a little more texas....

As this is the only scrapbooking this girl is ever gonna do, a few more pictures from our trip to Texas.

Hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa.

The pool. In her "swimsoup".

The Evolution of Ava and Rose.

Jenny, one of my best friends from college and her sweet little boy Jackson...

What can I say. The girl loves makeup.

I threw one of these on the monthly collage below, but just had to make one more post for my scrapbooking purposes. Ava had big fun with these markers while I loaded the dishwasher, and being non toxic and all, I figured I'd let the fun continue while I documented it. Though a bit messy, these did come off as soon as she touched the bath water. Life is too short to make your kids color on just plain old paper.

My favorite line: "Mama, I look pretty with lipstick?"
Um, sure Ava. You look pretty no matter what.

Happy Birthday Ava...

So grateful for another year with our beautiful girl.

Ava's birthday and party. Hoping that smiling for the camera is a skill that will join us at next year's party. :)

White Gravy & Bluebonnets

Two things exclusive to Texas. I didn't get any pictures of either...but enjoyed both. I was with some midwestern friends lately trying to explain white gravy. I could tell pretty quickly I needed to be quiet. They didn't get it. People here do, and like Dairy Queen says: "That's what I like about Texas."

The Texas Stop Sign was one of our pit stops. Mmmmmm...

We had a great roadtrip, contrary to my expression below. Our girls couldn't have been any better. Ava's just chatting on the phone below and I'm going mostly crazy about hearing the same bible songs for the 93rd time.
It was all worth it to get to spend some time with Grandma, Grandpa, and other special people we love.

Watching Sesame Street with Gram.

Playing horsey with Grandpa.

TEX MEX!!!! with the Liardons.

Checking out Aunt Ann's i-phone.

Hanging out with our old neighbors.

Also, while we have been here we welcomed Kaiya into the world of food.

Mark has fed both girls their first meal. Also, he has changed both girls first dirty diapers. And that's pretty much it. (just kidding!) (kind of)

What better place to start eating than my mom's-she is one of the better cooks I've encountered. Kaiya was into it.

Really into it.

Mark was working in Houston, so we actually got to see him more than we would have at home! Ava enjoying some Daddy time in the pool.

Have your cake and eat (the batter), too

Ava's first journey down the path of culinary greatness. Thatta girl.
(Mixer was unplugged, for those of you about to report me. The raw eggs on the other hand...)
Hopefully she gets Christina's baking skills, and patience!

Happy Birthday Megan! Also pictured: The Bobsie Triplets.

What makes three men cuddle on a couch?

March Madness on a 100" screen. Yes, that is the same game on 2 screens. Yes, Christina and I were banned to the upstairs to watch American Idol.
(Disclaimer: The picture from the projector was way better in person. I guess it didn't like the flash.)

No flood or fire....

Future Carter's Supermodel
(I have had these machines in my houses WAY too much!)

Kaiya has joined the world of people who sit up. (Incidentally, she is also reigning queen of people who SPIT up)

I love this picture of Ava hugging her friend Kayden. (or being hugged, I guess)

I could eat her with a fork. Or, as my friend Kate said this morning, dunk her in my coffee. Bottom line: cute.

Always something at my house...

Yes, this is the same Heidi who has flooded two houses over the course of a year and a half.

Thankfully I can see my house from the windows at my sister's. Because then I could say this:
"There are firetrucks on my street."
"There are firetrucks at my HOUSE!"
"Are they going to my house?"
"Take Kaiya!"

Yes, I guess a burner was BARELY left on. I left a couple things on the burner. A fire ensued. So thankful our alarm system called the fire dept. since obviously, I don't answer calls on my cell phone from 800 numbers.

Four firetrucks, lots of smoke, and a ruined counter later...

My old teaching notebook that now houses recipes. Goodbye recipes. And the notes from the parent/teacher conference with Mrs. Smith.

The two beautiful girls that were absolutely safe during all of it. After our last trauma involving a child's life, this seems like no big deal! The fireman said that 5 or 10 more minutes and we would have lost our kitchen. Thank you God for protecting our house!

AND, thank you to Uncle Dave and Aunt Barb-who sped like lightning to get here after the alarm company called them. And helped me clean up. And brought me pizza last Sunday. They are the best pseudo parents ever!