Austin Barlows

Our Own Alice in Wonderland

2011-11-01T20:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween everyone. This year we had fun dressing up for four different Halloween parties so the kids got some real use of their costumes.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1589

What a camera is suppsed to do...

2011-10-26T20:12:00.000-07:00

I have recently been introduced to using the manual mode on the camera. Hello manual controls and good-bye auto.

Here is what I have come up with today.
http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1584

Fox news

2011-10-11T13:56:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a little laugh today, here is a little clip from our evening news...featuring our family. A few of the questions were edited so it sounds a little funny, but hey it is worth a laugh and hearing the kids giggle.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1575

Just So You Know

2011-10-01T11:57:00.000-07:00

Here are a few little clips of Stella walking around. And the answers to the photos in the last post.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1564

Double Take...

2011-09-28T14:06:00.000-07:00

Just a little update and a funny look at how the girls in our family look pretty much the same.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1555

A "first" that rocked the whole family

2011-08-27T20:02:00.000-07:00

Something new for us, and new in a big way! School started this week, and the whole family is in on it.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1544

Last Call for Family Fun!

2011-08-16T21:16:00.000-07:00

Summer is rapidly coming to and end, but we were able to sneak one more big family event in before school starts.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1521

mid year resolution...

2011-07-26T21:56:00.000-07:00

What is a summer vacation with out a little lapse in blogging...or in my case a big lapse. Well things are about to take a new turn around here, yes that is what we will do. Make a resolution and try really hard to stick to it.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1515

See Me Run...

2011-05-06T13:58:00.000-07:00

The catch up game is all too familiar to me, but here we are again trying to get things caught up from all the activities that go along with life, kids school, and everything else that makes up the daily grind.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1465

Texas camping 101

2011-04-19T20:33:00.000-07:00

Who is up for a little of the great outdoors, kids, ants, and some really tired adults? Anyone well there is a little of that going on when we take the kids camping but there is some fun squeezed in there as well.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1442

Popping up like bluebonnets

2011-04-13T12:39:00.000-07:00

We are now well accustom to the fact that if you live in Texas, each year you take photos of the spring flower the bluebonnet. Well here is what we have come up with for this year.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1429

Guess What...

2011-04-05T20:19:00.001-07:00

We have been up to a few different things around here. Some of them new and exciting, some of them just everyday sorts of stuff. Have a little look and see.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1396

Any Kind of Cookie...

2011-03-22T20:52:00.000-07:00

Its funny how good a cookie can make you feel, and how long your posts get when you are trying to catch up.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1383

Three cheers for Stella!!

2011-03-09T19:35:00.001-08:00

Stella is growing and changing so fast and I know that there have not been very many photos of her due to her being in my arms all the time, but here is a little look at her now. I do love how much fun they are though.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1369

love a little circus in life

2011-02-27T20:52:00.000-08:00

We had a party, it was lots of fun. Nothing like a little circus to make you feel like a kid again.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1354

Can you canoe in January?

2011-02-08T07:17:00.000-08:00

On a weekend adventure we took a chance on canoeing. Maybe we will invest in one in the future...

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1335

What's in a name?

2011-02-01T18:27:00.001-08:00

After taking a week or so off I decided to get back to work and post the photos from Stella's blessing day.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1326

Tag Four

2011-01-18T18:36:00.001-08:00

You know how the tag games go on the blog.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1323

So happy together

2011-01-14T12:42:00.000-08:00

Here are a few photos of our end of the year and beginning of 2011.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1306

A New Year and A New You!

2011-01-12T13:15:00.000-08:00

Welcome back to the everyday life. We had a nice Christmas vacation and are working to get back into the swing of whatever it is that we do.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1300

Leftovers on my camera

2010-12-10T14:06:00.000-08:00

Gearing up for the Christmas holiday has put me a little, well lets be honest, a lot behind. However here is a little glimpse of the last few weeks around here.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1278

Autumn Fun

2010-11-28T19:10:00.000-08:00

The days after Thanksgiving are filled with things like getting up at the crack of dawn for a sale, or just shopping the holiday weekend away…

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1266

Adrian!!!!! errr Steeeelllllaaaaaa!!!!!!

2010-11-16T19:59:00.000-08:00

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1254

Mind your phone manners

2010-11-13T13:26:00.000-08:00

Have you ever said something goofy to a person you THOUGHT was on the other end of the line, only to find out that it was someone else...or someone really important?

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1245

As promised

2010-11-06T17:34:00.001-07:00

I had James unload the photos on his camera so that we could share a few little moments with everyone.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1241

Holding out for Halloween

2010-11-02T09:50:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of the Halloween photos that we have taken over the last month. I think that they may need to rename October dress up month. I am sure that we were dressed up at least two days a week the the entire month for different things.

Oh well it was fun for the kids to pretend to be different thing and people all month long...I am glad that it is over that is kind of exhausting.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1213

little to no sleep required

2010-10-19T11:19:00.000-07:00

A new baby, one in school and one to entertain during the day. Where does that leave us? Crazy busy and a little behind on things but still kicking and ready for more.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1193

Stella!

2010-10-04T17:50:00.000-07:00

At 2:27 pm today, our new baby girl was born. Stella June Barlow. read more

What's hiding in your camera?

2010-10-03T13:47:00.000-07:00

A few little things that got lost in the everyday hustle and bustle of the camera and phone. Its fun to find new photos that you forgot were even taken.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1170

The Shower System

2010-09-09T18:34:00.000-07:00

I am in a rut and can't get out. I have a system that I repeat in the shower each day even if that means that I am late for something due to my own poor planning. Do you have a shower routine that you just can't break?

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1164

Drama Queen, Dentists, and Dead Frogs

2010-09-02T08:49:00.000-07:00

Take a look at the random things that make up our everyday life, then feel free to laugh about it if you want.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1154

weekend getaway

2010-08-18T14:35:00.001-07:00

This weekend we took a little adventure to San Antonio to see what we could see, well basically we ended up in the pool a whole lot and eating, eating, eating. But I have no qualms with that. What did you do?

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1149

Could you make it as a pioneer?

2010-08-05T15:02:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered if you had what it would take to be a pioneer? Or maybe some of the things that they did on an everyday kind of basis? Well I thought about it, and I don't really like what I came up with.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1146

Saturday Escape

2010-07-28T10:14:00.000-07:00

It was high time for us to take a little day trip and to explore a fun new place for the kids. I will admit that I also had a pretty good time.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1143

Today is the day.

2010-07-23T15:16:00.000-07:00

If there is anyone out there that still checks this blog then welcome and here is a little post for you. Thanks for sticking around.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1121

Murphy's Law meets the in-laws

2010-07-07T13:56:00.000-07:00

Can the weather keep you from spending time out and about with your family in town? It sure tried to this past week for us. I think we managed to work a few things in despite the rain.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1099

June What?

2010-06-25T17:42:00.000-07:00

Summer has come and so have the days of trying to find things to do. Here are a few of the things that cross my mind, and a few random others as well.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1096

A case of the mean face nasties

2010-06-15T13:17:00.000-07:00

A little of this and that going on around here. Trust me it is not all nice.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1088

Splish Splash Sprinklers

2010-06-08T09:48:00.000-07:00

Time for some serious Summer fun. Around here that involves water.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1076

Drumroll Please...

2010-06-01T17:06:00.000-07:00

Here it is...

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1073

Take a wild guess

2010-05-28T14:52:00.000-07:00

Here is a little of what we have been doing, and a little guessing game to pass the time.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1059

KGSR Peek-A-Boo

2010-05-19T09:52:00.000-07:00

You may have seen these during Chuck, House, 24, or another primetime favorite. James made these for KGSR.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1054

Feed the birds and so much more

2010-05-15T12:30:00.000-07:00

Do you know much about bird feeders, turns out that I didn't. But now I can say that I know quite a bit more than I did earlier this morning. Gotta love a trip to the home improvement store.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1047

The boy who had two legs...

2010-05-13T15:31:00.000-07:00

From splint to a cast, add in four more weeks, lots of x-rays and some extra long toe nails that brings us to Wednesday of this week, will the boy ever walk again without a cast? Who knows.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1034

Do you zoo?

2010-05-10T14:44:00.000-07:00

We LOVE going to the zoo. Seeing all the fun and different kinds of animals and what they eat. Even though it is getting a little warm here that didn't stop us from making the trek to the Waco Zoo.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1017

Remember Punky?

2010-05-05T13:16:00.000-07:00

There is something about Punky Brewster that catches up with me each time Gwen gets dressed for the day. I just hope that I will be able to keep her from using the hair ties that Punky used.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1012

a girl's gotta do

2010-04-29T21:21:00.000-07:00

Yard work is one thing, but taking on a task that you have never attempted before is something entirely nuts. That is how we work around here apparently.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1004

No Wonder

2010-04-24T07:11:00.000-07:00

Not sure about the random things that are floating around with you in your bag. Me either lets take a little look.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=1000

cast on, cast off, cast on

2010-04-15T15:13:00.000-07:00

The new and improved medical research brings us to fantastic places as far as casts go, wanna see?

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=993

all the kings horses and all the kings men...

2010-04-09T20:13:00.001-07:00

What a way to start the weekend.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=987

Easter hits and misses

2010-04-06T16:14:00.000-07:00

What did the Easter Bunny bring you?

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=956

Things of Spring to embrace

2010-04-02T07:41:00.000-07:00

Welcome Spring and all that comes with it. Here is what we have been doing the last few days.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=929

A Saturday kind of thing

2010-03-28T16:10:00.000-07:00

How have we been spending our last few weekends? If you must know it starts with yard and ends with work.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=918

Did you know...

2010-03-24T12:53:00.000-07:00

Here are a few fun things that you might not have known about us...enjoy.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=909

if you make it to the end...

2010-03-22T09:06:00.001-07:00

And here we go with the last of the catch up from our trip. Hang on and after this we will be back to normal, well whatever that may mean.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=885

Let's kiss and make up

2010-03-16T09:31:00.000-07:00

We just spent about three weeks in Utah doing loads of stuff, but mainly things for my younger brothers wedding. Here is a little bit of that.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=871

Austin Snow

2010-02-27T19:43:00.000-08:00

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=865

lots of Harrison's...and doughnuts

2010-02-20T11:36:00.000-08:00

If you thought one Harrison was fun, what would you think of lots more?

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=860

Lots of Harrisons…and doughnuts

2010-02-20T11:06:00.000-08:00

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=860

Project #2

2010-02-18T22:03:00.000-08:00

another one bites the dust. Good work sewing machine.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=856

Ways to pass the time...

2010-02-17T20:35:00.000-08:00

Wake up, get the kids up, get breakfast, let the dog out, clean up breakfast (and sometimes dinner mess), get ready for the day...blah blah blah. One day started and the next is coming up fast. Time really is flying by so here is how we do it around here.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=848

A trip to Trinity Street

2010-02-14T16:33:00.000-08:00

Thank goodness for some fun museums that are also FREE. Can't beat that.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=830

No fighting, no biting

2010-02-09T08:54:00.000-08:00

Never let it be said that a kid can't defend himself against his older sister.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=825

Museums, Taxes, and the Jackpot

2010-02-02T16:56:00.000-08:00

What a way to spend the week...and it is only Tuesday!

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=811

Don't mess with us when we are winning tickets.

T-minus fourteen hours...

2010-01-28T15:47:00.001-08:00

waiting, waiting, waiting....

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=804

fenced in...

2010-01-23T20:26:00.000-08:00

When spring weather starts to appear then you know that the "to do" list comes out in full force.
Item #1. New fence...check.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=792

L-A-Z-Y tell you what it means to me

2010-01-18T09:15:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the new year...if that means being a little more on the lazy side then so be it.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=790

Thanks for checking in with us.

New Years Something Something...

2010-01-07T13:47:00.000-08:00

Happy New Years everyone!!!! What will you be doing this year?

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=777

Holiday recap...

2010-01-01T10:52:00.000-08:00

After all the wrapping paper was torn apart and all the sugar has finally worn off the holidays are coming to a close and we are ready to begin a new year.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=768

light it up

2009-12-15T08:19:00.001-08:00

Nothing like a little city Christmas celebration to get you in the Christmas spirit.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=755

paper chains and a chicken in underwear

2009-12-10T13:13:00.000-08:00

What will the holidays bring to your house...a chicken in underwear?

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=742

surprise Surprise!!

2009-12-06T17:36:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday James!!

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=734

its officially December

2009-12-02T08:24:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the holiday craze. Yeah that is pretty much what December is, well that and a whole lot of fun.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=723

look into my eyes

2009-11-28T20:24:00.000-08:00

You can tell that we are kind of on a photography kick around here, but this next one is really going to be fun for everyone, the kids were really getting into this photo shoot.

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=720

new do' debut

2009-11-26T05:56:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=708

On the cutting room floor

2009-11-23T18:54:00.000-08:00

Posted by James

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=703

a date with some spurs

2009-11-22T21:15:00.000-08:00

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=697

Here is what's new.

secruity protocal

2009-11-19T08:07:00.001-08:00

Here is the latest post for all of you that have the blogger "blog roll".

http://www.austinbarlows.com/?p=694

We're Moving!!!

2009-10-29T18:43:00.000-07:00

We're outta here! our boxes are packed, kids are in the car, mail is forwarded, goodbyes are underway. Yes, we are leaving blogger. Wipe those tears, it'll be ok, we just have a new address for our blog. Don't be a hater, just bookmark a new URL and we'll continue on like nothing happened. Here it is: http://www.austinbarlows.com
There, that wasn't so bad. See ya on the other side.

pumpkins are just messy

2009-10-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

This year we opted for a little painting of pumpkins instead of scooping the guts and goo. Gwen and Harrison were really excited to be the master artists of their own pumpkins, but lets just say that either way you look at it, pumpkins are a messy deal.

Here is what mine looked like before...
artists hard at work.
And here are the finished products. Do you know who made what pumpkin? Well we shall see how long they last, I mean really they only have to survive four more days, around here that is asking quite a lot though. Alright Halloween we are ready for you.

The bread crumbs lead to our house

2009-10-22T12:09:00.000-07:00

Hansel and Gretal will be the costumes of choice for this years Halloween. Um mostly because I am still able to choose the kids costumes. I know what you are thinking, um why the tiny tiny pictures? Well it is because I couldn't get the larger ones to copy over. Lame I know. I suppose that means that you will just have to wait to see what they look like on two little Barlow's.

Or you could just click on them, but that will link you to the costume store.

A camping we will go

2009-10-19T12:24:00.001-07:00

This weekend we took the kids camping at Granger Lake not too far from our home. It was really fun to see the kids trying new things as we set up camp and got ready for the night. Gwen helped James set up the tent for a few minutes and she was pretty good at assembling the tent poles.
While James and I unloaded the gear the kids made themselves right at home in the car. Yikes!
James took some time to show Harrison how a professional starts a fire...
But Harry was a little more interested in just being a rock star.
We let the kids make a good attempt at cooking hot dogs, and roasting marshmallows, but in the end they just wanted to eat the food and not cook it. Turns out that the Barlow's are not really the hunter gatherer type, maybe more along the lines of open and eat.

The kids did really well sleeping in the tent even though it did end up getting a little colder than we thought. All in all a fun and exciting trip. I think that next time will be better just because we now know what to expect with the kids, and they can get all excited to use their little sleeping bags which were a huge hit. Hooray for family camping.

Waco at its best

2009-10-17T14:45:00.000-07:00

We took a little trip to the Waco zoo this week and my friend Christa and I braved the adventure alone with the kids. The trip may have started out with a rocky car ride, but as soon as the kids were free to roam and see the animals it was great.
We saw this giant orangutan, and this picture doesn't do him justice, he was creepy looking, and may have just become the scary thing in my nightmares. The kids didn't really care too much about him because he wasn't really doing much, but the area around him was full of things to do.
Like ride on little stone horses. Giddy up!
We saw lions, two females to one male in the exhibit...now does that seem right?
We saw Tembo the elephant, and some other one too, but apparently he was not worthy of a name.
Stopped for a potty and snack break, Harrison and Lexi became fast friends that stayed together pretty much the whole trip.
Saw the aquarium.

And the peek a boo window for the alligators and crocodiles.
And then Lexi showed us how to rocket down the slide that goes through the otter's home.
Ready, set, go!

Gwen took a break with Christa and baby Brooklyn in the rocking chairs while everyone else took more turns on the slide.
After that and lots more exciting animals we wound our way back to the exit and took a really quiet ride home, with lots of worn out and sleeping kids. That is the way to travel.
I do love a good trip to the zoo, and it is even better when the kids love it too.

Risk it all!

2009-10-11T22:24:00.000-07:00

So I just won a game of Risk! Now if you have ever played the game with me then you know how amazing this little feat is. I am usually the first one demolished on the board. Not tonight.
To top it all off I was able (with some useful coaching by James, who was already out at the time,)
to clear the board of all the other player and win the game all in one single turn. Who could have imagined that, not me. So this one goes out to Mike Frost who would and could beat me seven ways to Sunday in that game. Wish you could have seen it.

when baby turns two!

2009-10-09T07:32:00.001-07:00

My baby turned two on Wednesday!! What! It was kind of a funny day. We sang to him in the morning and then it seemed like business as usual. It was when James brought home the cake all the Oooh's and Aaahhh's burst from the kids. And after that I think that the waiting to eat the cake was the hardest.
The whole day I was thinking that he can't really be two already, can he? Um yes he is totally two. Here are their cheesiest faces. Can you see the mischief behind them.
The barnyard cake waiting to be ripped apart, but first on to the presents.

Finally it was time for the cupcake barn, and everyone was more than ready to dig in. I think that each kid packed in at least three cupcakes, or at least the frosting from that many.
And then went back for a little more.
Here is to birthday's and a giant welcome to the terrible two's. Bring it on. We love you Harrison.
Here is Harrison saying a little, and I mean little, thanks to both Grandma and Grandpa Barlow and Dattage. Books and trains are just his thing.

when it rains it pours

2009-10-07T11:22:00.001-07:00

Sunday was a day of rest...and rain. Around here the rain storms are huge which also leads to giant amounts of mud and puddles, or in our case both. After the heavy rain fall that we received the kids gladly bolted outside and ran a muck, and mucky in lots of ways.

From head to toes and everywhere else the soppy wet made its mark.

Big jumps by Gwen, and don't ask me how, but one side of Harry's face is totally covered by icky mud and grass, but contained mostly to one side. How does that happen?

Our back yard now looks like a giant mud pit thanks to the kids ability to take advantage of the rainfall, but at least we have some killer photos of dirty kids to show for it. All in a day of rest.

hidden in the depths of my phone

2009-10-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

I feel like we have not really been doing anything that is really that interesting or new so I have been struggling to blog. I know that a lot of our friends are on vacations, traveling, having new babies, and finding fun things that their kids are doing in school, but that is not at all what is going with us. We have been doing the lazy day stuff and that is about it.

However as I was updating my phone today I found a few pictures of the kids at the dog park from earlier this week that I thought were kind of funny.
Gwen and Harrison found use of the dog training materials at the dog park, and none of the little dogs even came close to using them like the kids.

First you start running in a small circle,
jump up and run through the first...
and finish strong through the second one, then repeat over and over.
When the inside of the dog park was a little too much, or in Gwen's case she bonked her head, it was off to the other side of the park, the people part.

There are two volleyball courts and this is where I spent the rest of the time while James had Spock.
I had a feeling as soon as we approached this sand pit baths that night would not be optional, no matter how late we got home.
I was right. They had sand all over their clothes and in every little nesting place the body has to offer.
At least they were good, and played nice. It wasn't much later after this that we had to book it out of there because the mosquitoes were out in full force. Now we know that the dog park has a lot to offer, even if we don't stay inside the part for the animals...I think that next time we will be sure to bring some sand toys, and bug spray!

a skank-tastic Hallowtween

2009-09-24T14:39:00.000-07:00

I have been looking for Halloween costumes for the kids for awhile now, and each time I go to a different place having found nothing I liked and feeling a little more trashy for some of the things that I have seen listed for the Tweens.

Here is one for starters, not sure what it is supposed to really be, but I know that I would have never been able to purchase, borrow, or leave my room in this when I was a trick-or-treater.
Next Tween sensation, the Harajuku approach. I don't really get it, but yet again unless I was wearing an over sized bathrobe, I never would have made it out of the house.
Now I know that things have changed a whole lot since I was dressing up and in that age group, but I NEVER looked like these girls, well I still don't I mean I will never have long legs like this girl, but if your daughter told you that she wanted to be a red punk rock princess, with goth glam (seriously the description of the costume) Is this what you would let her parade about in?

I can't find two little costumes for a 3 and 2 year old, but have no fear I have a long list of things that they are NOT going to be for Halloween.

Perks of the job

2009-09-19T13:11:00.000-07:00

There are some jobs that offer a great paycheck, or an annual bonus for their employees. Other jobs give stock options or really great free stuff, maybe some that just have good insurance or better yet yummy food to eat all the time. Well my job is limited in its offerings as far as monetary means, and well there are not really sick days or half days to be taken, but I will say that there have been a few things lately that have made me really happy and glad for the little job that I do.

One of them is this little face. Oh my he is growing up so fast I can hardly believe it. Oh Harry you don't speak too much but the things that you do say are really funny and well said when they do appear.
Staying in our jammies way to long each day.

Snacks in our Sunday bag...the ones that I get to pick.

Gwen's ability to play pretend, and by herself, giving me time to catch up on random things
while Harry takes a nap (like he is right now).

Hugs and kisses whenever I ask for them from two little kids that give the best hugs.

An open schedule...and I mean way open. Besides the random dr. appointment for the kids or the dentist (more often than I would like to admit) we pretty much run on our own time frame around here, and I have to say it is pretty great.

Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches never seem to get old around here.

Kids in bed by 8pm ( brilliant). Leaving time for reading, movies, friends, games, whatever I want. I could put exercising in here as well, but lets be honest I really dread that.

Story time with the kids. Lately we have been giving them a choice of what they want to do at bed time. We read a story and/or they can take a book of their choice to bed with them. Over all I would say that this has been really fun. The kids love books so it is exciting for them to choose one they like and read it in bed. Which leads us to our next pictures.

Harrison fell asleep reading his book of choice, practically mid page.
I guess that the dentist book is not a real exciting book to read.

Sleeping kids. Yep that is a great perk too.

simple math

2009-09-15T06:58:00.000-07:00

How far we have come in the last eight years. Happy Anniversary James! I can honestly say that eight years ago I would not have said that I would be doing any of the things that I am currently doing, or that I would have a dog. But times change, and so do people. So here we are two kids and a dog, living a long ways away from where we started, and happy to be celebrating another year in the process of life and love. Now it is time for me to go give the dog a bath, everyday life waits for no one, not even for special days.

Why I am losing my sanity

2009-09-10T13:12:00.000-07:00

So it is still full on Summer around here, even though it may look a little overcast it gets really hot and sweaty and muggy, so we bust out the ol' yellow kiddie pools to cool down a bit, but the other day I have to say I was not so amused. I ran in the house as the kids were winding down so that I could grab some towels, and when I got back to the sliding door Gwen and Harrison were jumping in mud puddles, and flinging mud all over.

First of all I don't know how many times a day I tell them that we don't dig holes in the yard, ( I swear that talking to the kids and the dog are pretty much the same thing sometimes) and second of all we are in a major drought so the killing the grass and yard thing not such a happy topic around here.

Second of all I was bugged about the mud...everywhere. Their hands and feet, and the water in the pools was sick. Then I saw Gwen itch her nose, now I am not sure why, I was really upset, but I ran to grab the camera thinking that maybe this could be funny later when I wasn't so mad...and here we are two days later.
With mud boogers.

Then today after lunch time Gwen said that she was finally hungry, Harrison and I had already eaten earlier. So we had this conversation.

Gwen: My tummy is growling, I think that I am hungry.

Me: Great what would you like to eat? I could make you a sandwich or noodles, do you want some corn on the cob?

Gwen: I would like some square cereal with milk and a green spoon, with blueberries in a red bowl.

Me: Huh.

Do you think that she could have been a little more specific?
That makes one happy camper.
So she goes for the first bite, and in rolls (actually rolls) Harrison, the kid who could eat all day long and never get full.
He gets close and goes for the reach...
Gwen uses some great shielding techniques, and then
He is shut out! Game over Harrison. So much for sharing. Actually just after I put the camera away and was getting Harrison something else to eat Gwen handed him some of her blueberries. That is what I am talking about. Now as for my lack of sanity...I just wonder if I am ever going to be able to stop using the phrases "we don't hit", "no pushing", "stop jumping on the bed", and "we don't scream in the house". I feel like I say those things so much I am like a broken record.

So if you see me sometime and ask how we are doing and I respond with one of these phrases, just know that apparently the kids have not gotten the hang of not hitting, pushing, screaming in the house, or jumping on the beds yet. And then just walk away.

catch up for a week...

2009-09-07T18:27:00.000-07:00

Well believe it or not another week has just flown by and all I have to show for it are a hand full of photos, and a semi clean floor. Oh well at least it has been a little cooler around here.

We got these little stools for Gwen and Harrison's new play table but it turns out that they just like to carry them around from place to place and stand on them...one of these days I am sure that we are going to have a broken arm to show for it.

We had the chance to go to a little water park by our house with some new friends from our ward, they have a little girl, Lexie, that is Gwen's age. Alright everyone get your sunscreen on...
head for the little fountains, that is Lexie walking in the back of Gwen.
These seemed to be a big hit as we were trying to leave.
A little lunch break...Harrison ate an apple and some cheetos, and then started pushing the rest of his cheetos through the holes in the picnic table, nice Harry.
Lexie was trying to call Harry on the phone, Harry thought it was pretty funny.
We found these headbands in a box in the kids room and they wore them all afternoon...even while staring totally fixed on the Princess and the Frog trailer. (um we watch that one a whole lot around here)
I love it when we play nice...even if it is just for a 58 second movie clip. That is pretty much what we have been doing all week...kind of, well not really, but a little bit.

If you want to be domestic clap your hands

2009-08-31T06:36:00.000-07:00

Clap*Clap This weekend we took on a new challenge around here, and we made our debut attempt at homemade applesauce. We used three different kinds of apples, and a little hard work with the peeling, and soon we were smelling the yummy smells of Autumn, apples, cinnamon, and some secret ingredients.
James is getting ready to measure the amounts into our jars so that we can seal them up.
And a little while later this is what we have to show for our efforts...and full tummies as well. You know that you can't just make something this yummy and not eat it as you go, that would be silly.
Maybe one day I can actually say that I am kind of domestic, instead of just trying to be, but as for today, I will keep pretending.

What a Friday night should be

2009-08-25T10:28:00.000-07:00

So I think that Friday nights should be spent with friends and yummy food, treats of course, and what better way to do that then hosting a little get together in celebration of Jackie's upcoming baby...in other words a baby shower. Lets see what was on the list...

Food: Check, and lots of it too.
Salads: Check! Thanks to Elizabeth and Emily Kelley for the perfect and yummy sides.
Treats: Check, Thanks to Brooke and her amazing baking skills we had pink conversation cupcakes, lemon bars*, chocolate eclairs, a candy station where you could fill up your own bags of treats, AND she even made sugar cookie favors that were yellow rubber duckies, and pink hearts all tied up in a decorated bag. Way to go Brooke.
Drinks: Check we had pretty much anything you could imagine to drink from smoothies, and soda, to festive lime water and a little celebration cider, yeah I think that you could say that we were covered if you wanted a drink.
And as the celebration started and we were just waiting for the guests to file in all eyes were on...
Jackie of course. Lets just say that she has a way with capturing the audience. She is so much fun.
Gifts: Check! This (not yet named) baby girl is not going to have to worry about not having anything to wear that is for sure.
Maddie and Leanne were happy to help Jackie unwrap all the gifts. And it was fun to see friends and family as we all enjoyed the evening full of talk talk talk and catching up with everyone.
I think that was a great way to spend a Friday night, what more could you ask for? Oh yeah and I am happy to say that we didn't have to rush anyone to the hospital for an unexpected delivery (Brooke, Jackie, or Paige...) although that could have made for an interesting story sometime down the road. Especially you Paige, seeing as you are only half way through. Glad everyone made it through safe and sound.

* special thanks to Justin for his assistance on the Lemon Bars, they were super yummy and I appreciate your assistance!

I spy...

2009-08-23T17:06:00.000-07:00

I spy with my little eyes some place that I had never been before...
Where the security was very reminiscent of an airport...they even took the straws that I had for the kids drinks...because they were plastic!
The wait to get in was just part of the whole experience I suppose. Then as soon as we crossed through the second security gate we were finally there....Sea World that is. We started with a little...
Dolphin fun. And it is a good thing that it was hot that day because our dolphin friends were all about the splashing and sending the waves our way.
Reminds me of the ol' show Flipper.
Even Liv was all about the dolphins.
Yep Gwen was totally cool with being that close to the water, and her shirt was soaked after just a few minutes.
Harry also enjoyed the show, but he would have rather been in the water with them, that is why he is being restrained in James' arms. All was well, except I was starting out the day with the squidgy feeling of wet in flip flops...not really my favorite.
We would load em' up and move em' out to the next site, and I don't think that there was one time that the kids were ever in the same wagon around the park, it really was like musical mobility as we meandered around.

It was nice and cool in the aquarium where we spotted the sharks, piranha's, and other odd looking fish.

James showed Harry the big sharks, and then we were off to the next thing.
Soon enough we were to the rides part of the park, and James took Gwen on her first roller coaster ride,
She was in awe, she really liked it, so much so that before we left the park she asked if she could ride it again, and seeing as James just can't say no to that little face he took her for one more ride.
Time for a little lunch, and Harry was all about the watermelon, who knew he could open his mouth so wide.
We caught the Beluga Whale show and the kids seemed to enjoy that.

Then we went for a little swim. Well the kids did at least. Syl and I snuck off to ride some roller coasters of our own. Let me tell you I was glad that I hadn't eaten much for lunch.

After some more little things, and some more roller coaster rides with James we caught the final show of the day, and although it was SUPER cheesy I will admit that I wish that I had the guts that those animal trainers have to get in the water with the killer whales.

After a really long and hot day we were all ready to call it quits, so it was a slow ride to the exit of the park, and quite ride home. Whew, what a fun little day trip that ended up to be.
Thanks to Sea World for sucking us dry of energy, adrenalin, and cash, what more could a theme park offer.

weekend warriors

2009-08-20T06:31:00.001-07:00

Weekend projects, who doesn't have them and love them. While James' parents were here we busted out a few of our own projects and here is one of them. We started with a little of this,
Needed a little of that...and a whole lot of sawing and painting and some power tool usage, add a big ol' mat from IKEA and what do you get...
A really cool play table for the kids room. It has four cubbies that are all cut into different shapes on the bottom, and the mat that has all the roads on it...
Finish it off with some toys and pint sized stools and what do you get...
A really fun play area that the kids can't get enough of. I love it and I think that it turned out so great, Thanks James and Brent for all the hard work.

look who came to visit

2009-08-18T08:07:00.000-07:00

Hooray! Grandma and Grandpa Barlow came to see us, and that means that while they stay we are jam packing each day to try and fit in all the fun things that we can. Part of the reason that I have been so absent from the blogging world. So naturally since we are now in Round Rock we had to start off the first day with some Round Rock donuts. Mmmm.
Add some chocolate milk and a cupcake for Gwen and we had a fantastic breakfast to start off the day.

We also were able to head down town with Ryan's family to do something that I have been wanting to do since we moved here...See the Congress bridge bats of course.
We had dinner at Whole Foods and then off to the bridge and see the little flock of 1.5 million bats take flight at dusk.
Look both ways before you cross the street Harrison.
Waiting...waiting....waiting and then...
They started to fly out over by that big clump of trees so my camera didn't really pick up on them so well, but soon there were so many all over the sky it looked like dark clouds.
Kind of creepy, like there were swarms of huge bugs coming towards us...but really they were flying away.

Gwen really liked all the boats that were there for the show.
So did Harry, and did I mention that it was hot...um yeah that groddie glisten on my face is not the light...it is me sweating almost to death.
We also made time to dance a little around the giant guitars that are placed around downtown.

Love to dance, and run around with the cousins. It never gets boring. And nothing is boring when the grandparents are around.

this and that and a little skin

2009-08-11T13:32:00.001-07:00

First off if you like molten cake and you haven't tried these, you should. Mmmmm you know that I love molten cake, and here it is delivered to my door. Thanks Domino's.
On Saturday we were able to do a few little things. We went to Logan's birthday party and rode a train (not many things are better than that as far as my kids are concerned.)
We also had the chance to play pretend of what it would be like if we had five kids...and all of them really close together. It was Ryan and Leslie's anniversary so we had London, Maddie, and baby Liv for the day. It was handy to have the van, and the kids all seemed to have a good time.

Everyone likes the Texas landscapes, even Liv.
A little wind in your face and...
A Thomas the train cake, yep life is pretty good around here.
Harrison was trying to sneak in front of the birthday boy for dibs on the best piece of cake. When we got home it was all kids in the pool...and Spock too.
Each of the kids took turns dumping buckets of water on to Spock, I think that he was just fine with it seeing as it was 104˚ outside.

On another note, what should you do when some of your neighbors decide that they are going to be nudists? Gwen and Harry had been out in the pools after dinner one night and when they came into the house I made them strip down so I could immediately put them in the tub, but they were sidetracked to eating something at the table.
What kind of a parent would let this happen, and take a picture of it? Oh that would be me. I thought that it was so funny that they each have the little tan lines, and are basically oblivious to the fact that they are naked. Classic. Kids, what can you do.

money, money, money

2009-08-07T13:00:00.000-07:00

Last night when I was driving to meet with friends for a birthday dinner for Brooke I wasn't thinking about doing anything crazy or living on the edge a little. No I was thinking that if we were really lucky we would be able to get in to Sandra Bullock's restaurant here in town without waiting, and we would have good food and great conversation, and so a little later than planned we pulled up to the Bistro, and parked right across the street and headed for the door.
As we were walking in the doorman greeted us and told us that Sandra Bullock herself was here tonight. What luck, we would have a night out, and maybe a little glimpse of the romantic comedy star herself. We were seated...
It was all so nice and cozy, with a dash of elegance...and we ate and ate and then after lots of fun talk, and lots of time we were well on our way to head home...or so I thought. As we crossed the street to my car I heard Brooke say "where is your car Lonna" I totally thought that she was joking because I could see the outline of a tall car, but Brooke, having the total height advantage, was correct I turned the corner and NO CAR! We all started looking around for the car or a sign, or a note (not that someone would just leave a note that they stole your car, but I was desperate) Finally we found a towing sign across the parking lot noting that if you did not have a parking pass for that lot then you would be towed, at your own expense.

I called the number and asked if they had my vehicle, and why yes they did. But rest assured that they are open 24 hours a day and they are located a good 15 minute drive away. That is convenient for three women, two of which have a high probability of going into labor at anytime. So thinking fast all three of us were on our phones calling a cab, calling husbands, and looking up the address to find the best solution to the situation, minutes later we were all in the back seat of a taxi with Jackie tracking the drivers every twist and turn into the dark shady streets of East Austin on her phone, classic. With us ending up here...a shack that was surrounded by a chain linked fence and a gate that you had to enter and step up on cinder blocks to pay the 275 pound man that was covered in naked lady tattoos.
While I read over the paperwork, and handed over my ID, Jackie and Brooke were on their phones with their husbands giving the play by play just in case, then the man asked me if the car belonged to my parents, Really? My parents? So I said no the name on the car was my husbands I was so not amused but he must have believed me because he signed the car over to me anyway, naturally after the $193.30 fee was paid(mind you it had only been there for 35 minutes!) we then walked through yet another gate into the parking lot it was smooth sailing from there.

It wasn't until we were all driving home that we started discussing how badly that really could have gone, seriously three small women....and two of them very pregnant getting into a taxi van that was headed for a dark dank impound lot on the wrong side of town in the middle of the night. I think that was enough of an adventure for all of us for awhile.
This is the back of the building. Brooke snapped it as we were leaving. Yikes! So glad that I was not alone in the whole experience, pretty sure I would have just sat down on the corner and cried upon seeing that my car was gone. Note to self (and everyone else) just pay for the valet parking and save your husbands some piece of mind, some cab fare, lots of money, and yourself and your pregnant friends a shady trip to the towing lot, and just end the night on a good note. So what will happen around here this weekend, I guess we will all just have to wait and see.

stuck on you

2009-08-07T08:33:00.000-07:00

A long time ago in a place kind of far away one of our neighbors had this really fun idea, Make your own magnets. Well since then I have had some supplies but never gotten around to it, until yesterday. The kids were slightly out of control, but we had already been in the pool, had naps, and done all the regular stuff and still had some time to kill before James came home, so we looked for a little craft to do...which brings us to magnet making 101.

It so simple, and by that I mean that Gwen pretty much did it by herself. All you need are a few basic supplies, craft glue, magnet strip with the sticky stuff on one side, clear stones and scissors. Lets begin.
Since we were doing this with the kids we found magazines that had things in them that they would like.
Cut out some pictures and fun prints in little circles and then found the glue.
cut up the magnets and stuck them on the back sides...
And there you go, ready for the fridge, just like that. Seriously that is it!
naturally I dropped a few of them on the way to the fridge, but no harm done still sticks we are ready for some kid drawings!