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...

Summer Road Trip #1

Last week, we went on our first road trips for the summer to see extended family. We had a great time when not traveling in the car. It was great seeing family and letting our kids play together. My brother-i-l and his family caravaned with us. Thanks! It helped to have kids' cousins with us to play and see as we traveled.


First, we stopped in OK City for lunch and to see the OKC Memorial. It was nice to finally see it, although Daddy and I agreed we need to go back without kids to see the museum portion.

The Survivor Tree -- 90+ Years Old
Second, we stopped in Jenks, OK to see Daddy's Uncle & his family. Altogether, we had 8 adults and 8 kids. I tried, unsuccessfully, to get a picture of all 8 kids. (Maybe another one of you got one.) We even went out to eat together for dinner.






Third, we went to Neosho, MO to see Daddy's grandmother, uncle & aunt. The kids had fun playing together at grandma great's house. There's something to be said about living in a small town -- don't have to worry about locking your doors, the kids playing outside, no traffic and you can shoot off fireworks at home. And, the weather was great -- high of 77. Nice break from the TX heat! The 'big boys' had a blast shooting off fireworks. We got a picture of Grandma Great with all 6 of her grandkids at church Sunday -- last picture.

Haircuts

Sissy and JT got a haircut yesterday. I wanted to post a picture since Sissy cut off 5 more inches, and JT was still enough to get a better haircut. Sissy's hair was to her waist; she cut off 3 inches in Spring and now 5 more. It hasn't been this short in a very long time. But, it was her idea and she has been talking about it for awhile. I think she looks cute with her haircut, and she's just thrilled with it. And, JT looks so "big" with his cut. He's looking less and less like my little baby boy. Both growing up too fast.

A Pirate Birthday Celebration

Ahoy! Captain Jacob had a pirate celebration Saturday for his 3rd birthday. The kiddos played in the water, complete with a pirate ship wading pool. They had fun with the water blasters and wading pools while the adults go to melt in the heat. Not sure what I was thinking...next year, we'll do something indoors or the big pool so all can swim. JT had fun though and was happy to spend the day with family and friends. He was especially happy Grammy & Papa were able to make it.

Happy Birthday, my little pirate!

Make a wish! Cousin Zach might be the smallest pirate, but he was right in the middle of everything. No fear!

The boys were "shooting" the big girls in the other "ship".

Arrrgh!

Sissy and JT getting ready for the party! JT's cousins gave him a racing helmet. He loves it!

JT's friends, the 3 H. brothers, gave him pirate gear. He loves it of course.

Don't you love his pirate look here -- Arrrr!

Mommy & Daddy gave him a "big pirate ship" to play with. He loved his friend's so much and now has one of his own...many hours of play, no doubt.

Happy Birthday JT!

Happy 3rd Birthday JT!

Dear JT,
Yesterday, you turned 3 years old. I have to admit to myself that you're not a little baby anymore. I cried a few months ago when I was going through your baby clothes and giving them away. I couldn't believe it -- my last baby is no longer a baby. You've have learned so much this past year. You surprise me all the time by how much you can say now, using new words almost daily. You're into trains, pirate ships, fire trucks and outdoors...all boy, for sure.

You have always been entertaining and funny, but that is accelerating with the expansion of your vocabulary and knowledge. You make us laugh and smile all the time. JT, you are just plain funny! Your delivery can be so dramatic. We have a blast playing with you and laughing at you. Sometimes, it's just hard to get upset or discipline you, because you're so darn cute. You are definitely our extrovert...never met a stranger. You'll talk to anyone, make friends and entertain.

This past year, you have gained confidence and strived for independence. We've entered into some "terrible 2's" (now 3's) as you're learning what you can and can't do and frustration to communicate as fast as you're thinking. But, this is normal and I know it will get better as fast as you're progressing. You've had some pretty good tantrums, but not nearly as many good "flop downs" as your sister when she was a toddler, if that makes you feel any better. :)

You are so stinking cute I can hardly stand it. I love those big, blue eyes & blonde hair your daddy gave you. You're still a skinny little thing. It looks like I don't feed you, but I do. Although, this past year, you've managed to survive mostly on air. Hopefully, this next year, you'll go back to eating good and growing more.

I know I still "baby" you in many ways, but I'm hanging on to my last baby and enjoying every minute I can before you no longer want to cuddle and be Mommy's little buddy. I've tried to turn you into a "Momma's Boy", but that's not happening. Like your sister and even the 2 cats, you LOVE your Daddy, always eager to see him and spend time with him...whether it's playing or "helping him" with his work.

Bottom line, you are such a blessing to my and Daddy's life. Simply a joy! And, this holds true for your Sissy too. You two are very close; it's fun to watch you play together, which goes pretty well...most of the time.

Happy Birthday, my baby boy. I love you! Mom