A Near Tragedy

Yesterday, I realized that when our server crashed in December, we lost all our pictures from June of 2009 to June of 2010.  We thought we had restored all of them.  Unfortunately, we missed that year.  I was not too worried as we also back all our pictures up on DVD's.  But, when I tried to pull them off of the DVD we realized that DVD had gone bad.  Dave didn't think we were going to be able to get them back.  I was in tears.   Literally.  I think I cried for 2 hours yesterday.  In 2009, we had gone on a cruise to Alaska for our 15 year anniversary.  All those pictures . . . gone.  Not to mention the kids birthdays, Halloween, Christmas, etc.  I was devastated.  As a last ditch attempt (& long shot according to Dave, my hero) he bought a hard drive restoration program.  After letting it run all day, we were able to get ALL our pictures back!!!!!  I am thrilled, and so thankful.   I was devastated to lose all of our Alaskan pictures, but this one . . .

Well, that would have truly been tragic! :)

A Day at the Lake

Yesterday, while all the kiddies were in school, our good friends (Denise & Brad) took us out on their boat.  It was the perfect day.  We enjoyed beautiful weather, great company . . .

~ Shannon, Julie, Laurie, Wendy, & Halli ~

and lunch on the lake at the Hula Hut . . .

 ~ Laurie, Wendy, Denise, Brad, Julie, Shannon, & Halli ~

It doesn't get much better than this!  Thanks Denise & Brad!

Quest Independent Study

Lauren has been working hard on her Quest Project for the past couple of months.  This year, she did it with a group . . . 

(Becca, Lauren, & Hannah)

 They chose a topic, researched, gathered information, they each did a service project & created a presentation board 

of their own . . . 

(Lauren's board)

They made up their own game . . .

And presented all the information they learned to their 

class . . . 

I think they did a great job!  My parents came down to watch her presentation.  

The following week was the much anticipated 

Quest Fair . . .

That's where you get to see all the kiddos projects from kinder through 5th grade.  Quest has been a great program for my girls.  They have learned so much and made some great friends!

(All the 5th grade Quest students)


Way to go "Questars"!

My Mother

Yesterday, I got to spend the day with this beautiful lady . . .

I am so thankful for my mother and all that she has taught me.  She is the best woman I know.  She is leaving to go back to Wyoming soon.  I am going to miss her.  I feel so lucky to have such a great mother.  She  makes me want to be a better person.  She always makes me feel like I am important and that I can do anything.  She has always been there for me and is the best listener.  I know she loves me.  She is selfless and kind.  As I get older, I see more and more of her in me.  How lucky does that make me?  I love her, more than she'll ever know.
Thank you mom, for everything.

Mother's Day Weekend

Last Friday afternoon, my friend Lynn & I . . .

. . . headed to the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa for the weekend.  We had a fabulous time.  We worked out, relaxed by the pool, sat in the Jacuzzi, ate great food, got in a lot of "girl talk", laughed, caught up on sleep, and got a massage (my favorite part!)  It was just what I needed.  I came home rejuvenated.  Thanks Lynn for a great weekend . . . I loved spending time with you!

I came home Sunday afternoon to some special treats from my favorite people!  Lauren made me the coolest decoration for my scrapbook room . . .

 I love it!

Carter wrote me a little letter and got me my favorite candy bars . . . 

I thought his comment on the bottom was so funny.  Whenever my kids start to argue with me, I say, "I love you too much to argue."  They usually roll their eyes and walk away.  They know when I say this that there's nothing they can do to change my mind.  I guess I must say it more than I realize!  :)

And Taylor had this for me . . . 

I LOVE the lotion.  She cut out a "foot design" and taped it on the bottle.  She wrote, "For when your feet start to ache."  I have plantar fasciitis on my right foot and Taylor is often kind enough to rub my feet after a long day (she's really good at it too!)  I think her gift was so incredibly thoughtful and perfect!  I love that girl.

 I feel so blessed to have such great kids.  I love being a mother.  I think it's the best gig' around.  

While I was away, Dave needed a hair cut and didn't want to wait for me to get back (I have cut his hair since we started dating) so he had Taylor (who has never cut any one's hair before) cut it . . .

OOPS!  I told Taylor she's never touching my hair!  :)

Dogs, Art, & Driving

Last Saturday, Lauren & I headed to Austin Dog Alliance so she could help train their therapy dogs.  It is a wonderful non-profit organization that offers pet therapy, summer camps, dog training classes, dog rescue, & adoption.  In fact, we got our dog from Austin Dog Alliance and the CEO is a good friend of ours.  So, Lauren was thrilled when there was an opportunity to help out.  Lauren's favorite part was reading to the dogs . . . 

. . . and loving on the dogs!

 Afterwards, we headed to the school Art Show.  It showcased art from kinder through 12 grades and all three of our kids had pieces in the show! 

Have I mentioned that Taylor recently got her learners permit and Dave & I have been teaching her how to drive?  She has improved a lot but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't frightening at times.  While we were at the Art Show, we saw this masterpiece (which totally depicts that experience for us) . . . 

Yep, that pretty much sums it up!  We can totally relate.  ;)

Spring Piano Recital

Last Friday, the kids had their Spring Piano Recital.  Lauren was the first of our kids to perform . . .

Followed by Carter . . . 

And Taylor . . .

Good Job guys!