The Little Digger

We're starting to think that Calvin will work construction when he gets older!  He seriously sits outside all day in a pile of dirt and rolls toy tractors around.  Then, when he does come inside, he likes to push tractors around on the train table or in front of the TV while he watches Bob The Builder--this week his favorite episode is "On-site: Skyscrapers."
It's been fun driving around town for him too.  The LBJ freeway is under heavy construction right now.  He's in the back seat screaming out, "Mom! An excavator....another excavator.  Look at the bulldozer!  It has track wheels!  A skid steer!  A back hoe loader!  Three cranes!"  He's quite knowledgeable about each tractor, its name, its special parts and what it's used for.
And for bed time stories, he always pulls out a pile of tractor books to go through.  We have to stop on each page for a few minutes while he rattles on about how special tow trucks take big rigs to the repair shop or how the fork lifts are used on garbage trucks to lift the cans up.  His birthday is a few months off, but he's already asking for a garbage truck and a crane with a wrecking ball.
He's a funny kid and we sure love him!

Happy Birthday to You!!!!!

A Visit to the Texas State Fair 2011!

Some of our highlights from this year's fair!

The famous pig races (yes, I'm being facetious!)

One of the many floats from the nightly parade

George enjoying a spicy jalapeno and cheese corny dog

This year's butter sculpture

Walls and walls of photographs

Cases of this year's canning contest

Entering the Midway!

Dad, George and Katie waiting for the ride to begin


Very happy at the end of the ride


Calvin, Mom and Katie standing beside a ginormous tractor

George and Katie in another pose

We had a fun time!  It was a school night and we decided to head over with Dad after work for a couple hours.  It was a short visit, but absolutely worth the trip.  We were glad Dad could come with us.
The kids and I also visited the fair two weeks previously with Aunt Tiffiny and her new baby Sophie, visiting from California.  We also had a great time then.  Unfortunately, we lost all the photos to prove it. 

Happy Birthday Jared!!!!

Halloween 2011

Calvin (wouldn't put on a costume, just the glow stick), Samuel as Dracula, Emmett as the Incredible Hulk, Reuben the Ninja, George as Darth Vader and Katie (who really just wanted a reason to put on makeup) dressed as a Princess.

The pumpkin line up

George's scary creation.

Katie's spooky Jack.

My "little mother"

This is going to be one of my all-time favorite memories. As I walked past our back door this summer, I came upon this adorable scene. Katie and Calvin were cold from playing with the back hose and Katie, seeing that Calvin didn't have a towel, wrapped him up with her. I absolutely adore how much Katie loves and cares for her little brother. And I love how Calvin looks up to her, and even turns to her for a hug when he needs one. It makes me happy.

George Turns 9!!!!

George decided on a Star Wars themed party this year. All his friends came dressed as Star Wars characters. They had a huge backyard battle before sitting down to pizza, bread sticks, cheesecake and light saber cupcakes and pretzels. The kids had a great time!