Advent Calendars - Dec '11

A House, 2 Kids.... and now Dogs ! - Nov '11

Arizona
(the tan one, 1 1/2 yrs old, Bloodhound/Black Mouth Kerr)
& Copper
(the black one, 5 months, Bloodhound/Black & Tan Coonhound)
We adopted them through a local rescue group of hunting dogs just before Thanksgiving when we went to go "just pet the dogs".

Only in Texas - 9/16/11

Pecan Pie in a Vending Machine for $18.50

We ended up buy a whole Pecan tree, instead of just a pie.

Gavin's 1st Day of Preschool - 9/2/11

He was VERY excited all morning. At 7am "Wake up mom, I'm going to be late for school". After explaining that we had 2 whole hours and wouldn't be leaving until the first number was 9, he proceeded to ask "What time is it now?" every 5 mins! And, "It's time to go" each time a 9 appeared on the clock. It was a very fun day, and he'll enjoy it every Monday, Wednesday, Friday.

Linnaea wanted in a picture too. She wore his backpack around when he got home in the afternoon. She wants to do everything he does.

We move in 2 weeks!

We close on the 25th of August and are getting so excited!

I've added more pictures to the album on Picasa. We now have carpet! :
https://picasaweb.google.com/109572013967870896012/TheNewHouseTravisHomesPlan525?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Vanessa's Travels

This was fun to do. [I was unsure about a few countries, so I didn't check them, but I remember counting 18 with my mom when I was younger, so I'll have to double check]. Only 25 more states to go! (If only Dale and I had more travel funds when we lived in Maryland, we would have crossed off a bunch more in the North East). Someday in the future maybe.


visited 25 states (50%)
Create your own visited map of The United States


visited 13 countries (5.77%)
Create your own visited map of The World

Linnaea's Little Lizard

We were at the pool Saturday morning, and while chasing Linnaea back and forth, I realized that the wet hair strands on the back of here head, were actually a little baby lizard curled up in here hair. Dale ran to get the camera, and no matter how she shook her head or bobbed and ran, that little guy hung on swinging. So cute, we wanted to keep him.

And here is a glimpse of Gavin's swimming skills, with his beloved snorkel goggles. I am always so impressed.

Summer Update / OUR NEW HOUSE !

We've been on the move!
Drove from Maryland to Texas over Memorial Day weekend.
Dale started his new job in downtown Houston, TX in June.
I got to visit family in Arizona and Utah with the kids for 2 weeks.
We're building a house in Spring, TX, that we're excited to plant some roots in, starting the end of August.



Here's a link to pictures I keep adding of our house as it grows:
https://picasaweb.google.com/109572013967870896012/TheNewHouseTravisHomesPlan525?authuser=0&feat=directlink

I'll be adding more pictures when blogger will let them go through. I've had several unsuccessful attempts since May, but don't try that often anyway.
Have Fun in the Sun, wear Sunscreen, and stay Cool when you Can!
Love you all ; )

Packn' Baby

Gavin's Engineering and Construction - 3/'11

Dale and I often build things with Gavin, usually as directed, but many times he surprises us with a highly detailed design of his own. I was told this model, created by Fisher-Price Trio Blocks, is a "Saturn V Transporter". Other models I've seen looked like Star Shooters from Star Wars with Legos. I just love seeing the products of his imagination, and interests. He's a genius to me, and I'm so proud of him.

The Day She Turned 1 ! - 3/22/11

Gavin's Sunday Dinner - 3/20/11

He already opened the Cream of Chicken, so Dale went with it and provided the chicken breast as requested.
Next came Chicken Nuggets, Green Beans (substituted for the original choice of Black Beans), BBQ sauce and Beef Bouillon Cube.
results: Salty

Last Snow Fall of the Season - 2/22/11

Playing at the State Park across the street

Hiking in a miraculous 70 deg. - 2/18/11

Fun at the Archery Range - 2/12/11

Breastfeeding is now Deductible !

I read today that:

"In a surprising move, the IRS announced February 10 that it now believes that money spent on breast pumps and breast-feeding supplies qualifies as a medical expense under section 213(d) and is eligible for the itemized medical expense deduction or reimbursable through tax-favored health flexible spending accounts (FSAs)."

Now for the disclaimer .... the IRS statement does not indicate whether the ruling is retroactive [for last year, 2010] or not. And this is just something I read, not advise from Dale.

after a 10 hr snow fall .... 1-26-11

This is what it looked like this morning out our window to our parking lot [we have the Tahoe with the little white Corolla next to it, if you can see that]

Gavin's first day in Primary - 1/2/11

He was excited to be a Sunbeam [the 4 yr old class], and wear his "Future Missionary" badge my mom got for him. He practiced singing "Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam" all week. He picked out his scripture case in his claimed favorite color, Green, to begin bringing his scriptures to church (at least just his very own Book of Mormon, to keep it light weight). The 3 characteristics about him we gave his teacher for the lesson were:
1. Smart
2. A Leader
3. Good Helper
We feel so blessed to be his parents and are excited for the adventure of raising him. He is already such a promising little young man.