Keeping Up with The Jones'

2011 School Year

2011-10-07T12:59:00.000-07:00

Well I can officially say that this child loves her preschool class! Im so thankful. She has learned so much and made so many new friends.

(last years picture, she was a dropout after three weeks)

this years picture...

By the way...Soccer is no longer a hobby... ;(

Walls Of Clay

2011-10-07T12:55:00.000-07:00

Lunch time!

Giving hugs to her fur brother... She loves him so much, She really loves to command him around.

Walls of Clay making pottery

Getting popcorn

Hugging her Gummy Rat.

Welcome Fairies!

2011-08-29T14:35:00.000-07:00

Chloe loves Tinkerbell and she loves to play and tell stories to herself. They are so funny to listen to. Last night she wanted to build a fairy house like the one that Lizzy built in the movies. So I gave her some supplies and watched her build away. She had to have a dress like Lizzy and pigtails, while I had to play Father (her dad in the movie with a British accent i might add). We had such a fun time, I wouldn't trade these precious moments for ANYTHING!

Taking her fairies for a swim

She put this together all herself

"Pixie Dust"

I think we need a bigger pool

Striking a pose

She is telling her fairies "My name is Lizzy"

Uh oh! looks like someone got Sprinkled with Pixie Dust!

Building a Bridge :)

Skating!

2011-08-25T07:38:00.000-07:00

Okay so the Princeton Skating Rink opened back up. This is where I was every Friday and Saturday night back in my younger days. It's so crazy to think that this is probably where Chloe will hang out when she gets older. It really brought back a lot of memories! Chloe had a great time but it was really hard for her...she loved eating popcorn, playing games, and watching everyone else skate in circles! Also, we got a new desktop computer at home, so it will be much easier for me to blog than on our laptop! So hopefully I will keep this blog up better than I have been!

Some of my FAVORITE things :)

2011-08-24T06:26:00.000-07:00

I have no idea what i would do without ETSY, it's definitely my favorite place to shop! There's a gift for everyone and you can find ANYTHING! I love to "pounce", if you haven't tried that out..I recommend it!

So this is the book I'm into right now, not many books grab my attention, but this one does. I have also been wanting to go to the movies by myself (just to see what its like) and i think this is the movie I will see :) I'm a weirdo, huh?

My latest obsession! How cool is this??? If you dont have an account, I suggest one immediately!

This is what i let my hair soak in once a week. It is supposed to make your hair grow, and im letting my grow! Also, my hair is soon to be back natural with the exception of a few highlights ;)

This is my new eyeshadow palette, my favorite blog that i read Mama Laughlin turned me on to this stuff! A little pricey, but way worth it! And one of the funniest blogs i have ever read!

So i have taken myself off of my Thyroid medications and have switched doctors to a smart medicine doctor instead of the one I have been going to for years. I have done so much research on the prescription that i have been on and I just didn't want it in my body anymore. So I switched to this :) My levels have never been better!!! Still have some work to do on it, but I'm certain adding some other vitamins to my daily regimen will get it going perfectly!

Want to get your house clean, sparkly, and organized, follow The FlyLAdy! She will get your house in tip top shape :)

Ahhh my Toms, so Ugly, but so loved...wanting to get some wedge ones soon :)

Everyday I say "Miss Jones your hair appointment is ready" Chloe sits on the barstool and I put her cape around her and spray this stuff all over her hair....and she will let me brush her hair! Thank you Lord!

So we have been making smoothies like crazy, but our cheap blender from our wedding registry wasn't doing the trick and almost got slammed through the window several times (by Chad, not me). I got this bad boy and there's nothing it will not grind up! I made some AWESOME pico de gallo in it last night too. YUMMY!

If you are a Craigslister, you can no longer go on with your Craigslisting with out this tool! Makes life SO SIMPLE!

I cant even tell you how may refurbishes I have done with Krylon, and they now have Krylon Dual with built in primer. AMAZING. Here soon I will be showing some before and afters of my house... I have done some changing up over the summer and I will show you some of my awesome finds from craigslist and g-sale's!

Future Chef :)

2011-08-23T07:38:00.000-07:00

I really think I have a chef on my hands. Every night she helps me with dinner. About once a week she asks me to set up the Ipad and video her preparing the meal, she talks to the camera as if she has an audience. I cant wait for her to see these when she gets older. I really wish I could freeze frame time right now. Three has just been so awesome for us! Her personality is so big!!

Easter videos!

2011-05-10T06:30:00.000-07:00

Okay so I totally forgot about these videos. I should have put them on my Easter post... they are too cute too pass up! I love how my Pepaw says "Good Golly Bum" in the first one!

My family is so LOUD! lol!!! I love it!!!

This video i just had to throw in from her being a Flower girl at my cousin Ben and Jen's wedding!!! HOW CUTE!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday !

2011-05-09T14:02:00.000-07:00

Wow! Where has the time gone!! Cant believe my baby is already 3.. we had a fun birthday party at Jumping Land where we has tons of family and friends! I was really looking forward to a Princess PArty , but she insisted on a Buzz Lightyear instead... so that's what she got!

Happy Birthday my sweet Chloe... you are my joy, my heart, my life! I love you thiiiiiis muuuuuuuch!!!!!!

Toy Story

2011-05-08T14:13:00.000-07:00

Okay so post below about Sesame Street pretty much sucking for Chloe...well these tickets were already purchased....so i figured it would be a looooong day.

I thought Chloe would think the dart train and it would be a blast to ride down to the American Airlines Center. So we hopped on the train. My thought was that everyone would be all happy and giggly families sporting their Woody and Buzz shirts. I was wrong. It looked like everyone was coming off their 24 hour crack binge. As soon as the train took off, I had a terrible feeling. I looked up and notice a man slyly putting his hands in his pockets four or fives times, without even looking down. Another man passed by and they exchanged whatever he had.That was all it took, for my anxiety to hit full throttle...

The next conversation went like this :
Me: Get off at the next stop.
Chad: what??
Me: Get off at the next stop.
Chad: rolling his eyes... ( he knows when i get freaked out), are you serious?
Me: {as the trains rolls to a stop} I'm getting off, you can stay ( im carrying Chloe as she was sleeping)

I'm not sure that i would have freaked out as much if i didn't have Chloe with me. I was so panicked that i was trying to find places to run on the train.

The dart rail is seriously crazy, i really don't recommend anyone riding it.While we were waiting for the opposite train to pick us up, a young man having an argument very loudly with himself decided to sit on our same bench (not to mention their are 40 other open ones and it is just us there.)

Chloe had woke up by then and said very loudly to the man "Who you talking to?" The guy then jumped up and was bouncing around and staring at the big digital clock and kept screaming it was late, while doing some dance that looked like the running man mixed in with the Dougie....really awkward. Funny thing was that 10 years ago I was a waitress in a restaurant in that same area. That guy would always come in and I would buy him a meal to eat and he would sit at the bar talking to himself eating... I cant believe i saw him.

We made it safely back to our car, got to the AAC, the show started and fireworks blasted, and Chloe was ready to leave, it was hurting her ears...

Chad and i decided no more shows for at least another 3 years :)

Arriving at The Dart Rail.....

Her Marilyn Monroe pose :)

Buzz flying through the sky...

Sunny Days...

2011-05-07T14:10:00.000-07:00

We went to see Sesame Street live for the second year in a row. This time Bryley, Brian, and Ashley went with us....

Chloe thought it was cool for about the first 15 minutes then thought it was even cooler to keep kicking the chair in front of us :)

Needless to say, i was ready for the show to be over!

About time!!

2011-05-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

Look who finally popped the question!!! I'm so excited to gain another sister who is so sweet and a blast to hang around! They are getting married 11-11-11 at 1899 farmhouse which is right behind our land that we all went in and bought together! It is absolutely beautiful!

Here is how he proposed (it was at the land):

He had candles all lit down a trail to a table that he set up himself with flowers, wine, and a wedding book...he wanted to ask her there since that is where their house will be built and all their memories made. How sweet is that????

So this is me and Ashley hiding out in the cedar trees watching...Brad told us not to come out there and watch!!! OOPS!!! It was all Ashley's idea!! (sorry i cant get the picture to turn around!)

And check out how Amanda asked us to be in the wedding :) Too cute!

Easter!!!

2011-05-05T12:46:00.000-07:00

Sweet girls!

2011-05-04T14:39:00.000-07:00

Chloe and Bryley at the bluebonnets .....

Abra Cadabra!

2011-03-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

Chloe's favorite gifts for Christmas was her "Super Chloe" and "Magician" costumes.....

Let's bowl let's bowl, lets Rock n Roll!

2011-03-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

We went bowling with Brad and Bmanda at Splitsville. It was really fun, we bought four games and Chloe had a blast~! After the games were over, we wanted to buy more, but since there was a wait we couldnt. It was a four hour wait at that! The food was amazing and the atmosphere was really fun!

Just cause she is so darn cute!

2011-03-01T11:15:00.000-08:00

10,9,8,7,6.....

2011-03-01T11:03:00.000-08:00

and he is out!~~~

My sweet girl and her daddy love wrestling! She is so strong its crazy! Chad is obsessed with Juijitsu and MMA so he just loves it.

Here they are practicing moves when she was five months old :)

New Years Eve!

2011-02-11T07:47:00.000-08:00

New Year's eve, we didnt have big plans,, just thought we would go to dinner with my brother and their wifey's then head back to my parents (since they were keeping the kids) while we ate.

We decided to go eat at Nate's and have a couple drinks. Since it was a notorious night for police, even thoug we werent drinking many we knew we needed a designated driver. Brad had to work at the firestation the next morning so he volunteered. We were at Nate's for about 20 minutes and my dad calls to let us know that Bryley (my niece) had been screaming every since they left. We knew it had to be bad, anyone that knows my mom, knows she is like the baby whisperer....she just knows what to do no matter what. Well she said to get home quickly. Not only was Bryley crying but so was Chloe... she said she was sad because Bryley was crying so she wanted to also.

Brad drove Bryan back to my parents to check on her. As soon as Bryan walked in she immediately stopped crying and was laughing (Chloe was asleep). He wanted to wait until Bryley fell asleep to come back so Brad came back to Nate's and ate his cold food. About 30 minutes later we called Bryan and my dad was driving him back to Nate's but said they were turning around because Bryley woke up and was crying hysterically again! So we all just decided to call it a early night and go spend the night with my parents! I would like to say that Bryley has now outgrown that stage and Bryan and Ashley can now do things without being called back home :)

me, Amanda, Ashley

Ashley hugging Bryan who never came back....we boxed up his cold food :(

Side Note~ Nate's in Fairview was the worst food i have ever had! YUCK!

Decorating Cookies

2011-02-10T14:30:00.000-08:00

Okay i know this post should be before the last post.....

Aunt Amanda wanted to decorate cookies with Chloe :) So Buzz Lightyear and I headed over there for some fun!

Chloe made such a mess, but had tons of fun!!

She insisted that the Gingerbread man head be not attached :(

here comes Santa!!

2011-02-09T11:17:00.000-08:00

I know! i have slacked off again!!! Here's some pictures of our wonderful Christmas!!!!

2010 christmas pictures

2010-12-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

Talledaga

2010-12-23T00:00:00.001-08:00

Yes that is what my kitchen turns into sometimes when Uncle Brad comes over.... the racing begins :) Im pretty sure they went around the island at least 250 times :) It was really competitive, they were both sweating and out of breath!
~Excuse the mess :)

and they're off!

uh oh! Got off course a bit!

about to lap him!

about to take the checkered flag!

he almost has her!

and the winner pictures!!!

and a random picture of all my lovely Christmas cards!!! YAY!!!love me some Christmas cards!

Deer Hunter

2010-12-22T00:00:00.000-08:00

Chloe and Ienjoy Chad being home with us, but the weekends he is at the lease... we manage to have a great time without him ..hehe! This past weekend, we went to Watters Creek and played, got a cookie, read books at Borders (she thinks its the Library) and I shopped for me :)Love my sweet baby!

(I somehow managed to buy this with out Chloe knowing...cant wait to bring it out when Chad gets home, really cant wait to see what she names him)...

Lots of Picture taking!

2010-12-21T00:00:00.000-08:00

80th birthday!

2010-12-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

My memaw Betty turned 80! she has been such a huge part of my life. Not a more caring person in the world than her. I love her so much!

All my aunts and uncles.... my dad in the middle! They are all so cool, especially Steve (far left)!

it's beginning to look alot like Christmas!

2010-12-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

Halloween 2010

2010-12-18T16:59:00.000-08:00

Yes you read it right !I havent been in the blogging mood for awhile now! Im back on track though!

Halloween was way to busy for us. We planned to much. Pumpkin Patch, Scare on the Square, Church festival and trick or treating.
We were lucky enough to have my niece and sister in law spend the week with us too (everyone was in Arkansas for a race)
Chloe was Buzz Lightyear and she is still wearing the costume daily! I was really hoping for something frilly and girlie, but no luck! Oh well..maybe next year!

Looking for a fun Fall Festival????

2010-10-22T08:37:00.000-07:00

Reeves Family Fall Festival Adoption FUNraiser!

The Reeves family is in the process of adopting a little boy from Ethiopia. How great to enjoy the festivities while making an impact in a little boy’s life forever! Did you know…

the average annual income in Ethiopia is $160.00…
one in ten children are orphaned…
one in ten children die before their first birthday and one in six die before the age of five…
more than half of those deaths are attributed to malnutrition…

Event Details
Date: Saturday, October 30th
Time: 4-7 PM
Location: New Hope Christian Church
1100 W. Brown St.
Wylie, TX 75098

Activities include a bake sale, cake walk, raffles, food and drinks for sale, bounce house, face painting, games and candy for kids. Brannick Photography will be there offering family or individual pictures. $20 will buy you an 8X10 and 12 wallets (and you have the option of buying more) and the proceeds will go toward bringing the Reeves little boy home!

Visit the Reeves Family Fall Festival Adoption FUNraiser facebook page!
To visit the Reeves family blog and read about their adoption process, click here.

I hope you can make this event and be a part of offering a home to their little boy!

Feeling a lil' festive...

2010-10-10T11:34:00.000-07:00

Sooo i thought I would put up another Christmas tree, but a little different since it is still quite early. I gathered some branches at our land and wah-lah...

I noticed in this month's magizine of Pottery Barn and Ballard Designs there were lots of twig trees being used as decor. Good thing about this it was free! The stand it is sitting on was a five dollar revamp too...here is it's before picture:)

it was also Paris themed at one time (pic below), and my neighbor was throwing out some lampshades and she asked it I wanted them. The little ole leopard shade made me redo the entire bathroom :) One gallon of paint was 30.00, everything else was just laying around :) Pretty cheap redo!

Old decor:

Howdy folks....

2010-10-09T19:47:00.000-07:00

and welcome to the State Fair of Texas

Funny story on the above picture.. brad blacks out on rides, but he decided he would try this one. After the harness went on he freaked out and had to get out. Chad and Amanda are trying to talk him into staying. The teenage girls to the left are laughing at him too. Poor guy! Sooo FUNNY!

I love this oicture of my mom and dad! When my mom and dad were dating he used to always win her animals at the fairs and carnivals, she had tons! Then when my brothers and I were younger, i can remember him winning us all huge stuffed animals. I always felt so cool walking around with it! What great memories!

Try # 2 on the rides.. should have known with it called "vertigo" Brad blacking out, and Amanda getting sick..

Helping her get up

Maybe they will stick to the people watching and food next year :)

One lucky girl....

2010-10-06T11:02:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day Out Program :)

2010-09-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

Today was Chloe's first day of MDO. She did really good walking in and going to her classroom. She had no tears either. She is going from 9-12 , 2 days a week. She is starting late because I did not feel good about the original one I wanted her to go to. I really really really love this school school that I ended up choosing. She has several classmates that she already knows too.They are using the Wee Learn curriculum and she will transition to the Abeka in the next class. Both are faith driven and im happy with that! She will be learning verses, songs, and bible stories, and all kinds of other things during the year! Another plus, it is only 12 minutes from home, so I will not have to chance her falling asleep during the car ride home (put her in a car seat and she falls asleep, then up till midnight or later...boo)

Eating her breakast..her favorite..pannycakes from Mickey D's (sugar-free syrup of course, didnt want to scare the teachers the first day)

Her lunch, with notes from Mommy and Daddy! I bought a canisters of 100 cookie cutters, they have everything from numbers, the entire alphabet, to holiday shapes....this is going to be fun! Her teachers said she only ate the goldfish and with a fork!

Telling Malakai goodbye for the day. These two will miss each other. I think he knew she was going to be gone, he followed her everywhere and would lay right by her feet when she would sit down. She told him

"your a good boy, you potty outside and you dont wear panties, you have a naked bo-bo."

Walking in to class (blurry picture, ugh!)

Mimi showing her the paydoh station!

She ran to the gym first thing...

I had her hair layered, it looks sooooo much better!

Hallway to her classroom :)

I love first grade!

2010-09-11T22:04:00.000-07:00

My younger brother Brad, has such a sweet-hearted girlfriend, Amanda, who I love dearly. She is a first grade teacher in Frisco, and she asked for Chloe to come visit her classroom. I know one thing, she is definitely doing her calling. She is AMAZING, with her kids. Her room is so cute all decorated in lady bugs and bees. She has so many chants and cheers she does with her kids, it was so cool to see her interact with them. I can definitely say my elementary teachers were not like that, Amanda makes first grade AWESOME!
Chloe couldnt wait to get there, I dressed her in a ladybug outfit to match the room. She went to all the kids and asked "Hey, whats your name?" She had a great time, and is still talking about Amanda being a teacher!

Chloe and Miss Roof

Walking to Class

She packed her own backpack...12 pacifiers, blood pressure guage, doodle pad...everything a first grader needs i guess :)

Her own desk

Thought this class poll was funny!

this is where the kids sat "knee to knee and eye to eye", talking and talked about Chloe's day

She answered a question right and received a smelly on her hand

She got to point out the words with the pointer

Coloring johnny Appleseed

Giving miss Roof her present

Her award :)

her book the class made for her :)

Thanks Amanda for letting Chloe come visit! The kids were precious, and Im so proud of the everyday impact your making on those sweet little kiddos! Love you!

New Best Friends..

2010-08-27T19:27:00.000-07:00

Okay, if you do not like spiders, i will go ahead and tell you to not read this post....you may fReAk OuT. Chloe LOVES spiders, and in our backyard we have had three move in and Chloe loves to go talk to them.
THEY.ARE.HUGE!!! They are only garden spiders, so they are actually the good ones that eat mosquitos so i decided it was okay to just keep them .... especially since Chloe was now on a name-based relationship. So I thought I would introduce them to you....

MEET JEFF

THIS IS ANGIE

AND.....JASON

Chloe telling Jason about her day.....

I know! Crazy huh? The names Jeff and Jason came from the twin boys from Caillou. Angie is from Shark Tales. My best friend Christy came over last weekend, and Chloe wanted to show her friends off. Well Christy had a full out panic attack and said she would not ever come over again unless they were gone. I cant do without Christy so we had to remove them :( RIP Jeff, Jason, and Angie, you will all be missed.

Chuckie~

2010-08-27T19:05:00.000-07:00

We went to celebrate a birthday at Chuck-e-cheese a had a fabulous time! I havent seen my friend Cricket in soooo long and i have missed her sooooo much! Cant wait to catch up with her again real soon! Im counting down the days!

Awwww!

2010-08-17T06:31:00.000-07:00

Bryley Mikel spent the night with her Aunt Lee Lee Saturday night, what fun we had! Chloe was a tad bit jealous so I only got to hold her after she went to bed. Here's her first little modeling session, I have 1000's more to go through, but here's a sneek peak...

stay tuned more to come of this little sweetie :)

Ethiopia

2010-08-10T13:19:00.000-07:00

Check out Stacy's blog right here for a FUN FUN FUN raffle and help them in their adoption process!

Here's a little peek of what you could win:

My precious niece is here.

2010-08-08T09:58:00.000-07:00

Bryley made her debut at 8:13 pm on July 30th, weighing in at 7lbs 12 ounces :) It was a very long day. Chad took off and was going to stay with Chloe,but he wanted to be part of the day so he tagged along. We brought Chloe because of Chad's crazy working schedule any moment he has off he wants to be with her. They miss each other so much. The hospital has a huge playland so Chloe was occupied there. Chad and I also took her to the mall to ride the carousel, play at the playground there, and to get her a pillow pet. She was exhausted and actually took a two hour nap. Which are very rare these days.

Back to Bryley.. Ashley went in at 5:30, they started pitocin at 9:00, and she progressed throughout the day. At around 7 she began pushing. We waited and waited and waited, and finally got a picture text from Bryan with the baby. At 9:00 we finally got to go back to see her. Ashley's epidural ran out 30 minutes before she delivered so the last bit of it was very rough for her and they knocked Ashley out with medicine as soon as Bryley was born.

Bryley is gorgeous, she looks just like Bryan, and has dark skin like Ashley. She is a calm baby and never fusses unless she is hungry. Because of the whole virus thing that happened at my house, my mom didnt stay with them. Let me tell you, they are rockstar parents. they have had no help and have done such a great job. They are so in love with their baby girl. Bryan was so emotional at the hospital, I love seeing him as a dad, it is amazing and makes my heart melt seeing it. Im looking forward to the girls being cousins and able to grow up together.

YUCK.

2010-08-07T19:19:00.000-07:00

What a crazy week! I suspected last Sunday that Chloe either ate something bad or was getting virus because her tummy just wasnt right. She was still very playful and acted like nothing was wrong with her. She drank a glass of milk (not sure why I gave her that) and went to bed. At about 2 am I heard some gurgling and she had thrown up all over the bed, and is choking on more. SCARED.ME.TO.DEATH. I quickly raised her up and swooped her mouth, and the projectile began. I seriously have no idea how a toddler can throw up so much. It is insane. It was all over, me, her and the thousands of towels Chad was bringing in. This whole process wasnt even phasing Chloe, she would puke and just stare at the TV. Thank goodness it didnt last too long, soon she was asking for her pat (pacifier) and was snoozing. As we did about three loads of laundry...pillows, sheets, towels, mattress pads. YUK! Then rolls around Monday night, I make a mad dash to the bathroom and Im puking, Chad comes in to assist, because he knows after 11 years together, this is the worst thing that can happen to me. I can honestly say I HATE to throw up, I will fight it for hours, and ball and squal though every heave. This came on so fast that i didnt have time to "prepare" my normal puking regimen. I like to be in the bathtub, a glass of water with ice, and a trash bag. I feel like the water on blocks the sound of it and i feel like Im staying clean at the same time. I know....go ahead and call me weird. So here I am standing at the toilet, I can not for the life of me put my head to the toilet, never have been, never will be. It makes it even worse because all I can think about is what normally goes in there. So chad is trying to put my head in, Im jerking in out and pretty much walls and floors are being painted. I would much rather clean it up afterwards than have to look into a toilet bowl. Tuesday morning comes, and I hear Chad in the bathroom...puking. He is more of a sport though. So I call my mom to come get Chloe, and Chad and I lay in bed with chills and fever most of the day. We think everything is all over with and my mom calls me Wednesday and says she is puking. Finbally we are all in the clear by Thursday morning. that evening Im playing with Chloe and notice her having chills, and feeling very clammy. I get my thermometer and her temp is at 102. gave her ice chips and motrin and went to bed and continued to check her all night. It shot back up Thursday morning around five, then she acted normal most of the day. I thought it may been something left from the virus. I noticed her eyes looked weak so I decided to take her on in to Acute Kids. Hec checked her all out and didnt see anything wrong but a tiny hint of a red throat, so he decided to do a strep test and surprisingly it came back positive. He also said her tubes had fell out and he actually dug one of them out. The other should fall out since it wasnt stuck. It was about time, she has had those things in since she was nine months old :( Im praying and hoping that her ears are healed from any future infections. I stared her on a liquid vitamin and probiotic last december and this is the first time she has been sick since then. So here we are now, Im pretty sure we are on the upside of things now!!! Im am so very thankful that I have a healthy baby girl. things could always be worse.

Chloe & Chad

2010-07-18T12:25:00.000-07:00

My girl is brave.very brave. She is afraid of nothing, seriously. When we swim she likes to show us how she doggie paddles and she sinks, we bring her up while she is choking on what she swallowed, as soon as she gets her breath back, she does it again. Its a cycle and it scares.me.to.death ! Chad and I taught swim lessons for years, so we have been working with her this summer. She is much stronger and is much better than the beginning of summer. This fall/winter we will be enrolling her with a private instructor for her to improve even more. I just think she will listen better with someone else showing her besides us. Plus i want to be the annoying parent that takes 1000 pictures that used to drive me nuts back in the day, my how things have changed ;)
She also loves to talk about monsters, and hide in the pitch dark. She let me know that monsters were in the fireplace today and she was going ot go fight them! Chloe also wears "monster gloves" that are "super powered" and wards off monsters (they are her zebra leggings that she now wears on her arms). Im pretty sure all this talk comes from Monster Inc. and the episode of Caillou with Monsters. Thankfully she is not afraid of them and only chases after them with her arm leggings :)

Here's a few pictures of her swimming, running from monsters, and her fashion show :) Oh yeah and the last picture of her and Chad dancing to Michael Jackson... I sure hope Chloe gets Chad's rhythm.... he is such a good dancer. It's not very often you can find a white boy that can dance, but I sure snagged one up!!! lol!

Bryley!!! Get.Here.Now

2010-07-13T09:58:00.000-07:00

Bryleys' nursery is finally finished!!! We custom ordered her bedding from etsy.com and the lady kept postponing the delivery time, but yesterday it arrived! I just love girlie nurseries!!!We immediatley went to Ashley's and put it all together. It.is.adorable!!! I cant wait to see Miss Bryley with her coal black hair laying in that bed. She is going to be precious! On her last sonogram the doctor said her hair was just floating in the fluid, and that their was TONS...i believe it, her momma's got TONS of hair!!! Any day now...im just waiting by the phone for the call. I.AM.SO.IMPATIENT!!! eeeeek!

The bag for the hospital :)

Bryan practicing diaper changes :)

Just for fun...Chloe's nursery :) I keep one Christmas tree up year round :) Right now it's in Chloe's room, not the same one, a hot pink one :)

Chloe's toddler room :) She had a daybed, but I found the below bed at the flea market for 20.00, couldnt pass it up, so I refurnished it black....I love it! I have also snagged a french provencial dresser and night stand to revamp from craigslist, but im still trying to decide exactly how i want to complete them. Im just ready to completely take the wicker out... That was a fun room to paint and decorate :) Wanna know how many times she has slept in her fabulous room???? Zero :) That's right! My baby is a good cuddler!!!

life on the farm

2010-06-27T21:55:00.000-07:00

Oklahoma Continued

2010-06-09T19:49:00.000-07:00

I know I posted pictures on the cabin, but I did not show all the fun we had! I relaxed all weekend and spent all my time with Chloe. We swam, explored, rode trains, paddle boats, and the razor. All us girls and my dad relaxed at least. Now the boys on the other hand went white water rafting and drank beer most the time. That does not sound fun to me....anymore, especially with a two year old that wakes up at the crack of dawn! We grilled out every single meal and had tons of fun just all being our goofy selves. Only one night did I have to yell "Shut the heck up your being to loud" ....I tend to get a little cranky if my sleeping is disturbed , but who really practices juijitsu on the second floor at 2 am??

Chloe giving Joey her sweet smile

Having some lunch, yes on the ground

Cooking smores and hot dogs with Mimi..

Yummy Smores!

Card tricks! Bryan is amazing at this stuff!

Ashley and Sondra (Joeys wife, friends of the family forever, Joey was our neighbor growing up)

Setting up for another trick

Are you sure you want that card?

This picture is funny I dont think i have ever seen my dad hold a beer, but he did for this card trick!

See the racoon?

Poker

Ashley blowing Bubbles!

Train ride around Beavers Bend park

Thinking the train is a roller coaster

Paddle Boats!

The boys and Chloe

Ashley and Chloe!

Brad showing Chloe tricks! I cant even tell you how much her uncles love her, they have such an amazing bond!

Brad cracking up at Chloe's pirate face!

Bryan thinking its funny too! (Look at the picture above & below, Brad and Bryan look identical) I love those two boys sooo much!

I seriously would recommend this area to anyone, its absolutely beautiful. I know lots of pictures, huh?

Want to change a child's life forever?

2010-06-04T06:17:00.000-07:00

As you all know my cousin Stacy is in the process of adopting a child from Ethiopia. Their application has passed and they are at the next phase. This requires another chunk of money to be due, so another raffle is taking place. If you would like to enter in this raffle you can click on the cross to the right "grow hope", or follow here. You will be entered to win not ONE but TWO prizes made by me :)

Weekend Vacation

2010-05-21T14:19:00.000-07:00

Here's where we will be the next couple days... Broken Bow, OKLAHOMA!!! Lots of cooking out, kayaking, and boating in store!!!! Im very impressed with this cabin... it's better than the other we have stayed in. five bedoom, five bath, just enough room for five CRAZY couples!!! More pictures to come later!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-19T17:00:00.000-07:00

Slumber Party

2010-05-17T07:50:00.000-07:00

we decided to take a trip to Aubrey, Texas... thats right!! Bryan and Ashley always come our way every weekend, so we decided to go there for the night. We all had a blast. We moved the furniture into Bryley's room, and got her closet all together. It is looking so cute! The bedding is taking 6 weeks to finish, i cant wait to see it!! Bryan is a master on the grill and dinner was delicious,yummy steaks and loaded potatoes! We went on a long walk and watched Up! Some of the pics Chloe has a diaper on....i did not want to take the chance of her wetting the bed on mattress that didnt have a waterproof cover!!!

Relay for Life

2010-05-16T07:48:00.000-07:00

What an experience!! Chad, Chloe, and I participated this year and we had a really good time! There were lots of people there helping to raise money and awareness. This will definitely be a new tradition for us!

A day with Papa...

2010-05-13T07:11:00.000-07:00

She cant wait for me to leave...gives me a big ole kiss...

then she rides her bike...

plays dress-up...

takes a little swim....

goes for a ride....

and relaxes in the swing...

What a life!!!!!

Adoption....

2010-05-03T08:13:00.000-07:00

I am writing this post to help my sweet, sweet cousin Stacy and her family. They are in the process of adopting a child from Ethiopia. The Reeve’s family have such wonderful hearts and yearn for their baby to be here with them to love and take care of . However as you all know, the cost of adoption is very expensive and they are trying all they can do to save up and get the process started. This week they are having a raffle for a beautiful handmade cross that Aaron, Stacy’s husband has made. Please stop by and visit their blog, and if you feel led to give and donate, I know they will appreciate it very much. I understand times are hard and budgets are tight, so if anything please visit their blog become a follower and pray for The Reeve’s family as they begin this journey. You can access their blog on my sidebar to the right by clicking the wooden cross “Grow Hope, change a life in Ethiopia”
You can also help spread the word by promoting this, putting this button in your sidebar

Hurry Up Bryley!

2010-04-28T08:58:00.000-07:00

so little!

Chloe giving Bryley a pep talk

This is her nursery colors turqoise, black , and damask!... i cant wait to see the bedding after it is made!!!

Sweet Alyssa, who came home with me after the shower! love that sweet girl!

All the fun stuff!

This past weekend I hosted Ashley's first shower. It was such a huge success! Her and Bryley received so many fabulous things. I can't wait to see what Bryley looks like, I dont know if I can wait that much longer to hold my little neice. I lover her so much already! I can't wait to see Chloe and her cousin playing and having sleepovers togethers at her favorite aunt's house (that's me LOL), gymnastic classes, dressing alike, I could go on and on!! It's going to be so much FUN!

Circus!!!

2010-04-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

A small circus traveled to Allen, so we went to check it out! Im still freaked out that we rode an elephant, not one of my best parenting decisions....but the look of pure excitement on Chloe's face talked me into it. Thank God it turned out ok. I asked the elephant trainer 100 questions of the elephant's history before we got on to ride. Overall, it was a pretty good Circus!!!

Danger!!!

2010-04-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

I knew it would be dangerous when we purchased the trampoline. Not for Chloe, but the boys in the family. Who really over the age of 30 schedules "break the egg" aka "bounce the person over the safety rails" games still?

Spring is in the AIR!!! FINALLY!

2010-04-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

Chloe could play "dinosaurs" all day with her bff, our neighbor Cade.

First Elephant Ear of the season

My handsome gardener....nope not for hire :) This reminds me , the neighbor (8 yrs old)told me yesterday that her mom and the neigbor across from us thinks that Chad is "Hot"..

Im sure her mother would die, if she knew she told me that!!! LOL

A worm!!!!!

It's that time again, for digging in the flower beds and playin' outside!!

Peter Cottontail

2010-04-09T17:00:00.000-07:00

Easter Sunday was such a fun day. We loaded the car and headed to King’s Trail to hear a great sermon. Brad, Bryan, Ashley, Christy, and Chloe were all in tow. It was so crowded that there was standing room only. I waited for the singing to be over with and headed out to the nursery. Chloe did not want to stay at all, there were about 5 crying kids in there. So I sat in there with her and played. One kid has so much green snot coming out of his nose, I thought he was going to suffocate. I decided Chloe and I would just go to the car and watch DVD’s…. so that is how my Easter service went. We went back to the farm had an Easter egg hunt, and my parents gave Chloe a chick for Easter. Yes that’s right a real live chicken…sigh. I have been trying to give it away, but “chicky” is so attached to Malakai now, they have became best buds…

This Easter Sunday was extra special, I truly witnessed a miracle that week. April a friend of mine found her little boy in the bottom of a pool, they were given no hope for him to live. Fast forward a week later… he is playing and is back at school. This story has been such a testimony for so many people to witness. It is such a heartbreaking but miraculous story. I went to see April at Childrens’s Medical Center while her son was still there. I was an emotional wreck listening to her tell how the doctors told her there was no hope but she knew her God was going to heal Aiden and she was going to leave with him, no matter what the medical team said. I prayed so hard that week, along with thousands of others. We really serve an awesome God !!!!You can read more about Aiden and his fight to live here.

Fave foto Friday

2010-04-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

That is pure excitment on her face :)

She loves to hold her hands in the air when jumping...

but...

She loves her Uncle Brad even more!!!

Playin' at the Park!!!

2010-03-24T19:33:00.000-07:00

I took Chloe to the park and she had such a great time, she really loves to swing and slide! This park in Allen is such a neat place, and it's close to Mimi and Pa's so they met us there!

And she's out!

Lovin some Cinnamon Rolls!

2010-03-24T19:31:00.000-07:00

Chloe's favorite breakfast

In her favorite spot...

Playing at the Land!

2010-03-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

We decided to hang out at the land today, Chloe loves playing and exploring outside. The neighbors always ask how Chloe is doing being cooped up for the winter. They always comment on how she is outside all the time.
We are ready for some good spring weather to roll around, Chloe is ready to spend her days outside getting all the Vitamin D possible! Needless to say she had a blast at the land. We are so ready to move out there...

Brad's land....

Pepaw and Brad

Bryan's land

Mom and Dad's land (this is the back of their land and they are going to put a cabin here until everyone get's built, so we all have a rest areas while we are out their working)

Chloe with her "stick"

Mom and Dads' pond...need more RAIN

Chloe touchiung the yucky water

Water splashing on the lake shore

Cheetos time

Riding with Uncle Brad

Riding the trails

Our pond Chad dug last week..more rain please!

The view from our land

This is where the house will be

Chloe fishing

Reeling in a fish

This is the view of our land...it goes from the tall tree on the left to the tall trees on the right

Brad Napping

Chloe napping in the hammock

Sweet girl!

Just relaxing!

Snow AGAIN!!!

2010-03-24T13:35:00.000-07:00

This crazy weather is getting out of control!!! Chloe really liked the snow this time and wanted to build a snowman, thank goodness Pa was there to help out cause I was COLD! Excuse the snow clothes. We had to layer since she doesnt have a snow suit!

Jump Around!!

2010-03-19T09:17:00.000-07:00

Every day for the last week Chloe has been dragging me to the neighbors trampoline and will jump for hours. She has a blast on it, but when it is time to go, it breaks her little heart. Their trampoline doesn’t have the safety net around it so it really scares me and I’m constantly running in circles making sure she isn’t going to fall off. The little tears got to Chad so he went a bought her a trampoline with a safety net! Thank goodness Brad came over to help Chad put it together because they had to start over about 3 times, which resulted in a VERY impatient little girl! She was soooo ready to jump. Let’s just say that there is a reason for instructions!

Here Chloe is patiently waiting and giving orders as her trampoline is going up!

Chad and Brad are realizing that you can't put the mat on spring by spring it's to hard to pull the last couple together

So they start over after Brad reads the instructions and realizes you ~~need~~ have to count each spring and connect diagonally....

Chad's expression after Brad tells him they need to start over...

Brad thinking..."did he really think that would work?"

Chloe's expression after she sees it all starting over...

Finally they got it right!

And Chloe's tears are drying up....

Because she can finally JUMP !!!

She had a blast jumping, it wore her out, she told the trampoline goodnight and we went in took a bath, and

she was out for the count!

Spring Fun!

2010-03-18T14:58:00.000-07:00

Just some fun pics! Have I mentioned I LOVE my new camera! I still know absolutely nothing about it, but I'm getting a little better at manual pictures. I also bought a new lens for it, that makes the blurriness in the back which I love!The lens is a Nikon 50mm Prime f/1.8. It's a called a prime lens because it doesn't zoom. You can get them new on Amazon for about $150. For some Nikon cameras like mine it's a manual focus only. The larger cameras have a focus motor built in, but they are much larger/heavier cameras. They make the same thing for Canon cameras, it's just the Canon brand. I really recommend this lens if your camera is compatible with it..

Chloe's First Haircut....

2010-03-18T14:13:00.000-07:00

Thought I could cut off the baby curls at the bottom of her hair since they are always in a knot. Well we cut them off and more have bounced back~!!! She was a champ at getting a cut!

Kyler turns ONE!

2010-03-18T14:08:00.000-07:00

My nephew Kyler turned ONE on Saturday! Happy Birthday Sweet boy!!!

Chloe's picnic

2010-03-15T10:32:00.000-07:00

Chad and I decided to try a new church out on Sunday. Bryan, Ashley, and my best friend Christy went with us. I didnt want to take Chloe with us since it was our first time, because i wanted to check the nursery out before I left her there. We LOVED it. I can't wait to go back. It's a hard decision but we may be going back and forth to both Higher Trails and King's Trail for awhile until we really decide which will be better for our family. They are both Cowboy churches and King's Trail pastor went to Higher Trails for awile until he decided to take on being a pastor at KT. Cant wait to see what the next couple of months brings us :)

Back to Chloe.... she had a great time at Gigi and Papa's swinging and bouncing in the bouce house...and having a lunch picnic :)
Later Sunday night my brothers, Ashley, and some of our friends came over for a cookout! Not a great night to be up late, with the time change though!

It's a GIRL!

2010-03-15T09:41:00.000-07:00

Friday we went to the sonogram to find out what Bryan and Ashley are having. We were all crammed in the room. Mom, Dad, Bryan, Ashley, Jackie, Chloe, and myself. Everyone was voting boy except for me. Not that I really thought it was a girl, i was just wanting another one! Im sure I would be saying the same thing if it was a boy also! Ashley is finally getting a tiny pooch, it is so cute. The baby was moving around like crazy and kicking. Ashley still hasn't felt the baby kick, they said it was probably because she has an inverted placenta. That means it on the wall of the stomach, basically the baby is just kicking the placenta. I can't wait for Bryley Mikel to get here!!!!

Chloe's 2nd Birthday

2010-03-07T07:57:00.000-08:00

Chloe's birthday party was a beautiful weekend and had a great turnout of friends and family at the farm! She was exhausted by the end of the day but had a blast! There were clowns, facepainting, balloon animals, pony rides, and a bouncehouse! Chloe never got off her pony, when they had to leave she had a major meltdown! Thanks to all my friends for coming out! We love you all!

I love this picture of Grady Copeland... both Jacob and Grady painted their faces like puppies and crawled on four legs barking most of the party. It was hysterical. At one point I looked over at Grady and he had dumped his cheetos and was eating them off the ground like a puppy! Good times! love it!

Sesame Street Live!!

2010-03-02T10:30:00.000-08:00

What a day!!! We actually made it on time after being stuck in traffic and getting lost. We were frazzled by the time we got there but it was worth every bit of it. We walked in and the characters were already on stage singing and dancing. Chloe yelled "YAY" and started clapping then she was naming them off... Big Bird, Zoe, Elmo, Bert, Ernie...

I actually put a pull up on her thinking she would be so excited that she would forget to ask to go to the restroom, but nope. We went three times!!! She would say " Hurry RUN, potty" .Her favorite part of the show was went they did a clip from Elmo's World and Mr. Noodle came out. She loves him. She was screaming "Noodle, Noodle, Noodle"... She sunk back in to her seat and under her breath she said "awwwwwesome". The look on her face through out the show was priceless. I dont think I watched much of it, I was just staring at her precious smiling face that was in awe of all her dancing friends.

The Montgomery's

2010-02-25T07:03:00.000-08:00

I wanted to show some sweet pictures of my youngest cousin Ben and his beautiful new bride Jen……

The Engagement ....

Engagement Party....

Engagement Picture....

Bridal ....

Wedding.....

Happily Ever After.....

Frosty..

2010-02-23T13:37:00.000-08:00

I still can’t believe all the snow we got last week! CRAZY! We didn’t get out in it for too long, Chloe wasn’t excited about really. She didn’t like the cold. I had to get pictures of her in it though so we took a couple then went back in to the fire and watch all the kids have fun from the door. Chloe named her snowman "Girl".

Hide and Go Seek

2010-02-22T09:24:00.000-08:00

When the door bell rings...this is where you'll find us. This is her new favorite spot! Pretty good one, huh?

It's Potty Time

2010-02-15T09:54:00.000-08:00

That's right, potty training time around our house:) Brought on by Chloe and not me. She really loves to go to the potty, and i would say she is about 95% trained :) She loves putting stickers on her chart everytime she goes :) Don't tell her where the stickers are...she thinks they come from the tee-tee fairy's that watch over her to help remind her to go! This has worked really well for me!

Valentines

2010-02-15T09:44:00.000-08:00

For Valentines and for our birthday coming up, Chad and I went out and purchased us a really nice camera that has been needed for a long time! We stayed home from church because Chloe is getting a runny nose. I didn't want to get her out in the wind, so we just went to the farm for a little bit and Bryan and Ashley came home with us and we watched Open Water 2 along with my parents. Chloe got lots of her favorite candy from her cousin Kyler, and her Gigi, Papa, Mimi, Pa, Memaw, Pa, Kim, Donna, Granny, Papa, uncle Bryan, aunt Ashley and her mommy and daddy showered her with PLENTY of Valentine goodies!

Ashley reading Chloe her card

Goodies from us

Chloe with her hair soaking wet and right out of the shower, dont worry it's a 1000 degrees in our house

Daddy and his Valentine :)

Our weekend Fun!

2010-02-15T09:24:00.000-08:00

My cousin Bill, showing Chloe some dance moves.

Joey and Brad on the screened in porch getting warm by the fireplace Joey built

An intense match between Bryan and my cousin Chaz

Chad reading up on a Fitness magazine

Chloe busting out the worm

Lovebirds

Lovebirds again. weirdos.

Chloe trying to leave with the paddles

This is the prize everyone wants to have and hold until the next weekend match....the ping pong championship necklace. That's right, made out of authentic speaker wire and electical tape, and the winning ping pong ball. Brad has been the keeper of it every weekend. He is very proud of it. (This was the next morning when he came to my house, he slept in it, and had it on all day..even when we went to eat.)

This is where we hang out if we go anywhere…The Cassady’s barn (it's there garage, that has been turned int o a little living quarters). Joey was our neighbor growing up in P-Town and we will soon be neighbors again. His house is right down the road from our land. Brad, Bryan and Joey have been best friends since they could walk and now Chad is part of their little friend circle. They do everything together from wakeboarding, hunting, and just hanging out. Joey is such a handyman and is always improving/fixing/or buying some new toy that everyone has fun with…. His latest purchase was a ping pong table. Chloe and I usually stay for awhile and then we get out, because we know it’s going to get loud and something crazy is going to go on. Always a GOOD TIME at The Cassady barn!

CJ turns 4!~

2010-02-15T08:46:00.000-08:00

Chloe and her BFF :)

Jackson and the dogs

Darth Vader!

Bounce house FUN!

Birthday Boy CJ!

And below:

Marky

Saturday we went to The Miller’s for CJ’s 4th birthday party. It was a Star Wars themed party and the decorations were so cute!!! Missy’s mother makes their cakes and they are always sooo YUMMY!!! There was a bounce house and also a piñata! CJ cracked me up when he was opening gifts, he thought every gift was the coolest thing ever! Chloe and Marky had a great time chatting and Peyton has to be the smiliest baby I have ever been around. I would bounce a balloon on his head and he would crack up, Im pretty sure he did this for about 15 minutes straight. Also Missy’s triplet nieces were there and they were adorable!!!! Three boys under the age of four....let me tell you, Missy has got it together, she is a super-mommy! Chloe had so much fun at his party, she was asleep 3 minutes after we left! !

RIP Ryan Clay

2010-02-11T07:23:00.000-08:00

lft to rght: Ryan Clay, Christy Clay, & Colton Clay

The world lost a beautiful soul a year ago today and my best friend lost her brother....

Ryan, you are missed by everyone. The world is not the same without your big smile and laughter. You had a charisma about you that warmed everyone's heart. I know you are standing with the Lord today helping drop this snow, to keep the smiles on the faces that knew you, as everyone still mourns your loss. You are missed terribly.

Aubrey turns 2!

2010-02-10T09:33:00.000-08:00

Saturday night Ashley, Chloe, and myself went to Aubrey's birthday party in Wylie. She had a "be mine" themed party and it was soooo cute!!! She was a little hoot opening up all her presents! Chloe had a great time in Aubrey's room playing with all her toys, I could not get her out of there! Stacy (Aubrey and Alyssa's mom, who is also my cousin ) have announced that they will be adopting from Ethiopia, please keep them in your prayers as they go through this exciting time in their life. Happy Birthday Aubrey!

Friends Wanted :)

2010-02-10T09:19:00.000-08:00

I made my sister in law a blogspot to keep up with their crazy adventures! Follow her and my brother here for some great stories ! Once again, Erin did her majic on designing the blog.

Bye Bye Staph!

2010-02-08T11:30:00.000-08:00

About two weeks ago Chloe had MRSA staph infection. It was a terrible thing to go through, it was so painful for her and she couldn’t sit in a high chair or car seat. She was a tough little trooper and 10 days of antibiotics cleared her up! Just thought I would add some pictures of her at her follow up appointment! She loves Dr. Eley…and so do I!!! I’m just praying now that she doesn’t catch anything in that office, there were a lot of coughing kids in there today!

Happy 7th Birthday Malakai!!

2010-02-03T10:35:00.000-08:00

For me a house becomes a home when you add one set of four legs, a happy tail, and that indescribable measure of love that we call a dog...we love you so much!!!!

Christmas 2009

2010-02-03T10:29:00.000-08:00

I’m already missing Christmas again, so ready for it to be back. Chloe loved Christmas so much this year also! She knew that Santa would come down the chimney and eat cookies and drop off gifts. Funny thing is that her pronunciation of “Santa” comes out as “Satan”, so it was really weird hearing that word about a million times during the holiday. What is even worse is that she does not like to see him in person, so anytime we walked by him at the mall, she would be screaming “Nooooo Satan noooooo” and of course all the weird looks would come my way. We will be working on that word throughout the year.

Chloe was sick most of the month of December. She had a cold, then she had the croup, then a double ear infection. She was on Omnicef, Augmentin, then finally had to get two shots of Rotussin in her legs. Her two worst nights with fever were Christmas Eve and New Years Eve… go figure.

We started Christmas Eve at my parents house, it was already starting to sleet and we knew we had to get all the way out to the farm to start Christmas there. So we hurried. Chloe got so much stuff. Clothes galore, a tricycle, basketball goal, baby strollers and all the works. Bryan and Ashley got her clothes and a big easel. Brad and Amanda got her a CUTE Gap outfit with matching shoes, a Baby Alive, and a kids fireman outfit. This girl has her uncles wrapped around her little finger. We all headed out to The Farm to be with uncles, aunts, cousins, and grandparents. My memaw got her The Christmas Story book, my memaw’s voice narrates the whole thing, it is so neat. I know there will be a Christmas Eve one day where I am letting my memaw read the story with her voice to my grandkids. Such a wonderful gift. We had a great time talking and laughing and playing our annual Christmas game of guessing the right number and opening a gift that my grandparents put under the tree. The Jones’ didn’t do too well this year, we didn’t ever guess the right number out of 50 gifts probably!! Last year we did pretty good, but ended up getting household items that we already had so we gave them to my cousin Cole who was just getting him an apartment. It is always so fun to play that game, and there is always one gift that everybody wants! The grandkids got my Memaw and Pepaw a picture of all of us together, they loved it!!!!

We left there and went home, Chloe fell asleep, and it was time for Santa to start putting everything together. Bryan and Ashley stayed with us since the roads were so bad and helped out. Mom and Dad were there too so they could help lug all the gift for Chloe back to our house. We were all up until about 2:30 putting things together! Chloe’s ears started hurting her around 3:00 and she didn’t go back to sleep until 6:00, it was a long night! Everyone but Chloe woke up around 8:00 and we started breakfast..eggs, gravy, sausage, biscuits, and hash browns. We were so excited and anxious we went and woke up Chloe. It took her a minute to catch on that Santa brought her all these gifts..she kept saying “Gosh…Awesome” over and over.

We relaxed for a while and went to Chad’s parents. It was just them and his brother’s family, everyone else was snowed in, so we went over there and exchanged gifts. Chloe was just not feeling it that day and didn’t want to open gifts so we waited until the next day for her to finish. She got so many toys clothes, and fun things to play with from her Gigi and Papa. And her Aunt Beth and Uncle Tommy got her foam alphabet mats to play with. I also got the cricut I had been wishing for and lots of cartridges to go with it! I can’t wait to start making fun things with it.

2009 was a great Christmas. It was filled with lots of family, happiness, and fun. It was a great Celebration of our Savior!

Nativity Scenes

2010-02-03T10:22:00.000-08:00

We went to McKinney's First Baptist church to ride through their story of the birth of Christ. It was so cool to see the story unfold right in front of you!My camera was not behaving so sorry for the shaky pictures!!!

Christmas Pictures

2010-02-03T09:30:00.000-08:00

Just a peek at some of our family pictures we had taken this year :)

Flowergirl

2010-02-03T07:08:00.000-08:00

The New Playroom

2010-02-02T14:53:00.000-08:00

This room has been everything..a game room with a plush sofa, x-box and decked out Texas Tech décor (that was pre-baby of course). Then it became the office, since it is the first room you see when walking in the house, I thought a nice desk and office chair would be a better view for company. BUT.. Chloe got older which meant she every toy that has ever been invented strung out all over my living room. So one night after Chloe and Chad went to bed, I did some rearranging, taking shelves from here and there, moving chairs from this room to that . Just totally rearranging it. It ended up being a cute little playroom for her to strow toys everywhere!!! All I ended up buying for it was cube storage boxes for the shelves. It is still a work in progress but I really like it and so does Chloe! Above the TV, I have vinyl stickers that read "Chloe's Diva Den" that I still need to stick up.

I HEART Vick's

2010-02-02T14:49:00.000-08:00

This was one of those sick days when we both were under the weather and daddy was at the deer lease. She found the Vick’s rub and went to town with it. I didn’t care, it kept her happy and it was the first smile I had seen in a couple hours. Kinda a crazy look huh??????

~ Don’t worry it’s baby Vick’s so it wasn’t the regular burn your eyes smell that the regular one is!!!

Five Generations

2010-02-02T14:41:00.000-08:00

Lft to Rgt

Kathy Gilbert-Welborn (mom), Chloe Jones (daughter), Hollie Welborn-Jones(me), Willie Mae Gilbert(great-grandma), & Jimmy Gilbert (grandpa)Now this is a big family!!! Once Bryan and Ashley have their baby it will be a total of 187 kids, grandkids, great grandkids, and great- great grandkids!!! Hard to find a name that hasn't already been used. My pepaw's twin sister Jane has a grandaughter named Chloe also... but if we ever have another girl, I have a name picked out already that no one has :)

The Curly Hair Curse!!!

2010-02-02T14:34:00.000-08:00

Seriously… check out this tangled mess! This is what Chloe’s hair looks like every morning! Crazy huh!? Personally, I think she makes a rat’s nest look beautiful!*sigh*

Mozart...or at least I think so!

2010-02-02T14:09:00.000-08:00

It's FINALLY here!!!!

2010-02-02T13:14:00.000-08:00

I will be going to get it right after work to buy, it seemed like ages ago when she announced it would be coming out in February....ahhhhhhh the wait is over !!!! So Long Insecurity, you've been a bad friend to us...here I come!!!

My TOUGH man!!

2010-01-26T07:29:00.000-08:00

Chad has started back up a passion of his that he quit doing a couple of years ago…Jui-Jitsu. I bought him a year’s membership when we were living in Lubbock for his birthday but when he graduated and moved back he really didn’t find a academy that he really loved until now. He is training twice a week on Monday and Wednesday in Allen at Kilgore Academy. His trainer is a third degree black belt under Carlos Machado and he is an active Dallas police officer. Chad was belted up a couple weeks ago to a Blue Belt. It’s a little different at Kilgore Academy because the rank goes white belt, blue belt, and so on. At Pittman’s in Lubbock where he was a blue belt the rank went white, yellow, orange, green, blue, and so on. I’m not sure why they are different from each MMA academies.

Chloe and I went last week to watch him train, needless to say we left because Chloe wanted to attack Chad’s partner he was rolling with. ( I can definitely say that Chloe will not ever have a problem standing up for herself). Chad has been wanting to put her in Jui-Jitsu when she turns three. Honestly I did not have a problem with it. I plan on having her in everything that way she will know what she loves. That changed after my visit. There were three girls in the class and it is sooo not a girly sport. Needless to say I had a conversation with Chad last night and told him my fears of Chloe ending up loving Jui-jitsu and shaving the underneath of her hair so you can see it in a ponytail and rolling all over the ground punching people and breaking arms. He laughed and said that I was right and he would teach her how to protect herself and give her lessons at home.

One last thing~

Dear Lord,

Please do not have the women at Kilgore Academy read this blog, I know they would break my arms and legs.

Amen

A New Look for the New Year

2010-01-25T11:41:00.000-08:00

Finally I have a new look!

My character people were just not doing it anymore. My hair is dark now, Chloe's is blonde..plus I just wanted it to be more "real and not so "cartooney". My friend Erin said she would glam it up for me. Soooo. here it is, I love it, and I think it fits MUCH better!

Check out Erin's blog, she has a blog button on the sidebar. I dont think she has any set prices yet, but you should check her out if you are interested! She is very talented and creative, and you may find some great DIY tutorials while on her blog. While you are there check out her birthing story, it floors me everytime I read it. She gave birth to her son and it became a not so perfect birthing story resulting in a 14 day stay in the hospital for herself and having to be resuscitated 3 times. Her story definitely shows God's miracles being performed, the power of prayer, and her living to tell her testimony about it!
THANKS ERIN!!!!!

It's kinda EXPLODED!

2009-12-16T14:22:00.000-08:00

It started out as a simple crafting project for myself (thanks to Erin @ http://www.everbrooke.blogspot.com/) , then turned into lots of orders for different frames. Check out my crafty blogspot. Remember the blog is just starting, I should be adding things periodically. I have some super cute things Im working on! Stay tuned!

http://www.gypsybelleboutique.blogspot.com/