Merry Christmas

We spent our first Christmas in Austin as a family.

Quick Disclaimer...Of course we missed everyone in Oklahoma/Arkansas/Louisiana etc...

But next year we say you ALL come to our house for Christmas!!!

Here are some things Garth and I made notes of to remember for next year...

When decorating for Christmas DO NOT decide to paint your entire house by yourself

Remember that shatter-proof ornaments DOES NOT mean UN-breakable (lost 4)

Make sure that the thermostat is set to a cool 68 degrees or your Gingerbread house WILL melt... better yet put on a coat and make it outside ;)

No matter what gift you get for each child they want what the other sibling got

Eggnog makes wrapping gifts fun

Strong Coffee Christmas morning

Here are a few moments that we captured we hope you enjoyed your Christmas and all of the fun moments together!

in my dreams...

Okay when I was in middle school and High school even a couple of times in college I had this reoccurring dream.

I would be in the game... running plays

ball going to Miranda...

and then Shaye...

Then out of no where the ball would be thrown

RIGHT AT MY FACE!!!

My hands would come flying up to protect myself

and then I would wake up...

Now for those of you who had the same coach I did maybe you had similar dreams. We would eat, sleep, play and live basketball. So much so that this dream still haunts me to this day... Crazy!!!

Flash forward to last nights dream

I was in the warm up session of our CrossFit workout

suddenly realized I had no bra on !!!!!! (shirt yes... bra no)

YIKES...

I guess somehow I continued to do part of the warm up and then went to the bathroom to barrow a sports bra when I looked down to put it on and all of the sudden I was like Andy Bernard from The Office in the Fun Run episode (see clip below)...

and then I woke up...

So I guess I am starting to eat, sleep and live this CrossFit stuff because it is now showing up in my dreams...

Here is the event that took place last night at the gym that probably triggered the dream.

I had to do a body composition. Yes, this is where you get on the scale and then they measure your arms, calves, waist, neck, chest... THIGHS!!! EVERYTHING!!!

This is great to have a starting point but here is what I experienced...

umm.... somehow between the time I left our house and the time I got to the gym I gained 4lbs!!! So that tells me my scales at home are off I am no longer 143.6 I am actually 147.6.

I did NOT shave my very, very, very white legs and my poor MALE trainer, JDP, had to measure my prickly calves and thighs... lovely and embarrassing

I wrote down ridiculous goals on my sheet... like to feel better and not get winded pushing the stroller and pre-baby body.... What I should have written were these three goals...

1. Do a push up (not on my knees)

2. Do an unassisted pull up (not on a box... maybe with a band first but then without)

3. Run a 5K

So, by the time we started our work out I was in a body composition fog...

My coach is great he says not to worry about the numbers on paper to focus on the numbers I am putting up in the gym. I went on with the work out and tried to finish it... I got to round 6 of 10... I guess I am going to have to make that my 4th goal: FINISH A WORKOUT!!! Now, don't be deceived by this statement I am still working my tail-end off, sweating like crazy, aching like crazy afterwords.... just not strong and fast enough yet. But I WILL get there.

Garth is doing great and has finished most of the workouts... It has been fun comparing his experiences and mine.

Our new journey now is the diet part of the program... clean Paleo/Zone eating...

Hello Holidays!!!!! Wish us luck!!!

This made me wonder if anyone else has these crazy dreams like me?

we are still here...

It has gotten a little chilly here but nothing like Oklahoma...

The girls and I are staying busy cooking in the play kitchen and learning to clean up!!! This is a never ending job.

Halloween was really fun this year. The neighborhood had a parade and get together. We were finally able to meet some of our neighbors, YAY!!!!!!

Garth and I are still working out... Garth of course is looking awesome... me well... kind of seeing results... I know I am getting stronger, I know I need to keep it up.... but dang it just isn't fair that guys results come so much quicker!!!!

Here are the Halloween pics of the girls. We went as an Oklahoma State Family... (we lost to Texas that night... but we still bleed ORANGE!!!!)

do I have too...

YES!!!!

Garth and I have started our workouts... when the work out day arrives I think to myself do I HAVE to? Then I get there, get through it and I think YES I did that!!!!!

We are doing what is called CrossFit (click the link for info). They have all kinds of training facilities across the nation.

Anyway I need to make this a priority. I have to get in shape for the girls... I don't want to be a lazy, out-of-shape mom that gets winded every time I have to carry one of them or both of them up the stairs. So I have started.

I do an evening class and it is me and another girl (who by the way is sooooo fit it is unreal) and then 4 sometimes 5 other guys. I'm pretty sure I slow them down but I am trying to get faster. I will consider myself adjusted when I can get through the warm up and not want to throw up my lunch!

Each day of class there is a Work Out of the Day (WOD)

Yesterday I did the benchmark workout called: Fight Gone Bad

"Fight Gone Bad"

Max reps for 1 minute for each movement:

WallBall (squat then throw a ball up in the air and catch) M:20 F:14

SDHP M:75 F:55

Box Jump

Push Press M:75 F:55

Row (calories)

*rest

Do 2 Rounds

I did 96 total... (which I think is the number of times I did everything in two rounds)

I saw some of the guys totals and they were like 180 something and higher...

You gotta start somewhere ;)

So, here is to getting fit...

Please tell me there are other moms (or anyone) out there struggling to do the same?

How do you fit it in?

What is your work out plan?

How do we stay motivated???????

We had visitors...

Grandmothers are special whether they are your own or not. They just seem to have a warmth about them that makes you want to cuddle up and listen to story after story after story... even if you have heard them before. This past weekend Garth's grandmother came to visit us from Oklahoma and we had are really nice time. She read to the girls, played hide-and-go seek, laughed and napped the weekend away. Here are some of the priceless pics we snapped over the weekend.

They left this morning to travel on to Arizona... what a road trip!

On another family note... my sister-in-law, Raine, has started her own blog that is so cute High Heels and an Apron. She is a sassy dietitian on a mission. Her recipes are awesome check it out... great ideas for Holiday cooking or game-day fun!

Awesome family moments to celebrate!

Play date with MJA

Request time...

Some of you have seen these videos before. But for those of you who aren't on Facebook yet (and my question would be why aren't you?) or for those of you who can't access Facebook at work... Here are a couple of cute videos we have taken of the girls.

The first one is of Izzy singing happy birthday to our dear friend Morgan....

This one is of sweet Sophia eating her sweet potatoes!

She has made this noise since we first started feeding her "big girl" food. It just cracks us up.

(you might have to turn up your volume a bit to hear her)

Working on the house...

I am not very good at putting a house together. In the past I have always said if I could just pick out a living room, bedroom, kitchen, etc. out of the Pottery Barn catalog and then have someone else put it together in my home that would be perfect! But I am starting to change my decorating point of view... I have been inspired by two of my best friends from high school, Emily and Lisa. Both of these girls have a knack for decorating... putting the old with the new. It is really an inspiration. I have told Emily that she should start her own blog that walks us through what she and her husband have done with their house... the before and after pictures alone would cause a frenzy! And Lisa finds the greatest deals on old furniture and then puts her own unique twist on them... whether it be paint or whatever!

So I have made two recent purchases that begin my decorating journey of this Texas home. One is a serving tray I found antique shopping in Oklahoma City with Emily. I originally purchased it to sit on our ottoman but realized when I got home it was much too big. However, I had a tray and stand from Target that I was using as a side table between the couches. So, I removed the Target tray and put it on the ottoman and then put the antique tray on the stand for the side table! My first new and old mixed piece and I think it turned out pretty good... what do you think...

The next item we have been searching for is a TV console/entertainment center. This is the item that really made me want to find something unique... everyone has the stand from "fill in the blank" store. I decided I wanted something different. So, Garth and I have been on the search for just that...

We found this piece at a place called Old World Furniture in Austin. We went in and realized that many of their items were simply too big for the space we have to work with. So, while I was chasing Izzy down the isles Garth and Sophia started peeking behind the floor models into what looked like a junk area. There it was... it is about 4' tall, hand painted-rose wood hutch. I asked the guy from the store what exactly it was and why it was in the junk area. He said that it was the top to another piece... kind of like a china cabinet or buffet. So, one persons throw away is our new TV cabinet. YAY!!!

Before:

AFTER

I just LOVE it!!! Since it was not made to hold a TV Garth had to do some handy-man work on the back to provide space for all of the wires. He did it ALL last night!

I told him that I plan on just sitting and looking at it with the TV off!

On to the next project...

Where has the summer gone???

So I looked up and it was August.

I realized our first summer in Texas is almost over... We got to experience the HOTTEST temperatures on record... THAT MEANS EVER. Lucky us.

I realized that Sophia is going to be a one year old in a short, short two months...

We celebrated 7 years of marriage in July...

We have had family from Texas and Oklahoma visit and we are expecting family from Arkansas this week!

We are counting our blessings and are thankful for the time we have together with family and friends.

Here are a few pictures of our activities...

Enjoy!

Update...

So a few weeks back I made a post that there was a lot going on at the Renfrow home. I should have included in that post this statement... "and NO we are not having another baby"

A lot has happened during the months of April, May and June. Because of this I haven't been able to sit down and post, but like I said when I started this little blog project I'm not going to stress myself out about it... if we get to the blog we do and if we don't, darn... better luck the next day.

Okay, so the update is the following... WE SOLD OUR HOUSE IN OWASSO!!! I cannot tell you how much of a relief this has been for us. The house sold to a couple from Tulsa who just so happened to be a fraternity brother and sorority sister of both Garth and myself. It is a small world. We finally closed on Friday and from a neighbors report the new owners were already moving in. I took pictures of the Owasso yard the last time I was there... so pretty... and GREEN. I will miss the beautiful landscaping. (which reminds me I need to call PROSCAPE and let them know we closed)

And the next update is that I sold my half of the salon. This too was a relief and a blessing. Don't worry I am still doing hair in Tulsa at Sterling & Co. and love every minute of it. I look forward to my trips to Tulsa. Doing hair gives me an adult escape and sense of accomplishment that I cannot explain. I don't plan on doing hair in Texas... yet anyway. The girls take up all of my time... all of it.

So now I am trying to find adult escapes for myself here in Austin. I am dabbling in a few projects (all stay-at-home)... I have been taking a lot of pictures lately and would like to see about editing them... cooking and working out... Just trying to stay sane as I stay at home ;)

There are a lot of new pics to post but here is my problem... MY COMPUTER IS TOOOOO SLOOOOOwwwww!!!! It took me 30 minutes to get on here to type this post... I am not kidding. The girls were down at 1p and I didn't start typing until 1:30ish. Because of that I do not have the patience to upload and edit the photos. I would be here for days transferring the photos. Anyway the Renfrow's are on the hunt for a new computer the question is this...

PC or Mac?
Desktop or Laptop?

Any thoughts? The sooner you respond the sooner I can get back to blogging and posting like a normal person ;)

crazy time...

Just wanted to let everyone know we are in Oklahoma.  We have been here since May 22.  I packed for two days straight. Doing the laundry, packing for both girls and myself for a month long visit to Oklahoma... not easy with the two little ones. Garth even took the day off to help us get ready.

We (Garth, me and the girls) drove in to Stigler Friday night around midnight then got up at 5:30a to head to Fayetteville, Arkansas for Garth's niece's high school graduation.  So proud of our K... she will be going to a JuCo in Kansas on a softball scholarship.  So proud of this achievement! After graduation Rain's husband Rob (who is a police officer) took us on a tour of the jail... I know this sounds weird but it was really neat to see the inside of a prison and how it worked.  Anyway, we were there until late afternoon came home and went straight to the Cariker's to see Chris, Pegi, Emily and little Chris (Em's husband).  We really enjoyed relaxing on their patio, listening and laughing the night away at all of the stories being shared.  I love to laugh... heart smile.  It was a great night Garth and I are looking forward to our weekend in OKC with Emily that is coming up.  Then it was off to Tulsa on Sunday and Garth flew out late Monday evening back to Austin.  

Not to worry though he was back this past weekend... driving this time.  

Isn't this crazy?  And in the middle of all of this my phone has decided it will no longer allow me to speak to or hear anyone... lovely.

The girls and I spent the last week in Stigler with my parents and then in Muskogee with my friend Lisa and her girls.  We had sooo much fun with the Highfill girlz.  Lisa and I decided we would take the girls to the drive-thru zoo in Gentry, Arkansas and all of the kids loved it.  They had all kinds of animals: lions, tigers, bears, birds, camels, bison, buffalo (and yes they are two different things according to Garth), zebras, prairie dogs, goats, chickens... monkeys.  Izzy was running from the front of the yukon to the back (Sophia just napped).  Lisa's girls have been watching animal planet, so they were able to inform us about the habits of the animals... for instance did you know hippos ate humans?  I had no idea.  I will have to post the video and pics that we took soon.  I love it that our girls have such a good time together.  Aw... another heart smile.

So we left the Highfill girlz and headed to Tulsa to do a little hair for Hillary's bridal portraits, I thought she looked absolutely perfect! 

Then back in the car to Stigler.

Oh my goodness... we have just been keeping the road hot between Tulsa and Stigler and loving every stop along the way as we visit our friends.

So to update you on other parts of our lives.  Keep your fingers crossed that the new contract on our house in Owasso is a success and we will close on June 26.  Garth and I are very excited that our home is going to another Phi Sig and Sigma combo from NSU... a great family.

Other than that I guess keep your eye out for the Yukon... the Renfrow girlz could be stopp'n in for a visit any day!

Just wanted to say...

That this move has not been easy for me. To up-root your 1-year old and 3-month old and move them to a city where you know absolutely no one, leaving behind the best support system of family and friends anyone could ask for... it has been an adjustment to say the least. But here we are 4 months into it and we are making it. This month it was official that our youngest daughter is now a "Texan" she has now spent the majority of her life in Texas.
I have never doubted God's plan for our family and neither has Garth. Garth did not apply for this job that has brought us to Austin, his name was submitted by his superiors. Then the interview came and went... no word. Finally we got the call on Sophia's birthday (literally the day of her birth) that the position was offered to him. Because Garth did not seek this position out we have always looked at it as a "God" thing and trusted in Him that we were doing the right thing. What I didn't know about this plan was how it was going to affect my feelings toward my husband. I could not love him more. Let me share with you a little... Garth gets up early every morning and goes to work to a job that he is really enjoying. He calls periodically during the day to check in on his girls, to make sure I get an adequate amount of "adult" conversation time in (b/c talking to a now 2yr old and 7 1/2 month old doesn't quite get the job done). He always asks if there is anything we need him to do before he comes home. Then when he gets home EVERY DAY we either go to the park or to the pool or he takes the girls by himself to give momma a break. Then we will come home make dinner, play a little bit longer together with the girls and then it is bath time. Again, he will take over if I need a break or we do it together, then girls go to bed and we pick up the kitchen and talk about his day, my day or if it is the weekend we have mini date nights with at-home sushi and beverages ... I do not know very many men who have this kind of devotion to their wife and family. There are no doubts in my mind about his love for me and our girls and he surprises me every day in how he shows it. I am so thankful for my husband. I am thankful for God's plan.
Just thought I would share with you what was in my heart today...my heart-smiles.

Happy Mother's Day!!

They sang this song at church on Sunday... it was beautiful. Garth and I are so thankful that we have found this place to worship. We are thinking we might not be able to go back though because we are both in tears before we leave... so emotional!
Things are crazy right now so I don't have a lot of time. All good things. I will post about them later. For now listen to the words of this song... it is my new anthem to my girls, my family and my friends! Grab your tissue...

"Lullaby"

They didn't have you where I come from
Never knew the best was yet to come
Life began when I saw your face
And I hear your laugh like a serenade

How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up

I slip in bed when you're asleep
To hold you close and feel your breath on me
Tomorrow there'll be so much to do
So tonight I'll drift in a dream with you

How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up

As you wander through this troubled world
In search of all things beautiful
You can close your eyes when you're miles away
And hear my voice like a serenade

How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up

How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough, is forever enough
How long do you want to be loved
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up
Is forever enough
Cause I'm never, never giving you up

Birthday Bling...

Izabella turns two on Thursday. To celebrate this we took both of the girls out tonight for a special right of passage for all little girls... ear piercing. I know, I know we are cruel parents.
She talked about it all afternoon. When we finally made it to the "paul" which is what Izzy calls the mall she was still excited, until the sweet Claire's lady wanted to touch her then it was a no go for Izzy. So, we decided we would do Sophia first. While we were marking Sophia another little girl came in to get her ears pierced. We then decided to let the other little girl go first and then have Izzy watch as it was done. The little girl did great and Izzy was ready to get her earrings! (We bribed her with a sucker) Once the dots were marked on the ear the lady did one side... click... and then silence... a deep breath... and then hear it came... a big cry. We quickly gave her the sucker and distracted her with it while the lady did the other ear. No pause this time just straight to the cry, until she saw her new earrings and she smiled and laughed and said... look at my earrings.
Then it was Sophia's turn. This took awhile to make sure that her dots were even... she is a squirmy little thing. Then it was time... Daddy held her arms and her head and the lady did the first ear... click... immediate scream. We decided not to wait and just keep going... click... oh my goodness, I don't blame her a bit, she was upset with everyone. She finally settled down after a couple of minutes and was laughing before we left the store. But I will say I doubt big sister would have gone after Sophia.
So it has been done they were both great and here are the pictures of the birthday bling...

What's cook'n...

Confession... I love to cook. I don't like to really follow recipes, therefore I hate to bake... there is a difference. My favorite way to cook is looking in our pantry and trying to throw something together... I like to taste it in my thoughts and then see if I can recreate the masterpiece from my head. I watch the food network all of the time for inspiration. Garth said I should be posting these D'lish Dishes on the blog so here it goes... Tonights D'lish Dish

Layered Taco Goodness

(Inspired by an episode I watched of Sandra Lee's Semi Homemade)

Ingredients
1 yellow onion (chopped)
1 package shredded fiesta mix cheese
1 package of corn tortillas (10 will do)
1 large can diced tomatoes (drained)
1 small can green chillies (drained)
1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 package of corn tortillas (10 will do)
1 1/2 cup chicken broth
1 package taco seasoning
2 cans white chicken breast (drained)
Olive Oil
Cooking Spray
Casserole dish

Preheat oven to 400

Place tortillas in a bowl and cover with chicken broth to soak. Set aside.

Drizzle olive oil in a skillet and heat.
When oil is ready add onions.
Cook until translucent.

Add both cans of drained chicken to onions and package of taco seasoning. Cook until meat and onions are covered with seasoning and warm. (you might need to drain excess water off when finished)

In a large bowl combine the chicken and onions, green chillies, black beans, tomatoes and most of the cheese. This is the goodness!
Stir until it is all mixed together

Spray casserole dish with cooking spray. Cover the bottom of dish with one layer of soaked tortillas.

Add thin layer of goodness, then cover with another layer of tortillas.

Repeat this until the goodness filling is gone. You want to make sure that the last layer is of the goodness, not the tortillas.

Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.

Bake for 30 minutes or until boiling.

Easy, Easy and Quick!

Now there are a few different things you could do to this to make it your own... make it a vegi-version meal and leave out the meat and add more beans. Change from chicken to beef or pulled pork.
Anyway you have to try it. Our family enjoyed it... in fact I think I am going to have a little snack.

Let me know what ya think!

Happy Birthday Uncle Travis!!!!

Okay we have been practicing the Happy Birthday song for quite some time now. This past week we worked on singing it for Uncle Travis' birthday which was last week. I tried to post the video for his birthday but we were experiencing technical difficulties.
For those of you who don't know Uncle Travis is Izzy's BFF. Travis has helped to take care of Izzy since she was a little baby. He has always been there when we needed an extra hand to help whether it be with Izzy, the dogs, the house in Owasso. We love him very much and miss our Fridays with Uncle Travis!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE TRAVIS!!!!

Getting Plugged In...

The Renfrows have been searching for a church in Austin...
Let me start by saying we have attended Asbury United Methodist Church in Tulsa since before we were married. After visiting many churches we felt at home there and later joined. Pastor Tom Harrison has a way of sharing the stories of the bible while relating them to present day issues... If you are ever in the Tulsa area on a Sunday morning you should stop by to listen. And if you just feel like hearing the word they post video of their sermons on their website (live on Sunday and archived). Before today Garth and I were thinking we were just going to grab a cup of joe and turn on the computer every Sunday.
But YEAH!!!! I think today we found a place to plug into, Riverbend Church. (take a look at their website and click on the "about riverbend" tab... they have a lot going on) We dropped the girls off at their respective classes and then walked in to the sanctuary... or should I say concert hall? There was a guest band playing and they were really, really good, very red-dirt. In fact they will be playing Tumbleweed in Stillwater May 2. They were called Band of Heathens, my Dad and Brother would really like them (b/c of the red-dirt... not the heathens part). You are probably thinking... a band that will be playing the weed in Stillwater was playing in a Southern Babtist church, not in my Babtist church, not in any church that I have ever been to. Then the pastor begins with his sermon which was on the power of music and how whether good or bad everyone has an opinion, it stirs up all kinds of emotions. The sermon was based on Psalm 57. Oh my goodness it was a great message. Then at the end they sang Chris Tomlin's "How Great is Our God." ... tear and heart smile... tear and heart smile. There was only one other person I wish could have been there, she would have enjoyed the praise of this song and the energy... we both would have been smiling, crying and laughing together. I have always been moved by the music and Garth the message so to find a place that energizes both of us is essential. Today I think we found our place for our family to plug in.
Here are some pictures from our week...

National Geographic...

Okay, every since I can remember my mom has told me this story...

When she was little she was taking care of her younger brother and sister at the park. Out of no where she said came a swarm of hornets that started to attack the three of them. Mom says she threw her brother and sister to the ground and covered them with her body and in the process was stung many times.

Now, not ever having seen a swarm of hornets or a swarm of anything for that matter (except on Saturday morning cartoons) I have always just kind of filed this in the... "sure it happened" file of my head (and she knows this). That is until last Thursday. The girls and I were on the back porch playing. Our house backs up kind of to one of the main roads through the neighborhood and there are always "big trucks" as Izzy calls them traveling through the intersection. Sitting in the chair laughing at Izzy I can hear one of those "big trucks" coming, except this "big truck" was getting closer, closer and closer... now the "big truck" doesn't sound like a "big truck" at all it sounds more like... bees? I turn to look over my shoulder and there was a dark, buzzing cloud of bees moving across our back yard! I am telling you a cloud of bees so thick you could not see through them. Now, hearing mom's story all of my life about the swarm of hornets... and then I also had quick flashes of a Dateline or 20/20 African Killer Bees special... I went into survival mode. I ripped Sophia out of her activity station, picked up Izzy and threw them in the house and then turned around for the dogs. At this point the swarm was moving to the other side of the house but I could still hear the buzzing. I got the dogs in shut the door... we were safe... no stings. CRAZY! I had to call Garth immediately to tell him what had happened... in true Garth fashion he was glad we were safe but wasn't too excited. Then afterward I had to laugh... I guess now seeing a swarm myself I will have to re-file mom's hornet story into the "believe it" file!

So this started the National Geographic moments at the Renfrow's. In the days following we have discovered that we have a bunny living in our front flower bed and have had quite a few lizard sightings. Sunday after church we were washing the cars and a lizard decided to help us, it walked right up to us and into the garage. Then today Sophia and I were on the back porch, I turned to walk back in the house and there was a lizard sitting on our window ledge... just waiting to be invited in I guess.
Here are a couple of pics...

Here is a shot of the bunny... it is between the tree limbs (we'll try to get better pics)




Here is our friendly lizard...



Here is how close it was to the back door... which had been open for about 20 minutes or so before I realized we had a visitor...




FYI

according to dictionary.com

swarm

–noun

1.	a body of honeybees that emigrate from a hive and fly off together, accompanied by a queen, to start a new colony.

Trip to the Dentist...

This morning we took Izzy to the dentist for the very first time. I have been talking to her for the last couple of days trying to let her know what the dentist will say and do. Her new favorite show Barney even has a dentist episode that we have been watching.
Once we got to the dentist's office she was a little timid, but friendly. (wouldn't you know it they had a Barney with a tooth brush, yeah!) They looked in her mouth and brushed her teeth with fluoride. The doctor let us know everything looked great. We ended the visit with a sugar-free sucker and a super-bounce-ball! Yeah!!
She was a little lady and did great. I was loading her in the car and she said something that just took me by complete surprise and has now inspired me to start quotes from the day...

Quotes from the day... remember she is 23 months
1. Izzy to me as I am loading her in the car... "I love the dentist, it fun!"

2. After we got home she wanted a snack...
izzy..."I want Cheetos"
me... "we are out of Cheetos, baby"
izzy... "well go to store and get some... daddy can get some when he's home"

Oh my goodness... too funny. It's the little things that make my day ;)

Easter Sunday

We started Easter morning in sweatshirts and jeans and then ended the day in flip-flops and tanks. Here are a few pics from Easter Sunday...

Trip to Oklahoma...

The trips are always fast and furious. I worked Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the girls stayed with Garth's parents and brother. Let me just say that I am so blessed to have such nice, helpful and kind in laws and brother-in-law... without them our trips to Tulsa for me to work would not happen. When I come in they take over with the girls and I get to work.
We also took a trip down to Stigler. The girls and I needed to get down there to see Garth's grandmother. We took Garth's grandmother to lunch on Tuesday and then she came over to play with the girls on Wednesday morning... she kept up with us pretty good. She mentioned taking a trip to come and see us and I told her she better call Travis first so he could be her driving buddy! Tuesday night I got to go eat at the Chinese restaurant with Dannah. We finally got a chance to catch up, life gets crazy but I am trying to make time for everyone. Izzy really took to Pawpaw they ate dinner, read books, ate snacks, read more books... they had fun. Then, Wednesday evening all of our visitors arrived at once, it was just like old times at the White house. Lisa, Hannah and Sidney pulled up, right behind her pulled up Melissa Brown-Cross and Pegi Cariker behind her and then Amanda with her kids... SO MUCH FUN! Chaos, but fun. Amanda (who is a very brave mom) took all of the kids to the Stigler park to play while Lisa and I stayed behind and finished up her hair. Then before we knew it the kids were back, Pawpaw was back with the pizza and it was time to eat. After dinner Sidney decided it was story time with Izzy's Pawpaw so, Dad read many books to the kids... (heart smile).
On Thursday we decided it was time to head back to Austin and Garth's mom, Jerry Sue, decided she would make the trip with us. George and Travis came down on Friday and everyone stayed until Sunday.
We took Jerry Sue to Whole Foods headquarters in downtown Austin and gave her a quick drive-by tour of the city. Our favorite part of the weekend though was going to the IKEA store in Round Rock. If you have not been there or to their website you have to check out their home furniture, bedding, rugs... if you need something for your house, they have it. The website does not do the store justice... I highly recommend a trip to an IKEA store.
Here are some pics of our trip to Oklahoma

Oklahoma we are here!

We made it!!!!  When Garth and I drove it took right around 7 hours... last night it took 8 1/2.  One stop for gas in Ft. Worth, one stop at McD's outside of Ft. Worth... one more stop at the Moore McD's for another feeding and 7 showings of Hollywood She-she-wa-wa movie and we made it. 

April visit to Oklahoma

Today the girls and I will head up to Oklahoma for our monthly visit. I am finishing up packing... I try to pack the girls clothes separately in freezer bags with their name and day they will wear the outfit... this is helpful for the grandparents, uncle and even myself to keep things in order while we are there. Izzy's bag is complete and now I will start on Sophia's... and then mom last. Garth is coming home early to see us off... (heart-smile) Well I have to get back to it...

Keep us in your prayers that we are protected as we do all of our traveling this week and that the girls will ride comfortably and happy.

We will update when we get there...

Spring Break

A few weeks ago my mom, best friend from high school along with her three girls, my granny and aunt Robyn and Uncle Travis all came for a visit. The house was full of friends and family and I loved it.
There can never be too much laughter in a home... here are a few moments that were captured by my friend Lisa and her awesome camera... I hope you have speakers to hear the song... you gotta listen to the words!

Those silly girls...

Izzy and Buster Brown taking a rest...


Sophia Hollywood!


Izzy's energy is electric!


Izzy holding Sophia...

Captured Milestones for Sophia...

tummy time (holding herself up!)


first time in activity chair


sitting up on her own





trying cereal

A day with family...

So, Saturday the girls and I took a trip to Granny's for my cousin Christina's baby shower. It was a three and a half hour drive one way, but we made it! I cannot tell you how exciting it is to be close to my mom's family now that we are in Texas... I have seen them twice this month, whereas before it would have been years... literally between visits. God knows what he is doing for sure.
The girls did great at the shower especially Izzy (for a girl who usually takes a three hour nap at this time she did fantastic). Aunt Robyn walked Sophia around while I got to write down the gifts and gift givers for Christina... it was nice to be able to help.
Christina had a beautiful shower and got tons of great stuff for their new baby boy!
After the shower we (Granny, Aunt Robyn, Christina, myself and the girls) decided that we would go to Granny's for pizza (thank you Granny for the pizza!) and girl talk before we all went our separate ways. It was fun to visit, there was a lot of laughing.... smile...
Here are some pictures from our visit!

Granny


Christina & Granny


Aunt Robyn & Christina
(I know... you might have done a double take if I hadn't said that was my Aunt Robyn, huh... my mom and her sister look so much alike!)


Christina and Me...


Izabella...