A Visit to the Capitol

On Saturday, we went with a group to the state Capitol. Our group had a private meeting with our State Representative and then a tour of the Capitol. It was nice to do.

After we finished the tour of the Capitol, we went over to the Peace Officers' Memorial which is on the Capitol grounds.

After we were done there we headed to lunch with some friends. The food and the company were both good.

Look at the size of the burger that Dax had!!

It has just about everything on it. There is only one patty in that picture, the other meat is brisket, and there's also a fried egg on there. Decadent!!

Weekend Away

Thanks to my wonderful parents, who came to stay with our children, Dax and I were able to get away for the weekend.

We spent it in San Antonio, mostly down on the Riverwalk. We had a nice, relaxing time mostly sitting on the balcony of our room and watching people on the Riverwalk. We did venture over to The Alamo, we did a little shopping, and we did a lot of eating in just three days.

It's good to get away.......but it's also good to get back home.

What rest?

The weekend came and went with no rest. What's up with that?


As if making it through the first week back at school and on that schedule wasn't exhausting enough, Addison had a soccer tournament! It was quite a trek from home so Addison and I stayed in Helotes.


As luck would have it, it was also the hottest weekend of the year. Yippee!


They played two games on Saturday and two on Sunday. It was at least 110 for the afternoon games on both days. I don't know how the girls even did it.

 I'm really proud of how our team played. A couple of the other teams were pretty aggressive. I know Addison took a couple of really hard hits but got back up and kept playing. Well, she did for the most part. One of the hits knocked her breath out so that took a little more time. She's a little banged up and quite sore.


The last game of the tournament was a nail biter. They were playing for the title and it was tied. It went into a shoot out at the end. Both teams get 5 shots alternating teams with each shot. Well, each time one team scored, the other did too. So then they had to just start going down the line until there was a winner. It was nerve wracking!!! It ended with the other team winning, so our team came in second. It was really too bad because they had been undefeated -- they had already beat this team once. The way this tournament worked, once they got to this game none of the other stats counted. Whoever won this one game got first place. The girls were dissapointed, but I think they were even more tired. lol

Here's the best picture I got of Addison getting her medal.

Then, on our way home, I got a text from Abigail that Addison's bunny had died. She was, of course, pretty upset about it. But sweet Abigail, bless her heart, had brought the bunny into the house to try to help her. The bunny was very old (she outlived the others by several years) and I think between her age and the heat it was just too much for her.

And goodness knows we need some rain here desperately. I mean, should Dax have needed to use this in order to dig a grave for the bunny?

Cheer practice starts up again this week, with the football games kicking in next week. And Addison has another soccer tournament this weekend. So, there's no rest in the forcast. BUT, the temp is supposed to be ONLY 91 or so this weekend!! Who thought we'd get excited for it to cool down to the 90's?

Down by the river.....

Dax and I are so grateful to my parents. Thanks to them we were able to get away for the weekend for some much needed time together and time to just kick back and relax a little.

They came on Thursday night to stay with the kids so we headed down to the River Walk in San Antonio on Friday morning after breakfast.

The hotel was nice and our room had a balcony which was nice, even if the view wasn't so great....

This trip wasn't about the view, so it didn't matter.

It was about this....

We hung out in the room (even took a nap! *gasp*) and hung out down at the River Walk. 

That's pretty much it.

On Saturday night we stopped at a sport's bar to watch the hockey game. I managed to get some action shots while we were there.

Chips and queso...

 Uh oh....this is the look that means he's about to get me if I don't quit taking his picture.

Wiping his hands, he's getting serious about it now....guess I'd better stop snapping pictures.

It was a great weekend and it sure makes it hard to head back to work and the regular grind.

In other news, Addison and Abigail have cheer camp this week.

Day One:

Back to normal.......I guess

Well, Dax made it home safe and sound.


However, my time without him didn't really get any better.


On Thursday we had some pretty nasty thunder storms come through here. I don't know if they had anything to do with it, but when I got to the office on Friday morning our computers were no longer speaking to our server. Now, even knowing what the server is uses about all of my computer smarts so other than turning it off and turning it back on, I was at a loss. (The computer guy didn't actually get everything running again util yesterday.)

Kirsten was all set to spend the night with a friend on Friday. She went home from school with her, but then her friend's mom had to call me that evening to get her because she wasn't feeling well and her fever was 102.9. I'm sure she had whatever Abigail had the weekend before. (By the way, am I the only one that has kids that never get sick unless the doctor's office is closed?)

She was feeling better on Saturday so we went to the outdoor theatre to see Rio. This theatre is not only outside, it's also 'old school' and uses the old reels. When they were changing the reels during the middle of the movie, the kids decided it was too cold and wanted to go home so we've only seen part of the movie. But seriously, who knew it would drop down into the 50's?

The kids missed Dax a lot too. Kirsten and Abigail left a trail of flower petals up the sidewalk and on the steps to welcome Dax home.

They said they had to use over 100 flowers to do it.

Dax came home in his uniform so I decided to take a picture.

He was trying to give me a tough look so I decided to leave the cute little bunnies in the picture too. lol

In case you wonder too.....

People often ask us if (or have the assumption that) it gets easier having multiples as they get older.


Uhmmmmm, NO!!!


When they were babies we certainly got less sleep, BUT when we put them down some place (like in their beds), they would still be in that place when we got back.  Once they get mobile, everything changes.


Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that it's more difficult now. It's just not easier.


And, it doesn't get easier, it just changes.


Take this past week for example.

Monday: Abigail home sick so off to the clinic. Soccer practice.

Tuesday: Cheer practice.


Thursday: Dentist appointments for all four kids. Soccer practice.

Saturday: Wyatt and Abigail at school by 3 AM to leave for band competition.
Addison to soccer fields by 8 AM for all day soccer tournament.
Took Addison and Kirsten to dinner and a little shopping.
Pick Wyatt and Abigail up at school when the band returns from tournament. They were running late so didn't arrive until around midnight.

Sunday: Addison back at soccer fields by 8:00 for more tournament play.
Wyatt to hockey practice.


See, still plenty of activity and what is certainly feeling like not enough sleep. 


Addison's team did a fantastic job at the tournament. After day one of play we were a little nervous. They had gone into the tournament ranked 4th place for our division. On Saturday they lost the first game and tied the other two.

Incredibly that left them still in 4th place for Sunday's games. They won both of those games and finished the tournament in 2nd place!!!

I tried over and over to get an action shot of Addison, but it just didn't happen. :0)

This was from the final game on Sunday. It was so wonderful for the girls to beat this team because they played dirty. (It's the same team with the girl that bit Addison during a game.) Their coach was a terrible sport, the girls were, and they were fighting with each other. After the game he was arguing with the ref about some of the calls and I think the ref told him basically that if his girls were the better team they would have won.

I know the girls were happy to beat this team too.

 The girls were waiting to get their medals and this is when Addison realized that her Dad was drinking her smoothie.

 Addison getting her medal from her coach.

She is VERY proud of that medal......as she should be. Those girls worked hard to earn them.

She put it back on when she got out of the shower last night and I had to make her take it off when she went to bed.

She wore it to school this morning, too. :0)

Next weekend we're off for them to compete for the STATE title!!


So, even though it's not any easier, it is so very worth every minute of it!! We are so proud of all four of our children, and I certainly wouldn't change a thing!

Weekend Recap

Someone stole my debit card number and made a large purchase at walmart.com.  The bank said they have the most trouble with walmart and walmart.com.

Addison's team won their soccer game on Saturday. I had in my head that her game was in a small town that's about 40 +/- miles from us. I left early because it's a lot of country back roads driving so it takes a bit longer to get there. As we're cruising down the road I noticed a sign for a sports complex and the name of it struck a cord with me. So I pulled over to get ahold of the team mom to find out where we were actually playing. Thank goodness I called because we were playing at that field. And thank goodness it sparked something in my head because it was only about half way to where I was actually headed. Addison got hurt in the game. There was a collision by two other girls, but they both fell on top of Addison. One of the girls his Addison in the stomach with her elbow and knocked the breath out of her. I think mostly it scared her when that happened. If you're not familiar with soccer, they don't stop the play just because someone is hurt. You have to just lay down on the field and hope you don't get trampled until the ball is out of bounds or some other thing happens to stop the play. Nice, huh? She sat out for a little bit, but she was fine and headed back in to play.

Addison's team also won their soccer game on Sunday. They've really come together as a team and are communicating out on the field. They've started the season off strong with three wins and no losses. Oh, and Addison managed to avoid any dog-piles during this game.

We almost didn't make it to the game because our air conditioner went out. (I'm so glad it didn't wait until August to do this.) The a/c company sent a technician that was actually about 2 hours away. I don't know if it's good or bad that he didn't have the right part and had to order it. If he had been able to repair the system then, we never would have made it to her game. As it was, we got there just minutes before the game started so she got no warm up time or anything.

Wyatt had a great time at hockey practice. He's still taking the learn to play classes. He'll continue those through the summer until the season starts up again in September. Hopefully by then he should be more than ready for the league.

This week looks to be just as hectic as the weekend. Soccer practice, orthodontist appointment, cheer practice, etc. Who ever said it got easier when they weren't babies anymore? I used to be able to put my babies in their swings with their bottles and get a few minutes to myself. LOL

Weekend Re-cap

It seems that with school back in session we only get to do anything fun on the weekends. The week is eaten up with school, tutorials after, soccer practice, choir, and getting homework done.That makes the weekends kind of hectic.

Abigail spent most of the weekend at a friend's house. This little girl is an only child so I think Abigail really kind of likes getting away from the mob at our house a little bit.

Addison had a soccer game on Saturday afternoon. They won 4-0. They're doing great so far this year. I think they have 4 wins and 2 losses for the official season. They had only 1 win last season so they're thrilled with this season.

After her game we stopped and grabbed a bite to eat and then had to rush home so that she could get ready to go to a party on Saturday night. Abigail went to the party with the friend she was staying with. Kirsten and Wyatt didn't care to even get out of their pajamas on Saturday so the party was a no-go for them.

Dax & I droped Addison at the party and then headed to meet our friends for dinner. After dinner we went to a play at the local theatre to see some of our friends that were performing in it. It was Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. They did a really good job.

I wish I had been able to take some pictures, because there was at least one I could have used as blackmail for one of our friends.

It was a long play, 2 1/2 hours, but we enjoyed it. By the time we got out of there it left us just enough time to go pick Addison up from the party. Abigail was spending the night again with her friend.

Sunday morning I went and got Abigail from her friend's house. I figured she could at least spend a little time with the rest of us. lol

Dax and Wyatt ran some errands and then spent the rest of the afternoon making repairs to their 'shooting range' and then did a little practice shooting.

Addison wasn't feeling well and didn't get out of bed much all day. As a matter of fact, she and Wyatt are both home sick today!

And that gets us back to the start of another week of school, school work, and practices.

Weekend Update

We spent a large part of our weekend doing this:

Addison had a soccer tournament on Saturday and Sunday. They played two games each day. They won one and lost three. It was very hot and by the end of each day we were both exhausted and a little sunburned to boot.

In other news, Abigail's eye is almost back to normal. Still not quite there but well enough for her to go back to school today.

Yesterday, Dax had to work, but the rest of us kind of took it easy for the day getting ready for all that this week will bring.

It's raining here today and should continue on into tomorrow. Maybe that means no soccer practice tonight?

A day at the fair

We got up early this morning and headed off to the Rennaisance Festival with some friends.


The kids love it and were upset last year when there just wasn't a free weekend to go.


It's a long drive but we had a good time.


There are all kinds of people there in all kinds of costumes. (Unfortunately many of the costumes are not fit to be posted to a family kind of blog.)






I thought this one was pretty neat.




The girls found a place to make stuffed animals.




The kids love the jousting the best. This was the final tournament. A fight to the death. Our knight won. We were Spain.





(See the bodies strewn around?)

Weekend away....

I planned ahead! It's something that I never do but this time I did it. Addison had soccer games that were out of town on Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon. So instead of driving back and forth I kennelled the dogs and booked us a room for Saturday night at the Riverwalk in San Antonio. Great idea right? and Woohoo! to me for planning ahead, right? Well, as it turned out the game on Saturday got cancelled (see preceding post on the invasion). So there really was no reason to have the dogs kennelled or to spend the night in San Antonio. The big problem, though, is that the dogs had to be at the kennel on Friday afternoon (didn't cancel the game until Saturday morning) and when I booked the room I had to pay for it then. Oh well, that must be why I don't plan ahead.

So, we headed off to San Antonio anyway to make the most of the weekend. It was supposed to rain on Saturday too, but didn't so it made for a good time.

Here's Abigail with some of the local talent:


Addison by a waterfall that goes along the edge of some stairs (we were lost so I don't know where these are. lol



This is what they enjoyed most (as usual):





Here's Dax having a good time:



You can see it on his face, can't you?

We stopped for breakfast on Sunday at IHOP.



(If it's good enough for Niki Hilton, it's good enough for me.) Is there an IHOP in this country anywhere that isn't like a zoo at all hours of the day or night? Seriously! This place was packed (with a waiting list) and was loud as all get out. But, surprisingly, the staff was all very cheerful and pleasant. I probably would have been ready to boot people out with the chaos in there.






Kinda' makes you wish you were there doesn't it?