A Disgruntled Gardener!

The mystery of our half-eaten veggies is solved. Guess what it was!?!

A baby rabbit!

Little bites out of everything. Billy was getting very disgruntled over his tomatoes and his carrots. I wasn't mad until it got my cucumbers I've been patiently waiting on....

Naughty rabbit!

The Soda's Come to Play

Yesterday after church my sister, Amy, and her family came for lunch and play/talk time. After lunch the parents got lots of talk time while the kids entertained themselves on Isaiah's birthday slide and rode bikes.

Not sure what the purpose was, but the older kids were having Alyssa go gather other toys outside to pull up on top of the slide. Aunt Amy was feeling like they were being mean to Alyssa and asked if she liked the game. Alyssa happily assured her and went on to gather more "treasures".

Here is the crew. Alyssa has become quite the little poser.

Thanks Soda family for a very fun day catching up!

Where Did We Stay?

A Trip for Romance and New Experiences
The first time Billy and I went to Mexico was on our honey moon. It was a month before I turned 21. We'd never been out of the country and had not traveled on our own without family. I was in awe of this tropical place with gorgeous turquoise water and a resort where the service was always friendly, happy to help you and 5 star. We enjoyed seeing new places, playing in the water, eating like royalty and experiencing it together. Happy 12 years Billy.....in some ways this seems like a long time ago and others it seems like it just happened.

A Trip for Fun and Lasting Memories with Friends
The second time we were able to go to Mexico we chose to stay at the same place. We took some friends, John and Tammy, with us and although they had added another 1,000 rooms to the resort it was still the same. We still loved the service, the food, the location and had another very memorable trip. This trip we spent more time getting out and seeing some new things like Isla Mujeres and swimming with the dolphins (my favorite experience ever), getting henna tattoos in town, shopping in the "too authentic" part of Cancun (just the girls), getting our hair braided in a storage unit somewhere for $5 each, going dancing in town and at the resort. Here's to second chances John and Tam.......we are very happy for you.

A Trip for Relaxation and Relationships
This was our third trip to the same resort and this time we got the pleasure of going with my baby sister and her husband. Katy is pregnant and she did great keeping up with everyone. I came back so relaxed and completely remembered why family is so important and how much I adore my husband. Billy, John and Katy - Thank you for a fantastic trip full of many meaningful memories. May it be the second honeymoon we all needed before the next season of life.....

So, here is where we stayed....

Overlooking the Riviera Maya - Cancun

The newest part of the resort.

Billy & I's Ocean Front Room

During the day a housekeeper comes to clean your room, make your bed, open the blinds and sometimes leave treats like chocolate truffles or this towel art from Carlos.

In the evening they come back and turn down your bed, close the blinds and turn some soft music on in your room.

We were spoiled for a week and it was so very nice!

I'll come back with "people" pictures of the trip soon!

Mexico!!!

I haven't gotten my Mexico vacation pics posted yet, but you can see some at my sister's blog.

http://www.texanprestons.blogspot.com/

I'll get mine up soon I hope! : )

Our 1st Garden

Well, it is just a little 10 x 10 area in the far corner of our backyard, but we've had a lot of fun picking out plants and trying our best to get a few edible pieces of produce. We had a good mix of carrots, onions, tomatoes, a variety of peppers, cucumbers, cilantro and mints.

Here's the gardening crew planting in the Spring.

And here are a few edibles from our early "harvest".

I was very impressed as I did very little to assist outside of asking for particular plants.
Next year I think our garden might have to double in size! The kids had a fantastic time throughout the entire process and I was very proud they didn't pick anything without permission! : )

Happy Birthday Isaiah!

Isaiah gets to town with Mi Mi and Poppie and walks into his new OU style bedroom. On the bed was a card, some swim trunks and this note below.

I was so busy using the video camera when he went to the backyard I never got one picture of the new water slide we got him for his birthday, hence the very wet hair in the pics below.

Isaiah chose an OU football cake. It was yummy!

Here they are eating some cake in the backyard. You can see part of the new slide in the background.

Alyssa really enjoyed the cake and ice cream!

All the kiddos at the party. All neighbor friends with the exception of his cousins Dylan and Sierra. We were so glad they came as he was wishing more of his cousins and close friends could have joined as well.
Opening presents.....maybe I'll come back and turn this picture. Thank you to everyone for their nice and thoughtful gifts. Isaiah felt very spoiled and loved.
Here he is on his new bike from some of his mom's family. Of course little sis needed to follow along on the adventure (in her PJs).

After a really yummy brisket, ribs and chicken BBQ dinner, Billy put on quite the firework show in the backyard.

Dylan and Isaiah. Yes, this is the one Isaiah is modeling his hair after! : )


Uncle Gaylen, Aunt Dolly and Mi Mi enjoying some of the firework show.

Isaiah - I cannot believe my first born is 7 years old! I hope you had a wonderful birthday and that this next year is very fun and you learn a lot about Jesus, about school stuff, about friends and life. I'm so thankful I get to be your mommy and watch you grow up!