Feb. 2009

Uncle Greg
We went to see Uncle Greg before he was deployed to Iraq. We had a great time with him and Aunt DiDi. Uncle Greg read Ryan his bedtime story...

...and then Ryan got some good love from them! (Brock was there, but avoided the camera!)

Fun Dips!!!!

I don't know if anyone remembers "Fun Dips," but they were my very favorite candy when I was a kid and bought it everytime I went to the swimming pool in the summer. I hadn't seen it in years and even thought that they probably didn't make them any more. Ryan got Fun Dips from a child in his Mother's Day Out class for Valentine's Day. It was so much fun watching them eat them and think they are as cool as I used to think they were!! I didn't remember it turning my teeth green like it did their's, though!! Memories......

Houston's X-ploration Station

We spent a weekend in Houston recently. We never go there, even though it's only a little over an hour away. We went to a place in The Woodlands Mall called X-ploration Station. It was very cool...dinosaurs, dig pits, frogs, sharks...all the things little boys love! The boys had a blast in the dig pit, which was made out of shredded tires and concrete "dinosaurs." They used sandbox shovels and paint brushes to dig out the dinosaur bones.

Protective gear was provided...and enjoyed!!

Houston's Children's Museum

We also went to the Children's Museum. We have one here in College Station, but this one in Houston was really good. There was so much learning and exploring. We spent about 2 1/2 hours there and could've spent another 2 hours. It was amazing and we will certainly go back!

We found out that Ryan really likes to build things. He would spend a lot of time in each area that had things to build, but passed up most of the areas.

Brock enjoyed almost everything, but the outdoor water area was a hit for both of them.

Houston ~ Sammy Kershaw

One of the reasons we went to Houston in the first place was to see one of our favorite singers, Sammy Kershaw. Although we enjoyed the music, we were disappointed in the length of the concert for the price we paid. It was still fun to hear him...we were only about 20' away from him. Sammy did sing one of our favorites...Steve's brother sang this song in our wedding. It's called "Love of My Life." More good memories.......

Jan. 2009

Gramma and Papa came to visit and we got a really good picture of them with the boys.Steve found this slot car racetrack on craigslist and bought it for the kids. They really have had a blast with it.

Here's a video of the boys playing with their slot cars. They really got the giggles and thought it was so funny when the car would slide off the track.

Brock is on a city league basketball team this year. It is his first year and he had his first game last night (1/29). He scored a basket...and Steve is so good that he got it on video! Brock is #2.

Brock and Ryan are very musical and love listening to all kinds of music ~ we usually have Christmas music playing year-round! Yesterday (1/29), I heard the boys singing and peeked in and saw them standing on a trunk and singing with Bob & Larry of the VeggieTales. I was going to try to sneak in some video, but decided to just sit on the bed and let them give me a concert. It was great!! Ryan found other things to do, but Brock thoroughly enjoyed all the attention. Everytime I watch this I smile...and laugh. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Ryan's New Dinosaur Bedroom

We began painting Ryan's room several weeks ago. He loves dinosaurs and wanted a dinosaur-themed room.

Ryan and Brock are my little helpers. They really enjoy helping me paint and I'm taking advantage of it before they get older and decide they don't like it anymore!
Here is the finished product. We traced the dinosaurs off of Ryan's comforter and then put them on an overhead and traced them onto the wall. We then painted them. A huge "THANK YOU" to my mother-in-law who drew the palm trees and plants. Without her artistic abilities and help, it wouldn't have turned out so cute!

There wasn't a terydactl on his comforter, but he really wanted one on his wall. So, we found one we liked in a coloring book and put it up, too.

Here is a "virtual tour" of Ryan's room...

...and I thought I'd include one of Brock's room, too!

Christmas in Oklahoma

From Amarillo, we went to visit Steve's family in Oklahoma. We had a great time and the boys loved seeing their Gramma & Papa and their cousin, Logan.

Ryan got a Spiderman hat...

...and Brock got an OU Sooner hat.

Gramma & Papa also gave Ryan and Brock an air hockey game, which they love!

Gramma reading a bedtime story to Brock, Ryan and Logan.
The O'Neal Family.

Christmas in Amarillo

All of my family was able to get together, except my brother Don & his wife, Kelley. We are such a blessed family, everybody genuinely loves each other and we all get along great!

Lee and Greg's son, Joe.

Greg's family. From the left is Joe, Ashley (UT hat), Nickie (back), Greg, Diane and Venus. Paul's wife and daughter, Jody and Jaqlyn. Even the dogs love each other! Venus and Max (our dog). And Joe loves them, too!Brock looking extremely excited. LOL Ryan is ready for some football!Guitar Hero was the big entertainment for the week. We all had a blast playing it. Here is Lee and his wife, Michelle. Brock and I joined in on the fun! Lee's son, Connor, turned 13 on Dec. 24, so we celebrated with a cake, ice cream and some bad Brockman singing! Lee's daughter, Maggie, and Ryan.Joe and Brock. Lee's daughter, McKenzie and Paul's son, Jake. Jake and Lee's son, Ben. Ben, Nickie, Lee & Ashley. Paul, Diane, Greg & Joe. Connor, Lee & Ashley. Steve & Jody. This is one of my favorite pictures; Uncle Greg & Ryan.Maggie got a new tea set from Santa, so us girls had a tea party.

It was so much fun and Maggie & Kenzie were so cute!



Ashley & Ryan.

Ryan & Connor.Diane, Kenzie, Maggie & Brock playing "Operation." Kenzie, JoJo (Paul & Jody's dog) & Ryan.