Great Wolf Lodge

We went to Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine Texas during the week of the kids Spring Break in March 2012.  The kids had a blast at this indoor water park.  When we first arrived, they got to color in the lobby while we waited to check into our room

Alice coloring

Once we got our room, we checked it out and the kids were really excited about their own little cabin.

 That night after playing in the water all day, we did some shopping at Grapevine Mills.  We also got to meet family whom I had never met and Mike had not seen for 15 plus years.  We met the Bowman family at Love and War in Texas Restaurant

Jason & Mike


It was so nice to meet all of them and it felt like I had known them for years. I can't say enough about how nice of a dinner it was. After dinner we went back to the lodge so that the kids could enjoy storytime in the lobby.

The next morning we had breakfast within the lodge and the kids got to take a picture with Violet, except for Roman who was unwilling.

 We then went to the lobby for story time again and the Wolf Walk.

Making paper wolves

Alice with her paper wolf

Anderson & Roman with their paper wolves

Rose and her paper wolf

 After that, we went to the water park again.  The kids went with Mike and I down the River Cannon waterslide, it was so fun.  Most of the time they stayed in the kiddie area where there was two small waterslides.  The girls loved the wave pool and they went down a big slide with Daddy.  After a few hours at the waterpark, we left and went to Rainforest Cafe for lunch and met Wally on the way out.  This time it was Anderson who didn't want to take a picture.

When we came back, we went to the water park again for a few more hours then we took a bath, got in our pjs and went and got ice cream within the hotel.  The next morning we woke up and drove 20 minutes to Renee and Brian Boudreaux's house for a fun filled day of grilling and visiting.

Lauren & Rose

Lauren & Alice

 Of course we picked up right where we left off with the Boudreaux's.  We are so blessed to have such great friends.  We met Lauren for the first time, can't believe she will be two years old already.  The whole trip was a blast and a much needed change from the everyday norm.

Terry's Visit to OKC

My best friend Terry came to OKC to visit with her daughter, Allie, Thursday 3/15-Monday 3/19.
When they arrived on Thursday, Terry and I picked up right where we left off and Allie fit right in with all of the kids.  We all went to Anderson's soccer practice and then when we got back the kids danced around the living room and the girls enjoyed treating Allie like their live baby doll.

Alice, Allie, & Rose

On Friday, we went to the gym and worked out together while the boys and Allie went to the childcare.  The girls were in school and Mike was at work.  We then went to the outlets in OKC.  We had fun shopping at Gymboree and Nine West for some new shoes for Mama.  We had lunch at Applebee's and by this time after working out and shopping, we were ready to eat off someone's arm.  The kids had fun that evening playing dressup.

Allie and Roman

Allie X 2

The next day was St Patrick's Day.  The kids enjoyed eating Lucky Charms with green milk and it was the perfect opportunity to take some nice pictures since everyone had their green on.

Rose, Alice, Allie, Roman, & Anderson

Rachel & Terry

The Thibodeaux Family

Allie and Terry

Once it was time for lunch, we took a ride downtown and ate at Kaiser's American Bistro.  It is an old diner from the 50's that is still in business and the food was great.

After that, the plan was to go to the Science Museum but when we arrived, it was so packed, we opted out and went to the park instead.

We went home and took naps (best part of the day), then Mike surprised us later with smores.  Perfect ending to a perfect day.

The next day we went to the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial.  It was our second time going and we didn't go inside the museum this time but it was still just as moving.  It is so surreal to be there where it all happened.  It was Terry's first time and she seemed like it moved her as well.

The Front of the building remains

We then went to Toby Keith's Restaurant for lunch and afterwards we rode on the water taxi throughout Bricktown in Downtown Oklahoma.  This was so fun, but the Captain totally made the trip what it was with his comedic relief.

Toby Keith's

The kids aboard the water taxi with Captain Rick

On that Monday, Terry and I just kind of sat around waiting for the time when she would leave to catch her flight.  We all had a great time, although witnessing all the kids bickering, this helped make up her mind whether she would have another child or not, lol.  The answer is no.  It was rainy and gloomy when she left and that didn't help the sadness I felt when they departed but I am so thankful that I have a friend that loves us enough to want to come and visit and we look forward to spending more time with Terry, Allie, and Dana and the future. 

OKC ZOO

The kids were off of school for Martin Luther King Day so we took the opportunity to go to the zoo with ours moms group. Especially since it is free admission any Monday in January and February. Our friends, the Cliburns, also met us there. We had a great time, I was really impressed with the layout of the zoo. The kids got to see so much and yet there is still so much more to see. Mike wants to get a membership so that we can take them often. The kids were so excited to see the different animals, it was a joy to see the excitement on their faces.

Stacey keeping all the kids in line while I ran into the gift shop
Love how Landon and Ben take care of my boys

Roman peering at the animals

Rose, Brailey, Annika, and Alice

Some of the crew climbing on the mountains

Christmas 2011

Another Christmas has come and gone. We visited with family in New Orleans over Christmas break and it was a wonderful visit. In addition to visting family, we got to see the Saldana family again as well as the Morales Family and Castex Family. As I sit here and try to reflect on our visit, it is such a blur, not to mention that all four kids are home right now, Rose is in front of me crying and complaining, Anderson is crying because Rose hit him, Alice is in front of me ready to confess to all that happened between Rose and Anderson, and Roman is hugging me grateful that this time, it is not him that is in trouble. Anyway, thought you would like that little window into our life. The kids all got a Leapster 2 with a case and game from Santa. They have been enjoying playing with them. The challenge is getting them to keep them in their case with they are not being played. They also got a karoke machine from Aunt Amy which has been pretty fun hearing them sing. Another stand out is their pillowpets from Granny and harmonicas from Uncle Randy. Mommy was very happy to get a Coach gift card from Daddy and Mignon Faget jewelry as well as a Magic Bullet, kitchen batter dispenser, and pajamas. Daddy got everything on my list.

Our beautiful Family
Maw Maw and Paw Paw with the Grandkids

Roman on the zip line at Clyde and Allyson Morales' house

Thinking of Sweet Christopher

It has been about a three months now but Christopher went back to live with his biological parents. I spoke to Reilly and it has taken a toll on her and it is difficult for him not to be a part of their everyday family. They love and miss him so much. We also love and miss him. Our hope if for him to be safe and loved and to grow up into a fine young man. We hope that he can be strong through any negative influences and know right from wrong. Our hope is that one day we can reunite with him and have him be a part of our family once again. We love you Christopher!!!

Thanksgiving 2011

For Thanksgiving, we decided to go to New Orleans to be with family since we live closer know, 11 hours vs. 25 hours. The kids had a great time. They got to spend lots of time with their cousins. Besides regular family we usually see, we also got to see the Frederick Family (met Emile for the first time and fell in love) the Saldana family and Terry and Allie LeSieur. We took the kids to Cafe Dumonde, Prejeans, Drago's and Audubon Park just to name a few.

We had an experience hitting a deer on the way back from Granny's house. Mike managed to not hit it head on but we had damage on the Toyota Tundra on the front bumper and side. It was $5,000 of damage. Alice was the most scared but overall we were just thankful that we weren't hurt. On the way back to Oklahoma, we also hit bumped in the back while exiting the interstate. Lots of excitement. Anderson enjoying beignets at Cafe Du Monde

Rose playing at Audubon Park

Our visit to Drago's restaurant

Anita and Alice, the twins....

Here are the kids playing duck duck goose with their cousins