Updates

I haven't posted in some time. I am trying to do better once again. It is now May, which means the kids are nearly finished with their current school year.
Dallin (12) is in the 6th grade at Victory Lakes Intermediate. He has been taking Pre-AP classes in math, social studies, science, and language arts. Lets just say its been a busy year with LOTS of homework.
Aubree is currently in the 4th grade at Gilmore Elementary and doing a fabulous job. Her current progress report had an 89 and she was so distraught. It is not uncommon for her to have 100s on her report card! Obviously she is a very diligent student.
Zoe is currently in the 2nd grade at Gilmore. She is a very good student and works very hard. She is doing much better at reading and just turned 8! Woohoo! Her baptism is scheduled shortly with cousin Carlee! And might I add we have a good chance to see Grammie and Grandad there...
Cole is finishing up his year as a Kindergartener. He has proven to be a very good student and has been blessed with the best teacher ever! I am so glad that his school career has started on such a postitive note. He rarely comes home with behavioral marks! And he truly loves his teacher.
I am one proud momma, all around! My babies have done well this year and never cease to amaze me with their goodness!
Dan is doing well at work... really well! He was just promoted to the Lab Manager with a nice pay raise! He has also just found out that the lab he works in is being transfered to Phoenix, AZ sometime within the next 2 years... that means some serious changes for these Texas Haddocks. But we say... BRING IT ON!

A Trip to the Beach...

Our family went to play at the beach on Friday evening. We played in the sand and in the waves. Dad and the big kids (Dallin and Aubree) did some fishing and even caught a baby shark (about 2 feet long)!

The little ones (Zoe, Cole, and Emma) and I played mostly on the shore, building castles, wading, and looking for small sea critters (hermit crabs, small clams, etc.).

We also were attacked by seagulls (or sea rats, as I call them). But don't worry. Haddocks are hardy. The kids made sure to chase and scare them away!

San Jacinto Battle Re-inactment, Sat. the 24th

Our Family attended the San Jacinto Battle re-inactment this Saturday as an early birthday outing for Zoe. We had lots of fun seeing the sights, like wagons...

And playing spoons while a guy played the harmonica...

Checking out how they lived then...

Admiring the monument and finding cool wares...

The kids preferred the attractions over the actual battle. Go figure! In the words of a naughty Emma, "I hate that part!". It was loud, but cool for Grammie, Mom, and Dad, though.

When the excitement was over, we headed back to the parking area. It was a long day and we had some tired kidos. They hopped aboard the wagon (loaded with a big ice chest and 4 folding chairs) and had Dad wheel them to the van. Poor Dad! We had fun overall.

Haddock Horsewomen

Aubree (with her eyes closed, bummer!) went last, because she's such a sweetheart!

Zoe was the first one on! That girl has no fear!

Emma was enchanted! How fun!

Having Fun In Hockley, TX

Grammie took the three girls to visit a beau in Hockley yesterday. (She's gonna kill me for calling him a "beau" and not a "friend". LOL) Josh was kind enough to take the girls to visit his brother's horse and cows. The girls LOVED feeding the animals treats and riding the horse (well, they at least sat on the horse while it was walked around).

Even Grammie had to join in on the fun. Good thing she used to ride horses... he tried to buck her off! But she's a fiesty one. She dug in those knees and stayed on. I think that Josh was impressed! ;)

They even got to ride on the four-wheeler! Our little girls are ready to move to a farm now!

BTW, isn't he a nice looking man? Mom, I give you 2 thumbs up! And so do all 3 of your grandaughters! ;)

Easter Fun

Yet again I am snagging photos from Sharon's blog. Let's face it. I stink at taking pictures and she rocks at it!

The kids had such a fun time with their cousins! They colored eggs, the Easter Bunny came, and they did an egg hunt with cousins. Too fun!

Bluebonnet Babies

All these photos were swiped from Aunt Sharon's blog. She took all these shots on Good Friday. We went for a short visit on Easter weekend. It was fun!

While Dad's away on a work assignment in Venezuela...

I have been missing my husband a TON! (The kids are driving me nuts!) Dan left last Tuesday night and will be back on Friday afternoon. He has been traveling alot while gone (all over Venezuela). I know he's tired.
This past week was crazy. I spent all day Wednesday and Thursday preparing for a pampered Chef party at my house Thursday evening. The baby I am watching was very fussy on Thursday. She wasn't feeling well and cried alot. I pulled everything together at the last minute for my party. I'm just glad its over with. Friday was more leisurely. But Saturday was hard. I took the kids to Armand Bayou nature Center. I thought they'd love it. They liked it for the first hour. And whined the rest of the time. Fun! Once we got home Cole was a screaming pain in the rump! He's been on my "list" all weekend! Sunday was spent at home and not at Church because Emma's has been ill all weekend.
Today is Monday. I hope the rest of the time waiting for Dad to get home is more stress-free! The kids are going to have to go easy on me...

Our Anniversary

Dan and I celebrated our 12th Anniversary tonight. Its hard to believe that its been 12 years since our wedding. I scheduled a sitter a week or more ago and we still had no definite plans as we walked out the door. We ended up seeing Avatar 3-D, which we loved. Afterward, we just picked up chinese take-out. When did we get so lame? I guess that's what old, fat people do... ;)

Dan made the joke that we are getting behind. We had 5 kids by our 10th anniv., so naturally we should have 6 now, right? Haha. Funny. I am not even ready to consider whether or not I will have another. When and if the time is right, i will know. Its just not now.

Reflections Upon the Past 12 Years:

We've made some mistakes, but getting married is not one. We have struggled along with finances, schooling, callings, illnesses, and raising a family. But the important thing is that we did it together and grew in unity. I still look at my now plump husband (I'm no looker myself now) and see that hot, cute boy I fell in love with. And more. Now I see the hard worker he is, intelligent, patient, and loving. He has served with all his heart and soul in his priesthood positions and has been such a wonderful father and husband, as well. And he stills makes me giggle. He is my love. And he always will be.

To all those people that advised me against getting married to this young man: I am glad that we, as a unified team, proved you wrong! :P

To all those soliciting unwanted advice about when we should start our family, because its better to "wait and have fun first": Your advice might have cost me my eldest son, and :P on you!

I am going to bed tonight feeling very grateful for my loving husband and to my Father in Heaven for sending him my way. I am also thankful for my 5 stinkers, 2 of which are already asleep in our bed, waiting to make me into a "mommy sandwich" (they have heat-seeking mommy sensors that always find me no matter where I am). At least I never have to sleep alone. ;)