The Dallas Zoo

My mom, sister, and I have been trying to make plans to take the kids to Boo at the Zoo in Ft. Worth for the past week or two. This weekend was really busy, and Boo at the Zoo is only open at night. The only day we could make it work was Sunday, and I just hated to go on a school night. We decided just to go to the zoo during the day, and the Dallas Zoo was just more convenient, so we went there. I didn't even plan for the kids to wear their costumes since it wasn't Boo in Ft. Worth, but low and behold, almost every kid at the zoo was wearing theirs. Oh well, maybe I'll get Mom of the Year next year?!?! They had so many fun stations for the kids, and lots of characters to take pictures with. We had a really fun time! My mom and sister love to spoil my kids rotten!

Riding the monorail....

Oh yeah, I guess we were really there to see the animals, so here are a few pictures we took of that....

Halloween Party

On Saturday night, I took the kids to our neighbors annual Halloween party. The kids were so excited to go. They kept asking me what time it was, to see if it was time to head over there. I hadn't been feeling great that whole day! I had a stomach bug since Wednesday, and still was very weak, but I was not going to miss this party! When my neighbor does something, she goes ALL out! There is not one detail left out...as you can see from the pictures below. She had a bounce house and a craft table for the kids, and even hired babysitters to watch the kids so the parents could relax and hang out.....LOVE THAT! Blake dressed up as Batman from the Dark Knight and Brooklyn dressed up as Dora (wig and all). We had a blast, and I can't wait until the next party!

Blake insisted that I not go overboard on pictures! What can I say...I'm a mom!


Bobbing for apples...FUN!

This was the most amazing cake I have ever seen!

2008

Normally when I blog, it is about fun things going on with my family, and I ALWAYS add some pictures. Today I wanted to blog about 2008. My sister and I were talking yesterday about what a hard year we have had with 2008, as we were driving back from Breckenridge from our grandmother's going away party. It all started just days after we rang in the new year, when I got a phone call on a Sunday that my cousin had been missing since Friday. Unfortunately about 30 minutes later, I got the dreadful call that he had passed away. My cousins and I are super close, so this was completely devistating to everyone! As this is all happening, my grandfather is not doing well, and we can tell he only has a little while longer with us, AND my uncle...the father of the cousin I lost...is not doing well to cancer. So I get a phone call from my dad (whose is taking care of my grandfather's every need), and I just knew he was going to tell me my grandfather had passed away, but instead, he tells me that my uncle (my dad's brother) had passed away. WHAT?!?! This was a total shock and completely out of left field. So now I am headed to Hot Springs to attend his funeral. Weeks later, I get the dreaded call that I need to come see my grandfather and say my last goodbyes, as well as go to see my other uncle who was told he only has 3 days left. So literally, in one weekend, I am driving to Breckenridge and Longview to say goodbye. A day after I said goodbye, my grandfather passed away. This was completely heartbreaking. I loved that man more than anything!!!! As I drive to go help out with all the arrangements, I got a call that my uncle had passed away. WOW! I can't take all of this! So a month passes by, and I feel that I am finally getting on my feet, when Brad gets a call that is mother is at the hospital and on life support. She had passed out, and never came back around. They had found a brain tumor. Now we are having to make arrangements for his sweet mother's funeral. Then we come to this weekend, where my sister and I took my kids to my grandmother's going away party because she feels she needs to be with her other family in Ohio. Tears were falling yesterday as we said another goodbye!
There is a saying that I love that really applies to all of this..."I know God won't give me more than I can handle, I just wish he didn't trust me so much." Thanks for letting me get all of this off my chest, and I am TRULY looking forward to 2009. I hope it has wonderful things in store for me!

CCY Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

Today Brooklyn had her first field trip with her school today. Brad took off work in the morning to go with her. They visited a pumpkin patch in Coppell. For the past few days, I have heard over and over again how excited she was to get to ride the school bus!!! They each got to pick a little pumpkin on their way out. Too cute!

Waiting to go....

Getting on the bus....she was so excited!

Story time

This is not what it looks like....HE HE! She didn't want to get bit by ants!

State Fair of Texas and more....

I took the kids to the State Fair of Texas! The weather was perfect...we couldn't have asked for a better day. The State Fair is one of my favorite places to go. I remember getting so excited to go when I was younger, and I want my kids to experience that same feeling. I have to say that the main reason I go now is for the food! Can you say corny dog???? The kids got to ride on several rides, and play lots of games.

After the Fair, we carved the pumpkins we bought earlier in the weekend. The kids had a blast taking out all the seeds, which we later cooked to eat! YUM! We put the pumpkins in the front yard so everyone can see. We already had several people drive by slowly to look at them. WOW, what a FUN day!!!!

Football pictures

We just got back from Blake's football pictures. The Cowboy game isn't looking so good, so I decided to blog instead. Romo came into the game with his head down. Let's just hope he didn't get into a fight with Jessica before the game....UGH! Anyways, the sun really wasn't working with me today, so some of my pics are a little fuzzy. Here are some pics....

National Night Out

Our neighborhood celebrated National Night Out on Tuesday. We had pizza, drinks, and a jump house. The Coppell fire station brought a fire truck for the kids to get in, and the police department brought a police car for the kids to see. McGruff even came! Brooklyn did not want to get anywhere near him. She was blowing him kisses though from far away. We blocked off the street, and kids played with their scooters and bikes. Both of the kids even made some new friends. Brooklyn was facinated with her new friend's shoes, that she decided she wanted to wear them.....IMAGINE THAT! All in all, it was a fun night, and a great way to meet and hang out with our neighbors!

Soccer pictures

Brooklyn had her first soccer pictures. She was so excited to take pictures with all of her little soccer friends. As soon as the girls saw each other they were running around crazy and trying to chase each other. They were having the best time, but all the moms were freaking out and worried our girls were going to mess up their hair before the pictures. Typical moms, I guess. Here are a few pics I got on my camera......