Pookie is 6!

It is hard to believe the wonderful journey that is raising Pookie started six years ago at this exact moment! She is an incredibly artistic, bright, tender-hearted child and we are so blessed to have her in our lives.

Since Tracy is out of town today, we celebrated her birthday last night with a "wedding" cake (thanks, Princess Jackie!) and a trip to "the ears pierce store," known to the rest of us as Claire's. Before dinner at Freddie's Place, she and Beanie made their debut onstage with a nursery school medley that included the ABC song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. It was quite an evening and we had plenty - her birthday, our 13th wedding anniversary, and our and Marco's new houses - to celebrate.

Happy Birthday, Pook!

"She said yes!"

This weekend, Brian and Cheryl came down for a visit. Little did she know, the real reason for the trip was not to visit us and our adorable kiddos...it was for him to propose! Saturday we let the kids ride their new bikes and big wheel to the park down the street. It was hot and on the way back, Bitty fell asleep standing up!

That evening Brian and Cheryl watched the sunset from Mount Bonnell, and when they came down from the mountain, they were engaged! They celebrated at Chuy's and spent the night in "downtown Austin" at the Driskill. Congratulations!

Happy Anniversary!

Today is our 13th anniversary...wow! We have a lot of great memories, and I know the next 13 years will be just as thrilling. I love you, Woobie!

Talented Piggy Dancer

This morning, we all attended the LTE Kinder Circus. Pookie performed as a "Talented Piggy Dancer." This required that she have curly piggy hair, so we got out the old sponge rollers and gave her a Shirley Temple 'do. Check out those curls! The performance was incredibly cute, and Beanie and Bitty really enjoyed it. Afterwards, Beanie got in on the photos...including those of the entire costumed class. She felt right at home! Later on, Pook brought home her circus folder. On the outside, she drew a picture and titled it "Pigea Desr." Awww!

Early Birthdays

This year the birthday presents really started early. Tonight Espanol took the kids shopping and everyone came home happy! Now, everywhere we go that she sees bicycles parked, Beanie says, "Mommy, we can ride our bikes to here!" Thanks, Marco!

Family Dinner

We have finally gotten settled enough in our new house to start actually cooking meals. While everyone else was out scrambling to meet the tax deadline (pfft! what's the point?), we were celebrating our family with a family dinner night. On the menu: Gruyere-filled tofu cutlets, whipped new potatoes with mushroom gravy, and roasted corn on the cob. Yum!

Baby Photos!!

Aunt Cheryl had her first ultrasound yesterday and I am so excited to be able to post the first photos of the little peanut! Heart rate was 158 bpm, so Uncle Brian is convinced it's a boy!

Hurry up and grow, little one, we can't wait to meet you!

"Evil" Faire

Over the weekend, we trekked to OK to go to the Medieval ("Evil") Faire with Gramma, Aunt Bet, and Aunt Cheryl. We had a great time! Our first stop was, of course, the face-painting booth. After dropping a quick $35, we found our way to the mermaids. This was the highlight of the day, and well worth the $4 we spent on a polaroid and free photos! Beanie is still talking about the "real, live mermaids!" After eating fried peaches, funnel cake, and tornado potatoes, we wandered over to the fairy clothing tent where Gramma outfitted all the kids in new fairy wings, princess hats, and one very colorful spiky dragon costume. What a great day!

Happy Kids & Pets

In spite of all the boxes and junk stacked everywhere, and even though we no longer have any furniture (or money!) to speak of, we love our house! Here are some pics of us having fun in our new digs.

Three nogs in their Little House in the Big Meadow

Eva scolding birds from the kitchen window

Pretty boys, Oliver...

and "Dext"

big yard + tennis ball = dog heaven!