One of the joys of parenting

Some of my greatest memories growing up with my brother are making tents out of our sheets.  I'm sure they started off basic, but after a while they were detailed.  So elaborate that they'd cover the whole hallway and then some!  We had 'rooms' and thankfully my parents let us sleep there once in a while.  I remember the sheets being hung up by yarn/string from doorknob to doorknob or we'd get crafty and use random things around the house to make "walls".  I'm laughing right now because I clearly remember one time that we almost caught our house on fire after we covered a lampshade with a sheet.  Psst:  BAD IDEA!!  :-) 

I love those memories and that's just one thing out of a million why it's great to be a parent.  You get to do the fun things you did as a child and recreate them with your child(ren)!

This was this past winter while we were snowed in for 4 days

 Austin's "Living area"

Austin's sleeping area 

Another set up. . . Austin's new "living area".  Complete with CARS on DVD! 

 

Tonight's tent:  Not as elaborate. . .

 

He insisted on sleeping with it closed!  HaHa 

Sneak peak when you open it up 

Poor baby is passed out cold!

His tent from a few days ago.  I originally was thinking he'd sleep on his old crib matteress, but he insisted on sleeping inside the pack n' play!  HaHa

CHEESE! 

I'm not sure if it's a coincedence or what, but Austin has been sleeping in later ever since he's been sleeping in his tent.  Instead of waking up at 6:30/7am bright-eyed and bushy tailed, he's awake around 8/8:15!  It's only happened 2 days in a row, but WOW, we'll take it!

It's memories like this that melt my heart. I can't wait to share more of my childhood memories with him as he grows up!

I'm Monet. . . really, I am!

Our church likes to pride itself on fellowship between one another - as all good churches do - but it's one thing that makes this church so inviting to others.  We have family gatherings for holidays and special functions as well as activities for JUST the men or just the women to have a sense of unity and to build closer friendships.  A few months back a friend of mine hosted her ladies group at Painting With A Twist and I thought was a great idea that would be for ours.  Our church is still in its infancy so I wasn't sure how the turn out would be. . .  we have bimonthly meetings for bible study and that group can range from 4-17 depending.  For a private part at PWAT you need a minimum of 8 people reserved 2 weeks in advance so I was a little worried.  Regardless, I sent the info to the person who usually coordinates our "Ladies Night Out" and she told me to run with it. . . and run with it I did! 

On Friday, we had 14 women, 2 were not members of our church, attend the SWAG's Ladies night Out!  I was so impressed with the turnout!  I was excited about this fun event and couldn't wait to do it.  Apparently others were just as excited.  We couldn't wait & it couldn't come fast enough!

The painting we chose was Monet's Lillies (our second choice) and it was a 2 hour class.  30 min before and 30 min after you were able to mingle and relax.  One thing that is funny is although this was a church function, wine was a big part of the night.  The whole point was to paint, drink wine, have fun with friends, drink wine and paint some more.  There was even a bell ringing to stop painting and drink (water, wine, ect) HaHa   Some people, who were not apart of our group, were shocked we were a church group doing this.  Wine and a church function?!?!  WHAT?  Psst: read Ecclesiastes 9:7, Psalm 104: 14-15 :)

Again, it's hard to explain how much FUN this was.  Abeit stressful for the perfectionists in the group (cough cough) but so much fun.  It's amazing how you can turn a beautiful painting like Monet's Lillies - or any really - and break it down step by basic step and then VIOLA you've got a beautiful painting after the 2 hours.  It really makes you appreciate - even though I already do - the painters and true artists out there.  What talent! 

getting instructions 

Drying after painting the background 

Such a BLAST! 

We're amazing! 

I reccomend EVERYONE go to their nearest Painting with a Twist OR Sips n' Strokes (or whatever it is in your area) and paint.  It's such a fun experience.

Si tratta di andare in Italia!

Meaning: They're going to Italy!

On July 9th, my parents and Carolyn boarded a plane and took off to Italy for 12 days!  I'm so excited for them and VERY VERY jealous.  They deserve this adventure and I can't wait to hear about it.  I'm so thankful to have parents & "in-laws" (although I despise that term) who love each other so much that they'd do this together.   

[says: Goodbye, you will be missed! Have a safe flight!  Love, Scott, Tanya & Austin (Abby, too!)]

We gave them each a card prior to takeoff to open.  Sadly I don't have a picture of it, but it was so cute. . . along the lines of a little boy on a swing saying he's SO sad to be swinging alone.  Inside the card was the above picture. 

I can't wait to hear about their travels and see the thousands of pictures I'm SURE they will take!  Stay tuned

July 4th: Independence & Mom's birthday

On July 4th, we headed over to my parents house to celebrate the nation's independence with them as well as to celebrate my mom's birthday.  I'm just going to show pictures since all we did was hang out in the pool, which was SO warm!, and relax before our second round of fireworks!

Trista & Austin, ages 3 1/2

He LOVES "his Trista" so much! 

Trevor just thinks he's a 'big kid' like the older cousins. 

Opening up a gift from their great-Nana! 

Austin is so good at sharing his things!  Even his prized Texas Rangers hat. 

GOOBERS!! 

Such big kids and great friends 

The birthday girl and her three grandkids! 

Yea, I HAD to put this one in there!  Austin LOVES peeing in Nonna & Poppa's backyard! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!!!!! 

Relaxing after a full day in the sun and awaiting dusk to head out to get a spot to see the Grand Prairie fireworks! 

MY FAVORITE PICTURE!! 

Italian Posse (they go to Italy in 5 days!) 

TWO full days of sun, water and excitment can wear out a kid! 

Baseball . . . Duh! prior to the fireworks show 

This picture cracks me up!  HaHa

If tomorrow all the things were gone,

I'd worked for all my life.

And I had to start again,

with just my children and my wife.

I'd thank my lucky stars,

to be livin here today.

‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,

and they can't take that away.

And I'm proud to be an American,

where at least I know I'm free.

And I wont forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,

next to you and defend her still today.

‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,

God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,

to the hills of Tennessee.

Across the plains of Texas,

From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,

and New York to L.A.

Well there's pride in every American heart,

and its time we stand and say.

That I'm proud to be an American,

where at least I know I'm free.

And I wont forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,

next to you and defend her still today.

‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,

God bless the USA.

And I'm proud to be and American,

where at least I know I'm free.

And I wont forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,

next to you and defend her still today.

‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,

God bless the USA.

[via]

Friendship and Fireworks!

First off, yea yea. . . I KNOW this post is WAY late, but better late than never, right?!  :)  On July 3rd (SUNDAY) we gathered together with our church family and friends and had a huge backyard party to celebrate our nation's independence.  We brought along Austin's slip n' slide, which of course, was a HIT and all the kids had a blast.  We were thankful we had members who opened up their beautiful home (and large backyard) for us all!   

Weeeeee! 

Our preacher, Lonnie, showing the kids who to spray!  :-)

He's just as much a kid as they are! 

July 3rd is also the day that our city hosts their fireworks show every year.  After the party, we left early so we could get a great spot.  We found the best spot every and it's definately one that we will be doing annually!   Austin LOVES fireworks which is a stark contrast from the years prior.  I'm sure it's mainly because he watched them go off at the Texas Rangers stadium, so now anytime he sees fireworks he associates them with the Rangers HaHa We can see them from our home, but we wanted to be closer to really hear the BOOM!

Our spot. . . The BEST ever to view the fireworks from the stadium.  This is NOT a zoomed in picture either!  Ahhhhh-mazing! 

7/3/2011 

3 generations!  

Of course we arrived early and the fireworks weren't scheduled to go off until at least 9pm, so we played a little baseball (OF COURSE!!). . .  

And hung out with great friends!