Pappaw's Annual April Visit

Pappaw got here yesterday on his usual spring visit. The kids were so excited - as always! Thankfully Jessie is feeling much better after the fever yesterday. The antibiotics are working wonderfully on her UTI! After Pappaw treated us to dinner, we took him to the cub scout meeting where the boys launched their rockets that they made at the last meeting. Grayson and Jett were teammates. Their rocket launched the highest and you should have heard those two screaming with joy!

Waiting for our turn to launch...
Of course Jessie has to get in on the action too...

At the last minute, our rocket needed repair...

Ready, set, launch...

Later at home the kids tickled Pappaw on the couch...

Settling in for bed...

Thanks for another wonderful visit Pappaw!!!

Wilson Fest 2008

Last Saturday was Wilson Elementary's annual Festival to raise money for PTO. Jessie went down the slide about 1000 times while Grayson played every other game imaginable! Luckily I only spent $65 at the silent auction this year - considerably less than most years!

Plinko-
Stan and Grayson - two very sweaty boys!

Bunco!

I had a great time with the gals at Melissa's house last Thursday playing Bunco. I haven't played this game in 10 years (literally). I completely forgot how to play but I guess it is like riding a bike. Thanks for letting me sub girls!

Setting Goals

I am a firm believer in setting goals for myself if I ever plan to achieve anything. Most people who know me well know that if I say I am going to do something, I do it. I said I would graduate from the University of Alabama and I did even though most things didn't play in my favor when I was excepted to the awesome school. I said I would get my black belt in Taekwondo and I did - even winning a state championship along the way. Last year I was determined to lose 10 pounds and I lost 13. Now my goal is to (one day) run a half marathon. Stand back up - I'm sure many of you just fell down reading this! But, many of my friends are avid runners and for years some have been trying to talk me in to this. I did a 5K about 2 months after Jessie was born and swore I would never do it again. But lately I have been thinking about what I would do next. If I don't have a goal, I won't do anything. I'm not one of those who love to work out because it makes me feel great. I do it because I need to. And I am more apt to stick to it if I have a goal. Over the past couple of weeks I have been joking with Melissa, Katherine, Shari and a few others that I "might" think about running. I typically think of myself running to get pizza - not running a race! But I think this is God's way of telling me my next life goal is to run a 5k. So today I started "training". I ran 1/2 mile and walked the second 1/2 and finished in 10 minutes. The worst part was my butt jiggling - that hurts! God willing, I will do it again tomorrow. So, for all you prayer warriors - pray for my success. Another 10 pound weight loss just may be in my future!

An Angel is Born!

On Wednesday, April 15 at 8:15 am our dear friends Jeanine and Kiki welcomed their third child to the world! Isla Noel weighed in at 7 lbs. 6 oz. She is so adorable. We went to their house tonight to meet this sweet girl. Jessie couldn't wait to get her hands on her and neither could I! Welcome home Isla - we can't wait to watch you grow!

Sweet Isla Noel Olivas

Future babysitter!

Grayson LOVES babies!

Gotta Love Girl's Night!

Melissa's kids were in Louisana this week and we vowed to have a little fun. Katherine, Courtney and Annette were luckily available last minute. We enjoyed good food and drink at Esparza's in Grapevine on Tuesday - super yummy!

It was hysterical watching Melissa try to take this picture - she couldn't figure out how to work Courtney's fancy camera!

Me and my LSU buddy...

Courtney, Annette, Me, Melissa and Katherine
Thanks gals for a great time!

Happy Easter!

Easter Sunday was a pretty usual Sunday for us. The major difference was the Easter baskets filled with goodies-yum! We enjoyed a wonderful service at church (first one for our new Senior Pastor and he did a great job) and then went to lunch with friends. Anamia's is always good with the McCrary's, especially on holidays! We got our usual afternoon naps and Kendall and Grayson played baseball in the street! The kids were loaded up on chocolate and jelly beans but still managed to go to bed on time! I got to end the night by watching a movie with Kendall. Good times...

Madi kept Jessie entertained with many games of tic-tac-toe!
"Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said."
Matthew 28:5
He is Risen!

Saddle Tree Trail Easter Egg Hunt

It was a gorgeous day for hiding and hunting eggs today. The neighborhood kids had a blast!

Say Easter Eggs!!

Check out all my eggs!
Found one!

Eating the chocolate before it melts!

Bluebonnets

Thanks to the super fabulous Courtney Christianson of anthologie images, I have more wonderful pictures of my kiddos! These were taken last Sunday in Las Colinas. The kids had a great time playing in the flowers - even on a windy day. If you are ever in need of professional photography services, I highly recommend anthologieimages.com! Thank you Court!

Earthfest, Parties and more...

Like every weekend lately, we had a lot going on. Friday night we enjoyed some family time and went to see Monsters vs. Aliens. Cute, but we could have waited for it to come out on DVD! This was after I got to meet Dr. Rey from Dr. 90210! He was at Nordstrum promoting his skin care line. He is really sweet in person. And kinda goofy, just like on the show! Saturday morning I was off to Earthfest bright and early to do my volunteer time with the KCB board. Kendall and the kids came out to enjoy the festivities. After a quick nap, it was back outside to play and enjoy the weather. I took Kendall to Daddy Jack's for a late birthday dinner. Yum! When we woke up Sunday, Jessie put her finger on her lips and said, "Mom, I have a busy schedule today!". And she was right. Church, lunch, pictures in the blue bonnets, Karis' birthday party, and preschool choir practice. I was exhausted just thinking about all we had to do. I thought Sunday afternoons were for naps!

It's not a weed, it's a flower!

Bobby, Grayson and Kendall
Going GREEN is fun!

He's touching a rat snake!

Karis turns 5 and has a Butterfly Tea Party!
Jessie and Grace are ready for their tea! What cute hats they have decorated!

I Hijacked this photo...

Jessie and Grace after their playdate Friday night! They ended the night watching a movie curled up in blankets on the floor! I stole this pic off of Rosemond's blog!

Our April Fool...

We celebrated in a very uneventful way, dutch beef casserole and homemade cupcakes at home! Oh well, Kendall didn't really want to celebrate at all. But when you have kids, you have a party... no matter how old you are! They came home from school and made this banner to hang up. It was supposed to go in the doorway, but was a little too long. We made some Betty Crocker cupcakes which looked better than they tasted! Kendall blew out his candle and we called it a night. Happy 36th, honey!

The Happy Birthday Banner

Let's Bake!

They look better than they taste!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you!