Lots going on here...

Where do I begin? I should probably start with our street that was repaved a couple weeks ago. Some serious heavy machinery making all kinds of noise on our street for a couple days. The boys were fascinated.

I have no idea how this started, but recently the boys have enjoyed reading their Bibles in the bathroom while they wait for the tub to fill up. I had to kick that habit a couple days ago though due to the mingling of books and water. We still encourage Bible reading though.

The Rener kids were over one evening not too long ago. After much begging and after they had cleaned up the massive mess they had made, they got to play the Wii. Good stuff!

And...take a deep breath...make sure you're sitting down...Steven & I have painted the living room, dining room and kitchen! And purchased a couch. *gasp* I know. It's big stuff for us. It's still a work in progress, and I will post more pictures later. It's been a full week of painting, rearranging, cleaning out, and total disruption of our lives. But it's looking great! We couldn't have done it without help from the Reners and Tim & Pam.

Steven was assembling our new shelves this evening and the boys were oh so helpful. Goofballs. I wonder how long this new couch will be new? I've told Matt that there are no snacks or food allowed in the living room anymore, and he told me we would do that until September when the couch wasn't new anymore. Think again!

Last weekend we went to a birthday party for our friends Luke & Eli who turned 5. There were all kinds of crazy water activities set up in their backyard, and Matt was ALL over it.

The boys went nuts with the water guns, and at one point while they were distracted by water balloons on the trampoline the girls banded together and confiscated all the water guns. They weren't in possession of them very long...the boys raided them pretty quick.

Sunday evening we joined the Morans, Sarah's parents, and the Kwans at the Dell Diamond to watch the Round Rock Express play. It was Matt & Will's first baseball game, and they definitely enjoyed it.

That was due to Caroline, Mary Claire & Pierson being there, going down a large inflatable slide a few times, LOTS of sights and people to look at, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and cotton candy.

We had a great time. Next time we'll go early and eat at the new Salt Lick BBQ that is right next to the ball field. Yum!

Our garden is growing lots and lots of tomatoes but the birds are getting them before I can. It is infuriating. I need to get a net to cover them. The ones we have been able eat have been so delicious. I am pleased that we are able to grow them so easily, but I've got to get tougher with these pesky birds. We did decide to check on our carrots today and pull a few out. They're kind of short, so it looks like they're not quite ready yet, but it won't be long! Both of the kids get really excited about the garden. They love watching it grow and seeing the fruits of our labor, a.k.a. daily watering with this hot, dry summer. That boy looks big, doesn't he?

Father's Day

Matt & Will just don't know how good they've got it. Steven is an incredibly wonderful father; better than I ever envisioned in the days before kids. It's a role that suits him perfectly. These two boys are crazy about their daddy, and rightfully so. He is patient when I have completely run out of it, he is strong when I want to give in, he is wise when I am frustrated, and he's fun when my enthusiasm for constructing another Lego car or helicopter has waned. Together we make a great team, and I wouldn't want to go through this journey with anyone else. Sadly, Steven had to work today and we weren't able to properly celebrate him in a way that he deserves. So I think tomorrow will be Father's Day too!

It must be summer

Summer is in full swing here. With a handful of 100+ days already here at the beginning of June we have found ourselves seeking ways to cool off. How...WHY is it so hot already???

We've hit a few splash pads around town. The boys love it because it is usually accompanied by a treat of some sort...typically ice cream. We all win!

Here, Matt said, "Momma, take my picture eating this popsicle." Ok.

This week was VBS at our church. It was a wonderful week. I worked registration this year, and we averaged 330 kids per day, and 80 kids gave their life to Jesus that week. Incredible! The boys had a great time too. It's fascinating to see how much Matt is learning. He's been reading his Bible a lot lately and asking lots of questions. God is tugging on that boy's heart!

Friday we met some friends at Extreme Fun. The boys were all over that place...hot, sweaty, and out of breath but loving it! Too bad this picture is blurry (they wouldn't stop moving and neither would the inflatable) because it's pretty cute. Matt would hold Will in his lap going down the big slide for awhile until Will had to break free. Matt kept trying to grab onto him and Will would slide down on his belly with Matt trailing after him holding onto his hands. Lots of giggles.

This afternoon we added the slide to our backyard pool. Good times. That and a popsicle.

Typhoon Lagoon

It was hot yesterday. Real hot. We decided it was time to bust out the backyard pool and cool ourselves off. Both boys were pretty excited.

What, you don't swim in a baby pool with goggles? Well you should because then you could see pieces of grass, bugs, and sand from our beach toys. So I'm told.

Those two had a lot of fun. In fact, Will spent more time in it than Matt did. Will went down that slide countless times, with my assistance. He even went under a few times and it didn't phase him.

Good times y'all.

Eventually they were cold. And tired. It didn't last long though because the wiggles came back at dinner time like they always do. Why is that?

Memorial Day

Last weekend we made an impromptu beach trip to Port Aransas with our very good friends the Browns. What a wonderful time we had! Josh and Matt are the best of playmates when they are together, and Will did a great job keeping right up with them. He tagged along in true little brother style. The three of them together are goofy, goofy. Those Browns make the beach experience, and anything really, super fun.

There were some awesome sand creations made.

And some body tracing in the sand.

And just plain lookin' good in the sand.

All that beach and pool play made for some pooped little boys. They cuddled up in the bunk bed and watched a video.

Down by the pool Will was more interested in running and dancing around than actually getting in the water. He either clung to the steps or was entertainment for everyone watching. He's quite the showman. Matt's swimming skills came back full force, and he even began jumping from the side of the pool--a big feat for Matt.

It's a Will burrito!

Before we parted ways on Monday we ate a yummy seafood lunch.

Followed by ice cream. Yeah! It was a really fun and surprisingly relaxing weekend. We are thankful to have had the opportunity to spend some quality time with Chris, Alison and Josh. We're looking forward to more beach fun in September!

10 Years

Yesterday Steven & I celebrated our 10th Anniversary. What? It's been 10 years already? I know. These hilarious pictures of us are from our honeymoon in Cabo. We look like children! I was a mere 22 years old at the time. Wow!

You're probably thinking, wait, I just saw Steven in that yellow shirt last week. Mmmhmm, you probably did. While we were walking around town in Cabo one of the "natives" called out to Steven as he passed by (reading his shirt) and said, "Hey road warrior", and giggled. Still, every time he puts that shirt on I say "hey road warrior" all Mexican-like. Hehee. He loves that.

Truly, it's been an amazing 10 years being married to this man. He is the perfect partner in life for me, and everyday with him is special. God couldn't have given me a more perfect gift. I am thankful for a happy, fulfilled marriage, and I pray He will bless us with countless more years of wedded bliss!

To celebrate the occasion, we took our big trip to Taos back in March. Last night though we went out to a lovely dinner and followed that up with some mini golf at Peter Pan.

There's a story here. You see, on our first date way back when Steven had elaborate plans to take me to dinner and then to play mini golf. We made it to dinner, although at this particular restaurant there was a live band playing so we couldn't carry on a conversation at all. Then, he drove us to Peter Pan and when we pulled up we discovered it was closed. What then? We ended up going to Mozart's for coffee because you know, that's like romantic and stuff. The funny part is, we never attempted to go back to Peter Pan in all these years.

Well, last night was the night. After we finally got a parking spot we started our game. I'll admit; I'm a terrible golfer, so it really wasn't any contest. I had flashes of brilliance though, so it wasn't all lost. We had a great time.

That Steven. He's lots of fun. :)