Happy Birthday, Emily!!

It was six years ago (just about this time!) that she first made her appearance. She has been so excited about turning SIX!! We started the day off by taking the kids to Peter Piper Pizza. We had never been before so thought this was a great day to try it out. We had a great time. The birthday girl was the lucky winner! She hit the "JACKPOT" in one of the games she was playing...that crazy game spit out 400 tickets! She had a great time choosing little bracelets and candies from the prize selections! She got some birthday money from Grandma & Grandad....so we went shopping. She needed new dance shoes (tap shoes and ballet slippers), so Daddy and Momma added enough money to get the shoes and a new leotard & tights. She is all set for her dance class. From Granny & PawPaw she got a new book and hippo...from "Kohl's Cares for Kids". Instead of baking her cake this year, I bought one. She picked out a chocolate with chocolate icing....she is MY daughter after all! I think she would agree that this has been a great day to turn SIX!!

WOW!!!

I'm *redecorating* for the birthday girl tomorrow and found this background. All I can say is WOW...again! Of course anyone who knows Emily knows that this is sooo her!!! Bright and glittery....yep it's Emily alright!!! Check back tomorrow for pictures.

An excited little girl!

Maybe too much excitement? You see, I pulled out the Barbie house today....the one that has been tucked away in a closet for some time now. The one that Sara played with as a little girl! Yes, Emily is hog heaven! Actually, she has been for the better part of a week. When we headed south on Christmas day, a bag packed with her things went with us. She was going to be staying with Granny & PawPaw for a whole week!! And to top it off, this meant that she was staying with Sara also! (The sun pretty much sets and rises in her sisters'.) So she went and did fun things. Upon her return, she got to pull out and play with all of her Christmas toys that got left behind when we headed south. OK, lets add this all up....so far we have a week of fun with Granny, PawPaw & Sara, Christmas toys and a Barbie house. And we're not finished yet! This afternoon I filled out the paperwork for her new dance class and she got measured for the costumes she will be wearing for her recital this spring. Oh yeah, she has also been bouncing....yes, bouncing....around the house reminding us that she will be 6 years old on Sunday!! Oh the joys of an incredibly excited little Miss!!

One of the fun places Granny & Pawpaw took her....Schlitterbahn.

Mmm, hot chocolate...one of her favorites!

Posing with Sara.

Just doing some thinking...

So, I'm not into the "resolution" thing....never have been. I guess I just know that trying to make and then keep a resolution....well, I'd be setting myself up for failure! I do, however, think the start of a new year is a great time to make some needed changes in ones life. That being said, there are a few things I am going to work on. I guess I'm hoping by posting them here....maybe I will be a bit more "accountable"!
First and foremost, I really want to be a more patient momma! Wyatt and Emily seem to go non-stop! Maybe I don't remember it being like this with the girls because I was younger and had more energy? Whatever the reason, I need to be more patient with them...I want to be more patient with them! This will not be an easy task...especially with Wyatt. We seem to "butt heads" more often than not these days. For whatever reason....my parenting, his personality, maybe a little of both or a lot of something else, just not sure....he is throwing more fits and seems so angry while in the midst of them. I consider myself a happy, positive, caring person, so this really bothers me! How do I "make" my child into a happy boy? I will work hard on this one!
I want to improve as a wife! Don't get me wrong...Jeff and I have wonderful relationship and a terrific marriage!! But I need to take better care of myself and our home. I need to prepare better, healthier meals and keep a cleaner, more organized home. We don't live in a pig sty...but my organizational skills are rather lacking! I need to get up and move more....you know, the *e* word(exercise)!!! I've never been good at it. As a kid, I was pretty active. In school I played volleyball and basketball. As an adult....well I just have NOT! So, something else to work on.
There are other things I want to work on, but these are the more important ones for now. I'm wondering if doing some things for myself will be helpful...in the long run....in my quest to be a more patient momma and an improved wife? For instance, several years ago, I started digging into my family history...genealogy...and I loved it. But I pretty much put it all aside when Wyatt came along. I had it out and did a little work a couple of times, but it always got pushed away again. I think I will pull it all out and start again with my searches. Another thing I really want to do...and keep up with! (Mom, please be patient with me!!) Is learn to knit!! I can do it...as long she is sitting next to me working on hers too....and then I put it down and the next time I pick it up, I just can't seem to make my fingers work like they should! I know I can do this...I will do this...I HAVE to do this!! After all, I've already purchased the yarn to make Sara a beautiful scarf!!! :)
Stay tuned for more changes I would like to start working on this year! Oh, one more thing I would like to do....increase my "readership" in this blog. So, if you know of friends or family who might be interested in keeping up with us and ours....please feel free to send them the link! And don't forget....I LOVE comments!!! ;)

Love to all!!

Happy New Year!!!

We spent New Years Eve at home. Jeff and I watched the Ball fall in New York....which was 11 o'clock our time...and soon after I was asleep on the couch! This morning, the kids and I visited with Mom, Dad, Aunt Linda, Bob, Todd & Kerri. They all left and Brandie came out and we spent the afternoon being lazy around the house....all the while Jeff was pulling a float, in the New Years Parade, through downtown Dallas. We have a busy weekend planned. Wyatt has a basketball game Saturday evening and of course Emily will be 6 years old on Sunday!! Yes, my baby will be 6 this weekend!! Saturday is supposed to be beautiful so I think we will be out & about most of the day. Sunday, well that day will be all about cake and candles and fun!

Happy New Year to you all!!

Happy Birthday, Brandie!! I know, your birthday is tomorrow. But it was 25 years ago THIS day that I was in labor...and I remember next to nothing about the 31st!! So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY early...and have a terrific day celebrating tomorrow!!! I love you!!!

Two more....the best ones of the day!

What's this.....all FOUR of MY children together in the same shot?? YAY!!!!
All six grand kids together for Christmas!!

Some more Christmas pictures...

We have started letting them open new pajamas on Christmas Eve...so they are wearing something cute for Christmas morning pictures! Smell good shower stuff from Sara

Pretty, new earrings from Sara

Just because she is so cute!

A couple of much needed long sleeve shirts and more Erector fun from Sissy & Davy

Some pretty, new shirts and a musical jewelry box from Sissy & Davy

Emily and Bubba found soft, fuzzy, pink flip flops for Sara....I think she liked them!

Cozy sleep pants for Brandie...from Jeff & Momma

Pictures from Christmas morning

Before the paper tearing....

Checking out the stockings

Awesome!

Diapers (and clothes) for her babies

Wyatt and Daddy are gonna be busy!

A baby that goes "potty"....this was the latest addition in her letter to Santa

The Wheelie Cycle....he had been asking for this for months

Her very own computer....no more fighting with Bubba over the one he has!

The new big girl bike she has been wanting since the day we took her training wheels off her little bike!

A new dance shirt from Bubba

A Mavs cap from Emily

The last one....from Momma and Daddy

From our family to yours....

We wish you a Happy, Healthy and Joyous Holiday Season! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love,
Robbie, Jeff, Wyatt & Emily

Brrrrrr!!!

We did it....we made it back to Six Flags in cold weather! We froze, but we had a great time! I got to go sledding this time!! I have not come down a sled run since....well, I don't remember when! After I went down with her, I talked Em into giving it a go on her own...she loved it! We found Santa, so the kids got to visit with him for a bit....and I got a picture or two. We were only there a couple of hours, but by that time both kids were red faced and we were all cold.

All bundled up

Santa was trying to make sure there was a GIRL under that hat!!

On the way home, we pulled up beside this Santa on a motorcycle. The kids determined he couldn't be the real one....the real Santa would have been in a sleigh!!

Holiday in the Park at Six Flags

**ALERT** Heavy picture post!!!

We've been twice this season. Jeff and I took the kids last weekend and then the kids and I met Sissy and Davy yesterday afternoon. The crowds were very small and the lines really short when we got there yesterday. The kids (all 4 of them!) took full advantage! First, Wyatt decided he would attempt the Bobsled...a roller coaster of sorts. He's not exactly the brave kid so this shocked us and Sissy was quick to get him in line before he changed his mind! And he did....but she made him go anyway! When it was all over, he loved it and wants to go again. After that we headed to the other side of the park....to the Frosty Snow Hill. **Side note here** We tied a record HIGH temp of 73 degrees yesterday!! Yes, the temp was 73 and my kids went sledding!! I had a blast watching them....and they had a great time too! There was virtually NO line so they ran back up and went again! If not for having my camera so I could take pictures of them having fun, I would have been right there with them!! After that we were riding what ever we came to next. We had a great time, ate some yummy food and were wiped out when we left! The kids slept all the way home. We are supposed to have a cold *arctic blast* blow through here tonight. Hopefully when Jeff and I take the kids back tomorrow night, it will feel more like Christmas weather! I have pictures from both visits. The first few will be from our trip last week.

Spinning (and giggling) in the Tea Cups

With Looney Tune characters and Frosty

The rest are from last night...at the end of the Bobsled run

Sledding...again, all 4 of the *kids* had a great time!!

Singing karaoke...."Santa Claus is Coming to Town"

A few other shots...here & there, this & that