Spring Break Visit from Lowe Family

This is how we treat our guests! There actually was a waiting line for this activity.

Erin brought the kiddos down to visit during Spring Break and we had such a wonderful time. I was just beside myself with glee at how well the kids got along and played together. There was non stop laughing and giggling. There were so many instances that I had to stop and do a double take and watch Syndey and Ashton and not think that I was back 25 years ago playing with Erin. Especially at night, the girls didn't want to leave one another to go to bed and I felt like Pam and Renee trying to quite them down to go to sleep. Ash just worships Sydney as I did Erin and it is really wonderful that they really enjoy each other. Chris and Hayden also enjoyed each other and Chris has a special love for him though he wont admit that it is because he is a boy.

We did many Austiny fun activities including Zilker Park & the train, Exotic Zoo, Lakeway Park, Johnny Fins & Nutty Brown. Many outdoor activities as this is Hayden's favorite activity! The weather was so beautiful and the kids played in the backyard well into the night each evening. Erin and I enjoyed catching up with and without the little chitlins as well. Can't wait for them to come back as I have many more activities planned!

Caden Sims Baby Shower

Exploring Caden's New Room

Trying to be measured to see who is taller - but no one could stand still

Ring Around the Rosy!

Dinner for the Under 10 crowd

Trinity's precious room

Casting Spells

GG's Girls

Chocolate Cake for Kaylor

Tickling and Cuddling with Aunt Helen

Lovin on GG

Mouths full of candy

In February, Mimi, Nana, Ash & I traveled to Abilene for Summer's baby shower to welcome baby Caden who should be here in the next few days (along with sweet Baby Meryn who I am sure Tiffany can't wait to get here). So many wonderful gifts and fun boy items! All the little cousin girls had a great time together and caused havoc to the church and later to Summer's home. Thank you Aunt Kathy for the beautiful dress that Ashton wore - she loved to spin in it! We are very excited for Trinity to have a little brother as Ash will have to wait another 10 years for a sibling so she can enjoy vicariously through others! Can't believe that GG will have 10 great-grandchildren in just days!

Fossil Rim

Mimi is as tall as an Emu

Mommy is as tall as a White Rhino - how pleasant!

No surprise, Daddy is as tall as an ostrich since this is what Justin has called him for many years!

Shorty Miss A is almost as tall as a Cheetah

Ashton using the camera to capture Chris threatening the animals that he will be back later to hunt them

Still mommy's favorite animal

Chris and I visited Fossil Rim wildlife center in 1996 and loved it! So, on the way back from Dallas, we decided to stop by and show Ashton all the wonderful animals. I really figured she would be fearful of touching or feeding the huge animals but I was totally wrong. She absolutely had no fear (she gets that from me and Mimi ~love it)! Most of all she loved sitting on Daddy's console and directing our actions. Pretty neat place and I love seeing it through her eyes most of all.

Butler Great-Grandchildren Playdate!

During our trip to Dallas, we met up with Ashton's cousins on her Mothers side of the family. Her great- grandmother (Mimi's mom) passed away December 2007 and so it is important to all of us to get the great-grandchildren & grandchildren together whenever we can. The ages of the great-grandchildren follow the age progression of the grandchildren ~Dylan and Alyssa are Kyles children and are the oldest as Kyle is the oldest of the 4 grandchildren. Next in line is Kelli and her daughter Ella. I am next with my little miss drama Ashton and last but definitely not least (and always a trooper) is Tyler whose only child is his dog Blue (thank GOD)!

Showing off her balloon poodle (Jacque of course)

A place called Goin Bonkers was very appropriate for the day of fun! The kiddos played together wonderfully after Kyle encouraged Ash to join the fun and he turned out to be the biggest kid of all! Can't wait to see everyone again this summer!

Sweet Baby Beck

My wonderful friend Brooke had her darling baby boy on January 12th. Kevin "Beck" Cherry is so precious and Ashton was obsessed with him. We were able to hold and love on him when he was 5 weeks old during our trip to Dallas in addition to enjoying their beautiful new home. Brooke is a natural mom and I am so proud of her balancing teaching, getting her masters and taking care of Beck. I truly miss getting to work together everyday. This is the 1st "Kidney Dude" as all of the rest of the National Kidney Foundation girls in Lubbock had little "Kidney Chicklets". Lana would have loved to hold and cuddle this sweet boy. As always when we get together, many stories of Lana and her wise West Texas Wisdom were shared. Can't wait for baby Beck and his parents to come to Austin soon!