Summer Fun

We are thoroughly enjoying the summer, though it's getting a little hotter than I would prefer. :) We are spending lots of time swimming, wherever we can find water, whether it's our little pool at home or another pool with friends. KatieLynn and Dean are fascinated by the caterpillar-chrysalis-butterflies! Our passion flower has gone crazy this summer, and has attracted thousands of caterpillars. The kids love watching them, and have seen up close how they make their chrysalis. For some reason, lots of caterpillars have chosen the kids' little slide to make their cocoon/chrysalis. I had butterfly boxes in my classroom for 3 years, but never actually saw the caterpillars make their chyrsalis step by step until this week -it's pretty cool!

KatieLynn counts all the chrysalises (sp?), as Dean points them all out.

Dean squeals at each caterpillar.

and there's lots of caterpillars and lots of bites out of the passion vine!

Here's one of the passion flowers; it smells so good!!!

Dean ate some chocolate pudding, but most of it wound up on his face!

The kids love picking up sticks and then riding with Daddy to dump them at the lake.

Darren started shelling corn on Monday, so we have gotten to take several rides with him in the Peterbilt.

KatieLynn likes the roomy sleeper in the back of the truck.

Dean LOVES Daddy's big truck!

Look at the little farmers.

July 4th Weekend

We didn't do anything real exciting over the weekend. Friday we mostly relaxed at home, though we did get out, to eat at On the Border for lunch. I had been out of town Wednesday and Thursday, and didn't have any meat thawed out to cook, so going somewhere was really the only option. KatieLynn requested 'mesican food'; I think our whole family could eat it every day, and not be tired of it. :) By the time it got dark, Dean was tired and ready for bed, but KatieLynn stayed up with Darren and I. We could see tons of fireworks for miles around, from our front porch. Saturday night we spent with the Schultz family, and Sunday celebrated my SIL, Courtney's birthday.

The kids got to play outside all weekend long. KatieLynn's favorite outside activities are playing in the water pool, jumping on the trampoline, and riding her pedal tractor. Dean loves pushing and loading/dumping rocks into his big dumptruck and tractor w/loader, plus the sandbox, and also the pool and trampoline.

Dean is giving Daddy some big hugs.

KatieLynn & Dean love the trampoline and
Ring around the Rosies!

Dean loves falling down on the trampoline!

The favorite move in the water pool is going upside down on their backs.
Here's KatieLynn preparing for launch!

cousins, Emma & KatieLynn Friedel
they always enjoy getting together!

Swimming and Cake

Here's a few pics of the kids playing in the water pool today. We had cousin Claire over to play, and the kids all had fun.

Ring around the Rosies, Pocketful of Posies,

Ashes, Ashes, We all fall DOWN!

I took a cake decorating class, and with the class and help from my good friend Heather Petton, I feel much more confident in my ablilities. Here's the cake I made at last night's class. KatieLynn loved the flowers, and liked the icing, but she let me have her actual cake. Dean however, loved it all!

Weekend to Remember

Our weekend getaway started with a bang; diarrhea that is. We decided to wait and just leave on Saturday morning, so Darren and KatieLynn left early that morning for the donut shop, while I finished getting myself ready and got Dean up. Getting Dean was way more involved than usual, as there was brown all over his crib bedding, blankets, and bears, not to mention in his hair! I give him a bath, which he didn't like, because generally you have about 30 seconds from the time you get him out of the crib, to his booster seat with a cup of milk, or he is quite unhappy. It took me several minutes to accomplish this task, but as I poured his milk, in walked the donuts, so that made it all better. I had to wash everything before we could leave, in part because it was just nasty, but I really couldn't let it just soak, because we needed to take at least one blanket and one bear to Bebe & Papa's (my parents) to spend the night. Darren was great; he took the kids on an errand to the cows and tractors while I got everything all clean. I thought about cancelling our our trip, but Dean was acting fine, and both Darren and my mom insisted.

So we take the kids to Brenham, but somewhere along the way to Stephenville, my stomach starts acting up; I blow it off as hunger cramps, since we were running late for lunch. We pull into Stephenville's Montana Restaurant at 1:30. The food was delicious, and we ate WAY too much! We drive around a little, looking to see what all has changed, and as much as I wanted to keep driving I knew my stomach needed some relief. We check into the hotel and realize I'm sick too. I don't think all the greasy food helped. We rest and watch TV for a few hours, and by 7pm I'm feeling better, though not hungry. We go see 'Get Max' at the theatre; it wasn't our first pick, but it was cute. To make a long story short, we've all four been sick by the time we get home. Though I'm really looking forward to the next weekend away! :)

On a very sad note, my 27 year old cousin, Erin, died in her bed this weekend. We aren't sure of the cause. Her mom and my mom are sisters. Erin had one of the sweetest outlooks on life; she was always a very happy girl with nice things to say in any situation. She will be greatly missed, but I know for certain that she is with Jesus now. Please pray for her family when you have a chance.

Long Time, No Blogging

I know I've been an awful blogger, but I will try to do better! The last time I really blogged was more than a month ago when it rained last, and guess what? It finally rained again this weekend! I'm not really sure if the rain came in time to help our corn crop, but we always welcome rain, and I know it helped the rice and hayfields. Thank-you Jesus! Darren has told KatieLynn that when we say our prayers at night, she should ask God for rain on the corn, so every night she says, "Please God, help it to rain, rain, rain!" And now, it has, and we just have to trust the Lord's timing of it all.

Dean helps me tenderize some deer steak; he and his sister take turns helping me cook.
We have already had a busy summer, and one reason I haven't blogged is that I've been awful about remembering to take my camera, so haven't had many pictures. We went to the Oil Ranch and the Houston Zoo with the Burmans. I forgot my camera at the Oil Ranch, and then my battery died right after we got to the zoo, but I'm hoping my friend Heather got more. :) Here are her kids, Gracie & Chipper with KatieLynn in front of some monkeys.

Father's Day weekend we went to west Texas for a reunion in Robert Lee on my mom's side, and also to celebrate my Lacy Grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary in Miles. We had a good visit, and the kids traveled very well. Of course, nobody slept in the car, but still the trip was good. Here's a picture of Davis (a cousin) and Dean playing tractors at Aunt Gaye & Uncle Richard's house. For Darren's Father's Day present I had some aerial photos taken of our house. They took several, but here are a couple. We have Darren's pride-n-joy hayfield immediately surrounding our house. In the bottom one, you can see some of the rice fields close to our house, and a cornfield on the backside of the house. This past weekend, we had company from one of my Aggie friends, Heather Petton. Her daughter Haley is four, and her son just turned one, and KatieLynn and Dean loved playing with them. Haley and KatieLynn played dress up as mermaids; they were so cute!!

Here's a shot of KatieLynn after church one Sunday. She is putting her jewelry up. It's so funny because the nursery ladies think she is a girly-girl, always wearing a dress and sometimes a ring or bracelet to churh, when the truth is she does enjoy dressing up for church, but she usually has stripped down by 9:30am to put on 'her real clothes' (we're usually home around 9:20). Her favorite is jean shorts -she calls them short jeans.

KatieLynn & Dean are all clean in their pajamas and John Deere caps, watching one of Daddy's farming shows.

Gotta Love a Survey

1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:00
2. Diamonds or pearls? both!!
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Evan Almighty on June 26, 2007 (my anniversary -maybe we can go again this year!)
4. What is your favorite TV show? This summer- Army Wives, but I also enjoy Darren's favorites: Iceroad Truckers & Farmer Wants a Wife
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Cereal & Milk
6. What is your middle name? Lacy
7. What food do you dislike? sandwiches with a bunch of mushed up stuff, like chicken salad -I call it 'old lady chic food'!
8. What is your favorite CD at moment? I don't really buy CD's, just listen to the radio: old & new country
9. What kind of car do you drive? 2004 Tahoe
10. Favorite sandwich? Grilled Cheddar Cheese
11. What characteristic do you despise? Bad Attitude
12. Favorite item of clothing? Jean shorts & flip flops
13. If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go? somewhere with blue water, and someday I'd like to go to Europe too
14. Favorite brand of clothing? Target, TJMaxx, something cute, comfortable, and on sale :)
15. Where would you retire to? My house -I love it
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? This year??? Just family came over while Jack cooked fajitas; we had a ball!
18. Furthest place you are sending this? ???
19. Person you expect to send it back first? Julie, maybe?
20. When is your Birthday? January 27
21. Are you a morning person or a night person? Once I am out of bed...I love the mornings, especially when I get up before the kids. I enjoy getting dressed for the day, without the kids' help. :)
22. What is your shoe size? 9
23. Any pets? Nellie, a mixed collie breed that showed up the day we moved into this house, 6 years ago
24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Darren and I are going away for the weekend; our first time alone since before KatieLynn was born! :)
25. What did you want to be when you were little? lots of things, but always a wife and mother - I had a fabulous mom to look up to!
26. How are you today? Great!!
27. What is your favorite candy? Smoothie Skittles, they're a little hard to find, but that's good, because I would eat them too much if I had more access to them!
28 What is your favorite flower? Red Geraniums, and Red/White/Yellow Dahlias
30. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? this weekend!
31 What is your full name? Andrea Nicole Lacy Friedel
32 What are you listening to right now? KatieLynn playing in her room (instead of napping!), Dean napping (I don't hear anything, so that's a good sign) and the dryer running.
33. What was the last thing you ate? Ribeye Steak, Mashed Potatoes, and Watermelon; Yummy! Darren can grill a good ribeye!
34. Do you wish on stars? No, I pray!
35. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Green or Red
36. How is the weather right now? Breezy, but still plenty warm
37. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Darren
38. Favorite drink? Lemonade
39. Favorite restaurant? Pappasitos! that makes me hungry just thinking about it!
40. Hair color? Honey Blond
41. Favorite toy as a child? Babies, Barbies, Barbie Jeep, and my imagination -my brother and sister and I played outside with our imaginations a lot!
42. Summer or winter? Spring is probably my favorite, but I look forward to each season
43. Hugs or kisses? both!!
44. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate
45. Coffee or tea? tea sweet
46. Do you want your friends to email you back? Yes
47. When was the last time you cried? I don't know about cried, but a few days my eyes definitely watered when I heard the song 'If you're reading this, I'm already gone'. I don't know the singer...
48. What is under your bed? torso track -I need to use it :(
49. What did you do last night? attend transportation meeting, focusing on TTC-69
50. What are you afraid of? I try to trust that God will take care of me, and not worry
51. Salty or sweet? Both..at different times
52. How many keys on your key ring? 5
53. How many years at your current job? Stay-at-home mom - 3 1/2 years ; Field Rep for Senator Hegar - 1 1/2 years
54. Favorite day of the week? Saturday & Sunday
55. How many towns have you lived in? 12 towns - Hockley -6 yrs, Waller -3 yrs, College Station -2 yrs, Stephenville -3 yrs, Brenham -2 yrs, Elk City 5 years, Carrollton -9 mths, Amarillo -4 1/2 yrs, Odessa -2 yrs, Wyoming -1 1/2 yrs, Laredo -1 yr, Houston -1 yr (my dad was in the oil business)
56. Do you make friends easily? I think so!
57. How many people will you send this too? everyone who reads my blog????
58. Favorite Bible Verse right now? 2 Timothy 2:22 "Pursue Righteousness, Faith, Love & Peace ."
59. What are you most thankful for today? My family/close friends' good health, and a simple comfort knowing that God will always be there to take care of me, no matter what happens here on earth
60. What are you saving your money for right now? We just bought new couches for the living room; last week we were still sitting on the couches that I bought used when I was in college, though I had sewed some slipcovers to help them last a little longer. They were good couches, but I'm so excited to have new ones!

Getting Wet

It rained again! We got just under an inch early yesterday morning; just the right amount! All of our crops look good, so we're very thankful. Our garden is also thriving, though it still has lots of grass. We have been enjoying strawberries, and got our first tomato today. KatieLynn was so excited, as tomatoes are one of her favorites.

The kids had so much fun sliding into the little pool, that we decided to buy a new pool that has a slide, and is a little bigger than last year's pool. Dean was still so little last summer, that I had bought the smallest pool there was, so he could crawl in and out, but as you can see, he is very capable of using a larger one now. :) The water was pretty chilly last night, but Dean and KatieLynn sure didn't notice!

This past weekend, we got the pool out, and the kids had a ball splashing and playing. They moved our little slide over so they could slide into the water, and loved it!
Hadley came to visit, but thought it was a little cool to swim, so she opted to swing instead.

Dean is very into sitting on the toilet. He has yet to actually do his business on it, but he really enjoys getting out the seat and getting up there. Then he wants to read one of Daddy's tractor magazines; it's quite hilarious to watch him!

It's Raining!

We have had a wonderful week! The kids got to play at the park twice last week(with the Bolciks and Burmans), and loved every minute. The weather got a little cooler and we couldn't ask for prettier days. We also had a great time playing with Bebe and Papa, both at our house, and theirs. Darren worked very long hours last week, in the cornfields putting out fertilizer. He finally finished Friday evening, and was able to spend the weekend at home.

KatieLynn and I went to a festival in Bellville, where she got to ride a horse (sorry, I forgot my camera!). She was excited! We had a terrific time watching the parade and going to lots of different booths with Claire and her daddy, Glenn. We got to play with cousin Emma too. On Sunday, Papoo (Darren's dad) cooked lunch for us all. The kids always enjoy playing at Gigi & Papoo's, especially now that they have a swing set. Last night Darren watched Jack cook his famous fajitas, while Catherine and I watched the kids jump on the trampoline and play in the sandbox. The food was delicious, and the visit was lots of fun.

And some great news: It's rained nearly 2 inches today! Thank you Lord!

Playing Outside

Hi All. We've been enjoying all the beautiful weather we've had the last couple of weeks. Last week the wind blew a little more than our liking, but this week the breeze feels really nice. The kids love to be outside, and we usually play out there for a few hours in the morning, and then again in the late afternoon/early evening. Here's a few pics:
Katie Lynn had her 3 year exam and Dean had his 18 month exam. They are both very healthy, and at the top of the charts for height at 40" and 34". Dean got his shot like a champ, and was more unhappy at being held down, than the actual shot. I was thankful to have Darren to go with us, as it always takes a while to do both exams with shots. Katie Lynn didn't have to get a shot this year, just a finger prick for bloodwork, and she was just excited to get a mermaid sticker!

Another Nice Weekend

We've enjoyed lots of beautiful weather for many days, though it has been a little cool the last several mornings. The kids love to play outside, regardless of the activity. Here's a picture of them beside our (small) garden. KatieLynn likes to help me water, sometimes pulls weeds, but her favorite thing is to check to see it there are any strawberries that are ready to be picked. Dean also likes working in the garden, but the problem is that he sits on top of the rows (and plants) and often pulls plants up with the weeds... so for the most part he works on the outside edge of the plot. :)

Dean laughs as he 'pretend' falls down, and when KatieLynn giggles, Dean acts even more silly.






KatieLynn works on her new puzzle (Thanks Uncle Johnny & Lauren!) after church. She's wearing a dress that I wore as a little girl, that my Granny Millican gave me.