Spring Break 2010

For Spring Break this year, the kids and I went to visit my parents in NM. The road trip was an adventure. My friend's parents live in a nearby town in NM so we decided to travel together to see our folks...2 Moms, 5 kids, 1 new puppy (not ours). It went really well...much better than my friend and I imagined. It didn't take long to discover I was fortunate to be the driver. My friend was the "snack lady"...every few minutes it seemed, she heard from 1 or more children that they were hungry or thirsty, or needing assistance in some manner. If we go on another road trip together, we decided there will be designated snack times.

The Roadies

We made it to my Mom's...Mimi, as the kids call her. We stayed with her and SO enjoyed our time visiting with her. Sissy and JT love her backyard. Mom has a talent growing things, especially beautiful roses.

Mimi bought them each something from "Wally World" to play with at her house...Sissy, the artist, got sidewalk chalk and JT got a baseball bat & tee.

We tried out several parks around Mimi's town. Grandad joined us for lunch and the parks.

My parents can still act like kids. It was fun playing together.

We went to my Dad's house...he only lives about 35 miles from Mom. The kids had a blast. Dad and Jackie know how to entertain kids.

They have a karaoke machine, which they love to sing on, especially Sissy. JT even did his *Metallica* version on B-I-N-G-O...which he learned from his Daddy.

Grandad even had a "Mountain" in the living room for the kids to climb and play in. And, I quickly emphasized to the kids that "NO, we will not be getting a mountain in our house."

My Dad...retired Army Lt. Colonel

love you Dad

Here's the old railroad bridge that they still use and my Dad used to play on when he was a kid. JT loved this...train obsession and all.

Cool park by the river

View of the river and bridge

Grandad also has his own golf cart, which what we rode around in to the golf course, park and river. My kids loved it; they think Grandad ROCKS. He even let them drive..a little scary.

Grandad has a golf course as his backyard, which is really nice and fun for the kids. And, "NO" again...we're not going to "get a golf course" either.

Summer Road Trip #2

We took our second road trip last week to see my parents in New Mexico. As temperatures dropped in Lewisville, we headed for the desert. Good planning, right? Well, at least it's a dry heat there. We had a great time even with all the quality time in the car. I think I'm all done with road trips for the summer though...

First stop was a stop over in Lubbock at Grammy & Papa's on the way to NM. JT got to visit "his train" while he was there. Sissy and JT were so happy to see Grammy & Papa and their 3 kitties, especially BIG Buddy.


Second stop was Mimi's house. It was great seeing my Mom and the kids had lots of fun playing at her house...a new environment, even with white/off white carpet, which fared just fine...


Third stop was Grandad & Jackie's house. We picked up my Dad and headed to Carlsbad Caverns. The kids loved the "cave". We took the elevator down, but next time we plan to walk down so we can see more of the caverns. It's a long way so we just thought the kids would get too tired this young. It felt great down there (56 degrees), but still pretty dark so JT wanted to be carried most of the way. So glad Daddy (hubby) came along. :) Here's a couple pics. The 3rd is of a rock formation called "Lion's Tail"; I had to put that one, being a cat lover & all. The last pic at the caverns the kids are holding up their souvenir coins.
After the cave, we went back to play at Grandad's. He & Jackie are good entertainers...wading pool, new remote control car & bat and karaoke. Even with the golf course behind Dad's house, JT managed to fly the "bat" on top of the house, which Daddy retrieved along with about 10-15 golf balls. Sissy loved singing on the karaoke machine with Jackie. She didn't want to stop or leave -- just sing.

The first 2 pictures here I took at the museum in Carlsbad; we stopped by on the way back to Dad's. My Dad is on the far right in the first picture as Asst. Fire Chief. They were pulling the old fire hose cart for a parade. Dad was on the fire department from 1958 to 1964. The second picture is Dad with the kids and the same fire hose cart. Okay, Dad, you're officially an old fart now. I labeled you that, lovingly of course, when the government and army retired you years ago. But, with the dark sunglasses that wrap around your existing eye glasses, your sign is out. LOL! JT flying the bat.


Back to Mimi's... It was evening on the drive back. We almost hit a deer, which gave my ticker a jump. And, I got to witness an incredible lighting storm in the distance without a drop of rain where we were. Amazing what you can see when you're in a wide open space.

The kids enjoyed Mimi's back yard. She has always loved plants, has a green thumb, especially for growing roses. Sissy was attached to the little bird house, which was actually a lantern. So it made it into most of the pictures. JT has his pvc pipe "gun" along.


Daddy and JT went out front to fly the bat. Daddy, not JT, flew the bat into the top of this tree. He couldn't get it down. Tried a shoe, which got stuck. Tried the other shoe, which got stuck as well. So, Daddy had to go get a tree pruner to get 1 bat and 2 shoes out of the tree. Never a dull moment.
You know you're in SE New Mexico when the fields are covered with oil dereks, not cattle. We're not in TX anymore...

Labor Day Weekend

Friday, Sissy fell asleep on the couch; she was all tuckered out from the first week of school. Saturday, we went to a car show for a bit -- too hot! Can you say "Sonic...Cherry Limeade"? Then, we went to the pool. We had a blast. JT had fun sitting on the fountains that spray water up in the shallow end. Sissy did great swimming around with "river" with just a life jacket on. She getting more confident in the water. I swam with her...don't know how many laps we did that afternoon. I didn't need to go walking that night. Sunday, we went to church and I baked a cake that afternoon, which the kids helped with. See pics below. I let them lick the beaters and bowl when we're done making it. You haven't lived as a child until you've licked the beaters. I still remember my Mom giving my sister and I a beater each when she baked -- good memories, sweets :). On Monday, my Dad (Grandad) came into town. The kids were so excited to see him. It has been way too long. See picture below.

And, yesterday, Paw Paw was in town for business and took us out to eat for mexican food. YUM! The kids were so excited to see their Paw Paw too...in the same week. They wanted to know who was showing up next...Grammy? Mimi? Not this week.... LOL, Momma Wolg




Before cake...chocolate















After cake...looks much the same













Grandad, Sissy and JT

Happy Father's Day!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, "DADDY"!

JT came up with a song just for Father's Day. It goes "Daddy's a Daddy". You sing the same verse time and time again, like row, row your boat, and ocassionally, put a car or toot sound in. It's especially nice when sung in the car non-stop.

I didn't know I could love, admire and respect Daddy any more until he became a father. Wow! He is an incredible father, husband and leader of our home. He is most deserving of our love and admiration. Daddy provides for his family and goes to work even when he doesn't feel like it; he takes care of our home and family; he takes responsiblity; he "gits 'er done"...whatever it is; he spends time with his kids; he sets a good example; he's giving and helpful. I could go on. Basically, Daddy tells his kids (& me) that he loves us, but his daily actions speak louder than words ever could.

Thank you Daddy for being the father, that you are, to my babies. I love you! Momma Wolg

Happy Father's Day to My Dad!

Hope you have a great day! Thank you for raising me -- providing for me, teaching me and for the laughter. I love you! Momma Wolg