Welcome home, Kip!

My younger brother was serving his 2nd tour in Iraq and he came home this past weekend! We were all so excited that he made it home safely. Sunday morning, the kids and I loaded up and drove 6 hours to Killeen, Tx to be apart of the homecoming celebration. We had to leave Lance at home since he had to work the next morning. It was my first long journey with the kids by myself and they were fantastic! I don't know what I would have done without a dvd player! ;)

We met up with my mom, dad, my older brother and his wife and daughter. The troops rolled in on three buses, lined up in formation, and were dismissed. The energy at Copper field was simply undescribable. I don't think there was a dry eye in the place. At times like these, it makes me so proud to be an American! Thank you, Kip, and all of the soldiers who risk their lives to fight for our freedom!

Getting ready to be dismissed

Landon was so excited and didn't want Kip to put him down.

Watching the buses pull up

Kennedy hanging out in her red, white, and blue!
I love this pic!!

Mother's Day weekend

First of all, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all of the fabulous mothers! I hope everyone was appreciated on this weekend for all of the hard work that goes into being a mother/parent. I am just grateful that I have a great role model in my mom and I am able to give her a big hug on Mother's day. Although, my heart goes out to her because this will be the first Mother's day she will have without her mother. I can't imagine my life without my mom so I know how much she misses my Nonnie!

This weekend, my parents gladly watched our two angels while Lance and I joined some out of town friends on a weekend getaway. We went to Philadelphia, MS to the Dancing Rabbit golf course and casino. The other two couples there were Steven and Lianne Rice (Little Rock) and Jay and Loraleigh Phillips (Jackson). The guys played golf all day Saturday while the girls relaxed by the pool and spa. It was a very peaceful weekend, although we all stayed up too late Saturday night playing poker so our trip back home was a little long (although worth it because I was able to bring some lots of money!!). Lance and I were both in bed by 9 pm last night because we were so tired! We missed the kids and I know my parents were so glad to see us when we picked them up yesterday!!!

I don't have any pics from our trip but I do have some pics that my mom sent to me while the kids were enjoying spending time at Caddo Lake. My mom does a great job of sending me pics while I am away from the kids and I love it! Both Landon and Kennedy conquered two milestones this weekend: Landon caught his first fish (he officially has caught more than his daddy!!) and Kennedy cut her first tooth!

Two weekends in a row without kids...wow! I think I have used up all of my grandparent points for the entire summer!! Oh well, it was worth it!

Landon with his first little fish

Riding on the houseboat

Playing in a big 'water puddle'. The lake was really high, so this is actually in their backyard

My little Caddo Cutie

All about me...

I guess I need to have one post that does NOT include our kids. Yes, they are the center of our world (as they should, in my opinion) but it's not always the case.

This past weekend, I got to take my 2nd annual girls weekend trip to the beach. We stayed at my friend, Shannon Robert's, house in Blue Mountain, Fl. It is located between Sand Destin and Seaside. Perfect location, company, and weather. A total of seven of us went: Shannon, Michelle Drewett, Sara Adcox, and rookies, Sharla McCluskey, Lauren Roebuck, and Jill Gaudet. All of us are moms of wonderful children, so we REALLY enjoyed conversation (that wasn't constantly interuppted by wild kids) and sleeping in!! Well, I had to get up each morning and pump because I wanted to continue nursing Kennedy when I got home, but it was still nice to sleep all night and not waking up to a crying baby.

I did start to miss Lance because I went a week without seeing him (he was still in Vegas before I left). And I have to brag on what a wonderful job he did with both the kids while I was gone. My mom watched the kids on Thursday and Friday, while Lance had them Saturday and Sunday. It was the most time he has had with BOTH kids by himself. Landon pitched a fit when Lance left for work on Monday and Tuesday when I got home. That tells me how much he LOVES having his daddy around. Lance took a video of Landon playing in a HUGE water puddle (he latest obession) that I will have to download a different time.

Anyway, we enjoyed our girl getaway, shopping, eating out every night and laying on the beach all day. I am already looking forward to next year!

Waiting for our table at the Red Bar. They had the best fish and key lime pie!!! Yum!

Too much sun for me so I was hiding under the umbrella!! Perfect weather and it wasn't too hot (thank goodness!!)