New "do-s"

This week the girls got new summer haircuts... mind you, I have been going to get these appointments and have this done since school let out.  One month ago. Don't judge me, internets... sometimes life gets a little busy!!  Anyway, I took these photos at the Beauty Shop with my cell phone, so you'll get the full effect.  Their hair is even still wet!!  

Here is Miss Gracie.  I know, I know, her hair is still long, but it's shorter than it was before!  She got almost 4 inches trimmed off!Here is Abigail.  Her transformation is the most dramatic, I think.  Her hair was pretty long.  She got almost 6 inches cut off.  I think her new cut makes her look WAY too mature!  Where is my "baby"?!?!?!?

And, finally, my big girl, Kate.  I think she actually wanted to go shorter, but was a little afraid... the last time she went short, it didn't turn out quite like she had imagined.  She didn't like it.  So, I think she's a little gun shy!  But, this cut turned out super cute.  She even added a small "side bang" (which you can't see in the photo, because her hair is wet!).  Anyway, she was pleased with the outcome, and so was her dear old mom!
Happy Summer, but hurry up, Fall!  Summer is H-O-T  here!!!

One of the many advantages to farm life...

...is the vast array of animals available to pet and play with.  My girls love animals.  ALL animals.  A few weeks ago they had the chance to go and visit some alpacas.  Yes, I said alpacas.  One of the fabulous Ju-Ju's friends has alpacas.  They raise the alpacas for their fur (or hair... I'm not sure what the proper term is!)  Any-hoo, the alpacas are big pets with really price-y hair that gets shaved and sold a few times a year.  The girls had never seen an alpaca before, and were pretty impressed by them.  The alpacas love people, and love being petted and fed.

Here's Kate, petting the baby alpaca.  How cute!!  
Here's Grace, trying to attract the attention of an alpaca.
And, here's Abby, feeding one of the alpacas.
Farm living... it's really a new adventure every day!!!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the Dads in my world...

Here's Luke's Dad...... and my Dad, posing with Miss Gracie...

... and my darlin' hubby, Luke, the father of my children.  He's such a good father, and I thank God every day for the love he shows our girls every day.  He has been "on call" all weekend, even though Friday was his birthday and today was Father's Day.  He has had a rather rough weekend, and not a lot of sleep.
But, the weekend is nearly over, and we plan to celebrate tomorrow.  
So, Happy Father's Day, honey!  We all love you!!!!

Happy Birthday, Luke!

Today my beloved husband turns 38 years old.  I had an entire string of photos of him, ready to upload, but blogger had other plans tonight.  So, I'll leave you with just one photo of him running this Spring.  He looks so happy in this picture!!Happy Birthday, Babe!  Even though you are working on your birthday, I hope it is a good one!!  I love you!

The Big Winner...

I am so honored... our wonderful, loving, irreplaceable babysitter (also known as the Fabulous Ju-Ju), is the latest recipient of the "Yard of The Month" Award here in H-Town.  I am in the presence of a real celebrity!!  ;-)

Here is a little "visual" of why she won...Anyway, back to WHY I am feeling honored... a few weeks ago she had our kids over to her house for a little cook-out and fun with her neighbors.  They did all kinds of fun things, and many of these I will have to blog about later.  One of the things they did was work out in Ju-Ju's beautiful yard.  Ju-Ju took lots of great pictures, and I'll be showing you these a few at a time.  The pics of the girls in their "gardening" hats were my favorites.  I have to share.



Those are pretty cute.

The dog days of summer...

We are really in the grip of summer around here... the kids are still crazy busy with swimming lessons and playing with friends.  Since school was out, they have spent a few days here with Nana, done an art camp, 2 different sessions of VBS, and taken swimming lessons.  All of the kids have started a tumbling class.  Kate has started a summer softball league.  I thought this summer was going to be easy and relaxed... not so much!!

My blog has really been ignored lately.  I just can't seem to find time to do everything that needs to be done!!  

Maybe when school starts again, things will slow down... but probably not!

Vacation pics...

I'm finally getting around to loading some photos of our time in the Bahamas.  So, in no particular order, because blogger makes you think backwards, here they are!

Here was the beach in Nassau.  Yes, it was a little cloudy, but it rained  a little bit every day.  At least it wasn't so hot that you couldn't stand it!
Our ship.  The photo doesn't do it justice.  It was huge.
We went to Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.  Folks, it was AMAZINGLY beautiful.  Possibly the most beautiful place I've ever seen.  I took tons of photos, but this one shows you a little bit about what I mean... huge, grandiose, marvelously, breathtakingly beautiful.
Here is our "cruise ship" photo from dinner the first night.  Smile!  Say cheese!
And, here is our official "I'm getting on the boat" photo.  Check out Luke's shirt... that was a surprise gift from his loving wife!  :-)
We had an awesome time!!!  

...AND... they're back...

... and they had a wonderful, marvelous, relaxing time.

I highly recommend getting away for a few days.

It really made me appreciate the things I have.

Like my kids.

And my parents (who made this POSSIBLE, because they took care of those kids.)

And also my BED and my KITCHEN.

I know this sounds crazy, because some days I hate to cook, but by today, after someone else deciding what I was going to eat for 4 days, I told Luke that I was ready to cook something.  Anything.

He laughed and shook his head.

I guess he thinks I might be a little hard to understand.

I don't know what he's talking about!!!  :-)

Welcome home to me.  It's good to get away, but it's even better to come back home!!!  

I'm leaving on a jet plane...

... and then getting on a big cruise ship tomorrow!!! I can't wait. To celebrate our 15th year of wedded bliss, my darling hubby planned a surprise trip to the bahamas. My parents have already arrived to spoil my children while we are away. Does life get any better than this? I think not...

I'll be out of touch for a few days. Many photos when I get back (unless I forget the camera... which, knowing me, is a real possibility...) :-)

Grace, Grace, Grace...

I do realize that I have 3 children, but, really, none of them are as funny as my "baby"...

Here's her latest.

Hubby has surprised me with a trip to commemorate our 15th anniversary.  FABULOUS!!!!  Can't wait!!!  In a few days we are off on a cruise, WITHOUT CHILDREN.  A cruise that hubby planned for us, all by himself, with no help from me.  Heaven.  

Anyway, when reading all the information about this cruise, I discovered that one of the evenings is a "formal" evening.  This means only one thing... I have to figure out what to wear!!  So, the other night, the girls decide that I should have a "fashion show", and model dresses from my closet.  While they soaked leisurely in my bath tub, I tired on dresses for them.  When I got the first one on, I was turning around for them to have a look at it.  Kate said, "I give you a 6."  I said, "You're a harsh critic!"  Abby said, "I give you a 10!"  I said, "I love you."  Grace looked for a while, and then shouted, "GUACAMOLE!!!!!!"  We all stopped and looked at her in confusion.  Luke said, "Why did you shout guacamole?"  Grace answered, nonchalantly, "I just felt like saying Guacamole!"

Oh, that kid kills me...