April 30

Yesterday we met Tracy and Jonathan at Chuck-E-Cheese for lunch. We picked the right day because it wasn't crowded at all! While getting on their website to print out coupons, I found this nifty little reward system. I am going to try the "Done With Thumbs" (Julia) and "Good Night's Sleep" (Kat- because she's been having fits either going to bed lately or getting up several times in the middle of the night) calendars. Wish us luck!







Last night was carnival night at AWANA to celebrate the end of the year. Next week is Awards night and then it's done for the year. I am very proud of Julia. Even though we started halfway into the year, she managed to catch up to all the other kids in their books. She memorized 24 scripture verses since January!

April 29

Happy Birthday Poppa Stu!

Clay didn't get called into jury duty yesterday so he had to go to work. He is one of the few people selected for jury duty who is excited to do it! But, he was chosen during Derby week, and most of the judges, etc. are not going to be holding court (partying instead) so he probably won't be doing much until next week when they'll have to play catchup.

Julia had a wart removed from her toe yesterday.

For her bravery at the doctor's office, she got some accessories for her Fancy Nancy doll (actually, I bought them on clearance the other night and wanted an excuse to give them to her)

Last night we watched Daddy play basketball. Well, I tried, but it hard with two monkies climbing all over you/the bleachers. Here Kat and Clay are stretching after the game.

5 month belly shot

Pregnancy update: I am feeling pretty good. Not sleeping great, but that's due more to sinus troubles than anything. This morning I sneezed and had to change my underwear - I wonder if they make diapers for pregnant women!?! So far the pregnancy seems to be going by fast, but my belly is getting big fast and I can't even imagine how huge I'll be by the end.

April 28

Yesterday Clay started jury duty and since he didn't have to report to the courthouse until 10am, he got to spend some time at home with us during the morning. I babysat for a friend's little girl, Malory for a few hours. We took her with us to run errands. While Kat was napping (it took her about 30 minutes of screaming "MOMMY" before she finally fell asleep), Julia and I worked on her pre-school book for awhile - we hadn't worked on it in a long time. Clay got home from jury duty in the early afternoon so he took Julia to see the new movie "Earth". Kat and I went for ice cream and then to the grocery store.

Practicing writing the letter "G"

Kat's really into all books lately, but especially her Children's Bible. She carries it everywhere and looks at the pictures and "reads" it. Sometime she'll even sing songs while holding it.

April 27

Here's a quick rundown of yesterday: church, lunch, naps, dinner, church.

Saturday night we went to the store and bought some flowers to plant.

April 26

Yesterday Clay and I got up at 5:45am so he could get ready for the mini marathon (13 miles). He finished in 1:50:55, which is 8:28 minutes per mile. He was 901st out of 9,393 runners - (top 10%) good job!

Julia, Kat, Mamaw and Bapaw watching the race

It was a little cool (mid 60s) at 7:30am, but got warm quickly! Hard to believe 2 weeks ago we were in winter coats and blankets watching a race!

Kat and Bapaw cheering on the runners

Clay (orange tank top) getting some water from Bapaw

Clay is in this picture (you will have to click on the picture to enlarge it), but I mostly just wanted to show the crowds at the finish line. There were alot of people out to watch this year because the weather was so warm (highs in the mid 80s)

Nearing the finish line

Stretching after the race

April 25

Yesterday we took Peggy and met Jill, Brody, and Mollie at the zoo. Apparently the rest of the city also decided to go because it was packed... and HOT! It got up into the mid 80s.

Peggy and Julia pushing their baby strollers

Brody tells his Mommy that he is going to marry Julia. Today I asked him who he is going to marry and when he said "Julia", she got so embarrassed. It was cute.

Julia pushing her baby doll in the swings

They were taking orders, "What do you want?"

Peggy almost measures up to an adult gorilla!

This morning Clay is running the mini marathon (13 miles). Look for that post tomorrow.

April 24

Last night Brady and Caleb came over for a couple of hours. Clay brought home a garter snake from work to show the kids (thanks Sparky), so they played with it for a little while. Then I took the kids for a walk. Someone asked me if all 4 were mine. I bet we were quite the sight - me with 4 kids ages 4 and under and pregnant. I am sure they thought I don't know how to use birth control! Ha! After our walk, it was getting close to bedtime so I tried to get the kids to calm down a little by watching a movie. I learned a lesson: Kung Fu Panda is not a good movie for pre-schoolers to watch to calm down.

April 23

This morning we met the Mom's Group from church at the park to play and have a picnic. The weather has been beautiful all day until just now (dinner time). We were outside playing again after naps when a thunderstorm came out of nowhere and chased us into the house - gotta love the Spring!

Julia, Leah, Julia, & Kat

Kat and Leah - Don't these two look alike?

Really, I wanted to show off my azalea in this picture - I love the Spring... flowers are blooming, the grass is green, and Kat's nose is running constantly from seasonal allergies. What's not to love!?!

Tonight Brady and Caleb are coming over for a play date so their parents can go on a date. Now that it's raining outside, I guess we'll be playing inside. Four kids ages four and under - should be loud. Maybe they'll drown out the sound of the thunder!

April 22

This morning I had my ultrasound appointment and then a doctor's appointment. The baby is doing great and all is going according to plan! We did not find out the baby's sex. The Doctor said I am "the perfect pregnant woman". Ha! She hasn't heard all my belly aching over the past few months! I am sure Clay would disagree with her.

19 weeks

19 weeks pregnant with babies #1, #2, and #3 (in that order) - See how much bigger my belly is this time!?! Yikes!

April 21

IL Trip Part 2:

Saturday night Nonna picked the girls up from the wedding reception early so they could get to bed (especially since they only got about half of their normal sleep the night before!). Clay and I planned to sleep in on Sunday, but were up bright and early at 7:30! I guess we're just not used to getting to sleep in.

Sunday Julia wore her flower girl dress most of the day. We laid low and tried to rest up after a hectic couple of days. We went out to dinner that night with my parents, and my friend Sara and her family. We have been friends since the 4th grade! After lunch on Monday we headed back home.

Playing UNO with Nonna

Me and Sara

Nonna and her sioux-chefs baking a cake

April 20

IL Trip Part 1:

THURSDAY: We drove to IL and went out to eat with family and friends of Terah and Jordan (my step-sister and her fiance).

Uncle Stump teaching Julia how to play craps on his cell phone - I think he did this just so she would say craps over and over, which she did.

FRIDAY: Clay went golfing with my Dad, brother, and all the other guys in the wedding party during the morning. I took the girls to the zoo. That night was the rehearsal/dinner.

Swimming in Grandpa and Lulu's tub

Julia and Grandpa Tim at the rehearsal

\
Lulu, Grandpa Tim, and Stump

I believe the golf wore him out - this was at 9pm!

While Clay was back at the house with the girls, we went to the reception site and started decorating. I got back to the house at 1am (2am EST) and Kat was still awake - she wouldn't go to sleep without me for some reason! She is usually begging to be put to bed...

Grandpa and Lulu decorating

SATURDAY: wedding day. I had to be at the hair salon at 8am to get my hairdo fixed... I was pooped because Kat kept me up alot the night before. We had pictures before the ceremony and then the wedding and reception started at 4pm. It was alot of fun and everything was very pretty (and PINK!)

And they say Texans have big hair!?! Lindsay working her magic...

Me and Stump

Grandpa and Lulu

Lulu and I both tried to get the bow on Julia's dress to lay right, leave it to Grandpa to show us how to do it!

Kat's ready to go!

Lindsay fixing Julia's hair

The girls with their new Uncle Jordan before the ceremony

All 4 flower girls with Terah (Julia and Kat are on the left)

Me and Grandpa Tim (aka my Dad)

The girls were excited to ride the trolley from the wedding to the reception

Sabrina and Julia

The wedding cake - notice Kat added her own special touch to the bottom right corner

Kat and Terah

Clay wouldn't dance with me, but my "little" cousin Elysa did!

All the flower girls and ring bearer having fun "dancing" on the dance floor while all the rest of us are eating. They were having a great time!