Watering the flowers???

Sample stone 6/29/08

Here is the sample our mason guys put up for us. Now ask us if this is ANYTHING like what we asked for? Anything like the pictures we gave the quarry? Not at all. After, we think, 30+ tons of stone we are thinking this is as good as it gets. After, trying to find a match to the stone we fell in love with we have learned a lot about stone.

1) Everyone see's color differently

2) If a stone has any hint of a color it can be that color

3) If they say its green, its green, whether there is any shade you can see or not

4) Light, dark, its all the same

5) In Texas tan is tan is tan is tan...

Ready, set, RUN...

It was 8pm and their bedtime (see B in her nighty). We are trying to keep the grass alive for curb appeal so the sprinkler was on. We went out to the new house to see our sample stone they put up today and the kids found this too much fun to pass up when we got home.
I think a child should never have to pass up a good puddle, sprinkler or playing in the rain. Now dirt is a totally different story.

Sprinkler park

We went to the BIG sprinkler park in town. Its way way north but it was such a great treat for the kiddos. It took Gage a little while to warm up to it but in the end he loved it too. Made me want to be a kid again!!! It is just so perfect for this Texas heat wave.

Finished roof

We went out last night to check on the extra insulation we had installed and take pics of the electrical. We keep hearing horror stories of missing plugs so after a million bazillion pics we have electrical pictures (not that you can tell what pic goes where). Tomorrow sheet rocking starts!!!

What Aunt Kel-Kel's house does...

So, during the open house Sunday we sought refuge at Aunt Kel's. She was in San Antonio with her honey's family so it was just the kids, dogs (Kels doggie was there) and I. So, imagine 3 hours of nonstop fun with 2 kids, 2 dogs, concrete floors in a very very non kid proofed house!

They didnt even make it out of the complex before they were all 3 asleep! These pics were taken at the exit gate!!!

Its time to show...

Tomorrow is our first open house! Bring us some buyers!!! According to our builder we are about 2 months out tops. I told him he may need to drag his feet a bit but really we only have until Sept 21st, per the bank, to be done. Since turning down those first 2 contracts 3 weeks into market it has slloooowwweeddddd way down. Now 3 months later we are ready to wheel and deal but where did everyone go? I dont know if its gas, or if people are just scared. It is harder to get a home loan now so I am sure the combo is making it more challenging. So, heres to a great, high traffic, open house day tomorrow!

The solemn tradition of burying St. Joseph in the earth began hundreds of years ago in Europe. During those times, an order of nuns prayed to St. Joseph (the patron saint of the family and household needs) when they needed more lands for convents. The Sisters were encouraged to bury their St. Joseph medals in the ground.

Of course we have St. Joseph on our side!

Goldfish Bandit

I guess I am just not fast enough for his liking. Nice to know at 21 months he is old enough to get his own snacks!

Roof, rocks and a window...

OK, living BIG window is finally in! Roofers are there today "blowing and going" as Geromi would say. We have insulation Monday and sheetrock Tuesday! They delivered the wrong mix of rock so that 20 ton pile on the right side isnt what it will be. The stucco paint is lighter than this pic it was about the only overcast day we have had in months (so good for the workers, bad for my pictures, lol).

We met with vent hood fab people today, staircase people and more cabinet stuff.

We have 2 weeks to pick out tile and start on paint colors for the inside.

Its moving now...

Little Mother

So, you have to picture in your mind Gage in the pool section and Brenna standing guard on the right side. There were LOTS of 8 yr olds going nuts, basically acting 8 and flying down the slide 3 and 4 at a time. Gage, being the nutcase he is, is in the pool loving all the craziness of the situation and especially the waves. Brenna was so scared for him. Finally I hear her YELLING up the slide "Guys! Guys! PLEASE watch out for my little brother Gage!"

Just one for the memory books!

Daddys Day Project

Happy Fathers Day, Daddy!!! You are the bestest Dad ever!!!

Hide and go seek

Gage loves to hide! I "lose" him all the time. His two favorite spots are sissys playhouse in her room and our master bath. These pics were me finding him and him going BOO (behind the paci). He will remain perfectly still and quiet until you find him.
Its about the only thing he is still and quiet for!!!

Here comes the Stucco

The Stucco will be painted at the very end. We decided rather than having them touch it up we would just wait. That way all the stone workers wont leave their hand prints in our pretty color. In the 2nd pic you can see the fireplace. Its finished out really nicely on top! Finally some outdoor progress. Three weeks of plumbing and never ending electric/cable seemed to take forever!!!

Tired Birthday Girl

Geromi came home this morning and put all her presents on the front porch, rang the door bell and ran! It was classic! She spent most of the day riding circles, on her new 16 in big girl bike, around our house. YES, inside! We had lunch with Aunt Kel Kel and did some shopping at Central Market. Gage was happy just being with Sis.

I told B tonight that I didnt want her to go to bed because then her Bday was over. She said its OK. I told her it was a LONG time until her next 5th birthday to which she replied like a 29 yr old woman "but I dont want to be 5, I like the number 4."

So, women we start young with the number obsession!

Happy 4th Birthday Brenna

From our tiny 10# 7 oz'er to our big blue eyed princess!
You are such an amazing little girl. Your daddy and I are honored to be your parents. Now if you could just slow it down a little, tiny bit on the growing up part. You are just so much fun right now (sassy, but fun)! I am so not ready to let you go to school next year. Let's take this whole "4" thing slow, OK?!?
We love you! Happy, Happy Birthday!

Brother Love

So, this is Brenna's new thing. We stop to pick flowers for our hair. Our flower beds arent looking so hot since she started this.

This little girl sure does love her brother!

Pretty fireplace...

Peek-a-boo!

Mama's work shoes

Neither kiddo is thrilled when my scrubs come out so they tend to run off with my work shoes. Theory is if I have no shoes I cant go to work. It never end well.
So, here are the babies modeling mommys shoes while she is trying to leave for work!

When mama's at work

Look at the sweeties. Sharing B's chair, sharing water being so sweet when mamas at work. Seems like when I am home its a battle zone!

Click on the picture to enlarge and check out how identical their eyes are! Twinks I tell ya!

When mom wants in a picture

Just one picture. Thats all I wanted. We have literally 1000's with Geromi and the kids. The kids were camped out on me last night so I thought perfect picture time. Not exactly an award winner but we are all 3 in the same pic. Now if only the 4 of us could get in the frame together!

If you thought I was joking about the pretzels...

Last night Gage threw a fit because I wouldnt let him have the entire container. I just didnt have the energy for another tantrum so he won (I know bad mama). So, here is lil G with his most prized pretzels and sharing a water chaser with dada.