Preview

Here is a preview of the pictures that Ericka took a couple of weeks ago. These are a few of the ones she e-mailed me and I LOVE everything that I have seen so far! She is very talented and very cheap. I am wanting to see how our family picture of the 4 of us turned out b/c the day we took the group pictures Montana had tonsillitis and Levi was running fever and had chills. So these pictures are SO much better than expected! THANK YOU Ericka!

Our Family with Levi's sister, Joycelyn & her husband Marcus

I LOVE this!

And this smile is her personality!! It truly represents her!

I just love the close-up!

The Whole Family in black & white

Halloween, the Zoo & the Circus!

So much has happened that I don't even know where to start. My days and weeks are starting to run together and I'm starting to realize that May is just around the corner! Yikes! I am in the Christmas mood already and we plan to put up the tree and Christmas decorations this weekend, I just want to be able to enjoy it this year. And this year I am starting something new with our tree. I have always done a western tree because that is what we like, but this year to let the girls be involved we are going to make every ornament on the tree. I will still put my collectibles like my Breyer ornaments that are dated with the year, but other than that we as a family will make them. I'm even going to order a new tree skirt with snowmen on it to make it more for the girls. My only problem is I usually loop a rope around my tree and this year I want something different and I need a new topper because we have always used a hat. So, any suggestions? Can you tell that I'm excited? Well, YES I am!

I can finally say that I am starting to function again and feeling better. I cooked supper last night for the first time in a long time and it was SO good. Tonight we had smoked sausage stir-fry & a salad. It's nice knowing that I can cook & eat again! On a side note though- I can't eat hamburger meat in any way (HB, tacos, hb helper, etc). I was the same way when I was pregnant with Montana.

The girls have been extremely busy. Halloween was a busy week with a gymnastics party, preschool party, daycare party, 2 halloween carnivals & trick or treating. Montana was Tinkerbell & Autumn was Minnie Mouse. They had fun and I was more tired then they were! This past weekend they went to my Mom's Friday night b/c I had to work Saturday so my Mom took them to the Abilene Zoo on Saturday. They loved it; that's all they talked about- especially the alligator and the giraffe. The giraffe wrapped his tongue around Autumn's wrist trying to get the cracker from her and they are still talking about that! lol Sunday we went to the Shrine Circus in WF and Joycelyn went with us. It was fun but lasted 3 hours with an intermission. I thought that was extremely long for little kids. They both rode the little horses and then Montana rode an elephant with Daddy. That was the highlight of her day!! :)

This week we've all had some kind of bug except Autumn but all seem to be well now. I took Montana to the dr on Tuesday and we found out that she had tonsillitis, but 2 days of antibotics and she's SO much better! I'm looking forward to tomorrow b/c our family has made Friday "Family Movie Night" as long as we're home. We haven't done this in awhile b/c of me being sick, but tomorrow we'll have popcorn, a movie and get the tree out. There's nothing better than that!! The girls love it when we do a movie and popcorn!

I will leave you with some pictures from Halloween and the circus. My Mom took pictures at the zoo on her camera so mom please e-mail me a few of them!

At the Halloween Carnival

waiting on the music for the cake walk (we played 2x & Autumn won once)

She LOVES cotton candy!

Autumn playing games

At preschool- Montana & Olivia
They are in preschool & gymnastics together and they ended up with the same costume! :)

Miss Addison at Amber's baby shower on Halloween morning
She has grown so much & we loved playing with her!

Autumn, Montana, Skyler, Hutton, Heather & Harper @ MeeMaw & PePaw's
(Montana didn't want to take a pic & Autumn had to have me; therefore, I was trying to hide)

Miss Tinkerbell

Miss Minnie Mouse

This was after trick or treating- she stayed just like this for almost an hour! lol

Montana & Daddy on the elephant

Smiling away

Autumn before she started screaming! lol

My camera died at the circus so I didn't get a chance many pictures!

Contemplating on....

...to make my blog private or not?

This question has crossed my mind a lot in the past few weeks. I LOVE meeting new blog friends and sharing "our lives" with you!! I am stuck in the middle about my decision. This comes along with facebook. I absolutely LOVE facebook & staying in touch with friends, but again I am undecided on whether to quit facebook too?

Facebook and my blog are a way to communicate with YOU, but I also don't want to feel guilty about something that I say/ announce because I've learned that sometimes it may hurt someone's feeling's unintentional. I love blogging & I want to continue to feel that way!!

If I do decide to make this blog private, I promise I will let you know so that you can give me your e-mail address and I can send you an invite to read my blog. Facebook is still undecided as well. I will let you know soon!!! And I will be praying about my decision!

Blogging???

I don't think I know what blogging means anymore!! :) Joycelyn told me to at least post a picture for her, but I'll try to fill you in on what's been happening the past month and a half. I seem to have let facebook take over b/c it's just quicker! lol

Autumn turned 2 on October 9th!! We had a Mickey Mouse party with hot dogs, cake & ice cream! My good friend, Lacy and her kids came and stayed with us the night before the party so we had fun with 6 kiddos running around.

Around the middle or September we found out that we are expecting baby #3! I am 3 months along right now & due on May 8th. Part of the reason for no blogging is me not feeling good. In the evenings the sickness sets in. I feel sorry for the girls because I feel like I'm not doing enough with them, but it's starting to get a little better! I haven't even taken many pictures which is unusual for me.

Three weeks ago, Autumn fell as we were going into daycare & hit a concrete step. We ended up in the ER getting stitches in her mouth and it messed 2 of her teeth up; 1 of them being a front tooth. We have went to a pediatric dentist in Amarillo 2x since the accident and he thinks that both teeth will survive & be ok. We were worried about one of them. The front tooth is kind of embedded in her gum, but looks like it may be coming down some. We go back in 2m to make sure everything is good. Poor girl has been through it all!!

Tonight is the Pregnancy Outreach Center Fundraiser @ the Goodlett Gym. They have a silent & live auction and a great meal & it's all for a great cause!! Hope you all have a great weekend!! And Joycelyn- here's some pictures!

Montana & Hedi Hedi Ho

(Grandad's new puppy & her name is really just Hedi)

Autumn's b-day cake

Riley & Autumn

She was getting ready to blow the candles out- which she never did!

Quanah Homecoming 2009

Last Friday was Quanah's homecoming game and we attended mainly because Tara, Levi's cousin, was a Homecoming Queen Nominee. We got there with about 7 minutes left until half and then watched the opponent's marching band in which the girls were in awe of. I didn't get any pictures of all the nominees on the field b/c Montana was sitting in my lap while Autumn was with Joycelyn and then Sheri. So to top our night off- Tara was crowned Homecoming Queen. We were so excited!! Our section probably looked like a bunch of idiots screaming and yelling! lol

These pictures were after half-time. Autumn's hair was curled all pretty, but the weather staightened it out as soon as we stepped out of the car! My kids love Tara and Tana and we and thankful for them to be a part of our kids lives!!! :)

So cute but it looks like Montana is choking Autumn

More smiles & this time no choking!

Here's the one eye squint! lol

Tara & Montana (Tara gave Montana a rose- it made her day)

These were Tara's shoes after half time- it rained all weekend!!

*Side note*
Joycelyn made Autumn a mum too, but it only lasted about 10 minutes before she pulled it off!

1st Day of Preschool

Well today was Montana's 1st Day of Preschool. She has been waiting for this day for months, and when we attended Open House we were given her first homework assignment which was really cute. We were to trace her hand around a heart and since there are 5 fingers, we were supposed to write 5 things that were special about her. She had so much fun helping to determine the 5 things. And we wrote:

1. I am very loving and caring.
2. I am a great big sister.
3. I love to have fun- sing & dance.
4. I am a big helper.
5. I love to learn and read.

The funny part was her coming up with things that were special about her. One of her things was that she was "cute." It made us laugh! And Miss Autumn wasn't happy that she didn't have homework! lol Next year she'll get to go too! And Montana wouldn't let me take any pictures of her at home, but when we got to preschool she was all smiles!!

I am just excited that she has become such a cute and funny little girl! What else could I ask for?

All Smiles

In Ms. Angie's class

Biggest Looser Update

For those of you who don't know... At work, we have had a biggest looser contest between employees going on since June 15th. At the end of the 90 days, my boss said he would give the winner $240 cash money. 3 employees started the challenge, but 1 employee no longer works with us so it is between me and 1 other employee. And he and I have been head to head almost the entire 3 months. So next Tuesday is the FINAL weigh day to determine the winner. As of today, I have lost 13.6 lbs (7%) and my competition has lost 17 lbs (6% of his weight he started at). Therefore, this last week is very crucial!!!!!!! I know I can do this... it is just so hard!!!!!!

And as Belinda said when she was loosing weight, some people are so negative! She has told me that people still make the comment to this day that she is too skinny. Well she hasn't lost any weight in 3 months, she's just maintaining her weight and I think she looks AWESOME!! So every time I feel discouraged about how people react to me trying to loose weight I think of Belinda. And no I'll never be as small as she is b/c I am just built bigger, but she is my inspiration!! And just for the record... I am still human so I do splurge every now and then, but I have made the choice to loose weight and for our family to eat better! The girls already eat better and Montana LOVES to do sit-ups, push-ups and exercise with me! But they will always LOVE cookies!! :)

I hope everyone had an excellent Labor Day Holiday! I gave the girls mini manicures and pedicures yesterday and Montana said that her massage felt good! Pictures to follow...

Thoughts Swarming...

Have you ever had a million things going on in your head at once.... Of course you have, that's life these days!! This past week I seem to have been swarmed by my thoughts. At work and at home I seem to be working on one thing but thinking about the next thing that needs to be done! And I'm not complaining, I'm just thinking that our life is getting crazy!!

...Tonight is Montana's Open House at Ms. Angie's Preschool, I'm so excited for her!...

...Next Friday is Quanah's homecoming and Tara is a Homecoming Queen Nominee so Joycelyn is making mums for the girls...

...I'm having a Scentsy booth next Saturday & my Mom is coming in to watch the girls...

...In just 2 weeks, Lacy & I are having a baby shower for another friend, its starting to get into crunch time to make sure we have everything done & since I seem to be a perfectionist- I'm already stressing! :)...

...Laundry seems to NEVER go away, and either do the dishes...

...The girls may be fighting one minute, yet hugging the next...

...I need to get the girls a dress that isn't a summer dress, guess I better get one ordered...

...I really need to get Quicken downloaded into my computer...

...We finally got Autumn a Tag Junior (since Montana loves her Tag), but it still needs to be downloaded...

...my office is crying to be cleaned & organized...

...I hate filing papers at work, but it seems to be a lot of what I've been doing- organizing!...

...But oh how I LOVE Levi and the girls & I wouldn't trade my life for anything!..

...And above all, I thank God for allowing me to have the life I have!!!!...

I seemed swamped in my head but when I think about it, I wouldn't ever trade it. Levi and I love the life we have and live everyday to the fullest because we don't hold what tomorrow will bring!!

A Barbie Jeep

Holy Cow- I only posted 1x in August. I'm way behind & I'm sorry! We have been wanting to get the girls a Barbie Jeep or an Escalade, but let me say I wasn't paying $300-$350 for one either. I think that is outrageous, so I told Levi to start looking for one. He is addicted to Craigs list, but I'm not complaining because he found this Jeep on there 2 days ago. The battery and charger are good and the radio works- Excellent! And by the looks of this picture the lady e-mailed me, it almost looks brand new and for ONLY $100.

We usually buy something big for each of the girls birthday that they can both use, and we get grandparents to pitch in. Therefore, the girls have gotten a trampoline and a flat screen TV and DVD player by doing this. Since Autumn's birthday is next month, my Mom and my Dad are contributing to pay for this Barbie Jeep for the girls. The best part about them being so close in age is that you can get stuff for them to share where they can get bigger stuff! :)

So, we are headed to Iowa Park in just a few minutes to pick the Jeep up, and on into WF to get a few things I need for a baby shower me and a friend are planning. It'll be a long night, but so worth it! I'll post pictures later with the girls riding it- I'm sure they'll be all smiles!!! :)

A quick picture!

Well this picture sums up what we've been doing a lot of this summer! In a little over 2 weeks, Montana will start preschool 2 days a week and gymnastics will gear up. She is so excited to meet Ms. Angie and Ms. Kim! Autumn is becoming a little toddler instead of a baby, and I can't believe how much she is grown up in the past few months.

Even though summer is winding down, I feel like we just keep on going! We are having an end of summer cook-out for friends, I'll be having a Scentsy Booth in Sept, and me and a friend are planning a baby shower for another friend. Looks like we won't slow down until October, o wait- that's Autumn's b-day party and the Pregnancy Outreach Center Fundraiser. It looks like we have something every weekend for the next couple of months, but that's ok because we have lots of FUN being busy!

Hope you're having a great week!!!

Lots going on!!

If I still have anyone reading this, I am still here. I guess I just took a little blog break. Just like everyone else, I can't believe that summer is coming to an end so quickly! We have been busy with our nieces and nephew and our extended families!

Tomorrow we are headed to a bridal shower for a friend in Crowell. I used to work with her at the Steakhouse while I was in college. Oh how I miss the good ole days!! Then on Sunday we are off to Castaway Cove in WF with my SIL and her husband. The girls are looking forward to it!!

Levi and I have been on vacation this week and we have enjoyed every minute of it! I am not looking forward to heading back to work on Monday, plus it's the 1st of the month so it'll be a crazy day!! I got to go shopping with a good friend, Marci, on Monday in Lubbock. I throughly enjoyed it and look forward to the next time!! And to top my vacation off- my memory card in my camera isn't working. I need a camera experts help please!! My old card says, This memory card is protected. So I bought a new one and it says, Memory card error! It has been so frustrating not being able to take pics of the girls whenever I want! grrrrrrrrrr.... Help me if you can!!!!

I will leave you with some pictures from a few weekends ago. We went to my niece's (Caelyn) rodeo and then we took my niece, BreeAnn to the waterpark. We all enjoyed it! Have a great weekend!!!! :)

Montana & Caelyn

Sheri & Caelyn

Uncle Todd & Autumn

(they are 2 of a kind- lol)

Me & BreeAnn


Me & Levi
(he looks excited, huh? He'll love me for posting this!)

my SIL, Sheri

Miss Priss

David

grrrrr... (Caelyn) lol

Montana & Daddy

Harris Family Cook-Out 2009

On June 27th the Harris Family got together at our house for a cook-out. We see everyone during the holidays, but that's about it. So this year, I decided to have something in the summer. It was fun and all the kids had a blast as well. We ate HB's and hot dogs, some rode horses, some played in the slip-n-slide and just visisted.

We are already planning for a weekend reunion next July @ Lake Luggert in Altus. Everyone should have fun at the lake! Here are some pics from the cookout!

We are off to Woodward to the waterpark this afternoon and then staying with Todd and Sheri so we can see Caelyn in her last rodeo at Canadian tomorrow morning! Then it's home to reality!!

Autumn & Montana

Sheri & Montana

Rhae & Royce

TIm & Gina


Visiting & eating

Montana took this- he looks excited?! :)

David, Logan, Caelyn & Lane

Montana cheesing

Miss Caelyn

Autumn having some water fun

Montana shooting some hoops

Kelli, Me, & Sheri

All 6 kiddos

Logan, Lane & David

Grandad & Autumn

Lane & Caelyn riding