East Texas State Fair

The East Texas State Fair is in town again. I love everything about the fair! When you walk through the gates and the intermingled smells of turkey legs, funnel cake, and cow manure hit it I slip into a mild euphoria. The fair was a real hit with Anne this year. She was tall enough to ride the rides, loved the petting zoo, and collected several balloons. Abby spent most of her time watching Anne and looking at all the interesting people.

I was determined to ride the Zipper because I missed out last year due to the fact that I was pregnant. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a willing partner and had to settle for the Ferris Wheel with mom. It was probably a good thing I didn’t ride the Zipper because when the Ferris Wheel came to a halt for what felt like a eternity with mom and I at the top I went into panic mode. I yelled down to the workers reminding them that we were still up here, but I don’t think they heard me. I don’t remember being this scared of heights. It probably has to do with having babies. Everything comes back to that; children change everything. I did muster up enough courage to smile down at Anne and give a little wave.

All in all we had a wonderful time and I can’t wait until next year!

Aggie Games

College football season is up and going so that means we are headed to College Station, TX. We renewed our season tickets again and even added an extra one for the girls. The first game was eventful.

We ended up fleeing our seats int he middle of the third quarter. Our entire section was taken over by crickets.

Anne had nightmares about crickets two nights in a row.

Our second trip involved less crickets, but more heat.

Abby has turned out to be a good sleeper in Kyle field as well. I don't think that she will surpass Anne in her ability to stay unconscious during cannon fire, band playing, and yells, but she does come close.

Abby is Crawling

Abby has mastered crawling. She started at the beginning of the month and has been on the go ever since. It has improved her disposition and she can entertain herself a little bit.

The Beach Part II

We spent the rest of the week playing on the beach, shopping, and eating. I barely saw Anne all week because she and Sofia played and played together. It was a wonderful week.

The Beach Part I

We made our annual pilgrimage to the beach at the beginning of September. The best time to go in my opinion. All the crowds are gone, the heat is less intense, but the water is still warm. I think it is safe to say that this was are favorite beach trip so far. The only thing that was missing was Great Granny. She had to sit this trip out because she is still recovering from her car accident. She felt like the 12 hour car trip would be to much. We missed her and can't wait for Granny to come nest year!

We split the drive up on the way to the beach. After the cars were loaded and Scott got home form work we headed off for her first stop, Vicksburg, Mississippi. My previous memories of Vicksburg included spending two hours in the sweltering car while we toured a Civil War cemetery and staying in a hotel that was very similar to a prison. Thankfully, we didn't reenact any of the past and spent a comfortable night at the Comfort Suites.

The next morning it was up and at um. We made one stop for lunch at Sonic. It was nice to get out of the car and stretch our legs. You can tell by the pictures that Abby really enjoyed this stop. and then it was on to the beach.

We stayed in the same house as last year, just up one floor. The layout of this house is great because everything is one one floor. No running down three flights of stairs to check on the baby! We made our self at home and waited for Dave, Alicia, and Chaz to arrive.


Dave was Scott's college roommate and Alicia was my college roommate and they got married. It's nice how things work out.
They drove up from Jacksonville to spend the weekend with us. It is starting to become a tradition! We had a blast with the two of them and Chaz, who by the way, is the most placid happy baby I have ever seen. It was sad to say good-bye on Sunday :(

Second First Day of Preschool

Anne began her second year of preschool Tuesday. It wasn't as hard to let her go this time, but I am still a bit sad. I remember taking her picture last year.


She had little pig tails with sprigs of hair and I tell she was nervous about the new adventure. This year she marched in and literally, never looked back.

When I walked down the hall with her this time I felt like an old pro. I mean, I had done this preschool thing before and I knew what I was doing. I looked around at the new parents and breezed right by, but I must admit that after I pulled out of the parking lot I kind of wished that I was one of the new parents. Children grow so fast and you can't turn the clock back. I miss the tiny pigtails and nervous child. I'm proud of Anne and I can't wait to see what's next, I think.

Our Invisible House

This is our lot. This is our invisible house. This is our dream.

We bought this lot in February of 2009, weeks after Abby was born. We sold our house on Cameron July 18, 2009 and moved in with Mom and Dad. Last Saturday, we finalized our floor plans. We are ready to start building! Scott has been busy calling banks for the best rates and I have been flipping through magazines for inspiration. We are planning on building a three bedroom two and a half bath house with a . . . drum roll please . . . PLAYROOM! Hopefully, the next time I post about the new house there will be a foundation in the picture. Oh yeah, did I mention that this house is about 100ft down the street from my parents :)

When Mommys Away . . . .

Fishing on Lake Tyler

A few Saturdays ago we went to our Monica's parents lake house for a going away party. Monica and Ben will be spending a year with Mission Year, http://www.missionyear.org/, in La Grange, Georgia. It was a wonderful day. Anne and I rode the jet ski together. Scott and Anne fished and Abby got passed around, held, and cooed at for hours. Thanks Monica and Ben for inviting us. We will be praying for ya'll.