This One's for You, Sharon...

My cousin's wife, Sharon, was so generous to share one of her favorite childhood toys with Jasmine. Anyone remember this Barbie swimming pool from the good 'ol days. I know I had one.

Sharon held onto her's (along with a ginormous Barbie house we haven't made room for yet) in hopes to share with a daughter one day. The good Lord Blessed her with a house full of boys and in turn she asked if Jasmine would like to have them. I brought the pool home on Friday and let me tell ya, it was the toy of the weekend. She love love loves it. Thank you so much Sharon for offering it to her.

And I don't know about your boys, but Cash had no problem finding uses for it.

**Balls in the pool, superheros in the shower and buzz lightyear waiting in the wings**

It Was A Holly Jolly Christmas

We have been busy busy busy since my last post. Saturday Meme and Gramma came over for tacos and presents. The kid's were very excited about these cute hats from Aunt Linda. **Jasmine was so cute, everytime we started to get ready to go somewhere she'd ask if the color she was wearing was a Christmas color. If it wasn't, she had to change into something more appropriate** & **Cash's cuteness was each present he'd get he would look at it and then at who gave it to him and say 'what's it going to be?'**

Oh the anticipation. While all the adults were still eating dinner, the children were getting anxious. Look at them just sitting there looking at the presents under the tree.


After food and presents we all got on our PJ's and went to the most amazing Christmas Light display in Greenville. And look who was there.

The Christmas lights are so fun for the kid's. There is so much to see, we usually drive through twice. The display is set on an individuals property and covers several acres.

This is just out one window about midway through the route (click on photo for better view).

Christmas Eve we went to Gramma's (which is a standing tradition in my family). There was lots of yummy food and a fun Chinese Christmas Exchange **where I happily walked away with the movie HAIRSPRAY** YAY!! As far as I can remember, after Christmas Eve party at Gram's we would go home and get to open one gift (which was always new PJ's to sleep in that night). By the time we got home, Cash was so passed out he missed out on that gift. Jasmine stirred long enough to open hers and promptly told me she was too tired and wanted to go to bed.

Christmas morning was an exciting time. Got the kid's up about 7am, and they ripped through the presents in record time. Ooohing and aaahing over all of it. I love love love this age when a $1 paint set is the 'best present ever'!! We then got dressed and went back to Gram's for bacon sandwiches (another tradition from the beginning of my days). The kid's got lots of fun stuff including these cool rolling backpacks with their names embroided on them. We then had lunch and went home to veg out. We watched a lot of movies...Transformers, Die Hard, Flicka, High School Musical 2, Jungle Book, VeggieTale's Jonah Movie and of course my fave HAIRSPRAY! Love it!

This is just a fun picture of my 'Chick Magnet'

And the fun isn't done yet. Tomorrow we go to my dad's for Christmas with them, and a baby shower later in the day. Fun fun fun!!

Be Blessed

Picture Time

Last week Jasmine's school had Gingerbread night. Cash was sick that evening so Joe took Jasmine to school and they made a Gingerbread house, which Jasmine insisted should be her breakfast the next morning.

Last week while having our Christmas get together with our Sunday School Growth Group, one of the girl's gave Jasmine this dress that is now too small for her. Jasmine LOVES it!

(and I think it looks pretty darn cute on her)

This Wednesday was Jasmine's class party. Each child brought a book for gift exchange. They sat in a circle on the carpet and played Musical Gifts, when the music stopped you got to open your present.

And then there were cupcakes!

One of the other mom's reading a book to Jas and a classmate.


Class picture (minus Jasmine)

**she was taking her time putting her stuff in her backpack and missed out on the photo op**

Thursday night was girl's night (plus Cash)! We met at my friend's house to have our hair done.
Aunt Linda is in town and you know what that means....PRESENTS!!



Cash with his Cars backpack and lunchbox

The girl's got mini paint sets and Aunt Linda is drawing a picture for them to paint

And last, but definitely not least.....Cash got a Superman set.

Came with a cape, chest emblem and easy break chain.

As you can see, we have been quite busy and it won't slow down until after the new year. Last night I FINALLY began wrapping presents and I have two more to buy before I am dunzo!

**Funny story about that - the two I have yet to buy were the sole purpose for my trip to Wal*Mart Wednesday. Guess what I made it out of the store without.

Tomorrow we have Christmas with my mom, sister, niece & nephews. After tacos & presents we are making cookies and going to a fantastic Christmas Light display. I am soooo excited for our upcoming week.

This will be my last post before Christmas and quite possibly before New Year's too....that being said, I would like to wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!!

Gotta Love Them

Over the weekend Jasmine was trying to teach Joe a song about spider's she learned in class. Apparently Joe was not saying the words 'exactly' right and Jasmine kept saying 'You're not listening' then finally she gave an exasperated sign and said, 'OK, let's try this again tomorrow'. HI-larious!! Then on the way home from church Joe started singing it and FINALLY got it right. Jasmine yelled 'That's it! Good job, Daddy!'.

Here is a picture of all Gram's Great Grandkids

A Helping Hand

Is it suppose to be common knowledge how to change a windshield wiper blade?

I take pride in being able to do things on my own. As long as I have some directions to follow and my common knowledge there is usually no problem. That being said, yesterday it rained - hard. I get in my van and turn the windshield wipers on, much to my surprise as the wiper makes its way across the windshield there is a piece of rubber trailing behind the wiper. Not knowing where the nearest auto parts store is, I stop in a Wal*Mart that just happens to be next to the parking lot I'm in. I go in, get the new wiper and head to the van. The rain had subsided for the moment, which I was very thankful for. I look on the packaging and there are no instructions. OK, I pull out my owner's manual, no directive here either. OK. Guess I'm trying this on my own.... five minutes later, two more times checking the packaging and owner's manual, and a few men passing by and not offering to help (whatever happened to chivalry??) I surrender. I drove my van around to the automotive area, got out and asked the Wal*Mart mechanics who wanted to give me a hand changing a windshield wiper. A very nice man helped me and I was finally on my way with a crystal clear windshield.....then ran into rainy weather traffic..... Oh well, I'm listening to the LEFT BEHIND series in the van so I was good.

Here are some pictures from the past weeks:

Looks like it was nap time for Joker

Jammin' with Daddy

Got Milk?

You may be aware shcool's are teaching children about living a 'healthy' lifestyle these days. On more than one occasion Jasmine made comments on what she has learned and more importantly made healthy choices due to the teaching.

Sunday before last we were responsible for snack for our Sunday School group so I stopped at the donut shop in town. I grabbed two milks for the kids along w/ the donuts. Jasmine looked at the red carton and asked if it was 2%. When I told her they did not have 2%, only whole milk she said, 'Um, do you have Mrs. **** phone number. I need to ask her if whole milk is ok to drink.' Isn't that greatness!

And here are some fun pics of my Treasure's

Stay Tuned....

Sorry for no updates recently with vacation, holiday and illnesses - we are struggling through. I will do a REAL post with pictures as soon as I have caught my breath.

A glimpse of what we've been up to:

• Round trip from Dallas to Austin for a funeral in one day
• Vacation from work includes: Dr. appointments, Eye appointments, play dates, sleepovers, movies, birthday pictures for Cash (a month late)
• Turkey Day!!
• After Turkey Day shopping (beginning at 430am)
• Sick, sick, sick
• Freezing cold rain = van stuck in mud & a roof leak
• More sickness

Where's A Camera When You Need One??

Sunday after church several families picked up lunch and headed to a nearby park. Jasmine went walking by the water w/ a couple of her friend's and their dad. Several of us were gathered at the picnic tables chatting when Jasmine and one of the other girl's walked up and Maddy said, 'Jasmine fell in the mud'. She went close to the water to see the ducks and slid down into the mud. Soooo, her pink slipper shoes and legs were covered in mud. Jasmine and I hike it to the park bathroom and try to wash her off in the tiny sink w/ no paper towels. LOTS of fun!

Future In Fashion

While Cash was napping Jasmine got crafty w/ the tape and some paper towels. She made these dresses for her Barbie's and was very proud of herself.

Love - Hate Relationship

I have a love-hate relationship with shoes. I love getting a new great pair of shoes, but I hate wearing them any longer than absolutely necessary. I love love love summertime when I get to wear sandals and can kick them off at my desk or in my car. I got these new super-cute boots over the weekend, which I wore yesterday. Even though it was warm enough yesterday (80's) to take them off in the car, it is not very convenient when I had three short stops to make on my way home to take the time to zip them on and off. By the time I got home, as much as I love them, I couldn't get them off fast enough......such a feeling of relief letting my tootsies breathe....

Trunk or Treat

Last night we went to Trunk or Treat at Gramma's church. It was so much fun for the kids. Daddy even dressed up as the Scream guy. When I got home I tried the costume on and when I walked out of our bedroom Jasmine looked up, dropped her chicken and took off running to her room. I felt so bad and started saying 'it's just mommy, it's just mommy'. She peeked out her bedroom door and said 'Whew, you scared me'. Poor thing, I thought they were still playing outside and just wanted to show Joe the costume.

Jasmine trying to figure out what to do first.

Hayless Ride



Cash really got into the games

After the last car we got hot dogs and sat down to watch a cartoon before heading home

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Last night we carved pumpkins. The kids were all gung-ho about helping until they actually got their hands dirty, then I was pretty much on my own.

Jasmine picked out the spider pattern to be carved. I think it turned out pretty good for me not following the directions. I totally skipped the step where you are suppose to trace the pattern onto the pumpkin and started cutting through the paper and thinking to myself, how are you suppose to know where to meet the incision w/ this paper in the way..........DUH!!! Oh well, this was our first year to use a 'kit' and we're happy w/ the results.

We are going to my grandmother's church tonight for Trunk or Treat, should be fun.

Say It Isn't So...

Welp, soccer season is officially over. Jasmine did much better this season and played in all the games except the first one. She had a great coaching team this year. We didn't find out until the last practice, but her coach is a police officer. At the last practice he wore his uniform and drove the squad car. The kids were soo impressed. They also brought cupcakes and juice for the girls and got each of them a super-cute soccer necklace.

Monday was awards night where the girl's were presented their trophies - which Jasmine ended up breaking in record time (no worries, nothing a little super glue won't fix).

She had a lot of fun this year and told me she wants to play next season, but only until she is 6. After she is 6, she doesn't want to play soccer anymore. Not sure of the reasoning, but she has her mind made up. We'll see how it plays out.

Fall Festival...Cash's 3rd Birthday Party

This weekend was packed full for us. Friday Cash and I shopped for Birthday Party supplies during the day. He is growing into such a little man. We were at Wal*Mart and he informed me he wanted to walk. Thinking to myself *oh,no-this could get ugly* (for those of you who don't know, Cash runs EVERYWHERE) but was pleasantly surprised when he stayed with me the entire trip and I only found a few stray items in the basket while unloading. After Wal*Mart we headed to Party City, which was a nightmare. It just didn't compute until I couldn't find a parking splace that not only is it Cash's birthday weekend, but the weekend before Halloween and Party City is Halloween Headquarters. The back of the store was completely off limits so when needing to go to a different isle we either had to backup or turn the basket around and go back the way we came. After making our selections I found the line reached from one end of the store to another, and only then did I realize I forgot the pinata I couldn't find someone to help me get down. So while in line, as a worker passed, I snagged him and asked if he could bring me a Superman pinata - he came back w/ Strawberry Shortcake poor guy.

That evening was our Fall Festival at church. We didn't stay long due to the fact that the lines were averaging about 30-45 minutes each(from what we could tell)and for a 3 and 5 year old, that is just not happening at least not our kids. We stood in line for a pony ride for about 30 minutes before Jasmine decided the wait was not worth the end result and hopped out of line. Cash did play some of the toddler games and Jasmine lucked out on one of the bounce house slides and was 3rd in line.

Saturday was Cash's 3rd Birthday and his Party. We had a Superhero-Costume party and the kids had lots of fun. I made the below 'cake' (Jasmine kept correcting me that it was not a cake, but cupcakes). We also had a Superman pinata, which the kids thoroughly enjoyed and was fun watching them try to break into it.




Now Jasmine is one who LOVES to dress up, so this is all Cash knows. His Superman costume from last year was worn completely out-I'm talking seams busted and riding so high in the crotch it just could not be comfortable, yet he still wanted to wear it everyday. I am happy to say we should be good this next year. Not only does he have his Batman costume, but he also received a Prince Charming and a Darth Vader (which he totally digs).




I'll try to post a better Prince Charming later, this was all he was willing to give the other night .

I have a few other things to post, but figured this is enough for one entry.....Ciao

We've Been Busy

OK, for those of you wondering if we REALLY live in the country, this is what we saw when we looked out our back door Saturday morning.




Yep, one of the neighbor's cows keeps busting through the fence to graze. Guess he believe the 'ol saying, 'grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.'

Saturday was a fun-filled day for our family. It started w/ a pancake breakfast at Jasmine's soccer game - she plays on our church's league and the disaster relief team got in some practice on serving a large number of people efficiently. So we got to the field's a little early for pancakes and sausage.

Then we headed to my company picnic at the Ranch. It happens every October and we have been going since Jasmine was in a stroller. LOTS of fun. Here are some pics.

The kid's went home with Gramma for a few hours while Joe and I went to the State Fair of Texas and enjoyed corny dogs, ice cream and the band Third Day. We had an awesome time and were able to get pretty close to the stage. It ROCKED!!