This is how we feel after our long wonderful weekend! Allison and I left early Saturday morning and hit the road for an almost two hour drive to visit Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. We had a blast! We had a fun filled weekend complete with lots of playtime, swimming, meeting Molly (the cutest pup) and lots of love!. After what seemed to be a long drive we are finally home. I am thankful that we were able to spend quality time with all of our family (excluding two uncles and an aunt - they were missed as always)!

I discovered something this weekend. My brother and sister-n-law are constantly "spring cleaning" - getting rid of the "old" or too used. They clean out everything and donate to goodwill or the local dumpster several times a year. Well, when I first learned how to actually crotchet something I decided that I wanted to make my brother and sister-n-law a blanket for their upcoming wedding. I really tried hard for perfection and even made it in their favorite colors - green and blue. They have been married for 6 years now and I truly believed that they threw out my blanket after the first year. Alas, this weekend I saw it had survived amazingly through the years! I can't believe that they have kept it this long and if I never see it again it will not matter at all - I am truly touched that given their personalities - they have actually kept that blanket for this long!

Allison is wearing the beautiful headband that Josie made! She insisted on wearing after seeing me wear it for awhile - I actually put it on right after we left Josie's house this afternoon (as soon as I got into the truck). Thank you Josie for such a beautiful headband!

Allison's grandparents bought her this beautiful blue dress on their recent trip to Florida. Allison looks beautiful in the dress! Her Grandpa picked the pink flower that she is wearing in her hair for the photo. She received lots of other "goodies" from her Grandparents and from her Uncle Dan and Aunt Stacey. I will try to get a picture of those as soon as I can. Thank you Grandpa and Grandma! Thank Uncle Dan and Aunt Stacey!

A few pictures from our weekend!

Allison wearing my headband. She also likes to wear it as a belt, but I haven't had the chance to snap a picture of that yet!



Allison pretending to drive the truck. She is actually a pretty cautious driver - she always looks both ways!



How Ozzy spent his weekend - and most days! I love him!



Ozzy being tortured - Allison and I had all the fun dressing Ozzy up!

Recently, Allison has decided that each time we leave the house she must take something with her. She will take three or four dolls, a hat, sunglasses, a book - something. We made a quick trip to the grocery store this afternoon. Allison decided that she wanted to wear the blue checkered hat into the store. I didn't give it another thought and really didn't think anyone would notice. I was wrong, we received many looks, laughs and points. I didn't realize how comical it was - I just thought she wanted to wear her hat to the store!

It seems for the past few months the homilies (or sermons) at mass have really been speaking to my heart. This past Sunday really grabbed my attention. The readings were regarding (and included) the Good Samaritan story, which always brings me back down from my cloud into reality! Along the same lines of the story the Deacon elaborated about our vocations as believers in Christ. He talked about how we make a commitment when we become parents. He also talked about how we will have to answer to God in our roles as parents. I have heard and understood this before, but I believe I needed to hear it again. For me, the sermon put into prespective my place in this world particularly as a parent.

Time is so fleeting. I remember this picture. I remember the day. Allison carried this doll around with her everywhere - and this was before she could walk! She didn't want to let this doll go. It was incredibly endearing.

Yesterday we converted Allison's crib to a toddler bed. Today she was playing and grabbed a doll and her basket and went to lay them down in her bed. She climbed up into her bed and was playing. I sat down on her bed - she held up her hand and said, "No Mommy" - it's starting! I have been evicted from my sweet sweet baby's bed! She is growing up too fast! She is already wanting privacy from me - her Mom! I tickled her toes and kissed her on the nose and left her to her peace.

I love that little girl!

Do you have a picture like this? My bet is that you do. I think almost every child or person has a picture somewhere similar to this one - in a bathtub with a mohawk. Pretty cute pictures, I would bet!

We went to church today at St. Anthony's and had our "ladies lunch" at Papa Perez in downtown Bryan. The food was quite tasty. Allison had a cheese quesadilla and her all time recent favorite - ranch dressing soup. Yes, she indulged again today. At first taste of the dressing she made a sour face and then I think she realized what it was. She was quite a sweetheart today all through church (we were able to sit through the whole mass) and it continued through lunch.

Allison has been attached to my hip for a few weeks. I've been too afraid to leave her side for fear of breaking her heart. On Friday I had to take dinner to a friend when Greg told me to go on my own - he would watch Allison. I hesitated for fear of the fiasco involved with leaving her behind. Well, it wasn't to be that day. I gave her a kiss and said goodbye - she returned the farewell and off I went without a tear. I was so happy - I feel like this is a milestone! I was actually going somewhere all by myself! I could listen to what I wanted or nothing at all while I drove. Although it was a quick trip - it was a nice break to myself!

Saturday we went to a really awesome birthday party. This party was complete with an animal hunt, decorate your own cupcakes and a sing-a-long. We had a great time! Thank you Bronius and Julia (and of course the man of the day Dominic) for having us! We had a blast!

Our day today ...

I must preface this with the news that Allison used the potty today! I was quite surprised! She often sits on her potty when I potty, but she has yet to actually use it. I became excited and congratulated her - but she didn't seem too phased by it. I'm not sure if her lack of response is good or not, but I will take what I can!

This morning we went to the children's museum. The museum has several rooms dedicated to certain themes such as a music room or arts and crafts room. It even has a nook with items to play dress up and a puppet corner. Allison's favorite room by far is the music room, which I'm sure is no surprise! In this room there are all sorts of instruments ranging from a huge playable guitar on the wall to a wind chim. There is also a wooden conductor that if you push the button he begins to swing and play music. This of course is Allison's favorite. I tried to catch her dancing to the music, but I couldn't remember how to do a recording on my camera until it was too late. Hopefully next time I will be able to get a pretty good video!

The first few times that we went to the children's museum Allison was not interested in the arts and crafts area whatsoever. She would play in all of the other rooms just not this particular one. Well, lately she has taken an interest. Today she spent a good amount of time in the arts and crafts room. This always makes me a little nervous because I worry that we will walk out of the museum covered head to toe in paint!

There is also a little pretend grocery store complete with a cash register, shopping carts and lots of food to load into your basket. Allison loves to load up her basket and push it around the museum.

We had a pretty relaxed day today. Greg was able to come home a little bit earlier than usual which was really nice. After naptime we made a quick trip to the grocery store and then it was home for dinner and Daddy time!

Our week thus far!

Greg has been working so many hours lately, Allison and I are starting to have Daddy withdrawls. With Daddy gone working so much lately, it has left Allison and I lots of time to ourselves! Allison has made lots of new discoveries. Monday evening Allison saw her first rainbow and now everytime she sees one (she had one on her pajamas last night) she exclaims, "Momma, Momma, rainbow!" She says it perfectly! She is also starting to learn her colors. This week there has been much focus on the color blue. So everytime she sees something blue she has to point it out and exclaim, "Blue!"
All day Sunday and Monday Allison would say, "kite, sky, kite" - so when we went to the park on Monday I took her kite (which has never been opened). There was no wind whatsoever, but Allison found it hysterical to watch me run around trying to fly the kite!

Today we went to McAlisters Deli for lunch. Allison had a pb&j sandwich, fruit cup and teddy grams all to herself. However, she ate almost none of it (I'm glad their kid's meals are only 99 cents). She decided to have ranch soup for lunch - aka - the dressing that came with my salad. She devoured it! She couldn't get enough of it until I finally took it away after deciding she had had enough and might become sick! I tried to get her to eat it with crackers - nope - she wasn't having it. She did however eat a lot of my salad - for that I am thankful for!

I don't have any pics from this week as of yet. This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago after a dinner of spaghetti - I think the expression on her face is pretty funny!


Here is Allison in her jeep. Please notice her baby doll and her Ozzy doll both riding with her. Having both the baby (this particular one) and her Ozzy doll in the jeep with her is very important!

We've been married 7 years exactly today!

I can't believe that we have been married for seven years! We will actually have been together for 11 years on September 12 of this year! Greg and I have been reminiscing about the past a lot lately. We have had a lot of good times together. We've done a lot of silly things together too! We once went to Six flags dressed alike in camoflauge shorts and grey Army t-shirts!

Here is the oldest picture that I have of Greg and I on my computer right now. It is my prom picture in 1997!


We've had a few milestones in our life together. The one event that changed our lives as individuals and as a couple:



I have been truly blessed to have such a wonderful man as my husband. I am also blessed by the life that we have created together!

Our thrift store finds!

Yesterday we spent the day going to garage sales, thrift stores and a flea market. We found lots of goodies for Allison.

Allison's absolute favorite item that we found for $5:


My absolute favorite item that we found for $10:


Another favorite item that we found for $5:


Everyone's absolute favorite item that we found marked priceless:

(Halloween 2006)

Our beloved Ozzy!

A better dog on earth? I think not! Ozzy joined our family almost 7 years ago. He has to be the best dog on earth. He has such a huge heart, he is incredibly playful and very well behaved. He is loyal to the end. We take him everywhere we can. (We've snuck him into hotels once or twice!) Allison's first word was Ozzy. She still wakes up and calls his name. When she was a newborn - her eyes would follow him everywhere! Although he wasn't sure about Allison in the beginning - I know the two could not live without one another. I often feel like I have two children!

What do you do with a few minutes to spare?

One of my favorite things about my husband is his whimsical creativity. I find drawings everywhere. I believe Allison loves her Daddy's talent as well. Greg draws her favorite person on earth, Elmo, at a moments notice. Not only that, but he is constantly testing her vocabulary with drawings of keys, bananas, cats, horses, ducks etc. After a few minutes of boredom (waiting for me to finish up what I was doing), Greg decided to dip into Allison's fingerpaints to create the above flower. Although it took him all of thirty seconds and is just a random painting. I love finding these throughout the house. When Greg was in college, his notebooks would be filled with drawings of all sorts of things!

Fourth of July 2007

I love holidays. I especially love celebrating holidays largely because of Allison. We had a wonderful independence day this year. Allison and I went to a playdate at a friend's house in the morning while Greg was working. After dinner of hamburgers and fries (no barbeque because of the stinky rain) we ventured out to the George Bush Library to watch their fireworks display. Here is Allison on our way to the library:



As we made our way to George Bush Library it was easy to see that maybe the whole two cities of Bryan and College Station came out to see the fireworks! We joined the enthusiastic crowd at Research Park.
Here is a picture of Greg and Allison in eager await:



As the rain started to come down slowly the fireworks started early. It was an awesome sight. Allison was amazed and then scared and then amazed! In between she had bursts of sleepiness.

Here is a picture of Allison and Greg watching the beginning of the show:



I wish we could have done more to celebrate the day, although I'm not sure what could beat a relaxing day with those you love! I hope everyone had a wonderful fourth of July!

Who does she look most like?

This has been a debated question since Allison first came into the world. Does she look most like Daddy or Mommy? The true question is - Does she resemble Mommy at all? This collage was created some time ago to help determine the answer to this long burning question. The two pictures of Allison included in the collage were taken when she was around twelve months of age. You decide - who does she resemble most? And the real question - does she resemble Mommy at all?

More pictures from our recent trip to San Antonio!

Greg and Allison riding the "digger"!










Allison and I pretending to be bank tellers!















Greg and Allison infront of the San Antonio Children's Museum - we are on our way out!

Our recent trip to San Antonio

Bon Voyage! We recently made a trip to one of our favorite places to visit, San Antonio. We decided to combine camping and city life together by staying in a cabin near downtown San Antonio. The cabin was cozy and came with it's own ammenities such as a swimming pool but I think next time we will stay on the riverwalk! We enjoyed many of the sites around town and even enjoyed the tunes of the well-known bagpipe player. We were able to catch a weekday mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Afterwards we went to the children's museum where Allison was able to brush teeth, ride on a "digger" and emerce herself in a bubble!

Big shoes to fill!

Allison has had a long love affair with shoes. It started before she could even walk. She loves shoes of all kinds: men's, women's, babies', etc. She loves to go shoe shopping just to try on different pairs. To see her eyes light up and the excited words, "shoes momma" escape her mouth is reason enough to indulge in her love! She enjoys putting on any shoe that she finds near the front door and prancing around the house. I've begun to catalog her shoe affair - it is quite funny. I somehow wish I could incorporate her love of shoes into a theme for her birthday party - but I think that might be a smelly affair!!