Time to Hit the Road

The past few days the weather has been absolutely beautiful so we have been getting back into the habit of walking every morning. This was something we did almost every day up until December and I have missed it so much. Every morning after dropping the kids off at school my friend Amy and I load up the kids and head out for a walk. The amount of stuff we have to take along to keep the kids happy for a 3 mile walk is quite ridiculous. I always feel so good after getting out first thing in the morning for a walk!

This isn't even all of it!


Ready to hit the road!

After our walk we came home spent the morning outside. It was just one of those perfect mornings!





While outside Jaci FINALLY learned how to ride her tricycle!

We have been working on this for awhile now and today she finally got it. (although her steering isn't great) Seems like just yesterday I was walking down the street pushing Jaci in the stroller while trying to get Tyler to pedal and yelling at Jackson to wait on me. :)

Today Tyler was the one leaving us behind.

Oddly enough the same woman who was outside laughing at me trying to get Tyler to learn to ride was out today. I think she got a kick out of watching Jaci. The first 1/2 of the ride was good but by the time we turned around to head home Jaci was jumping up and down on on her tricycle screaming at me and crying.

It was an eventful morning! I am just so happy that we can walk around the neighborhood and both the kids actually ride their trikes. My babies are growing up!

I Heart Faces Week 7 ~ Black and White

This weeks challenge for the I Heart Faces Photo challenge is Black and White. I am usually not a huge fan of black and white photos. I just love a good pop of color although I think it is easier to take black and white pictures and make them look good. When considering pictures for this I immediatly thought of a picture I took of my nephew. We were out taking family pictures and is was extremely cold outside. The family was sitting in the truck while we finished up pictures and as I walked by I captured this sweet picture of him. I think it is one that looks good in black and white. Isn't he sweet? Be sure and check out the other enteries at www.iheartfaces.com!

Boys and Girls

It is amazing the difference in raising boys and girls. I am often amused at how outgoing Jaci is and how talkative she is. She is like a little grown up and has been since she was about a year old. Both of the boys tend to sit back and take things in. The will open up around family or close friends but in public and around strangers they keep to themselves and stay close by Jacob or I. Jaci on the other hand has never met a stranger. She is into clothes and shoes (which I am NOT). Very much a girl! My boys are all boy and into tractors, trucks, and hunting and fishing.

Today I took the boys to get their hair cut because I was starting to get embarrassed to take them out in public. It was getting really bad! This used to be a HUGE battle for me up until about a year ago when we convinced Tyler that we were mowing his hair...then he thought it was cool. He will still throw a fit every once in awhile but it is much better. Now instead of the boys screaming in the salon it is Jaci screaming because she WANTS her hair cut. I am trying to grow her hair out because she has been hair challenged since birth and sported a mullet for much longer than I would have liked. (Thank God for big bows!) Last time I gave in and let her get a trim but this time I didn't and it was an all out fit. Thankfully the girl who cuts their hair is a friend of mine and sat Jaci down for a fake cut but she wants her hair mowed (with clippers) like the boys. Will this battle ever end??? I am so tired of having my kids scream in the salon! The boys scream because the don't want their hair done and her because she does. What a Diva!

Here is Jackson before his hair cut (see it's really bad!) holding his new rabbit. He is doing a short term rabbit project through 4H and everyone is enjoying the rabbit. His given name is Jack which is stamped in his ear but the kids have officially named him Johnny Hopper. (like the Johnny Popper John Deere Tractor) The boys are all about John Deere (esp. Tyler) so the name is fitting and fun!

This weather is crazy

Yesterday I had a doctors appointment in San Marcos. As I was driving there I came upon the San Marcos river and it was FULL of crazy college kids out there swimming! I think the river is freezing even on a hot and humid summer day! It is February people...FEBRUARY!!! We go from 50 degrees to 85 degrees and then back to 60. It was 86 when I drove by them. We have all been sick and can't seem to shake it. I am starting to think it has something to do with the weather even though our pediatrician swears it has nothing to do with it. My Heater/AC is confused...I would love to just be able to open up my house and it not be hot or cold. You shouldn't have to run the A/C in February nor should you be able to go swimming in the river. It's FEBRUARY!

Aside from my frustrations over the summer to winter then back to summer weather the kids have been having a great time outside enjoying it. You can't ever pack up the shorts or tank tops here. We wear shorts at least once or twice a week.

My awesome friend Gale babysat the kids so I could go take care of my tests. They had so much fun outside and didn't want to leave!



Feeding the fish in the tank. They loved it!

Starting a blog

For months (well actually a year or so) I have been wanting to start a blog to keep people informed on what is going on in our lives as well as showcase some of my photography. Today I finally decided to create one after learning that to enter a certain photography contest you must have a blog...so here it is! This will be a work in progress as I figure out things so please bear with me.

The photography blog I love is http://www.iheartfaces.com/. It is an awesome sight where you can get some great ideas and tips on photography.




This week's theme is 'Wonder'.

I took this picture of my friend Amy's little boy and just love the picture. He is so curious about the world around him and you can tell that those beautiful blue eyes are just taking it all in. I love it! Normally he is all smiles but on this day he was truly taking in his surroundings and so serious. 5 months is such a wonderful age because you start to see them just come to life.



I will work on the blog more later but just wanted to get this post up so that I can meet the contest deadline.

Tara