Jenna. Apr 26. [Colby] giving hugs.

I'm doing a self-imposed [Colby] theme this week, being the week before his 5th birthday. Some will be pics he has taken with my iPhone but I'll try to get him in a pic most days.

Today I caught him being so sweet to his baby sister. And yes, he really is this nice to her and helps and hugs her a lot. But he usually doesn't stay this still, so I was glad to nab this pic.

Jenna. Apr 25. Say "Peas".

I guess no one in this pic got my VeggieTales reference from The Dance of the Cucumber. [This is Micki throwing up the "peace" sign.]

Tonight our handbell choir played at a new church near downtown Bryan called The Bridge. We enjoyed ourselves immensely and the nice congregation even fed us afterward.

I of course was ringing during the performance and forgot to take pictures of the whole group before or after. But, I thought this one was hilarious.

Kristen: 120/365

Wall art for our LIME GREEN frog bathroom.

Day 120~Clay, Tina & Jax Leave"

 

This morning my oldest son, Clay and his wife, Tina and their dog, Jax all left for Spokane, Washington to embark on a new life in the Pacific northwest. It was exciting, scary and sad ALL at the same time! :(

Mike : Photo 365-120

365-120, originally uploaded by mike_svatek.

Why are you so angry post office? This was a BD to my little one from my sister. It obviously had a talk with some of the sorting equipment and lost.

Kristen: 119/365

Jenna. Apr 24. Husband Couponing.

I sent Kevin to Target to get these items.

After coupons and rebates, he made 13 cents. I won't disclose how many phone calls and rolled eyes he gave me. But, he now understands my addiction. I think.

Jenna. Apr 23. Late late late.

This is what time it was when we got the kids to bed tonight.

Read more here.

Day 119~"Bird in Flight!"

 

A white-winged dove taking flight in the Arizona Ash tree in my backyard.

Kristen: 118/365

I wore my anniversary necklace today.

Day 118~"White Azaleas"

 

This is a better picture of the white azaleas in my brother's yard.

Mike : Photo 365-118

365-118, originally uploaded by mike_svatek.

ok.. so I fell off of my bike during the German Fest ride. I was coming to a stop and had "un-clipped" with my right foot. So instead of leaning to the right and putting my foot on the ground, I started to lean to the left. Panic set in and I was unable to "un-clip" my left foot. I went crashing down in super slow motion and couldn't do anything about it. My calf had a little run-in with my chain ring. Just a little battle scar.

Jenna. Apr 22. Just another manic laundry day.

I have a confession to make. I love doing laundry. It's not "fun", per se, but I'll tell you my secret: I wash/dry all the clothes over a few days' time and then I'll save them until Kevin and I can watch our favorite tv shows together. Usually it takes 1-2 shows for me to fold all the clothes you see here. Putting them away is a different story.

[The spot in the middle of the couch is where I sit when I fold. This pic represents 7 loads of laundry. Not pictured is an additional load of clothes I hung up already and a load of underwear I thought I'd spare you from seeing.]

PS - One other organizational thing people always ask me about - each of my kids has a small bin where I'll put their clean clothes when I fold them. I keep this in the laundry room on a shelf above the dryer. That way, if I see a stray article of clothing, I can keep it in the bin without having to walk to their rooms to put it away. Plus, the baskets have taught my older 2 how to take their own clothes to their room and put them away - they do a really great job with help!

Jenna. Apr 21. Smile!

I was so very glad to walk into Colby's room and see this.

[I've been sick all week and lying on the couch never felt as good as it did today. Colby let me have a nap while his sisters napped and I would have made him cookies to thank him, but he was okay with playing games on my iPhone instead. What a great kid.]

Jenna. Apr 20. S'mores.

Kim taught the kids how to make s'mores with this cool little contraption . (which we get to provide a home for while Kim moves away to do her residency next year.) Kennedy was far more interested in burning marshmallows than actually eating them, and Colby & Carlee just wanted to eat the graham crackers. So, I got to be the winner in this scenario - more melted marshmallows and chocolate left for me!

We all had wonderful amounts of s'mores left on our faces. Now I need to go buy some more ingredients to make them again.

Jenna. Apr 19. Kennedy-in-the-box.

Remember Kennedy in the basket? Meet her twin, Kennedy-in-the box. Just turn the handle and wait for her to pop out at you.

Jenna. Apr 18. Here Wii Are.

Kevin's birthday present this year was a Wii. [A combination of years of Best Buy gift certificates and my willingness to let there be video games in our house - I only wanted a Wii so at least I could get the fitness version to go along with it. Now I just have to figure out how to turn the dang thing on.]

Here's Tim & Kevin helping Colby & Kennedy play Super Mario Kart. Tim & Kevin had a rematch after the kids went to bed.

Kristen: 117/365

This is where I keep my everyday jewelry, lip balm and a purple rock my niece gav me. That ceramic is hand painted!

Day 117~"Flowers in Arkansas"

 

These beautiful blooms were in my brother's gorgeous yard in Hot Springs, Arkansas!

Mike : Photo 365-117

365-117, originally uploaded by mike_svatek.

My little monkey monkeying around at gymnastics with Marvin the Monkey

Day 116~"Willie Nelson's Place"

 

This is Willie Nelson's Blue Skies Cafe in Hillsboro, Texas. It is also a gas station and bar. If you are ever in this area, you should check it out!

Kristen: 116/365

This was a delicious salad!

Mike : Photo 365-116

365-116, originally uploaded by mike_svatek.

We found a hawk after it had caught a (we think) pigeon. This is one time i really waned to have my big camera with me. The hawk was being harassed by a couple of grackles and flew off shortly after i took this pic.

Kristen: 115/365

Breakfast and lunch for two, prepared the night before

Mike : Photo 365-115

365-115, originally uploaded by mike_svatek.

If i keep looking, I keep finding clocks.

Day 115~"Hill Country"

 

I love living in the hill country! This is the drive to Kerrville to discuss the boys European tour...

Kristen: 114/365

I am...

The Weed Revenger!!!!

Day 114~"Decadent Cheescake"

 

This AWESOME cheesecake was at Adi's Italian Restaurant in Universal City, one of my favorite restaurants!

Mike : Photo 365-114

365-114, originally uploaded by mike_svatek.

A wind farm I rode around during the Muenster German Fest bike ride.

Kristen: 113/365

This is a makeshift leak detector. We had a wet spot in our bedroom after the last rainstorm and couldn't determine if the water came from above or below. :\

Day 113~"Green Shrubs"

 

Just a random shot of the shrubs in my front yard... :)

Mike : Photo 365-113

365-113, originally uploaded by mike_svatek.

after the walls and ceiling have been painted

Amanda: Day 109. Hotel Lights.

From Amanda's 365 Project

So my hotel didn't really look this creepy in real life but I thought they lights were too cool not to take advantage of. My room was on the very end so I had a vantage point of the entire hallway. It seemed as if there was no one else on my floor the entire time I was there. I had an almost Shining-esque experience, hence the black and white mood.

Amanda: Day 108. Show and Tell.

From Amanda's 365 Project

The best part of drum corps camp, show and tell!!!

Amanda: Day 107. Pit Train.

From Amanda's 365 Project

For Kristen!

A typical day in drum corps. Pit is on the move and the brass are standing still in an arch. ;)

Amanda: Day 106. Promises, Promises

From Amanda's 365 Project

This was my view as I was pulling into San Benito High School for Genesis camp this weekend. I LOVE rainbows. They always seem to come at the right time when I need to see it. They are a breath of fresh air and a reminder that everything is going to be alright.

(Btw, no post-processing, this was the true color in the sky. Odd, no?)

Amanda: Day 105. Chase and His Uke.

From Amanda's 365 Project

This is my fabulous cousin Chase! If he can't bring a smile to your face, then something is wrong with you. One of my favorite things he does is play the ukulele. It's the craziest thing that anyone not living in Hawaii would want to play the ukulele but Chase does. And the crazy thing? He's pretty good at it!

Kristen: 112/365

almost bedtime! :\

Day 112~"Apprentice Detective"

 

Cliff and I were being "followed" all the way from our house to right before the Post Office and he asked me to get the license plate (which is funny because I am blind as a bat without my glasses!). However, I decided to take a picture of the car plates through the side view mirror. I am glad that detective work is not my calling!

Mike : Photo 365-112

365-112, originally uploaded by mike_svatek.

Going to "re-do" the dining room. This is a before pic.

Kristen: 111/365

It's Gratuitous Picture of Yourself Wednesday! I'm about to try out my new neti pot.

Day 111~"His 'John Hancock'!"

 

I needed my son's signature and realized that he missed his calling...he should have been a doctor! LOL