More Summer Fun @ Putt-Putt

Last week, we took the girls to play Putt-Putt. Even at 8 o'clock it was still close to 100 degrees!!! We had a good time, but man it was just too hot!

Landrie and Karsyn picked the "Adventure Course". After about the first 5 holes, they were more interested in the scenery than playing golf. Karsyn, of course, played by her own rules. She would hit the ball from the 'tee', but then would move it closer to the hole for her 2nd and 3rd shots.

Landrie was trying too hard and got frustrated when she didn't get it right the first time. We're definitely going to have to work on that!

Karsyn was so proud that she got it in the hole!

Landrie wanted her picture by every animal on the course.

Silly faces on top of a very large elephant

It's all Lolly's fault!

Lolly bought a new toy last week and it was love at first bite for me - a new ice cream maker! She's made every flavor under the sun - peach, strawberry, banana and coffee. They were all so good, so I decided to get Lamar one for his birthday. It was more like a gift for all of us, but still...

I gave her a chance to perfect the recipe and tonight I made my first batch of homemade strawberry. It was delicious.

Here's the recipe for the ice cream base that we're using:

(for a 1 1/2 quart maker)
2 cups milk (2 % is fine)
2 cups half-half
1 14 oz can Sweetened Condensed Milk

After you make the base, you can add whatever flavor you like. I pureed frozen strawberries and added a cup to the base.

I might try the lower fat products next time, so I won't feel so guilty for eating ice cream every night!!!

For my next batch, I want to try pina colada with pineapple bits.

I'll let you know how it turns out!

Summer Update

This summer has been full of fun so far! With Karsyn being potty trained and both of the girls at an easier age, we're able to go and do a whole lot more than ever before.

We've gone to the park, swam A LOT and had a great 4th of July! I've been enjoying my time with them and haven't documented a lot of it, but here's a few pictures.



We were at a park in Keller and the girls saw this and ASKED to have their picture taken!! They're modeling their new summer haircuts too!!!


Here's the girls at their first day of swimming lessons. I was very discouraged at first, but since lessons have ended, the girls have done great with their swimming! Landrie even swam across the pool yesterday. Karsyn is floating all around in a ring and kicking to get wherever she wants to go. I need to get some more pictures of their progress.

I've been on a cookie baking/decorating kick. My first cookies were for Janelle's graduation party and I've now made them for Father's Day and the 4th of July.


For our Super Star Dads - Lamar & Pops!



I did flip flop cookies for the 4th because they were more fun to decorate. Everyone had a cookie with their name on it. The girls just loved to eat the icing off the top.

Our 4th was great!! We swam during the day and then went to church. FC is doing a series called "At the Movies". After church, we ate at Jason's and then walked to the Boys Ranch. The fireworks were great--the girls were in complete awe of them!

Landrie, Channing, Karsyn & Campbell

Summertime = Fun Time

We've been going and going since getting out of school. We just finished our first week of swimming lessons. Landrie is doing so well. She still doesn't want to move from the steps or hot tub in deep water, but in shallow water she's swimming like a little fish.

Karsyn isn't doing as well, unfortunately. My dare-devil child doesn't want to do anything at swimming lessons. It's mostly stubbornness - it's not her idea, so she's not going to try it. Luckily we have 4 more lessons, so I'm hopeful we'll see some progress.

My mom and I took the girls yesterday. 10 hours later, we rode all the rides that they were big enough to ride and saw the Glow in the Dark Parade. It wasn't Disney, but it was still a great day.

Karsyn wanted to ride everything! If she was tall enough, we would have been riding everything - including Mr. Freeze! She told Lolly that it would be scary, but it would be so fun! I love this girl! I can't wait for her to grow another few inches and then we'll be riding everything!

Landrie was brave too. She told us she was afraid of heights, but then proceeded to ride the Parachutes and Judge Roy Scream. She was more cautious, as usual, but still had a great time!

Thanks Lolly for enduring the heat and all the walking for your girls! We had a blast!!!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the best daddy 2 little girls could ever ask for!!!!

Freedom!

As of 3 pm this afternoon, I am FREE! I will not have to think about or go to work for the next 2 months! We don't have any big plans yet, but just the thrill of all the free time a girl could ask for is enough for me.

I do have a few goals though:

- Workout 4 times a week (started this today!)
- Purge toys from the girls toy closet
- Put away winter clothes (should have done this a long time ago!)
- Enjoy my family!!!!

I'll keep you posted!

Confession

My name is Jennifer, and I might be addicted to Facebook!

My blogging has fallen way behind and I'll blame it entirely on FB. I read my regular blogs each day, but I check FB very regularly. And now that my following of 5 readers is on FB, I can do my quick updates there. (Way to Go Gigi for joining!)

So...I need your opinion: Keep blogging or not?

It's all in your hands!!!

Works for me Wednesday - Saving those "Masterpieces"

Several blogs that I read post helpful tips on "Works for Me Wednesday." I've seen lots of clever ideas and thought I would pass one along.

The girls are always bringing home "masterpieces" from school. I always sort through what is worth saving and what isn't. If it's a worksheet or coloring page, those usually stick around for the week, but then I chunk them. The projects that they are most proud of or include something personal - like their picture, handprint, etc., I keep in one of those under-the-bed storage bins. I keep in in my hall closet and as soon as those projects come home, that's where they go for safe keeping.

I remember looking under the bookcase at my parent's house and finding old projects I worked on. I loved to look at the things I did and see how my handwriting and drawings changed. I want the girls to have those same treasures when they get older.

I'd love to hear your ideas! Leave them in the comments or send me an email. I can always use a good organizational tip. I know many of you have me beat on that!

Graduation

After a big weekend celebrating Mother's Day, Lolly's Birthday and Janelle's graduation, we celebrated another milestone today--Landrie's Preschool Graduation!

It was a short and sweet ceremony. The kids marched in, the teachers announced their names and they marched out...simple and to the point, yet it made me feel bittersweet. I can't believe that my little girl is going to Kindergarten next year! She's more than ready, but man it's already gone by too fast. I'm so proud of all that she's learned and so excited to see how she'll grow and change next year too.

Landrie was given a Bible today as she walked the stage. She already treasures it so much. The verse that they are learning for May is:

"Your Word I have hidden in my heart so that I may not sin against You." Psalm 119:11

How wonderful it is that she's learning this so early. What a blessing to have had her in such a great school for the last 4 years.

The Graduate receiving her "diploma" and Bible.

Keepin' it in the family - Tris, Hayden, Landrie and Dylan (our honorary cousin)

Landrie and the girls in her class

Landrie with her teachers - Mrs. Ruby Ann and Mrs. Pam

Landrie, Caleb, Steven, Mia & Jillian - these 5 have been together since they were 2 years old!

Mommy with The Graduate!

Daddy with The Graduate!

Proud Sister

This is a BIG weekend for our family! Saturday we will celebrate Lolly's birthday and Janelle's college graduation and Sunday is Mother's Day and Janelle's party. She is graduating from Hardin-Simmons University. It makes me feel old to realize that all of us have now graduated from college. Janelle has worked really hard and finished strong!

I'm so proud of my baby sister! Way to go, Janelle!!!

A Girl and Her Dog

Landrie LOVES Snoopy! No surprise, but 2 instances lately have proved just how much this girl loves her dog.

A few weeks ago after church, Landrie was holding Snoopy's collar in the front yard while I went to find her leash. I heard Landrie say "Uh Oh" and looked down the street to see Snoopy several houses down. I dropped everything (but my cell phone) and started running up the street. As soon as I got close, Snoopy would take off running again.

Once I realized this wasn't going to be a quick rescue, I called Lamar to come pick me up so we could drive to find the dang the sweet dog. When Lamar went to get Landrie to come back outside, he heard her crying, "What have I done?"

We finally found Snoopy about 6 streets over in the older part of our neighborhood. I wish I had thought to record the conversation that Landrie and Karsyn had with Snoopy:

Karsyn: "Snoopy, you could have been hit by a car!" She's obviously heard this a few times before.

Landrie: In between sobs, "Snoopy, we don't run away from Mommy. That is very bad!"

Karsyn: "Landrie, why did you let go of Snoopy?!?"

We were laughing so hard we were crying!

Tonight, Justin got to experience the die hard devotion to Snoopy.

He came over for dinner and played with the girls while I ran to the store. I forgot to shut the garage when I left. It was about to rain, so he let Snoopy into the garage without looking to see if the door was shut first. Snoopy took off!

When I got home, Justin was driving up with Snoopy in the car. Landrie was still balling her eyes out while smiling and laughing at the same time. It took a good 15 minutes to get her to settle down.

As indifferent as I am about Snoopy, I realize that she is too special to Landrie to ever let anything happen to her.

Easter Weekend (Part 2)

At Meme and Papa's house, we celebrated Easter and Birthdays once again. With 9 kids 8 and under it's always a fun, but crazy time. I love the 2 pictures below because we could barely contain them while we "hid" the eggs. Since it rained that morning, we put them mostly on the driveway and even hid a few on the cars.




Karsyn knew what to do this year and had no problem filling up her bucket to the top. Landrie filled hers up about halfway and declared she had enough.



After the egg hunt, we ate dinner and then did the birthday party for Karsyn and Madison. Lolly made her famous Strawberry Cupcakes (yummy!) for Karsyn's cake. When it was time for Karsyn to blow out her candle, she nearly burned her mouth. Oops!



We had a great weekend celebrating with all of our family. It was hectic, but I wouldn't trade it for the world! We are so blessed to have such an awesome family!

Easter Weekend (Part 1)

This was a weekend of celebrations! Not only did we get to celebrate the real reason for Easter, we got to have lots of birthday and family fun!


Karsyn had her 4th of 5 Birthday celebrations with Gigi, Grandpa and crew. She was thrilled to have a Dora cake.

We also celebrated Grandpa's 60th Birthday! We had fun with lots of family and friends, plus 60 pounds of crawfish and a pinata.

Silly Boys in Silly Hats!

Landrie, Karsyn and Camden had fun playing together too! We can't wait for her sister Braelynn to be here either.

Gigi and Grandpa, we had a great weekend with you! We can't wait to see you again soon!