Blue Bonnets, Grandparents, and Texas Friends

On our last Saturday in Texas we walked from Keith's parents house to a big patch of blue bonnets. It was quite a challenge to try and get a good photo of all three girls. We took a ton of pictures and managed to get a few where the babies were looking at the camera.
Twyla's parents from drove in from Oklahoma for lunch that day. It was nice to visit with them.
Keith and I had a second (late) lunch with my best girls in Dallas. We had some great mexican food outside on the patio at Manny's. This was Keith's first time to meet Val's boyfriend Brad. We enjoyed getting to know him a little bit better. Val and Brad have taken some fun trips this year, including a trip to New York's time square for New Years Eve. You might have seen them on TV! Val said they do not have bathrooms anywhere in that area and people start gathering way before midnight. Can you imagine not going to the restroom for 6 hours? Anyway, we got to catch up with Liz too. She is graduating with her masters degree in education this May. She is one busy gal; teaching full time and taking classes at night. Jenn was at lunch too. I am hoping she will come and visit us in Pittsburgh this summer.
We spent the rest of the day relaxing and hanging with Keith's family. It was a very nice weekend in Texas. Keith and I really did not want to come back to Pittsburgh. We are definitely counting down the months until we can move back.

Ft Worth Zoo with Mark and Shevawn

We headed to the Ft. Worth zoo on Friday morning to meet Mark, Shevawn, Claire and Lauren. It was a beautiful day, so the zoo was packed. We enjoyed being outside in the nice weather and checking out some animals. Brooke especially loved the penguins and the monkeys. She was so brave to go in a the bird area with Keith. There were birds flying eveywhere in this netted in area. It would have been more than traumatic for me. Lauren slept for most of the time in her stroller. She is just the best baby.

Cousin time

They loved playing at the sand and water table. Brooke loved Myko too!

Brooke and Lauren look so much alike to me.

It was her first time to be in a swing. You can tell she is having a blast!


Brooke is quite the wild woman in the tub. She taught Claire how to "super splash" and crawl in the tub.


Brooke was so excited to spend a whole day playing with her cousins Claire and Lauren in Texas. Shevawn was a real trooper for watching all three of them while I was at a conference for work. They had a great day playing outside, in the playroom and wrapping up the day with bath time. I know they are going to have lots of adventures together as they grow up.
This was also my first time to meet baby Lauren. She is the BEST! She likes to snuggle, she is so quiet, and she is happy all the time. It is amazing how big she is for only 12 weeks, but I think that has contributed to her sleeping more at night. It is safe to say that I have the baby bug after spending a week with her.
Mark and Shevawn were so sweet to celebrate my birthday while Brooke and I were at their house. They bought Chinese food from one of my favorite places near their house. We had a nice dinner and a dairy free birthday dessert. I always enjoy my time visiting them in Texas. It brings back great memories of living with them. I will always remember the weekend that I moved in with them; 08/08/08. IT was the opening ceremony of the Olympics in China. How crazy that less than 3 years later we have 3 babies. Our lives have definitely changed. I sure do love these girls.

Birthday and Lactose intolerant

I wanted Keith to take a picture of Brooke and I with my birthday cookie. She was so distracted by the cookie that is was almost impossible to get her looking at the camera.



I didn't want to crop any of the pictures so you could see the trees and neighborhood in the background. It is so pretty here.






I had a wonderful 29th birthday yesterday. I spent the whole day with Keith and Brooke. Keith stopped by this awesome bakery on his way home from work in the morning and picked up the best cookies. I am not a cake person, so I'd much rather have cookies or a pie. For lunch we went to Sawa for Sushi and Hibachi. Brooke was fascinated with all the flying knives and fire. It was a delicious meal. We spent the rest of the day relaxing and getting ready for our trip to Dallas. We even got to play outside for about 30 minutes. The neighborhood girls from accross the street were outside, so we brought Brooke out to "play". SHe loves being around bigger kids and they are so sweet to her. Mason and Jackson were also enjoying the freedom to run wild outside. Brooke said doggies for the first time! Keith and I enjoyed some movie time after Brooke was asleep for the night. He could not believe that I had never seen Raiders of the Lost Ark. We watched that and Young Victoria with EMily Blunt. I guess is sounds like a very low key birthday, but that's what made it great for me. Thanks for a great day!!

So a couple weeks ago I went to the dr. for some stomach trouble that I was having. Long story short, I am now Lactose intolerant. For anyone who knows me, this is shocking. I LOVE milk and usually drink several glasses a day. The Dr. said it could have happened from the pregnancy or when I stopped drinking dairy while breastfeeing brooke. Anyway, I am now carrying lactaid pills with me to take in case I eat anything with dairy. If you happen to have a nemesis or not so favorite person just let me know. I can eat dairy without the medicine and then hang out near them. The gas that will follow is unbearable. They will pass out without warning, ha! I know being lactose intolerant is not a HUGE deal, but it is another reminder to me that God is in charge and I am not in control. I am thankful for all the blessings he has put in my life and will continue to face new challenges with a positive attitude.

Brooke is pulling up

As soon as we got back to Pittsburgh, Brooke started pulling up on the ottoman and window ledge. She loves to look out the window with the dogs. I think they are so sweet.

Brooke visits Grammy's class

The day before we left Arizona, I took Brooke to visit my mom at her school. She had been telling her first grade class all about Brooke and her visit. They were so cute! They all wanted to touch her. Brooke was so interested in all the kids. She was a big distraction too, so we only stayed about an hour.
Our good friend Rick Lytle was in town for a work conference that week. He stopped by my mom's house to meet Brooke and visit for a bit. I love this picture of them!

Last weekend in Arizona

Lori was teaching Brooke to walk around their house. Brooke loved watching Matthew play the Wii. Poor Jamie was sick with Pneumonia so she couldn't play with everyone.

Brooke and my dad. He hasn't decided what he wants Brooke to call him.

We met Sandy and Allison Stoll at the Olive Mill for breakfast. This was a great restaurant and olive farm. They had the best olive Oil. I took a couple bottles back to Pittsburgh for Keith. Allison and I have been friends since we were born. I am excited for our kids to be friends one day.


We had a great lunch at Kona Grill with the Allan family.

Brooke and I were so blessed to have time to visit with so many friends and family during our trip to Arizona. During our last weekend we spent time with my cousin Mike and his family, my dad, the Stolls, and saw lots of great families from my old church.