The faces of Taylor

Taylor is not always cooperative when it comes to picture taking. He has specialized in messing up family pics in the past with his funny faces. I kept trying to get a good picture of him and you can see his goofiness. But my persistence paid off. He is a handsome guy.

Paige's birthday

Paige got to extend her birthday this year. We did a family birthday on her actual birthday and then she had a party with her friends. Paige's birthday was on a Wed. so I went to the school the night before and decorated her locker. I decided to make sure it would be a special day from the start.

The inside of her locker-not much room for books.

The outside of her locker

We let the kids pick where they want to eat for their birthday. Paige's choice for the past several years has been Cracker Barrel. This is at dinner with a birthday phone call from family.

One of the rites of passage into teenagerhood, as a girl, is to get to wear make up. Personally I think it's way overrated, but I remember it's importance at the time. Paige was just as excited to get to this point. Our emphasis is on a light natural look.

Paige showing off her age and loot.

Paige had a spa/slumber party the weekend after her birthday with a few friends. We played a few games, got pampered and watched movies. A fun time for all of them.

One of the games was blindfolded make-up. It's pretty hilarious seeing the process & outcome.

The girls soaking their feet as part of their pedi. Thank goodness for a big tub.

As part of the facial they had face masks complete with soothing cucumbers for the eyes. They thought that was pretty funny. We played relaxing music and they chilled for a bit. Not too often can you get a group of girls this age to lay quiet.

They each made bath salts to take home as part of their goodies.

Paige with her spa girl cake.

Paige is 13!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe my sweet Paigey Pie is 13. When I look at the pictures I wonder "where has the time gone"? Paige has been such a blessing in our family. She has been, for the most part, very sweet natured, a peacemaker and always nurturing. She is fun loving with just enough spunk to keep things lively. Paige is always looking out for others-she has even grown her hair out twice and donated it to Locks of Love. As parents we think she is beautiful both on the inside and out. Paige, we look forward to the many things that will come your way as you grow and become the woman Heavenly Father wants you to be


Paige at 1 week-it's all girly


6 months

1 yr.

Almost 2-I love this picture. She is playing with empty cans on the garage floor. Not very cleanly but the expression is priceless. The imp is showing

3 yrs.

5 yrs.

7 yrs.

9 yrs.

10 yrs.

11 yrs.

12 yrs.

almost 13

1st day of school

Every year the kids have their picture taken the 1st day of school. Taylor was excited that this is his last time. I was a bit sad. This is Lexi's last year in elementary school. It's weird to think that I am almost done with having children in elementary school. I've had someone in elementary for the past 16 years. Wow, how fast time flies. It's interesting the different approaches each child takes to the first day. The girls were getting all their supplies ready and picking out their outfits a week in advance. Taylor grabbed some paper and a pen to throw in his backpack the night before. He did choose a new shirt for the 1st day. They all look great and are ready for what the new year will bring.

Lexi-5th grade


Paige-7th grade

Taylor-Senior

We are down to three.

New haircuts

Amongst all the preparations for school came haircut time. After swimming all summer everyone was ready for a new do.

Lexi got about 4 inches cut off. I know it doesn't look too different but I like it better.

Paige hadn't had her hair cut in awhile and wanted layers. It works easier when she is flat ironing it. I think she has too much curl to go this short but luckily she's not a Barbie doll and the hair will grow out some.

Ah, Taylor. He usually cuts his own hair with the clippers. He and a good friend decided to mess around with a new style before finishing the job. This was the result. It didn't last too long because he thought it was too much trouble to make it stand up and he couldn't lay down without messing it up. My low maintenance guy.

Blue Bell aquatic center

After going to the neighborhood pool a few times the kids wanted something different. There is a waterpark in Brenham that is by the Blue Bell ice cream factory. It is perfect for the under 12 crowd. 1/2 the pool is only 2'-9" so the younger ones can walk all over. There is a larger 1/2 tube slide. and a beach entry so little ones have some shallow water. All the areas have a ice cream theme. We went with Boyers and Michael and Harrison did okay with the huge number of girls-I guess they're used to it though.


Michael was the easiest to keep track of-he was content to just sit and play or chew on the goggle strap.



Bathing beauty Abby

Harrison with the ball and running in the water from the showering ice cream sundae. He thought it was great to have so much area that he could run it and kept me busy making sure he didn't get in too deep. I forget that little boys don't sit still for long.

The big girls at the top of the slide.

Morgan on the slide. We went to this waterpark last summer with Girl Scouts and Morgan was not tall enough to go on the slide then. This was a great thing to be tall enough finally.

Claire, Alex and Samantha loved the banana split slide and spent most of the afternoon there.

Emily and Lexi trying their balance on the floating popcicles. They hold the rope and go across.

Mid-afternoon there was some thunder so we had to take a 1/2 hr. break which was fine. The clouds quickly passed and we enjoyed the rest of the afternoon. We did get the chance for a photo op. It's not everyday you get to sit on a giant banana split.

The Children's museum

When all the craziness with my dad started my sister and her family were visiting them in VA. They spent a week there and then my brother-in-law needed to be back at work. My sister stayed with my mom and my brother-in-law drove back to Texas with 4 kids. I had the kids stay with us the next week so there wouldn't be the babysitting finagling and cousins could spend time together before school started. Since it's so hot we hung out where it was air conditioned or wet. One day we went to the Children's museum. The kids had a blast and there was something for everyone.

Harrison in front of a display of tubes filled with one of his favorite things-CARS!!!! But it made him mad that he couldn't take them out.



Claire and Emily in the big blocks. Emily built a tower around Claire and Claire let her. Amazing

Abby and Lexi outside at the Waterworks. There are all sorts of gadgets for directing and playing in water. The girls just wished they could get in the water.

Our last stop for the day was the face painting area. Harrison was not interested in this at all.

After a full day of play the batteries needed recharging. This was before we even got on the freeway.