Jake's First Race

Jake qualified for his first race last week. The kids went to College Park High School to run a mile; they were divided into grade levels. Jake wasn't sure about the 'cross country' aspect of it; he was used to running on flat ground. I thought he did pretty well for his first race. He placed 16th out of about 35 kids. So I figure he wasn't the fastest or slowest so that's pretty good. He ran it in about 7 1/2 minutes. After he caught his breath and chilled out for awhile he wanted to celebrate with his favorite meal. . .Taco Bell :-)

Jake with some friends from school.

Jake stretching before his run.

Yesterday, we went to Old Town Spring to check out the Crawfish Festival. I was a little apprehensive since the Catfish Fest was so disappointing earlier this year. But we actually found a vendor who didn't sprinkle seasoning on the outside of the crawfish shell. (It really is so weird how they boil crawfish here--it's a waste of crawfish if you ask me.) The crawfish were not overly spicy --my nose didn't run or anything--but the overall flavor was pretty good.
My friend, Brooke decided to join us. She and her husband are from Lafayette---he was out of town on a golf trip. They moved here about the same time we did and live about two blocks over. Oh and Brooke is Mace and Jake's Science teacher. She is also about 6 feet tall (standing next to her is worse than being next to Tammie), so it was pretty dang funny to watch her ride the kiddie train with Callie.
Here's Callie pouting about something. . .

Then, Daddy bought her a princess crown and SUDDENLY everything was all better!!
As with every festival and fair, there were some interesting characters. Here's Brooke taking a fake out picture for me. Chad said the lady in the blue shorts looked like 'her ass ate her shorts.!"

Spirit Week and a Fun Night Out

This week Callie's school prepared for their upcoming carnival. Each day the kids went to school dressed up. The first day was Support Your Favorite Texas Team--all we could pick was the Astros. Anyway, I tried getting a picture of Callie because I thought she looked precious, but instead I captured what our Monday mornings are REALLY like!


Here she is later in the week dressed as a cowgirl. They had a parade that day at school. Daddy, Mr. Brandon and ColeMan went to see her. I heard she pranced around like a true diva.

Apparently Mace has had enough. He was in charge of his sister for an evening---This is how I found him sleeping--the crossbow has me a litttle worried.
Dear Sisters--remember when Michele used to chase us around the house with knives yelling, "You're not the BOSS of me!"


On Saturday night, we went out with Terri and Brandon.

Here's Chad and Brandon laughing ---I'm sure whatever the reason it was completely inappropriate.
Up to NO good, I'm sure!

Gotta love Yogi!

Well, it just got progressively worse from here. But we had a great time anyway!!

Easter Weekend

Since we had our Spring Break a few weeks ago, we were not able to go to NOLA to visit family for Easter this year. However we did have Good Friday off, so we enjoyed a nice long weekend at home.
As soon as Mace and Jake woke up Friday morning, they ate breakfast and bolted out the door. It usually begins with one kid 'making the rounds' --knocking on doors around the block.
Then they all gather in one spot with their air soft rifles. They spend the rest of the day running around shooting each other.
Funniest Story EVER----Their gang was recently banned from the park by the park rangers, so they had to find a new hangout---
the 10 - 11 year old boys were shooting pellets at young girls walking their dogs!

I tried to retrieve the boys around 3:00 pm--they had yet to eat lunch. I wasn't about to go into the woods, so I figured they would eventually come home when they got hungry.

Callie spent the day playing with her friend, Maya. Here she is once again torturing the poor animal. This time Callie was making Maya play the part of the PIRATE!
Poor kitty--I'm wondering if Maya was happier at the shelter!

Finally, Easter Sunday arrived. The kids awoke to baskets filled with goodies.

The Rookers came over for lunch after church. Mrs. Becky's little belly has certainly 'popped'!

Callie and Mrs. Becky
I think Callie is going to have some serious 'issues' once her buddy has her own
little girl to play with!

Chad and my boys posing--all three of them whined for the dang picture.
"Happy Faces, Everyone!"Happy Easter!

Mace and Jake's 11th Birthday Party

While I went to NOLA to meet my nephew, Ethan--the boys celebrated their 11th birthday with friends from school. They met up with their friends at Twisted Games for a paintball party.
Twisted Games has 7 different fields with various themes. Each party package receives their own personal referee for the day, as well as face gear and guns. The party lasted from 1-4:30 pm--and according to the boys (and Chad) it was the BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY EVER!!!

The kids (and dads) had a blast shooting one another all day long. Yes, they are all exhausted and bruised all over, but Mace and Jake (and Chad) are already planning the next trip. Today at school --the party was the hot topic of conversation. Meanwhile the dad's had a little trouble walking and returning to work (Chad).

Since I missed all the excitement, they did manage to stop long enough to snap a few pictures. Thanks to Mrs. Terri for watching Callie for us--oh, and for 'allowing' Mr. Brandon to play with the kids (and Chad).

Happy Birthday my boys--now, one day you can tell your children about the
BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY EVER!!

Listening to the rules and choosing teams

Gearing Up

Getting Ready for Battle

Ready. . Aim. . .FIRE!!

Mace was proud of the big purple bruise on his thigh.

Jake showing off his injured chest

Chad was proud of his battle wounds, too!

Happy Birthday, Mason and Jacob!

Today we celebrated Mace and Jake's 11th Birthday! They are having their party next weekend, so we had a very nice family day today--Well, until they ditched us to hang out with their friends down the street!

The boys started their day with a new game--the Wii Fit.

After a great birthday breakfast (1 1/2 lbs. of bacon), we went to Shankz to play glow-in-the-dark putt putt. Daddy won and the boys tied for 2nd --they really did! I did manage to beat Callie, and I am proud to say that I was the ONLY player to get a Hole In One!!
The boys received a wonderful birthday phone call from my sister, Michele. It seems the boys' new cousin, Ethan will be sharing the same birthday! Congrats to Michele, Shane, and big brother, Chase! I can't wait to see you all next weekend!!

NASA Space Center

NASA Space Center with the Goodnights

Callie's Birthday Party

Yesterday we held Callie's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. Callie and I had a few 'issues' with her party attire, but we finally agreed on a cute purple and white dress.

Mace and Callie playing on the carousel.

Some of the gals from Mrs. Dotson's class: Emma, Rylie, Callie and Jordan.

Eating pizza--check out all that PINK!

A cute group picture.

Dancing Queens!

We were so thankful that Nana and Maw Maw Mae were able to spend the weekend with us. The weather here was awful, but Chad was able to show Maw Maw around The Woodlands. And of course, their first stop--PONCHO's! But I do think we have started a new tradition with Nana--she was here last year for Callie's party, too.
Callie and Megan

Jake and his shadow, Michelle. She followed the boys around the entire party with the sweetest little look on her face. You better watch out, Goody!

Thank you Nana and MawMaw--we had fun!

Callie's 6th Birthday

Ok, I've rigged up my camera temporarily--I'm still not sure what's going on with it. ANYWAY, here's the pictures from Callie's 6th Birthday. She started out her day at school wearing one of her favorite outfits.

A special Birthday Message for Paw Paw (Callie was born on my dad's 50th birthday.)

Daddy picked Callie up from school and took her to one of her favorite places --THE MALL. She rode the carousel two times, ate 'Chinese noodles' and shopped at Claire's. Here's daddy applying Callie's new fingernail polish. He put a different color on each finger--it was so sweet! Then we left to find the boys, so we could go to dinner.

Later, we find the boys--with some of their crew. The newest thing around here is Air Soft Battles. They gather at the park and pick teams--then it's WAR! They stay out after school until dark and we don't see them all weekend, either. Then they come home with little red marks all over their bodies. They love it!

Here we are at dinner. . we had the wait staff sing 'Happy Birthday" to Callie.
She didn't like it so much.

Back at home, we had our own Birthday Cake.

Callie got just what she wanted . . .a new Razor like the boys'. She also received more dress up clothes and new PINK shoes!

Happy Birthday, my baby girl--I hope all your wishes come true!