We're Home!

Sorry I haven't written sooner, but we have been home for several days now. Our power was restored Friday afternoon, but the kids and I had already planned to go to the County Fair in Brenham, with Bebe (my mom). We went Friday morning to look at all the animals and displays, and then went back that evening to enjoy the rides. As soon as we pulled in the parking lot, and KatieLynn saw all the lights at the carnival rides, she said, "Oh, I'm so excited!" So we were excited too! Dean was excited, and loved the carousel, but on the next ride, I couldn't ride with him, or stand close, so he wasn't too sure. I let him get down, but then as soon as the ride started, and he saw KatieLynn having fun riding, he wanted to get back on, but too late. However, he did ride all the other rides with his sister. :) Unfortunately we forgot our camera that evening, but here's a picture from the morning.

Dean liked all the animals, but his favorite thing was the tractors (of course!). He keep wanting to climb on all of them, and he couldn't climb on the antique tractors, so he would touch their tires, and anything else in reach. You'd think he never got to be around a tractor!

Bebe has lots of Thomas the Train DVDs, and the kids loved them!

Our house weathered the storm like a pro (it has lived through over a hundred years of hurricanes, so it is kind of like a professional). There were lots of limbs down, but Darren had them pretty much all picked up before we got home. We never found the trampoline, except for three leg pieces in the hayfield... the kids are sad, but I bet we'll get a new one in the next few months. :)

We had a wonderful visit in Brenham. My parents could not have treated us better, from sharing their beds, food, TV (my dad let us watch whatever he wanted -how sweet!), and everything else they had. The kids behaved very well, so it was a great 'vacation'. I know there were many who were not as fortunate, and my heart goes out to them. God Bless You!

Hurricane Weekend

Hurricane Ike hit early this morning, and I feel very sorry for all the people that had damage from the winds and flooding. We thankfully, haven't come out too bad. The kids and I came to my parents' house in Brenham, yesterday morning, and have had a great time visiting and playing. Darren stayed in Hockley, at his parents' house, so he could keep an eye on our house and cattle, but still be in a brick house when the winds came. The wind really blew apparently, but the house is still in good shape. The bad news for the kids, is our trampoline is missing. I'm hoping we'll find it in one of the fields, still intact, but Darren is doubtful. I haven't seen the yard, but Darren said there's sticks and limbs everywhere, and it will take both of us a full day to get it all picked up -he's quite worried about it! All in all, we are very lucky! Our power is still out in Hockley, so Darren came to Brenham to visit us, take a bath, and sleep in the A/C!

The kids and I went swimming this week, and we had a great time! Dean and KatieLynn love to jump in, and then climb out, and do it again and again!

Hi Dean!KatieLynn jumps in!
KatieLynn gets ready to throw the ball.
Dean could spend hours in the sandbox.
KatieLynn takes care of Molly (her doll)
KatieLynn and Dean drive their tractors all over the yard.

Dean wears his hat that he got at Vacation Bible School.
He will rotate between this hat and his JD hat.

My Baby Boy is Growing Up :) :(

Dean is getting so big, and is a great kid. It makes me proud to watch him grow, but also a little sad that I don't have a baby anymore...

This summer we have spent lots of time outside swimming in our little pool, and Dean usually went around in just his swimsuit, with no diaper. He got a real feeling for when he was 'going'. He started telling me when he had to go, just when we were outside, so he would go #1 outside pretty well. Then later when KatieLynn would need to go to the bathroom, she'd go in Dean's bathroom, so that Dean would sit on the little potty. In early August I put underwear on him, and after the first day, he got the hang of it. For several days we switched back and forth between underwear and pullups. Now he goes everywhere in his big boy underwear (except to sleep), and enjoys looking at the trains or cars on his undies. I think if I could have found some tractor underwear, he would have kept them dry from day one. :) I looked everywhere for the tractors, but we settled for Thomas, Lightning, & Mater.... but if anyone finds tractor underwear, please let me know!!

Dean likes to read his books when he goes #2 business! I'm a big boy! Every time he goes (I go with him), whenever he returns, he always wants KatieLynn and/or Darren to brag on him. KatieLynn now starts telling him 'good job' and 'I'm so proud of you' as soon as he walks back in the room. Sweet girl!
In cleaning, I came across some potty training scrapbook stickers, and realized I had no real pictures of Dean on the potty, so I started taking some! KatieLynn kept telling me to take a picture of her so she could say cheese and laugh, so I am including her in the bathroom. :)