The McBride's

3FEB12

2012-02-03T16:44:00.000-08:00

I'm finally caught up with my blog! :) THese are just the last couple of random pictures from last month. Travis absolutely loves his girls. He is so cute with them. I can't wait for our family to be a family of 5. ALthough I will admit I'm a little nervous. 3 kids seems like a LOT (although my mom and mother-in-law had 4!) We are just so happy right now and it is wonderful. Travis got to take a hunting trip this weekend and the girls and I are snuggling up to watch The Secret Garden. I love nights like this. Have a great weekend everybody.

2FEB12

2012-02-02T18:37:00.000-08:00

I love my dad! He is such a great grandpa. Every year he grows out his beard and he has his own Santa costume. He absolutely LOVES kids especially his grandkids. Here are our cute Santa pictures this year!

Ryan and Santa

Lex and Santa

Alexis DID figure out who it was. We told her Grandpa was just helping Santa and she had no problem telling Ryan the same thing. :)

My dads 4 grandkids with 2 more on the way!

01FEB12

2012-02-01T17:54:00.000-08:00

If for any reason you HAVEN'T heard the news (seriously it's been texted, called, and FBed so if you haven't heard you need to get plugged in! :)) we had our ultrasound today and found out we are having a BOY!! :) I am excited for a couple reasons but #1 one less little girls hair to do (seriously it takes forever HA!) Travis is just beyond thrilled. The girls are both excited to not only be big sisters but to have a new baby brother! They're just adorable. Here are a couple pictures...

29JAN12

2012-01-29T17:21:00.000-08:00

I just realized with all my other posting I haven't posted any from Christmas! I'm only a month late! :) I really didn't take all that many pictures (I've GOT to get better!) At the same time I think it's okay. The reason is b/c I'm usually just caught up in enjoying the moments and I think that's a good reason... With this new baby coming I'm very aware at how quickly this time goes by. I keep thining about how hard those baby years are and then realize how fast it has also gone! Ryan will be FOUR next month. So ya, I'm okay with missing a few kodak moments as long as I'm making sure I'm enjoying every minute with or with out pictures!

Stockings!

Adorable aprons that Grandma Kerry made for all the girls!

Ryan excited about her new lady bug light and Lexi her new books!

The girls also got these hats from Grandma and Papa. Ry's is a ladybug and Lexi LOVED playing baby bear!

I am also thrilled with how our new tradition of one want, one wear, one read, one share went. They were both thrilled with their gifts and Lexi still goes, "mommy thank you for my one read gift." It actually makes Christmas more fun! Thank you Cristine for the finding the great idea on Pintrest!

28JAN12

2012-01-28T18:16:00.000-08:00

I have gotten so bad at taking pictures these days. My mom however has not and is constantly saying oh take a picture! I'm sure it's b/c she doesn't get to see them as often but it makes me feel bad that I don't have very many pics from my dads or anything else we did in AZ! I am however glad I have what I have!

Reading books with Grandma Bevvy before bedtime.

Ryan trying out her new rollerskates from Christmas!

Lexi on her new skates. She is doing so well on them already! She loves skating every chance she gets. Including when it's raining outside she just brings them in!

At the park with the puppies.

I love this picture of Travis and Lex reading! She LOVES these rainbow fairy books. I can't believe my baby is reading chapter books and LOVING them.

25JAN12

2012-01-25T16:46:00.000-08:00

If you know The McBride's you know The Holtgrewe's. When we told them we were coming to AZ we knew for sure they would be coming to AZ to see us. Unfortunately, some unforseen problems came up and they weren't going to make it. I won't lie I was so sad! Then Nate found out some other bad news about his Uncle. They decided they needed to make the trip to AZ after all to visit Nate's Uncle and although it wasn't under the best circumstances we were thrilled to at least spend 6 hours with the Holtgrewe's. The kids had a blast playing together and us adults just hung out and talked and talked and talked! :)

If you are living under a rock and HAVEN'T heard we will be re-united with the Holtgrewe's for 3 years in the Aloha state and we couldn't be happier. They are family and we can't wait to spend our days lounging on the beach and having BBQ's year round!!!! :)

Love this picture!

BFF's for sure!

These 2 play so well together even if we moved away when they were young they hear and talk about each other STILL!

15JAN12

2012-01-15T16:43:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Eve the kids did a Nativity for us. Travis read (yep Travis :)) Tori and Josh brought costumes and we had the perfect Baby Jesus (even if it was a girl because, well, that's all us McBride's really know.) Uncle Josh even made a great Donkey! (Seriously, I have great family!) The kids were adorable and it was so fun to watch.

Mary and Joseph and the great donkey.

Ryan one of the wisemen (with gift of course.)

One of the shepards with her sheep.

All the great actresses (and lone actor.)

After the nativity all the kids got to open their one gift from Grandma Kerry and Papa and it was JAMMIES! They all looked so cute in their matching jammies. I never did get one with Jordan b/c she was OUT! :(

Once again our little posers...

All the cutie pie grandkids (minus Jordan...)

And now a few random pictures from the cabin....

Wii kids dance fun with the brother in laws. Best pic ever.

My favorite father in law. :)

We didn't have a dishwasher at the cabin but these girls didn't mind at all!

13JAN12

2012-01-13T10:55:00.000-08:00

These next few posts are going to be out of order... While we were in AZ the girls were SUPER excited to go to Grandma Kerry and Papa's cabin up in Pinetop. In fact at one point Ryan said she did NOT want to go to AZ at all. Lexi convinced her by saying, "don't you want to go play in the snow?" HAHA Doesn't everyone go to AZ to play in the snow? :) The weather was PERFECT for what we were looking for. It snowed the day before we got there but there was a LOT of snow and it warmed up quite a bit so it was perfect for playing in.

We went out quite a few times but a lot of the time the kids just enjoyed playing with their cousins and making all sorts of noise IN the cabin. We had 19 people in one house and all in all it was a great time with lots of playing, laughing, gaming, and relaxing! Thanks again McBride's we LOVED being all together for Christmas.

Lexi getting out in the snow.

Bundled up Ryan.

Lex and Pyper were the first to throw themselves into the snow for some snow angels.

Snowball fight! Tay and Lex.

Ryan just wanted to throw them at me!

Then there was the fun of eating the snow.

THe girls LOVED sledding. This was the third time they had gone. Trav pushed Lex the very first time and the snow was a little unstable so she flipped face first. She was not happy for a while but did end up going down again and having fun.

Haha She did't even want pics!

Ryan on the tube. Travis and I bought this at Walmart on a whim and it went SO fast down the snow! They all loved it!

Just proving Lexi DID get back on. :)

Before shower that night. I'm going to call this proof of a fun day. Banged up from flipping on the sled and she has yellow paint on her eyebrow from a craft we did. Poor kid!

12JAN12

2012-01-12T18:38:00.000-08:00

I had my 16 week check up today and all is well. Baby is healthy and I got to schedule my ultrasound for next month. I can't wait!

Here are pics from Lexi's parent day. She really has come along way in dance. She knows so many moves and the names (most I don't pronounce well!) She is one of the youngest in her class but seems to keep up just fine!

Ballet

Showing her moves to the class.

Tap

They did a cute dance to jingle Bell rock (which Lex thought said Jingle Bell drop haha so cute!)

It's hard to see b/c that little girl kept getting in my way (dangit! :)) but they were playing the sax as part of their dance it was so cute.

11JAN12

2012-01-11T18:04:00.000-08:00

I am quite a bit behind in my blogging... It's been crazy being back from AZ between kids and church and unpacking and just starting to not feel sick (thank GOODNESS!) Recently they announced in our ward that we were going to be COMBINING with another Ward b/c that ward's building needed to have a lot of work done to the roof and they would not be able to use their building for 6-8 months. They are combining us but keeping us "seperate" so 2 Bishoprics, 2 RS Presidencies, and 2 Primary Presidencies. I don't get why they are doing it this way at ALL but I'm trying to remember they know more than we do. So it's been crazy trying to meet with the other Primary President and get everything in order... This Sunday will be our first time meeting all together, should be interesting!

We had so much fun in AZ seeing all our family. It was WAY too short (like normal) but we loved spending time with everyone including family we haven't seen in over 3 years (Trav's sister and my brother!) Before I catch up on all the AZ pics (which I didn't take NEAR enough of) I am going back to just before we left Lexi and Ryan had Parent observation day in their class. We all got to sit in the back and watch. This is Ry's first year taking dance and she is LOVING it. She talked a LOT during class so I asked her teacher if that was a problem. THe teacher said it must have been us in there b/c she's never heard Ryan talk so much. Ryan is one of the younger kids in her class but she's doing a really great job. Her and Lex love to practice at home. Here are some pics of Ry showing off her moves! :)

Always time for a silly face.

Tap.

Ballet (on a side note I LOVE her teacher. She was Lexi's teacher last year and you can tell she just loves what she does.)

I will try to post Lexi's day tomorrow but even with much more energy I'm still going to bed no later than 10 every night when I can! :) I also have my 16 week check up tomorrow so I will post a little about that although I have such uneventful pregnancies (in a great way!) I probably won't have much to say!

10DEC11

2011-12-10T07:05:00.001-08:00

As I was going through the pictures from last night on my camera I realized I had a few pictures from a while ago that I had forgotten about. Ryan started dance last month and she is loving it! (Alexis is doing it again this year too I just haven't gotten pictures of her yet!) Ryan is in the 3-5 year old group so she is one of the younger kids but her teacher says she is doing just fine. She loves showing Travis and I her "moves."

Alexis finished another season of soccer last month where they won all but one of their games. She is still working on being more agressive and we have noticed a huge improvement since she started. She actually gets in there and tries to kick the ball. She was also one of the youngest on the team b/c they switched it to 6-8 year olds. She held her own just fine. I have a few others from games but this one is just one of her getting her trophy from her coach.

Lastly this is Ryan's friend Jakey. Ryan asks EVERY day if Jake is coming over and Jake asks his mom almost every day if Ryan is coming over. They play so well together that sometimes it's easier to have them both than just one. So Jakes mom Lori and I take advantage of that and will often just drop them off at each others houses and switch off running errands that they don't want to do with us anyways. This picture was one of those days and they told me Ryan was the mom and Jake was the dad. I just thought they were so cute and Lori said hey at least they're not playing doctor. ;)

10DEC11

2011-12-10T06:46:00.001-08:00

Last night on post they had a couple of fun Santa activities so we headed on to main post. First we went and saw Santa jump out of a plane (only in the Military HA!) It was really fun but we couldn't really tell it was Santa but the girls were still happy with it. Then we headed to meet Santa, Mrs. Claus and a couple of the reindeer. The girls though that was great! After we took pics with Santa Alexis told him what she wanted for Christmas (and Ryan kept saying me too. She loves her big sister.) Then Lexi asked whick Reindeer Santa brough and his quick response was Dancer and Prancer (guess she wasn't the first to ask.) It was a pretty fun night. We had hot chocolate while we were waiting in line and the girls also loved talking to the elves. It was a fun night.

Silly Alexis.

Silly Ryan.

Playing duck duck goose with the neighbors while we waited in line.

Travis was having a ton of fun! :)

Dancer and Prancer

Getting to sit on Santas sleigh.

Merry Christmas!

11NOV11

2011-11-11T18:37:00.001-08:00

This year for Halloween was great! I asked Ryan what she wanted to be and with ZERO prompting she said a BUMBLEBEE! Perfect since that's what Lexi was around Ryans age! :) Lexi decided she wanted to be a lady bug since Ry was going to be a bumble bee and I loved the easiest costume year EVER! :) We we excited that Dave and Kerry were coming for a few days and they actually had to drive straight to the church where our Trunk or Treat was going on. The girls RAN over to hug them as soon as they saw them. We also carved pumpkins (But I guess I forgot to get a "final product" pic...) and went Trick or Treating in the neighborhood. It was a great weekend!

So glad Grandma Kerry and Papa could come!

Hay Ride.

Trick or Treat!

Lexi helping hand out candy! I think she liked doing that this year as much as GETTING her candy!

Carving pumpkins (please excuse the eye patch. Her eye had been bothering her all day so Trav had her wear this for the day and it worked!

Ryan didn't enjoy the pumpkin guts again this year!

Our sweet lady bug and bumble bee (I did remember to put their wings on after the second block of Trick or Treating!)

Always posing

They were NOT scared by the witch they just wanted to pet her dog!

11NOV11

2011-11-11T18:02:00.001-08:00

Theresa and I LOVE the fair! We've gone to the AZ state fair everytime I've been in town at the right time so we were stoked to go to the Columbus fair when she was here even if it was a tiny one compared to the AZ one we loved taking the girls there!

Love this! Konnor would throw her hands up on her own for every ride! :)

Sweet girls!

Bumper Cars with daddy!

The loot the girls won! :)

01NOV11

2011-11-01T17:26:00.000-07:00

Alexis, Konnor, and Ryan had a lot of fun together the whole time they were here. They played, fought, laughed, and copied each other constantly! Everyone knows how much I enjoy dressing my kids in the same outfits and then taking a ridiculous amount of pics. This time I convinced T to let Kon get in on the action. So we bought shirts in FL and the day they left we put all three of them in them to get some pics. We miss you Konnor and can't wait to see you in December!

Silly girls. They would make a pose and then the next time Konnor would try to copy them. So cute.

This is one of those times she copied we're just not sure exactly why they were doing this! :)

Fun girls!

Giving Tucker some love.

21OCT11

2011-10-21T12:17:00.000-07:00

The day after we went to Sea World Joni (Theresa's sister) took us to Clearwater Beach which is only about 45 minutes from her house. My girls absolutely LOVE the beach. I mean really what's not to love? Sand, water, and kids everywhere to play with (all three of them made fast friends with the girls next to us.) Konnor who apparently didn't love the beach in CA decided FL beaches were great (really they are the sand is SOOOO soft and fine and the water is perfectly warm!) So all the little girls had a great time and the big girls got to hang out on the beach chairs and tan and talk (okay and play with the kids a little too!) We had such a great time in FL and HAVE to thank Joni and Rick for letting us come and crash. It was my first time in FL and it was a great time!

After the beach we went to dinner (where Lexi ate way more than her share of shrimp!) We decided to do some window shopping and ended up at this store that had a wave place inside. Basically it simulates an ocean wave. You had to be 46 inches to boogie board (52 to surf) and Lexi was just tall enough to boogie board so I just couldn't pass it up. She did so GOOD! We were all impressed. You take turns with everyone for a half an hour and everyone else would get on and end up flipping it and that would end their turn. Not Lexi the instructor had to tell her her time was up and she would basically flip herself (granted there was only one other kid in there and the adults were standing and actually surfing so it was a little harder but still the other kid flipped it pretty fast every time!)

The 3 girls at the end of the day. Perfectly worn out!

Here is a link for a video of Lexi boogie boarding! So fun! :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWb44AnhOck&feature=g-all

19OCT11

2011-10-19T17:50:00.000-07:00

I loved going to Sea World in CA when I was a kid and when Theresa and her sister invited the girls and I to come see them in FL and go to Sea World and the beack we were definitely IN! I can't believe how much the girls loved it. During the first show (dolphin and whale show) Theresa and I decided if that was the ONLY thing we did it would have been worth it. All three girls LOVED it! We had a great day.

Riding on the dolphins (this was the girls favorite show AND also when Lexi decided she wanted to work at Sea World when she grew up.)

Konnor did NOT stop smiling!

Neither did the girls.

It was SOOO humid and warm. Slushies for all!

And popcorn of course.

I love that girl (both of those girls!)

I made Theresa ride with Lex b/c last time we went on a spinning ride I was so sick I almost threw up.

So I rode with Ryan and still got sick. My stomach does NOT like spinning rides.

I was still not feeling great so the girls went on this ride without me.

If you look closely Konnors hands are up. They were up the WHOLE ride! So funny!

Ryan with Joni and Rick. She loved it too.

Showing off the tats.

Loving the Polar bear ice.

Seriously this is what Trav teaches these kids. HAHA.

04OCT11

2011-10-04T12:28:00.000-07:00

This is for those who aren't on FB (really who isn't on FB?? HAHA) This is one of my great friends in GA (who I met in Germany.) She's written a book and you should all support her and order one! :) I'm so excited to know a "REAL" author! Go to http://www.nicsrevelations.com/

03SEP11

2011-09-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

I've been writing some things down that the girls have been saying and decided to share some of them. I love the conversations you can have with a 6 year old and 3 year old!

Ryan saw someone parachuting on post today. She says to me, "mommy I want to jump out of an airplane!!" I told her she couldn't yet she had to wait till she got a little bigger. She replies with, "no mommy I can hold daddy's hand and jump!" I 100% believe she really would jump if she could!

While looking in the mirror Alexis and Ryan had a whole conversation about their "color shadow."

Ryan likes to get in the fridge, go outside, etc with out asking and I'm always telling her you need to ask. When she does ask sometimes I say, "thank you for asking but no." Now if I say no to her she say, "mommy say but thank you for asking" over and over until I say it! :)

Overheard while Lexi was playing with her barbies and new barbie car from Grandma Kerry, "Umm a diet dr. pepper with easy ice and vanilla." And then a minute later, "Oh no she has diet dr. pepper with vanilla and easy ice coming out of her BLOOD!" (I told Travis after we were slightly disturbed it just shows a little of me and a little of him... :) )

This was just this morning... Last night we went to "movie under the stars." They set up a huge screen in a big field and play a movie when it gets dark. They also pass out popcorn and it's totally free! They did it all through April and they're doing it again through September. The movie was Mr. Popper's Penguins and Lexi LOVED it. (Ry not so much but it was outside so she was happy.) In the movie he names the penguins (Lovey, Bitey, Nimrod, etc.) So as Alexis is snuggling with me in bed this morning she's going through the names and says, "Mom I'm going to name my toes, Madeline (Big Toe) Jakob (next toe) I don't remember the others but the baby toe was Gentleman. HAHAHAHA I was cracking up. What a nut!

21AUG11

2011-08-21T16:23:00.000-07:00

A few months ago (right before school got out for summer) my fabulous photographer friend Jessica (check her out at Capture Photography) was doing mini-sessions and I decided it would be a great time to doll up the girls and get some fun pictures of them. So Lexi ditched school (Yes pictures are a GREAT reason to ditch school!) we curled their hair got them in these adorable dresses and headed over to Jessica's studio. Both girls were in RARE form just being totally silly. I thought for sure we weren't going to get anything but once again Jessica proved me wrong. Seriously, this girl is AMAZING at what she does! I'm thinking a few 16x20's will be ordered VERY soon! I absolutely LOVE these pictures they just make me smile!! And all you Columbus peeps seriously consider getting some pictures done ASAP by Jess she is 100% worth it!!!

This one is my absolute FAVE from the session. I love everything about it!!!!

05AUG11

2011-08-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

Alexis started First Grade today. She has been really nervous that she wasn't going to like her teacher or have any of her friends in her class. We went to meet her teacher yesterday and she seems really nice. Then we found out 3 of the kids from the neighborhood were in her class this year and she was thrilled!! She still had a little bit of a hard night. It took her a while to go to sleep, then she woke up in the middle of the night, and she was up this morning well before I went in to get her. I was just like that when I was younger. I remember being excited but also super nervous every year before school. Even with that she had no problems getting ready and only had to hug and kiss me twice before getting on the bus! I'm so excited for her and I know she's going to ROCK the first grade!

* There are a lot of pics considering it was just the first day of school. I guess it's my blog so I can do whatever I want right!? :)

**After Lexi's bus was 40 minutes late, running after other buses all over the neighbor b/c 2 friends kids got put on the wrong bus, and waiting with other friends b/c the kinder bus was an hour and a half late I was finally able to ask her how her first day went and she said it was GREAT! :) What an afternoon we've had.

All the pics of Lex Ryan needed a couple of her own right!?

Breakfast request this year was french toast. One with honey and one with strawberries and whipped cream.

This was the dress she picked. She looks so big! :) (and a little nervous!)

Warming up to the camera!Silly girl!My pretty First grader.

More Ryan getting in on the pics!

Getting ready to get on the big kid bus!

01AUG11

2011-08-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

***Warning RIDICULOUSLY long post!!!***

Today my first born turns 6. She is such a sweet girl. I am amazed at how much she has grown and I love watching her LEARN! :) Here are some facts about Alexis...

-She can read just about anything and loves to do it. Especially reading to her little sister.
-She is SO helpful. She doesn't love every chore we give her (picking up after Tucker is her least favorite.) BUT she has recently decided she is old enough to vacuum and she actually does a great job even though the vacuum is taller than she is!
-She LOVES being outside. Especially in the water and has become a little fish in the water. She still asks fairly often if we can go back to Hilton Head and go to the beach.
-She is a little snuggler. If Travis or I are sitting she will try to snuggle with is and then cons us into scratching her back or arm.
-She is also getting really good and math, telling time, and counting money.
-She is all about sharing especially with her sister. Today she got a card from her Great Grandma Carter which had 5 dollars in it. While putting it in her piggy bank she took 1 dollar and said this is for Ryan's piggy bank b/c she doesn't have as much as me. :)
-She told me today when she grows up she wants to be a ballerina or a missionary. I told her she COULD do both.
-She has the most adorable freckles!!
-She has become appreciative of what she has and what she gets. I was especially struck by this while opening her presents at her party. She opened one and looked at it and enjoyed it. All the kids were excited for her to open theirs so she did move on fairly quickly but I could tell she really appreciated them.

Alexis wanted a Barbie party SO bad! It worked out really nice since we had already decided to have Travis build her a Barbie house. Everyone who asked what she wanted we told them furniture to help fill up her house and she was THRILLED with what she got and even more thrilled when she found out why she was getting all the furniture. (She did get things other than Barbie and she loved those gifts too!)

We had 14 kids here and only 5 of them were girls (2 of them being my girls!) but the boys were very gracious about it being SUCH a girl party. Even if we convinced a few of them that it was okay b/c they got to hit a barbie with a bat (we had a pinata.) We played musical chairs (Lexi's special request) to the tunes of Aqua's Barbie Girl and Justin Beiber's Baby. We also played "pin the sunglasses on the Barbie." I totally forgot to take pictures of musical chairs but the kids really enjoyed playing. It was a great party and I am so grateful for great friends. Thank you all for coming!!

Lexi and the set up.
Special thanks to Jess and Mel for taking pictures for me!

This was the sunglass game. Not gonna lie it was a little creepy. HA!

When you have a military dad things get creative. The kids could see with the blindfold I had so Trav being Trav improvised. That is a Barbie napkin stuffed into the mask. The kids thought it was HILARIOUS (except for sweet Kiera who decided masks of any kind are not okay. I don't blame her even in pink Lexi looks a little scary right?!)

This was the pinata and the inspiration for Lexi's outfit AND hair. She wanted just like Barbie.

Ry's turn. I guess I didn't get a close up of the hook Travis put up. Yes a REAL hook in the middle of our dining room. We don't mess around at the McBride's. We go all out.

I seriously LOVE my friends. She was not the only one to pose with sunglasses just the only one I got a picture of! :)

The kids gathering the loot. (I've decided pinatas are the way to go. Kids get their "goody bags" plus it's a game. So fun!)

I put balloons in just to fill up space (the pinata was HUGE!) Lexi was upset when everyone started popping them and decided to collect as many as she could.

Danny rocking his loot.

The barbie cake. I went the easy route. Sam's is so my friend.

Blowing out her candle.

Alexis and Makayla. Of course Ry had to get in the picture.

This is the first year I didn't have to read her cards to her.

Showing off her apron. Isn't it CUTE!

Travis asking her about all the furniture she got and where she was going to put it all?

She wasn't excited at ALL! We painted it white and the plan is to let her help paint and decorate it. I think it turned out adorable and it will be a fun project to do together.

Wylie showing off his tat. (We did get SOME boy stuff! Girls had barbie tattoos.)

After the barbie house was set up in her playroom (she has been playing with it every chance she's gotten!)

One of her gifts was a barbie salon. Not sure who was more excited her or me!

I just love this picture of Ryan.

22JUL11

2011-07-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

I know there are a lot of people that don't understand the friendship we have with the Holtgrewe's. They don't understand that they are family. When you're in the military and so far away from family and everything you know and even cultures that you know your friends are all you have. You have to rely on them for EVERYTHING. Then your husbands deploy, you start your families at the same time AND you ADD to your families at the same time... What I'm trying to say is, We love you Holtgrewe's and we are SOOO glad you used your vacation to come and visit us. We had a blast and can't wait to be stationed together again (it WILL happen!)

Here are some pictures of the kids we had to take the day before they left. Kids are so funny. I love the little personalities that totally come through in pictures.

This was not what we asked them to do! :)

Yep Alexis did bunny ears. Thank you my class clown.

She wanted to pic every pose we did and when Anya said how about this she did it SO willingly. HA!

Just so you can see she DOES have a pretty smile.

They insisted on pictures with Tucker. Turned out pretty cute.

I love these kids!

21JUL11

2011-07-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

Nate requested we go to the Infantry Muesem while they were here and I was excited b/c I've never been (even though it's a 5 minute drive from our house!) I have a lot of pride being an Army wife and even more being an Infantry wife so it was definetly cool to see everything the Infantry has done in the past and is currently doing. I will admit though my favorite room was the Family room where they had a lot of stuff about families supporting the military (including parents of soldiers, wives, husbands, and children.) They also had a dress up room for the kids and all of them LOVED it! I posted a TON of pics from there but they were just too cute!

The front with a TON of Basic Training guys waiting to go in.
They had really cool models and when the older girls saw the airplane Lexi said, "my daddy jumps out of those!" To which Anya replied, "my daddy jumps out of helicopters!" Proud girls.

This was posed themselves. So funny.

Watching some movie on the Infantry which was VERY entertaining I guess...

Dress up time.

My girls.

HA! Lex had watched Madagascar recently so she kept doing HAPPY/SAD with her hand. Soooo goofy!

Saluting.

Her mean face.

With Anya. Ry looks hardcore!

All 3 girls saluting.

THis was the little mock tank...

20JUL11

2011-07-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

We were so busy while Nate and Cristine were here we only got to go to the pool twice (well I went one extra time with all 4 kids by myself.) We went once the day after they got here for less than 2 hours before lightening started and once the day before they left. We REALLY wish we had more time to just lounge by the pool and Cristine started to understand why I love hanging at my pool so often! :)

Ryan.
All of us in the pool. Note Ry lounging and Lex hanging on me. This is the norm! :)

See told you lots of blue coconut slushes!

The girls stole their moms sunglasses and Cristine got some pics. This one is seriously my favorite one of the girls EVER!!!

Just love them.

19JUL11

2011-07-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

I absolutely LOVE Callaway Gardens. It's a resort place that has biking trails, golf, bird shows, a butterfly garden, and my favorite a BEACH! Usually it's 25 dollars PER person but they give a military discount, as in FREE! So we LOVE to go there about once a week during the summer. They have the lake with a big sprinkler in the middle, sand beach, and a huge bouncy island thing (that costs extra and we had never done that before.) I absolutely love this place so of course we had to take the Holtgrewe's. We actually decided to try the bouncy place this time and we had a TON of fun even if Eric, Ryan, and maybe Cristine and I spent most our time bobbing in the water with our life vests. It was worth just for how much fun Alexis had. The stuff was a little hard to climb for a 5 year old (let alone a 3 year old and her 30 year old mother oh man am I really admitting I'm 30??) but Alexis had a BLAST! She was climbing, swinging, sliding, and jumping. I didn't actually get pictures b/c I couldn't take my camera on the water and Cristine who had just bought an underwater camera got all of 3 pics before her battery died... :( These pictures are COMPLETELY out of order but...THis was one of the pics she got before the battery died. Note me sitting and Ry TRYING to stand but it was not a stable thing at ALL!! :)

Poor Nate had to ride in the back anytime we went somewhere with out Travis but that didn't stop him from letting LEx use him as a pillow. PASSED OUT after Callaway all FOUR of them! :) (Told you they are way out of order...)

My favorite picture of Eric of the whole trip. Rocking the pink sunglasses. Cristine couldn't get to his so he borrowed his sisters! :)

So funny they both have their heads sideways.

Cristine and I actually remembered to take a few pics of ourselves!

Happy kids.

Right before we went on the bouncy thing.

18JUL11

2011-07-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

We did SOOO much fun stuff while the Holtgrewe's were here. We seriously barely stopped at all. One thing I knew we HAD to do while there were here was go the Animal Safari. Alexis, Ryan, and I have been twice and we still LOVED it. Since I've already posted pics from there I decided to get a few out of the norm pics to post. We had so much fun.

Getting to pet a baby jaguar (I think what was it again Cristine?) They all thought that was fantastic!!!

Something in this picture is just classic... Love these kids.

THis is my favorite picture. Cristine is HILARIOUS with animals (and bugs and heights HAHA calling you out girl!) She literally ended up this close to me when the emu came around. She would have sat on my lap if she could have!

17JUL11

2011-07-17T16:59:00.000-07:00

We had so much fun with the Holtgrewe's here. It was honestly like we had never been apart. The kids got a long so well and the day after they left I swear my kids could NOT be entertained b/c they were so used to having Anya and Eric here. They all played so well and the only fighting we heard was between siblings (well and the occasional Ry trying to purposely annoy someone! :) ) I have SOO many pictures it's ridiculous so I'm going to start with all the random ones...

Cristine and I on our girls night! We went shopping, got mani/pedis, Cristine got a makeover, (for her 50's photo shoot SOO fun!) went to dinner, and laughed almost the whole time! It was so fun having some time without the kiddos.
This is my loveseat even though the couch actually faces the movie they were watching they crowded together on the love seat! So cute.

Girls picture!

This was a fun routine. We eventually had to split up reading time b/c every kid is used to picking their own bedtime books and it took us a while to read four every night!

It was so sweet that Anya and Lex switched playing and reading to the other one's sibling.

Alexis and Anya... I don't even know what to say. I feel like they are just going to be the sweetest friends forever! Even when their older. They kept talking about playing "hay in a day" long before Anya ever got here. This is a game they made up in Germany during sleepovers and they had a blast. My favorite part about these pictures is how opposite they are in looks. Anya had beautiful brown hair and Lex with her golden blonde. Anya is soooo stinking tall it's ridiculous and after 2 weeks in GA Anyas tan was twice as dark as Lex's who has been in the sun twice as much!!! :) We are ALL in trouble when these girls grow up!

We very rarely asked them to pose they just did whatever they felt like!

Popsicle time. One of many.

CHEESERS!!!!!

I know Eric and Ryan were really young when we left Germany but we've visited the Holtgrewe's in TX before and I think with how often Lexi and Anya talk about each other it really seems like they know each other really well! They played together really well although they got sad if their sisters didn't include them! They are so used to playing with their big sisters I think it was hard for them that they didn't want to play as much since they had someone else around. Overall though Eric and Ryan were very sweet with each other.

Snuggling on the couch!

When Eric first got there the stairs made him a little nervous but he was more than willing to let Ryan help!!

One of many blue toungues from a Sonic blue cocunut slush (seriously both of them loved blue coconut and the older girls always wanted watermelon. So funny.)

I have deemed this Ryan and Eric's engagement photo! :)

I just love this picture of Ry. They had a blast with the air matresses.

Eric LOVES to wrestle but I think Ryan held her own for the most part.

11JUL11

2011-07-11T02:00:00.000-07:00

We got to celebrate the 4th of July twice this year! On post they had the celebration on the 2nd and we went to that and enjoyed bouncy castles with Dak and Nic (although not for long b/c it was SOOO hot!) Then we came back for the fireworks with Tonya and her whole family that night. The girls LOVED them! This is the first time we've stayed up late enough for them to watch it and my camera battery DIED! Luckily Tonya had her camera so I did get pics I just need to get them from her (hint hint Tonya! :) ) But for now I will just share these AND some pics from the actual 4th with the Holtgrewe's!! :) We bbqed, made dessert kebabs and traumatized the 3 year olds with Sparklers! It was a blast and a wonderful throwback to the good old days in Germany! :)

Seriously, they posed this on their own.

Fun girls.

Dessert kebabs YUM!!!!

Alexis and Anya enjoying theirs.

Ryan and Eric with theirs.

11JUL11

2011-07-11T00:00:00.001-07:00

Anya and Lexi were okay with the sparklers although they kept saying they were going to burn them!

Lexi and Tucker. :)

Ryan on the other hand.... (seriously is this the best picture EVER?)

Travis trying to convince her that it was fun.

Yeah he never did convince Eric. On the bright side I don't think we have to worry about Eric being any kind of pyro...

He did convince Ryan and she was okay with it as long as she didn't have to hold it while we lit it. :) Kids are so great.

10JUL11

2011-07-10T17:52:00.000-07:00

I'm playing a little catch up since we've been busy having a blast with the Holtgrewe's visiting!! We decided to go watch Travis at RIA (Rangers In Action) since he will be changing companies soon and this was going to be the last time he did the narration. It was SOOO hot but the girls really enjoyed. When the first guy came out (NOT Travis) Ryan kept yelling, "that's my daddy!" I had to tell her no not yet and everyone around her got a kick out of it. Finally when Travis came out and she yelled it I told her yes that is daddy. They are so proud of their dad. They loved the helicopters, rapelling, and combatives (although Ryan kept yelling BE NICE!) but the loud explosions were not their favorite. They both ended up covering their ears for a good part of it. If anyone comes to visit and there is a Ranger graduation we will definitely be going. It was a lot of fun.

Ry Py in the bright sun.

Lexi.

Travis.

25JUN11

2011-06-25T13:37:00.000-07:00

I called my mom today to tell her Happy Birthday (the big 5-0! Happy Birthday mom! :) ) She asked me if I had posted any more blogs and it reminded me I took a break and forgot to post about going to Savannah! :) On our way out of Hilton Head we stopped in Savannah. First we went with Dave and Kerry to a flea market (interesting...) and then we had to say goodbye (sad!) so they could head to the airport. After we decided to head over to Forsyth Park. WE just wanted to walk around and check it out before our drive home and I'm so glad we did. It was SO pretty! :) We had such a great vacation.

Love my family!

This was after they saw the park (I love that Lex is reaching back to help Ryan. I'm not sure what she was saying but I'm sure it was squeals of COME ON RY! :))

Then they were slightly distracted by a helicopter...

She is getting older and more beautiful I swear! :)

I love this face.

Daddy helping them not get soaking wet in their dresses but still play a little in the water...

15JUN11

2011-06-15T17:45:00.000-07:00

One day while we were in Hilton Head we decided to drive up to Charleston for the day. It's a 4 hour drive roundtrip but I thought it was worth it. There is so much history there! We were later than we expected to be (I will take the blame for insisting we stop at Sonic before leaving yes, it's a problem.) So we missed the tour we had planned on doing but we went down to Market Street on our own and got to just walk around and then go to lunch. Then we went back for a later tour. We only got off the bus at Fort Sumter but we drove by Waterfront Park, market street, the battery, and old jail, and tons of old cool houses with so much history! After being in Europe for so long I think I forgot that there is ton of cool history here in the states too! Not a lot of pics b/c we were on the bus but here are a few anyway...

My fam! :)

Fort Sumter.

Ryan had fallen asleep on Kerry during the bus ride which was actually nice b/c I was able to really listed to our guide. But that's why I only have Lex. :)

14JUN11

2011-06-13T18:15:00.000-07:00

One of the morning we were in Hilton Head Kerry convinced me to get up early and go down to the beach to see the sunrise. It was soooo early for vacation but I decided it would be fun. I took my camera and tried to have fun shooting something other than the kids! I also stole 2 of the pics from Kerry's camera b/c she has a great zoom lense. It was SO pretty and fun to see I've never seen a sunrise before! I'm glad I went but that doesn't mean she convinced me to go again the morning before we left. (Don't worry she convinced Dave!) Once was good for me! :) I'm such a bum on vacation!

I just liked this shot...

These are Kerry's camera. So pretty.

Right when it first popped up. When we first go there there were only about 5 other people and by the time it was coming up there had to be about 50.

Got the bird in it! :)

13JUN11

2011-06-12T19:12:00.000-07:00

These pictures are in absolutely NO order and there are a LOT of them! :) We went to the beach 5 times while we were in Hilton Head and I'm telling you the girls (and Kerry and I) NEVER got tired of being there. I usually had to make them leave even though I know Ryan especially was EXHAUSTED! :)

These are the poses I get from Ryan when I tell her to "pose!"

Papa burying the girls!

Ry's turn!

Ry and Grandma Kerry building a sand castle.

Lexi and papa chilling in the ocean.

Hilarious! Ryan just decided to join in with this family in covering their dad in mud. Luckily, he was a great sport and only got a LITTLE nervous when she poured it REALLY close to his face. Notice the mom to the far left who was cracking up (when she wasn't helping to cover him!)

Lexi LOVING the waves. This was one of 3 friends she made while we were there. I love how easily kids make friends.

Lunch time!

The first night we went to the beach. This was right before papa decided it was okay to take them fully clothed into the ocean (and also forgot his phone and wallet were still in his pocket!)

And after! They had such a blast with Grandma Kerry and Papa!

As I mentioned in my previous post THIS is what Ryan thought the best method for being in the ocean. It's a terribe pic b/c it was with my phone and the humidity made it foggy but she's there in the yellow squating and watching.

Love my water babes.

Kerry took this pic of Lex and I have a little argument over snacktime I think! :)

This is how Lex burried Ry. So funny with the sand castles around her and the sticks over the top of her for some reason. And Ryan held SOOO still. Love my girls.

10JUN11

2011-06-08T17:24:00.001-07:00

Okay I'm not posting pictures today (I promise I will soon and I have PLENTY to go through!) I wanted to write down a couple things the girls have done to make us laugh while on this trip.

Dave and Kerry flew into Savannah so we drove there first and met them at the airport. Alexis had been doing the "are we there yet?" for a while so I told her we're here, we're in Savannah! Her reply, "Mom do they speak English in Savannah?" HA! Our little European traveler is not used to traveling in the states quite yet.

Once we were here in Hilton Head Lex kept on INSISTING she did NOT want to go to the beach. There were too many sharks and jelly fish according to her. Well once we got there she has basically not wanted to leave (on a side note this is the first trip to the Atlantic Ocean that ANY of us has had. The water is so WARM and the weather has been PERFECT!) So we're building sand castles and Alexis makes a little hole and goes and gets water to pour into it. As she pours it in it goes straight into the sand and she yells, "OH NO it's MELTING!!" So cute.

Ryan always has something to say but it's not been as profound as Lex this trip. She's made LOTS of friends though wether they wanted to be friends is irrevelant to her. She's also enjoyed peeing in the ocean. The first day we went to the beach she said I NEED to go potty!! We told her to just go out in the ocean (seriously the ONLY bathrooms they have are quite a ways away don't judge!) After some convincing she goes out about ankle high and starts to pull her swimsuit down! I had to run after her to explain to just go out farther and not pull it down. So since then she goes out there about ankle deep and kinda squats and looks down and watches herself go. No discretion from the 3 year old!

06JUN11

2011-06-06T16:00:00.000-07:00

We made it to Hilton Head, SC and we are having a BLAST!!! I'm just posting a couple pics from the pool that is basically right outside our door. We are enjoying just relaxing, sleeping in, spending time with the grandparents, and being in the water (beach AND pool!) The weather is humid but has actually been VERY pleasant. I have more pics from the beach today but for now these will have to do. :)

Pretending to sleep on the lounge chair.
Loving the water.

Ryan and her floaties.

Little fish.

26MAY11

2011-05-26T14:14:00.000-07:00

Today was Lexi's last day of school! At the beginning of the school year I know I said, "wow I have a kindergartener." Now I have a kinder graduate (ha!) I am so proud of Alexis and how well she did in school. She learned so much and my favorite thing is that she can now read HERSELF books. You wouldn't believe how happy she is about that too! :) Definitely the daughter of 2 readers!

Now on to some bragging. This morning they had an awards ceremony for all of Kindergarten. For her class she recieved an award for Academic Excellence, (showing student mastery in the classrom) Citezenship, (Setting a Great Example of Leadership and earned by one girl and one boy in each class) Honor Roll for the 4th quarter, and a certificate for earning Honor Roll all 4 quarters. I was so proud and you could just tell she was so proud of herself.

I had a parent/teacher conference with her teacher on Monday and she told me how proud she was of Alexis and all she has done and specifically told me how all the kids in the class really look up to her. They want her to help them read, they want to play with her, and she is really sweet to all of them. I'm so glad that she has learned not only academically but socially as well. She also told me she is doing great in all areas including reading at a second grade level.

One more thing I have to write down is what her teacher wrote on her report card... She said, "Alexis is an exceptional student, she is so eager to read and learn about the world around her. She finishes the year with a Developmental Reading Score at level 22 which means she can read almost any book she picks up. Her writing is superb, she gets her thoughts down on paper in a legible way and far exceeds all KDG standards. She's been recommended to participate in the gifted program and is promoted to First Grade for the year 2011-12.

Heading to the bus stop for her last day of school. I loved going and looking at her first day of school on my blog (and on a side note I'm wondering where the heck that shirt is that she wore b/c we still have the skirt but no shirt and it would still fit her!)

The bus stop crew! I will miss seeing these faces every morning and afternoon. We have a great neighborhood and I know I will see them at the pool a LOT this summer!

Random. Ryan and her friend Jake. I have no idea WHY they thought this would be fun but they did it for a few minutes before I realized I have my camera take a picture. She loves her friend Jakey.

Awards Ceremony.

Happy with her medals and awards.

Getting her Kindergarten diploma.

Alexis and Ms. Walker. Let me say right now how much I (oh and Alexis) LOVED her teacher Ms. Walker. She was firm but sweet and I thought she was a WONDERFUL teacher. I actually asked her if she could just move to first grade but she sadly said no... :) I pray Lexi gets great teachers like this every year!

Don't forget the teacher aide Ms. Febres. Lexi had her as an aide in Pre-K and was so excited that she got to spend another year with her.

And then of course Ryan didn't want to be left out. We will probably be leaving Ft. Benning by the time Ryan goes to Kinder but IF we are still here I PROMISE we will be requesting Ms. Walker!!

Another great thing Ms. Walker does every year is plants a garden and they go out and garden every once in a while. All the kids were very proud of all the things that sprouted.

23MAY11

2011-05-23T12:23:00.000-07:00

I got the video from Lexi's dance recital. This is just a little clip I recorded with my phone off our t.v. but I've had a couple people ask to see it so here is a little bit. Alexis only has school till Thursday and then SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER (yes I'm singing it in my head!) I am so excited for this summer. Lazy days, pool days, beach days, vacation with my in-laws in Hilton Head, and the Holtgrewe's are coming to visit us in July! Plus a possible visit from another friend and Lexi's sixth birthday! I have grown to love summer possibly more than when I was a kid in school!

08MAY11

2011-05-08T17:25:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day!!! I am so blessed with so many great mother's in my life. I am thankful for the example they all show me. I am also thankful for my girls who made me a mother. It is such a blessing to be their mom! Alexis had her end of the year dance recital today and she did FANTASTIC!! I don't have a video to show you b/c I only have a dvd recorder so I can't get it on the blog but I do have some great pictures. I was so proud of her. She had such a blast and she looked adorable!! They danced to a Hannah Montana song and it was a tap number. We love you so much sweet Alexis! :)

Posing before the show.
I probably took 100 pictures and she kept going oh take one like THIS! HAHA She sure loves the camera! :)

Part of their routine they tipped their "hat." It was my favorite part so she posed for me (plus it shows her cute hair!)

Here's some of her moves.

She did a great job. The age group she is in is 3-5 year olds and she did a great job remembering the routine and helping the other girls remember!

Great job Alexis!!!

06MAY11

2011-05-06T18:38:00.000-07:00

It's so fun having 2 kids in schools and both decided to do mother's day activities for us. In the morning Ryan's school did a mother's day brunch. We had a yummy brunch and then the kids sang us a little song. Ryan is one of the older kids in the group and she was adorable singing every word. She even sang it again for Travis and Lexi tonight at dinner. After that they gave us little flowers that they had made and she was very proud! Love that little girl.

In the afternoon Lexi's class had a mother's day "tea." They had snacks and tea (and punch! :) ) They sang us a song that they had written as a class. After that they gave us our gifts which were sweet letters that their teacher helped them type (where Lexi praised me on my chicken nugget and mac and cheese making skills and said she loved my redish brown tights. HA!) They also gave us paintings they had done. After that their teacher had them each read us one of their books. I couldn't be prouder! They also got to show off their new smart board that Lexi has been telling me about for weeks! She is such a sweet kid.

All in all it was a fantastic day and I'm very blessed to have these little angels in my life.

Cheese!
Singing.

I love this picture of Ryan. It's the quiet bubble.

Singing her song.

Giving me my flower.

30APR11

2011-04-30T11:09:00.000-07:00

The month of April they celebrated the month of the military child. All month long they have been doing "Movie Under the Stars." Every Friday was a different movie and they had a huge screen set up outside and had free popcorn and you brought your own chairs and blankets. We only went once (we saw Tangled again!) The girls thought it was great and I love that they were doing something for the kids b/c they deserve it! Last night was the last movie night and before the movie they had a traveling zoo! There was a white tiger, monkeys, kangaroos, ponies, camels and some I'm sure I'm forgetting. They even had a magic show, shaved ice, popcorn, and cotton candy and the best part? FREE! :) I really appreciate all the great free activities we have available to us! Their favorite part by far was riding the ponies and the camel. We didn't stay for the movie afterwards b/c it was Yogi Bear and I'm not sure my girls are the right age to really enjoy that one but we did get to go over to the Shomakers and play games and have a great Friday night!

I'm not sure if it's the sunglasses or the hair or what but I LOVE this picture of Alexis. She just looks so cute! (Her hair was curled b/c we had dance pictures right before. I'll post some of those soon when I get them back.)
Ry loving on the camel. This camel was SOOO gentle. He was just nuzzling and loving on the kids.

Lexi petting him. My kids so LOVE animals.

More Shomakers and McBride's. This time rocking the sunglasses. And I love Lex snuggling up to Wylie.

On the camel! (Ryan, Makayla, Lex, and Wylie.) Nicolai was not a fan so he didn't want to ride but we ran into our neighbor Makayla and they loved getting to ride all together.

Pony ride. Just the right size for Ry. :)

Alexis wasn't excited at all. Can't you tell??! :)

Great night!

25APR11

2011-04-25T10:16:00.000-07:00

We have been SOOO busy lately which I really do love but we were all ready for some downtime. Easter was the perfect day to stay home and just be together. The girls and I went to church and the Easter Bunny came while we were gone. We have 9 AM church and I knew it would be a little much to add in Easter basket searching in to our crazy Sunday mornings. After church they looked for their baskets and then Ryan took a nap. Once Ryan woke up we colored Easter eggs, had an egg hunt, and Travis helped the girls plant some plants that Mary gave them while I made dinner (ham, bacon wrapped asparagus, and hashbrown casserole.) We had a great day.

Their gardening bags from Mary! THANK YOU MARY! THey LOVED them!

Ryan found her basket in the oven!

Getting it out.

Lexi doing her happy dance when she found hers.

She needed a little help. That is one tall Easter bunny!

Lexi getting help from Travis coloring her eggs.

Ryan multitasking. Coloring an egg while eating one!

At Christmas I had bought these dresses for the girls but when Grandma Kerry sent some other cute ones I decided to save these for Easter. So we had a photo shoot. Half with Travis, half with me! :) Once again I LOVE dressing up my girls! :)

16APR11

2011-04-16T16:38:00.000-07:00

We loved going to the Eggstravaganza last year on post so we decided to go again this year! The girls loved doing the Easter Egg Hunt and both of them went by themselves this time and did a great job! They are getting so big and independent! We loved meeting up and playing with all our friends, sitting with the Easter bunny, jumping on the bouncy castle, making a bracelet and necklace and enjoying the BEAUTIFUL weather (even after a tornado scare last night!) Alexis also had a dance performance in between the activities. She did a great job and a HUGE thank you to Melanie for getting pictures so I could take video AND Joanna for holding Ryan so I could move and get better video!! Lexi did a great job and we had a great day sunburns and all! :)

Yay they BOTH sat with the Easter bunnies with no crying!

Okay seriously I say girls smile and they make 500 different poses! They are little camera hogs!

Ryan picking up her eggs!

Very proud!

Lexi's turn.

She was pretty proud!

Ballet dance!

First position after the dance!

My sweet Dancer.

10APR11

2011-04-10T16:57:00.000-07:00

The Atlanta temple has been going through renovations since before we got to GA. It's finally done and we got the chance to go with our ward to see it before it was re-dedicated. What a beautiful peaceful place to spend our Saturday with our friends. It was a nice day. After we went through we spent some time just sitting in the grass and taking pictures. Shomakers and McBrides! (Nic, Wylie, Alexis, and Ryan) It's fun to have boys around the same age as our girls.

My girls really enjoyed the temple. Alexis was slightly concerned that we weren't all wearing white but I was able to explain that was okay. :) Wylie and Lex.

Me and my girls.

Everyone from the ward that was able to go.

Ry and Nic (totally NOT posed.)

Ry loves holding hands!

08APR11

2011-04-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

I have great neighbors here. It's great that we can just go outside and they have people to play with. When my next door neighbor asked who was up for a sidewalk chalk day we were in!!! I even left Lex outside when I came in for Ry's nap (and so I could clean a little bit!) The kids all had a blast and the moms got to hang out and talk. Thanks for the great idea Keri!

Ryan running to hug Joanna (she LOVES those neighbor girls!) Pow wow.

Lex and Makayla.

So fun!

Dillon, Ryan, and Alexis.

07APR11

2011-04-07T18:19:00.000-07:00

Nate had to go to Atlanta for a few days for work so he made the drive down to Columbus just for the night so he could see us (okay maybe more so he could see Trav but he loves us girls too!) We had a blast going to dinner, playing games, and LAUGHING while texting back and forth with Cristine. It made us SOOO excited for July when the McGrewe's will be reunited for 10-12 days! :) Thanks for coming Nate and next time I promise to have chili cheese dip here waiting! :)

04APR11

2011-04-04T18:57:00.000-07:00

Travis got a fluke day off today so we decided to spend the morning doing yard work (YUCK but at least it was nice out so the girls just played.) That afternoon he decided it was time for Lex to learn to ride a bike without training wheels. We headed on post to where the soccer fields are with both kids and our dog. There is a great park right by the soccer fields and a dog park right next to that so something for everyone! Trav kept Lex on the field so when she fell it would be softer and I walked Ryan and Tucker over to the park. Less than an hour later he told me to come over and watch (I'd been watching a little bit but trying to pay attention to Ryan and Tuck too.) My little girl was totally riding a bike! No training wheels! She was so proud and so was Trav. As soon as I got over he informed me we were going straight to DQ after that! She totally earned it. (And Travis was SO proud!) The video is not the best b/c it's with my cell but I got a GREAT video with our regular camera. This girl has always been so quick with the physical stuff!

Getting started. The push off.

Totally doing it on her own.

You could tell SHE was proud too.

04APR11

2011-04-04T18:34:00.000-07:00

Oh how I love this man. I have to acknowledge the fact that I am guilty of being that mom and wife that puts her kids ahead of everything. I know this isn't always a bad thing but I do find that I have to be very careful to make sure that I put my husband first sometimes too. He is important too and I love him like crazy!! I am not eloquent in writing (oh how I wish I were!) But I do want Travis to know how much I love and appreciate him. He does SO much for us. I am so proud of all he has done being in the Army. I'm so glad he is the dad he is. Yesterday was Trav's thirtieth birthday. We are BOTH officially in our 30's. It's funny how old you think 30 is when you are 16 and then when you turn 30 you realize it's not so bad. I have now known Trav for officially half my life. We met when I was 15 although we weren't exactly friends. He actually came to my 16th birthday party with his girlfriend! :) I guess I grew on him. Yesterday he had a lot of homework to catch up on so we hung out at home (after the waffles and strawberries of course) and then ended the day with some family time, steak, potatoes, and asparagus and finished it off with some Spring Fruit Trifle (the man is NOT a cake or chocolate fan!) Happy Birthday babe. I love you!!!

03APR11

2011-04-03T12:19:00.000-07:00

I figured I've posted the last few times about Lex so now I would show you the many poses of Ryan. She loves to be just like her big sister so when I put this outfit on her and thought she was just adorable I asked if she would smile for a picture and this is what I got! I also have to mention that I bought this shirt for Alexis when she was Ryan's age and Ryan was a baby and she had a matching shirt! Now she fits in this one and I just can't believe how big my kids are getting!! I absolutely love this girl! And now a shameless plug... My friend and neighbor Lori has started a shop on etsy. She has some adorable stuff (bags, shirts, aprons, kids placemats, etc.) She made this shirt for Ryan and I think it's ADORABLE! I also happen to know she just got a new embroidery machine so be on the look out for some great new additions!! Click here for her etsy shop and here for her FB page.

01APR11

2011-04-01T11:48:00.000-07:00

Today was Field Day at Lexi's school and the theme was Boot Camp (SOOO cute but we ARE on an Army Post so I can't help but think why not Basic Training? :) ) They had the cutest little camo shirts and HUGE shout out to my neighbor Jennifer who made her daughter AND Alexis matching bows!!! She pulled it out after me joking about why didn't she make one for ALexis HAHA! Super sweet! I was able to go down there for about 3 hours while Ryan was at her school and it was a ton of fun to watch. Yes, there are tons of pics. It was just so cute! Once again the many poses of Alexis. She loves taking pics and then going back through and looking at them. I can't blame her she is adorable! :)

Kissy face?? This is her MEAN face!

Jumping rope.

They had an "obstacle course" bouncy house. So cool!

Alexis and her friend Cassidy.

They had to run up this hill and then roll down it.

She would roll a little ways down and then get up and re-position and start over.

Cat and mouse in the parachute.

Sand bags. Even though the little boy helping her is WAY bigger she was doing most of the pulling!

Tug of War with Makayla.

This was my FAVORITE event. 3 legged races with kindergarteners= HILARIOUS. I told them to put their arms around each other and ALexis was more than willing but he was NOT on board!

Fun great day!!!! On a side note: Alexis had her final cup stacking tournament on Wednesday (no pics...) She brought home 2 medals and I was able to ask her PE teacher today what they were for (she told me what she thought they were but didn't seem convinced!) She got first place for her age in "Cycle" (Recycle it's the longest one!) and third in 3-6-3. SO very proud of this little girl. She also was on honor roll this quarter again. Great great kid!!!

28MAR11

2011-03-28T08:40:00.000-07:00

Yes there are a TON of pictures for just a lost tooth but she has been so excited to lose this tooth since she realized it was loose like 2 weeks ago! She told me the tooth fairy was going to bring her 5 dollars and a whistle (no idea where that came from...) Well we were fresh out of whistles so she got 5 dollars, a lollipop and a note from the tooth fairy (that said 5 dollars is only for the first tooth after that 1 dollar per tooth. The tooth fairy doesn't want to go broke!HAHA) She was thrilled so I guess it was okay! Showing how loose it was. I am so my mother's daughter b/c it took all I had to not gag. Bleck it grosses me out!! Thank goodness daddy was home and I just had to take pictures.

Daddy working it a little bit (and getting the blood out of her mouth from so much wiggling.) HAHA No more wiggling! Trying a different appraoch with some dental floss. She really wanted to try to do it herself.

She got it! I was shocked that she got it by herself. So cute. (Umm and I HAVE to mention that you excuse her ratty look. We had been with friends all day and she was playing HARD so she has that sweaty play look! :))

Opening her envelope from the tooth fairy.

Very excited little girl! :)

27MAR11

2011-03-27T17:12:00.000-07:00

I believe the reason I NEVER take pictures when people are visiting is because I'm just having too much fun enjoying their company. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it... So here are the few I DID take... While Konnor and Theresa were here we enjoyed going out to eat (WAY too much!) going to Chuck E Cheese for my birthday (SO fun!) watching my girls play soccer, went out for pedis and lunch while my sweet hubby watched the kids, going shopping, going to the Animal Safari, staying up WAY to late, laughing, reminising the good old days, watching the kids play and making new "good old days," and being loud and bossy to each other! :) It was the perfect week! I am so lucky to have such a wonderful friend!!! We miss Theresa and Konnor like CRAZY!!!! Hopefully they will come back soon and maybe even bring Bryatt with them to join in the fun!!!

Ryan, Konnor, and Kiera at Kiera's new favoritest place! ;) Konnor meeting her blind date for the night. HAHA

Three sweet girls in a tub. Ya by the time I got my camera they were not very cooperative.

(Picture removed for content)

And that's about it. Maybe I can ask Theresa for a few more b/c I know SHE took more than 3.

23MAR11

2011-03-23T16:29:00.000-07:00

Alexis brought home some of her school work today. Here is what her paper said (with some translation!) Ishulva (enchiladas not sure where the v is coming from.) make me yell yuck. Because I tastin it wus yuck. AHAHAHA My girls are so not Mexican fans and I have made it my goal to convert them! Let's just say this is one of the nicer ways Alexis has let me know she is over Mexican food. ;) Guess she wanted her teacher to know too. So freaking funny!!!!

16MAR11

2011-03-16T10:14:00.000-07:00

It currently looks like Birthday threw up all over my house. Here are a few of the goods so far!! These are only the things I can actually take pics of. It doesn't include the online gift card to Amazon Kindle (WOOHOO!) Or the texts, phone calls, and FB messages I've recieved that have been making my day!

I love birthdays. I have always believed Birthdays should be a big deal. Young or old doesn't matter it's the one day that you should get to be shown a little extra love. Luckily, I have some friends and family that seem to agree! It's been a wonderful day so far (okay actually week since my friends think you should get a whole week and who am I to argue?) Trav has to work all day but he took me out yesterday and I've been spoiled by friends and family today and then Theresa comes tomorrow SO it's definitely been a great week!!!! I just want to tell everyone thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!! I was telling my mom and she said WOW you have some great friends! I had to explain that MY friends are family!!! I love you all.

10MAR11

2011-03-10T16:45:00.000-08:00

Okay had to share... Like everyone knows my best friend Theresa is coming for a visit next week and we are all THRILLED!!! Tonight we were talking about it (the girls and I) and Alexis asks me if Bryatt (Theresa's husband) is coming. I told her no and she got all bummed out (Alexis loves the Fisher family!) Then she looked up at me and said, "OH is he in Iraq or Afghanistan?" Sweet, sweet girl just assumes if the dad isn't around he must be deployed. Bryatt is not in the Army. He works in AZ and we are hoping he is going to come with the family over the summer. I am realizing more and more that my children are definitely military brats! :)

10MAR11

2011-03-10T11:41:00.000-08:00

Last week was Dr. Suess's birthday but at Lexi's school they were doing some testing so this week they celebrated. :) Each day of the week they wore different things (like Wacky Wednessday, Silly Sock day etc.) Today was wear your Dr. Suess hat and red and white. I realized the ONLY red thing Alexis has in her closet is her red tutu (we need to go do some shopping asap!:) ) So she wore the tutu and white tights and a white shirt. Unfortunately, today was also P.E. Day so she had to wear tennis shoes with the tights (SO not a fan and I apologize especially to Cristine! :) ) Anyway, her teacher sent a picture out of all the kids and they all looked so adorable I had to share! :)

On an un-related note, Theresa and Konnor are coming in a WEEK and I am SOOOOOO freaking excited!!!!!!

25FEB11

2011-02-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

Soccer season AGAIN!! :) This time Ryan is old enough to participate as well. BARELY though. The age is 3 and she actually turned 3 the week after it started. She was super excited to play soccer like Lexi. She kept talking about how she was going to have her OWN coach and her OWN team. :) You can definitely tell she is the youngest one on the team but once she gets into it she loves it. Last week they did a lot of drills and she made me stay with her almost the whole time. This week they did a scrimmage and she was all about that! (I think it helped that it was boys v. girls) I love watching my girls play soccer.

Alexis is also playing again this season with her same coach (Coach Bryan.) He is fantastic and we were really glad his wife helped us get her on his team again! I didn't take any pics of her since I have a TON but I will get some once she has a game. :)

Big Kicks
Doesn't she just look like the cutest little soccer player! :)

Loving her new PURPLE soccer ball.

Talking strategy with the girls. :)

She realized I had gone off the field. I told her it was okay and she went back with out a problem. :)

Trying to get the ball although I'm not really sure WHERE the ball was at this point! :)

24FEB11

2011-02-24T17:00:00.000-08:00

Okay another funny from Alexis this time...

I picked her up from school and we're driving to dance. She asks me, "mommy are we in the top of GA or the bottom?" I told her well we're kind of in the middle but a little more in the bottom." She got all bummed and said, "oh man MOM the bottom of GA lost I want to be in the TOP they WON!" At first I thought it had to do with some sport thing or something but then I realized they are talking about the Civil War at school! HAHAHA I thought it was HILARIOUS she was so upset we lived on the "losing" side of that war! :)

21FEB11

2011-02-19T16:52:00.001-08:00

Is it REALLY possible that she is THREE???? Wow these past 3 years have gone so fast. Ryan is such a great kid. She is absolutely coming in to her own (and getting her own little spunk!) I have decided she may not have had the terrible 2's but we'll see what the 3's bring us! :) She is a little firecracker for sure. LIving up to both her name AND her hair color. She always has a question for you and usually an answer as well. She loves school once she's there even if she acts a little nervous EVERY morning. Every afternoon when I go to pick her up she says, "see mom you told me you would come get me." EVERY afternoon! :) She loves Dora, her family, playing outside, baby dolls, and usually whatever Alexis is playing with at the time. She is working on learning her letters, numbers, and shapes (her newest one she's learned is octagon and I love hearing her say it!) She loves going to nursery and since she's currently one of 3 that are usually in there AND the only girl she has every reason to love it seeing that her teachers dote on her! (Yesterday she was actually the ONLY one in nursery. :) ) We are so grateful to have this little doll in her house.

Let me start by telling you all how much I do NOT love characters. I know all kids love their characters but I'm just not a fan of clothes with characters OR birthday party themes with characters. I don't know why that is and I don't judge anyone that does like that stuff. However, sometimes it's just not about me (SOMETIMES!) So I asked Ry what kind of party she would like while at the party store. I showed her luau stuff and polkadot theme stuff... But then she saw the dreaded Dora stuff and she did NOT want to give it up. I even tried to get her to go for Curious George instead but she was not having it. It's her birthday so... Dora it was! She was thrilled and that's all that matters. :) We had a great group of friends come over and we just ate lunch had cupcakes, and unwrapped presents. The weather had been FANTASTIC so the kids played outside the entire rest of the party. It was perfect and low key.

RYan and the set up.

Ya she was just so cute b/c she was so excited!! :)

All the kids (Jake, Dillon, Max, Ryan, Wylie, Dak, Alexis, and Kiera, not pictured Nicolai!) Yes ALL boys except my girls and Kiera! :)

Blowing out the candles. She loved when we were singing to her!

Joanna helping her lick the icing.

Yum!

Lex enjoying her cupcake.

Presents!!!

Fun day! Thank you to everyone that came! It was a great party!

16FEB11

2011-02-16T15:35:00.000-08:00

Just so I can remember some of the great things that are said at my house I'm going to share one from Ryan today:

I was getting ready to put on Beauty and the Beast for her (SO happy she loves this movie Alexis just never really dug it!) So she jumps up on the couch and rudely says, "START the movie MOM!" So I say, "EXCUSE me??" She looks at me funny and then says with a huge smile, "You farted?" AHAHAHA I'm sorry CRACKED me up. I didn't even make her say please after that!

27JAN11

2011-01-27T17:10:00.000-08:00

Ever heard of cupstacking? Yeah me either until Alexis told me she wanted to join the cupstacking group at her school. It's the only club she can participate in as a Kindergartner so I figured why not? Since then I've found out cupstacking is pretty popular! :) It's also really good for hand eye coordination. Who knew? For Christmas Alexis asked for her OWN set of cups to take with her to practices. Today she participated in her first tournament. She did really well. She did 3-3-3 and 3-6-3 (ya look them up on youtube these kids are actually pretty amazing!) Alexis really likes doing it and I'm proud of how well she has done with everything she has tried!

Practicing before her turn.

Excited for her first tournament.

She picked to go to the only girl judge. I think she was a little nervous! :)

3-6-3 Oh ya I'm learning all the lingo! :)

Ryan kept saying Take a picture of me Mommy! And this one's for you Mary. Her crazy hair in all it's glory! :)

26JAN11

2011-01-26T10:42:00.000-08:00

A girl and her dog... This is how I found Ryan after her nap on Monday. She never said a word I just heard a noise and went to check and there she was with Tucker. Ryan absolutely LOVES Tucker. We do occasionaly have to tell her not to bite Tucker or to stop laying on him but usually she is just trying to play with him.

Ryan is such a sweet girl. She has developed her own little personality even though she loves her big sister and tries to copy her often. We started our Letter of the week program a few weeks ago and she is loving it. We get a lot of mommy and Ryan time and I absolutely love it. Her new favorite phrase is, "snuggle one minute." Anytime I try to go somewhere with out her (I'm talking even to go take a shower) that's what she tells me and I have to tell you I don't know if I have ever said no or if I ever could! Lately she's also started saying food is DEYISIOUS (Delicious) and another favorite word that isn't as great is DANGIT. No Ryan you can't have candy... "Oh Dangit." Ya you never realize how bad the words you say sound till they come out of the mouth of your 2 year old. :) I'm not going to lie though it's still a little cute. :)I can't believe she is turning 3 next month. She is getting so big. She is learning so much every day. I absolutely LOVE this little girl.

24JAN11

2011-01-24T10:31:00.000-08:00

I put Ryan on the wait list for the pre-school program a few months ago and she was number 22! Which was no big deal bc I wasn't in a hurry I just wanted to get her into something a couple days a week for her sake (and a little for mine! :) ) They finally called me last week and said she could start! She was SOOO excited to go to school just like Alexis and I had to really explain that it wasn't the same school as Alexis. Luckily, she seemed fine with that. We went in Thursday for orientation and to meet her teacher and she was VERY excited. Today was her first day and she LOVED it. She kept talking about her friends, and playing, and doing gymnastics (another plus, she has the same gymnastic teacher and it's at the same place she will just do it during school instead of in the afternoon.) She told me all about her lunch and going potty in the big kid potty. She was so happy and I had a nice few hours for errands. She will be going Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30-12:30.

Posing with Alexis before Alexis went to school.

All ready to go. She looks SOOOO big to me!

At school excited to play. I had to post both b/c I think you can tell especially in the first picture that she was a LITTLE nervous but she still cheesed for me in the second. They said she did great with no problems at all and that she was quite the star in gymnastics. I can't believe how big Ryan is. I love this little girl.

19JAN11

2011-01-19T17:12:00.000-08:00

Back in December my friend Jessica invited us to go to The Nutcracker and Alexis and I were both excited to have a mother/daughter date. Alexis absolutely LOVED it. At the end she said she wanted to watch it again. I forgot my camera but luckily Jessica is one of the BEST photographers I know and she snapped a few for me and sent them to me. (Ya you can so tell I didn't take these I need to "forget" my camera more often! :) Anyways, here are the pictures.

10JAN11

2011-01-10T18:17:00.000-08:00

Okay I know I'm from AZ. I realize if it ever snowed in the valley people would NOT know what to do and the whole valley of the sun would shut down. However, these people crack me up. Yesterday it was all over the news that this was going to be a bad storm. All non-essential personal should stay home. School was canceled.

We woke up to the lightest dusting of snow. The most snow we saw in one place was MAYBE a half an inch. It was barely even snow more like slush. The girls were thrilled but it was so wet they didn't stay out long.

We spent the morning in our p.j.'s followed by some shopping (with so many stores closed it was hilarious) and ended the day with dinner with friends. While at dinner we got another call saying school is canceled tomorrow too. It's suppossed to be freezing temps and they are worried about black ice. Trav had to go in at 9 tonight so he was sure to be at work in the morning. It's all a little too much precaution if you ask me but I do enjoy having Alexis home. My only other complaint is the add ons at the end of the school year but we'll just enjoy our time home.

See I'm not making it up there was barely ANY snow and this was first thing in the morning! :)

It WAS cold for sure. Warming up with hot chocolate and a movie after playing in the slush oh I mean snow! :)

08JAN11

2011-01-08T18:37:00.000-08:00

I just absolutely love her. Tonight I was trying to get a good "bath picture with out being all nakey and exposed" for a project I'm finally getting around to. I got so many adorable/wierd/goofy/crazy shots of her. She is such a good girl. She is at the age where she still LOVES no seriously ADORES homework and chores. She is the most helpful big sister (today I had to tell her she doesn't get to spank Ryan when Ryan doesn't listen to her HA.) She is a 100% Army kid. Today she kept telling us about the MFLAC people. Mine and Trav's questions followed by her answers:

"Are they real people?" YES they have peach skin like me

"Where do they live?" Here like us

"Immigrants?" NO MFLAC

"They live in GA?" Yes every 3 months.

"They come every 3 months?" Yep.

"Indians?" *while giving us you guys are crazy looks* NO MFLAC

"Did you talk to them?" No they talked to us.

"DId you read about them?" No they talked to us.

Okay this went on for a while. We finally THINK we figured out that she is talking in accronyms. At her school they have these Military LIfe Consultant people that come in and out every few months. They are like counselors just for the military. I'm pretty sure they just told the kids the accronym. Ya another, you know your kid is an Army brat when, moment.

She is an absolute sweetheart. Always available to snuggle or talk or read books. I recently decided to try reading a chapter book with her. We are almost to Chapter 3 of The Secret Garden and I'm not joking she LOVES it. I think part of it may be b/c it's on my Kindle and she thinks it's fun to read on mom's gadget (heck I still think it's fun to read on mom's gadget!) But she is enjoying it and I ask her questions every once in a while since it's definitely not 5 year old vocab but she knows what's going on.

Just thought I would share the love I have in my heart for my oldest child. I adore her and honestly love when she gets to be home from school. I know this is totally random and that's ok. It's just on my mind and in my heart right now. :)

04JAN11

2011-01-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

A few random pictures...

Alexis had a nightmare a couple weeks ago and since then she's had a hard time sleeping. She keeps saying she's scared and she gets up a million times. One of the nights Travis was gone and she had gotten out of bed a ton and finally asked if she could sleep with Ryan. Even though they are in the same room she wanted to sleep in Ryan's bed. I caved and it totally worked! They both slept all night long. Alexis is getting better now that she has her "sweet dream" spray but it really was adorable to see my 2 girls snuggled up together.

The next pictures crack me up! Travis said Alexis had asked him if she could use a napkin, tape, and yarn. He was working in the garage on one of his wood projects and didn't think anything of it. He told her yes and later she came down and said, "look daddy now I can be in the sawdust too!" I could not stop laughing and had to take a picture. She is so smart and creative! Oh and of course Ryan HAD to be in the picture too. HAHA.

03JAN11

2011-01-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

My first post of 2011! :) We had a great New Year's Eve this year. We decided to have people over at our house this year and just play games. There were 7 adults, 2 teens, 5 kids, and 3 dogs! :) It was a blast. I remembered that we had leftover sparklers from 4th of July and the kids really enjoyed doing those. It was a good night with friends and family. I was even impressed that my kids both made it up till midnight this year. 2010 was the first year in our marraige that Travis didn't have to leave for more than 24 hours the entire year! I hope 2011 is just as great. :) Happy New Year everyone!

HEre are a few pics. I am so great at taking pics of the kids but I'm TERRIBLE at taking pics of adults. Maybe I should have made that my New Year's Resolution...

Watching a movie and eating popcorn! Ya ALL boys. I went from Germany where there never seemed to be any boys to here where all my friends seem to have are boys. Alexis and Ryan definitely don't seem to mind!

Wylie and Alexis. Super cute.

Ryan and Melanie (the teenage girls are our next door neighbors. They are SOOO sweet and they love my girls and my girls love them!)

Lexi with her sparkler.

Almost all the kids. Nicolai was over all the pics! This was right after midnight so they were all tired but they were great!!!

28DEC10

2010-12-28T00:00:00.000-08:00

We had a very Merry Christmas at the McBride house. The girls slept in till 8 (Merry Christmas mom and dad!) We opened stocking and a couple gifts and then they were hungry so we paused and went and ate our homemade cinnamon rolls for Breakfast and came back for some more presents. Then we had our appetizer lunch and spent the rest of the day playing with our new toys and relaxing together. None of us got out of our p.j.'s (well except when the girls modeled their new dresses from Grandpa Jones.) It was a very perfect Christmas. Thank you to everyone who spoiled us rotten!

Ry with her present stack.

LExi excited with hers!

Ry loving her baby (Thanks Holtgrewe's!)

Lexi was VERY excited to get her Rapunzel doll (thank you Grandma Bevvy!)

Snuggies and a book from Tori and Josh. Already been washed twice! HEHEHE Seriously Tori, I'm wearing it as I type!

I had to get a litebrite for Alexis. I loved mine growing up!

Sweet bears from the Beans!

Tea party time!!

The loot.

I completely forgot to wrap their gift from my dad so they got those last and they were thrilled. Insisted on putting them on immediately and both proceeded to strike some poses. My dad got these dresses in Mexico when he was down there picking up my brother from his mission! He picked them out AND got the right sizes. Impressive dad!

And last a video of the girls playing with Ryan's new toy from Grandma Kerry. They played this for a good hour and it's quite a work out if you do it right and not like Ryan who is jumping on the OUTSIDE of the toy.

27DEC10

2010-12-27T17:35:00.000-08:00

We had such a wonderful Christmas. We are a very blessed family. With our family being so far away we are also blessed to have wonderful friends to spend Holidays with. This year our Christmas Eve started with Trav and the girls making cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning. They were all so adorable and I was thrilled that I got a little break from the kitchen! :) Later, we went to our friends Jessica and Grant's house for pizza, hot Dr. Pepper, decorating sugar cookies, and Christmas p.j.'s. We went over there last year too and we all had a blast.

Trav and the girls doing some baking.

Sugar cookies (note the Sonic cups I'm all about traditions but I need my ice cold diet dp too! :) )

Opening their Christmas jammies.

Our sweet girls.

Flynn and Mcbride kids (Caed, Kiera, Ryan, and Alexis)

Lexi being the clown!

McBride's Christmas Eve 2010

26DEC10

2010-12-26T17:12:00.000-08:00

Travis and I love musicals and almost anything on stage! :) We would like the girls to appreciate and love it too so we figured we better start taking them now! The Wizard of Oz was playing at the Springer Opera House in Columbus so we went with our family and Nic and Dak. It was fantastic! I thought the cast was fabulous and it was very well done especially for how small the stage was! The girls enjoyed every minute and only got a little antsy in the last ten minutes or so. That may have mostly been from the fact that it was almost 10 and everyone knows my kids are usually in bed by 7:30. It was a very fun night and I hope we are able go to more plays soon(although the next one we're planning is an adult only play GREASE in April!) I didn't get a lot of pics b/c obviously no flash during the performance but here are a few and a couple videos with my phone.

The fam.
I LOVE this pic. So classic! Ready for the show. More fun Dak.

The cast at the end. I didn't get any of the munchkins... :)

This first video is hilarious to me b/c you can hear Ryan Roaring and giggling in the background. The lion was definitely her favorite!

And just b/c it's my favorite.

20DEC10

2010-12-20T17:23:00.001-08:00

A few weeks ago I bought the girls their Christmas dresses for half off and I was really excited. Then I got a box from my mother-in-law and she had gotten them these BEAUTFIUL dresses and I couldn't wait for the girls to wear them! Alexis is always asking me why her hair isn't curly like Ryan's so I decided to give her some curls. I was going to straighten Ryan's but she wanted it curly like Lou Lou's! :) Alexis LOVED her hair and I thought they both looked adorable. Trav took the pics b/c by the time I was done I was running so late for church! :) They love to cheese for the camera. I love my girls. We are all so excited for Christmas and are already enjoying our vacation at home.

13DEC10

2010-12-13T14:13:00.000-08:00

Lexi told me today, "mom, today is December 13th. The next row is going to be CHRISTMAS!" She loves the calendar at school. :) I have not done a ton of my normal "Christmas-y" stuff. Crafts, sweets, etc. I still plan on making some cookies but the other stuff I may or may not do. It's not that I haven't been in the Christmas spirit I have. Our tree is up, we have a few lights outside, my presents are almost done and mostly wrapped, our cards have gone out... I feel like with Alexis in school somehow we are MORE busy. I guess I always thought when the kids go to school life is calmer and I am figuring out that's not really true. It's not a bad thing it just makes me appreciate staying home and just hanging out as a family a lot more! Even if we're doing nothing! I did take the to the PX today to see Santa. Lex has written him about 3 different lists (always with Bubble tape at the top of the list making it an easy Christmas for Santa this year! ;) ) so we went and saw him and she gave him her list and sat on his lap. Last year she refused so I was happy to get a very sweet picture of both my girls this year. Ryan was happy to get the candy cane at the end!

And just b/c this picture is ADORABLE! Our friends from Church Tonya and Will came over to play some games (WOO HOO for games it's been a while!) They have 2 boys around the same age as Lex and Ry. I told them all to hope up on the couch for a movie and this is how they sat. I just thought it was so cute brothers on one side and sisters on the other. Thanks for hanging with us Shomakers! :)

09DEC10

2010-12-09T16:54:00.000-08:00

Alexis had her school Christmas Program last night. The kindergarten classes all sang a song called 8 Tiny Reindeer. Lexi was very excited and she was so cute. We got really lucky and we were sitting right next to her and her class (Thanks to our friends and neighbors who saved us a seat!) At the end of the night everyone was singing Feliz Navidad. Lexi's teacher asked Ryan if she wanted to go on the "stage" with Lex. That's what the video is. The whole concert Ry was dancing to all the songs and she had as much fun as Alexis! :) My girls are such sweethearts. I did videotape Lexi's song too but it was on my video camera which is a dvd... So here are some pics.

Lexi and her friend Macayla before the concert.

Before it started.

Singing 8 Tiny Reindeer!

Love her red nose!

The short video of Ry with LEx.

And this is how I found Ryan this morning. Yes I waited to take the picture before I told her to stop! :) And don't worry too much it's just his water bowl not his food!

A girl and her dog. Just so everyone can sweet how sweet (and big) our dog is getting! We love our Tuckeroola (Ry's name)Tuckerman (Lexi and Nic's name) Tucker (his actual name!)

07DEC10

2010-12-07T18:08:00.000-08:00

Update on Lexi...

We had Lexi's pediatric urologist appointment today. All the way in Birmingham (2 and half hour drive for those who don't know.) It went well. Everyone there was super nice and we didn't have to do too much waiting. Okay there really was a lot of waiting but it was between a lot of testing and Alexis was a rockstar. It helps that her mom is a rock star and packed a TON of stuff to do while waiting. :) Despite the fact that I forgot AL is an hour behind GA and we got there 2 hours early! Here is where the Too Much Info begins so click out if you don't want to know.

There are basically 2 reasons they think Alexis is having problems. 1. They believe she is having constipation. I have never noticed her having problems with pooping so I thought that was odd. The doctor said she is pooping but leaving stool inside still which is resting on her bladder causing her to have bladder control problems. 2. She has a lazy bladder which she will probably grow out of. One of the tests showed that she had to push to try to get some of the pee out and that's not normal (I swear the fact that they can figure this stuff out through tests is AMAZING to me!) They can actually give her a pill for this that helps her not have to pee so much. The problems is one of the side effects is constipation... SOOOO the doctor wants us to try a high fiber diet, including a fiber pill, for a month. If she is still having problems she wants me to call and she will prescribe the pill (she realized how long of a drive it was and said I could just call or e-mail even though usually they have you come back in. VERY happy about that!) All of this is also related to the UTI's but they said they don't prescribe the everyday low dose antibiotics unless the child has 3-4 UTI's in 6 months (I can't even imagine how sad that would be!) I'm actually happy about that. I don't really want her on antibiotics EVERY day!

I am so happy with the outcome of this visit. I really didn't want anything to be wrong with Alexis but I didn't want to leave with them saying, "we have no idea!" I feel like I got the best of both worlds... Something is wrong but it's minor and it should be an easy fix! :) Very productive day today!!!

19NOV10

2010-11-19T18:13:00.000-08:00

Now that soccer is over Alexis is excited to do gymnastics again. She did it when we were in Germany and she loved it but when they switched teachers she didn't like it as much and I didn't either. (It was a 45 minute class and they spent more than half of it waiting in line to do something!) They have 3 teachers here in gymnastics and they are all really great. This last week was parent observation week so I decided it was a perfect time to get some pictures. It was only her second class so she's definitely still learning but I was impressed with her rolls and her backbend. She's also working on cartwheels and that is ADORABLE! :)

Stretching

Backbends.

Practicing their landings.

Backward rolls.

Cartwheels

Handstands.

More cartwheels.

Cool downs (supergirls!)

04NOV10

2010-11-04T16:58:00.000-07:00

This is completely 100% a bragging on my oldest daughter post. If you do not want to hear me rave about Alexis then just close this window now! :) They just finished their first quarter and a couple weeks ago I had a parent teacher conference. Her teacher Ms. Walker basically told me Alexis was doing fantastic in school. She is in the top reading group, she is picking everything up with no problems, and she actually said, "if Alexis ever pulled a stick (like turning from green to yellow, you know...) she would probably faint." HAHA Then we got the memos home that Alexis would be presented two awards (on 2 different days ANNOYING! :) ) The first award was for meeting or exceeding all expectations for her grade level AND all 1's (like A's) for behavior. The second was for citizen of the quarter. They pick one per quarter, per grade level. They did them on different days which was annoying but also nice b/c Travis couldn't go on Wednesday but was able to go today. He also decided it was a great reason to just take her home with us, instead of finishing up her last hour, and take her to Dairy Queen as a treat! She was thrilled. So, basically my kid is rocking Kindergarten and we are VERY proud of her!!!

Accepting her first award.

Showing it off.

Waiting for her second (this was cute to me b/c the first day she was with kids her own age but this one was mostly 4th and 5th graders so she seemed so tiny. In fact when they called her name and she went up all the kids cheered and then started saying Awwww b/c she was so little compared to them. She was a happy, proud girl.)

Accepting her second award (only in a military school is your award presented with your Principal and 2 soldiers!)

Proud mama.

Proud papa (and little sister!)

30OCT10

2010-10-30T17:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!!!!! Before I had kids I was not a Halloween fan. Now I absolutely LOVE it! I love seeing them get dressed up and how excited they are to Trick-or-Treat. This year I took Alexis shopping with me and we looked at a LOT of costumes! She had been leaning towards being a witch but still wasn't sure. As soon as she saw this candy corn witch she was SOLD! We then went looking for something for Ryan and Alexis said, "mom, can Ryan be my black cat." So black kitty cat it was. They both had a blast and it was a great night.

Ready to go!

I absolutely LOVE this pic (and wish I could have gotten Ry to cooperate in the same pose but 2 year olds are much harder models!)

This was at the trunck or treat last night at church.

Hanging with Indiana Jones! (aka Dak!)

Goofy sweet kitty.

Best picture EVER!

These kids are so fun!

Aren't they FABULOUS??! :) (Nic and Dak)

The famous Loot shot! (with eyeball chocolates)

27OCT10

2010-10-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

Travis has been working a LOT. It may not seem like it b/c of the way his schedule works. Basically, he works 24 hours and then has 24 hours off. Seems nice but between school and his sleep schedule he has been busy and exhausted!! Luckily, in about 3 weeks he will have a little more downtime till after the first of the year. Until then we try to take advantage of the times he gets 2 days off in a row (rare...) Yesterday was one of those days. Not only did we get a new puppy but we also went fishing! :) It was Ry's first time getting to go and actually participate so I tried to take a lot of pics! She loved the casting part but when Trav actually caught one and tried to get her to touch it she was less than impressed!

Working on her cast.

Oh ya they were both pretty happy with snack time too!

Pudding!

See at first she was thrilled. Trav labeled this unbridled excitement! :)

Alexis was more than willing.

Ryan not so much! I love days like this. I love that Travis is enjoying sharing his hobbies with the girls and they seem to love it as well. Have I mentioned how much I Love my family?? :)

26OCT10

2010-10-26T17:08:00.000-07:00

We are proud new dog owners!!! Travis and the girls have been basically BEGGING me to get a dog. I am not against pets. I love animals BUT I know they are a lot of work. I also know with a 5 year old, a 2 year old, and a husband in the military most of the work was going to fall on me so I was nervous. Travis has been researching and looking and figuring out what he wants. Alexis asks fairly regulaurly and Ryan is ALWAYS pretending she's a puppy and also asks to pet every dog she sees. So when this little Jack Russel Terrier mut showed up on Craigslist we decided to check him out (this all happened TODAY!) We went, we fell in love, and we brought him home to surprise the girls. Everyone meet Tucker (Tuck.) He was already named and he responds well to his name. Plus it's a cute name and is actually the name of my childhood dog (whom I LOVED!) Isn't he adorable! Alexis has probably thanked Travis about 100 times already and the poor puppy didn't get a moment to himself from the time we picked him up till the girls went to bed (luckily it was only about an hour and a half.) The video is when we first brought him in. Travis told the girls he met a little baby "boy" named Tuck while he was gone and he brought him home to play. Did they want to play with him? Okay here he is!

25OCT10

2010-10-25T17:02:00.000-07:00

Travis had the day off today and I ended up having to pick up Lexi early from school b/c she said she had a headache (she did have a super low fever but she seems fine now!) So we kept her home from soccer but decided it would be a perfect night for carving pumpkins! Alexis had a blast and I can't believe how big she is. She did a good majority of it all on her own! On the other hand I think painting may be the way to go with Ryan next year! :)

Happily pulling out the seeds and guts!
Not so happy. I thought she would be fine once I showed her but nope not so much!

Carving her pumpkin.

Holding the knife while daddy carved her pumpkin. HAHA!

Being the silly girls that they are!

Ryan's witch. (Trav did a great job huh!?)

Alexis was very proud of her silly face jack-o-lantern.

Fun night.