Cousins' Weekend

My brother, Clayton, and his family came for the weekend.  They have been in Tallahassee for the last few months.  My brother agreed to work in Mobile, AL wrapping up a lot of the insurance claims for Staten Island.  His wife, Katie, decided to spend the time with her family.  She enrolled the kids in school there.  We were lucky enough to be a pit stop on their way back home to Montana.

They came in late on Friday night.  We planned to go swimming on Saturday, but the pools don't open until 10 am, so I took all the kids to Lexi's school.  They have a great map of the US and I thought it would be interesting to take a picture of the kids on their birth state.  You can see that Florida has been popular.  Zak, Ammon, Miriam and Lexi were all born there.  Jordan was born in Texas.  Kaylie was born in Colorado.  Rachel was born in Montana.  If my other two brothers were here, we'd have 2 more in Colorado (Alma's kids) and 2 more in Montana (Chris' twins).  Jordan is a lone wolf in Texas.

We had a great weekend.  We went swimming twice on Saturday - once at the community pool and once at a church pool party.  Fortunately, Clayton called my dad's wife (widow) and told her they were going to be in town.  She drove from San Antonio to see us.  She seems to be doing well.  Even though we only live about 3 hours apart, I haven't seen her for about 5 years.  She went to the pool with us and chatted for a while and then went to see some other friends in Houston.

On Sunday, we went to church and then out to see the model homes in a new community near us.  It is called Cross Creek Ranch. I like to take visitors out to see the new homes.  It is neat plus they just might decide they want to move here.  Texas is great.  The economy is strong and the cost of living is low.  Who wouldn't love it?  ....no I am not paid to convince people.

The cousins left on Monday morning after we walked Lexi to school.  My kids will definitely miss them. The girls all slept in Lexi's room and the boys were in Jordan's room. It was one big sleepover.

Miriam, Lexi, Kaylie, Rachel, Zak, Jordan, & Ammon

Clayton & I with Angie (my dad's widow)

First Grade Awards

At the end of the year, like most schools, Lexi's elementary school has a classroom gathering with awards.  They sang and did a little reading of a play.  Lexi got three different awards - Honor Roll, Excellent Reading Skills, and Finishing the First Grade.  

Lexi & Kristina

Lexi & Lily

Lexi & Kyler

Memorial Day Birthday Party

We have quite a few friends with birthdays this time of year.  In fact, many of them are in the same extended family.  Today, we were invited to a party in their honor.  We were told where it would be and that swimsuits should be worn.  The "Tough Mudder Obstacle Course" was quite a hit.  

Birthday Peeps: Papa Steve, Miss Tiffany, Uncle Scott, Savannah & Avery

Savannah

Avery

Sunday with her Hair Down

Hannah's Party

It is always wonderful to spend time with an old friend, especially when our gets enjoy being with each other.  Today, we went to a birthday party for sweet little Hannah.  I have been friends with her mom, Amy, since high school (over 20 years ago).  A few of our other friends from high school were there too with their kids.  

Hannah, the birthday girl

Me with Amy, Ginger & Erik (old friends)

Lexi with Ginger's baby, MaryGrace

Celebrating with Jordan

This evening, we had the honor of celebrating the end of Jordan's pre-school year.  We went to a Mexican restaurant that I had a gift card to.  The food was great and they had a fun outdoor play area.  The kids loved it.  I'm mostly glad that I didn't have to cook.  I have been swamped with too much work lately.  

New Twin Cousins

Lexi had to write about taking care of younger kids.  It was perfect timing since she has new twin cousins.  She has spent the last 10 days thinking, worrying and praying for them.  My brother, Chris, and his wife, Julia, had twins on May 7th.  Here is the full story:

Last Tuesday (May 7th), my youngest brother sent me a text that the doctor was sending Julia to the hospital.  I called my mom to see if that meant the twins were going to be born.  She told me that Julia had toxemia and would be having an emergency c-section.  The good news was that she had made it to full term with them.  We were all excited to hear how big they were.  The boy, Elijah, was 6 lbs 5 oz and 19.75" long.  The girl, Priscilla, was 5 lbs 9 oz and 19" long.  We were all very excited.

Elijah (left) - Priscilla (right)

Sadly, the next day my mom called to tell me that Elijah had a blocked intestine and had to be life-flighted to a hospital in a bigger town.  The hospital where they were at couldn't get it cleared and realized he might need surgery.  Plus, he was having trouble breathing.  As my mom was asking my brother questions, she learned that the babies were rushed out right after being born and that Julia hadn't even seen Elijah yet.  Chris was going to go with Elijah to the new hospital.  Priscilla and Julia would stay in that hospital.  Julia's mom would stay there.  My mom decided that she needed to be at the new hospital with him.  She booked a flight and headed out that day.

Things got a little better for Elijah the next day.  The new hospital was able to get the intestine unblocked without surgery.  He was also breathing 99 to 100% on his own.  However, Elijah wasn't very active and was not interested in eating.  Later that day, my brother was able to get him to drink a teaspoon for one of his feedings.  He had to rely on a tube that went through his nose and down into his belly to get the rest.

Two days later (11th), my brother's wife and his daughter were released from their hospital.  A room was set up for them at the Ronald McDonald house.  He drove over to get them (1.5 hours away) while my mom stayed with Elijah.  They were thrilled to be all together.  Even though they had a room across the street, they were all able to stay in the hospital room with Elijah.  The nurses were very nice about helping with Priscilla too.  They weighed her every day and checked up on how much she was eating.      

Julia & Chris with babies

Yesterday, Elijah was released and they were able to go home.  Now, the real fun begins.

Priscilla

Watch Dog

Lexi got to participate in the Watch Dog program today with her dad.  Her elementary school has two father volunteers every day.  They start off with opening doors for carpool.  Next, the dad and the student get to be on the televised announcements.  Then the dad helps in the classrooms.  At lunch, the dads walk around assisting kids with whatever they need like putting straws in juice boxes and opening applesauce.  The dads get to go out to recess and play with the kids too.  It is a pretty fun day.

Mother's Day Surprise

Lexi and Jordan did their best to spoil me today.  Lexi got up and made breakfast in bed for me.  I had no idea she had it planned or could even pull it off.  She prepared a bowl of granola, made toast, and cut up an apple.  She put it all on a cutting board and brought it upstairs for me.  I just love surprises.  When Jordan saw her good example, he ran downstairs and made a piece of toast for me. They also gave me lots of cards and notes full of love.  

I took a few pictures of the kids before heading to church.  I knew all of the kids at church would be singing.  That makes it a little more enjoyable for all of us.  

Weekends at the Pool

A few of the pools in our neighborhood have now opened on the weekends including our favorite one - the water park.  I took the kids there today.  It was still a bit too chilly though.  I didn't get in the water and they only lasted about an hour.  Cooler weather in May is a rare thing in Houston.  We'll just have to appreciate it for now since the summer heat will be here soon enough.

Dinner Picnic

Since Camden's baptism was today, his family thought it would be fun to meet at the park for a dinner picnic.    Plus, Camden's Aunt Melissa is in town.  She is always a hit with the kids.  My kids even call her Aunt Melissa.  We all had a great time.  

Camden's Baptism

This morning, we went to Camden's baptism.  It was nice to get together with lots of friends to celebrate this special day with him.