Miller Graduates from Pre-K 1

For the first time, our pre-school had a pre-K graduation.  Since Miller will be in Pre-K again next year, this was more of a graduation from the school after 4 years of being there .

Miller waiting for the ceremony to start with his buddy Katelyn.

Miles was excited.

Miller getting his diploma from Mrs. Kay.

The Shining Stars class.

Miller with Mrs. Pam.  We were so lucky to have such great teachers this year.  

*Sorry some of these pictures are blurry - a setting somehow got switched on the camera and we didn't know it.

 Mrs. Kay retired at the end of this year.  She will be missed.

 Miller with his girlfriend Hannah.  We already miss them and all his friends so much. 

 Thanks to Memorial Drive Weekday School for four great years!  At least Miles will be there for a few more years.

Miller heads to Wildcay Way Pre-K (the districts all pre-k school) next year.  We are "holding" him because of his August 28 birthday.  The cut off is Sept. 1.  He will go five days a week, an hour longer each day and ride the bus.  We think it will be a great transition.

Vegas Baby...

Every year Jud goes to Vegas for a Real Estate conference in May.  Since it was the week after our ten year anniversary, I joined him this year.  Jud, don't forget, we still have a big ten year anniversary trip to go on at some point.

We stayed in a suite at the MGM Grand.  These rooms had just been renovated and were super nice.

I was there for three nights, which is about as much Vegas as you can take.  The first night we went to the Wynn and had dinner before we went to the show Le Reve.  Between dinner and the show we walked around the hotel and saw Dirk Nowitzki and Mark Cuban playing blackjack.  Jud made me take a picture with Dirk (I hate doing things like that).  They were both really nice, but Cuban wouldn't take a picture.

Le Reve.  If you like Cirque du Soleil, you will love this show.  I highly recommend it! Jud took this picture after the show ended since you couldn't take pictures during the show.

We went on a long walk down the strip one morning.  Of course we had to stop and eat at the famous Fat Burger.  It was really good.

We had a super nice anniversary dinner at Prime Steakhouse at the Bellagio.  That place is so good and of course you pay for it.  We just couldn't get over how expensive Vegas is.  At dinner we sat at a table next to John Fox (the new head coach of the Denver Broncos) and Mike Shanahan (former head coach of the Broncos and now the head coach of the Washington Redskins). John Fox is loud and obnoxious, but very entertaining.

Prime gave us free passes that let you skip the line at the night club Hyde.  While it was fun, we were to old and conservative to be there.  Here is the club scene.  Look at the couple on the front right and the dancer in white.

Jud took a picture of the dancer up close as we were walking out.  I just don't get it.  There was another one with a lamp shade over her head and face.  By the way, it took us 15 minutes to get about 20 feet when trying to leave.

The next night all the parties started for Jud's conference and we went to three different ones.  We ended up at a party at Hyde again (one company had rented out the entire club).  It was laid back, not crowded and you got to enjoy the amazing view.  I think a private party at a club is more our speed.

We didn't do a whole lot of gambling while we were there.  We lost about $100 playing War (yes, the game you played when you were a kid).  I love it, but you can win or lose really fast.  We also spent a lot of time at our favorite table...the horse race table at the MGM.  We discovered this table about 10 years ago and to our surprise it was still there.  Apparently, there is only one other of it's kind in Canada.  You bet quarters and play the odds on the five plastic horses that race around this little track.  Silly, but fun!

Jud did play some blackjack after I left to come home, but he didn't lose too much.  We had a great trip and it was so much fun to just hang out as a couple, but I think I've had enough Vegas for a few years.  

Happy Early Birthday Boys!

 At the boys school, they have chapel in the sanctuary every Friday morning.  At chapel, they celebrate all the kids birthdays from that week. Since both boys have summer birthdays they both got to celebrate them at the last two chapels of the year.

Here's Miles with his crown on waiting in the "buggy" to go up to the front.  He has quite a bit of Mommy separation anxiety so I'm actually hiding behind the camera while taking pictures.  He kept looking at me and trying to decide if it was me.

Here he is up front with the other birthday kiddos.  Again, looking straight at me and so scared to be up there.

It was Miller's turn the next week.  He was super excited and kept joking and saying he was five.

 Miller up front and taller than everyone.  This was his last chapel ever (tear).  I'm so glad he got to celebrate his birthday and I got to be there. 

I'm doing a combined birthday party for the boys this year.  I figure it's the only year I will be able to get away with it.  It's a race car theme at the Roller Rink on July 21.  I'm already in planning mode.  I can't believe they will be two and five.

Today is actually Jud's birthday.  The big 35!  So, happy birthday to the best husband and daddy around.  We all love you so much!!!

T-Ball...done!

Well, I'm a little late on updating...sorry.  

Tee-Ball season ended in mid-May.  The Fire Dragon Horses had a great season.  I would say they won most of their games, but who really knows when you don't really have outs or keep score.  Here are a few pictures from their last game.

A little team chat before the game by Coach Martin.

 Miller taking a swing.  Seems like he's looking at Dad and not the ball.

 Running to first.  He runs pretty fast with really long strides.

 Little brother having some fun in Miller's helmet during the game.

 High fives for the other team.

 One last "Fire Dragon Horses!"

 We had our team party at Fuddruckers!  Coach did a great job passing out the trophy's to each player.  Here is Miller getting his.   

Tee-ball was so much fun!  Great job coaching Jud!  You did a great job herding the cats.  Can't wait for many more years of this!

Miller News!

Miller's had an exciting early May.  The Insperity Champions Tour Senior PGA Golf Tournament was in Houston the first weekend of May.  Jud decided to take Miller to watch Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicholas and Gary Player to play together.  It was a once in a lifetime opportunity as they may not all play together again.  Miller was able to meet Jack and Gary and was super close to meeting Arnold.

Turns out a 4 year-old is key to getting autographs (I'm pretty sure that's why Jud wanted Miller to go in the first place).  Here is Miller getting an autograph from Gary Player.

 He even took his picture with Arnold's golf bag.  He has no idea how special this experience really was and one day when he is able to appreciate it, he will tell the story of meeting three legends of golf at age four.

 Miller loves rainbows and he has been wanting to see a "real" rainbow for over a year.  He talks about it all the time.  A few weeks ago, it was sunny but raining.  Miller and I kept looking out the window and we thought it was too cloudy for a rainbow.  Then Jud came home and our neighbor Stuart came over.  Miller was telling them how he really wants to see a "real" rainbow.  A few minutes later, Stuart left to go home and then came running back yelling for Miller to come see.  Yep, Miller saw his first rainbow and he was so excited!  Can you see it through the trees?

 On Friday before Mother's Day, Miller's class had a Mother's Day Tea and it was so sweet.  Look at the "Miller Flower" he made me.  I just love it!  I truly have the best job/kids ever!

The Ride to Austin

Jud rode in the MS150 bike ride from Houston to Austin again this year.  We were trying to figure out how many he's done and we think this was number nine.  The first day was the worst day he has ever had with brutal 20 mph headwinds.  It took him almost two hours longer than normal to finish that day.  I drove to Austin to pick him and some friends up.  That's how I show my support.

Here's Jud, Blake, Andy and Jeff crossing the finish line.

 Of course you have to have a beer or two at the end of the ride.  They do ride on the Saint Arnold Brewing Team.

 Jud recruited quite a few people to ride on the team this year.  From left: Colin Taylor, Russell Servat, Blake Allen, Chris Simmons, Todd Tones, Jud and Andy Knodle.

 Jud also recruited our good friend Steve Cagle.  Everyone did great...especially the first timers.

It's not too late to donate to this great cause.  Jud has already reached his goal this year, but I know they are still looking for a cure.  CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Easter Day

On Easter morning the boys woke up to all sorts of treats the Easter bunny left them in their Easter baskets.  From water guns, toys and new movies to candy, the boys got some great loot.

Then we headed to church to celebrate the real reason for Easter - He is Risen!

After church we went to Royal Oaks for brunch and were greeted by the Easter Bunny right when we got there.  Miles loved to watch him and say hi, but he really didn't want to get close.

Notice he's on the other side of me, and he wasn't even happy about that.

After we ate a yummy brunch, the bunny stopped by to say hello again.  Miles finally warmed up to him and gave him a hug.

 Of course we had to take the family Easter pictures.

The boys with Noni and JoJo.  I just love this picture - I think it shows the boys' personalities.

 Then we headed to Noni and JoJo's house to hang out for the day.  We dyed eggs (Miller's shirt is off so it didn't get stained and Miles has two sippy cups because he was enjoying milk and water at the same time).

  Then we hid some eggs for the boys in the backyard.   We hid hard ones for Miller and easy ones for Miles.  Miller was so good at showing Miles where the eggs were.  He's such a good big brother!

Easter Week

Easter Week was super busy with all sorts of fun Easter activities.  It started with Palm Sunday and Miller walking through church and waving his palm high.  I did take a few pictures on my phone, but they didn't turn out well.

Then my Tuesday night girls Bible Study had our second annual Easter egg hunt.  Laura hosted this year at her parents house and they even had a train (we piggy backed on another party).  Here are all the kiddos of the six of us.  It's so hard to believe that when I started going to Bible Study with these girls there was only three tiny babies. What special friends!

 The whole gang on the train.

 Miles and I on the train.  This picture doesn't show how much he loved it.  He threw a fit when we had to get off.

 The boys school has an Easter parade and the kids all wear their Easter bonnets.  For boys that's a little difficult.  The last few years, I've just sent him in bunny ears, but this year I decided I was going to make him a hat.  I figured Miles could wear it in the future.  I took an old dress up cowboy hat and went to town with hot glue.  I added grass, eggs, some butterflies, a bunny and a pinwheel at the top.  Miller loved it until he tried it on and he said it bothered him.  At least he wore it for the parade.

 Each child brings a flower to put on the living cross to symbolize Jesus dying on the cross so we can live.  I'm not sure if the kids really "get" it, but I love the idea.  Then they all have chapel together.

 After chapel, Miller's class had an Easter Egg Hunt and special Easter snack.  

 Here is his class after the egg hunt.  They are all so cute and we are going to miss everyone next year.  I can't believe after four years, he's graduating from the school.  At least Miles has three years left, but it won't be the same without all these friends there.

 Then on Saturday before Easter, our church had their Easter Egg Hunt.  Here are my three boys all ready to go.  They are all wearing their Vineyard Vines shirts.

 Donut time!

 Miles loved finding eggs (or really just picking them up and putting them in his basket).

 He took several breaks from egg hunting to slide down the slide.

 Our family.

 If only Miller would have smiled.

 After the hunt with all their loot.  Just what we needed - more candy.