Grama Nita's Birthday

There was big Party on Sunday to Celebrate our very own Grama Nita's 88th Birthday. There were lots of cousins in town to celebrate the occasion. Grama Nita is still moving a little slow from kidney surgery, but recovering very well.

She was treated to a special song by Britton, cousin from Seattle. Britton is playing on her Grandfather Newt's guitar.


Britton has performed at Carnegie Hall with her Choral Group. That is 2 cousins that have performed at Carnegie Hall, Shane and Britton. Now do we have talent in our family or what!?!!?

Grama received a quilt from her kids, Madge, Sharron & CL. The quilt has a history. It is made from pieces that have been saved for YEARS from Nettye Pankey (Grama Nita's Mom).

Fun times in New Braunfels

This Saturday we went to Schlitterbahn with our friends the Hensons. It was tons of fun!! We are hoping this was our 1st annual trip with the Hensons.

Tiffany, Trista, Christian and I spent a couple of hours in one of the kiddie sections with Trista mastering the slides on the little ship. Christian wasn't the pro that Trista was, but he did well and had fun. Trista was unstoppable going round and round riding the slide over and over again. Christian liked to explore the ship a little more and needed more encouragement to head down the slide.

Also the park was PACKED. There were so many people there. While Tiffany and I were with the smaller kiddos, Trent, Chris & Tayler waited 2+ hours (yep, over 2 hours) for a ride on the Master Blaster. They had fun and made their way back to the kiddie area. Then we all packed up and moved to the Bigger Pirate Ship area and it had 4 nice slides...not too big and not too small. Now that was a HUGE hit with everyone. It was a perfect location for me because I could chill out on a lounger and watch everyone slide down and then go around again.

Chris and Christian went down the slide over and over again. Chris and I are thinking they were down at least 10+ times. Trista took turns going down with her Mommy and Daddy. Tayler was a pro and went by herself. Tayler and Trent went down the Torrent a couple of times too.

Christian and I both made it longer than Chris thought we would. We got to the park at 4pm and walked out just before 8pm. We were all a little wiped out the next day. Christian even took a 3 hour nap after Church on Sunday.

Silly Picture...aka Crazy Eyes

This is just a silly picture Chris took of Christian the other day...he has some crazy eyes in this one.

Story Time

Christian likes books, but lately he has been wanted to sit down with Daddy or myself and read and read and read. He and Chris can make their way through 5 to 10 books in a sitting.







Video of story time.

Sea World

This weekend Daddy and Christian went to Sea World. We thought it best if I stay home and out of the heat, plus I would just slow them down walking as slow as I do these days. They met up with the Choate Crew at Sea World.

I received several updates through out the day and it sound like they had a wonderful time. Some of Christian's favorites were the BIG SHARKS and the dolphins. It was a busy day and they got home around 10:45. Christian was so tired, but he still managed to get into his PJ's for bedtime. Daddy even bought him a nice new stuffed Dolphin and 2 t-shirts to remember the trip. (I told Chris he couldn't leave the park without souverniers and he did a great job). Here are the pictures Chris had his hands full, so were aren't quite as many pictures taken as if I had been there to help out.




Christian's legs from the knee down were pretty dirty from playing with Abby and Emmy so much, so he received an early morning bath.

Weekly Happenings

Rocky and Christian usually get to daycare at the same time most days. Here they are waiting for me to open the door to their class. Rocky and Christian have been in daycare together for their whole lives...I know that is only 2+ years, but that is where it all starts
Here is a snap shot of what Chris eat most days of the week. Add a double espresso from Teo's and this is his daily intake of food from 7am until he gets home for dinner. Random stuff, I know, but we were talking about it this weekend. We think the total calorie intake from this food would be just under 1,000 calories.


Here is the outside temp according to our car on Wednesday afternoon. It has been super hot all week.
The funny thing is that the same day it was 103 outside, Christian comes across his Lightin' McQueen jacket and then begs to where it.

What is even funnier is that we were going to see Grama Nita and take her some dinner. If you know anything about Grama Nita, then you know she would also have a sweater on her when it is 103 outside.

Thanks Mister DJ man!

Geez. I just had to post this. The DJ on the radio station I am listening to just said the following.

"Is it 100 degrees yet? If it is this hot in June, can you imagine what August will be like!?"

I just had to reply to my radio "Thanks for reminding me, Mister DJ!"

Just what an 8 month pregnant woman wants to hear...how unbelievably hot it is going to be this summer.

What makes for bad blogging?

Not having a camera over a weekend with so many cute things happening.

I snapped 2 cute pictures of Emmy and Christian hugging a Jesus statute at church, and yes it was so precious I couldn't resist and I had to use my cell phone camera.


I was walking around with Christian and Emmy at Good Shepard Church after services on Sunday. They both noticed the Jesus Statute that was just their size. I asked both who that was and they both quickly said "Jesus". Christian told Jesus "I like your hair" and Emmy took Jesus hands as if to dance with him. It was all too cute, and I was so happy to be there to see it all.

I asked the kids if they could hug Jesus, both did. Both also gave Jesus kisses...again too cute for words.

Then I have a scanned in picture of the cutest lion I have ever seen....and this Lion can dance too!

Abby's dance recital was this weekend also. This is her 3rd year of dance and she progresses so much get year. She has a real talent for ballet, but does well at tap and jazz dance too. When I say she has a talent for ballet, she is the one on stage that all the other girls look to follow for the moves to the routine and her moves are so precise.

Chris noticed a few pictures on the wall at his parents house this weekend. He made the comment that he saw a picture of Jack and Debbie before Abby...then he thought..hmm life before Abby...it is hard to recall. All the kids have brought so much to our lives in 6 shorts years....it is hard to remember life before they were here.

Gettin' Place

I bought these little cuties today at my Gettin' Place. Gettin' Place is what my Dad like to call his cool, fun shops where he would buy the neatest gifts. He loved to keep his Gettin' Place a secret. I won't do that. Mine is Austin Gifts. A cute little shop at the shopping center near Ben White and Lamar. I love this place. If I have to buy a gift and just can't think of what to get I go here. Rarely have I come out empty handed.

So the boys now have 2 coordinating outfits. I really want them to wear these shirts in Huntsville, especially for Uncle Jack. Possibly while they eat organic raisins and drink out of their all organic juice boxes. We have to do our part to Keep Austin Weird too...

In truth, I wish they had t-shirts that said...Keep South Austin Cool. Or Keep South Austin Bubbafied. I once saw one that said "Welcome to South Austin, Y'all. Now GIT!" I should have bought it when I had the chance...I haven't seen it since.

Grama Nita

Grama Nita had surgery today. Here is a pictures of just some of her get well bunch. Riley, Bailey and Shelby. Grama Nita is recovering nicely and the surgery went very well. They removed all of the kidney tumor and all signs of cancer are gone. SUPER GOOD NEWS.

Now this is a picture of Shelby's super cute HOT PINK Heels she got on a shopping trip with GiGi today. Aren't they the coolest!??!?!? I think so. Ah, to be young again! You go Shelby!!! HAVE FUN!!!

Gifted Child

I know every parents thinks their child is gifted...or really wants to believe they are...but Christian might be too smart at 2 years old for his own good.

Today is supposed to be Water Play Day at school. The kids go to class dressed in their swimsuits with sunscreen already on...the only thing daycare needs to do it put a little swimmer diaper on them before they head off into the water. The kids get to splash around for about an hour or so in little pools, at water tables and run thru sprinklers. Sounds like fun huh?!?!.

Well Christian is smart and when I started getting him in his swimsuit, he knew what was coming. He started saying "swimming pool" and I said yes, you get to play in the water at school. Then I went to put a regular Diego pull up diaper on. He cried "No DIEGO! SWIMMING POOOL!" I thought "Oh dear" He thinks he isn't going swimming because he should be putting a little swimmer diaper on too. He knew exactly what should follow putting swim shoes on and his swim suit on and we weren't doing that.

Now the really sad part of this story. It is raining. Yes raining in Austin in June when it has been almost 100 degrees every day for the last week.

I really hope for Christian and his teachers sake that it clears up and they get to play in the water today. Maybe they will at least let the kids run around in the rain a little.

Time goes by

And it moves too fast when you have a young child. I just wanted to update the blog (my digital scrapbook) with a few of my favorite Christian sayings of late.

A new one that makes me smile is..."I like your _____". He told Bob and Larry both he liked their shoes, and he tells me he likes my shirt, or my hair. I have heard him tell Chris is like his nose and he likes everyones feet.

Another is "tickle, tickle". He is so cute when he goes to tickle you, or your feet and says this.

"Dirty" there are also lots of dirty things around. It can be the new rug, the rug in his room, his feet, his hands, Chris' pants...there are so many dirty things to be found in our house...poor child might just have to get used to a little dirt her and there. It is way more fun to play with him than clean house.

"I be right back" when he runs to his room to get a car or a toy to bring back into the living room.

"Right there!" Lots of things are "right there!" Like "Baby Brother, right there!" as he points to my growing tummy.

Christian and I have also come up with an agreed upon name for his baby brother. In Farrell family tradition, we are both calling him Bubba. I ask where is Bubba and Christian points to my belly and says "Bubba, right there!"


This morning Katy was on top of the entertainment center and when Christian saw her there he told her "Get down Kitty, get down"

Another one he says and we aren't sure where he gets it is "Walk away". This could be from daycare when the kids get upset with each other about sharing toys. But Christian mainly uses it on Aunt Sheri's dogs. When they get too close he tells them to "Walk away"

A Sweet moment

Christian has a knack for stealing my heart, but this one was so sweet, I just have to share it.

In church on Sunday he sat in the sanctuary with us during praise and worship (aka singing). He sat there like a very good boy, still quietly playing with his trucks, but listening. Then when it was time to for me to go to the altar to be a part of the group to pray over Grama Nita for her surgery this weekend, Christian wanted to come with me. I never hestitated and brought him with me, not thinking he would make a ruckus, or talk too loud, or be scared. He sat on my lap while Pastor Wyles prayed over Grama Nita.

Pastor Wyles talked about how she is the spiritual leader of her family. How he has seen her bring her grandkids and great-grand kids to church over the years and here I sat, her youngest grandchild, with my child, her 10th great-grand child, in my lap, and her 12th great-grand child on the way, praying over her. Oh yes, I was crying.

Christian was so good, in a way, knowing what the moment was about. He quietly said "Mommie?" twice, but that was all. It was too precious for words. When I went back to our pew to sit by Chris I asked if he saw how good he had been up there and he said "Yes, I wish I had a camera". So I have the snapshot in my head and now I can save the moment here on the blog, my digital scrapbook.