the winter and early spring. Other viruses associated with bronchiolitis include rhinovirus, influenza (flu), and human metapneumovirus.

Signs and Symptoms

The first symptoms of bronchiolitis are usually the same as those of a common cold:

stuffiness
runny nose
mild cough
mild fever

These symptoms last a day or two and are followed by worsening of the cough and the appearance of wheezes (high-pitched whistling noises when exhaling).

Poor baby felt bad for several days. She had to do an inhaler several times a day to help open up her airways so she could breath and so it wouldn't get worse. Nighttime of course was always the worst. But we made it through and now she is better so glad it's over!

My poor sick baby! :(

Look real close and you can see the rash that appeared all over her towards the end of the illness, they said it's a sign the virus is ending. Thank the Lord! Poor baby has had to miss school the entire week and she misses school so much so glad she can go back next week.

First Post of the New Year!

2010-01-04T14:05:00.010-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!!!

First post of the new year. Haven't done too much just still trying to re cooperate from the holidays. It was a rough start to the new year for Landrie and I. We caught that lovely stomach virus that has been going around on the early morning of January 2. Landrie really hasn't ever had one, she has thrown up here and there for other reasons like overeating, sinus infections, coughing too hard or much all that but never a virus. I woke up at 3:15am sick to my stomach and an hour later Landrie woke up with it too. So glad Cory didn't get it too, he was such a big help taking care of us sick, sick girls. Landrie felt better before I did so Cory took care of her so I could sleep but he didn't know that you shouldn't worry about getting kids to eat that you need to worry about getting them to drink so the next day I had to take Landrie to Care United because she was now throwing up water so I knew she was dehydrated. Poor baby was SO lethargic and all she wanted to do was sleep. She wound up having to get an IV which helped her tremendously, she did so good. Of course she cried and was scared, but was such a trooper. She also had a sinus infection as well, poor baby. But after 3.5 hours we got to leave and go home. Landrie was STARVING she kept saying. So the doctor asked her what she wanted to eat and she said, "PIZZA!" lol The doctor said it was fine so of course we got the princess some pizza and she ate quite a bit and then went to sleep. So glad it's all over and I hope it's a long time before we ever get a stomach virus like that again. It was awful and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Here's hoping this is all her or I get this year, I know it's a long fetch wish, but trying to be positive. :)

Landrie being little Miss Artist

So sweet

My left handed baby

This month I took some maternity pics for my very best friend in the whole wide world and her sweet hubby. I am so excited and happy for my friends I can hardly stand it, this was a long and difficult road that has such a happy ending. In a few short months they will meet their beautiful baby boy, Braxton Bo. I can't wait to meet him and experience this wonderful journey with them.

Just a cute pic of Landrie in her "Girls Rock" shirt, they sure do! :)

Home Improvement Project/My Christmas Present/Baby Zoey and More...

2009-12-28T18:33:00.042-06:00

A few days after Christmas I told Cory I wish we would have redone the laundry room as one of my Christmas gifts and of course the light bulb instantly went off in his head and he said we can so do it and pretty cheap too. So of course I said well lets get going and off we went to Home Depot and Lowes to pick out a new cabinet, paint and all the other things we needed or wanted. It took a little longer than expected, but the end result is awesome and we love it. During the week baby Zoey Love Bullock was born as well, she is such a doll and super sweet. We are so excited for Zeke and Melanie.

Landrie playing with some of her new Christmas presents

She is going to be such a great big sister one day

Pretty girl

Landrie found some of the masks Cory brought home from work and this is how she put them on, silly girl. lol

We finally got the cute glitter letter Paw-Paw and Nana bought for Landrie back when they took her to the state fair

The adorable wall hanging Nicole made her for Christmas, it is so cute

Landrie dancing in her room to Carrie Underwood

The laundry room before...

During...

Landrie was so sleepy from helping us that she crashed early.

The tile work on the floor

New light that has a built in sensor that makes the light come on when you walk in the room and turn itself off after 3 minutes of sensing no movement, LOVE IT!

And the finished project! SO excited, it's awesome!

Meeting Baby Zoey!

Beautiful girl

Mommy and baby, so sweet

Happy new family, minus Jason who went home with his Honey for the night. He is one super excited Big Brother! :)

Proud new daddy and baby girl

Zeke and Zoey

Landrie loving on the new baby, she said she wants one too! Ahh! :)

Cory's turn to hold the sweet new baby

Thinking about crying

But she decided not to. :)

Cory, Landrie and Zoey

Landrie holding Zoey

Mommy and Landrie

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T18:01:00.091-06:00

Landrie must have been a VERY good girl this year, Santa brought her some REALLY good stuff. Guess Eddie liked what he saw and reported it back to Santa. :) She got a 19" FLAT screen tv for her room, a pink Razor scooter, a pink digital camera that is also a video camera and a cool princess projector flashlight. Of course she got all kinds of fun things in her stocking as well like special earrings that kind of dangled a little and looked like such big girl earrings, she loved them. She was so excited and happy about it all!!! After she got over the excitement of all the Santa gifts it was onto "present mania" from Mommy, Daddy and Uncle Shawn Shawn. Once again she hit the jackpot of course. After we were done opening our presents as a family we got ready and headed over to my parents house to have Christmas with them along with my brother and my niece Alycia. It was a great day, we had so much fun and I was also super excited that we made time and remembered to get some family pictures this year.

Ripping into her Eazy Bake Oven, boy was she super excited

Barbie clothes from Uncle Shawn Shawn

On this box it said, "Gymboree" and Landrie said, "MACY'S???!!!" It was so funny, we had to tell her no it said "Gymboree" and then she was all excited especially when she found out it was the peace outfit she had been wanting.

The aftermath... lol

Landrie taking a picture of Cory and I with her new camera

At my parents...

Cory relaxing as soon as we got there pretty much, lol

Landrie posing with her new camera

Pretty girl

Poppie with both of his granddaughters

Let the present opening begin!

Leapster Tinkerbell game!

Look at the mess and we weren't even done yet!

Landrie helping Meme open her present, I think Meme love it

Alycia opening all her gifts

Mollie the bulldog

Landrie playing with her "Get Well Baby"

Meme

Landrie playing and singing with her new piano from Meme and Poppie

The Griffin Family
Christmas Day 2009

The girls...
My mom (Meme), Me, my niece (Alycia) and of course Miss Landrie, wonder if my parents will ever have a grandson one day. lol If they don't it will be okay, they are great with girls anyway. :)

Meme with her granddaughters

My parents with the granddaughters, so sad to say that I don't think we have ever taken a pic of my parents with both girls at the same time or if we have it's been a LOOOOONG time, we plan to get better about that.

Cousins

My brother, Shawn and his daughter Alycia with the dog he got her when she was about 7, Mollie.

The whole family, now I know for a fact we have never got a family pic like this before, so glad we finally got one, hopefully we will get better about trying to get at least one every year.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Eve

2009-12-24T12:40:00.032-06:00

On Christmas Eve we had Cory's parents over to do our Christmas with them. We decided to order pizza to make it easy on all of us and to give us more time to hang out and spend together. The best part of the day... SNOW!!! Not too much, but hey, it snowed on Christmas Eve, I can't ever remember it snowing on or around Christmas. Landrie loved it, it didn't really stick, but she still got to stand outside and catch the flakes in her mouth.

Landrie playing in the beginning of the snow flakes

Landrie beginning to open her presents, she is one very lucky, she got a ton of stuff

Her very own MP3 player!!!

Snow falling, so pretty!

My pretty girl

Barbie Stylin' Head, she loved it

Nemo game for her Leapster

Baby Doctor Barbie

Stocking stuffers that wouldn't fit in her stocking that Nana has for her so it came in a bag this year. :)

Santa Buddies!!! Such a cute movie

Barbie RV, she has been begging for this, thank you Nana & Paw-Paw, it was a hit!

Landrie and Paw-Paw

Daddy & Paw-Paw

Nana & Landrie

Paw-Paw and Nana

Nana & Paw-Paw with Landrie

Mommy & Landrie

The Griffin Family, Christmas 2009

Mommy & Daddy

Group Pic

Nana, Paw-Paw, Daddy and Landrie

Cory and his parents

Landrie sprinkling the reindeer food out on the grass

Mix of the Latest...

2009-12-18T20:42:00.033-06:00

On Saturday, December 5th we went to Landrie's school for "Pancakes with Santa" it is a great fundraiser for the school where you have all you can eat pancakes and sausage. You get to hang out with other people and parents and of course Santa makes an appearance. I love this little school that we have Landrie in, I am really going to miss it next year when she goes to... dare I say it... KINDERGARTEN!!! Ahhh!!!

Landrie posing in the tree at the breakfast

The following pics are of fun places Eddie the elf appeared in...

In the Christmas Tree

Landrie's stocking

On top of the entertainment center with the Santa statue

On top of Landrie's kitchen

I just loved this little outfit on Landrie so I HAD to take pics of her in it

Little decorative twigs I put on her Christmas tree that actually spent more time in her hands because she constantly played with them. lol

Landrie's class Christmas Party

The kids had a book exchange, Landrie got a great Mickey Mouse book with removable stickers. Mrs. Harris gave them all Curious George books

The weekend before Christmas we went to Cory's granny's house to have Christmas since Granny was so weak and sick. It was nice to see and hang out with everyone

Mommy and Landrie

Daddy and Landrie

Family Pic

We were going to take Landrie to Six Flags on a Sunday evening after we went to Cory's grandpa's house, but we ran into really bad traffic which meant we wouldn't have gotten to stay very long so we told her she could either go home and open a Christmas present early and go to Six Flags the next evening or go to Six Flags and only get to stay a short amount of time. She of course chose to open a present early, I think most kids would! lol

It's A...

Barbie Glamour Jet!!! Landrie LOVES Barbies

Now to put it together and all the millions of stickers on it

Just a cute pic of Landrie in front of the Christmas tree at night

Landrie's Christmas pics for 2009

Elf On A Shelf...

2009-12-01T21:32:00.007-06:00

My good friend down in Weslaco told me about this awesome book/idea called, "Elf on a Shelf". Santa sends you this special box that contains a book and a little elf. First you name your Elf, we named ours Eddie. The book tells the story of how the elf is sent to you to watch over the kids and report back to Santa every night about their behavior and if they have been naughty or nice. You can talk to him all you want, but you are NEVER to touch him or he will loose his magic and not be able to return home to Santa to tell him if you have been naughty or nice. Once the kids are in bed asleep the Elf returns to the North Pole and when returns before the morning in a new spot somewhere around the house, that is how you know that he went home to Santa. On Christmas Eve when Santa comes to deliver the presents your Elf returns home to the North Pole with Santa in the sleigh and will return around Thanksgiving each year.

All I can say is... AWESOME!!! It worked great in our house and was so much fun to watch Landrie get up and run to look for him each day. Too bad they don't make one for all year round.

Turkey Day!

2009-11-26T22:38:00.019-06:00

Pretty much ever since Landrie was born we have had Thanksgiving at our house and had both sides over. We are very lucky that both sides get along and love each other so it makes it so nice and almost wrong if we do it any other way. Of course we had our usual fried turkey, last year we started buying it from Razzoos instead of frying it ourselves, just saves everyone time and it's actually not that much more expensive. We love it!!! We missed having Cory's grandmother there and some of his aunts and uncles, but we made the best of it with my parents and Cory's along with my brother and Aunt Torrie who stopped by later that day. It was a great day and it was nice it just sit around and chat with everyone and enjoy the day. Oh and look at all the sales ads in which I was NOT going to be staying up all night trying to get the deals. If I can get it online for the same sale price then that is what I do, but I am not someone who can stay up all night so I don't even try.

Landrie and Daddy on Thanksgiving in her adorable outfit Ms. Erin made for her along with the matching bow

Meme and Landrie

Had to get some shots of Miss Landrie Lou outside

Landrie holding her prized white chocolate pretzels she helped me make

One last shot outside, it's the OCD photographer in me! :)

The centerpiece turkey that Landrie made at school, it was so cute

Her place mat she made at school as well, her hand print is the turkey and her fingerprints are the leaves

Closeup of the turkey

Landrie with her grandparents, Cory's parents on the left and mine on the right, she is one very spoiled but VERY loved little girl!

Landrie with Mommy and Daddy

Mommy, Landrie and Aunt Torrie with Braxton in the belly! Can't wait to see him next year at Thanksgiving!

Landrie wearing her Thanksgiving pajamas that say, "Everyone is Thankful for Me!"

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Thanksgiving Program, Muskateer, new stuff

2009-11-25T07:55:00.029-06:00

The week before Thanksgiving Cory and I both got our Christmas presents early, he got an Iphone and I got a new camera. I didn't upgrade, just got the newer model of the Canon Rebel. This one has a video camera as well. I love it, wish I had more time to play with it, but come Spring and Summer I will be taking pics constantly with the lovely natural light that is around then, hopefully. :)

This was the very first pic I took with it, nothing fancy or planned, just a cute snap shot of Landrie playing in the backyard with a fishing pole.

The adorable Thanksgiving outfit and matching bow an old drillteam friend from High School made. Thank you so much Erin for making it for Landrie, everyone LOVES it!!!

The backside of the skirt

Landrie's Thanksgiving program at school. They all sang some cute Thanksgiving songs, which of course Landrie really wouldn't sing on stage but sings ALL the time everywhere else. That really shocked us all that she wasn't singing, she is always a little ham. lol

Landrie's Tom the Turkey

After the singing program we had a Thanksgiving feast

Landrie with Meme & Poppie

My little giggle box

The weekend before Thanksgiving Landrie, me and our neighbors Christina and Kennedy went to the new pottery place called, "All Fired Up". You go in pick the piece you want to paint and then they put it in the kiln and fire it for you and you go back a week later and pick it up. We had SO much fun, it was so relaxing to just sit there and paint.

The Christmas plate I made before it was fired. The Santa is Landrie's handprint

Landrie came in my bedroom with these beads on her face like this and she said, "Look Mommy, I am a Muskateer!!!"

Landrie and I decided to make white chocolate covered pretzels for Thanksgiving, can you tell which ones Landrie helped the most with??? :)

My baby loves sprinkles!

My finished plate, super cute, I love it!!! I love painting pottery, it's so relaxing!

Landrie's pink Christmas tree in her room, she loves having her very own tree in her room and loves even more that it's PINK!!!

Disguising "Tom the Turkey"...

2009-11-14T18:16:00.007-06:00

Landrie got her FIRST school homework project sent home the other day and it was to cut out and disguise "Tom the Turkey" so he isn't seen and caught and turned into Thanksgiving dinner. Daddy helped her and what they came up with was TOO stinkin' cute. He is such an AWESOME Daddy, and we love him so much.

Crafts with Daddy...

2009-11-08T21:08:00.011-06:00

Uncle Shawn strikes again. :) He bought Landrie a suncatcher kit, so of course Landrie wanted to make them and she wanted her Daddy to help. We also went to an early Kid Halloween Party across the street at the neighbors house, the kids had a great time playing games and eating.

Karaoke!!! and Ant Farms...

2009-11-04T17:46:00.017-06:00

So we came home and Uncle Shawn had found a karaoke game for the Wii that had Taylor Swift, Hannah Montana and MANY more, she is in heaven!!! It was so funny to watch her "perform". lol Oh and Uncle Shawn ALSO bought her an ant farm. The child HATES bugs, screams and runs the opposite direction when she sees one, which he knows, but yet he still bought her an ant farm. Go figure! But he does love and care about her a lot, that is what REALLY matters. ;)

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T12:09:00.028-05:00

On Thursday Landrie got to have her FIRST school party! She was so excited, as was I. I had to do all the cute crafty Mommy stuff. I made aluminum cans into pumpkins, bottle caps into magnets and of course baked. It was so much fun! They had games with candy prizes and a table where they could frost and decorate their own cupcake and cookies. The kids had a blast!

On Halloween day we didn't do too much during the day. Halloween night though we got Landrie all dressed up in her "good witch" costume and took her around to trick-or-treat. We were really disappointed in the lack of people handing out candy this year, she barely got any and we were out for a while. Most years her bag is full within like 30 minutes and only going down 2 streets. Oh well she doesn't actually eat too much of it, plus there is always next year. The main thing is she had fun.

I went into the bathroom to get ready and came out to find her asleep like this...

School Party...

Fishing Game

Meme helping Landrie make a cupcake

Silly girl

Landrie with her teacher, Mrs. Harris

Posing for Mommy

She LOVED this elephant game!!! You put a "packing peanut" in it's trunk and put it in it's mouth and in return a piece of candy comes out of his trunk

Picking out a prize

Halloween Day, finally here!!! So excited!

Miss Priss, the "GOOD WITCH"

Ready for bed after tons of Halloween fun

Austin for the Weekend...

2009-10-15T16:44:00.018-05:00

Back in the summer I noticed a Coach at the high school had some UT game tickets for sale. So being the good, sweet wife that I am forwarded the post to my hubby. Well of course he jumped at it and picked a game and got 4 people to say they wanted to go. So the time finally was here, it was Saturday, October 10th. Landrie and I were actually going to stay home but when I found out that my good friend from Weslaco was going and taking their 4 year old daughter (her hubby was already going to go, I think he might be an even bigger UT fan than my husband!) then we decided it would be fun to go too. So we got up pretty early and headed that way, we went out to eat and did a little shopping at the Co-op store, all I can say is CROWDED on game days! Holy cow! While the guys were at the game us girls were on a while goose chase looking for a kid friendly place to go, I think we drove around forever and ever in the wrong direction before finding a Chick-fil-A LITERALLY like 5 miles from our hotel! Knew I should have gone the other way first! Oh well, live and learn. So we had dinner and let them play at Chick-fil-A and then we headed to the best store ever... TARGET!!! :) Love me some Target. Well while we were in there looking around a lady stopped me and I thought she said "did you use to be a babysitter?" I know I probably looked at her like she was nuts and I said "no, I am from Dallas" then Myra looked at me and said "yes you were!" She had actually asked me if I use to be on Babycenter there are mommy boards on there where you can chat with other mommy's and such. I use to get on there all the time until I switched jobs and everything under the sun is blocked. She was another mom on the board and heard me say Landrie's name and recognized Landrie and I and then of course the recognized Myra and Jayda. That is actually how Myra and I met, on Babycenter. :) It was really neat to just "bump" into someone like that. We let the girls play for a little while and we chatted and said we would definitely have to try and get together again one day, that would be really neat. After Target we headed back to the hotel about that time the guys were coming back too, they had a blast at the game and had AWESOME seats!!! They sat practically right next to "Cowboy Troy!" Cory said he was super nice.

The next day we all met for lunch and then took the girls to play at the Children's Museum in Austin, it's a super neat one. We had a great trip, minus all the driving around looking for parking places and the times it was crowded, but that is just part of going to a college town during game time. :) Can't wait to go again!

Blog Book...

2009-10-09T20:31:00.007-05:00

I finally finished my blog book a few weeks ago and confirmed I was ready to have it printed, it just came in the other day and I am so excited about it. I am so glad I found out about this website, it was so easy to upload pictures and text to and create a book that we will always treasure. The price was awesome as well, definitely cheaper and more time saving than having the pictures printed and having to either scrap them or put them in an album. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE to scrapbook but have trouble finding the time to do it as often as I would like, so this was perfect!

Here is a little sample of it, if any of my friends are interested in seeing the entire thing let me know next time you are over or tell me and I can bring it with me to show you...

The front cover

Some of the inside pages

On the last 2 pages I put the funny things she did or said during the year

The back cover, I didn't allow as much as I had thought for the wording at the bottom, it wrapped a little, but oh well, not too bad for my first try I must say

Crazy Storm Clouds!!!

2009-10-04T16:17:00.005-05:00

A storm came through the other day and the clouds were so incredible that I HAD to grab the camera. The punch of the storm was definitely not as big as it's build up but it was neat to watch.

* The dogs were barking like crazy and driving me nuts and I said "AHH, THOSE DOGS!!!" and Landrie said, "I know right!" haha so funny what they learn from us!

Landrie's First Concert...

2009-09-26T16:59:00.011-05:00

When we found out Taylor Swift would be coming to Dallas Cory and I KNEW we had to get tickets to take Landrie to see her. Landrie idolizes her, I mean hello... she was her for Halloween last year! ;) Luckily we have an American Express c.c. and they were a sponsor so we were able to buy tickets 5 days before they went on sale to the public. Cory and I were both on computers trying to get the best seats. We wound up getting great seats, the first balcony right above where the basketball goals are at the Mavs games. The tickets sold out in like 5 mins! It definitely had our adrenaline going. lol But we were able to pull it off and get pretty good seats. The months flew by in between buying the tickets and the concert date, it was here before we knew it.

On the days leading up to the concert we had a VERY excited 4 year old on our hands who didn't understand why she couldn't talk to Taylor Swift and give her a hug. We kept telling her we just go to watch her sing, so finally by the day of the concert she was okay with that. Great! Well... not so much... it all started off fabulously until she appeared in the audience during the concert. Of course she would appear in the section right next to ours and Landrie could see her hugging people and taking pics and such with them and she became hysterical and balled! I felt so bad! I wish I would have known, but how could I have? Also our tickets said "no professional cameras" and mine is considered one so I didn't take my big one, well I should have, tons of people had theirs. If I would have taken it I would have had great close ups of Taylor Swift!!! Such a bummer! But we had an awesome time anyway and Landrie loved it, that's all that really matters. Note to self though... get floor seats next time or find a meet and greet somewhere. haha

We really didn't take any pics at the concert, but here are the ones from the next day... my niece and her step sister came over to hang out and play with Landrie, she LOVES when they come over...

Everyone hanging out and playing Wii

She knows how to work the mouse better than some adults

First Day of School...

2009-09-06T08:04:00.018-05:00

Landrie started preschool on Wednesday, the 2nd. We have talked to her about it for a long time now, at least since May, when I went and enrolled her. She has been so excited about starting school she has talked about it nonstop all summer. I let her pick a backpack out of the Pottery Barn Kids magazine and we had her name put on it. We had done some school/fall shopping over the tax free weekend a few weeks ago, met her teacher and were pretty much ready for this day. She was so excited that we didn't even have to wake her up that morning, she woke up ready to go. We all got ready and off we went. We did the secret code on the door to get in the building, she insisted that she was a big girl and could go up the stairs and show us the way herself. We put her backpack on her hook, signed her in and took her to the Welcome Room where they wait for their teacher to pick them up in the mornings. She was such a big girl, gave us hugs and kisses and waved bye to us without even blinking basically. So bittersweet, but I am also so happy to know she was ready. She had an awesome first day and couldn't wait to go back the next day. She goes 3 days a week for 3 hours each day, all of the teachers are certified teachers and they actually do and follow a curriculum which makes me so pleased. I didn't want her in something where she just went and played the whole time. I wanted a program that would get her ready to start kindergarten next year. This definitely is it! I love it and so does Landrie. I can't wait to go to all the class parties and watch her learn and grow this year!

*She told me that one of her new friends had polka dots on her face (a.k.a. freckles)

Backyard Fun...

2009-09-01T20:52:00.025-05:00

Today after we got home we went straight outside to the backyard to play. We got a nice "cool front" over the weekend that made our highs around 85-88, so nice for Texas at the beginning of September. We played on the trampoline, swings, slide, played house in her clubhouse, had a snack up there. We had a great time together while we waited on Daddy to get home from work.

She wanted me to take pics of her making faces...

"The many faces of Landrie"

I try to remember to take pics of her hands and feet every now and then so I can look back and remember how small they once were

* Landrie had a bump on her face the other day, like a clogged pore and she said "Look Mommy, I have a blond mole on my face!"

* We got onto her the other day and Cory told her to say she was sorry and she looked at me very sincere and said "Sorry pumpkin". It was so sweet.

* Landrie and I were watching tv the other night and a commercial for wrinkle cream came on and Landrie said "Oh Mommy, You need that!" She was trying to be sweet and helpful, she has no clue what it is/was she thinks if it has an adult or Mommy on it I need it.

Baking....

2009-08-30T16:28:00.016-05:00

Landrie and I decided we would do some baking this afternoon, we chose to make some sugar cookies with icing and sprinkles. We love to bake together, I can't wait for fall/winter to get here, that is when we do the most baking. It's soooo much fun!!! Not much to tell about this baking event, but I did take some pics just for fun. I had braided her hair earlier in the day and she took it out and LOOOOVED how it left her hair all wavy. Oh, and she did play "make-up" about an hour before we baked, that explains the blue/green eyeshadow and the sparkly face. ;)

My Little Poser

Very serious, must stir correctly

What Daddy was doing while we baked

While I think Landrie looks beautiful (minus the make-up) in this pic, it also gave me a brief glimpse into the future. I am just not ready for her to be a teenager and us have to worry about boys.

Silly thing

Landrie's finished product

Camp Out...

2009-08-23T23:31:00.007-05:00

Landrie has been asking and talking about camping for weeks now so we decided since it's way too hot to go camping outside we would set up the tent in the house. She LOOOOVED it and played in it all day. Her and I slept in there that night and Daddy wound up going and sleeping on our bed, claimed he couldn't get comfortable and that it hurt his back. Yeah, yeah, funny how Landrie and I slept just fine. ;) We had a blast playing in the tent all weekend, although Landrie was a bit sad when we had to take it down and put it away. We will definitely be doing that again very soon!

* Landrie has been asking and talking about the Toothfairy a lot lately. She asked if she could talk to her when she came one day and I said no or she won't leave you any money for your tooth so she said she would "just give her a hug and a handshake then." LOL

Day with Jayda...

2009-07-26T09:37:00.015-05:00

Our good friends from Weslaco came to Dallas to visit and go to a Rangers game. The Sunday they got in we all met up at a Chuck E. Cheese in Plano to do a late birthday celebration for the girls since they are both July babies. And "GASP!!!" none of us took ANY pics at Chuck E. Cheese!!! Shame, Shame I know, but we were just enjoying being there and hanging out, sometimes you have to just put the camera down and enjoy what's going on. After Chuck E. Cheese they came back to our house to let the girls play and we took them swimming at the neighborhood pool, they had a blast!!! They also had the best time singing along to "Taylor Swift" and "Hannah Montana". They love getting to spend time together, wish we didn't live 9 hours apart.

On Monday I took the day off so that we could all hit up Sam Moon (she had never been!) and Ikea (I have taken them there before). We had a great day shopping even though it poured practically ALL day.

Can't wait to meet up with you guys again!