And we have a NEW patio! Can I get an Amen?!?

We'll start with the before.....and I mean really before when it still looked nice.
This is a picture we took the weekend we decided to buy the house. Over time the bricks became uneven, water pooled up on top of them when it rained and overall it was a GIANT mess.

After years of talking that we needed a new patio we finally got it in the works...We took the bricks up in the middle of March to start the process. It's going to be nice now that the dog, kid and husband won't be tracking tons of sand in the house everytime they go outside. It was a delayed process because it rained so much in Corpus. It NEVER rains in Corpus....I am so excited this is finally done!

Sand box of fun! Yes the dog got to run through this everytime he went out. Imagine how fun it was the day we got 1.5 inches of rain. He took the long way out that day.

Re-bar is down! Getting closer

Fill 'er up!

Reese loved watching them fill the motorized wheel barrow with concrete...then she would watch as they drove up the driveway and dumped it onto the patio.

Super wet

Steps down to the main area. We added color to our concrete so that it would be brown...thought it was a nice change to boring grey.

Patio...yes it's still messy because the concrete was still wet when I took this picture

Finished sidewalk. I will add some more pictures when it's dry enough for me to walk on.

Poor Poor Cinderella, she never even saw it coming. Thurman LOVES toys, esp. nice plastic toys that Reese (despite my constant reminders) leaves on the floor. Let this serve as a warning to her. I guess Cinderella will have to waltz one armed with the Prince. Sleeping Beauty just got her hands severed off...At least Cinderella has a few fingers left on the one hand.

My dog has also amazed me this week in two ways. First I let him out the other day and the back gate must not have been latched. He was free....but he came right to the front door, barking and pawing to come in. He loves us. Second...Ryan had to put him in our bedroom today and close the door while he had the backdoor open as they were pouring concrete. While Thurman was in there he jumped and pawed at the door handle and managed to lock the door...so Ryan had to pick the lock to get him out.

Dancing the Chicken Dance

We babysat for our good friend and neighbor Syndey a couple weeks ago. Reese was so excited to have a friend over. They took a bath together and had a great time. Reese was sad when I took Sydney home to go to bed. These girls really do like each other and we're so lucky to have such wonderful friends right around the corner. I can't wait to see these girls when they grow up...and dare I say get on the bus to school together...just like Kathy Mannion and I did ooohhhhh so many years ago.

Her pals

The look of awe as Mickey and Minnie came on the ice. She was screaming to them "Hi Mickey, it's Reesie (that is what she calls herself)" and was waving 90 mph. We're planning a trip to Disney next year and I can't wait to see how excited she will be.

Disney on Ice....so happy to see Cinderella. Pardon my poor photography skills. It was a hard to get a good shot in the small amount of room they had set up to see the Princesses.

Working at her desk!

LOTS!

I know it's been a long time. Here are some pictures from Easter. We spent time in Kingwood with my family. It was so nice to see everyone and spend time with my grandparents. Reese had a great time looking for eggs, mostly because she knew there were M&M's in them.

Sean was in charge of pictures so I can't explain why this one was so fuzzy.

Putting eggs in her basket. Not every 2 year old gets a Longaberger Basket...only those special enough to have a Meems who sold them and ones TONS!

Ryan climbed the tree for my Dad and got down some limbs that were just hanging on after Hurricane Ike. Why we sent Ryan up when Sean weighs at least 50 pounds less if beyond me...Ryan did well, I kept the phone in my pocket in case I needed to call 911 after a tragic fall, and I just kept thinking that at least I have an insurance policy on him.

Tied in around the tree.

He was pretty dang high.

While in Kingwood we visited our two friends Elizabeth and Kara who brought along their BRAND new babies. Reese got to hold James (pictured) and Raven. She was in 7th heaven, as you can see by the picture. She wants a baby sister so badly...poor kid. At the current rate Ryan is going on his thesis...she can kiss that dream good-bye...and so can I. Such is life. At least we can visit with other peoples' babies!

Reese and her BFF Claire

Getting ready for the hunt

The Air Show was in town a few weeks ago and we headed over to check it out. Reese had fun dancing to all the music while the planes were flying. My big question is what did the Air Show and Navy do before they had the Top Gun theme song to use??? I swear I heard that song 15 times.

Reese sporting her ear plugs

In the big Air Force plane with Dad

Aggie bombs??? LOVE IT!

You know you're kid is tired when she falls asleep on the floor protesting the fact that it's nap time

Herbst Girls!

Texas Bluebonnets!

Stacey....or as Reese calls her...Tastey

Next up: Our trip to Disney on Ice...which I should say Reese LOVED! I can't wait until we take her to Disney World in January....