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It's probably time I get with the times....so if you read in Blogger, switch over :) 

I can't post without pictures...so here is my Mother's Day picture.

So much can change in a year...I remember taking this picture last year right before I started back to work.  Crazy the year has gone by so quickly.  For Mother's Day Frank woke up extra early and went to get Panera (a real treat bc we don't have many of them down here).  We went to church where we taught Sunday School.  Frank and I had 27 3,4, and 5 year olds.  Frank spent the afternoon painting our bedroom while i napped (he is a saint bc he hates painting).  I also got a new swimsuit for our upcoming vacation.  

Vacation..yes, a real deal, tropical, adults only vacation.   We can not wait!

Oh Man, Do I Love These People

Last fall, an old co-worker was in town.  We met up at the sweetest little ice cream shop in Forth Worth.  They make homemade cookies...of ALL kinds... and have tubs of Blue Bell ice cream (because we live in Texas now I will say Blue Bell is the best!).  You pick out 2 of your favorite cookies with a scoop of ice cream and you have a little bit of heaven.  

On the way home from OKC we needed a little break.  So we stopped at Inn n' Out (Yes, they are all over down here!) and walked over to Sweet Sammies.

Golly, those kids have my heart.

I try to dress Taylor up in cute little ruffles and dresses.  When it comes down to it, our girl looks much more herself in sporty clothes.  I do understand, I'm pretty certain I didn't wear a skirt until probably Jr. High =)

Frankie's 1/2 Marathon

I am SO proud of my husband.  I had my doubts but Frank ran a 1/2 marathon this weekend and did an amazing job.

He probably ran no more than 10 times leading up to his race.  As the day came closer I was nervous that he would hurt something.

He didn't, he did amazing and I couldn't be prouder.  He really does get better with age. 

Frank's best friend from college, Marc, got everyone together for this.  We all met in Oklahoma City over the weekend. It was a lot of fun!

 Liz, Danielle, Nate, Frankie, Marc and Kendall. 

Out of all of Frank's guy friends Taylor is the only little girl in the mix.  (We are even missing a few little boys from the picture!)  Tay loved being with all the boys.  

Hays, acting 2, and refusing a picture.

There were so many people at the marathon (like 24,000 RUNNERS, not to mention watchers) we decided it would be best to stay at the hotel that morning.  I wouldn't have been able to push a double stroller through the crowd and having a 1 & 2 year old doesn't make big events easy. 

Next time he runs I PROMISE we will be at the finish line =) 

Officially Texans

Last week Nonni and Poppi were in town to visit.  After dinner we decided to hop in the car and drive 30 minutes west to look at Blue Bonnets.  I've heard many stories about Texas wildflowers... and by golly I'm going to get my kid's pictures taken in them if it requires a 30 minute drive!

I don't think we found Blue Bonnet heaven, but I did find a patch large enough to let Hays frolic through them =)

Yes, little one has hair, she loves when it blows in the wind.  Her hair is long in the back and pretty much non-existent on the sides and top.  It's quite the look!

While we were out taking pictures the ground rumbled and their was a huge clap of thunder that lasted a good 20 seconds.  This is the picture my mom took as that was happening.  (Frank and I look a little scared)

It turns out that what we felt and heard was the explosion in West, Texas.  I can't imagine what it was like being 1, 5, 10 miles from that explosion.  We were over an hour away and it certainly felt like an earthquake.  

I've yet to get that perfect family picture.  Some day it will happen!

Our Little Cupcake

Since we took a trip back to Missouri for Spring Break, we decided to celebrate Taylor's birthday with family.  We ended up having 2 parties.  I didn't do anything extravagant since the party would travel from Texas to Missouri.  

Years ago I saw a birthday banner with a cupcake.  It was pricey so I didn't get it at the time.  I searched for weeks for that banner and couldn't find anything.  I decided to make my own.  It turned out a little big, so I probably will cut it down a little bit, but I can't wait to hang it up for all the birthdays to come. 

Her monthly birthday pictures on a banner.  I picked up a package of paper from Hobby Lobby and free handed my cupcakes.  Cheap, quick, and easy.

Mini tulle balls hot glued to toothpicks.  Super cute.  Frank's mom (Happy) made the cutest cupcakes.  She made homemade whipped cream and cut a little top off of the cupcakes.  They were adorable and delicious   I can't wait to make them here! (Since it isn't icing, is that healthier?)

My birthday girl looked adorable.  I bought her the onesie from a local store and then I made her little skirt.  She will be able to wear it all summer long.  

Joey and Taylor.  Joey would take a bite of ice cream, than give Taylor a bite of ice cream.  This went a long for a long time.  (Out of all of the cousins, Hays looks like Joey the most.  Sometimes he looks and it is exactly a little Joey... with red hair.)

Moving the party to the lake. 

My mom made a ton of sweet and sour chicken and friend rice.  Her sweet and sour chicken is the best!  She made piles of chicken and there wasn't one piece left over.  Keeping up with the growing grand kids isn't easy!

I finally bought a cupcake tower at the lake.  LOVE IT!

Anytime we are with cousins Hays takes on a much older persona and we don't see a lot of him.  He loves his time with all of his cousins!

Nonni and Tay girl. 

Bear taking pictures.  

Dallas and Sophie.  With a phone in hand, of course!

Mom and dad with her birthday girl (Notice the inside out sweatshirt again, it was cold and I wasn't prepared!)

Letters to Taylor: 1st Birthday Edition

Taylor Lea Tristan

1 year old.  I simply can't believe it.  I remember the day we met like it were yesterday.  And now, here we are, 365 days later.

From the beginning you have been perfectly ours.  You fit easily into our family.  I can't imagine Team Tristan without you, precious girl.

When I found out you were a baby girl I went through denial.   I was certain I wanted another little boy, a brother for Hays (Since you two will be 1 year apart in school another boy seemed easier).  The Lord knew I didn't need another hard-headed little boy... I needed a perfect, bald baby girl.

 You have taught me so much this year.  I have learned to slow down.  I have learned to sit and soak up the moments of simply being your momma.  I've cherished watching you grow. I secretly LOVE the fact you are quite the Momma's girl. (I think that has a lot to do with the fact I haven't ever left you!)

At first you were so sweet.  I was worried that your brother and other kids would walk all over you.  That is not going to happen.  You have developed this BIG personality.  You attack Hays like you were his equal (in size, of course).  Your ability to hold your breath while screaming is impressive and the way you throw yourself face down on the ground and kick your feet when something doesn't go your way always makes me laugh.  I don't worry about you being overlooked anymore.  You make your presence known.

For the first time in months you let me rock you to sleep.  I cried as I thought of my favorite memories from the past year.  I looked up at the clock and realized it was exactly the time you were placed in my arms for the first time.  Man, does time fly.

Thank you.  Thank you for being easy.  Thank you for lighting up  with your gap-toothed grin when you see me walk into a room.  Thank you for making me a better woman.

The Lord has big plans for you little girl.  I can't wait to sit back and watch you go.

Taylor,

You are absolutely amazing! I have been married to your mother for 5 years and every year I am with her it just gets better. This year you added to this life of getting better! I remember seeing you for the first time and saying; “wow, you are filthy.” But then I held you (after your first bath) and I was completely overwhelmed with emotion on the miracle and blessing that you are. The hospital stay was a little annoying because none of us really wanted to be there, but once we got you home you have been a champ sleeper ever since!

You will quickly realize that your dad is a big list maker, so I want to share with you the top 12 things that are my favorite about my little girl.

1.       Eating Breakfast with you at the table or coming home after work and eating dinner with you at the table. You simplify my life and show me that there are only a few things that are really important. I can wait to do this for the next 17 years, and I am praying for the man that is going to be able to do that with you for the 50 years after that.

2.       Listening to you talk in the morning through the monitor.

3.       Watching you walk after your brother when he makes you mad.

4.       Crinkling your nose when you laugh and smile.

5.       Winking back at me.

6.       Climbing on things.

7.       Watching you sleep in your car seat and how peaceful you are.

8.       Discovering your personality; so excited to get to know you more.

9.       Reading books to you; I need to read more to you.

10.   Bath time and how you mess with the drain and know just what it does… You are a very smart little girl

11.   How humble you were when they didn’t ask you to be in the unstoppable mom pictures.

12.   When you remind me of your mother.

There is only one woman in this world that has truly captivated my heart and continues to captivate me and that is your mom. The one thing that overwhelms me even more is when you do things and have gestures that remind me of her. You have the best role model for being a Godly woman and I am so eager to see how the Lord uses you to change the course of history. I commit to praying for you, making you a priority (not just family, but you individually), telling you how beautifully you are, loving your mother, and enjoy life with you.

Love you Taylor,

Your Dad

(Umm, could your dad be ANY more sweet?  I definitely cried when I read that letter.  Tay, we are 2 lucky girls to have that man in our lives.)

Easter (egg hunt fail)

I'd say Easter didn't go quite as planned.  First, our huge Easter egg hunt at church got rained out.  Leaving our church with thousands of Easter eggs.  We ended up passing out eggs to our neighborhood, which Hays thought was a blast.  

Our first Easter morning in Texas.  

My sweet girl and my super good looking husband.  

I really wish Taylor's eyes were open for this picture.  

So... nobody told me that fire ants really like Easter eggs.  Hays started picking up his Easter eggs and yelling "Fire ants, momma, fire ants".  The boy is scared of those things (and he should be, him and his daddy are allergic).  Next year I will remember to only put wrapped food in our eggs and to avoid laying them directly in a fire ant hill like below.  

Frank is in the back checking out the fire ant damage.  

Sister had a really hard time Sunday morning.  She was so fussy that Frank had to drive around with her for an extra 30 minutes before we went to church.  

I asked Frank to take a picture of the kids and I.  Good thing he is a great husband and a good dad because he stinks at taking pictures.  

This is as good as it got.  

We were volunteering with the 3, 4 and 5 year olds on Sunday morning.  Very early on in the service a little boy threw up EVERYWHERE (on the floor, shoes, kids... ugh).  Talk about making it feel like an extra long Easter service.
Even after all the things that didn't go plan,  He is still good and He is worthy to be praised. 

Hope your Easter went a little bit smoother than ours.  

(I won't even start with what went wrong with the Banana Pudding I made)