"I am Speed" -Lightning McQueen

Thanks to all of you who gave your input about my Blogger issues! Jon is the master of all things computer (or something like that) and got us all set up. We're back in business.

So I know you're thinking "That's enough about Texas!" But for my own pride's sake I need to revel in a moment we had.

I just love how when lots of people are standing outside in the heat, competition just begins to flow. I believe it was Jon who challenged the sisters to race (probably because he was confident that his wife would win--thanks honey)!

Off we went, barefoot on grass. It took me a bit to gain speed, but Mary was gone from the start. (She runs half-marathons. I don't.) Then, we leveled out...

So it looked like it was going to be a close call...

(that's me in the black shorts, Mary in jeans, and Kaye refereeing.
Oh and that's Ken reaching arms of compassion to an Amy who just ate it BIG time.
Ha!
(Don't hate. Even Amy was laughing thru the tears!)

But the picture below tells the whole story:

There were some debates, but in the end me & the camera knew the truth*. ;0)

Oh, and here's Amy's mortal wound:

You know that grass, it'll reach out and grab you sometimes!

Kaye somehow got out of participating under some lame excuse like having just had a baby.
Pfh! ;0)
Next time!
(*ok, ok...we decided to do a "run-off" because the finish line refs couldn't agree on who had won. )

And I just had to share some of these precious pics. Somehow they didn't make it into the mix of the 400 pictures I posted before!

Laughing with (Kaye's girlie) Gloria.

Gloria & Gracie
To me, this is SO typical of them! You'll almost NEVER find Grace in anything but a dress, and Gloria doesn't care, she's got everything taken care of. :0)
Love them!

Tripo de Tejas - part tres

This right here is my girl. Of course I've got lots of "girls" - FIVE of them to be exact (only counting nieces)! But Grace and I connected really well during this trip. Kaye tells me she still talks about me. And that sure does melt my heart!! I love you to pieces Gracie!!!

I don't have enough room in my HEART for this picture!!! :0)

They just got the giggles!!

PRECIOUS. What you're about to see is PROOF that boys have a soft spot. I LOVED watching Jude just ADORE baby Halle. He was SO sweet with her!!I think he was telling her that he would be sure to protect her from the boys...
And judging by the look on her face, I don't think she much appreciated that news. ;0)

He was squeezing her so tight!!

Sweet cuddles!!And kisses!! Ah!

I think Pops was asked to be a horse one too many times!!
But Jude & Chloe loved every minute of it...
although it does look as if Chloe is a little concerned for Pops. ;0)

Aunt KK & Jude the dog
They had just read a sweet book from Aunt KK about a dog. Jude really likes to get into character. :0)

Sweet. Good ol' Sweet!!

Beautiful Kaye, Precious Halle!

I think I captured the moment Grace realized that there's difference between girls & boys.

Me & Chloe

My child loves, I mean LOVES this guy, my cousin Dustin. I can't decide who he likes more though- Merinda, Dustin, or Amber (all siblings)! He talks about each of them for WEEKS after we've seen them!

I think Mary looks beautiful in this picture!!

Right here Chloe looks just like a cartoon character to me. Is it Wonder Woman?? I love it!!!

No, Brennan did not learn to ride a tricycle at 10 months! But it made for a cute picture, and he sure did get a kick out of it!!

Sally & Halle
Our names rhyme, but she doesn't seem impressed!

Posing already? Or maybe he's concerned about the feet that appear to be coming toward his head!!

And we just can't leave out these!
Mom & I
(I think *this* will be the picture we use from now on Mom!!)

Mamie & Me
(my grandmother)

Chloe & I
(I confess this one was taken earlier, but I LOVE it!)

Throw so many people into one house and you're bound to love or hate it. I think we're getting better at loving it. Although we do have our moments where all 7 kids seem to be screaming, and we'll do just about ANYTHING to get out of the house!
Thanks for all the fun!!!
We love you ALL!

Tripo de Tejas- part dos

...Watch the Love...
look for part 3 soon! there are just too many pictures for this post!!

Before leaving San Antonio, we had dinner with Matt & Mary (so fun!). We decided to take Chloe back with us to Houston where Mary would meet us the next day.
It was fun to have a sweet little girl in the car with us. :0)
But let me assure you, the whole ride was NOT filled with faces such as these.
Man, I wish there was some magic pill you could give kids for car rides.
Sure would make life a LOT easier!!

Grace, Jude, & Chloe
These children just had no idea how hard we were trying to get a good shot of them!!
(and what is that face Jon is making in the background??)

Girly Girls Grace & Chloe!
Love the pink! It was so fun to be with girls all week!!

Kaye & I trying to get a good picture!!

Me & Amy sportin' smiles & suits

Grammie is ALWAYS a good story teller.
This woman can READ a BOOK! And her made up stories are even better!!
Grammie got to stay home (from work) with us most of the week and we LOVED it!

Can you believe this tiny little thing?? I mean Halle (and Kaye too after 3 babies!).

The Four
Amy, Kaye, Me, & Mary (w Hannah)
We never take a picture without LOTS of fanfare before & after!
(hence the laughing faces)

This good lookin' was cookin' ALL week! Mmm!

Future Flowergirl Hannah
BTW- that's a tutu on her head!

Jude & Brennan with Pops
We love you Pops!!

So, spur of the moment we all decided that a Girl's Day Out was in order. So all 5 Ach-girls climbed into the Caddie & made it a date. First, we enjoyed some perfectly sized desserts at LaMadeline's & then headed over to Charming Charlie's!

Kaye & I got matching rings.
AND we decided hours later, standing in the middle of Target, that we needed a picture of them, PRONTO!


If you have a baby, you know how PRECIOUS pictures like this are! It's just so rare to catch that adoring little smile at JUST the right moment!
This is one of my favs!

Morning Mane.
No kidding. Jude & I agreed that Chloe looked like a Lion.
A cute one of course!!2 month old Halle Joy started smiling while I was there! MELTED me!!Ok. I need to tell you about this bunny. First, you must know that I am IN NO WAY exaggerating. Scott (K's husband) can vouch for me.
Gracie was chasing this rabbit around gleefully, yet always just barely missing it.
Well, one time Grace was just about to catch up with it when it turned around, propped it's hind up in the air and leaned down on it's front paws (like the pic below). Just like a dog ready to play!! Then it did a 360, no lie! I was SO sad that I didn't get a video!! This rabbit had some serious tricks! Ha!!Grammie & Jude making Halle laugh. This boy LOVED baby Halle!!This pic is classic to me. But you must know that right before I took this picture, Jude was spraying Chloe in the face with water, hence the hysterical look on his face! But she didn't think it was so funny!


We just LOVED our time together!! Can you tell??
more coming...

Tripo de Tejas part 1

So I started to post all of my pictures of our fun trip to Texas, but seriously there were like 50. So, you'll be seeing this trip in TWO posts!!

First, we headed to San Antonio for some Grandpa & CeCe lovin'

before Jon's Mom headed back to Kuwait.CeCe & Jude

Let's just say Jude was a BIG fan!Grandpa & Jude in the comfy chair.

Brennan & CeCe

Estes Family Photo!
I don't know what it is about the male species that makes them LOATHE picture taking! Seriously! It's amazing that these three grown males even have some semblance of a smile on their faces!! Thank you for your cooperation!
I have to say it was worth it!!

I love that Jude is trying to look like Brennan! If only those eyes were open!

This pic of us seems so...I don't know...posed??

Ray & Carol
(Jon's parents)

the "guys".
Jeff, Brennan, Jon, Jude

All the kids.
Alexia, Jeff, Brennan, Jon, Jude, and Me.
(Can anyone laugh with me at Brennan in this picture??)

Jeff & Alexia
I'd like to note that Jeff didn't gripe one bit about taking this photo. Twice!

We had a great time getting to know Alexia. It's really easy to get her laughing, so Jeff & I just kept talking...and telling stories. Above you see a picture of Jeff doing his classic "talk with my hands" storytelling. And...Jon & I (below) listening and... not laughing. ;0)
Jon's mom is always good at catching stuff in action. ;0)
And here's Jude doing what boys do. Carol noted that it's funny that Jon & Jeff never thought to scale this entryway to the house....only to have Jon & Jeff claim just the opposite, followed by "of course we wouldn't have done it in front of you! You would have told us to stop!" Ha!

You'd be amazed at the number of times this dog's name is said in our house on any given day. Jude LOVES to pretend he is Uncle Jeff's dog "Jill".
Yes, you heard that right.
So with all that love, a picture was in order!

Thanks for the fun time Estes Fam!!
We love you!!