Dallas Botanical Gardens

How many clicks does it take to get the perfect family picture? Okay, I will settle for a decent one. How about if we just get one where no one is crying or sticking a finger up their nose? Our family spent a beautiful day at the Dallas Botanical Gardens. Uncle Danny agreed to take a few pictures of our family, which soon turned into 300 just to get a few that turned out. (The kids haven't figured out yet that if they cooperate the torture of being photographed will be over faster.) We realized after a little trial and error that the kids were much happier being photographed when they could splash around in the water. A big kudos to the most patient uncle ever--he even managed to get some great shots. (I've included some of the best on the blog site header and sidebar.)

http://www.djphotography.comze.com/

Madeline Turns Three

Madeline (our BABY) turned three on August 10th--where does time go? She seemed a little shy at first to own up to her new age, but by the end of the day, she was an old pro at sticking up three fingers. We celebrated with a simple family party and some fun presents--chalk, a comfy blanket, and a Hello Kitty umbrella from our family, a doll house family from Nana and Grandpa, and her favorite CD of Barbie songs from Grammy and Papa.
Madeline makes the best funny faces. She brings so much laughter to our family.

The sad tale of Madeline's kitty cat birthday cake... The book behind the actual cake has the photo in the cake book Madeline carried around for a couple months before her birthday. She wanted me to make a cake like the one in the book. Anyone who has ever seen me attempt to create something artistic knows that I am truly not just being humble when I say that I have no talent. But I really did think I could pull this easy cake off. I thought chocolate frosting would taste better than an orange tinted vanilla frosting (chocolate always does), and I didn't realize how much she had counted on her cake being an authentic orange kitty. She kept saying, "No, this isn't my cake. This cake looks like a bear." And maybe it did look more like the bear in the cake book than the cat. It's a pretty sad commentary on my cake decorating abilities that I can't pass muster with a three-year-old. All was forgiven once she had her first bite.

Aunt Michelle and Uncle Danny Move to Dallas!

We are super excited to announce that my sister Michelle and brother-in-law Danny have moved to Dallas! They are our only family in the area, and it's so fun to be able to get together for pizza nights, bike rides, a special family events. Michelle and I have always enjoyed talking over the phone, but we laugh at how often we call each other now that we live near each other. You would think it would be the opposite, but I guess you're more curious how someone is doing when you know more about their daily lives.

Danny and Michelle in front of their apartment with their three little friends. Notice Madeline's signature finger-in-the-air pose.

Here we are picnicking at beautiful White Rock Lake near their apartment in Dallas after the unloading the moving van. Peanut butter sandwiches and watermelon never tasted so good.

Sierra the Inventor

Sierra loves using construction paper and recycled materials to build homes for her stuffed pets. Here's a multi-story house complete with a staircase that she built for her mouse Squeaky.