Our Visit with Bamber and Caden

After Stetson's nap, we headed to Amber's house to check on her, say hi to her Mom, and to see Caden. It has been too long since we've all seen each other, and it was so nice to catch up. You would never know that Amber had her second back procedure done yesterday...what a trooper!

The girls and their boys...

Just the girls...

Just the boys...

Stetson enjoying a homemade popsicle from Bamber...yummy!!

Stetson received gifts from Bamber and Mrs. Nichols...thank you! I would proudly show these off too! Since Mommy is a saver, they went straight into his piggy bank.

Stetson to the rescue!

Stetson's school had a fundraiser today for several children's charities and we went to try to help in any way that we could. They had a "garage" sale of baby items, a silent auction, a little bounce house, and a bake sale. To attract more people, his school arranged for the Rowlett Fire Department to be on site.

Stetson wasn't too sure of the firemen or the fire truck at first. You don't realize how big those trucks are until you are up close and personal! Luckily, his favorite teacher from his first class was there.

Now he has warmed up to it all and is ready to become a fireman! He had to promise to never play with matches or lighters. Once he did that, he was official and they even gave him a sticker!

Firemen have to play a little too, you know.

And just as we were getting ready to leave, the firemen received an emergency call and had to leave. Stetson was in some sort of trance as he watched the firemen quickly pack up and head out to save the world.

Here we go again...

I am officially back on my diet as of this past Tuesday. Yes...that is the reason why I passed on the treats from Gramps. Anyway, I don't want to bore everyone with weekly updates like I did last time. Instead, I have created a ticker to the right that tracks my progress (stole the idea from Allison...thanks!). It is mostly there for me but if you want to follow my journey to looking like a super model, feel free.

Update

For those of you who just assumed that I gave in to the temptation last night...you are...WRONG! I know, I know...write this one down in the history books.

T-E-M-P-T-A-T-I-O-N

Oh my goodness! Gramps left the yummiest of treats in our freezer today while we were at work! If you have ever had one, you know what I mean. I can remember waiting for the Schwan's man to come to our house when I was a child, just so we could order these. J is not a big sweets eater, but he LOVES these! I'm not sure if my will-power is strong enough to resist the temptation. I can hear them calling my name as I type...what's a girl to do???

Short Night

11:30pm - Fall asleep

12:34am - J's work phone rings

Yes, you read that correctly...one hour after falling asleep J received an emergency call. No one tried to steal an ATM this time, thank goodness, but this isn't much better. Apparently, a guy tried to steal cigarettes and the store clerk locked the doors, which locked him inside the store until the police arrived. That plan would have worked perfectly if the guy didn't then proceed to kick in the glass on the door and escape. So...J had to go "secure the scene" and make repairs. I honestly don't know how he does it. It's not like he goes and makes the repairs and then comes back home. By the time he is done with all that, he has to head to the office and do his "regular" job. I couldn't make it on only one hour of sleep! Any bets on what time J goes to bed tonight???

Fun in the Sun

Mama Bear and Papa Bear were kind enough to invite us to the club for food and fun today. Stetson wasn't too sure about the pool at first, but once he got comfortable with it he had a blast!

We started out in the kiddie pool. The pool has jets in it that keep the water constantly circulating and it creates a bit of a current. It took Stetson a while to get his "sea legs". He went under once and we had to coax him back into the water.

Then we took a break to eat lunch. Stetson received not only one but TWO surprises from Mama Bear and Papa Bear! The first...a golf club and golf ball!!

The second...a popsicle! Check out the size of this thing!!

After lunch, we headed to the big pool. Stetson really enjoyed swimming in this pool and watching the older kids play.

Memorial Day

They gave their tomorrow

For our today

To each and every service man and woman who has given their life for our country, thank you! I know these two words do not do justice, but it is all I have. I honor and respect you, and can only hope that we all remember what you have sacrificed when our tomorrow comes.

Lone Star Park

Today we went to Lone Star Park to watch a little horse racing. J and I have always had fun there, but this was Stetson's first time.

"Come on, Gramps! Let's go see the horsies!"

"We're here! This isn't bad at all...I've got my own seat, a sippy cup full of juice, snacks, and 'my girl' sitting next to me."

"I'm supposed to do what with this book again?? Pick horses and win money? Do I get ice cream if I choose correctly?"

"Oh my gosh! I haven't seen any horsies yet but do you see what I see?!"

"Mommy, Mommy, Mommy! Quick...where's my tractor?"

"The horsies are coming! The horsies are coming!" (notice his feet off the ground)

Stetson got a better view thanks to Daddy and Mommy.

Racing!

"Run, horsies, run!! Yea!!!" (hearing everyone else cheer was very exciting)

"Well, it's been a long day and I've had so much fun! I'll see you next time!"

Sack Lunch

Stetson had Steak and Shake for the first time today (my Dad would be jealous). Anytime he has a hamburger and fries he is happy, but he got to enjoy another chocolate shake too. Lucky for him, Daddy let him take it in his truck.Not thirty seconds after I took this picture, Stetson was holding the straw (as it dripped) and the cup was upside down between his feet. Thank goodness for lids!!

So that was the lunch part of the story...now for the sack part. All I can say is that Daddy was bored, Mommy was doing laundry, and Stetson was an easy target. All three of us laughed and laughed about this. Stetson thought it was hilarious!

Another Day of Fun

Stetson spent the day with Mama Bear and Papa Bear today. Papa Bear took the afternoon off from work, and Stetson was so excited to be with both of them. They spent the day playing outside and never even left the house (except to go on a long wagon ride). When I arrived to pick him up after work, he didn't want to leave. In fact, he cried as we drove away.

Stetson and Papa Bear...

Stetson and Mommy...

If you look really closely, you will see the little ball that Stetson was playing with throughout the entire "photo shoot". He was throwing it, kicking it, and playing catch with Mama Bear and Papa Bear. It ended up going home with us in Stetson's pocket. Now all I have to do is keep up with it so we can take it back to Mama Bear and Papa Bear next time. Wish me luck!

DAVID COOK ROCKS!!!

Enough said. We're so happy he won and will definitely be purchasing his first album.

Time Out

Stetson told me that he got put in time out today for screaming at school. I'm not sure if that is true or not but he was infatuated with time out when we got home. He put himself in it several times...fake crying and the whole bit! Gramps was here and decided to play along too. Gramps' time out spot was the stairs and, of course, Stetson wanted to be in time out with Gramps. Is this how time out is supposed to be???

Laughing??

Tickling??

Snuggling??

Mommy and Daddy must have this time out thing ALL wrong! It is never this much fun! And that is one of the many reasons why Stetson loves his Gramps!!

Vote for Cook!

As corny as it may be, we are American Idol watchers and huge David Cook fans. Tonight is the final performance and we are behind our guy 100%!! If you have never heard him perform, he is worth a listen.

HE DID IT!!!

We are so proud of Stetson!! For the first time ever, he rode his bicycle...properly!

Ok, Daddy, tell me again what I'm supposed to do.

That's too much work. It's much easier to push with my feet on the ground.

I think I'll just push it. You can get where you are going much faster this way.

I'm just not getting this. Daddy can you SHOW me how? I'll help.

That was the trick! Here is Stetson aka "Cool Rider"...