Going to the Lodge....

A few weeks ago before preschool started we made a trip to Great Wolf Lodge. We decided to bring Averey along as well. Selfishly, I am SO glad that she was able to come. While Daddy and Saylor swam back and forth over and over again in the same ol' pool, Averey and I were racing and laughing down all the fun slides. Saylor loves to be in the water, but that's about the extent of it. She doesn't even like to go down the little bitty kiddie slides.

The girls also had a great time playing in the room and going to the night-time animatronic story time in their jammies. When we got home, Saylor told me her favorite part was the story time. Seriously?!? We drove 3 hours and did all kinds of fun stuff for your favorite part to be the story time, which we do all the time right down the street at the library for FREE? Ha! But really, we all had a wonderful time and came home happy and exhausted....with lots of great memories!

Our Summer in Pictures

I know the amount of pictures I am posting is ridiculous, but honestly there is no way I'm going to find the time or patience to do a post about each event this summer so I am just going to do a quick review with pictures. And I'm leaving out a bunch, but if I didn't take a picture of it, it didn't make the cut this time around.

We got to take Saylor on a passenger train! She thought it was fun going, by the time we were coming back, she had pretty much lost interest.

Saylor and Yonna on the train

Daddy and Saylor getting on the train

Friends Berkeley and Jacquie at our high school reunion

Girl pic at our 10 year high school reunion--we had so much fun! It was so great to see old friends!

A lot of the hot summer days were spent doing this--Saylor swimming, Mommy reading. (and after two rounds of swimming lesssons, she loves to be in the water but STILL doesn't like to go under water!)
Our friends came to see us. I didn't get near enough pictures of this sweet duo. This is a quick one I took on my phone. I love watching these two together!



One Sunday, church had a fun carnival where Saylor got to ride a pony. She wasn't so sure at first. We went to Austin to see my mother in law get married!

Cousin Zach with the blushing bride and groom

Our little family


Saylor took ballet class and loved it!

My little ballerina

We went to a cool museum and got to dress up in lots of cool outfits
Cousin Ave, Saylor and Daddy at the museum
The girls "driving" an ambulance

Hanging with Ave

Enjoying an afternoon of girl time


More dress up with Averey
And a little painting

Now, lets bring on some fall time and cooler weather...and some football!

Remembering snow....

I'm so very behind on the happenings around here and my list of things I need to post about seems daunting, so I'm going to start with a little wishful thinking! Back in January and February we had TONS of snow. I don't really like freezing cold weather, and especially not snow, but considering it's 110 degrees outside, I would love to see some snowflakes right now!

I tried to go outside with Saylor a few times during the big snows and make snow angels and throw snow balls, but I don't last near as long as she does. It's like three year olds don't really care if they can feel their fingers and toes. But I care!

So one afternoon, Mas and Saylor set out to play in the snow. I started to wonder about them about 2 hours later and I looked out of the window and saw this! Their cold weather adventure warmed my heart. I love how much they love each other! And I'm so glad that daddy braved the freezing cold to build Saylor her first snowman.

So, there ya go! Proof that colder weather does exist. I was beginning to wonder!

Christmas in June

It's been a while....again. I just can't make myself sit down in front of the computer and blog lately. And I know this post is completely silly, but I'm doing it for my own record. It's June 4th and I'm blogging about Christmas, but better late then never, right?

We hosted Christmas for the first time at our house this year....well, last year. It was so fun to have my parents come to all of us this year. It was definitely different and a little emotional for me--it's the first time in my whole life that I haven't spent either Christmas Eve or Christmas morning in my parent's living room. And we really missed seeing my grandparents! However, it was so fun to start new traditions and make new memories (and not have to pack, unpack, pack and unpack gifts again). Between all the contributions from my parents, Tana, and I...we had a fabulous Christmas breakfast and lunch!

Ave enjoyed going through her big mountain of presents, Saylor, on the other hand, did not share the same enthusiasm. She wanted to play with the very first toy she opened and did not like that we wanted her to put each one up to open the next gift. About halfway through her pile, she looked at Yonna and asked her if she would go home so she could play with her toys. Poor, mistreated baby!

After the girls had had their fair share of fun, food, and presents, we put them down for a nap and had a lot of laughs playing Just Dance 2 on the Wii. Those pictures must have been accidentally deleted ;)

We had a great time having Christmas in Oklahoma! I would say my first time hosting Christmas was a success. And once again, most of all I'm just thankful we were all able to be together, especially considering the nature of some of the careers in this family.

Happy Late Birthday, Jesus :)

BIG GIRL BICYCLE!

Yesterday was a big day for Saylor. In three year old terms at least. Yesterday she went with me to the dentist and after a little coaxing, was very good :) The last time she went to the dentist, she was happy until they tried to lean her back in the chair. It was over after that. So this time, she got to watch me get my teeth cleaned, then sat in daddy's lap and let the dentist look at her teeth. Baby steps!

We then went to Walmart and got her a 'big girl' bike. Her little radio flyer tricycle was starting to rub her knees so it was time for an upgrade. She rode her new bike around all of Walmart while we picked up a few other things. She had so much fun and all the older people that were in Walmart got a huge kick out of her. Mas and I decided that was the easiest shopping we have ever done and might just take the bike with us every time we go! Then, we went to the park and broke in the new bike.

Later, since she was good at the dentist, she got a treat. And she chose ice cream for her treat--of course, to keep those teeth nice and healthy ;). And she wanted it in a CONE. She was very clear on that. I hadn't even realized she had never had an ice cream cone, just ice cream in a cup. But, she put it away like a pro.

More Saylorisms

It's hard to really grasp how funny/cute some of these are because you can't hear Saylor's sweet little voice say them (and because I'm her momma and think most things she says are funny), but I'm writing them down anyway for my own memories. I hope I can always remember her sweet little voice!

*the other day day she said "Mommy, when I'm in trouble, you talk like this (she then grits her teeth and continues to talk) 'DON'T DO THAT!" It was so funny! And it made me realize how much I talk to her like that lately. It has been a trying few months to say they least. She also told her daddy and Staci at church that I talk like that when she's in trouble. She's gonna be such a tattle tale!

*We were building a tower with blocks and when it fell down, she dropped her head and sadly said "I just want all my dreams to come true". What the heck?! I actually asked her to repeat what she said to make sure. No more princess movies for her.

*The other day I had a nosebleed (which I can only count one other nosebleed that I've had ever--so she obviously has never been around me when that happened). She was amazed and said "Mommy, your boogers are RED!!" I explained to her that my nose was bleeding. She responded with "Mommy, when my nose bleeds I want it to be purple.................no, I want it to be green........or yellow." Gotcha. I'll get that request right in for ya.

*She wanted me to take a picture of her and Samson and so she put her arm around him and said "Smile, buddy". So sweet!

About 5 minutes after that she told me that "Samson wont quit interrupting me while I'm digging in the dirt".

*Last week Saylor told me that she can't wear blue (it was actually turquoise), green, or black shirts because they are for boys. Then today when I was trying to get her to put on shorts to go outside and play, she told me that shorts are for boys too. And they were PURPLE shorts for that matter! Apparently she can only wear dresses or tutus. But when she goes outside she literally lays in the dirt, digs in the dirt, and pours dirt all over her. Sorry baby girl, but your going to have a long spring and summer dressed like a little boy!!

*She wanted me to wear one of her tutus or princess dresses. I told her I was too big. She told me if I would get smaller I would fit. Therefore, I am on a new diet/workout plan to try to fit into a 5T princess dress! Wish me luck :)

Our weekend getaway

A few weekends ago, we headed down south to Plano to see my friend Erin, celebrate my birthday, and have the famous (to us at least) Tom Slott photograph Saylor. We had a great time, ate great food (Thanks Karen), and Mas and I got to have a little date night at one of our faves, Texas de Brazil while Erin watched Saylor.

Here are some of the pictures Tom took while we were there.

Thank you, Slott family for your hospitality. We appreciate everything! And Tom, we are so thankful that you continue to share your amazing talent with us!

Birthday Party: Part Two

At the end of January, we had Saylor's third birthday party with family and friends--most of which came from out of town. Saylor had so much fun being the center of attention and opening presents and most of all--eating cupcakes. The child asked about 30 times to eat cupcakes before her party even started.

The birthday girl
with Erin

In her new tutu. The kid lives in a tutu. As you can see in the rest of the pictures, it didn't come off the rest of the night. (Thanks Erin!!)

About to get to eat the much awaited cupcake!

FINALLY!!

Saylor and Ms. Staci

Ms. Staci is one of Saylor's very favorite people. She worked in the nursery at church when Saylor was about 18 months old and before Staci, Saylor cried every time we took her. Probably because Staci spoils her and lets her do whatever she wants, and held her the entire time....but it was such a relief that Saylor didn't cry anymore when we dropped her off. When Saylor turned two she had to go to a new class and we were so sad to leave Ms. Staci, however a few months down the road, she moved into Saylor's class and we were thrilled! In January, when Saylor moved up to the three year old class, Staci moved right on up with her. We love Ms. Staci so much and are so thankful that she loves Saylor, and I guess we'll just have to take her to kindergarden with us in a few years!

And we also have Staci to thank for inviting us to their awesome Community Group (small group) that we are so thankful to be a part of!

Ave and Saylor

with our birthday girl!Saylor and GG

Ok, I'm going to take just a moment to brag on myself. I am the opposite of creative. I would much rather just spend the money for someone more qualified to do these things and avoid hours of work that turns out to be terrible anyways. But after going to look for a ballerina cake and coming up empty handed, I searched online and stumbled across this idea for cupcake toppers. And I ACTUALLY MADE THEM! And I think they turned out pretty cute. It definitely took HOURS. I cut out all the little dresses and taped on tulle and ribbons and then carefully placed the pearl "3"s. But, I actually think it was worth it! (Gasp!) Saylor loved them, so in my book, that is worth every second!

A few of the tissue paper pom poms. I made these last year for her party too. They are so very easy if you are looking for an idea to brighten up a party.

And no get-together is complete these days without a dance off on Wii Just Dance! It has become our new favorite pastime! I won't share the pictures, because I love everyone too much to do that :). (And just in case they have some not so flattering pictures of me doing a dance or two). But I will share one of Averey, because she was proud of her dance moves. She was workin' it!!

We all had so much fun! And we are so thankful for EVERYONE that drove the hours to come celebrate our THREE year old! We love you all so, so very much!