April, Easter, and Sydney turns 9!

Wow, April flew by!  Easter, Sydney's birthday, and so much more to tell...

Easter was awesome! It's my favorite holiday!!!  The kids had a blast coloring 30 hard boiled eggs in an array of beautiful colors.

On Easter morning we carried on the Hoenerhoff tradition of sprinkling Easter water on the kids faces to wake them up.  Ashlee smiled a big smile, Sydney pulled the covers over her head, and James jumped up because it was "rainin in my bed!"

Then it was time find all of the colored eggs that the Easter bunny hid throughout the house.  Once we made sure all the eggs were found (you don't want to find one a week later if you know what I mean...yes, I know from experience!) the kids tore into their baskets of goodies.

We dressed in our new Easter outfits and went to a beautiful service at our church, followed by lunch and an egg hunt with family at the Baughman house in Manvel.

The kids are never too old to hunt Easter eggs...right!?  James really understood it this year and hung with the big kids in finding his fair share of eggs and candy.  Needless to say we will be eating Easter candy for a looonng time! 

NEXT ... I have to tell you about Sydney's 9th Birthday Bash!!!  So many people and kids love our sweet Sydney Marie!  It's the middle of May and she is still writing "Thank you's" for all the wonderful presents she stocked up on.  This time we had all the family and friends meet us at Sydney's favorite restaurant ... CiCi's pizza!  You can't go wrong with all you can eat pizza for 20 kids and 15 adults! 

After the restaurant, a couple of Sydney's friends, Payton and Adeleine, came over to slip and slide!  Cousins Drew, Ava and Andrew made it over too.  Last but not least...Payton slept over! ... SO much fun!!!

Trip of a Lifetime!

This past weekend was my 37th birthday.  My sister and I have been looking forward to a weekend getaway to Fredericksburg for months.  Wednesday finally arrived and the girls and I jumped into the Expedition and headed to Austin arriving just shortly before 10pm. 

James stayed with Grandma and Pa Higgins for a few days while Dad went to West Texas to hunt.  Later he met up with Gma and Papa Hoenerhoff and spent some time in Austin also with his sisters. 

Thursday we all toured the State Capitol and the Texas State History Museum.  It was perfect weather and the girls were old enough to really understand and enjoy the tours and history.  It was fun hanging out together.






The kids continued to hang out with Gma and Papa, going shopping and staying on the boat at the Marina.  They also went to a bat cave that is very popular in Austin.  Then on Sunday morning they drove to Georgetown to go to church with Oma and Opa Carter.

They were good kids on the drive and I received huge compliments on how well behaved they each were...a delight to be with.

While the kids were busy with Gma and Papa, my sister, Wendy and I headed to Fredericksburg for a girls weekend getaway.  We had no plans, and everything just flowed beautifully.  On the way we stopped at some of the beautiful vineyards and wineries of the Central Region of Texas.  We visited Texas Hills Vineyard, Woodrose Winery, Becker Vineyards, Torre de Peitra, Grape Creek Vineyards, and Rancho Ponte Vineyard.  We stayed in the Austin Street Retreat "Eli" Bed and Breakfast. 

Saturday we spent all day shopping the main strip of Federicksburg.  Literally shopped until we dropped!  We ate the best Italian food for lunch and enjoyed dinner at a little German pub.  Later we couldn't forget to visit the Fredericksburg winery.  Sunday we woke up early and had a wonderful breakfast at a restuarant underneath the old hospital called Rakkswellers. 

Then it was time to check out and head back towards Austin.  On our way back we visited the Pedernales Cellars where we saw Orea Cows!  Then because of a wrong turn we fell upon the Driftwood Winery in Wimberley Valley, and Mandola Estate Winery.  Wendy and I had the best time touring the wineries.  Each one unique with a touch of it's own heritage. 

Here is a smilebox slideshow of our fabulous trip!

Another free photo slideshow by Smilebox

Tabletop Tapestry Women's Brunch

Tabletop Tapestry is an annual women's event at my church.  Members of our congregation hostess a table for eight.  The hostess is in charge of decorating the table and inviting 8 guests. 

This was my first year to be a hostess and boy was I amazed at the incredible tables.  There was a huge variety..57 tables in all and every single one was completely different and over the top!  I tell you what...we definitely have some talented women at our church! 

The theme this year was "Between Friends." It was all about friendship and how to make deep, meaningful, lasting friendships.  My mother-in-laws Sherry and Margie, my sister-in-laws Brenda, Linda, and Sandy sat at my table.  My table was decorated with a Southwestern touch.  Even had a real tumbleweed that we picked up in West Texas on our New Years trip through Bracketville.  I called it "Trail of Friendship."  We had a very nice visit, ate food catered from Johnny Carino's, and listened to good music (Les the piano player in the picture is a dear friend of mine) and speakers.  Even the stage was decorated like a shopping strip.  Very cute!  Take a look!

Happy 12th Birthday Ashlee!

"Promise me you will stay my baby forever!"  "Mommy I never grow up!  I stay Mommy's baby!" 

I can remember this conversation with Ashlee like it was yesterday.  But on February 24th we celebrated her 12th birthday.  WOW!  I can't believe how she has grown.  I am so very proud of the young lady she is becoming.  She is a precious child from God and I feel so incredibly blessed to be her mom!

We began her party at the roller rink in town with her best of friends, Tori and Jessica, as well as Sydney, James, Dad, and me.  They had a blast!  They all kept count of how many falls...Jessica being the winner at 46 times.  Sydney was a little shaky at first but with a little help and encouragement she was skating like a pro!  Go Sydney! 

After we finished skating, we went home and waited for the incredibly huge party pizza from New York Pizzeria.  Aunt Susan and Cousin Alyssa were able to come join us after Alyssa's volleyball tournament. While we waited, the girls watched Journey to the Center of the Earth and painted their wooden initials.  I am impressed with their creativity!

After we ate and sang Happy Birthday with Ashlee's cake it was time to open presents.  Thank you to Gma and Papa for the Chuck Taylor Converse and sweater.  Also thank you to Grandma and Grandpa Higgins for the clothes and Alyssa and Aunt Susan for the Bolt movie.  Ashlee also was excited about all the gifts she got from her friends.  From Mom, Dad, Sydney and James she got an IPOD Touch.  I think my ears are still ringing from the high pitch scream that she let out.  She has been wanting one for a long time...and actually saved up half the money herself.

"Promise me you will stay my baby forever!"  "Mommy I never grow up! I stay Mommy's baby!"  Yes, you will Ashlee...you'll always be my baby!

I have attached a smilebox of all the memories from the party.  Enjoy!

Another photo slideshow by Smilebox

Catching up with friends!

My best friend from highschool Monica and her husband Roger came over for dinner last weekend.  We had a blast catching up.  I can't believe how time flies!  Moe and I grew apart over the years which I am very sad that I missed out on our friendship during that time.  She means the world to me and I am so glad that we reconnected once again...thanks to Facebook!  It's funny how so many years can go by and we still can finish each others sentences and laugh like we were in highschool!  Our husbands have a lot in common...spent most the evening talking about fishing and hunting.  I even made venison chili which pleased the men!  Good food, good wine and good conversation!  Hope to do it again real soon!

Our 2-Year Old Now

If I have learned anything lately its that a busy preschooler means an ever-messier house. And it's not just the toys and books strewn everywhere. James also likes to remove things from shelves and drawers. He draws on walls. He spills juice, tears paper, flings clothes and balls in the house.

James is more in control of his movements. Now he can play with small objects easily and stack (not just knock over) towers of blocks. He can also concentrate for slightly longer periods of time, as much as 20 minutes if he's deeply engaged. Sometimes he'll become so absorbed in playing that he'll resent my interruption. Transitions are easier by warning him in advance, as in, "You can play with the blocks for five more minutes, but then it's dinnertime." Sometimes I may give him a few warnings before I insist that he finish up his play.

Another thing I have learned is that messes have many different triggers behind them. Part of the upheaval is James' lives-in-the-moment mode; easily distracted, he abandons one thing right where it is and moves onto the next. Curiosity plays a role, too. James just has to know what's in this cupboard or what happens when he pulls every last tissue from the box. It takes time and practice — encouraged by lots of parental patience — to learn that there's a right place for dirty socks and a wrong place for crayons. Let's just say that my expectations for tidiness are low while James climbs this learning curve.

We are proud parents!!!

Darrell and I attended the first semester awards ceremony for sixth grade at Ashlee's school. The principal used an interesting analogy during her speech to the students. She stated that this moment was like half time in a football game. The students should remember and use what was learned this past half to make the next half successful and even better. We are very proud of Ashlee's hard work in honors classes!  All the late nights studying and doing homework has paid off.  She made the A/B honor roll and "is a delight" to all her teachers. Woo Hoo!!! Go Ashlee!