Zoo

We took the kids on our annual trip to the zoo last weekend. Our intention was to go before it got too hot, but we were a little late on that. It was scorching! Is it really just May because it feels like July already!

Here we are checking out the fish at the new waterfall area...

Cooper did not want us to take the stroller because he said he was too big for it but he was in the thing before we ever even made it to the zoo entrance. He only got out (or stood up on it) to see the animals better. Otherwise, he rode the whole time!
I like this picture....
Riding the train....
We ran in to Brian and his kids and, of course, Cooper had to play with Campbell. That boy loves him some Campbell Grace! She was sleeping soundly until Coop started messing with her.
Kamdyn had to have an icee and she just loves it when her mouth turns colors. Her mouth was completely blue the rest of the day!
Enjoying the shade and an icee....
Kamdyn loves animals and, of course, she had to pet the donkeys. Eeewhhhh!
Me and Coopie on the train.... I love this little boy so much!
I left my cell phone on the train and didn't realize it until we were nearly to the car so I had to walk all the way back in and down to the train. I didn't think I was going to make it. Mark and I both commented this zoo trip took a lot out of us... are we going to survive the summer heat?

Kamdyn made it nearly to the car and just stopped and said, "I"m done, Daddy! I can't walk anymore!" We went to Macaroni Grill afterwards and I made her go to the bathroom to wash her hands (remember she was petting the donkey) and she threw the biggest fit. She literally slumped over to the ground in the middle of the restaurant and said, "I can't walk anymore, Mommy!"

She was so mad the entire time we were there. She reminded us that Cooper rode in the stroller the whole time and didn't share, which is true! She finally ended up telling me that the only thing that would make her feel better was a new pair of flip flops! A girl after my own heart!!! We dropped the boys off at Best Buy and went shoe shopping and then went back to get them, where we learned that Mark had bought a new TV for our bedroom. Not just any TV, but a 46" -- for the bedroom. I'm still not over that.... it's WAY.TOO.BIG. Kam calls it our home theater!!

That's What I'm Talking About!

You all know how much Kam and I love to watch "Dancing With the Stars." When Chad Ochocinco took his shirt off during his dance on Monday night Kam turned to me and said, "now that's what I'm talking about!"
OMG! I have no clue where she learned that. Of course, I laughed and probably shouldn't have. My coworker told me I should have talked to her about the inappropriateness of ripping clothes off,etc. but I'm hoping the issue will not come up again! I mean... she's five. Will I ever survive the teenage years?

The Windy City

Mark and I just returned from Chicago and we had a fabulous trip! It only took me 8 years to finally talk him into going with me to a training conference. In the beginning of our marriage, he always tried to ration his vacation days. Then came kids and we thought one of us needed to always be with them.... so we are long overdue for a mini vacation alone! And guess what??? The kids were thrilled to go stay with their Mimi and Pop for a while!!!

I must warn you... we took lots of pictures of ourselves and they are awful, but they're all I have. Believe it or not, I'm not one to stop and ask other people to take our picture. This is us on the airplane Thursday morning. There were storms between Arkansas and Chicago so our flight was delayed right away... but it was only a few hours so it wasn't too bad.

Once we made it to Chicago and got checked in, we headed to Michigan Avenue and Gino's East!!! This was the one place Mark wanted to eat in Chicago. One of his coworkers is from Chicago and talked it up for weeks to Mark. Although I've been to Chicago several times before, I had never eaten at Gino's

Trust me when I tell you it was AWESOME!!! Better than Giardano's!! We ordered appetizers and a small which was two pieces each and we were both stuffed! That's a cornbread crust that is to die for!
Again, not a flattering picture of either of us... but is there ever? I keep telling Mark that our pictures look like we were on a restaurant tour! We have challenged each other to lose weight but we'll see how that goes. We do that almost every night.
On Michigan Avenue.... I have to brag on Mark. Anyone who knows him, knows that he would rather donate an organ than shop (that's an inside joke!). But he let me shop all I wanted and I know that was major for him. I think he secretly enjoyed it though!
We went to Navy Pier one morning just so Mark could say he had been there. It was actually a gorgeous day to be near the water. We had to take this picture for the kids because they get such a kick out of these mirrors. I always look like a little person... imagine that!
This was Mark's attempt at trick photography.... Isn't the view gorgeous???
I never knew how much Mark liked skylines... we tried to get back Saturday night to take a skyline boat tour but it was chilly that night and shut down early.
Another awful picture...
On my first trip to Chicago twelve years ago, we went to Haray Caray's Restaurant. Not the tavern, but the nice restaurant. I will never forget it because we had not been seated for very long, when Brian leaned over and said, "that's Sammy Sosa sitting behind you!" If you know anything about the Cubs, you know who Sammy Sosa is. And the real kicker is that before I left for Chicago I asked Mark what he wanted me to bring him back and he said, "Sammy Sosa's autograph!" But I was not bold enough to lean over and ask (nor was my mother, which says a lot! This was an upscale restaurant and probably not appropriate for that kind of thing!) so no autograph for Mark.... I've always regretted that.
On Friday while I was in my conference, Mark took the L-train to Wrigley and watched the Cubs take on the Pirates. He called me from the game to tell me how awesome his seats were!

Downtown by the Riverwalk is probably my favorite part of Chicago. It's been in so many movies and I just think it's beautiful. The last time I was there my boss and walked that street (which leads to the Magnificent Mile) too many times to count! It is absolutely gorgeous at night.

We walked by several homeless beggars and it always bothers me. I want to give them everything that I have. But I've also heard many stories about people who pretend to be homeless and make money this way so I've become a little leary. But this one particular homeless man caught my eye and I couldn't get him out of my mind. I kept thinking of the scripture about seeing a brother in need and not helping them (so not exactly that but you get the idea) so I talked Mark into going back to give him some money (this was after Mark gave another one money after our conversation).
I had a $1 bill and a $10 bill so I sent the $10 bill by Mark to give to him. He was standing in front of a Walgreen's store. We were waiting on the corner and I could look back and still see him. I saw the man go into Walgreen's and I was actually thinking that maybe he went in to buy some food. WRONG!!! The man came out with a package of cigarettes! I wanted to stamp "sucker" on my forehead but I still stand by my conviction to give the man money. But I wasn't happy to say the least!
As I mentioned, I went to the Cubs game on Sunday with Mark. He bought bleacher seats for this game, which turned out to be general admission seats. Because of my meetings and checking out, we were late for the game and ended up standing the whole time. It was a total wash! Mark says that next time he wants to sit on the rooftop seats. Those folks were having a good time!

I walked around and Mark stood here for a while. He can see over these people but I'm so short that I couldn't see a thing!

We finally ended up in this area in centerfield that was covered with net. These kids cracked me up. They were decked out in their Cub gear and played their DS's the whole game. I wanted to ask if I could play with them!

Mark finally figured out that if he knelt down he had a better view...
See???? Not good for the knees though so that didn't last long.
Don't get me wrong! I love baseball and the Cubs but I really didn't enjoy this visit as much as I did my first. I was a die-hard Cub fan then and soaked up every minute and detail of Wrigley Field that I could. So glad that Mark got to experience it finally. He will tell you that he is not a Cub fan but any baseball fan can appreciate the history of Wrigley Field.

Our last awful picture attempt... we were trying to get the statue of Haray Caray (RIP) behind us...

After we made it back from the game, we headed to the airport. By this time, we were ready to go home! Mark insisted we go get the kids at 11:30 at Mom's because he was dying to see them. I guess I was too... As a matter of fact, I got stopped by a cop near Malvern. Luckily, he let me off but what is the deal with me and cops this year? I've been stopped more in one year than my entire life!

Mom asked me the next day where I got stopped because apparently my Dad heard it over the scanner. I'm sure he was thinking, "she's back!"

Yep! Back.to.life.Back.to.reality!

Mother's Day

So I'm a few days late with this.... what else is new? My mom would be shocked if I weren't!

My mom.... my biggest fan and best critic!

She is truly my best friend and "safe place" (and she knows what I mean by that!)...... I love you and appreciate all that you still do for this big girl!

And on to my own kiddos.... they were absolutely precious on Mother's Day morning. I couldn't come into the kitchen until they finished writing on my card (somebody forgot to have them do it the night before!), which took a while, but was well worth the wait. Then Kamdyn pulled a necklace with their names on it out from under her pj's. She was wearing it to try to throw me off which, by the way Mark, was a very cute idea! Even though I was pretty sure that was what I was getting.

I hate to even post this pic of me and my chins, but it's one of only a few pics I have of me and the kids. I made Mark take this Sunday night while I vegged on the couch with the kiddos-- something that I hardly ever get to do!!! I enjoyed the cuddling with them. I keep telling myself that next year Kam may not want to cuddle and love on me like she does now. I'm trying to soak up every second of it that I can!! I am loving the ages they are at now and would love to freeze time right now!!!

Kamdyn and Cooper.... I thank God so often for giving me the privilege to be your Mommy. I'm not always perfect, but I love you both more than anything and pray that I can be the best Mommy to you guys. I'll never get over the blessing of being your Mom!!!

Papaw's 80th Birthday

We celebrated Papaw's 80th birthday last weekend with a cookout at their house. Since we had dodged tornadoes the night before and the forecast was the same for Sat. night, we were a little concerned we might have to move the party inside. The weather cooperated although it was extremely HOT and HUMID!

Mark and Brian doing what they love best -- grilling. Someone actually asked Mark recently how he grilled such great steaks. Obviously, they don't know about his WS days!
This picture absolutely cracks me up! First of all, I don't even own an iphone so I'm not even sure whose Kam is playing with. However, she is asking me to get one now because she also played with Gina's yesterday at Mom's and hasn't quit talking about it since.
Papaw's cake made by Suzanne. Notice the smudge on the bottom.... JJ leaned over to look and got it all over her.
Papaw before he cut his cake with some of the greats...
Papaw minus a few grands.... We joked and said that the important ones were there! We missed you Jamie and Derek!

Papaw and his kiddos.... notice any family resemblance?
Papaw opening his GPS that we all got him. We joked that now he can find his way to the dump and senior center! Mark has it programmed and installed for him so he's anxious to leave the county!
Campbell Grace sporting an oh so cute hat that I helped JJ make before the party....

Kamdyn and Bricen playing in the bird bath.... I'm pretty sure someone drank some water from it.
Checking out the cows (or cattle as Mark called them the first time he saw them out my Mom's window 13 years ago. We've never let him forget that!).... this is the country, you know!
Drinking and driving.... Mom's had this big wheel for over a year now and Cooper has never ridden it. I'm pretty sure he rode 5 miles last Saturday night!
On a serious note, I am extremely blessed to still have a living grandfather! As my Mamaw said to me while Papaw was opening his gifts, "it's a privilege to live this long." Papaw has always been a very influential role model in my life and I love him dearly. He's a Godly man who loves his family, his church, and his friends.... I'm pretty sure he even said that himself in his birthday speech.

I love you, Papaw!!!

Singing in the Rain

Jodie and I ran to a local trading post on Saturday to look for headboards for the girls. The girls decided to tag along and, of course, they wanted everything. When I came out, this is what I found them doing.....
Now Kamryn had on good clothes. Kamdyn, on the other hand, looked a hot mess! She spent the night with Kamryn at Aunt Donna's the night before and insisted on picking out her own clothes. I chose to pick my battles....I know you can't see closely, but she is wearing two VERY DIFFERENT floral patterns! I did make sure she changed later on before Papaw's birthday party.
By the way, I did buy a headboard for $5! I still haven't picked it up yet, but maybe I can talk Mark into that soon. It needs some work but I'm itching for a project. We'll see how long this one takes me!

Kamryn's Birthday Party

Last Friday night we went to LR for Kamryn's birthday party at River City Gymnastics. The kids missed their t-ball games and group pictures, but they didn't care. My kids are not going to miss a party and Kam is especially not going to miss her best cousin Kamryn's!
The gymnastics place was awesome! They had the foam blocks that the kids an jump in and the in ground (not sure that's what you call them) and the kids had a blast. I knew Kamdyn would want to get on the high beam.... she is my adventurous one!
This beam was above a foam block pit... she loved it. Speaking of gymnastics, we used to always talk to her about taking classes and then when we watched the Olympics a few years ago and she saw all the girls flying through the air, she changed her mind for a while. She's been taking classes, but I don't think they've done anything adventurous yet.
Cooper had a blast at this place. He has asked me at least five times since last week if he could have his birthday party there. I'm not sure why, because he is so not adventurous! No jumping castles or high beams for him!
He tried to open Kamryn's present from us before it was his and Kam's turn to give it to her.
After the party, we headed to McDonald's (Kamryn's pick) and waited out the tornadoes. Sirens kept going off and you know this country girl is not used to that! Luckily, Mike was with us and that made me feel better. We drove through horrific rain, but finally made it home all safe and sound!