Tuesday, April 27, 2010

All Decked Out!

So the back patio was getting a little crowded with stuff. You know: a sand table, a slide, a grill, a table, a deck box, a wagon, a tub of sprinkler toys, and 2 lawn chairs. Rather than doing the sensible thing and decluttering, I opted for more space to fill! My sweet and very handy Daddy came last weekend, and in right around 24 hours, he built me a BEAUTIFUL deck! Here is the corner of the yard where we put it:
My Daddy digging holes.
Posts are set.
The planks are ready and waiting. I did help carry them from the truck to the backyard.
All framed and ready for the planks. This much was completed in about 6 hours. We stopped for dinner and a downpour! Can you see the holes? Unfortunately, this is some of the best grass in the whole backyard. I couldn't let all of it be buried. I dug up plugs.
And I planted those plugs in other parts of the front and back yard.
My hard working handy-dad!
We got in a groove. Daddy would cut the planks, and Matt and I nailed them down. It's a great way to release some aggression.
Almost there.
Matt sands the planks for an extra smooth finish.
I spent a couple of hours on Monday giving it a good bath in Thompson's water seal.
Viola!
We're still pondering exactly how we want to organize everything. Maybe some new chairs to go with the revitalized table in the picture. We are also thinking of some whiskey barrels of flowers to add some color. Right now it makes a pretty nice area for soaking up the sun, or tap dancing! Huge THANK YOUS (X 1,000,000) go out to my Daddy for all of his hard work. I've said it before and I'm proud to say: I am one lucky and spoiled Daddy's girl.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Logan Scores!

Saturday Sports

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Logan was the top scorer once again.  The mean green dragons won 14-6.  Logan scored 12 of the goals.IMG_4495

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Juliette scored a goal, and the other team scored a goal the wrong way!

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IMG_4499After soccer, we headed to the football field for Noah’s game.  This was his biggest run of the day.  He almost scored a touchdown.  His flag was pulled with about 2 yards to go.  IMG_4514  IMG_4515 IMG_4518Pulling a flag.

Getting ready to hike the ball.IMG_4519

Fun With Friends in New Orleans, and a Little Jazzercise on the Side.

April 15-18, 2010

I had an instructor conference for Jazzercise in New Orleans on Friday and Saturday, so why not bring some friends along and turn it into a vacation!

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Pat O’Briens before dinner at the Gumbo Shop.New Orleans 2010 016

A little Dixieland music at Fritzel’s European Pub.New Orleans 2010 023

No trip to NOLA is complete without beignets at Cafe Du Monde!IMG_0650IMG_0649     New Orleans 2010 032

A birthday splurge at the Ritz:

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Complete with new shoes!New Orleans 2010 042

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Lunch at Acme Oyster bar.New Orleans 2010 041New Orleans 2010 052 Dinner at Arnaud’s.  Music at the Blue’s Club. New Orleans 2010 047

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Going to brunch at Cafe Fleur de Lis, we found Drew Brees!  I asked him if he was going to keep my fantasy team alive.  He said, “That’s the plan.”  (This was before I found out he was gracing the cover of Madden 2011.  Uh oh.)New Orleans 2010 067

I promise, there were some Jazzercise meetings thrown in there.  Nothing worth taking pictures of.  Jazzercise is heading to Las Vegas in June 2011.  Yes, we are planning the next trip!

New Orleans 2010 066Thanks NOLA!   We had a blast eating, drinking, and walking our way through your town.    

Thursday, April 22, 2010

When Logan says, “I’ve never been to the zoo,” it’s time to go.

The last time we went to the zoo, he was 11 months old.  We were way overdue for a trip.  Even though we should have been home packing for our trip to New Orleans, Crystal and I packed the kids in the suburban and headed to Waco.  We took a pit stop at the Chick-fil-a in Temple, and made it to the zoo around one.  Why did we do it?  Noah had the day off from school, it was not crowded, and it was NOT hot!  Perfect day!  Perfect fun!
 

Girl Time

Miss M and I headed up to Dallas to go to Cousin Claire’s 2nd birthday party at the Little Gym.  This is the first time they have seen each other since Christmas, and Mattie wasn’t walking then.  The girls were absolutely adorable together.  It was really cute hearing Claire call her “Baby Mattie” when M is a 1/2” taller and outweighs her by 3 pounds!

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Opening her gifts from us.  Each thing she opened, she wanted to put on “right now!”

IMG_4359IMG_4361IMG_4362 IMG_4366  Playing chase!

IMG_4369IMG_4378  There were many attempts made at getting a pic in the matching jammies.  I’m sure this won’t be last time we try this!

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A sweet hug good-bye.  Getting these two together this summer is going to be a blast!