I love this time of year in Texas. We do as much as we can outside and it seems that everything is a bit more peaceful. Here's Katie (7 months) in all her chubby glory in our yard. I think she has 5 rolls down her arms! I love that the weather is finally warm enough for her to wear clothes that show all her squishy rolls. She has such a happy, sweet and playful personality.

Here's another pic of her with Mike- she's becoming such a Daddy's girl and it's so adorable. I should also note that there are moments when the girl doesn't have a huge bow in her hair and this picture is the proof. She figured out how to pull the headband off and eat and tear up her bows. But luckily she now has just enough hair for the bows to clip onto, so "The Bows are Back!"

About a month ago, we went to Beaver's Bend, OK, and spent the weekend with some cousins in their beautiful cabin. It was so relaxing and gorgeous up there. We all loved it!

Michael and Kristie

The Whole Group

Erin and Joseph

Mary and Aaron

Erin was the MVP, so she won a hula outfit from the Dollar store (which she proudly wore all evening). Then we played some other games inside, and finished up with an ice cream sculpting contest. Maribel and Eric were the winners of that.

Each couple spent about $2.50 and we all had a great time (and now we all have a little more black mail material on each other). I am so grateful for friends who aren't afraid to get a little crazy and who are always loving and supportive.

As is always the case, as soon as Michael left town this afternoon I had another misadventure with another Texas rodent (Everything down here is a rodent. Even bugs that are small everywhere else are "bigger in Texas." At least they warned me.) Literally 15 minutes after Mike left, I was putting Katie on the floor with some toys when I saw something moving about 6 inches from her. It was a SCORPION!!! The first scorpion I've ever seen in my entire life and it couldn't have come any time before my husband left, but decided to crawl RIGHT NEXT TO MY BABY right AFTER MY HUSBAND LEFT FOR THE WEEKEND!! If it's moments like these that show our true character, then I'm totally screwed because I called Mike and made him stay on the phone with me while I shrieked and stomped on the thing about 20 times. Then it took me another 5 minutes to calm down after it was "Dead and Gone... Dead and Gone." The whole time, Ethan (in bare feet) was saying, "Mom, just let me handle this. I'll kill it." And he would have. He and Austin have been teasing me about it for the last couple hours, and all I can say is "You know I saved your lives tonight." Wish I'd had the camera to demonstrate my bravery.

Fast forward an hour or so and we're all at Braum's getting ice cream. Austin and I got our usual, but Ethan ordered a banana split. They gave it to us in it's own grocery bag! I kid you not, it was that big!! No wonder there was no picture of it on the menu. It was the most adorable thing to see him, with that huge ice cream smile, eating from a banana split that was bigger than his head! He ate about 5 bites and was finished. Aaahh, good times. I have a feeling this weekend's adventures are just beginning.

Our very talented friend, Tara, took these pics a couple weeks ago.

Ethan (5)

Austin (3)

Katie (5 months)

I suppose the guilt has finally gotten to me. This post won't be anything special, but I'm hoping it will suffice those of you who keep asking when I'm updating. "Don't judge me!!" that's for you, Erin. Seriously, though, I have to admit that I've been reading all your blogs, I just haven't posted anything on my own blog. I'm just too lazy. So lazy, I'm not even titling this entry. I'm claiming the "3rd kid excuse." It works for lots of things- especially getting out of church meetings that run too long. Probably shouldn't admit that, but I tend not to care about as many things these days. It's kinda fun!