Twins

Von (blue shorts) & Travor (red & silver)

Last weekend Kent and our nephews, Von & Travor, came to visit. We love having them around. Hayden always has a blast with his cousins (they are his only cousins). He loves them so much, and his uncle Kent (Kevin's brother) is so much fun to play with. Hayden loves to horseplay with them, play video games with them, have them push him on the swing, etc. Uncle Kent made yummy gumbo, too. I hope we get to see them again, soon.

Sarah Bettens-K's Choice Concert

Sarah and me

Last weekend, Tonya and I went to see one of my favorite singers at Momos Club. About 12 years ago we saw K's Choice open up for Alanis Morissette, and I have been a huge fan ever since. Sarah Bettens now has a solo career (she was the lead singer in K's Choice), and I felt like I was back in high school as Tonya and I went to the concert. We had a blast! Thanks Kevin for watching the boys while we had a girls night. Usually, I hate to leave any of my boys at home, but it was a nice treat. Go to youtube if you want to hear Sarah Bettens. She does a great cover of Chasing Cars, and I'm sure most of you have heard the song "Not an Addict"...

www.sarahbettens.com

Salt Lick

While my sisters were in Europe, we went to the Salt Lick. We ate a lot of BBQ, but Hayden & Rowan were very wriggly. They both decided to "lick" their toes on the way home. I can't believe how cute my boys are-they take after their dad. On a different note-Hayden was 3 foot 1 (25%) and 34 pounds (50%) at his 3 year check-up. He didn't have to get any shots, but that didn't stop him from crying the whole time we were there. Gosh, I love him, tantrums and all...

HOG HEAVEN

My families pet pig of 11 years passed away tonight. Her name was Wilbur, and she was the best pet. I drove out to Manor to purchase her for $25 after my brother Adam hurt himself in a bicycle accident. She squealed the whole ride home. She could fit into the palm of your hand when we first got her. She slept with my brother for about a year. He would get a rash on his cheeks from her coarse hair. She was pretty much potty-trained from the day we brought her home. She lived in the house, until she got too big for her litter box. She would still get in, but her tush would hang out, and then she would end up going on my bedroom floor. When I lived at home during college, she would push open my bedroom door every morning and come inside to get her breakfast. She was my morning alarm clock. She had black hair in the mo hawk fashion, and she probably weighed about 3-400 pounds when she passed. However, she weighed more a few years ago. She was the best "watch pig", she could chew gum, and she never ran out into the road. You could purchase a 50 pound bag of "weight loss" pig food at the store for $5, and it would last her a few months. However, she would eat all of your leftovers, and she loved watermelon. Perhaps, one day I can talk Kevin into getting us a pet pig. We'll miss you, Wilbur.

Potty Training

Rub a dub dub... Yes, there are always ducks in our tub...

We are starting to potty train Hayden, but it hasn't been easy. He'd much rather be taking a bath with Rowan... He'll putt Fozzy on the toilet and give him chocolates (which, he has to eat, of course). Or, he'll hop on, hop off, and then he'll run and get a hershey kiss. He went through a whole bag in a few days. We're very proud of him.

Happy Birthday Hayden

Hayden hugging NathanGrandmama & Grandma
Lou & Bugaboo
Heather & Billy
Hayden, Mom, & Dad

Pappap beat the Pinata again! Hot Dog Eating Contest (Jordan won)

Dan, Andy, Chad, Jordan, Lou

Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest (Chad won)

Billy, Dan, Andy, Lou, Heather, Heidi
The Duck Pond game (apparently doubles as a toddler pool) Me & Rowan

Tonya and me
Chad, Molly & Ella

Grandmama & JJ the Clowns Heidi & Jordan the Clowns
Hayden & Cotton Candy

Nathan the Clown
Tye the Kitty
Shaylee-Hayden's "girlfriend"
Heidi, Heather, & Irene
Mom, Hayden, & Rowan watching the fireworks...

Chad & Aaron goofing around...
Nathan & Hayden singing Who Let the Dogs Out... Aaron serenading Courtney...

Kevin, Jordan, Lou, & Billy... sorry girls, they're taken

Here are some pics from Chad's wonderful 4th of July party and Hayden's 3rd birthday party. At Chad's we ate BBQ, watched Cedar Park's, Leander's and his neighbors 5k+ firework shows, sung Karaoke, and stayed up late. For Hayden's birthday party, we had a carnival theme with snow cones, cotton candy, nachos, frito pie, a hot dog eating contest, watermelon seed spitting contest, duck pond, lollipop tree, face painting, pinata, tattoos, cupcakes, etc. Hayden was spoiled with gifts by his friends and family who love him. I often say that Rowan is my lover and Hayden is my fighter, but Hayden is one of the sweetest boys I know. Sure he has to cry at least 3 hours a day to get his emotions out, but he also spends at least 3 hours a day telling me how much he loves me, kissing Rowan, learning new things, or helping around the house. He is the first to kiss your booboos if your hurt, always saying fanx (thank you), runs and grabs a towel if he spills something, loves to go to Mr. Gatti's, and he remembers absolutely everything. He amazes me everyday with how smart he is. He loves for his dad to tell him stories before he goes to bed (Kevin is a great story teller). We love you tons, Hayden!

Yankee Doodle Boys

Uncle Chad & Rowan

Uncle Chad, Auntie M, & Rowan

Grandmama & Pappap

My sister Heidi & her boyfriend, Jordan

Dan, Brielle, Nathan, & Ella

My brother Craig and his girlfriend, Courtney

Hayden & Rowan

Hayden & Nathan

Hayden, Rowan, & Nathan (Uncle Chad in the background)

This morning we went to the 4th of July Parade in our neighborhood. It was Hayden's 3rd time in the parade. I told him that he won (although there really wasn't any competition going on). The McDonalds (Andy, Jill, & Ally), Giards (Dan, Brielle, Nathan, & Ella), Hartmanns (Grandmama, Pappap, Chad & Molly, Heidi & Jordan, Craig & Courtney), Mark & Misty (&Emma & Megan), Kristen & Jeremy, & Grandma Lavon were all there. It was lots of fun. After the parade, most people went to the Pancake Breakfast put on by the Boy Scouts at the Firestation, but we ate Rudy's breakfast tacos at my house. Now we are resting up for Chad's 4th of July party tonight.