Spring Break! Woo-whooo!

We are back safe and sound after five fun filled days of traveling. Friday, we left for Keller Texas after my class. We stayed with Auntie J. for 2 nights. On Saturday, we visited the Southlake Town Square Plaza. Ashlin and Jaxon got their haircut at Sweet & Sassy, a children’s salon. It was the cutest place...a little girls dream come true. After they cut Ashlin’s hair they sprayed glitter all over her hair and put a glitter star on her face. She was quite the sparkling little princess.




Next, Shawn had a nice lust filled trip to the Apple store. He resisted all temptation to buy a new computer and only came out of the store with software that was needed. We ended our Southlake trip with lunch at Snuffers. We had cheese fries. The toppings were piled so high you couldn’t even see the french fries. It’s a must if you ever make it to the restaurant. That night, we had a nice relaxing evening enjoying visiting with family.




Sunday morning, the kids had a small little Easter egg hunt while shivering in the cold weather. After this we loaded them into the car for the drive to San Antonio. Before getting to San Antonio, we stopped at Austin to see my sister and her newest addition, Grayson. Ashlin was so excited because we got to see little Grayson in the hospital. She thought it was so fun to give him little snuggles and to kiss him on his head. After our visit, we finished the drive to San Antonio. We had a nice dinner with my Mom, my step dad, and Paul, a friend from San Diego doing a post-doc in San Antonio, at Outback. Despite the fact the little ones had been cooped up in a car they were very good. Monday, we went to the San Antonio Zoo. It was great. We were able to see most of the animals...even if most were napping. The kids loved it. Ashlin particularly enjoyed the butterfly exhibit. She really wanted one of the butterflies to land on her finger. Jax was in heaven with all of the animals. We literally had to have a hold on him at all times to keep him from climbing into the exhibit. After the zoo we did a little shopping and had dinner again with Paul. This time at the Saltgrass Grill. After this, we made the return trip back to my aunt’s home. After this, we got up on Tuesday, packed up everything, and had lunch at Mi Cocina’s...where we eat every time we are in Keller. We always get the same table as well. They seat us right by the television. Hmmm, is it their hope it will entertain the little ones? We arrived at home by 7 despite stopping several times including a nice little play area for the kids to stretch their legs at the Arkansas border. The boys were excited to be home to play and be able to move around. Ashlin had a little fever so she snuggled up in our bed and rested.


Alas, we are already back into the swing of things……Shawn is working hard and the kids had a play date today.


Shawn is making me end this by announcing his newest technological find...GPS. My aunt let us borrow her Garmin GPS for the drive to San Antonio and he fell in love. I am a little concerned that he might get a night job until he can afford one of his own.

Shawn returned to us safe and sound. Even better he came bearing gifts! He brought a Phoenix Suns shirt for each member of the family (the children were more excited than Mom) and some really cute shirts and an outfit for Mom. While excited about the gifts, we missed him most and were quite excited when he walked through the door. He had a very nice visit with his parents as well as his brother & sister-in-law, and his aunt and her husband. The Suns and Spurs game was definitely a highlight. Muhammad Ali was in attendance. The entire arena stood and clapped for him. John McCain was also in the arena...he received a more mixed reaction by both the fans and the Charltons in attendance. The Spurs lost. Shawn has been handling this remarkably well.

After arriving home, Shawn found himself overwhelmed by a week of catch up. In addition, he had a PSI Chi banquet and induction ceremony (he is the faculty advisor for this Society). It turned out really well. He persuaded Warren Bickel from UAMS to be the keynote speaker. Bickel has done some fascinating research in the area of addiction.

Child update...

Jeron is getting braver and braver by the day. He has finally decided that maybe walking would add a little excitement to his life. He has started to stand, leaning up against the couch, and then let go. He only stands independently for a matter of moments. But the smile he has during these moments almost splits his face. He occasionally takes steps here and there. In addition to his attempts at walking, Jeron has also decided the likes to express his opinions. If you ask him a question, he will nod his head yes or no. A lot of time this is quite random, but when it comes to food, he is right on.



Jax and Shawn had a bonding moment last night. Shawn wanted to put a DVD in while he wrestled the boy to sleep, so he opened up our DVD drawer and told Jax he could choose any movie he wanted. This announcement made Jaxon happier than any gift he could receive for Christmas. His face lit up as he looked down at all of the treasures. After much thought and consideration he chose Transformers (aka, the robot movie). Dad and son snuggled up together and watched their movie until the little guy fell asleep...about 15 minutes into it. A little later last night, Jax was awakened by a particularly loud peal of thunder. He sat up in bed, looked around, and then stated, "I want robot movie." The boy loves his movies.

Ashlin was quite excited last night at dance class. Their costumes arrived and the dancers were able to try them on. They even let them wear them for one practice routine. The only sadness came when she realized that they would not be taking the costumes home with them. We got the news this week that Ashlin was accepted into the UCA child study program. They have an excellent program and do a great job preparing the little ones for kindergarten. So, next year, our little Ash will be going Monday, Wednesday, & Friday from 8-3. Veda's baby will be in preschool. Not something Mom wants to think about. Once again, Ashlin's genuine love for life shines through and she has been jumping up and down saying, "yeah, I get to go to school!" She also asks if we can drive by where she can see her new school when we are out and about.

Next week is Spring Break. So, Friday we are heading to Texas for a quick trip to see family & friends. We are really looking forward to this visit. Shawn will need to get back to do some writing. If only spring break meant an actual break. In reality it just means no teaching for the week.

Flowers for Mom

The trio had a play date yesterday while I was teaching at the university. The weather was so beautiful they took a walk during their play date. Ashlin picked me flowers along the way. She is such a thoughtful little girl.

We miss our Daddy!

We miss our Daddy, can't you tell by the pictures. Shawn is currently in Arizona visiting the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs.....oops I meant to say family. Shawn flew out to spend his parents last weekend in Arizona with them (they have been serving a mission on an Apache Indian reservation for the last 18 months. They will now return home and finally enjoy retirement. We are so proud of the service and love they showed the people in Cibecue. It was a challenging but they arose to the occasion and served with their whole heart.



The plan was for Jeron to fly with Shawn, but the little guy got a fever before it was time to go. So he stayed home with mom and the siblings. He had a great week despite ending it a bit under the weather. He said, "bye bye" for the first time. He took 3 steps all by himself. On top of all of that, I noticed he is cutting his 4th botom tooth. Maybe that is where the fever is coming from.



Jaxon continues to talk in bigger and bigger sentences. His speech therapist can't keep up with him. He has not had any injuries since his last black eye a week ago. This is really saying something. He is really beginning to develop imaginary play. He picked up a stick and waved it around and told Shawn, "I am Harry Potter." You're never to young for a little Harry Potter.



Ashlin has informed me quite frequently since Shawn left that she misses her Daddy, she wants to fly on an airplane, stay in a hotel, and see her Nana &and Papa. When I say frequently I mean about 5 times and hour. She loves her family and hates being a part from them. This week she has also been excited to ask what people's favorite colors and to tell them that hers is Pink. She also has been pondering about where Heavenly Father is and how close he lives to her.

We have had a week full of fun and adventure. The kids really have been sweet, the pictures were just for fun. We sure miss Shawn/Daddy. We are really looking forward to tomorrow when he comes home to his little family.

Ashlin's Newest Friend...

Who says you cannot make your own friends? Thank to another day of snow...and the university canceling classes...Ashlin had a chance to make her first snow person. Who, despite the girlie hat and scarf, she elected to name Ernie.



Of course, if you are one of those people who thinks it is what is on the inside that really counts, Ernie would probably not make a good friend. Underneath that smiling exterior, Ernie is really just a bunch of mud, slush, and unraked grass clippings. Definitely not sugar and spice and everything nice.

We did get him to stand still for this picture with Ashlin, but he still gave her the cold shoulder (Shawn made me write that one, I would never go there on my own).



By this point in the photo shoot Ash was so cold that she only agreed to the picture if Dad kept her from touching the ground. It does not show in the picture, but her nose and cheeks were so bright red that I thought it might look like I was able to get an unprecedented photo of Frosty, Rudolph, and Santa.



Hope everyone is having a great day! For right now, we are enjoying the blessing of a day together as a family (though I am certain Shawn will brave the snow this afternoon to spend a few hours with his mistress...research).

Tagged By Sally

ABC TAG
A - Attached or single? Attached to my sweet little family, Shawn & the Thundering Trio
B - Best friends? Shawn & My best Girl Ashlin
C - Cake or pie? Pie (i.e., Grandaddie's Pecan Pie, Key Lime Pie)
D - Day of choice? Saturday. The day when I can make it through church without wrestling, Sunday will move up to the number 1 spot
E - Essential Items? Mascara, Cell phone, & Wipies......oops, can't forget the diapers
F- Favorite clothing item? Capris & Flip flops
G - Greatest ambition in life? Be a good mom
I - Indulgence? Time to myself, haircutes, & pedicures
J - Jan. or July? July. Summer break we can visit family
K - Kids? Ashlin (3), Jaxon (2), & Jeron (1)
L - Life isn't complete without? Family & Chocolate
M - Movie? Romantic Comedies (e.g., Enchanted, While you were sleeping, Music & Lyrics)
N - Number of bros and sis? 1 Sister
O - Oranges or apples? Apples, banana's would be even better
P - Phobia or fear? Snakes, Spiders, Creepy Crawly's, Very loud thunder
Q - Quote? Men act upon the world and change it, and are changed in turn by their consequences of their action.
R - Reason to smile? A clean house, Clean Babies, Hugs from the little ones. chocolate, & most of all Shawn getting home early
S- Season of choice? Spring or Fall---it is a toss up---both are wonderful!!! I concur the weather is mellow and life is more laid back.
T - TV shows? Without a Trace, General Hospital, Chuck
U - Unknown fact about me? I'm obsessive before kids I kept my CD's & movies alphabetized before kids (now I just hope they are in the same room as the bookcase)
V - Vegetable? I love Broccoli
W - Worst habit? Drinking Soda
X - ray or ultrasound? X-ray
Y - Your favorite food? Anything I didn't cook! Steak, potato's, Broccoli, rolls, & a salad. Look out Texas Roadhouse here I come!
Z - Zodiac sign? Sagittarius

Tag you're it-> Beckie, Brookie, Candice, Christina, Jenae, & Jenny