Adventure in Liberty Hill

Following Emma's party last weekend, the kids left with Papa Wes and GG for a week in Liberty Hill. From what I hear, it was a whirlwind of story hours, trips to the park, picnics, waffles, and playtime with cousin Mercedes. I wanted to document their adventure for our own blog, so I snatched a sampling of photos from Papa Wes' blog. Here they are....


At one of many library story hours...

Mercedes is old enough to play!

Morgan is trying to hold her, but I think she has her sights set on escape!

The kids got to pick their own fresh peaches.

Papa Wes tells great Pecos Bill stories.

GG's picnic extravaganza

I'm glad the kids have a cousin to enjoy.

Emma's 3rd Birthday, Part 2

As promised, here is part 2 of Emma's birthday celebration. We were honored by the presence of Memaw, Shannon, GiGi & Papa Wes, and the Smith & Goodman families at her official party. Thirteen kids aged eight and under!


GiGi has Baby V laughing.

Emma admires her cupcakes.

The littlest girls...Viola & Chloe

All 13 kids- sort of looking at the camer!

Some of the guest waiting (impatiently) for cake.

I went the easy route this year- bought the little Belle cake and just made the cupcakes.

Great shot of Emma's candle-blowing moment.

Baby V soaks it all up.

I would not be at all surprised to find Morgan wearing this tutu in the near future!

Aunt Shannon & Morgie

Memaw and Baby V

Emma is very impressed with herself, and it has been more than a little fight to get her out of this costume ever since!

Garden 2010

We've had a lot of rain recently so the plants are thriving. Matt is maintaining our vegetable garden, while I'm trying my hand at flowers for the first time. I just put in climbing roses today.


My new climbing roses.



Our vegetable garden- corn and jalapenos do especially well here. The potatoes are also looking pretty lush.

A few flowers under the fig tree- really need a few more here.

The main flower bed. It doesn't get as much sun as I originally thought. Still, the plants are growing and there are blooms on the day lilies.

Emma's 3rd Birthday, Part 1

It's Emma's "real birthday" today, so we had a little family party. It's just an excuse for more cake, really. We let her open her gifts from us and from Grandma Motz. The rest are being saved for the party on Saturday. Stay tuned for Part 2!
Emma woke up with plenty of sass this morning- started out by yelling "Noooo...!" the whole time we sang Happy Birthday this morning because there was no candle to blow out afterwards. But we did get an awfully sweet video of her loving on her new Corduroy Bear that almost makes up for it all.


Corduroy book and bear.

Morgan is equally enchanted.



Emma's new princess panties!

Here she is with the Belle doll she got from Grandma Motz.

Psalm 23

The kids have recently memorized the 23rd Psalm. Enjoy!

Peas in a Pod

My girls

Emma is a sweet big sister.

Morgan and Emma watching "Cars".

Morgan and Viola having a little party.

4 Months Old

Baby V is 4 months old today. Somehow these past months have managed to simultaneously be the fastest and slowest months of my life! Today, V had her first few tastes of rice cereal, which she neither rejected nor embraced. She sat serious and silent, as is her way. Other developments for her are pushing up on her hands when she is having tummy time, using her feet to arch her back and scoot across the carpet, sucking her thumb sometimes, and rolling front to back (this has only been accidentally accomplished twice so far).


Going outside is one of V's favorite activities.

Playpen time is super fun!

V is getting a kick out of this dangling toy.