Sunday, July 21, 2013

First Weeks in Longview

Ugh, I haven't had internet for 3 of the last 4 weeks, other than on my phone, so here goes catching up on the last month.

So, after we left Houston we came to live with my mom.  She thought it would be a great idea to get a puppy a few days before we came.  She bought a maltipoo, Lola, who is like another toddler in the house.  Great idea mom, great idea.  The funny thing, though, is that Lola and Colson have the same hair.  Ha!


 Colson, Uncle Drew, and Lola
 
We didn't do much for the first 2 weeks we were at Mom's.  Colson did a little dancing, of course, they did some swimming, and we spent a little time at my dad's. 
 

 
Connor and PaPa
 
Colson and PaPa
 
 Playing with rainbow rice.  In theory it's a great idea, until
I'm vacuuming up rice everywhere because Connor thinks it's fun to throw it!
 
 "Practicing" to be the flower girl in Auntie Ash's wedding. 
She nailed it in rehearsals, but during the real thing...well, you'll see.
 

 She is all about posing for the camera these days!
 
Connor, on the other hand, is impossible to get to sit still
long enough to get a good picture most of the time!
 
 
As you can see from the above picture, Connor's hair was getting a little out of control.  I liked the surfer look, but Auntie Ash and Grandmom insisted he get a haircut before Ash's wedding.  So, I took him to get his first real haircut, and he did great! 
 



  

 
 
 Next, Colson went to Grandmommy Camp with her cousin Hadley.  She had a blast spending a few days getting absolutely spoiled.  I'm talking ice cream cones as big as her face and staying up dancing until midnight spoiled.  She loved it!  She even went and got her first real pedicure! 



 
While Colson was at Grandmommy Camp, Connor and I picked Jon up from the airport and spent a few days at Ashleigh's house.  Jon was able to come home for a few weeks for Ashleigh's wedding!  Ash and her now husband had already left for the wedding, so it was nice to have a house to ourselves for a few days!  And Connor loved being the only kid for a while.  We picked Jon up from the airport on Father's Day, and the three of us went to visit Jon's dad's grave. 




The next few days were spent getting the last few things ready before we flew to the Dominican Republic for the wedding.  But more on that in the next post...

-A


 

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Last week in Houston

After Memorial Day, we loaded back up and drove to Houston again.  We thought it would be for a few weeks, but it ended up only being for a few more days.  Jon FINALLY got the paperwork we were waiting for and flew to Angola on May 31.  Only a few 'short' months after we originally thought it would happen....But, it allowed us more time with friends and family!  The kids and I are now staying with my mom until we get to go.  Praying that will be in early August....
 
We spent our last week in Houston swimming, playing at parks, and then a great time with friends for dinner and water activities the night before we left.  We will miss our amazing group of friends so much, but this move won't be forever, and we'll be back soon! 
 

Reading books in the hotel.
 
Ready to go swimming!  Not sure where Colson has learned to pose....

Looking at the turtles at the park by our old house.
 
Colson will miss these girls so much.  We were sad Mia couldn't make it that night!
 
 
 There is so much sass in this picture.  Girls!
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
These next two photos are from our original 'good-bye dinner' several weeks ago.  Since it took us so long to leave Houston, we had several 'last' dinners, happy hours, poker nights, etc.  It was great! 
 

 
The kids!  All still and in one place!
 
We will miss everyone so much, but are excited about this new adventure.  We will be back soon though, with hopefully lots of amazing experiences and memories from around the world.  Excited to go, but can't wait to come home!
 
-A
 


Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Memorial Day Weekend

We spent Memorial Day Weekend in Longview.  My mom got a new puppy, Lola, a maltipoo, just days before we arrived.  I don't know what she was thinking, but that's another blog post all together.  I thought Colson would be freaked out by her, but she actually wouldn't leave the poor puppy alone.  She wanted to hold her and play with her the entire weekend.  Fortunately, Lola didn't seem to mind being played with like a doll.  I think they bonded over the fact that that they have such similar hair....
 


Connor liked Lola too, but he was more excited about riding his new bike.


 
 
Water gun fight with Uncle Owen...
 
 
 
 
 
We went to my Dad's and JoJo's one of the days.  Dad is THE biggest University of Wisconsin fan, so his apartment wouldn't be complete without it's very own Wisconsin slot machine! 
 


Flying high with Uncle Drew!
 
Cheeeese!


 Fun times!

-A



Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Weekend in Austin

We were able to spend one more fun weekend with family in Austin before Jon left for Angola.  The kids have a blast with their cousins every time we visit.  Colson and Hadley disappear for hours, only to emerge occasionally with different princess dresses or recital costumes on.  This time they even got to try their hands at applying make-up.  Hadley has make-up left over from recitals, so the girls had fun being extra girly and applying eye shadow, blush, and lipstick.  I was pretty impressed at their skills, which I suppose at this age is a little frightening!  Connor and Owen have fun together too.  It will only get better as those two get older! 
 
Bath Time!!

 
Hadley 'reading' to Colson.

Breakfast in princess dresses, of course.




 
 


Park Time!
 
 
Pool Time!

 




Owen and Uncle Jon
 

Another costume change.....
 
 
It was a great, relaxing, fun weekend!  We love our family in Austin!
 
-A