Summer's comin'

#1. Top pick for new movies coming out.

#2 Second pick, looks pretty good. Loved the last one.

#3 Love Steve Carell, Anne and I go way back from NYC. Watched the show as a kid.

Annual Ward Luau

It was our annual Ward Luau last Saturday. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful. The trees are an amazing green and the lake is full and busy, and there weren't any bugs! Yippee! We (I should say the kids) enjoyed pulled pork sandwiches, fruit, mac n' cheese and their favorite, Hawaiian bread. There was a limbo contest and a hula hoop contest. Since the party ended pretty early in the evening, Chris and I snuck out for dinner at Kona Grill. Sushi, salad, and Mahi-Mahi. Tasty!

I was surprised my only child to enter the hula hoop contest was Logan. I thought that was pretty brave considering it was about 90% girls. He made Chris and I proud and brought home the prize for the age group 7-11. Who knew he had such swingin' hips! He must get that useful talent from me. I was a hula hoop champion at one point in my life.

Theater Class 7th Grade Play

One of Kathrine's electives this semester is Theater. Here are some clips from her recent performance. Future Drama Queen? Who knows! ;) Don't forget to pause the music on the blog before you press play.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

1st Pool Visit of the Season

The weather is starting to feel warm and toasty. We decided to take the kids to the pool this last week. It was pretty dang empty! So nice. The water is just a tad chilly, Chris and I did more watching than swimming, but the kids had a blast. This pool is so nice. The older kids prefer the jr. Olympic pool just down the steps to the right, but we get some family time in this one too! Three cheers for warm weather and pools!!! Oooooo, it felt so good to get some sun on my face. :) Can't wait for some beach sun too, (that's for you Audge!) Saturday we took the kids again. Chris and I ventured in, it wasn't as cold as we thought. Looks like we just landed a new hang-out spot.

The Buffalo Bills

Your lookin' at the Buffalo Bills. Go Team!! These guys (mostly new to the game) came together this season and they are doing pretty well. I think they have a great mix of talent on the team. We get to practice at the new park in our neighborhood right next to the pool. (Nice for after-practice leisure.) As I posted last time he played....I get such a kick out of watching these games. I'm up on my feet cheering saying..."G0 'D'...... NICE WORK GUYS... EYE ON THE BALL..... GET THOSE FLAGS! I actually think I'm turning into one of those crazy parents on the sidelines. I love Saturdays because we get to be outside and enjoy some sports.
Here's Logan in action. In the game the week before last...he pulled 4 flags and caught a pass in the end zone for the extra point, giving the Bills the win!! Okay....I'll brag just a little bit more, he also threw 2 completed passes as the quarterback in last weeks game for a touchdown and an extra point as well...another win for the Bills!! Their whole team is awesome, Ryan pulled at least 5 flags last week, and Nick pulled a flag right before the other team entered the end zone with seconds to spare!! Nice.

Flower Girl helps with Flower Pots

Claire is my little flower girl. She loves to help me water and plant my flower pots. Whenever they are droopy she tells me the plants or flowers are sad and we should water them. In the bathroom, I have a potted plant on the counter. She's named him Charlie and when she sits up there to get her hair done, she touches the leaves and branches and tells me he likes that. Keeping our plants and flowers 'happy' is something we like to do together. Today Claire helped me pot all new flowers in the yard.

Reflections of Christ

If you haven't seen this video check it out by following the link (in pink) directly below. They are powerful images. You can also play the Youtube clip and see the making of the 'Healing of the Blind' photo. If you click on the link or play the Youtube clip, you'll have to pause the music on my blog first, by scrolling down to my playlist and clicking on pause. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

http://mabrystudios.typepad.com/reflections_of_christ/2008/03/reflections-sli.html

Shoppers in Training

I forgot to post this day when my sister was here visiting. It was one of my favorite things we did together. We went to the Domain and enjoyed the VERY windy weather, ate at CPK and visited the MAC store. I've wanted to get my make-up done at the MAC store for probably..... 5 years. Every time I walk by it, buy something, or someone talks about Mac I secretly think, "I'd love to go get my face done up!" Since I'm a total dork when it comes to make-up, I've shied away from ever asking to have it done. Weird, huh? Here I feel like I need instruction on make-up....yet won't ask for it. How lame is that? Well, I've told my sister this before, and she was determined to have me go in and have it done. She's had hers done a few times and told me how fun it was. I was in desperate need of make-up at this point and she thought this was a perfect opportunity for me to go in. She marched right in there and requested an appointment. We returned the next day and I sat in the chair getting made-up!! It was GREAT! If you haven't ever done it, do it! This guy, (yes, I just said guy) actually did my make-up a way I would wear it. I liked what he did a lot and bought a few things. Now....could I ever replicate it? No...but I sure try. I should have taken a picture because my sister kept saying, "Oh my Gosh, you look good!"....so, I've been thinking....does that mean up to that point I've looked pretty crummy? Just food for thought. Thanks Audge, way to Git Ur Done!

Oh yeah, the little girls enjoyed themselves too. They ran around the store and giggled the whole time. :)

Hi Daddy!

Cutest Cutie!

Day-Off Fun

This last week the kids had Friday off. We took advantage of the good weather.

My Little China Doll

While I was in California, I picked up this little outfit for Claire in Chinatown. It was so cute I couldn't resist taking a photo!

Visit to Cali

I was just in Cali with Chris for about a week. It was F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C (to put it mildly)!!! We visited friends & family, ate, drove around, experienced new stuff, talked till our hearts content, sped on the freeways, paid way to much for gas, and enjoyed the sea breezes. My Mother-in-law was kind enough to offer this little getaway for us. I didn't have to be asked twice! She toughed it out with the kids with her good friend Carol. I think they were pretty tired out towards the end. Besides all our flights being cancelled on the way home, everything went smooth. Thank you Karen and Carol~!

Believe it or not, I only pulled my camera out this one day. Here are a few photos of my other nieces and nephews we miss all the time. We also saw Greg and Rozanne (Hi Guys!), but I forgot snap a picture. I was too busy enjoying my vacation. ;)

Block Birthday Party

Last week the kids and I were invited to a birthday party for one of the new neighbors on our street. It was a semi-stormy day, but the weather held out and we were able to play outside with everyone until the very last little bit. We are happy to welcome the new family from Ohio! They have 3 little girls just between all our kids ages.

Kathrine was hired to do face painting for all the little ones and it was a big hit. I would venture to say the 'highlight' of the party! They also had a huge Disney Princess jumpy-jump that was pretty great too.

I think Claire enjoyed herself.

Survivor Men

Early the other morning Logan's Uncle Bryce came and picked him up for a day of fishing. He was super excited and hopped right up out of bed even though it was a day off. Bryce came stocked with cookies, doughnuts and bait. They headed out to Lake Travis and later Grandpa came and joined in the fun. Logan caught a fish, but they threw it back. It wasn't large enough to eat.....dog-gone-it..we were hoping to have fish for dinner!

Feeding the geese.....what was more fun? Hmmmmm, fishing or chasing the geese? Man, I sure love watching boys do their stuff.

Lucky boy to have so many good guys in his life!