Lezlie Andrew Photography

Last summer, for my birthday, my MIL and SIL surprised me and had pictures taken of my kids in a park in Amarillo. One of Carey's friends is a photographer as a side job so she offered to snap them up.

To this day, those are my absolute favorite pictures of the kids. I think I love them so much because I see nothing but beauty when I look at them. I don't see the sweat and tears it took to get them or the stress that we all went through either- because I wasn't there. It takes a lot to photograph 4 children so I appreciated them taking the initiative to get their photos and I've since decided that this is the BEST way to get my children's picture taken each year.

This summer, Carey wanted to get a few of Olivia Claire at 6 months and so I offered to pay the bulk of the fee if she would be willing to have it done while they were visiting in Amarillo. She offered and this is what they got...I am so pleased!

My favorite of Olivia Claire...those little lips are perfectly puckered!

Lezlie Andrew Photography

Babi-kini and Olivia

While everyone was in town for the fourth of July weekend, we saw this Babi-kini in a shop on Main Street. We all oooh'd and aahhh'd over it, but the store was closed every time we went by. On my way out of town today, I stopped by to pick up a friend a gift and saw the little shop- opened!! I just HAD to go pick it up for O. When we got in town tonight, we promptly put it on her and had a photofest!!

Of course, she looked precious in it! Have you ever seen such a thing? Too cute!!

Girls will get you in trouble every time! I would be in so much trouble had Teague been a girl...

4th of July parade

We had a full day of activities this 4th of July! A local told us to park the truck on Main Street on Thursday night so that we could get a front row spot for the parade and it seems that everyone had the same idea. It made it for the kids so that they could see everything right up close.

Olivia's first 4th of July parade

Olivia Claire Swims!!

We are so excited to have a few guests in our house even if it is going to be a crazy week for us. We have Carey, Olivia and Nanny here to visit right now and Grand Dad is coming in this evening. We have been busy with dance recitals, swim team practices, a swim meet last night, and a birthday party for all the kids to plan...it has been crazy busy for us!

We took a little bit of time today to just soak it all in. We all swam in the pool and ordered pizza for dinner. We wouldn't have it any other way!

Olivia loved the pool. She even let Carey put her glasses on and they stayed... That's impressive- all of my kids would take them off immediately and put them in their mouth or on the floor! Does she look so cute??

We are so glad to know that she is a swimmer. We couldn't have had it any other way! :)

Oh, I forgot to mention that we are moving a large truck of furniture, etc. from our house here in Sugar Land to Fredericksburg on Thursday and I have been busy coordinating movers, furniture delivery from San Antonio and scheduling all kinds of people to come to the house when we are there.

Some firsts and a GOOD time with GOOD wine

This is a first Easter for a member of our family. Olivia Claire was precious of course. Check out those cheeks...

On another note, my side of the family came over minus Joanie, my aunt and my mom. Both of them had to work and they were missed. I made a brisket, pinto beans and green beans. I also let Ms. Rhodes roll rise all day and they were yummy.... I swear, I could make a meal off of those rolls. The wine was a hit as well. They enjoyed the wine and stayed just long enough to help clean the kitchen and finish the PGA game on TV. It was good fun and I am glad I got to host!

No FAIR!

I know I commented on Olivia Claire and her personality. My MIL said she didn't make a peep and was a pure sweetie! Well, we finally got to meet her and I must say that it was a fair assessment. We got here last Wednesday and seriously, she doesn't make a peep. She is SOOOO super easy. Carey and Todd have no idea how nice they have it- do they??! She is their first and not normal. I promise you, I have been around her for 4 days now and I have yet to hear her whimper, cry or make anyone put up any kind of effortto make her happy. She sleeps a lot, but when she is ready to eat- she barely makes a sound. Then, when she is finished- Carey just lays her back down (if someone isn't ready to get their hands on her) and she is just AS happy doing that!! Not only is she good, but she is a cutie! She really is just beautiful...olive skin, a nice head of hair, a cute button nose and those perfectly puckered lips- model material for sure. I am a proud Aunt, I know, but we have enjoyed being around the Moore's and meeting Olivia Claire. I keep telling Carey, "this is so not fair and so not normal!!". She's just lucky you don't have to be "normal" to be a part of our family. Teague giving Olivia a kiss...aaaahhhhhh!Proud Mommy and Daddy. Unfortunately, Jackson isn't that interested. He got a pirate ship and some HULK hands for Christmas so he is in super hero heaven. Maybe next time.

Olivia Claire Moore

She is here!! We were blessed with another neice/cousin to add to our family fun. Carey delivered Olivia Claire Moore at 7:14 p.m. in Amarillo, TX on December 23, 2008. Olivia came out beautiful at 7 lbs. 14 oz. and a healthy eater! Word is that she doesn't make a peep and sleeps a lot. Since this is Carey and Todd's first, they are learning the joys of caring for her and trying to find some sleep.

I must say, I am so impressed with Carey and Todd already. Carey took the advice from Jerrod about taking the nurses up on keeping her at night so that her and Todd could get some sleep- I really didn't think she would do it since it's her first, but she did! She said it was nice to get sleep and rest and when Olivia was hungry they brought her promptly to Carey! I think that's the way it should be- it really is the last time you get to have some help during the middle of the night. I actually interviewed the two hospitals where my doctor delivered when I had Teague. I didn't deliver at the hospital everyone recommended and probably my doctors preference because the nurse manager thought I was NUTS to ask them to help me in the middle of the night especially since I would be nursing. She even made me cry...meanie! I am so glad that Carey's time at the hospital with Olivia Claire was as great as we wanted it to be!

Anyway, Carey and Todd came home today...yes, on Christmas!! What a gift! She had a super cute pink and white little sweater outfit to bring that cutie home in, but when she came a few weeks early- Todd rushed out to pick up the Christmas outfit perfect for the ride home to meet her new world on Christmas day! We can't wait to get to Amarillo on the 31st to see the cutie pie. Here are a few pictures of her from the hospital.

She has already found her thumb...smart girl!!
Proud Mommy- doesn't Carey look great?!!
This is what a proud Daddy looks like. Todd, did you ever think you'd be called, "DADDY"??! Awesome, huh?

Guys, you did good!

Also, as I would expect from Carey, she has already had professional pictures taken of Olivia Claire. These are the first of many- Carey even has it already planned out. She pointed out the walls in the front room where her wedding pictures will come down and will be replaced with pictures of Olivia. It's amazing how that happens...huh??! Babies do it to us, everytime!!

Amarillo and airports

Meet our newest family member...Olivia Claire Moore. We had a fabulous girls weekend celebrating the impending arrival of our new baby with my in laws! It was a super special event with a lot of family and friends. Carey got tons of good stuff for Olivia. She will be set- I am certain of that! And check out the cake! I see another one of these in my future- awesome design.

Bailey and Emma felt like "big girls" at the party and for the first time, they actually acted like big girls. They never act bad, but you know how hard it is to get the kiddos to sit still, eat their food with their mouths closed, etc. and our training may have finally paid off (or I scared the boogers out of them with my threats...haha)!! Emma got the majority of the threats since she has been known to act like a dog, start to pet me, etc. in public...super silly. She didn't even lick her plate and I was most impressed! Seriously...good going Emma and Bailey! We had a great time running around town in Amarillo and spending time with family! Fun, Fun!

I did let my hair down a bit and the girls got to ride on the luggage rack at the airport. They begged to do it again last night when we landed at Intercontinental Airport, but there were just too many people there. That's going to have to be Amarillo event since it's a smaller airport (and we don't know anyone else). We only let the kids jump on the hotel beds so I guess I'll have to explain this the same way- someone else's airport! Ha!