Jack and Ann

1 year old!

2012-02-11T20:35:00.000-08:00

We celebrated Ann's first birthday with a few friends at the house. Arthur grilled burgers and we made ice cream sundays for dessert.

A Gymboree day for Ann

2012-01-28T14:09:00.000-08:00

rain, rain go away

2012-01-28T12:41:00.000-08:00

I wish the weather here was like this everyday! Humidity? What humidity?

Jump for joy

2012-01-28T12:35:00.000-08:00

Ann's first experience at the jumpy castle spot in Pearland was a success. She is fearless!

While brother is away...

2012-01-24T07:52:00.000-08:00

Jack has school on Tues and Thur mornings. Little does Jack know that during this time Ann loves to play with all his toys in his room (including the sacred dinosaurs). She also LOVES being outside. We go for a walk or play in the backyard.

My pansies were today's favorite find.

Frank goes for a ride

2012-01-18T11:47:00.000-08:00

Frank has been coming with us in the car while we leave the house during times the Realtor is showing the place to potential buyers. Jack and Frank are becoming good back seat buddies.

Dragon Jack

2012-01-13T09:27:00.000-08:00

We got Jack a dragon activity book for his birthday. We worked on a few pages in the book last night and he chose this nifty dragon mask to cut out (I cut it out). He was very impressed with himself in the mirror and even wore the mask to bed.

Playing together!!

2012-01-13T09:25:00.000-08:00

Although rare I am seeing Jack and Ann playing together more and more. Ann mostly watches and listens to Jack (he is very entertaining). He interacts with her some though... even if it is just to bonk her on the head with the occasional toy.

Picnic at the park

2012-01-11T11:17:00.000-08:00

How could we resist!

The weather was beautiful this afternoon. 64 degrees and a bright blue sky. More of this please.

Keeping busy at Petsmart

2012-01-10T11:50:00.000-08:00

To pass the time on a cold afternoon we made a trip to petsmart. Jack liked all the goldfish, especially the "broken" ones. Ann was very interested/freaked out by the parakeets. We even caught a glimpse of a baby milk snake before it slithered away to hide under its warming rock.

11 months old

2012-01-08T14:43:00.000-08:00

Ann is crawling, pulling up, and cruising everywhere. Her favorite things are playing outside and bath time. She eats very little baby food and prefers what we are having. Ann has tried and likes spaghetti, chili, ham/cheese sandwich, any fruit except bananas, and most veggies (especially broccoli and avocados). She also really likes having her board books read to her. Baby Faces is her very favorite but Ann likes any book with photos of babies or animals. She is very smiley and entertains herself well with her toys. She is such an easy baby.

Our 9yr anniversary

2011-12-30T11:28:00.000-08:00

Arthur and I celebrated our 9yr anniversary this year. Very exciting! Grammie and Papa watched Jack and Ann while we went to dinner at Brennan's in Houston. It was wonderful! Arthur had the filet and I had some of their famous turtle soup and decadent crab cakes. For dessert a white and dark chocolate mouse cake.

This was a plate of praline candies with a special happy anniversary message from the restaurant.

Grammie and Papa's visit

2011-12-30T11:23:00.000-08:00

Jack's new Magna-tiles!

Jack's 4th birthday party

2011-12-27T14:28:00.000-08:00

Jack and some friends met at the park to celebrate his 4th birthday. We made swords, slayed dragons (aka dragon pinata), hunted dragon eggs, and ate DONUT CAKE (Jack's special request).

Christmas morning

2011-12-26T07:46:00.000-08:00

A few highlights...Santa brought Jack a castle, microscope, and lots of stocking goodies. Santa brought Ann a new baby doll and some pretty cool bath toys. Grandma and Grandpa gave Jack and Ann a wagon....equipped with handy umbrella cover. Very nice.

Hoooray its Christmas eve!

2011-12-26T07:42:00.000-08:00

Jack requested "gingerbread smurfs" for Santa. We did our best....

Yay! Its almost Christmas!

2011-12-15T19:37:00.000-08:00

I love Jack's expression in this picture. Less than thrilled...

Target practice

2011-12-15T07:19:00.000-08:00

Nothing says festive like target practice at Bass Pros' winter wonderland.

Ann is NOT impressed. :)

Texans vs ATL

2011-12-08T07:35:00.001-08:00

We had a blast at the Texans' game with Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Awesome. I even got a picture with the famous Houston Texans cheerleaders. I think the photo highlights my massive knee brace nicely.

A post-game bike taxi ride to the car was also a highlight...especially since it had started raining!

christmas cuties

2011-12-08T07:33:00.000-08:00

Jack, Ann, and the cousins have matching christmas outfits this year. Thanks Grammie and Papa.

Pearland Arts League

2011-11-12T04:56:00.000-08:00

Arthur and I missed the Pearland Art's League's juried show because of my knee surgery. However, the paintings are being displayed until mid December at the Natatorium. We got to check them out and see Best of show as well as the painting that beat me out for Honorable Mention.

Best of Show is pictured below:

The abstract painting that beat "Chick Little" out for Honorable Mention:

I have to keep reminding myself that this is not a sporting event and I am not competing against these artists....However, if my knee was intact I bet I could beat that Honorable Mention nominee at a foot race. :)

Betz Gallery art work entries

2011-11-10T06:45:00.000-08:00

These are the two paintings I submitted for the 12 x 12 show at the Bezt Gallery in Montrose. They were both accepted and I cannot wait for the showing this Saturday. Who knew that other people would love "Mashy" the hampster as much as I do.

The title of the painting below is "Manners".

Reconstructed knee ligament here we come!

2011-11-10T06:42:00.000-08:00

Surgery day finally arrived. Arthur took me to Texas Orthopedic Hospital for my ACL reconstructive surgery. I was very ready to get my knew ligament and start the recovery process.

These snowman slippers are critical for optimum recovery.

Halloween 2011

2011-11-10T06:38:00.000-08:00

Miss Annie-bear

2011-10-18T20:03:00.000-07:00

Just a couple new pictures of little Ann. She is so smiley and giddy. This week her two top teeth just barely broke through....not that she needs them. She eats everything in site. Today lunch for Ann and her 2 bottom teeth ate up cottage cheese, turkey lunch meat, sharp cheddar cheese chunks, and grapes!

A few more from our Bartlesville trip....

2011-10-14T09:45:00.000-07:00

Helping Grandpa sort his fishing worms.

Check out Jack's smile. Could he be more excited to head into the fair?!?

Ann and Grandpa in front of The Juicy Pig stand at the fair. Touted as the best pulled pork sandwich at the fair. Not bad but didn't live up to the hype.

Ann's free bowl

2011-10-12T19:15:00.000-07:00

The baby food company had a promotion... mail in 10 labels and get a free bowl. Done!

Thanks Earth's best.

The ol' steam engine

2011-10-12T10:29:00.000-07:00

This refurbished steam engine was completed in 2009 and opened to the public near downtown in Bartlesville. Best of all you can go inside and touch all the gears and valves and explore all the nooks and crannies. Very impressive!

Real life Tickle Me Elmos!

2011-10-12T10:16:00.001-07:00

Fall planting with grandma

2011-10-12T10:14:00.000-07:00

October is pansy planting time in Oklahoma. We sprinkled cayenne pepper on the dirt around our freshly planted flowers to keep the dang squirrels from digging them up. Works great.

grandma's garden gloves make wonderful monkey feet... kinda weird looking though

I love my mom and dad's weeping willow!

Tulsa State Fair

2011-10-12T10:11:00.000-07:00

Its all about the kiddie rides and JUNK FOOD!

First funnel cake

deep fried oreos

October in Bartlesville

2011-10-12T10:08:00.000-07:00

While Arthur was competing at a Texas Roundup bmx contest in San Marcos, Jack, Ann, and I went to Bartlesville for a visit with grandma and grandpa. Pumpkin carvin' and painting ensued....

These pumpkins may never dry with the amount of paint used on them.

Ann's "stern" face

2011-10-04T09:52:00.001-07:00

She looks so tough.

It's like the weather is daring us to picnic...

2011-10-03T19:56:00.000-07:00

Bring it!

tricks with dad

Date night at Kings Biergarten.

2011-10-01T07:29:00.000-07:00

We got a sitter for the kids and headed to Kings Biergarten for sausage samplers and their best octoberfest brews. Wonderful!

Wiggles and Giggles

2011-10-01T07:24:00.000-07:00

Here's what the kids are up to in class:
Ann sitting ladylike playing with the beautiful flowing scarfs....

Meanwhile her brother Jack.....

8 months

2011-09-29T10:55:00.000-07:00

Ann turns 8 months old next week!! She is such a sweet little girl. Although she is a great eater she prefers non-baby food. She loves chunks of avocado, cottage cheese, graham crackers, and just about any fruit I cut up for her (including kiwi!). She started to wave back to us when we say "hi" and wave. Like most kids Ann waves backwards at herself when she tries though. Its adorable. She hasn't started crawling but sits up like a pro and can roll around on the floor if she needs to travel. Her favorite toys include the rainforest jumper, stuffed animal bunny, and anything she can chew on.

Jack and his ever expanding palette

2011-09-29T10:50:00.000-07:00

Jack is a rather picky eater. However, lately his palette has been expanding. He is starting to enjoy new foods that were totally "yucky" to him in the past. He even ate my pad thai dish for dinner the other night!

She's a bouncing machine!

2011-09-26T06:28:00.001-07:00

Laundry 101

2011-09-26T06:26:00.000-07:00

Mickey pancakes

2011-09-26T06:24:00.000-07:00

Jack's breakfast:

Mom's breakfast:

Itty Bitty bowling

2011-09-20T14:38:00.000-07:00

Jack and his buddies liked the bowling locker area just as much as the actual game. Jack and I were pretty stoked that we worked together to break 100 though.

Big bow

2011-09-20T10:08:00.001-07:00

Testing a big bow in Ann's hair. I think I like the little ones better...

Brushing her tooth!

2011-09-20T10:07:00.001-07:00

Ann loves to brush her tooth. She has her very own purple ABC toothbrush and pink baby dino toothbrush holder next to big brother's on the mirror.

What can I say...?

2011-09-20T10:05:00.000-07:00

Jack said the sun was hurting his eyes on our walk yesterday. He felt much better after borrowing my sunglasses.

Wiggles and Giggles class

2011-09-16T09:48:00.000-07:00

Jack and Ann started this session of Wiggles and Giggles today. Jack had fun running rampant all over the play area, dodging smaller toddlers and babies like land mines. Ann entertained herself with blocks and balls. She seemed to think they tasted very delicious. Maybe I should feed her BEFORE class next time.

Jack-bear coming out of the tunnel where he had been "hibernating"

Her latest trick...

2011-09-15T15:01:00.000-07:00

What can make eating in your high chair more fun.... back bends!

Trick-o-treating bags

2011-09-15T14:59:00.000-07:00

Grammie Jane sent bags for Jack and Ann that she embroidered with fun Halloween designs. Hope they are big enough for our bounty of candy on this year's treating trek!!

Are you ready for some football?!?!?

2011-09-15T07:14:00.000-07:00

We are!!!!

Finger foods for Ann

2011-09-10T19:03:00.000-07:00

Ann already seems like quite the adventuresome eater. She is willing to try just about anything and loves when I let her test out new finger foods. So far she likes toast, Mum Mums, puffs, bananas and basically anything that gets near her mouth.

Big girl pajamas

2011-09-10T19:00:00.000-07:00

Indeed she is "toadily" cute in these pjs.

Adair park

2011-09-09T12:38:00.000-07:00

We LOVE, LOVE this weather! I never miss the humidity.

Rock collecting.... or should I say pebble collecting.

Zoo day with my monkeys!

2011-09-08T13:08:00.000-07:00

digging for "fossils" at the park

2011-09-07T14:37:00.000-07:00

We used our best archaeology skills to dig for fossil rocks at the park this afternoon. Jack had a blast. The weather was sooooo wonderful, high 80's with like 20% humidity!

Ann supervised the dig....enjoying the breeze in her hair and a puff snack.

Hitting the green

2011-09-07T11:10:00.000-07:00

Having fun with some friends at mini golf.

My recent victory at the recent Pitch, Putt, and Play in Pearland was glorious. I am the mini-golf master!

Babies having Mum Mum break.

A good way to cool off....bumper boat wars.

Visit from Grandma

2011-09-05T10:29:00.000-07:00

We enjoyed a visit from Grandma Brenda this past week. The kids loved all the play time and I loved all her house cleaning, laundry doing, and grocery shopping. Wow! Our freezer is now stocked with spinach pesto, homemade meatballs, and taco meat. Grandma will probably just need another week once she gets home to rest and recuperate from her Pearland visit. Thanks Grandma!

Matching Eskimo Joe's T-shirts from Stillwater.

Life is just beachy....

2011-08-24T13:35:00.000-07:00

Our Thomason family trip to Seaside beach has been such a blast. The sand is gorgeous and the water is practically crystal clear. Our condo is 100 yards from the beach and we got to rent bikes to tour around Seaside with the kids in tow. We have had fresh seafood every night and going deep sea fishing tomorrow. Our favorite has been trying out the rented paddle boards. Like a surf board that you stand up on and paddle with a canoe paddle. I got to see a baby reef shark in the water on my paddle excursion this morning. Also eyed a jelly fish and ray. More pictures to come...
On our beach house balcony

Jack and cousin Ellen working on sand castles

Our evening crab hunt with the kids.

Aunt Emily and Uncle Brad paddle boarding

Mira's birthday bash

2011-08-21T18:33:00.000-07:00

We had a great time helping Mira celebrate her 4th birthday at the Pearland Rec Center. Ann watched from the sidelines most of the afternoon but Jack was busy chasing his friends and competing in "pass the butterfly" game. He won a pretty nifty medal for participating. Also, the barbie cake was to die for. :)

Ann's first Mum Mum.

2011-08-19T09:59:00.000-07:00

Ann loves finger foods already. She is really fond of sweet potato puffs but cannot navigate them to her mouth without help. Enter the Mum Mum. Ann was so proud to be able to hold AND eat her own food. We may not be in the baby food stage for long with this little lady.

Everything tastes better at the library!

2011-08-17T10:44:00.000-07:00

Ann enjoyed orally sampling everything at Book Babies. Oh, the bubbles were cool too.... :)

Hanging with his buddy

2011-08-16T15:26:00.000-07:00

Jack and Luke at Southwyck splash pad...discussing life.

Ann's 6 month well visit

2011-08-15T13:46:00.000-07:00

Annie-bear is 6 months old.

She weighs 18lbs which puts her at 95% for weight and is 50% for length. She eats all types of baby food veggies, fruits, and cereal. She also likes to suck on watermelon and cantelope. Ann loves yo-baby yogurt too. The vanilla is her fav. flavor. She started sitting up on her own and sits without support for a few minutes at a time but needs someone (or a pillow) nearby. She rolls around on the floor to get places and is currently working very hard at getting past that budda belly to reach her toes!

mom's shades

2011-08-12T10:22:00.000-07:00

Desperate for relief from the evening sun ray onslaught Jack asked to borrow a pair of shades.

Summer play time

2011-08-11T13:59:00.000-07:00

Ann is working hard to sit up on her own and loves Jack's old music station.

She works so hard that when it becomes pool time.... she needs a rest.

/a>

Chillin'

2011-08-11T13:57:00.000-07:00

enough said....

Two men enter... one man leaves

2011-08-11T13:52:00.000-07:00

Brother and sister playtime

2011-08-09T19:13:00.000-07:00

Ann loves Jack's undivided attention! He likes that Ann thinks he's hilarious. Go figure.

Ann's new tricks

2011-08-09T19:12:00.000-07:00

At bath time Ann discovered hair and thinks its super neat to touch it. So cute

Ann also likes to grab her feet. Maybe I should say she tries to grab her feet. Her budda belly kinda gets in the way.

Grammie and papa's dock

2011-08-09T19:10:00.000-07:00

Clearly Jack was enjoying himself at the lake.

Road Trip!!

2011-08-08T08:22:00.000-07:00

Sarah and I took all the kids (with the exception of baby Ann) on a road trip to Oklahoma to meet our friend Amy for the weekend. Amy, Sarah, and I have been great friends since elementary school. It was so fun to catch up and see all our kids playing together. Awesome weekend.

loaded up and ready to head out.

all the kids together.

reading old high school notes that we saved and drinking raspberry lambic.

all the kids at the new ymca.

keeping the baby cool

2011-08-02T09:51:00.000-07:00

While Jack was running rampant around the splash pad Ann kept cool in the shade with me. We did a little splashin' of our own first. Ann liked the super cold water and I liked her wet hair do.

Welcome to the table

2011-08-01T06:51:00.000-07:00

Ann's seat at the table was recently upgraded from the Bumbo to high chair and Jack is now in a "big boy" chair. Ann spent most of her first dinner at the table giggling uncontrollably at her brother's comedy show. Also, gumming watermelon wasn't too bad either.

Miss playful.

2011-08-01T06:48:00.000-07:00

Ann loves soft, fuzzy stuffed animals and toys. Pinching and mashing fur is top on her "to do" list.

My happy little campers

2011-07-29T10:14:00.001-07:00

Book time

2011-07-25T11:54:00.000-07:00

Ann has joined us in Jack's bed for book time before nap (on the days Jack decides to take a nap). She did pretty good for her first time. However, she started to slouch a little and ended up sliding down her pillow. I asked Jack to help her sit up straight again. The picture below shows how unsuccessful this was. :)

Splashin' with friends

2011-07-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

ABC zoo play time

2011-07-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

Ann was getting serious with whatever she was telling those zoo animals on her tray.

Family swim

2011-07-23T11:03:00.000-07:00

"Good Morning"

2011-07-23T06:58:00.000-07:00

Cooling off at the splash park

2011-07-22T07:26:00.000-07:00

Jack met some friends at the Southdown splash pad to find some relief from this Texas summer.Ann even joined in!

Good to the last lick

2011-07-19T10:25:00.001-07:00

On the menu for lunch was oatmeal baby cereal with apples/blueberries mixed in. I think Ann might have liked it???

Gymboree free-for-all

2011-07-18T12:58:00.000-07:00

We met some friends at the new pearland Gymboree for a free trail class. Jack had so much fun running around like a total maniac. Ann got to test out some of the equipment as well by licking everything in site. Good way to spend some excess energy and it was air conditioned.

Ann's favorite things

2011-07-17T11:39:00.000-07:00

At 5 months Ann loves to lock her legs and stand next to anything. She also is starting to get interested in her rainforest jumper. Above all her most favorite thing is still Jack. She loves to watch him play and laughs when he acts silly...which is pretty much all day long.

The greatest show on earth!

2011-07-17T11:35:00.000-07:00

We took Jack to see the circus at Reliant Stadium. It was really impressive.

Ann joins us for dinner

2011-07-14T11:29:00.000-07:00

Ann really enjoys sitting in her bumbo so when's a better time..... She has a great spot right in the middle of all the happenings at dinner.

Baby Chubby!

2011-07-14T11:25:00.001-07:00

4th of July bash at Grammie and Papa's in Ponca

2011-07-09T14:42:00.000-07:00

Great Grandma Muz with Jack and Ann. She came all the way from Arkansas to hang out with us. She brought some awesome Arkansas tomatoes...straight from the garden! Mmmmm.

Jack, Ann, cousin Will, and cousin Ellen.

Jack and cousin Ellen got along so well (as usual) and had lots of fun playing together and hiding behind Grammie's couch.

Grandma and grandpa's

2011-07-08T11:03:00.000-07:00

Me and uncle Awesome right after eating at my favorite pizza place, Mazzios.

Say "cheeese"

Swimming with the Okies

2011-07-08T11:00:00.000-07:00

Jack had a blast at Frontier Pool in Bartlesville, OK.

Meeting dad's work buddies

2011-06-30T12:45:00.000-07:00

NASA's annual crawfish boil was postponed this year and changed to a shrimp boil....even better! We met some of Arthur's co-workers and Jack got to hang out with his good buddy Zerach. Jack and Zerach were not impressed with the shrimp especially since they still had their heads. The opted for hot dogs and watermelon instead. More shrimp for me!

Southwyck pool

2011-06-30T12:42:00.000-07:00

propped up and ready to play

2011-06-26T10:27:00.000-07:00

Jack's comedy routine

2011-06-22T11:19:00.000-07:00

Ann thinks Jack is the funniest guy she's ever met! He had her rolling with laughter. It was so cute!

Ann and her lamb

2011-06-22T11:17:00.001-07:00

Day at the beach

2011-06-20T08:29:00.000-07:00

Ann's bow frame

2011-06-19T14:37:00.001-07:00

I used an old frame that we spray painted white to stretch some ribbon across for a make-shift bow holder. Now I can clip her bows on and off with ease and they are all in one spot! I think it turned out just dandy.

Just some Jack and Ann

2011-06-17T19:04:00.000-07:00

Jack, 3 1/2yrs and Ann, 4 months old

Ann has clearly decided she is DONE with picture time... as noted by her expression in this last shot!

Ann is 4 months old

2011-06-15T14:04:00.000-07:00

Ann went for her 4 month check up today. She weighs 16 pounds which puts her in the 90% for weight. She is in the 65% for length. At 4 months Ann takes 6 oz of formula 5 times a day. She sleeps from 8pm til 7am and cat naps during the day. She doesn't hate tummy time if I put her on her boppy which is saying something since Jack would scream his head off during tummy time at this age. She is super giggly and smiley. She loves to babble and squeek. We started giving her rice cereal once a day but so far I don't think any has actually been ingested. Ann likes her evening bath and likes to play tug-o-war on the wash cloth with me. She is such a pleasant little lady.

Grammie and Papa's trip to Pearland

2011-06-15T07:57:00.001-07:00

Grammie and Papa came to visit for a few days. We had lots of fun with them and went swimming a couple times. Jack told me he thinks Grammie is an excellent story teller and loves her impromptu songs. Papa is always up for an adventure and will even get down and dirty when its playdough time! Can't wait to see them in Oklahoma at 4th of July weekend!

Rice cereal....Blech!

2011-06-09T11:32:00.000-07:00

Ann's expression is enough said. She is not impressed with rice cereal.