Arkansas Part One

I realize this post is long overdue. I had every intention of getting this post up earlier, but as many of you know I ended up with some stomach pains that put me in the hospital. I am doing much better now. Unfortunately they haven't figured out what happened, but I am doing my best to regain my strength and get back to normal. So here is the first installment from our trip to Arkansas, there will be a few more posts over the next couple of days. I hope you are all having a great new year so far.

Over the New Year weekend holiday we loaded up the van and drove to Arkansas to visit our friends, Matt, April, SaraBeth and Nathan. Addie and SB were best friends when they lived here in Houston and she was so excited to get to play with her friend.

Addie jumped right in playing dress up.

Garrett got in some snuggle time with April.

Ben found the "Shooter Gun" and didn't let go the whole weekend.

These girls had so much fun playing together.

The boys were so funny to watch together. Ben would pick on Nathan and then Nathan would pick on Garrett.

Garrett wanted to be like Nathan, this was Rett's first time brushing his teeth and he had so much fun.
Nathan is such a sweet little boy.
The girls were all ready to go outside and play, pom poms and all.
They have a few cats and Garrett loved them all, they didn't all love him though.
The boys playing in the truck.
Garrett looks like a natural on the tractor.
Nathan taking a little break from playing.
This is their dog, Rowdy. He is such a sweet dog, our kids loved him.
Nathan and Matt
Ben in little boy heaven, on a real tractor.
Addie wanted a turn too, but Ben didn't want to move.
Ben was not very good at sharing, he kept trying to nudge Nathan out of the way.
SB and Addie hanging out on the tractor together.
We finally got Ben out of the drivers seat and he had to check out everything else.
Garrett took his turn to kick the tires.
Nathan stopped for a quick pudding snack.
Matt put Jon to work painting a sign for the property.
To get around the farm we used a golf cart. Garrett loved when he got to have the golf cart all to himself.
Nathan exploring an old barn.
Ben exploring the barn too.
Trying to get a picture of all the kids, but the sun was too bright and there were too many cool things to look at.
It was so peaceful.
Garrett loved the tractors almost as much as Ben.
I loved this beautiful old barn.
This is how we got around the farm, Addie and SB rode on the back inside the straps for the golf bags.

We went exploring and found these old cow bones.
It was a neat lesson to explain to the kids about the bones.
More peaceful countryside.
Addie loved riding around the farm and exploring.

Happy New Year

I hope you all had a fun and safe time ringing in the new year.
We are settling in at home after an amazing holiday weekend with friends. On Friday we drove to Arkansas to see our friends that moved away last year. We had so much fun and I took so many amazing pictures, but I am not going to be able to go through them and upload them for a couple of days. Here is a family picture we were able to get.

The sunset over the lake was everything we had been told it would be. I can't wait to share more pictures of all the kids enjoying their time with their friends and our family enjoying some time out in the country. Houston traffic took a little getting used to when we got back to town tonight.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Bouncin'

Garrett is such a big boy now, we turned his car seat around. He loves facing forward and being a part of the action.

Thank you Aunt Shana and Uncle James for the cool new clothes. Ben and Garrett were both showing off there outfits.
Ben is such a silly little boy, I love that he is finding his voice. He is using more and more words every day and it is so fun to see him interact with our family that is here visiting and his siblings.
After lunch we went to Bouncin Bears, usually we go to Bouncin Bears first and then lunch, but out schedule just didn't work that way this time.
Everyone had so much fun playing.
I think this is Daddy's favorite place too.
Can you see how red Addie's face is? These kids don't stop the whole time we are there.
Garrett loves the little slide they have for him.
Grandma and Poppa had fun helping him up and down the slide.

Of course Ben is infatuated with the riding cars that require extra money. He loves to just go and sit in them even if they are not moving. Last time we were there he made friends with a little boy and shared his ride with him. This time I caught him asking other grandparents for money and I had to apologize and have a talk with Ben.
Uncle Joe seemed to have fun with the kiddos.
If you can't tell that is Jon, Garrett, and Addie in that pile.
Extreme Close up!
Addie loves to wrestle.
Addie and her Daddy were picking on Uncle Joe.
She is such a little monkey, she loves to climb.
Ben finally got some money to spend in the vending machine and he came out with these bright pink fangs. He thought they were great.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas
I love being able to set up a fun toy for the kids to see when they come down stairs. This year we got a train table for the boys.
The stockings were so full they couldn't go back on their hooks. Santa liked his chocolate chip cookies this year.
Nannie, GeeGee and Aunt Laura got the boys this great barn with a whole crew of animals to live in it. Addie got a suitcase for traveling.

Uncle Joe got the kids this great fort. We were calling it a dollhouse, but if it is a fort it works much better for all of the crazy toys we have around here. The kids are loving playing with all of their toys in the fort. When it warms up a little bit we are going to take it out and I am going to let the kids help me paint it.
The room is all ready for the kids the next morning.
Addie and Ben have been sleeping in Addie's room together and they have been waking up so early. Thankfully Grandma likes to wake up early too. She had a cell phone for each of them to play with and they were cuddled up on the couch.

,

Waking up Uncle Joe.

Our only family picture of the day, coming down the stairs. This has always been one of my favorite moments. I think I enjoy it as a mom even more than I did as a child. I hope it is as special for my children as my mom made it for me.
Breaking through the streamers was fun for everyone.
Garrett was in awe of the train table.
Addie loved the fish tank from Grandma and Poppa. They told us these are fish we can't kill
Addie's gift from Santa, I hope it is the Barbie Trainer Sea World that she has been talking about for MONTHS.
Garrett loved watching the fish too.
Yay, it was the Barbie trainer Sea World! Ben was excited for Addie too.
Ben got some Gerber Yogurt treats in his stalking. He ate the whole bag in one sitting.
Uncle Joe digging into his stocking.
Poppa trying out of one his new ties.
I got these skittles in my stocking. Jon thinks I am odd because I sort my skittles by color and eat them in a certain order. He thought this would be funny because the color does NOT match the flavor. I don't know if I can bring myself to eat them.
Hurray for new Gator gear. Hopefully they will have a better season next year. They are going to be playing at Texas A&M in September!
I love how Garrett sticks his tongue when he is concentrating.
Addie and Ben having a little snack from their giant tub of cheese puffs.
We had a pretty relaxing Christmas day just enjoying our new movies and time with family. I hope you all had a great Christmas!