We finally have rain!!

It rained for the first time in what seems like forever. I promised that if it rained that Lauren and I would go dance in the rain. It was warm at first but then the wind kicked in and it got a little cold. We both had a great time.

Bill

Fishing Poles

Last week Lauren decided out of the blue that she wanted to go fishing. Not sure where it came from but it sounded like fun. I went to the local fishing store and bought 1 Dora fishing pole and a regular pole that came with a lot of the tackle. We took our first trip this weekend. I will post the pictures soon.

Oh we also have new life jackets.

Bill

Girls Dancing

We went to Central Market to eat dinner and play on the playground a few weeks ago. I took this small video of the girls dancing to the live music.

UPDATE: you can also access it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-zU5rtjLqc and look at a few other videos we have from the past.

Bill

Happy 35th Denny & Luci (aka Grandma Luci & Grandpa Denny, aka Mom & Dad)

35 years. A happy and devoted couple, results in 1 daughter, 1 son-in-law with extended loving family, and 2 of the best granddaughters. Way to go Mom and Dad and here's to wishing you a wonderful day and another 35 rewarding years.

Taco Banana?

I've been trying now for 2 days to get to the grocery store, but for one reason or another, something has come up and I haven't been able to go. The night before, I was creative with some pantry staples and made homemade chicken strips (thanks to Bisquick and frozen Costco chicken), which to my surprise the family liked and has been added to "the list". The list is a document posted to our fridge listing all the meals we've had in the past and like, so that, when I'm creating the grocery list for the week, I plan what to buy based on the meals on the list. When planned right, I know what we're eating each day of the week, and it's one less battle at the end of the day, because if there is one question I cringe when hearing is "What do you want for dinner?". Nails on a chalkboard people. I digress. The grocery store was not in the stars yesterday afternoon either, so we headed to one of our usual dining establishments - Taco Cabana. For those of you in the North reading this, Taco Cabana is a step up from Taco Bell, in that you can actually recognize the ground beef as beef, they make their tortillas on the spot, and they have a fresh salsa bar with about a dozen varieties of heat intensities. They also serve margaritas for one of those days. Again, tangent. Since I work right around the corner from TC, I ordered and had the table set for when Bill and the girls arrived. We sat down to eat and Emma began devouring her taco. About half way through, she decided to tell the entire restaurant "I eat all my Taco Banana!". I wasn't about to correct such a cute, cute girl who was so proud of finishing her taco and knowing where she was!

Happy Father's Day

I know, a day late, and dads always seem to get less fanfare and celebration, but here's to all the dads in our lives...we love you dearly and wouldn't have all we do without your support and love. We love you all. And, to my favorite daddy of all, Bill. You are their world and they love you without reservations or need for anything in return. You love them truly and for that I will forever be grateful for God bringing you into my life and the girls'. You are the most wonderful father and we are so lucky to have you!

Lauren & Emma's Party

Lauren and Emma had so much fun with all their friends in the bounce house. Lauren made sure the popcorn machine was running smoothly.


Emma bounced with friends. She had no fear in there even with the big kids!


The girls shared a yummy Costco cake, each blowing out their own sets of candles.

We're not tired...nope, not at all...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAUREN!

Today is Lauren's 4th birthday!!! She woke up to a Happy Birthday balloon attached to a Cinderella princess wand (Emma got the pixie fairy wand) and doughnuts. She always asks for doughnuts when we are in the grocery store, so I thought she'd be thrilled. But, alas, she thought nothing of the doughnut and wanted her cracky eggs instead (sunny side up for most other people). It's her birthday, so Bill obliged and made her eggs. Grandma and Grandpa Clark fly in this morning and the girls will spend the afternoon with them. Lauren wants a picnic at the pool for her birthday dinner, so we will get a pizza and head up to the pool tonight. She has a mystery box from Grandma and Grandpa Lavis that has been enticing her all week. I set it on the kitchen counter and she has been eyeing it since it arrived. She also has a card from Great Grandma and Grandpa that she'll open tonight after we get home from the pool.

Lauren grew gills and fins Friday

Lauren has been very conservative at the pool not wanting to go underwater. All that changed Friday when she put on her goggles, decided to go underwater in the baby pool (1' deep) and swim. We were shocked and elated. I was that obnoxious mom jumping up and down clapping and screaming praise for all to hear. But I was so excited that she did it on her own. Now, we can't get her out of the pool. We went again this afternoon and she was right in and under the water surveying her new surroundings. Then it was off to the big kids pool (Olympic size pool) where she was jumping off the edge while holding Bill's hand but still going under. She would also stand on the steps and leap out to me, going under while I had a hold of her. Next time we go to the pool, I'll bring the video camera and catch a clip of her in action. It is awesome!

Jessica's 30th Birthday Party

My actual birthday was 5/28, but Bill threw a semi-surprise party for me on Saturday night. We went to dinner at III Forks, which is a very nice steakhouse that only serves USDA prime (~2% of meat is categorized as such). I ordered the filet mignon which was fantastic and it came with sauteed mushrooms, mashed potatoes and sugar snap peas. I pretty much licked my plate clean. Bill order the filet mignon oscar, which had lumps of the sweetest crab meat on top of it with asparagus spears. Our friends Dan and Dawn, originally from Michigan and newly transplanted in Dallas (yippee for us!) got the new york strip pepper steak - seasoned with 5 different peppercorns - and the crab cakes. We were not disappointed with the meal. Afterwards, we walked to a Cuban themed bar and had pitchers of mojitos, speciality rum and cokes, and Texas martinis. There were about 20 people there to celebrate and we had the front patio to ourselves. It faces to the street so we had drinks and a show by watching all the people coming and going downtown Austin. It was a great night with friends. I really had fun and hats off to Bill for a spectacular evening. He even had my favorite cake there - Costco cheesecake filled white cake. Yum yum!