So Mary tagged me--yeah, my first TAG. P.S. Love your new background Mary!

Where is your cell phone? I dunno, haven't seen it in 2 days, hope noone's trying to call!
Where is your significant other? Bedroom watching election results--BORING!
Your hair color? Um, artificially blonde
Your mother? Crazy
Your father? A looney bird--um, maybe that's where I get it?
Your favorite thing? Family
Your dream last night? None, I only dream when I'm pregnant, and I'm NOT pregnant-yea!
Your dream/goal? Huge house in the Bahamas--how's that for a dream?
The room you’re in? Eric's office
Your hobby? Decorating my house
Your fear? Terrified of the DARK
Where do you want to be in 6 years? A subdivision
Where were you last night? Looking for a house to rent in College Station--no luck
What you’re not? Happy to be in the middle of nowhere
One of your wish-list items? Neighbors
Where you grew up? Waller, Texas--time to get out of here!
The last thing you did? Ignored Eric when he said time to put the kids to bed :)
What are you wearing? Jeans that are too tight--I need to work out!
Your TV? Never watch it
Your pet? Never going to have one! Oh yeah, never mind we have a cat "socky" anyone need a cat?
Your computer? Laptop
Your mood? Stessed
Missing someone? Ashley
Your car? A gas gusler
Something you’re not wearing? Socks
Favorite store? Ross--what, it's fun!
Your summer? A blur
Love someone? ERIC, Ashley, Kyla, Camden, Durham & Marshall
When is the last time you laughed? Seconds ago when Cami showed me her booty
Last time you cried? Today, funny cause I NEVER cry!

So let's see... I TAG Kara (cause you are supposed to be reading this), Jeri and Nicole

The Haunted Castle

The other day we were shopping with the kids in Walmart, and there strategicly placed on an end cap (I think it even had a light from heaven and angels singing--kinda like the Sword in the Stone) was the Haunted Castle Cookie Kit. My first thought was eeew, how long has that cookie been in that box, but of course my children brought me around. We have all heard of and made many wonderful memories with the old "gingerbread house", but why wait 'til Christmas for the sugar coated fun? So I shelled out the $10--yes, I know, NOT a bargain (comercialism and consumerism at it's best) and brought home our prize. After listening to the "can we make it NOW?" every 20 minutes all week, I finally said okay, and sunday after church we created our MASTERPIECE!

the anticipation was KILLING them...

Mister was a good helper

We had to make sure we got the candy decorations just right--one on the castle, two in the mouth.

CHEESE! HaPpY HaLlOwEeN!

We had a great time, the candy was very tasty, and the end result was a very spooky Haunted Castle!

Camden is 5 Years Old (October 10)

Camden starting to open her presents...
Kyla thinking maybe her not getting any presents might not be that fun...

One of the presents Camden got was a Littlest Pet Shop toy. Cami liked it okay, but Kyla LOVES Littlest Pet Shop, and was absolutely beside herself, and unconsolable at the injustice of Camden getting a toy that SHE likes...oops I better do better shopping next time.

Kyla finally composed herself, kinda, and gave Camden the sweetest gift ever. Wrapped up in her leotard, because she didn't have any wrapping paper, was one of Kyla's prized Littlest Pet Shop animals-a sweet little dog. It was so touching, it almost made me cry-actually it did, but I tried not to show it. There is nothing more special than to see your children selflessly show their love for one another. That was a very special gift to Cami. Kyla is a sweet girl. I have wonderful children.

So Camden's birthday was a little crazy. First, we have had sooo much going on and sooo much stress (more on that in a later post) that I did not even try to plan a birthday party for my precious Camden. BUT, I had to make the day special, after all 5 is a very big deal. So I woke up early that morning, made some heart shaped pancakes just for Cami, stacked them high and stuck a candle in. Then, I woke up my precious angel with a kiss, hug and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! She came into the kitchen for breakfast, and when she sat down I lit the candle and started to sing "Happy Birthday". Sounds great right??? WRONG! She was FURIOUS!!! She did NOT want a candle in her pancakes, she did NOT want to blow it out and make a wish, she did NOT want to be sang to! She screamed and cried like only she can, and stormed off to her room. So that was the start of the wonderful morning. Finally, I blew out the candle and we coaxed her to come eat as long as no one acknowleded her or her birthday in any way. So, okay, I thought maybe this not having a party thing was a good idea...

But then, when we picked her up from school, she jumped into the car, happy as a clam, with a HUGE Happy Birthday hat on, and her teacher told me what a wonderful day she had had--they had the princess cupcakes I had sent to school, and they sang "Happy Birthday" to her THREE times--she loved it. WHAT??? Maybe I just can't sing, is that it? And, it only got worse...

After we picked Kyla up from school, the girls got home and decided that they were going to decorate the house for Cami's birthday party, and fill up water balloons. I thought it was a pretty cute idea, until about an hour later, while still decorating and filling they stopped to ask "so when are all of my friends going to get here for the party?" OOPS! Um, about that...they aren't. I felt about two inches tall (and yes I am taller than that normally). Luckily, Grandma Judy and Papa Dennis did come over with presents and we went out to eat. My parents came over Sunday with presents and we had a brownie cake--although we were not allowed to sing to or look at her, and she again refused to blow out the candles. Oh well, she's my Cammers! She is 5 years old, and Yes, that really is a big deal!

BONFIRE!

We finally decided to cut up and burn some of the limbs and such that blew down during hurricane Ike. Eric had fun firing up the chain saw, and the kids loved the HUGE bonfire we built--we may have gotten a little carried away. The fire got so high and hot that it burned several other trees around--but it was fun, oh the things you can do in the country!

Marshall is so very proud of his spot in the wheel barrel

Marshall and Pa

I had to post this picture because I thought it was so darn cute! Marshall thought it was soo fun to climb up on top of my Dad's back. Ashley always called my Dad Papa Dwight, but when Kyla started talking she couldn't say it so we all called him Papa White. My dad decided a few months ago he wanted to be called Pa, and wouldn't answer the kids unless they called him Pa..so Pa it is. Whatever they call him, they think he's a lot of fun!

Gig'em Aggies

Last Weekend I got to go with Eric to College Station to watch the Texas A&M vs. Kansas State game from awesome air-conditioned box seats. It was really nice because the game started at 1:15 in the afternoon and it was HOT! The game wasn't all that great, we lost! BUT, I did get to meet up with my girlfriend Shannon, she lives in Dallas and I don't get to see her much (we were roommates in Europe, on our Marketing study abroad trip, and she was Maid of Honor in our wedding). Anyway, I had a great time walking around campus and North Gate with Shannon, Eric and friends, reminiscing about the good old days. When we were young and cute and without responsibilities. We went by the Century Tree where Eric proposed to me in front of our family and friends, then to Fitzwillies and sat and chatted. It is amazing how fast the years have gone by, and how much we have all changed. It was so much fun to just spend a few hours in the past. But then, on the way home I had to really think about how blessed I have been. I wouldn't ever want to go back. I have a wonderful husband, five beautiful children, and a great life. I may not be young (30 really snuck up on me) and cute anymore, and my life is FULL of responsibilities, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

Riding the Train

Some friends invited us out to Zube park to ride the trains. I'm dissappointed I didn't get any pics of the kids with their friends, but I guess I was doing good to both snap pics and not lose my own kids, maybe Lisa got some and can shoot'em to me in an email??? The kids had a blast and it was a fun saturday morning activity. I've lived here my whole life and have never made it out there, but my girlfriend moves in and gets right to business--I guess at least I have someone to look up to.

These train enthusiasts, I guess that's what you'd call them, have a huge part of the park all tracked out with the mini tracks and trains. They offer FREE rides once a month. They even have switch tracks and whistles, red flag, little towns and crossings--it's very cool. My kids like the old Golden Book "Tootles the Train" where the little train has to go to train school to learn how to be a train--anyway he has to practice staying on the track "no matter what" and stopping for a red flag waving. They had to wave the red flags a few times on our train trip and the kids thought it was soo cool to see it just like in the book.

It all makes me realize that in a time when people spend so much money on trips and events, movies and video games trying to keep their kids happy and entertained, the very best things still are FREE.

The train wound all around--over little bridges and through the woods, it was very scenic and a lot of fun. We did have to stop the train twice. Once becauce someone dropped a paci--come on, can't you hold on to those things mom, and once because a little chubster kicked of his new shoes...oops, that one would be us!

Cami riding caboose

THANKS LUCAS'S FOR INVITING US OUT!

Just Mom and The Boys

So now that all three girls are in school, it's just me and the boys! I really don't know what to do with myself with just two babies. I took the boys to the mall the other day, okay, I know what you're thinking...these are BOYS woman, take them somewhere boy-like! BUT, I'm trying to raise my boys up right-and shopping if FUN! Anyway, I did take them to the outdoor outlet mall. They love it, because they can run outside, play on the playground and throw pennies into the fountain, and I love it because I get to be out with my handsome boys, and YES, I get to shop :) Win-win right?


The boys were soo cute, throwing pennies into the fountain. Durham liked to chunk them in as hard as he could and try to get them on the waterfall, and Marshall just liked holding on tight to his penny and tyring not to fall in himself. When I asked Durham if he made a wish, he looked puzzled and asked "WHY?" Poor boy, he has had to share my attention for so long, I haven't even had time to explain the fountain wishes...I've got a lot of making up to do this year. :(

*Marshall*

My Sweetie Pie

*Durham*

My Handsome Boy

It really is alot of fun, getting to hang out with just the boys--it's a whole different dynamic. Who would have thought I would ever even have a boy, and now look at me I've got TWO!

Camden & Mr. Happy

Wednesday was picture day at Camden's school, sooo I dressed her up in her cute little first day of school outfit, fixed her hair in little low piggy-tails, and admired what a beautiful little girl she is. When I dropped her off I reminded her to smile pretty, and drove off thinking about what a cute school picture I was going to get, and how everyone else must be so jealous that they don't have a beautiful little Cami of their own.

Well...so I got a note in Camden's folder today when we picked her up from school. It said

"I'm sorry Mrs. Mach, but we tried several times to get Camden to take her
school picture, but she would not let Mr. Happy take it. Sorry.

I was incredibly disappointed, no picture. Don't those teacher's deal with hundreds of students why can't they and Mr. Happy...uh wait, WHO? MR. HAPPY??? Who in the heck is "Mr. Happy"??? Okay, so maybe Camden was right, I really don't think I'd want a Mr. Happy taking my picture either. Although, I will not be getting my school picture, I guess at least I'm glad my daughter knows where to draw a line! :)

Camden's First Day of School

Camden's First Day of Preschool

August 2, 2008

So we tried to start the day off with a good breakfast, but my normally excellent eater Cami (and when I say excellent, I mean she "starts" breakfast with a bowl of cereal while real breakfast is being cooked, eats second breakfast, and then eats third breakfast with any stragglers that might be eating late [Ashley]) wasn't interested in eating breakfast at all. I think she did finally eat a waffle or bowl of cereal, but only nibbles. She had been soo excited about going to school all summer, and now she wanted to stay home. Poor little Camer Slam, she is the baby girl. Finally, she did get dressed and off. Daddy and I drove her there (about 25-20min away) and she protested the entire time. I had no idea she was soo good at negotiating, but she was convinced if she plead her case well she would not have to go. But alas, Mom and Dad won--as they always do, and we were able to get her out of the car and to her class. She looked sooo cute in her little first day of school outfit, the little purple backpack and her hair in piggy tails.

Daddy's Baby Girl

Cammers wasn't too apprehensive once we got into the classroom. She found her chair and checked out the other kids and joined right in with an activity on the table. She came and told us about all the "friends" she had made, she didn't know their names, but she really liked "the girl with the really curly hair". I could tell she really felt grown-up making friends all by herself that she didn't have to share with her brothers and sisters--these friends are all hers.

So we left our baby girl, shead a tear, came back and peeked into the room one more time to make sure she was okay--she was, and that was that. All are girls in school, who would have thought this day would have come so soon. :(

Kyla's First Day of School

Kyla's First Day of First Grade

August 25, 2008

Kyla had been waiting and anticipating first grade all summer. She finally got to wear her "first day of school" oufit, and new shoes. My sister Mckenzie watched the other little ones while Eric and I took Kyla to school. We were able to walk her all the way to class. I think the hardest part was watching just how ready and willing she was to get there and get back into the groove. Last year she was nervous, she walked slowly and held our hand tight, but this year I think we could have just chunked her out the door and kept driving and she would'nt have cared. :( She practically skipped right into the school and down to her classroom stopping by her old Kindergarten teacher's room to say hi, she spoke with the principal in the hallway as she walked by, and chatted and hugged the librarian (well, that's Sis. Auble, she's practiaclly family). Anyway, it was clear that this was her school and the she was perfectly happy there. Eric and I just walked away slowly, heads hung low, realizing another one of our babies is growing up.

We started the day with a good breakfast, Kyla's favorite, and just about the only thing she will eat for breakfast, frozen eggo waffles. Um, yuck? She was so excited about going back to school. She was no longer the little kid on campus, she was going to the FIRST GRADE, that's the big time. We made sure her clothes were pressed and her hair was just right--Kyla is definately an "image" girl, she knows what looks good and she'll settle for nothing else...can't wait until she's a teenager, sounds like mom & dad will have their hands full.

Kyla outside Ms. Macha's classroom

She thinks it is soo cool her teacher has a name so close to hers

Daddy's Little Girl








Kyla's table--it's in the front of the room. I always new she was my little "front row" girl. She was excited to see that she is sitting with many of her good friends from Ms. Beyer's kindergarten class. Look at her with her legs crossed under the table, what a proper little student. She is ready to learn, I think this is going to be a great year!

My Babies

The Oldest

*Ashley*

The Baby

*Marshall*

The Three Musketeers

*Kyla*Durham*Camden*

What a full life we have! I love my kiddos! Can't imagine my life without them. What blessings!

My Other Babies

CUTE*BABIES So these two cuties are my other children. They are my best friends kids, and I just had to put them on the blog. No. 1 because they are so darn adorable and I love them, and No. 2 I figured if I put pictures of her kids on here my girlfriend Kara Rae would actually get around to checking out my blog and compliment me on all of my hard work...it's tough having to bribe people for colmpliments, but I take them however I can get them. :)

These two precious ones are Cadence (3) and Cotulla (2 in Dec) and yes, that is her real name, although Aunt Dustie calls her "Tula Rula Rae". And another is on the way in November--BUT we don't know what the sex is because SOMEONE wants it to be a SURPRISE!!!

Soo Cool

If my blogs seem a little out of order, it's because they ARE--I just learned how to do the blogging thing, and frankly it's addictive, sooo I am sifting through my pics trying to come up with more things to blog about.

We spent a lot of time out at the lake this summer. It was a BLAST!

Thanks Dad for taking us out on your monster wake board boat. Ashley striking a pose before her death defying wake boarding attempt. She got pretty good!





My sister and Camden at the lake this summer. She loves to see pictures of herself on my blog sooo, here you go Kenzie! LOVE the sunglasses! And Durham and Daddy are sure raising the bar for cool.

Ready to Roll

Mister decided that he would FINALLY try to walk. We were beginning to think that perhaps he was too heavy...when we would try to get him to walk, he would just look up at us like, "yeah right, have you seen this load you are trying to get me to tromp around?-I think you carrying me will work just fine." The only problem was, he is too heavy to carry, even for daddy. I guess he decided he needed to get around, and we just weren't dependable enough. Whatever works, he's walking!!! He's 14 months old today. What a big MISTER MARSHALL MAN!

Two Teeth-One Weekend

The weekend before school started Kyla's eternally loose tooth fell out, followed the next day by the other. She couldn't believe her luck. She wrote a letter to the tooth fairy asking for permission to keep the tooth so she could show off her accomplishment to all of her friends on the first day of school. The tooth fairy brought her $5 and a lip gloss. The $5 she spent the next week at the school book fair. Can't believe she's already losing her teeth, what's next, a driver's license?

Kyla's New Look

When it was time to get her hair cut for the first day of school, Kyla decided that she would like to donate her hair to "Locks of Love" a non-profit organization that accepts hair donations to use for wigs for those who have lost their hair during cancer treatments.

We looked up the information on-line and discovered that the minimum donation length was 10 INCHES!!! That's a LOT of hair. I figured we would try again some other time, but after viewing the before and after pictures of the children on the Locks of Love website, Kyla was determined she was going to do it! So we all held our breath as Gammy measured 11 INCHES and made the cut! I must confess, I did shed a tiny tear. Then Kyla packed up her pony tail, wrote a sweet letter to the child that she imagined would be recieving it and we mailed it off. She was so excited and happy to be helping someone else. AND the bonus is...her haircut was totally CUTE! She was shocked at first, but after we fixed it in two little low ponies (her favorite way to wear it) she LOVED it! So much in fact she did not want Cami to cut her's because she loved how she looked and wanted to be different (Camden always gets attention for her hair, and now Kyla was basking in the lime light). Not to worry though, after seeing Kyla get hers chopped, Camers wouldn't let us anywhere near her with the scissors. Although, we did finally tie her down for a much needed trim.