Jump Zone

Saturday afternoon we went to Jack's 5th birthday party at Jump Zone. Anniston and Jack are 2 1/2 years apart, but always seem to enjoy being around eachother. Anniston thinks Jack hung the moon, and I think Jack likes to play a big brother role to Anniston when they're together. Jerry and Jack's dad, Clint, worked together 2 jobs ago (Jerry likes to play musical jobs at his office). Dori, Jack's mom, is super sweet. The dad's played softball together, and we also go to church with them. They were our Sunday lunch buddies until Treyson was born. We went a few times, and then their new baby Ben (who is just precious) was born. Now it's summertime (aka-lake time), so we'll have to resume our Sunday after church lunches in the fall!

So Anniston and treyson loved Jump Zone (and Mommy loves it too!) They have a 25-ish foot slide you can go down and I go down it with Anniston. It's a blast! It's a big room with tons of inflatable bounce-arounds and slides.

Jack is the big 5 year old in the solid blue Polo shirt.

After they played for awhile, they went to the party room where they had pizza, cake, and then Jack opened his presents. He's big into super heros. . . we got him a Batman figurine thingy that spins his arm around really fast....Jack seemed happy!

Here's Treyson hanging out with MaMa while I was helping Anniston with her pizza and cake.

Race for the Cure

Race for the Cure is something that my mom and I have done every year since I was in college in Fayetteville. It is quite an amazing event, and always has a tear-jerking turnout to support this cause.

Jerry had a golf tournament at the same time as the walk, so Mom and I ventured out with the two little ones in tow. Anniston had a "racing shirt" as she called it. We decided that 3.1 miles with 55 pounds of children in a 30 pound stroller equaled a very good workout. The kids did great. Anniston did have to go potty 2/3 way through the race. That was fun letting her pop a squat behind a shed that a policeman directed us towards! ha!! As Mom and I were walking, she figured out that my grandmother (my mom's mom) has been breast cancer free for 43 years! Isn't that amazing!! We also walked in celebration of Jane, Sudean, Kay, and Janie.

Afterwards, we walked around and got all of the fun little treats that the vendors have there. If you've never walked in this race before, don't miss it next year. It will be even bigger then, and it's a wonderful cause.

At the park. . .

Jerry's been in New York, and I've gotten some great quality play time with my kiddos since the weather's been so nice. We went to the park today after dinner. Treyson and I were hanging out on the bench, and Anniston was playing on the playground (of course going up to the slide that's probably 20+feet high--it twists 3 times). All of a sudden, she starts frantically saying, "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy" and is running down all the levels of the equipment to then jump off and run up to me. Slightly concerned (but not overly since I had been watching her and seen nothing unusual), I said "what is it sugar?" She says "Mommy, I forgot to give you kisses." She leans in to lay a big one on my lips, then says, "Ok, I have to go to work now. I'll see you later!" So sweet, and sad too. That's what she hears me say every Tuesday, wednesday, and Thursday morning as I drop her off at school. She's such a little mommy, and takes in everything.

One more cute story on Anniston (since I talk alot about Treyson these days). Treyson was in his walker the other day with puffs on the tray. Well, Anniston and I went to the restroom, and when we came back there were puffs all over the floor. Anniston put her hands on her hips and said, "Treyson R****, that does not make me happy!" . . . wonder where she got that from?? haha

We are anxiously awaiting our Dadoo getting home tonight. We miss him so much!

T minus 8 weeks

YAY!!!....

For the sunshine

YAY!!!.....

For the beach

YAY!!!.....

For alone time with my husband

YAY!!!.....

For no cell phones

BOO!!!.....

For shopping for a swimsuit

Jamaica, we SO ready for you!!

Letterman's Weekend

We had a great weekend! Late Thursday night, Mark and Kinley rolled into Springdale from St. Louis. The next day, Mark and Jerry golfed (or tried to, from what I hear) in the Letterman's tournament. Every time I asked him or Mark how he (Jerry) golfed, they would laugh. I just decided to quit asking! ha

So that day, I had the three kiddos and experienced life with 3 kids, 3 years and under. Hmmmm.....several words come to mind: crazy, loud, energetic to name a few. But overall it was great. I did have a very teeny tiny moment when I thought, "I could do three", and then I ventured out of the house. Just thinking about loading the three gets me exhausted. holy cow, and that they have to be in carseats until they're 6?? YIKES! Anyhow, I loaded them up and took them to have some pictures made for Nanny and PawPaw for their "grandmother and grandfather's day" present. Yes, it's a little early, but sometimes tricky to get them all together, especially without the grandparents here. The kids did awesome, and I'll have to put up the pictures soon. They're super cute! We then ran a couple of other errands, then went home for naps. I realized at that point that, if I did have three kids, it would only make sense to have the kids' naptimes at the same time during the day; otherwise, I think I'd lose my mind. And they all 3 went down for naps at 2:00 and slept until 4 - 4:30!

I then loaded them up a couple of hours later and we headed up to Razorback Stadium for the Reunion Fish Fry...yummmmm!!! The kids were great! (sorry no pics) We left there and hung out at the house that night.

The next morning we woke up and Mark and Jerry went to a breakfast to hear the coaches speak, while us girls (and Treyson, Nanny, and PawPaw R) went to Anniston's gymnastics. After that we just hung out at the house and the girls played dress-up, baked very interesting pies in Anniston's kitchen, and read books. Nanny and I went to Ft. Smith for a wedding shower which was, conveniently, during the kids' nap-time.

Then the whole crew loaded up for the scrimmage. (here's the girls in the car and we're pulling out of our garage)Getting ready to walk down to the stadium from our car.It was fairly windy and cool, and it kept getting darker and darker. So after a quarter and a half, getting to see Sue E. and Tusk, we called it a day and headed to U.S. Pizza for dinner. Here are the girls waiting on Jerry to pull up the car.

Anniston and Kinley then called the hogs, followed by Anniston singing the fight song (I'll have to learn how to post videos soon so you can see....she's really good at it, and has been for almost a year).

Mark and Kinley had to leave the next morning to get back to Tracey who was having a blast cleaning their house all weekend (I'm sure without a husband or child allowed her to get alot done, though!). And Nanny and PawPaw R followed suit, leaving shortly thereafter. We went to church, then came home and baked our Easter cookies (yes, I know a week late....better late than never???). Then the kiddos took a 2 1/2 hour nap so that we could work on our landscaping (no planting yet...just pulling weeks and cutting things back).

So overall a very productive and busy weekend. Hope you had a great weekend too!

Connor Jack

Meet our newest nephew, Connor Jack. Isn't he beautiful?? I'm slightly partial, but we all know it's true. He's so precious. He is gradually starting to let his Mommy sleep a little bit more during the night, and it's just going to get better and better!

Taylor is such a big help with Michael, and Michael is so protective of little baby Connor...it's very sweet. Every time I talk about how precious Connor is, Anniston will say, "No Mommy, he's handsome". Apparently, boys can't be precious, cute, sweet, etc--only HANDSOME!!!

Busy Easter

We, like many families, had a very busy Easter weekend. The kids actually stayed in Ft. Smith Friday night while Jerry and I went out with our Supper Club crew. We went to Cafe Rue Orleans (yummm...) and then hit the Wine Cellar. What a neat concept! I've found a new wine that I LOVE! We'll definitely go back there. It was a very laid back, casual setting off of Dickson street. Sarah, Erin, and I were all commenting that we felt normal there in our 20-something attire versus some of the "younger" hangouts that require an outfit with something sparkly and spending way too much time primping for.

Saturday morning, we drove down to the Fort where Jerry enjoyed a game of golf with Dad and Todd at Hardscrabble. Mom, Michael, Taylor, Anniston, Treyson, and I headed out there a couple of hours later for the Easter egg hunt. The kids (Michael and Anniston) racked up this year with candy. Treyson hung out in his stroller, and Taylor stayed by Treyson (I guess 13 year olds are over the egg-hunting thing). We had a nice lunch, then headed back to MaMa and PaPa's house.

Taylor holding Treyson, Anniston, Easter Bunny, and Michael
Sweet cousin Taylor took care of Treyson during the hunt so I could snap pictures of the kiddos!

MaMa and Anniston
Dadoo, PaPa, and Uncle Todd were right next to the clubhouse golfing when the Easter egg hunt began (great timing!), so they stopped to check in on the kiddos. This is one of Anniston's favorite things to do--get thrown in the air by her Dadoo. She also enjoys it when Jerry throws her up in the air and she lands on her back on the bed--she's nuts!

Anniston and I then went and picked up Nanny for a pedicure and manicure. Anniston had so much fun. She sat with Nanny in her chair, and then stood in the water for awhile. The lady even gave her little legs a lotion massage! She picked out "pink sparkly" nail polish (surprise!), and was so pumped!

The kiddos dyed Easter eggs Saturday evening, and PaPa grilled out a yummy dinner. After dinner, we headed to Nanny and PawPaw R.'s house so they could love on the kiddos for awhile before bed-time. Anniston rode the four-wheeler with PawPaw R. since we knew the weather would be crummy on Sunday--and it was!

Sunday morning, Anniston hunted Easter eggs inside MaMa and PaPa's house, then got ready for church.

We attended mass with Jerry's parents, then hit Irish Maid, then went to First Methodist for church #2! After church, we ate a very yummy lunch at MaMa and PaPa's house (ham, cheesy potatoes, corn, rolls, strawberries and pudding). We then did nap time, and hit Nanny and PawPaw R.'s again for burgers, deviled eggs, and potato salad.

We were all worn out after the busy weekend, but had a great time.

Best Friends

Anniston had a birthday party to attend today at a place called "Fun City". There's a extremely large tunnel/slide system, and some games that spit out tickets. Anniston collected enough tickets to get a sucker, a pink ring, and a necklace. I explained to her that the necklace was supposed to be shared with her best friend. She then looked at me and said, "Here you go Mommy, you're my best friend". OH MY GOODNESS. . . talk about melt my heart. So we put our purple necklaces on and then posed when we got home. Oh how I hope that we stay best friends. I will know that I've been a good Mommy if I can have the same type of relationship with Anniston as I do with my Mom.

Here we are with our Best Friend necklaces on!

Happy Birthday

We definitely won't go without mentioning that Leah would have turned 31 on Thursday. Birthdays were a month long celebration for Leah. Actually it kind of turned into that. It started out as a "Birth-Day", then evolved into the "Birthday weekend", then "Birthday Week", and eventually wound up her "Birthday Month". Definitely one of many funny things that Leah would come up with and be proud of! Anniston sang "Happy Birthday" to her on the way to school Thursday morning. The night before, she told me that her Aunt Leah would have pink sparkly cupcakes for her birthday. It's very tricky figuring out how to talk to Anniston about Leah. She will tell us that Leah is "in the sky with God", but then she asks if we can go see her, or if she can come see us. Definitely a tricky conversation with a 2 year old.

Leah, we love you and miss you so much...Happy Birthday!

Got my camera back!

Here are some of the pictures that coordinate with my last post. I'll do a quick re-cap!

Eating snow

First time to brush Treyson's teeth, and then his 2 teethReading bedtime books together, and then Treyson laying his head on sissy's shoulder (it was 30 minutes past his normal bedtime--we put him down once the book was over)

Our commando crawling boy