Amarillo and Back

Well we finally made the drive to Amarillo and back. It has been 2 years since we have been there and it was time. The car rides were not exactly pleasant but no need to dwell on that. We had a blast being there and spending time with family. We left early on Friday morning and made a stop at the OKC zoo to break up the drive. Georgia had been up Thursday night running a fever so she was a little punkish but by the time we got to Amarillo she was her normal spunky self.

Riding a baby elephant. Every time G sees one of these statues she asks "Is it dead or not real?"

We took a train ride and I got to love on my sweet Darby.

Nanue and Big Poppa closed on a new house two weeks ago which was part of the reason for the trip. It is a great place and we loved it. Reminded us of home.

The house is on a lake and in a gated community.

Darby fell in love with Big Poppa and was always asking about him.

They have and awesome children's museum we went to with the cousins. This thing simulated clouds.

Caroline bouncing balls.

We spent a long time playing on the sand tables. The circle spun and you could make designs in the sand.

Darby only ate a little sand.

Georgia and Jack.

Lots of treats to be had at Nanue's. The girls averaged two Popsicles a night.

The lake area is overpopulated with deer and they have little fear of humans. The girls got such a kick watching them through the big windows.

Nanue and her blue-eyed babies.

All of the cousins.

Oh, and don't forget the ice cream sandwiches.

Georgia had so much fun playing with Caroline it makes me sad they live so far away.

Darby and Jack never really played together, more just checked each other out.

Darby working on saying "cheese."

It was a great trip and we are so happy to have the memories and for Georgia to know Nanue and Big Poppa don't live at the airport.

Costumes Abound

This is one cute punkin who loves to pick out 3 to 5 outfits a day. This was her third today.

And this was her trying on her Halloween costume I got her at a consignment sale today. She is going to be a fairy or princess. I have previously made all of her costumes but a princess costume is better bought at this point in my life.

Happy Anniversary

Matt and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary tonight with dinner and a movie. My mom watched the kids and even put them to bed. This is, I think, the second time we have been out together after bedtime since Darby was born. We sure like each other.

Overdoing the Popsicle

You are about to see a lot of pictures of Darby eating a popsicle/her tryouts as a member of KISS.

And getting it on her face is no big deal. I imagine she could lick it all off if she knew it was there.

This one is just cute.

Her tongue is so long.

She never bites her popsicle. She just licks it until it gets so soft it falls off the stick. She also shares with Georgia who has already finished her popsicle.

And when there are drips, she cleans those up as well.

Camo PJs

Thank you Nanue for our matching camo PJs. I lost the girls three times this night.

Race for the Cure '09

I ran the Race for the Cure today in celebration of my Mom, my Aunt Jane and my cousin Michelle.

I am Now a Soccer Mom

Matt and I drove to Joplin this week and bout an '07 Hondda Odyssey. I already love it and should have done it sooner.

First Day of School 09

Today was the first day of school for both Darby and Georgia. I left Darby for 5 hours which is the longest I have ever been away from her in her 17-month life. She did amazingly well and even napped for over an hour and a half. Here they are dressed and ready to go.

Darby fell down our deck steps last night so she got to go to school with a scrapped up face.

Georgia was so excited to move up to her "big girl class" and had a great day.

D really wanted to wear her backpack but it dragged her down.

And today was Kiki's birthday so we celebrated that.

Ice cream cake a la V. So good.

As and aside Darby is a total water baby and loves to be wet. When we take a shower I throw a wash cloth over the drain and she loves to lay in the water and sing while I poor water over her tummy. It is too cute.

End of Summer

We are really enjoying the cooler weather(although I am sure it won't last). We spend a lot of time out side, taking stroller and beast rides and playing in the yard. Both Georgia and Darby are growing up so fast and both are in such a fun place developmentally right now.

Georgia has turned into quite the little acrobat.

G found one of Caroline's old Tutus in her closet this week and wore it around for the evening,. She is very much into her ability to move her body and is always saying "watch this" as she contorts her legs and arms into some sort of crisscross form.

Darby is in the "strap phase." Perhaps on of the most frustrating phase for both me and her. She wants to fasten all of her straps by herself and get very fitful and emotional when she can't do it.

MAD

MADDER

MADDEST

The puppy next door is really growing and is already so good with the kids.

She and Milo have so much fun together.

Georgia has had a change of heart about her this week and is no longer afraid.

I guess she has learned to bite back.

The whole crew. I think Scarlett is sitting on Milo there in the corner.

This morning the girls wanted to walk over to grand mama's alone so I let them.

Checking to see if I am following.

Darby lost her nerve at the turning point and headed back home yelling "NO' the whole way.