Chad turns 30, Gabby turns 5

Gabby as a baby. This just a tribute to her five years with us. I still think she could have won a beautiful baby contest.

Chad turns 30, but just look how is still the same ol'Chad in monogramed overalls.

Birthday Breakfast.
Chad's 30th Birthday Bash. Look at this generation pic. Classic.

Finally a belly shot for those who requested.

The BIG 3-0!!!!!


Gabby's birthday breakfast.

As a tradition, we went to Chuck E Cheese for Gabby's birthday.
He loved that car!
Can you see Gabby's face?


Gabby ran up quite a ticket count on ski ball.

Alex finally gave up and just climbed up the ramp to throw them in.

Friday night, for Gabby's birthday, we took just Gabby to the Astros game with her Grandma and Gido.
The fireworks were just way too exciting for her. Seriously she squealed with delight every explosion.
All tuckered out. Even five year-olds need their beauty sleep. Besides, she had a party to get ready for the next day. This year we did something different. Gabby invited all girls for a tinker bell party where they did fairy crafts and got their nails painted. It was a very girly time.

You like the costume? I sewed it myself, don't look too closely.

Girls just wanna have fun!!!

Alex was frightened by the birthday song.

But the cake cheered him up.

Family pic.
Grandma and Grandmommy gave her a birthday kiss.
Here's my big five-year-old riding her new bike that Grandma and Gido gave her.
Gabby had her first sleepover with her cousin Cammie for her birthday. They enjoyed popcorn and watched the new Barbie movie on Gabby's other big present, a princess TV with DVD player.



Phew!!! It's been a long month. If two big milestone birthdays weren't enough, hurrican Ike had to come and destroy all our big plans. We originally planned to have fam trip to Galveston the weekend of Chad's 30th. Needless to say, we made other plans. Chad's parents were gracious enough to let us have the family celebration at their house, even after they had been out of power for several days and had a little bit of water damage. I can't thank them enough for helping us throw Chad a great birthday...even though it wasn't a beach house in Galveston, it was still loads of fun. Then came Gabby's big day. She knew it too. I heard the phrase, "It's my birthday, I can do what I want." about a thousand times. But somehow I couldn't resist spoiling her. Her celebration started with a special birthday breakfast with pink frosting. Then Chuck E Cheese for lunch, followed by the Astros Game. Then the next day, Gabby had her party. ( A party that I would have killed for as a little girl.) Tinkerbell was the theme. Only girls were invited and they had manicures and did girly things like decorated art projects with jewels and glitter. I am still sweeping up glitter and beads. But a fun time was had by all. Every time September rolls around, I am reminded of how very lucky I am to have two wonderful people in my life: Chad and Gabby. I love them dearly and I'm sooo happy their mine.

There's No Place Like Home

Gabby did her Aunt Shannon's Make-up. Isn't it magnificant?

We are finally and thankfully home after what seemed like a long, well....it was a long trip. We were one of many who evacuated for Hurricane Ike. We were already planning on going to Austin for Gabby and Alex's cousin Katie's 5th birthday. So, we went ahead and headed up early on Thursday to get out of town for the Hurricane. After sitting in the parking lot that was I10, five hours later we arrived in Austin. First we stayed with Aunt Shannon and Uncle Mak for two nights. We were so happy to finally get to stay at their new house. But, after a couple of nights and no naps for the kids plus the fact that Alex woke up each morning just before sunrise, we were missing home. But, we couldn't come home just yet thanks to Ike. We headed out to Chad's brother's house in Round Rock where our kids had a blast playing with their cousin Katie and enjoying all of her toys. Katie's party was on Sunday where more fun was had by all. After the party and after we debated about where to go and not knowing if we had electricity or not, we headed home. Thankfully as we drove into our debris-filled neighborhood, we noticed lights were on outside the homes of some houses. So we felt lucky to already have power. Our backyard took a big hit. The pictures don't really even show everything. It's a mess! Everytime we walk outside, Alex says in his cute little voice, "MESS!" But we feel like the lucky ones after driving around and seeing trees on people's roofs. Despite the mess and the chaos of finding a grocery store with milk and a few essential groceries, it's good to be home in our own bed. Also, pregnant belly pics are coming soon. I would put one up today, but I am not feeling very pretty, no make up, that sort of thing. Someone I know didn't even recognize me at the grocery store this morning. Do I look that drastically different without makeup? Talk about a blow to the ol' self-esteem. Ha Ha. Maybe just the pregnant thing.

Labor Day Weekend and More...

Hook'em!!! Here are my little longhorns getting pumped before Saturday's game, which we of course won!!!


Gabby took this picture. Notice her finger in the upper left hand corner.

Chad took the kids out on the Barbie Jeep on Monday. Gabby actually could steer somewhat.

This is just a cute picture I decided to include. To think, only 8 months ago I could barely get him to wear that hat for his birthday picture. Now he loves it!

The next few pictures were taken a couple of weeks ago at Colton's, my nephew, birthday party. His party theme was that he was going to film a movie with all of his friends with his new movie camera. Gabby and Cammie were princesses whose father, the king (Alex/Chad) was turned into a baby. Alex played the baby king, and Chad was the adult king.

Here he is on his throne surrounded by his daughters. Hee Hee.
Red Carpet.
So sweet!

I am truly proud to call this man my husband. He played a great performance in the last two minutes of the movie as the king restored to his adulthood. Does'nt he look just like Alex, the baby king?

Gabby Goes To School

Yesterday was the first day of Gabby's last year in preschool. I can't believe that kindergarten is looming in the near future. It seems just like yesterday when I was saying I how glad I was that my newborn was born in September, because it's almost like getting another free year with her at home. Although she will be five is less than a month, it feels good to know she is still my baby that I get to enjoy for one more year!!!
The first day was a smooth transition for her, I am not sure I can say the same for myself and Alex. The last picture was taken only moments before his big meltdown about having to leave Gabby's classroom and the cool car toys in it. I think time stopped as his piercing screams were heard all the way out of the building with all eyes on us. I couldn't have gotten out of there fast enough! Then once we were home, which is only five minutes away, I went about my daily chores and business at home. But, somehow, there was a huge void without Gabby there. Alex didn't know what to do with himself without having his sister to follow around, so he just followed me instead. It was sort of a lonely morning for the both of us. But pick-up time soon came and Gabby was happy with her day. I even had a small surprise on her bed waiting for her when she came home, the new Little Mermaid movie. This is tradition I am afraid that I started for every first day. But, she was so thrilled to know I missed her while she was away. She told me, "I was worried about school, but not anymore." It was good to hear her say those words.

First Baby Photo

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice....

Well, I have to spread the fantastic news. I am happy to say that Gabby and Alex will be having a baby sister!!!! We went to the ultrasound today and I was floored. I just knew it was going to be a boy. Boy, I was wrong. Somehow I'm wrong with every baby. I never guess it right. Oh well. We now can get excited and prepared for our second little girl. We are thrilled! My mom watched the kids while we went, so on the way home, Chad and I stopped by a little boutique and bought the new baby girl a little something. Gabby was slightly disappointed to hear it wasn't another "stinky little brother," but she then started to get excited for a little sister. We told Alex and he didn't seem to understand nor care. I honestly was hoping for a little girl, but I also thought that Alex would want a little brother. Maybe a fourth is in our future?.....

Summer Daze

Peek-a-boo at breakfast time. It's so fun to watch them play with eachother!!!

My technologically advanced children. (Basically, Alex just wants to do what his sister does!)

Charlotte's Web Party: I have been reading Charlotte's Web to Gabby, one chapter every night. I promised her that once we finished reading the book, we'd have a party and watch the movie. Her eyes lit up at the thought of a party. So she planned that we would have popcorn and drink Kool-aid and blow up some balloons. So a party it became. She really enjoyed the movie and suprisingly, she remembered a lot of the book to compare it to.

We're thinking of trying out a new hair-do. What do you think?

Already trying to be like Dad.
We were prepared for Tropical Storm Eduaord.
Each of them had their own tent with books and games. Gabby's idea.
Just too cute!!!

Gabby snuggling one of Grandmommy's new puppies, Sadie.
No, he's not in time out. He just crawled into the dog's cage all by himself. Sooo funny!
Granddaddy's 60th birthday celebration!!!

I love my twin, daddy!

Well, sorry I haven't posted in over a month. But these pictures sum up the most part of what's been going on here. We have spent many days at home cleaning out closets, playing with cousins, visiting grandparents, having a few playdates and so on. We spent another weekend in Grandbury celebrating my dad's 60th birthday. My sister, Jennifer, made a slide show with old pictures and then wrote up 60 Don Hooperisms. It was a big surprise to my father, and it brought tears to his eyes. It was so nice for all of us siblings with our kids and spouses to be there to honor him and let him know that his Don Hooperisms are still with us today. Happy Birthday Dad, I love you!!! We also had a sad goodbye to the Clarksons who moved to Taipei, Taiwan for a year. But, I have enjoyed getting to hear their adventures thus far.

We are also greatly anticipating finding out what our baby will be. Boy or Girl? It's driving me crazy not knowing. It is something I think about at least a hundred times a day. I want to know which set of clothes to get down from the attic. I want to know which room it will be in, the theme, the color...etc. I want to start calling the baby by name. I want to get Gabby ready for the idea of another brother or a new sister. (She wants another "stinky brother") I want to know!!!! Next Wednesday is the ultrasound. I just ask for everyone's prayers that this baby is a healthy baby, no matter the gender. Stay tuned for the latest news!