ALL Aboard!

This afternoon I was running on the treadmill. When I do this I check on Lena Kate every few minutes to make sure she is not getting herself into trouble. This is what I found the last time I went in. This corner is usually where all her stuffed animals hang out. I call it Kate's Kritter Korner. It was empty. I was a little worried, but I knew they wouldn't ALL fit in the toilet so they couldn't ALL be in there:)

Then I turned around to see THIS.

She said, "Go go!" She had stuffed almost every one of her animals and babies in her car...plus a few extras (candle, book, baby bottle, bubble blower). I was cracking up. I just love how grown up and cute she is. Then she decided to push them around the house and when one would fall out she would exclaim, "Oh NO NO NO." She had worked pretty hard to get all them to stay in the car. I got the whining spilling of passengers on video. We here the dramatic exclamations quite often these days!

Struggling to get the heavy load over the bump.

Lena Kate may look just like her Daddy but she acts like her Mama. This is definately something I would've done as a child. I used to put all my toys on my bed to take a nap and sleep with including my shopping cart and baby rocking chair.

Tons of Fun

A little crazy morning hair and cheesy smile to get you started

We've been having tons of fun lately just living and enjoying each day. Last Friday morning we drove up to San Antonio and had several things to do on our visit. We got to have lunch with my old boss Tim and my friend Monica. Tim is a wonderful Christian man and I really enjoyed working for him and also becoming friends as we worked together on some tough projects. It was also good to see Monica, we don't get together enough! She is now driving from George West to San Antonio to work every day so keep her in your prayers for safe travels. Lena Kate was great during lunch since she had a nap on the drive up. We had a corner booth at Pei Wei (LOVE IT) so she was able to play a little after she ate and wasn't in the way. She sat in Tim's lap and was still...she must've liked him because she doesn't do that often. Friday night LK played with Charles and all of his fun toys while we packed up and helped Gus and Amy move into their new house in Fair Oaks Ranch. It is a great community and we all love their new home. It is going to be a great place to gather :)

Playing with "Uncle Tim's" Iphone

Saturday we got all dressed up in party dresses, well LK had a party dress on, I just had a comfortable dress on. I'm all about comfort these days...with a little cuteness too, of course. We stopped by for a visit with Aunt Nancy and Uncle Trent. Lena Kate just loves their doggies, actually she just loves chasing their doggies since they chihuahuas run from her. It was a nice visit and then we were off to Rachel's baby shower. If you recall that Rachel and I were pregnant together the first time around. She beat us all to the second one. She will welcome baby James in the next few weeks. I'm very happy for them. We had a great time at the party and I really enjoyed getting to catch up with the old gang-Rachel, Bethany and Heidi. The added bonus was that Lena Kate got to play with Catalina at the party. It is so cute to see these two play. They've always played well together and been about the same size. They danced arm in arm and One of the funniest moments was when LK took her sandal off and Cata was picking the toe jam out of her toes and wiping it on the floor. Lena Kate always stops and checks the bottom of her feet when walking barefoot. I guess when she steps on something she feels the need to check it out. Cata is about 6 weeks older and that girl can sure talk. She is at the point where she will pretty much repeat words to you. Lena Kate has some catching up to do :) She is saying new words every day though and I'm enjoying watching her learn so much.

Ready for the party

A toe picking session

Back together again...except Rachel is the only one preggo this time. Can you believe she is 3 weeks from due?

The girls were playing sweetly here.

Cata kissing LK

We ended up coming home Satuday night and Charles came to stay with Mimi and Papa while Gus and Amy finished moving. Lena Kate has tons of fun playing with her cousin Charles and he is playing well with her these days. He even shared his toys more this time around. Usually, he takes anything he thinks LK might play with and hides them from her...tehe. We all swam on Sunday and again yesterday. Whew, I'm tired. Oh wait, I didn't mention the 7 mile run on Sunday. I'd have to say I don't think I'd make it without some KLOVE inspiration playing in my ears. I don't have an IPod, but must say I really enjoy the radio and it is free!

Cream cheese braids-recipe at www.eatingwithelaine.blogspot.com

I think you are all caught up on our adventures for now. I'll leave you with a little update on LK's favorites these days: swimming, doggies (STILL), stuffed animals and babies, wearing somebody esle's shoes...and her own, her puzzle from Leelee and Grandpa, eating fruit (STILL), saying "whoa, whoa, whoa" when going over a bumpy road, "EEIEEI" her cd in the car, Nick JR, dancing with the elephants on The Jungle Book, sliding, reading lift the flap books, saying, "NO, NO, NO, NO" when she is frustrated or spills something, saying NO in general-gotta work on the manners-but she does say "pees" (please) so sweetly now, running in circles, calling Dada "Daaaeeeee", getting a balloon at the grocery store, snacks, the church nursery, Elmo-she loved Charles' Elmo live and would kiss him and carry him and dance with him, smoothies-she LOVES them as well as ice cream and milk shakes.

I'm sure I missed plenty of other things she's into, but I had to stop the madness at some point. We are having tons of fun watching her grow into a little girl. We are working on manners, obeying, picking up our toys, and potty training some. She gets very whiny when tired and I'm used to it, but poor Daddy isn't sure how to handle it, but he does pretty well. He's been very good to help put her down and care for her when I go on my running or workout adventure. Life is good in The Wonderful World of Lena Kate. Thanks for peeking into our world and we hope things are just as blessed in your world!

My latest project-pickled okra!

What are we up to?

Sorry for the delayed post, but I've been waiting for our new Verizon wireless card because we found out that AT&T doesn't have 3G coverage here and it was SLOW. It would take me hours to upload pics for a post. We (Lane) grumbled enough that I started looking into changing. Of course, you gotta pay that cancelation fee no matter what. I argued and tried to prove my case and was able to get 1/2 of it waived...but that was after 45 minutes and near tears. I think I need to pay more attention to fine print, but even so if you want service of any sort you have to just accept it. OK, enough of my soap box spill.

We've been staying in out of the extreme South Texas heat, but had a few adventures last week. I've been so blessed with a great new friend down here. Juli and I took the kids to the aquarium in CC last week. Her bff Heather and her son Jackson joined the 4 of us. The kids ran all over the place and dodged people large and small to get up close to the fish. Lena Kate snuck up on a very large man in one of the areas where you are surrounded by large fish and sharks. She must've put her hand on his leg but he squealed like a girl and exclaimed, "oh S#$%" Everyone around got a good chuckle out of him getting scared thinking a fish was getting him and no young ears heard his automatic reaction. He didnt' mean to curse, it just came out. Anyway, we topped the morning off with an ice cream and snacks lunch. LK slept the entire drive home and then some.

Lena Kate don't DRINK the fish water!

The gang of kiddos. Cute, sweet boys and my dollface

LK and I went to Cole park last week while waiting for Mimi to get out of a doctor's appt. She had tons of fun playing and running all over the place.

Going down the slide for the 4876th time.

Saturday night we celebrated Lane's birthday by swimming and playing at Mimi and Papa's. We had boiled shrimp and grilled fish plus dips and key lime bars. Blaine and JC came over and the guys had fun chasing the kiddos and swimming with them. We missed Juli, but she took a little trip to Austin. Can't wait to do it again and have her join us :)

What a handsome little Ladies Man

this little ragamuffin with crazy hair loves to clomp around in these heals I set out to give away.

Have a great rest of the week-we intend to! God bless.

Home Grown

We (and by we, I mean I helped a little) been busy canning. I don't know why they call it canning when you use jars!!! Anyway Mustang grapes grow wild in our creek. They are just beautiful and tart. They make the best jelly and jam. Mom likes jelly so the extra straining step must be done...of course, she'd make it more difficult-but she did most of the work, and the jelly sure is beautiful. Mom and Dad also made fig perserves from the fig tree in their backyard. It is huge and covered in fruit. Lane likes the fig..I don't care for it.

Here are a few jars of the grape jelly sitting on the window seal. That is the washhouse and an orange tree...quite the view:)

It doesn't get much better than homemade jelly on homemade bread.

Look at those beauties cooking

Our okra is still producing bookoos..not sure how to spell that one, but I know it must be a word. The soil must be different just a few miles away because Mom and Dad have had trouble with okra but it does really well over here. If I don't pick it at least every other day I end up having to throw out 12 inch okra that is just too big.
This was before the big rains, they are even taller now.

I had to throw some of these out since they were just too big. I get quite the bounty.

Look who else is home grown. She had just gotten her cast off the day before this rain. Oh, she had sooo much fun splashing in the puddles at Granny's.

Splish Splash


Happy weekend!!!

The Rest of the Story

It may not be as interesting as Paul Harvey was, but here it is.

We had a fabulous weekend. (Yes, I know it is Friday and already time for another. I'm behind. My wireless card stinks. The end.) We started out by spending the say Saturday at Mimi and Papa's. Gus, Amy, and Charles came down, so it was big family fun. The kids played and swam. We ate yummy dips and burgers. Then we all went for a long walk before we had dessert. I made Pioneer Woman's Peach Crisp with Maple Cream Sauce. When she says the sauce is good enough to put a straw in and slurp up when nobody is looking, she is right! Papawent all out and got tons of fireworks for Charles. He LOVED the sparklers but we had to keep telling him to point them AWAY from us. I think Uncle Gus and LK's Daddy had the most fun setting them off.

Here is Amy writing her name with a sparkler. Look closely and you can see her in the background...the "Y" encircles her face and her left arm is below it. You can see her watch. I find this picture really cool and spooky!

Papa helping Charles

Checking out the loot. LK was playing with rocks in the background. Don't worry they weren't lighting them right there.

Charles and is LARGE sparklers

Then on Sunday we went over for an omelet brunch. I was a good girl and ran both days....then ate coffee cake-go figure! Lane decided Sunday afternoon was the perfect time to test out Papa's new riding lawn mower that he is so graciously sharing with us. he mowed, and mowed, and mowed some more. Then he broke out the weed-eater for trimming. He was too tired to do anything after all that work so we stayed home as a family and enjoyed the fireworks over the lake from our front porch. We have a prime watching spot since we are at the very top of a hill. Free entertainment :)

Another bag of our old toys was brought out and Lena Kate enjoyed my chatterphone. Don't you love her firecracker hair and precious dress? Thanks Aunt Nancy!!!!

It's a long walk for a little girl-thanks Papa for the ride!

Watching the turkey

MORE watermelon, please. LK kept going back the the cooler and bringing the bag so she could have more

True love is not staged

hmmmm-tired girl?

The best pic I got of me and my gal

headed out on a walk in the country

There was a lot of squirting-Mimi even got ice down her drawers-hehe.

she loves to dump water on herself. We didn't even get in the big pool Sat.

All American Cutie

What a great family filled weekend of patriotic fun. Now it is raining-again. The skeeters are getting LARGE and abundant. We'll have to work on that or we will be holed up inside until the winter...if we have one.

Funny Story:

Friday night Juli and I were getting a little workout in and Lane was helping entertain JC and LK. They were having honey nut cheerios in LK's silver cups. Then next day Lane saw one of the silver cups on the counter and he asked me if I saw what the cup did to the cheerios. I grinned because I knew he didn't know that I given Lena Kate some chocolate cheerios that morning. He thought it had turned the ones from the night before black. Classically funny!!!

By the way-tomorrow is Lane's birthday. I hope it is a wonderful day for him. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband and father to my daughter. Love you Cowboy Lane!!!

Just a taste

of our 4th of July! More tomorrow, I promise.