Happy Birthday, Buela!

We celebrated Buela's 60th birthday on Saturday, March 13.  It was a surprise party!  We waited until the evening before to tell the kids about it.  On Thursday they did learn that we would be celebrating the birthday of a girl.  Joshua did wear me down with the questions as to who it was.  With each question I found myself closer and closer to telling him when I finally had to say, "Enough.  This kid is going to drag it out of me."   When Josue got home on Friday, they found out we would be celebrating Buela. 

Evelia (Buela) did know that we were going to take her out to dinner to celebrate her birthday.  The rest of the story was unknown.  Here's what we came up with in the end.  Josue and the kids would pick her up saying I was at the church building for a shower.  They would then arrive to pick me up and go eat.  So off I went to the building to finish setting up.

The kids and Josue went to get her.  During the car ride, Josue prepped the kids.  They were only to ask her "How are you?"  "How was work?"  but nothing was to be mentioned about the party.  To their credit, Josue says they tried really hard.  But here's Tabitha...

Tabitha: Buela, how was work?
Buela: Oh, fine.  Thank you for asking.
Tabitha: Turns to Josue with confused look on her face.  What else, Daddy?

Then Joshua.  (Earlier that day Josue and Joshua went to her house to get pictures for the party.)

Joshua: Buela.  We were here to get pictures for your party.
Buela: Oh really, baby.

Nevertheless, she said she was completely surprised.  Walking in...

These are her grandkids in Mesquite.  (Andrew, Adam, and Analisa)

Joshua (Ryne) with his cousin Joshua Alan.  We have to use middle names when together.  These two are one month apart.

Here they are as babies.  So sweet!  (Joshua Ryne left, Joshua Alan right.)

Here's the happy birthday girl.  (I was wondering why the picture was slanted, then I remembered that Joshua took the picture.)

Joshua helps her open presents.

Joshua and Tabby.

And all the grandkids!

The only missing from the party was Tia Marissa.  We can't wait to celebrate with her in July or August!

And the Oscar goes to...

My mom came up with the very creative idea of having an Academy Awards party here at home.  I was told we needed a red carpet, so I purchased red butcher paper from the teacher's supply store.   Mom was going to bring all the necessary costumes.  Once Joshua got wind of this party, it was on!

Here is Tabitha all dressed up.  A fancy dress, clip-on earrings, necklaces...oh and sunglasses.  Look at that beautiful smile she now gives the camera.  What a girl!

Joshua got dressed in a suit and tie.  This is a serious picture...he was upset about something.

The lovely couple...lately they have been making plans to marry each other.  It would melt your heart to hear them!

Ava came over to join in the fun!

Gigi was the MC.

Everyone takes turns answering her questions.

Oh, what fun!

Blizzard 2010

Okay, so it wasn't a blizzard, but we did see snow.  The north side got considerably more than us, enough to make snowmen.  We just got to watch it fall onto the kids hair.

Here's our backyard when it was falling.  Squint your eyes to see the little white specks.

The kids playing in the driveway...pulling ice off the car.

We then built a fort in the living room and drank hot chocolate while watching the snow fall.

The next day was sunny and 55 degrees.  Good-bye snowy weather.  See you in another 3 years.

Dressing Up

The kids do enjoy dressing up when they are playing a part.  When we had a handyman over to fix a few things around the house, Joshua ran for his tools.

Tabitha already has her Easter dress thanks to Gigi and Papa.  The next day she wanted to dress up as a "Pretty Princess".  Check out the shoes she chose.

Joshua also likes to be creative.  He saw some boxes laying around and decided to make wings and a tail. 

Who needs toys?

You've Got Mail

Joshua decided to send letters to all his neighborhood friends yesterday.  He was sooooo cute!  He came up with the idea all by himself.  He really enjoys planning events.  What initiative he has!

He drew everyone a picture, placed it in an envelope (some of them he licked), and put them all in a bag.  Then he was ready to deliver them using his bike for transportation.

Here he is ready to deliver!

Everyone had smiling faces when they saw him!  Mommy included!

Valentine's Day

For Valentine's Day, we made some gifts.  The first was a melted crayon heart found here http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/crayon-hearts-671639/ .  It turned out exactly as pictured on the website.  Here the kids are going at it.  I love the serious face Joshua has peeling the crayon.

Tabitha is filling up the heart shaped tin.

It was neat that they could see the crayons melt.  We would leave and come back a few minutes later to see it melt even more.

We also made chocolate covered peanut butter balls.  Yum-o!  Tabitha thought so too.

Tabitha had a Valentine's date with Daddy.  Very sweet!  They went to get pepperoni pizza, her favorite.

Joshua wanted to be a part as well. 

In fact, when Tabitha got home, Joshua took her to the living room so he could slow dance with her.  It was so sweet!  I really don't think I've seen a sweeter moment between them.  She had also brought him ice cream from the date.  They sure do enjoy each other!

Valentine's Day was fun-filled.  We started the morning with church.  Then my mom and Fred renewed their vows immediately following church. They got the kids some very cute, fancy clothes.  Here's Joshua in his suit. 

Tabitha and her baby wore matching dresses.

The bridal party and best man waiting to walk in.  Tabitha was the maid-of-honor, and Joshua was the best man. 

Tabitha walked in all by herself (with baby).  She did an amazing job!   She didn't hesitate.  She slowly walked in with all the smiling faces looking at her. 

Joshua walked Gigi down the aisle.  He also did a fabulous job!  I just couldn't get a good picture.

Here's the lovely bride and groom.  Josue performed the ceremony.

Yummy cake!

This is Fred's son Jason, Fred, Tabitha, Joshua, my mom. me, Dustin, and Keith.

Josue and I with the bride and groom.

Tabitha with Papa.

Later we went to a surprise birthday party.  We were party animals!  Hope your Valentine's was just as great!

A Little Here and a Little There

I found some pictures from the beginning of January until recent that I wanted to share.

New Years Eve
The noise makers were a hit.  Here's Joshua with Buela having a great time.

Outside he got to hold his first sparkler.  Tabitha had nothing to do with it. 

BTW- Both kids were up past midnight.  I really couldn't believe they lasted.  These kids are all about routine and bedtime is usually no later than 9 PM.  They were too busy having fun to sleep.

Horns Game
Every season we make it to at least one Longhorn basketball game.  Here's Josue and Tabitha giving the Hook 'Em sign.  She taught herself and is proud to show it off.

National Championship Game
Josue went to California with some friends to watch the game.  I took the kids to see Gigi and Papa for a couple of days. 

Moments before the game, Joshua took our picture.

We weren't smiling after the game.

During this visit, the kids helped Papa sweep leaves. 

They also rode horses.

Dance Class
The beginning of January I began hosting a dance class at my house for our neighborhood friends.  The kids dress up to come.  It's very cute!  We've had a lot of fun with the class.

Long Distance Friends
This past weekend some friends from high school came to visit.  I grew up near Houston, and two of my friends (Jessica and Kim) still live there.  Elizabeth and I made it to Austin so they came to see us.  It used to be just 4 of us, now look at this crew of children (and Zach)! 

We were at Zilker Park.  So we had to ride the train!  Here's Joshua and Tabitha just before we took off.

Well, I hope you enjoyed those pictures because I sure did.  Hopefully Valentine photos will come soon.