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I am blogging again. It hasn't showed up on your updated time yet. Wonder why??

It's been forever....How have ya been?

My oh my...how time gets away from you. Lots has been going on the last few months. I can't believe it has been so long since I blogged.

We have had a great few months with just a few setbacks. We are all moved into the new addition. It has been so nice to have the room that we need (or want actually). This house has been so peaceful since the boys have their own space. I have two brothers that really do love each other, they just needed the room to be able to show it. Not one big blow-up since we moved. I can not even tell you how my heart is just filled with joy.

School is going well for everyone. Daniel is getting Algebra which was my big concern this year. I haven't killed him yet either. :) Chandler is doing great as well. He is missing playing sports, I knew that he would. He chooses to stay home and that makes me feel like I must be doing something right. Savannah is plugging away at fourth grade. She loves her teacher and made the AB honor roll.

As far as extracurricular activities, Daniel is still playing with the youth band every week. He also plays at church twice a month. I am, as always, amazed at the talent that God has given him. Chandler is still searching for the thing that will catch his interest. He still plays the drums, but it is half-hearted right now. I think that it is an age thing. I pray that soon he will find something that will hold his interest more than his video games. Savannah is the most active right now. She takes drums, piano and voice lessons. She made the Jump & Jam jump rope team and basketball starts soon for her. She is also in the Christmas play for her school.

I can't believe how fast these kids are growing! I tell them all of the time to stop, but they refuse. Daniel is now quite a bit taller than me. It startles me sometimes when he comes around the corner. I have a hard time with the fact that technically I have two MEN living in my house now. Of course, one of those men still likes to crawl into my lap every once in a while and be held. I let him...no matter how uncomfortable it can be. It won't be long and he won't do that. Of course, I've said that for years now.

Chandler is still my love bug. He will always come to me and hugs me. In public even!!! I love that. He is still the one who would rather be home with me. I truly have to make him be involved in things. He enjoys them once he gets there. It is so funny to watch him get ready to go places. He takes a lot of time on his hair and clothes now. I think that he is finally realizing that girls are interesting.

My Savannah is getting more beautiful every day. The thing I love about her is that she is so much more beautiful on the inside than the outside. She is still a prayer warrior. I pray that she will always turn to God with all of her problems. She helps her teacher out so much. Mrs. Dodds depends on her when she is away, which is quite often as she is very sick with arthritis. My Savannah worries about her so much.

The swine flu hit our house a couple of weeks ago. Chandler and Dwight were the only ones who fought it off. It did not take us out as hard as it has some of our families in town. I feel blessed for that. I will get some pictures on here to document our time. And I will try to get back into the swing of blogging. Love to you all and praying that you are healthy and happy.

The smile that makes my heart swell!!

Dan and Sam! They've known each other since

kinder-prep.

Savannah has wanted to get her ear pierced

forever. She changed her mind as soon as she

sat down.

It wasn't as bad as she thought. They look so

cute.

For Savannah's tenth birthday, we picked her

friends up from school in this limo. They were

so surprised!!!

The girls came and spent the night. They tied

Dwight to a chair and put make-up on him.

The boys decided it would be funny to come

over and scare them. The girls fought back.

Daniel was too fast, but Chan looks pretty in

make-up!! :)

A pyramid with the 8 out of 11

girls that made it here through

the night! :)

My halloween angel!

Chan as Gene Simmons and

my poor Daisy as a chicken!

Dan's costume was the scariest

of all!!! A TEENAGER!!!

This is Savannah's school picture!

Kara Piehl does such a beautiful

job!!!

Our Addition!!!

It has been a long time since I have updated about our house addition. We are getting close to being finished and it is so exciting. Here are some pictures. Some are reminders of where we started and some are before and afters. There are a few of just new stuff! Enjoy them!


Here is how the back of the house looked as we were starting. Dwight and Daniel tore down the little porch cover that my dad had built.



Our first wall! We were so excited to get that one up.

The old entryway out front. And the new bricked one.

Our specialty bricks. Joshua 24:15 says " Choose

this day whom you will serve....As for me and

my house we will serve the Lord."

The north side of the house then and now.

The new back door and the north wall.

Our great new patio!!!

Back door equipped with doggie door.

Out the Living room to the outside...and now a game room.

Game room.

French doors into the new master bedroom.

Our bedroom.

Love this fan!!!

The walk-in closet with the door inside.

Looking into the bathroom from the

bedroom.

The bathroom.

Mirrors and cabinets.

Trying out the new whirlpool tub.

Shower..not done yet!!

So, as you can see. We are almost done! Can't wait to move in and post more pictures later.

Vacation 2009

We recently went on a driving vacation to
California. I thought I would share pictures
with you. What an adventure we had!!




Leaving Texas behind was so hard!!




It was freezing when we entered New Mexico.



By the time we reached Arizona, the honeymoon
was over and we were all tired.




Chandler loved these cactuses.
Or is it Cacti?



After spending the night in Phoenix, we finally
made it to California!




Everyone told us about the In-N-Out burgers!
Yummy!!




Chandler and Savannah jumping in
the ocean at Coronado Beach, San
Diego. It was a little too cold for
Daniel.



Finally, he couldn't stand it any longer. He got
used to the cold.




Poor Dwight...everyone uses him!



On the bus at the San Diego Zoo.

Same bus!

I love this picture! Savannah enjoying the waves!
Mission Beach.

La Jolla Beach looking at the Seals.

The seals lounging.







Still La Jolla last few minutes in San Diego.



We had driven up to the L.A. area. Savannah
had spent too much time away from the beach.
She had to run and kiss the sand. This is at
Venice Beach.

Beautiful!!

The waves were huge!

The boardwalk at Venice Beach.

All kinds of people and street

performers. It was wild!!!

Mann's Chinese Theater. Will Smith has huge feet!!

Do you think people could tell we
were tourists?









Finally made it to Disneyland! Our beautiful
hotel.






Mickey Mouse. He was everywhere!






What a greeting!!






On our way to the monorail from
the hotel.






Very first Disneyland ride!!






Who looks most excited????









Dumbo!




Who knew Dumbo could be so terrifying?



Dwight was thrilled with the Mickey ears Savannah
picked out for him!!! : ) I love this picture!!






On the train in Disneyland!






Goofy didn't appreciate Savannah having
Minnie ears and not a goofy hat.









He couldn't stay mad for long!








Chandler insisted on sitting in
front on Splash Mountain. I
wonder if he regretted it?? Ha!






Night shot at California Adventures.






Daniel on the Carousel. Not a big fan!!






Dale was fun to meet.





This little coaster was at Toon Town! It was
so much fun!!








It's a Small World! I hate that song! It makes
me want to hurt someone!!









Family portrait.






Aladin and Jasmine!





Have you ever seen a happier man?








We met up with a friend from high school who
moved out there. Laurin and his family love it
there.





Big River at California Adventures. You get
real wet.








Always an adventure with Chandler. He got his
leg caught in the bed.





Our last day at Disneyland, Savannah got to
dance in the parade.

Stop off in Nevada.

Stayed at the Circus Circus.






A ride in a limo.









Our driver Mike.






We got to see the broadway
production of The Lion King.









The theatre at the Mirage.






Right before the curtain opened.