This weekend we took some family pictures. Like always when you take family pictures it was a little crazy, but all things considered the boys were well behaved!

Xander's 9th Birthday

We had a blast this past weekend with family in town to celebrate Xander's birthday. My mother's sister Marilyn was in town from South Dakota so we were able to visit with her for an afternoon.

Thursday morning Collin's preschool went to a pumpkin patch up in Celina where they were able to go on a hayride and pick a pumpkin out of a real pumpkin patch.

Later that day my brother Lance and his gang drove in to watch BYU get pummeled by TCU (no fun) and to celebrate Xander's 9th birthday. At the game we met up with old friends we hadn't seen in a while. My cousin Laura Smoot and her husband Sharm were in town from Utah, so we visited with them for a few minutes at half time. Always fun to catch up.

Friday night we all went camping at Erwin Park north of McKinney and had a blast. The weather was absolutely perfect. Everyone was a little chilly, but that is better than Texas heat. Friday night we roasted hotdogs and smores. We told ghost stories around the fire and spooked the little ones out just in time to go to sleep. Landon wanted to go home when we heard some wrestling in the woods behind us. The great thing was that everyone had stayed up 'til almost 1 am the night before, so it wasn't difficult getting the kiddos to sleep. I say that, but I was at home in my warm bed by 10 o'clock. (I did feel guilty about that, but I wasn't about to let Quinn who is 2 months old camp. Someone had to take him home to sleep comfortably. :) Lucky me!) Robbi and I got up early the next morning (not as early as the campers) and took out doughnuts and hot chocolate (luke warm by the time we arrived) to celebrate Xander's birthday. We took out his presents and opened them around the fire. His favorite part was throwing the wrapping paper into the fire. We had a blast, and Xander said it was his best birthday ever. We love you Xander!!!!!

Life of a new mom!!

Need I say more!!!!!

After 2 long years my sister Kim is moving back to Texas.

Words can not express how happy our family is that her family is returning home. I can't believe I made it through the two years without her. She is my best friend and I have missed her. My prayers have been answered!

Update for the past week of activities!

I am finally getting sleep, so life is good again. Quinn is starting to sleep through the night. Last night I put him in his bed awake at 9:15. He fell asleep on his own and slept until 6:08 this morning. Dreamy!!! He is smiling and laughing now which is so much fun. I made him a blanket to match his nickname "Quinnie the Pooh". Before he was born one of the boys said that when he has poo poo we can call him that. It has kind of stuck. Landon has a monkey from Build-A-Bear that is dressed like a football player, so we put the helmet on Quinn so he could be like his older brothers. It was pretty funny. The boys laughed hysterically. :)

Barry celebrated his 34th . Of course we went to eat Mexican Food which is his favorite. There is a new restaurant right across the street from Pizza Hut Park where FC Dallas plays soccer, so he loved it. We bought him NBA Live 2008, but guess who wanted to play it more than Barry. I wonder why they wanted to get that for their dad. No alterior motives I'm sure. Barry parents bought him a bike and Collin was devastated when he didn't get to go along on a bike ride. He cried the whole time the boys were gone. I found a seat that attaches to the back of Barry's bike at a garage sale for $10. I offered her $5 and she wanted to $15. At first she said no to $10 when I wanted to meet her in the middle. I walked away from the seat, and she came back and told me she would take $10. I love wheelin' and dealin'.

Xander earned his Wolf in Cub Scouts. He is doing really well, and soccer practice doesn't conflict this year, so he has been able to attend his den meetings more regularly. His den has 18 boys. INSANE!!!!! He has a lot of fun there though. We have great leaders that are so patient with a growing ward.

My crazy mom and dad!

My dad is so crazy. I love this picture that my sister snapped when we were in McAllen. My dad can't be just NORMAL, everything is about getting a laugh out of people. He keeps us on our toes. This is one of those pics that I will cherish for always. That is my Grandpa Bess's hand holding Quinn's foot when Quinn was about 5 weeks old. I think it is so sweet. Thanks Kim for capturing that moment.

One night we all sat down to have some ice cream, and my mom decided to eat some leftover spinach from dinner instead. Notice that I am chowing on the ice cream while she is pointing to her muscles getting bigger. My you know what is getting bigger! My mom will live to be a 103 because she's "no fool". (Jimminie Crickett)

Sweet Grandma!

The whole gang!

My sweet grandmother Louise Olivia Bess passed last week peacefully in her home. I was able to attend her funeral in my hometown of McAllen, Texas. My brother Lance and two sisters Kim and Courtney were able to be there as well. For all the tears we cried we laughed that much more. It was a difficult to meet under those circumstances, but we had a great time together. There were moments that I will never forget, and will treasure always.



One of the hightlights of our trip was visiting the LDS chapel we grew up attending. Do smells bring back memories for you? They do for me. This chapel has a smell like no other building I have ever been in, so when my sister opened the gym door I knew I was back home to my childhood. WOW!!! I took a trip down memory lane.
La Vista Chapel in McAllen

baptismal font where I was baptized

We also looked at picture albums, ate great Mexican food, and had a great homecooked roast. Some of my nieces and nephew were there as well. It was fantastic to see them.

It rained really hard at Grandma's funeral, and I mean bucket fulls. My dad mentioned in her ulogy that when it rains at a funeral that person becomes a saint. I don't know if that is true, but my Grandma was a saint while she was on the earth, and I look forward to seeing her again one day.
Grandma left behind her sweetheart of 64 years. Not very many men in this world would be helping the women in his life do the dished 2 days after the love of his life has passed away. That is the kind of person my Grandpa is. He was so kind to us while we were there despite all of his suffering. I love my Grandpa with all of my heart, and I have a constant prayer in my heart in his behalf. There really is a special place in heaven for grandparents.

Hair cut!

My whole pregnancy I wanted to chop my hair off. I've done that before while pregnant and it was a tragedy. I cried for days. I waited this time until after Quinn was born. I have to say this is one of the shortest haircuts I've ever had, but it is what I asked for. The last time I had it this short my mother asked me why I did that. Basically saying, "Not a good look for you." I don't know why I did it again, but it is too late now. The greatest thing is it will be so easy, and no hair for Quinn to pull on. Honestly, I had a friend who's little boys twirled her hair and would pull chuncks of her hair out. OUCH!! Not for me, thanks. I'll stick with the short do for now.

Tribute to Grandma Louise Bess

Grandma's truly are special, and we seem to take them for granted while they are here on the earth. My Grandma Bess will most likely pass into the next life this week, and I can't help but remember all the wonderful times we have had together. Her only son married my mom when I was 11 years old. She took my siblings and me in like we were her own from birth. I loved going to her house in Bryan, Texas because she always made me feel so special (and she was a good cook). Her and her sweet husband took us in and never looked back. I've always considered them my Grandma and Grandpa. They lived half a mile from me for 6 years, and I wish now I had spent more of my afternoons sitting with them in their garage chatting about life. I will never forget the times Barry and I went to McAllen and were able to sit in their home while both of them rocked in their rockers and told us about their life. They truly are special, and I am going to miss Grandma. The most beautiful thing about death is being reminded that families are eternal. It is such a blessing to know that my grandparents can see each other again one day. They are not sealed to one another, but I know they will be someday. Heavenly Father loves my grandmother very much, and He knows she has lived a wonderful life. Grandma, I love you and you will be missed by all you leave behind.

Quinn's Blessing!

This morning at church we had the opportunity to witness Quinn being blessed. Barry said some beautiful words which I will always remember. It was great to have this special day together.

Movie at Aviator Park

Last night we loaded the kids up for a trip to Sonic, and then we headed over to Aviator Park to watch a movie in the park. We had so much fun watching Ratatouille under the stars. There were also planes taking off and landing right next the park. Once the sun went down we could see all the stars and the lights on the planes. It was actually a little chilly in North Texas on a September evening. The best thing of all is that is was free. YIPEE!!

Collin's first day of school!

Collin started preschool this week. He was so excited to stay by himself at Mrs. Nicki's house. He made sure that I was leaving. I am so happy that he has something to do 2 days a week, because he is missing his brothers since they went back to school.

All Landon wants for Christmas?

Landon lost both of his front teeth about a week apart. We keep telling him all he is getting for Christmas is his 2 front teeth, but both teeth are already coming in. They may already be grown in by Christmas, so I guess Santa is going to have find something else to bring.

Life back in full swing!

Start of school is good so far. I've been awake 2 out of the 4 mornings the boys have left for school. My sweet husband has let me sleep when Quinn is not awake in the morning.

Barry and I were able to enjoy a rootbeer float at Xander's pack meeting last night. Life is back into full swing with after school activities as well. I start teaching piano lessons next week after a month break. Life is good! Quinn is growing too fast though He doesn't feel like a fragile new born anymore. SAD:( Barry is anxious for him to smile and giggle. That will be fun.

GREAT Friends!

Some friends of mine and I had a little get together at La Madeleine to celebrate Quinn's birth. We had a fabulous time laughing and catching up. Thanks to each one of them for making me feel special. (Kim, I had some tomato basil soup for you. It was delicious!)

Landon lost his front tooth today. Barry tried to pull it out last night with floss, but the root was still pretty thick. It wiggled enough this morning to finally come out.

Growing like a weed!

Quinn had his first doctors appointment this week with Dr. Kaplan. He is now 7 lbs. 4 oz. and 20 1/2 inches long. The doctor couldn't believe how much he had grown in 10 days. He also went to his first soccer game. Several people told us they were surprised he didn't already have a soccer ball attached to his feet. I'm in no hurry for him to grow up. We are having so much fun with him. Last night was my first night to have a him alone. My mom is gone, and my mother-in-law is leaving out of town. Barry has weekend duty, so I look forward to Friday and Saturday nights. I do have to say that I enjoy the late nights and early mornings with him where the house is peaceful and I can talk to him quietly. Quinn is so beautiful. I have been overcome with so much love for all of my boys. My heart is so full of gratitude towards our Heavenly Father for sending me these precious boys. I take the responsibility of raising them very seriously, and ask for the spirit to guide me daily as I try to raise righteous and faithful boys.