Growing up

Grace is growing up so fast. We love watching her learn and discover new things and grow into new phases and stages, but we sure miss the ones she has outgrown. Recently we converted her crib into a toddler bed. I was worried we'd have a difficult time getting her to stay in her bed at first, but like any of the other transitions we've gone through in her short life, she has pleasantly surprised us. After I put her to bed the first night I went into the kitchen and soon I heard Justin telling her to "go to bed" in a fairly stern voice. I guess she escaped and made it as far as the entrance to the family room. She immediately turned and ran back to her room and then slammed the door closed. We could hear her sobbing on the other side of the door. I think Justin hurt her feelings. She's not used to him being stern with her or being the disciplinarian. He went in and comforted her for a minute and got her to calm down, and she hasn't tried to come out of her room after bedtime since. Once we put her to bed, she stays there until morning. We're pretty lucky.

Grace LOVES her big girl bed

One of Grace's favorite things to do before she goes to bed is brush daddy's hair. She runs into the bathroom, opens the drawer, gets a comb or brush and makes Justin recline the chair as far back as it will go so she can brush his hair. It's adorable. We just can't get enough of her.

Halloween 2009

Halloween was a lot of fun this year. Our ward trunk or treat was on Halloween night, so we only had one day of festivities, which was plenty for us. Grace was a toucan this year. She wasn't too fond of her costume, but bribery seemed to work pretty well.

This was after I bribed her with a tootsie pop. She cooperated very well once she had that candy in her hand.

This picture was at the trunk or treat. My camera was acting weird and taking really blurry pictures, so this was the best I got the whole time we were there.

After the trunk or treat we decided to go trick or treating in our neighborhood, seeing how we've lived here for 2 years and haven't really introduced ourselves to anyone (pathetic, I know).

All in all it was a fun night. These holidays are becoming more and more fun as Grace gets older and is able to be a more active participant. For now, Justin and I are enjoying the bulk of her candy since she can't (and doesn't need to) eat it.

The Sequel

Coming May 2010

Aggie Football

Last month Justin and I had the opportunity to go to our first Texas A&M football game in College Station with some good friends of ours, the Potters, who are both A&M Alums. Michael was lucky to score 4 season tickets from a customer for free and invited us along. The Aggie's played the University of Alabama at Birmingham. It was a really fun game and fun to experience college football in Texas. Aggie fans are pretty darn loyal.

The Army Corp lined up for the team to run through at the start of the game. You can also see the student section of the stadium. It's tradition for the students to stand for the entire game, and they do

The above photo and the ones below were all taken after the game was over and the crowds were starting to disappear. I think Justin and I were the ONLY people in attendance not wearing Aggie Maroon.

Karen and I after the game. She was pretty psyched that her Aggie's won.

Us with our generous friends the Potters

The game was tons of fun and we learned some things about A&M. It started off as an all men's college so they don't have cheerleaders. They have what are called Yell Leaders. There's five or six guys who lead the student section in yells and chants all throughout the game. We sat in the season ticket holder/Alumni section which was on the other side of the field so we didn't get to see much of the Yell Leaders, but that was okay with us. From what Michael and Karen told us, it was about a hundred times quieter on our side of the stadium. It's also tradition for couples to kiss anytime the Aggie's score a touchdown or field goal. There was lots of kissing going on that night!

East Texas Yamboree 2009

Last week was the annual East Texas Yamboree and it's a HUGE deal in these parts. The past 2 years we've gone to support the boyscouts in our ward. They have a food stand and the bank in town donates some of their land to the boyscouts to charge for parking the morning on the parade. This year we not only got to support the boyscouts, but also enjoy the festivities with an almost-2-year old. We had so much fun experiencing everything through her eyes. Thursday night we headed up to the Square where all the food and carnival rides were. We enjoyed hamburgers, fries, smoked turkey legs, and sausage-on-a-stick. Then we headed over to the kiddie rides. Most of the rides had a height requirement of 36" and Grace came up just a little short, but the car ride was pretty empty so the carnie let her go by herself. She was so excited and grinned from ear to ear the entire time. She rode that car around and around and turned the wheel the entire time

When the music ended and the ride stopped she threw her hands in the air and said, "YAAAYYY!"

Next we headed to the carousel where Justin rode with her. She had a a great time and kept saying, "Neigh" while riding the horse.

Saturday morning we headed out to see the parade. Grace loved it all. About every other parade entry was a school band so there was a lot of music and she clapped her hands and tapped her feet along with them the entire time.

She loved waving to all the people in the parade.

After the parade we ate lunch and headed over to the Yamboree grounds where they have the different booths, exhibits, and livestock. Grace loves all animals and to be that close to a real cow was thrilling for her. We stayed for the first part of the livestock auction and watched the bidding of the Grand Champion Steer. It was really neat to see all the support the community gives to the high school FFA programs.


After a much needed nap we headed back over to the food and rides. We let Grace ride the cars one more time and the photo above is of her waiting very patiently for her turn. After that Justin was recruited to help in the boyscout's food stand, so Grace and I got some roasted corn on the cob and nachos and then headed home. We had a great time at the Yamboree and look forward to it again next year.