There hasn't been much time to blog lately. I know everyone is busy with Christmas right around the corner. Just a quick update - Steve is doing well in Seattle and me and the kids are surviving. We obviously didn't do family pics with all of us, I didn't think that photoshopping Steve in would be a good idea. But, I did get the kids back out to Mayfield park with our photographer. She did an awesome job again. Thanks Brandi! Here are some of my faves...

4th of July Ketchup

I know that it is July 21st and I am finally getting some of our pictures up. I don't want to forget some of these moments. We spent the 4th just with our family relaxing and preparing for my upcoming surgery in 2 days. We did get the ladder out and climb the roof to watch fireworks, so not all was dull and boring.

Sunday, the day after the 4th, we went to drop the kids off in San Antonio to spend the week with their Grandparents since I was going to be recovering. It was so nice of them to do that. That is a long time to take all 3 kids. So you would think that we would treat them with the respect that they deserve, but we have to tease them a little, right? Someone snapped (i will not say who) a shot of this photo of Steves mom's "4th of July" bow on the back of her head. Mean.

As if that wasn't enough, Steve put on her glasses and jewels and teased some more. I guess that is what families do. I wonder what they tease me about behind my back.??? Its gotta be something.

Halloween

Elizabeth Swan

Ben 10...

Jasmine

Ed and Flamin Fred the Pumpkins

The Day of Independence

We had a great 4th of July! We headed out to lake LBJ with the Hacks. I didn't take a lot of pictures, because we were out in the water, as we should be. We took the wave runner and had a blast towing the girls around. Steph is dangerous though, you gotta watch out for her. She loves to 4 wheel off road, and apparently jump waves in her Wave runner. Addison and the girls took some major air a couple times. It was funny. It looked like Addison was laughing, but later I found out that she was crying. She got over it really quick though. It's that thrill seeking mentality! For reals.

Addison, 4th of July night...
Miss Michaela, all pimped out in her 4th gear. That is exactly how I used to be. Oh crap, sorry dear, I think it may be genetic...
Mr Dylan, simple as ever... Lance and Steve lighting our illegal fireworks. Check out the nice red sock and flip flops on Steve. That is awesome...

Our illegal fireworks, the last one. Oh yeah, we didn't mess around. A few of these were like 40 feet in the air. Luckily no fires or police. Happy 4th of July, afterall, it is the day of independence, right?

Egg Hunt

Finally posting the Easter Egg Hunt (1 of 3 this year) that we did last Friday. The kids had a great time in the Chen's huge yard searching for their 12 eggs. Addison loves to have her picture taken, my other 2 babes, not so much. Still gotta do it.

"Do I have to?"
Addison and her best bud Maya...
"Okay, I can smile for a minute, but hurry."
Porter loved his mamas chocolate covered peanut butter balls. He got busted a couple times with a face like this. What a cute little dude.

Mr. Gaylord Faulker

Two days after Christmas we headed to good ol' Dallas (Grapevine) to the Gaylord Texan Hotel. Fun times again with our good friends! We got to go see this Ice thingy where all the rooms were full of ice sculptures and such. Very interesting. Then at the end, you take a journey down a big ice slide, all while bundled up in their courtesy parkas, standing in 9 degree rooms. It was a blast!

The hotel had this huge atrium with all these cool flowers, waterfalls, and plants. Really, really, pretty. This was on our way to dinner. I felt so bad when we got to dinner and opened our menus. Every plate was around $30. But I had turned down the food court because I was on vacation and wanted to be served! At what cost? Holy smokes. Stephanie thought it was funny that I took it upon myself to speak in an English accent for the rest of the evening. Afterall, we were in a 5 star expensive restaurant where my cup of soup was more than a pedicure! I will never live this down.

Oh, crap, what should I order? How 'bout the orange creme brulee? Oh it's rather a long story and you had to be there!

Steve's Poached Chicken something w/ a side of potatoes and a palm tree.

And here is what we came for - the ICE show. Good times. Lance was so cold, he decided to steal Dylan's hat. What a thief!