Dream Come True...

This year, we were so excited for the Olympics.  Lila was at that age where she was able to catch that certain Olympic "magic", just like I did about Mary Lou all those years ago.  We started watching the Olympic trials when they were on...I guess I took for granted that she would fall in love with gymnastics, just like I did when I was a kid.  She did like the gymnastics, but she loved track and field, and she loved this lady, Sanya Richards-Ross

If she was on TV, Lila was there.  And she would remind me all day that "Sanya" was going to run.

This morning, I took Lila to the Co-op to meet Sanya.  I didn't tell her ahead of time that Sanya was going to be there.  I was so excited to be able to spring it on her.  And, her reaction didn't disappoint.  She was so excited standing in line with her picture in her little hands; so careful not to bend it, getting a little antsy and just laughing out loud.  I thought that when it was her turn to meet her, Lila was probably get shy, but no way.  She marched up there and put her picture down.  Sanya looked at her and smiled and said, "you are sooo pretty", and Lila said "you are, too". 

Such a big day for the little bug.  

Beach Trip 2012

This past week, we took the kiddos to Corpus Christi/Padre Island.

Before we left Lila had to drop her babies off at Mrs. Laura's.  That's right.  She called Mrs. Laura and asked her if her dolls could stay at her house while we were gone.  She packed a diaper bag and told Mrs. Laura how often to feed them.  How cute is that?!

Our first stop was the Texas State Aquarium.  If you have little kids and haven't been there, I highly recommend it.  It is not a huge place so it is easy for little legs to get around, you are always close to the staging areas for shows, so you can see and hear everything, and the shows are not too long and they are interactive.  Lila loves it there.  She was really into the shows; singing and dancing, and she was really into reading the map and finding our way to the next place.

Nana, Papa, ZoZo, Natalie and Jonathan met us on Thursday night, and Friday we hit the beach

Lila had a good time playing, Landry liked the sand, and Audrey liked the water

They really really enjoyed the pool.  Audrey, who is normally really laid back, just went crazy in the pool.  She was moving her arms and kicking her legs.

Granny Judy came, too.  She was really good at this

It seems like everytime I looked up, she had a sleeping baby in her arms...

but, then again, there was a lot of that going on

Saturday, Ginger and Ronnie came to see us

and Shawn took Lila (and her baby Erin) fishing.

 She was so excited.  I didn't think she would last out there but they were gone for about 3 hours and caught two keepers.
They got back just in time for Lila to watch the race she had been waiting for on the Olympics
(The women's 400 with Sanya Richards-Ross)

Happy Birthday, America!

Around these parts, the 4th of July is a pretty big deal (as it should be).  Our neighborhood does a fireworks show on the 3rd.  We usually walk down to the cul-de-sac at the end of the neighborhood where we can get a view.  

The Eatons came early and we did a little swimming before the fireworks, and then went over to the Cashes.

On the 4th, some of our great neighbors organize a block party every year, complete with water slide, snow cones and bike parade.

 Lila decorated her own bike.  It wasn't quite as elaborate or flashy as some of the others, but she did it all herself.  We printed out a coloring page for the wheels, and she wrapped her handle bars with crepe paper and embellished with foil star stickers.

June Recap

So much happened around here in June.  I was reminded over and over again how blessed I am to have such wonderful family and friends.  We had a lot of adventures, a lot of firsts, and a lot of visitors.

Jana and the cousins came to visit and took Lila with them to Sea World.  We love spending time with them so much, and I really appreciate them always taking Lila everywhere with them.

Alex was showing Audrey things on the iPad and she would just watch him.

 I love this picture.  Just look at those little faces...pure joy!

Landry got two teeth.  Aiden was upset that he had to leave town and didn't get to see Landry's teeth, so I had to take a picture and text it to him.

That same week, we also had visits from Blue Papa, who was in town for a conference and Nana who was staying the weekend with Natalie, and Oomma who took Lila to her first concert.  They went to see The Texas Tenors at the Palmer Events Center, and spent the night in a hotel. 

The next week Lila went to Bible School.  My neighbors helped teach the vacation Bible school at their church and they took her and brought her home every day.  We love the Ellis family so much.  They are wonderful people and we are very blessed to have them right next door for all these years.

Here is Lila performing at the Bible School ice cream social.  She was a little nervous at first, but then she wanted to go on stage with Mrs. Laura.  She was so proud of herself and, of course,  I was proud, too.

Mom got to have a night out.  

Very lucky to have all these ladies in my life.  This is a group of my co-workers and former co-workers, who try to get together once a month.  First of all, I am lucky that I like what I do for a living, and I have a good job.  Not everyone can say that.  Second, I am blessed to have these women in my life.  We have been through births, death, sickness, health, marriages, divorces, good times and bad together...and we still like each other (most of the time).

Then I got a big surprise at work.  I was standing there, when these two ladies walked in.  This is Janet and Claire.  They are former co-workers who are now semi-retired, but remain two of my favorite people, and it is always a treat to see them...and they brought me these quilts they made; one for each of my girls!

We finally got out the splash pad.  All the girls had a great time (and drank a lot of water!)

It seems lately, everyday I hear a story from someone, and I am reminded how fortunate I am to have had such a great twin pregnancy, and how blessed we are that these two babies were born so healthy and happy.  They are amazing little creatures

 Lila learned how to swing all by herself...

and she learned how to blow bubbles (in JC Penney at Lakeline Mall with gum from Chuy's)

and, I finally had time to get a pedicure (my first one since January 10th).  A much needed pedicure that was a gift from my Mother-in-law.  

I Have Been Blessed by Martina McBride

I get kissed by the sun
Each morning
Put my feet on a hardwood floor
I get to hear my children laughing
Down the hall through the
Bedroom door
Sometimes I sit on my
Front porch swing
Just soaking up the day
I think to myself, I think to myself
This world is a beautiful place

I have been blessed
And I feel like I've found my way
I thank God for all I've been given
At the end of every day
I have been blessed
With so much more than I deserve
To be here with the ones
That love me
To love them so much it hurts
I have been blessed

Our newest addition...

Meet Little Olivia.  Lila actually named her "Little Olivia" after an epidsode of Olivia (the pig) where Olivia names all the dolls Little Olivia, Little Olivia II, etc...Olivia is like a member of the family.  

She plays with us

Goes places with us, and sits in a car seat base (and we can't leave her in the car, because "it gets too hot and you can't leave babies in the car, Mom!")

See Lila's phone stuck in the side of the car seat?  That is exactly what I do.  She doesn't miss anything!

Here we are leaving Chuy's.  Lila got mad that day because we wouldn't get a sling for Olivia's car seat at the table.

Going to Michael's

Her bottles go in the fridge, and she has just started eating cereal (of course she has her own bowl, spoon and box of cereal)

Her belongings get labeled

She gets swaddled for nighttime

...she also takes medicine for reflux (just like Audrey), and when she is sleeping we are not allowed to go in that room or turn the lights on.

I love my quirky little Lila Bug.