whittling bliss

Dauphin Island

2008-07-21T10:50:00.000-07:00

We're back from vacation, so now it's time to share pics! We went to Dauphin Island, AL for the 4th ~ W's mom & Joe rented a beach house and invited all the kids down ~ thanks Mom & Joe! It was worth the 12 hour drive ~ we spent every day playing in the sand and soakin' up some rays.

2008-06-07T12:37:00.000-07:00

Z received his letterman's jacket this week!

I finally finished Z's Pirate memory board ~
to hold his favorite highschool memories :) :

Close up of center:

Freshman Band Banquet

2008-05-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

It looks like Z has survived his Freshman year of highschool! By far, being a part of the marching band has been the the most amazing experience of the year. The kids worked their bottoms off and they celebrated their accomplishments last week at the Band Banquet. Here are a few pics to share.

Z on stage for "lettering":

Z and Priscilla (his BF):

Juggler for the banquet theme ~ Cirque du Soleil:

Congratulations Z for working so hard ~ we are very proud of you!

2008-05-19T07:54:00.000-07:00

I remember earlier in the spring the ducks across the street were in a chaotic flurry of mating rituals. It was so fun to watch all the males strutting their stuff ~ trying to catch the fancy of the sole female. Poor thing, she was always on the run. They never gave her a moment's rest.
Several weeks passed and apparently mother nature took its course. She has babies! My first sighting was the other day: I had to stop the car because little momma duck was shoo'ing her little ducklings across the street. They were so adorable waddling in obedience. Why did the duck cross the road...?

The weather was gorgeous yesterday and momma duck had her ducklings cruising the pond on full parade. Can you see them!?

Funny thing is, the males are still following her around. She's such a diva!

2008-05-06T07:19:00.000-07:00

If knowing answers to life's questions is absolutely necessary to you, then forget about the journey. You will never make it, for this is a journey of unknowables ~ of unanswered questions, enigmas, incomprehensibles, and most of all, things unfair.

~Madam Jeanne Guyon, 16th century.

Found this in my "God at Your Wits' End" book by Marilyn Meberg this morning.

Tuesday Toby Love

2008-04-29T18:50:00.000-07:00

Toby was waiting so patiently for his dinner tonight.
See what good manners he has!

Thank you daddy!

Happy 15th Birthday Z!

2008-04-12T12:54:00.000-07:00

At Bowl-a-Rama, they turn down the lights,

crank the tunes, and spread some dayglo love.

Blacklight Bowling!

~ Z & Friends ~

New Love for an Old Table

2008-04-07T20:15:00.000-07:00

I've had an old table that I bought when Z was a toddler that had long since lost its charm. Hunter green, cream tile top, very early 90's. It's found a new life!

Thank you, Patti, for talking me thru my indecision when I called you from Home Depot!

Catching Up

2008-04-01T19:41:00.000-07:00

Spring is in the air and things are a-bloomin'!

Z & S goofin' by the pond.

Happy 15th Birthday Z!

Spring Concert!

2008-03-29T13:55:00.001-07:00

Vanessa is one of my dearest friends and I love her photography. Her specialty is photographing children/families outdoors ~ she captures the sweetest moments.

Here's a link to her blog and photography website. She is holding a special photography session at the Arboretum in May ~ details on her blog.

http://hannahgracephotography.blogspot.com/

www.hannahgracephotography.com

P.S. She recently won a Richardson Photography Contest!

Moving Mountains

2008-01-09T15:50:00.000-08:00

After jumping through many math hoops, I've finally made it to UTD! Zane went with me last week to kick around campus and locate my classes. It meant a lot to me to have him share that experience. Hopefully it wet his appetite even more for college life (the academic part!). :)

2007-12-20T12:21:00.000-08:00

Marching band season consumed our world for the latter part of this year, but I wouldn't trade a minute. Z had an amazing Freshman experience being a part of "that Wylie Band". The upperclassmen took him under their wing and he made a ton of new friends. The dedication and level of responsibility required matured him in a fast & furious way. It's a beautiful thing. :) I chaperoned a lot and, behold, I am the "momarazzi".

Friday Night Lights! Saxophones!

Z w/his Section Leader

TX Stadium Playoffs

1st time at TX Stadium!

Wil's job is going very well especially considering the hit the mortgage biz took this year. Their office is swamped w/loans so we feel very blessed. When he has to work a Saturday here and there, I don't say a peep. Spring ball is just around the corner and he's gearing up to play on two leagues. Batter up.

I'm on winter break and that's why you're seeing a post! I'm taking advantage of a little down time and catching up on neglected projects. Great news! I finally jumped through all the hoops (4 semesters of Algebra!) for my math requirements and I'm home free. It's been a grueling process to get to this point. There were so many times when I thought I couldn't do it. But I've come too far to quit. Today, I registered for a full load at UTD, got my ID badge and parking permit. Welcome to big school!

Mamaw is coming for Christmas and I'm so happy she's well enough to join us. I've been flittering about making ready for her arrival. It's going to be a nice Christmas having her here.

I'll leave you with an outake from our family Christmas photo night: W & Z goofin'.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Summer in Full Swing

2007-06-01T10:47:00.000-07:00

School's out so Z & his friends are all about summer break!

Water gun fights, winter skin freshly fried (*ouch*), Guitar Hero marathons & Sonic Blasts!

~ End of school party ~

We leave for DC this Sunday, so stay tuned for more summer shots! Until then, hold it in the road.

Turning 40 in Paris

2007-06-01T07:37:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago the boys & MIL surprised me with a birthday trip to Paris, TX! I've always been curious about this old cotton town and it was fun to kick around for the weekend. We were a little short on time, so it was a drive-by kinda tour. There are still several historical sites we'd like to see - like the Civil War general's house (Sam Bell Maxey) and of course all the antiquing your heart desires.

Eiffel Tower ~ Paris, TX

Mom & W

Old Rail Depot

Folklore has it that Mr. Babcock would only believe in Jesus if he showed up wearing cowboy boots, so when he died his family made sure Jesus was a kicker ~ look closely.

2007-04-11T06:17:00.000-07:00

Since we're well into spring, it's time to dust off this ole blog.

Z just turned 14! We celebrated with his favorite chocolate/snickers cake and midnight "glow-in-the-dark" bowling. He's actually quite the natural - I think he broke 100 every game. And what's even crazier and unheard of, so did Mom! However, this is a senstive subject for Wil - see, from his vantage point, my form was all over the map and there's no way my ball should've made it beyond the gutter! Competitive family? nahhhh.

Zane's school band had a major sweeps win at UIL! They've been practicing all spring ~ it's "the" competition of the schoolyear, so we're super proud for him.

In sad news, we lost our Roxie girl last Friday evening. She suffered from a common stomach problem for her breed and it finally got the best of her. Z took it surprisingly well, but Toby's still a little mopey. Every time he comes near the kitchen we feed him a treat. (I think that still qualifies as feeding our feelings doesn't it?) If we thought he was spoiled before...

~Rest in peace pretty girl~

In happier news, we're planning a trip to D.C. in June - it was part of Z's b-day surprise. He's always wanted to see the Smithsonian, so that's first on our agenda. If you've ever been to D.C. and have favorites to share, we'd love to hear about it. More to come on this, but for now, I'm off to algebera tutoring. :(

I'll leave you with a recent pic of Z making lasagna for the fam!

Good Eats ~ by Z !

Merry Christmas

2006-12-30T18:15:00.000-08:00

Another Merry Christmas has come and gone! Yes, at times it was crazy and stressful pulling it all together, but we feel blessed to share some of our fondest moments.

Z after his Winter Concert at the high school. We're not sure who was more proud ~ him or us. It was a festive night that kicked off the perfect holiday spirit for the season.

Everyone should have a little Mamaw love. We had just arrived late that evening to join the rest of the H-clan in AR ~ we couldn't wait to get in our comfy jams.

Check out that music man! Z was teaching himself how to play a few Christmas tunes on Granny D's piano. Music to a momma's ears I tell ya. This is probably one of my favorite photos of him ~ so Z!

But then again...this is so Z too! He's quite the culinary kid so Ry & Liz had this apron made for him. He couldn't wait to make Christmas breakfast burritos for everyone. They were deeelish!

Here's to a Happy New Year!

2006-12-01T13:21:00.000-08:00

The ducks from the pond across the street are still hanging around. We've watched them get fat & happy since late spring. They've recently been taking practice runs for their winter flight south. Yesterday morning, as the over-hyped "arctic blast" hit town, they were flit-fluttering all over the place. I couldn't tell if they were doing a happy dance enjoying the rain, or if they were freaked out that they didn't head south sooner. You be the judge:

Altho we weren't quite perpared for such a cold front, it sure makes for fun cold noses:

Thanksgiving in Texarkana

2006-11-27T07:27:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful getaway in Texarkana. It was nice to just kick back for a few days from the rat race of work & school. We ate good food, played cards, went 4-wheeling & rode Train ~ Anecia's marshmallow lovin' horse.

Mamaw spoils everyone rotten!

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving as well!

2006-11-22T14:43:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

~ Being a kid ~

Friday, November 10

2006-11-01T13:13:00.000-08:00

It's been a bit of a whirlwind on the homefront but it's all good:

W's grandparents and Aunt & Uncle were in town from OH ~ it was so nice to have them here & show them a lil southern hospitality. Can you see where W gets his good looks!? :))

Z-man's band functions have been in full swing and tomorrow's a really big day - regional band tryouts. He's been working on his pieces for 12 weeks and tonight we had him perform a family preview - to much grinning and applause of course. :) I think I'm more nervous than he is. Here's a recent pic at a football game.

W's softball season has wound down until spring. No hibernation for him tho - he plans to take this break to improve some achey joints so he can hit more homers next season. Stud! :) Tomorrow's a big day for him as well - one year closer to 40 but don't tell him - it might mess up his game. Ry, W & T after their tourney.

Other than keeping up w/my boys, my world has been all homework & subbing at the HS. Patti & I did get to squeeze in some q.t. w/ our good friend Suzanne b4 she moved to Chicago. *le sigh* I miss her and hate I won't get to see her baby arrive. But as Suze says, "no worries." Our paths will cross again and she better be holding tickets to Oprah! xo

I saw a sign last week that said "55 days until Christmas." That freaks me out a little. I'm just putting away all things ghoulish and planning Thanksgiving's menu with Mamaw - how can it be almost Christmas? Better get that wish list off to Santa soon. What's at the top of your list this season?

TX State Fair

2006-10-14T21:02:00.000-07:00

Monday was "Fair Day" for Z's school, so we loaded up and enjoyed all that the TX State Fair had to offer. We ate corn dogs, funnel cakes, cotton candy, and their newest delicacy - "fried coke." Don't ask.

The boys checked out the auto show and I got to see this year's Marilyn Monroe exhibit. But the highlite of the entire day was the U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps concert! They were amazing and we all walked away with a boost of patriotism. God bless TX! ;)

And the beat goes on

2006-10-07T13:48:00.000-07:00

We're still going strong on our tilework. We've finally made it to the front door, so next we'll be continuing on into the dining room. It's been a slow process, but we see the end in sight and we're really happy with what we've accomplished so far.

Saturday afternoon

One happy Project Manager!

Meeting Easton

2006-10-01T17:04:00.000-07:00

We spent Saturday afternoon loving on our new nephew, Easton.
He is even more delicous in person!

Proud parents, Ryan & Liz w/their sweet angel. They already look like pros and Liz's energy is inspiring.

Uncle Wil, Cousin Zane, & Tia Middy. He didn't seem to mind all the attention so we think he'll fit right in!

We couldn't stop staring at him. ;)

Kickin back with full bellies - a typical scene when our clan gets together.

Happy Fall Y'all

2006-09-28T15:54:00.000-07:00

It's time to set out the mums, pumpkins, scarecrows & candy corn.

It's been such a hot summer this year, the fall weather is a welcome change!

And even bigger news, we're excited to welcome our newest nephew,

Easton. Yes, Ryan & Liz finally had their little one

this past Tuesday. We get to meet him Saturday.