BIG Girl in the House

So, this blog doesn't meet the expectations that I set for myself, but I'm going to do it anyway.  The reason it doesn't meet expectations... there aren't pictures.  But, the reason I'm doing it anyway.....

EVERLY IS POTTY TRAINED!!!!!

Really!  Seriously! Potty trained.

I kept saying, someday she'll flip the switch and it will be done.  It has happened.  We will forever be indebted to Ms. Gayle.  She kept the kids two days while I was in Santa Fe.  Well, bless her.... she got Everly going and thankfully, she hasn't looked back!

Whew.... what a relief.  I was concerned that she would be wearing a diaper to prom.

I am so proud of her and more importantly, she is sooooo proud of herself.  We have a big girl!!!!!!!!!

And, since this post doesn't have pictures, I'm going to add a couple of funny things the kids have been saying.

Walker wanted to look at pictures of when he was a baby.  He saw a picture of me a couple of days before Everly was born.  He looked at the picture, then back at me.  I could tell he thought it was weird...

Me: "Everly is in Mommy's tummy, it was before she was born"

He looked at the picture again and then back at me,

Walker: "Mommy, did you eat Everly?"

Ha!

And, two funny things Everly has said lately... 

Everly: "Mommy, I love your earrings."

Me: "Thank you, Daddy gave them to me when you were born."

Everly: "Ooooohh, Daddy will buy me earrings soon."

And, a couple of days later, while driving by the lake....

Everly: "Mommy, I want Daddy to buy me one of those."

Me: "one of what?"

Everly, "A boat!"

Poor Daddy, his baby girl is already high maintenance! 

Blackburn Reunion

 I'm very fortunate, I got to laugh in Santa Fe.... and, I got to laugh even more this weekend.  We have some wonderful friends from Grand Prairie.... the Blackburns.  I was thinking about it today and I truly don't remember life before them.

Mom and Ray have always been friends with Ed and Lee Ann, therefore I grew up with their kids.  I have so many great memories with Beth Ann (aka Bessie).  LeeLee and Bessie came down to our neck of the woods this weekend.

We had a ball.  Talked a lot and laughed more.  They are truly the most witty and hysterical people I know!  These are the type of friends that even though you haven't seen them in years, it's like no time has passed.

Bessie is an excellent hairdresser.... I wish I lived near her so she could do my hair!  But, the person who got the perks of having Bessie around... Everly!

Check out those french braids!!  Wow, poor E, soon she will realize that Mommy is inadequate at hair. I feel bad for her.  Hopefully I will get better.

Anyway, Everly loved Bessie and got a big kick out of getting her hair done!

Such cuties!

And, just cause this is fun.... we were trying to get a good picture of the four of us and someone else wanted in....

I do have to brag on my sweet babes... They were so good all weekend.  Really, really good.  They went shopping and to lunch with us and were great.  It's amazing how old they feel.  We don't have babies anymore!

It really was a wonderful weekend.  The best part... we're already planning our next event.... this time with the husbands.  I can't wait!

Santa Fe FUN!

I've said it before and I'm not sure people believe me.... Traveling with my mom and Linda (aka the Midget... this is not a negative name, it's just what we call her!) is more than you can imagine.  We drink champagne, talk and laugh a lot.  It really is great fun.  We went to Santa Fe together almost 10 years ago, then we took an epic trip to Europe almost eight years ago.  Good times.

So, we were in need of another "Goates" trip.  Goates was the maiden name of mom and Linda's mothers.

Santa Fe is the perfect spot for us.  It's beautiful, there's good shopping, great spas and lots of champagne.

CHEERS!

I'm so proud of us for getting some great pics....  Aren't they cute!

This is framer.  Such a wonderful dinner.

My fun mama.

Did I mention that we laughed a lot?

 Finally, I got a pic with the Midget.

Something that makes me sad... the fact that I haven't always blogged!  So, just for fun, I went back to find some of our European vaca pics!

The three of us having high tea at the Savoy in London.

In front of Buckingham Palace.

Double decker bus tour.

And, finally, us in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Like I said, some epic trips and amazing memories!  Love you Mom and Midge!

4th of July Fun!

We are just wrapping up a great four day weekend!  There's something to be said about staying close to home during days off.  Walker and Everly loved having daddy home so many days!

The 4th of July was a great day.  We got invited to an amazing house.... the resort, owned by friends of  Bunny and RayRay.  Bob and Michele have five children and five grandchildren.  It was great fun and Walker and Everly had a blast!

Here are my patriotic babes:

Walker got to fish for the very first time!  He didn't have the patience to catch anything, but it was fun!

Everly being Everly:

These guys make sure to have all fun things around the 4th... Sparklers!

And, yes, this bad mom let Walker shoot off roman candles....

Oh my.... what was I thinking!?!?  But, he loved it!

Evers had to stick with sparklers...

And, at the end of the night, they got to see REAL fireworks.

I've got to say, I'm surprised that they weren't more interested in the fireworks.  They liked them, but didn't love them.  I think they were just so excited that Mommy was letting them stay up late that they wanted to play.  All in all, a great 4th!

The next day, Clark played golf with RayRay and when they were done, they took Walker for some putting!

He was so excited and couldn't wait for Daddy and RayRay to get home.  Love these sweet pictures.

On Saturday, we had a great time with neighbors.  Swimming, food and playing.  It was the first time that we were able to have fun with the adults WHILE the kids had fun with their friends.  We've hit the new stage.... it's really fun to watch them play and have fun and also have adult conversations.

And, on Sunday, Stephen and Tatum came to visit, which meant more swimming. It truly was a wonderful weekend.  I love being able to look back on four days and feel so blessed by my precious family!

We love summer!!!!!!

Everly's First Movie

Everly has had a lot of "firsts" lately.  This weekend she got to go to her first movie.

She's always loved Monsters, Inc, so how perfect that Monsters University would be her first big movie!  I love that Ryder got to go with us.

(she's saying "cheese" in this pic... not crying.  I promise!)

In typical fashion... Everly acted exactly the opposite from her brother.  His first movie, he sat still and watched every minute.  Everly was more active... up and down and not totally into the entire movie.  But, overall it was a great success and I think she enjoyed it.

I'm glad they had a life size Mike and Sully so we could get fun pictures!

Seriously, this makes me laugh.....

I told Walker we needed to take it again, but Clark said, no... he looks like Mike!  ha!

It was a fun evening and a perfect way for Everly to get her first movie theater experience.  On a side note.... WOW, movies are expensive.  Seriously, I'm glad we only go once a year!

Fun with Cousins!

We love it when Ryder and Carson come to visit!!!!  Walker and Everly really, really like hanging out with them.

Especially in the pool!

(oh my goodness, how big do they all look?!?!?)

I LOVE this picture.... Bunny with four of her grandbabes.

One day, Ryder, Walker and Everly were all at camp, so Carson got some funny shopping/lunch time. We met up with Debra at the mall!

It was a great week with some fun cousins.

Happy Birthday Everly

How in the world is my little baby three??!?!  Doesn't seem possible!  But, it is.  I say this all the time.... time flies!

Everly got to open a few presents from Mommy and Daddy before her party!

She was so excited to dress up for her princess party!

I thought she'd be more exited about her Cinderella cake....  she liked it, but most importantly, liked blowing out the candles.

And, eating yummy cupcakes...

Then she got to open more presents!

And, I was able to snap a pic of her cute little friends.... too bad her brother was the only one that wouldn't smile!

It was a great birthday party.  All her grandparents and a few friends.  A perfect day!

Happy Birthday to Everly!