Michigan Trip

Last week, we went to Michigan for my Grandma Eleanor's memorial service. Each day I aspire to be like my grandma. She was a woman of quiet faith, a wife and mother and always took time to listen. My scanner is broken so I can't add any picture of her right now, but I will as soon as I can.

The kids and I stayed with my cousin Rick and his family (thank you for your hospitality Barber family). We spent a day at the zoo. It was a perfect day for the zoo with the temps in the high 80's.

Here are a few pictures from our trip.

Jenna and Bobby sleeping.
Carissa sleeping.

Lilly, Natalie, Jenna, Carissa, Bobby and Isabelle at the Detroit Zoo.

Bobby and Carissa checking out some animal facts.

The girls playing at the zoo park.

Arctic Ring of Life

Natalie and Carissa near the ice wall in the Arctic exhibit.

Jenna and Isabelle

Bobby on the elephant.

Lilly on the elephant.

Carissa and the elephant. She is trying to be very serious.

Ft Worth Stockyards

Yesterday, my father in law, the kids and I went to the Historic Ft. Worth Stockyards. What an adorable little area of Ft. Worth. The streets were made out of brick and you actually felt like you were in the early 1900's. The stores were made out of the old animal holding areas, where the animals waited until the were auctioned. A train track runs through the middle of the building.
We started out thinking we were just going to the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, but once we arrived we quickly figured out we would be spending many hours there. Note...next time I will go in the spring or fall when its not 102!! We started the day at the Cowboy Hall of Fame. There were tons of booths with info and memorabilia from excellent cowboys/girls. Next we went to the "Rodeo Zone". The Rodeo Zone has a longhorn, maverick or a bull to ride (mechanical); horseshoes, and a roping section. The kids loved riding the maverick and learning how to rope. We also went to the Ft. Worth Stockyards Museum and stayed for the daily cattle drive. Here are a few pictures from our day.

My father in law dressed up as a rodeo clown with the kids. (He will kill me for posting this, so shhh..don't tell)

My father in law alone.

Bobby getting ready for his bucking longhorn ride. The only chaps in his size were pink. We told him real men wear pink.

Carissa is all ready for her bucking maverick ride. She is a mess...what can I say it was 102 outside.

Jenna driving the chuck wagon.

The kids did a Texas sized Human maze. This maze was in season 5 of The Amazing Race. It took the kids 18 minutes to find the letters M-A-Z-E. The man who runs the place said the fastest time was 4 minutes (I am sure that this person had done the maze several times).

Here is the last longhorn of the cattle drive. Bobby called this longhorn bobble head because his head bobbled the entire time.

State Tournament Champions - Cypress Colt .45s

This weekend Bobby's team, Cypress Colt .45s, participated in the State Championship Tournament. The boys played 2 games on Saturday. On Sunday, the boys beat the Knights advancing them to the semi-finals. After winning the semi-finals, the boys advanced to the Championship game against the Padres. This win qualified the team for Nationals in June.
Bobby gave all his heart and soul this weekend - he made several double plays, caught additional pop-fly balls, made outs and hit really well and scored runs for his team. Every boy made out at key times and played great baseball.

Bobby is up to bat!! Look at that perfect batting position.

Getting ready to run home.
WE JUST WON THE STATE TOURNAMENT!!!!!

Final Score Colts 22, Padres 12

Daddy and Bobby with the team trophy.

The State Champion Cypress Colt .45s

Bobby Makes a Double Play!!!

Tonight the Colts .45s played an awesome game against the Titans. Final score Colt .45s 16 Titans 3. Bobby made a double play by catching a pop fly and then tagging the kid going to 2nd base out. Here is the video:

Kids Games!

The weekend was busy. Both the girls' softball team and Bobby's team had games. It was 95 degrees here on Saturday...I believe summer has officially arrived in Houston. Jenna and Carissa's team won 5 to 0. Bobby's team won 12 to 9.

Bobby crossing home plate. I'm not sure what he is doing with his hands..

Jenna warming up before her turn to bat. Jenna got a single and got stranded at 3rd.

Carissa is up to bat. She got a single and scored 1 of the 5 total runs. Great job, Carissa!!

Jenna named Defensive MVP

Today was Jenna and Carissa's softball team's first game. Carissa is on a girl scout camping trip and had to miss the game. I am sure she is having a great time and can't wait to hear about her trip tomorrow afternoon. Jenna made all the team outs, however the Cardinals still lost.

I'm Back to blogging

Things have been crazy and my blog has fallen to the bottom of my to do list. Getting the house decluttered, going through everything we have trying to decide to keep, sell or give away plus taking care of all my other day to day responsibilities has left me with little time to concentrate on my blog. To catch everyone up, the girls played late winter/early spring soccer. Their season ended at the end of March. It was great to watch the girls grow as a team. Carissa has played for Coach Strong for all but 1 season since she started playing soccer. Its really strange and sad to think about finding the right team in the fall. We wish them much success in upcoming seasons. Bobby's baseball season started at the end of March. We are halfway through the regular season and his team currently has 5 wins and 1 loss. I love this group of boys. I get so excited as I watch each boy grow to understand more about baseball. I officially have 2 Rangers shirts now. I can't wait to get to Dallas so I can cheer on my new team (although I will root for the Astros when they play each other). School is going well for all 3 kids. Again, its a bittersweet feeling I have as the school year is coming to an end. I have been volunteering at Owens for 5 years. I know so many teachers and parents and the thought of starting over is a little scary. I am really excited for our new adventure and know God has a reason for this move. Here are a few pictures from the past month.

Carissa and Coach Strong at team party

Jenna on the soccer field. (she is on the right)

Bobby is baseball ready playing 2nd base.

Bobby Turns 6!

On February 2nd, Bobby turned 6!! I can't believe how much my little boy has grown. I love you so much Bobby and I am super proud of the little man you are becoming!!

Here he is on the day he was born. He weighed 6 lbs and 8oz - he was my biggest baby! Here he is just minutes after birth.

Here is one tired mommy and his proud new big sisters! (Jenna is on the left and Carissa is on the right)

Just Dance!

Bobby came home on Friday night. The kids and I were extremely happy to have him home. While the kids were waiting for him to arrive, they played Just Dance 2. We just hung out at the house on Saturday morning and in the afternoon Bobby had baseball practice. While he was practicing, the girls were sliding down the big hills on snow sleds. I didn't have my camera but I'll be sure to bring it next time.

Carissa and Phineas the Bearded Dragon

I am in so much trouble with my daughter for taking so long to get this posted. So, without futher ado...I give you Carissa and Phineas:

New Years Weekend in Plano, TX

On January 1st, we headed for the Dallas area. We had a ton of fun exploring the parks, eating at new local resturants and just spending time as a family. Here are a couple of pictures of the kids at the Arbor Hill Nature Preserve in Plano. It has a great playground, mountain bike and hiking trails. For some odd reason, I love taking pictures of my kids in trees...would love to have some of them hanging upside down like in The Sound of Music.

Dad and kids hiking

On Monday, we met up with my friend and her adorable girls. We had a great lunch at Grimaldi's Pizza. The pizza was great and reminded me alot of Brothers Pizza in Houston. However, Grimaldi's gives each kid their own pizza dough to play with - seriously how fun is that?? I forgot my camera but maybe my friend took some and will send them to me! Then we went to check out some local shops and parks. Plano and Allen are such family friendly towns and we are very excited to make the move.

Bobby is all settled in at his new duplex. His new job is going well so far.

I pray that each of you have a very blessed and joyful 2011.

Jenna and Gizmo the Bunny

Jenna loves her new little bunny, Gizmo! If Jenna could carry this bunny everywhere she went, I think she would. Yesterday afternoon I found her fast asleep cuddled up with him. He is adorable and weighs about 1 pound. He loves to hop around the house and play with Spikey the Hedgehog.

Spikey the Hedgehog

Check out Bobby's new pet, Spikey the Hedgehog.

Christmas Day

On Christmas morning at PawPaw's house, the kids opened presents and then we went to church. Jenna got a dwarf netherland rabbit, Carissa got a bearded dragon and Bobby got a hedgehog. I have tried to upload the video, but it must be too long because it won't load.

After presents, we went to church and then went to Uncle Tom's house for Christmas with Bobby's mom's side of the family.

Great Grandchildren with PawPaw Mix: Gabrielle, Jenna, Bobby, Carissa and Madeline.

I hope that you all had a very Merry Christmas.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, we took the kids to The Roosevelt Hotel to see the beautiful trees. My father in law says that this hotel has been putting up these decorations since his mother was a little girl. I love the kids experiencing the same traditions their great-grandmother (aka Nana) did.

Jenna, Bobby and Carissa posing by the trees.

Carissa, Bobby and Jenna at the entrance of the Roosevelt Hotel.

Every other Christmas Eve, the Garics celebrate Christmas Eve at Bobby's Aunt Charlotte's house. Its great to see all the family in one place. Santa always arrives with presents for the kids.

Santa with Braedon, Jenna, Mila, Bobby, Carissa and Rylie.

The great-grandchildren Rylie, Jenna, Mila, Carissa, Braedon and Bobby with Nana.

Sunday Family Fun

Yesterday was a beautiful 80 degree day so we decided to pack up and head to the lake. The kids played baseball (big surprise) with their cousins. They all get so competitive and we have to remind them that its Family Fun and not the World Series. Its too bad they aren't all the same age because we would have one awesome baseball team. My nephew, Julian, voted me the worst player - he said I don't pitch well and since I'm a girl I can't bat. Funny kid!! The kids also rode the four wheeler around. Jenna, Carissa and my nephew, Jacob have started to get quit daring and are now jumping over fallen logs. Its so much fun to watch them progress as little four wheel riders. Bobby and I took the boat out for a ride. We were the only ones out on the lake. I was shocked that the boat started right up since it hasn't been started in about a month. I love our boat! My dad bought a boat when I was 12 and its awesome to see 3 generations of our family enjoying the lake. Even though my dad is no longer with us, I feel closest to him when I am taking a boat ride.


Nephew Jacob picking berries.

Carissa getting ready to bat.

Jenna getting ready to bat.

Julian running to 1st base.

Bobby is "safe" at 2nd base.

Carissa riding the 4wheeler.

Jenna riding the 4wheeler.

Bobby riding the 4wheeler.