Strawberries

Brian and the girls planted some strawberries a few weeks ago and the girls have been great at keep up with them. Here they are checking out the progress and watering them. Thankfully, they have their father's green thumb!

There is no crying in baseball...

unless your baby sister runs off with your bat.

Goats & Cousins

A day on the farm is always welcomed and always a good time. Here is Sierra with one of the baby goats. Cha Cha couldn't wait to pet the goats - Janie ran the other way

and once again, it is hard to get a picture of kids where they are all looking at the camera. They are all cuties!

Radnor Lake

The girls got their first Radnor Lake experience while in Nashville. Even though it was a bit chilly outside, we had a good time walking around and checking out the lake.

maybe one day, I'll get Charlotte to take a normal picture and not pose.

St Paddy's Day

Who knew there were leprechauns in Franklin, Tn?!? Cha Cha was so happy to see some friends from Ireland she just had to get a picture.

Nashville Zoo

While we were in Nashville we took the girls to the zoo. They loved getting to feed the birds. Janie was laughing when a bird landed on her daddy's head.

After feeding the birds, we had to go on the merry go round. I think Janie had a great time as you can see!

Planes, horses, and cars

One of Charlotte's friends from school had a birthday party at a local amusment park. Charlotte got to fly an airplane, then ride a horse, then her and friend, Avery, got to drive a car together!

A snow day...in Texas?

We had snow...in Texas? Is that crazy? It was such a special time for us. Throwing snowballs, making snow angels, going exploring, even trying to make a snowman. Can we do it again?

I do declare!

Sometimes, you just HAVE to have tea. And little sandwiches. And tiny cakes. And that's what we did, visiting J.J. and Grandaddy in Houston. We had one of J.J.'s friends come along, and between special dresses, pretty hats, and lots of good things to eat, we had a wonderful time.

Prince Thomas at Chuck E. Cheese's

My daddy says that we've been very lazy about the blog. It's just that there's been so much going on that we've lost track of everything. It doesn't help that Mommy and Daddy have five still cameras and four video cameras, counting phones, so we have pictures scattered everywhere.

But here are some good pictures of us at Prince Thomas' birthday. It was at Chuck e' Cheese's and it was INCREDIBLE. We had so much fun, I thought we'd explode! (but we didn't)

Start a band

For Christmas, JJ gave the girls a mic and a keyboard. Add in their rock star style clothes and they are ready to start a band. I asked Charlotte what the name of the band was and she told me they were called "rock zing zang zoom". They love their music and are all set to make some noise - as Charlotte would say "let's rock this party!"

2010: A Bouncy, Bumpy Year

It's Dad writing today.

This blog covers the goings-on of my girls. After six years and over 500 blog posts, you'll see that we do a good job covering the pleasures of our lives together.

But pains and pleasures seem to go along, hand in hand. In hindsight, "good" things bring unforeseen trouble, while 'bad' things usually have a bright side.

So, in the interest of learning, here are a few events from 2010.

1. We re-financed the house and dropped our interest rate over a point. Then we discovered rates continued to drop another 3/4 of a point, so our timing was off.

2. I replaced our dishwasher with my own two hands. The old one did a mediocre job of cleaning. Getting the job done right and the satisfaction of a shiny new stainless steel dishwasher took a backseat to the realization that the new dishwasher also does a mediocre job of cleaning.

3. We spent a bunch of money on new hardwood floors. We love the way they look. We hate the way they snap, crackle, and pop with every step. After four months of negotiations with the manufacturer and installer, we're still no closer to a fix.

4. I spent the summer refinishing our kitchen table. I finally learned how to refinish a table just about the time the table was finished. I also had the unique experience of chatting with my in-laws on a hot July day, while standing in a garage, in my underwear as I polished and stained the table. At least I wasn't wearing tidy whities.

5. One kid went through sinus and adenoid surgery which was a misery for her. On the bright side, she's only had a single respiratory infection since the surgery, so our entire family is healthier and happier.

6. The other kid got hit in the face with a shovel so she'll have a permanent 'point of interest' just next to her nose.

7. Both kids started new schools. The youngest settled in well and is happy. The eldest is fighting against the structure and looking at days long past at her old school through rose-coloured glasses. There's nothing like seeing a four-year-old suffering from nostalgia...

8. The missus finally got the job she wanted. Now she's discovering the trials of management. She's also expected to travel around the world for work. There's nothing like 2am calls from the executives to make life more interesting!

9. I came down with two serious medical conditions and spent months under the weather, in and out of emergency rooms, and with tubes stuck in odd places without anesthetic. I learned a lot about myself, lost some weight, and got treatment that has brought me new energy, intensity, and vision for 2011.

10. I also found that the job I wanted throws me much more directly into the chaos and indecision that typifies my workplace. Before I was bored but calm. Now I'm frantically active and involved...is chaos better than boredom?

So, in writing all this, I encourage you to take a good look at your own lives. No doubt you'll find joys and sorrows, ups and downs, strengths and weaknesses. But I hope you'll also find wisdom, perspective...and hope -- just as we did.

Best wishes for a successful 2011,
Dad

Santa brought...a SeeSaw?

Everyone...is this the coolest thing or what? Santa brought us...a seesaw! It is the perfect size and Mommy says we can play with it inside, like we are here, or outside, which is even better! I don't know how he brought it down the chimney, but it got here. Thank you Santa!

I Tinkerbell!

For some reason, Daddy always asks me what I'm going to be when I grow up.

My answer is always the same.

"I Tinkerbell!"

And now I have the clothes. I even have the wings so I can practice my flying.

I'm off..flap flap flap!

The Caramel Pecan Pie -- Holy of Holies!

My PopPop is a fan of the pecan pie. He says that he's eaten hundreds of pecan pies. And my Mommy isn't usually good at making pies. But this is the prettiest pie I've ever seen. Mommy was so proud that she baked it. And it tasted better than it looked!