Sorry!!!

Ok, ok, ok.....

I know it's been forever since I posted a blog. I don't like to post without pictures, but I just wanted to let everyone know I was still here!

I am finally finished with this semester. 2 A's and a B. Not to shabby! Finals are over, and I am just now able to sit back and relax a little when I get home. I am taking 3 more classes next semester (starting Jan. 20).

Madilyn and Morgan are anxiously awaiting the holiday break...as am I, of course. We are looking forward to a very relaxing 2 weeks. I cannot wait to sleep in!!!!!!!!!!

Madilyn had a wonderful 11th birthday, getting a slue of things that she really wanted! Thank you to all who made it possible.

As many of you already know....the stomach bug hit us hard! It was the worse thing. I felt so sorry for the girls...because I knew exactly what they were going through. If I was crying in pain...I know it had to be hard on them. Joy never got it (thank goodness). She took care of us all, bless her heart...as well as her stomach!

I have been reading the Twilight series, by Stephenie Meyer. I am almost finished with the second novel. I have the 3rd and 4th waiting for me when I finish. I love this series...I haven't been this interested in ANY book in a very long time. They are long novels, but they read very quickly. I was finally able to see the movie Twilight this weekend. It was good, but I would much rather just stick to the books! Way more details!

If I don't see any of you over the holidays....be safe and make a lot of memories.

Coming Soon!!!

I will be trying to post 2 or 3 more blogs with pictures between now and the weekend...Mom, I know you are patiently waiting for the pictures of Raven's Birthday Party, and I promise they are coming.

I hope everyone is having a good week!

Shawna

Some Miscellaneous Pictures

Here are some pictures from the summer and some current. Enjoy!!!!

Madilyn @ the Ranger Game

Morgan...fanning herself.

This is from when we went bowling this summer with Nicole and the girls and Blaine.

Morgan and Caitlin ... I can't tell if Caitlin is mad or what.

Madilyn, Morgan and Blaine...waiting their turn to bowl.

Caitlin and Blaine

The girls and I had a spa day this summer. This is pre-facial.

Here ar the girls all masked up!!! With cucumbers! :-)

Mommy had to have a mask too!!! Mal took this picture!

We also went roller skating over the summer...here are the girls waiting for their water! They were very sweaty.

Hailey, Nicole and Morgan

Not sure what's going on here...I think they are sanding letters. I like the pic.


Caitlin and Madilyn

Very funny...Mal and Caitlin eating a marshmellow sucker.

State Fair 2008

Ok, I have a ton of pictures from the fair, but I only posted some super cute ones. I didn't realize when I signed up for this blogging thing that I was going to have to deal with the idiotic way that they make you upload your pictures.

We went to the State Fair this year. It has been 4 years since the girls have gone, so it was a major change from when they were 4 and 6. This is also the first year that we have gone as a family, so it was a very special day full of wonderful memories.

I hope you all enjoy the pictures.

This is the girls upon arrival! Bright eyed and bushy tailed! Luckily we were able to take the little tram thing to the gate, because parking was limited. And we got there 1/2 hour after they opened.

Me and the girls...notice my hair is already in a pony...It kept smacking me in my face!




Since the girls were now old enough and tall enough, we decided to do a big ride. Now....prior to this ride...we rode something called the "Love Bug". Sounds innocent right? WRONG!!!! I had massive bruising from that ride...and as a matter of fact it is still there over a month later.



Madilyn was the brave one, and went first. Joy was not looking to great after the "Love Bug" so I was the designated rider. Notice how high this ride was getting....

Morgan's turn....yes...I rode it twice in a row. Corndog anyone?????

We went up...but had to come back down in the middle...someone decided the ride was too much..so this is us mid-ride.



This is us...Morgan is still very very dizzy from the ride...she is hanging on to me pretty tight right here.

My sweet girls...taking a little break.



Ok...here is the story behind this picture. We are at the bird show. First of all...notice you are not looking at a stage. You are looking at the audience. Therefore, you can assume...I AM NOT IN THE AUDIENCE!!!!! That's right...I got brave...I actually raised my hand to get a cool picture, and was called on!!! So...I sat on this bench...I was told to aim my camera right at that point..and then from across the audience flew this massive OWL! (for those of you who do not myspace, my nickname is OWL) I'll tell you that story later. Anyway, I didn't know it was going to be an owl, so it made this picture even more special. This thing flew right at my head and landed only inches above me on this tiny little perch! FYI...wingspan was 4ft...and I did not use the zoom button.

Photo op after the bird show was over.


Me and my girls...in the butterfly exhibit.

The girls were looking at the lily pads...I love this picture.

Madilyn really wanted this picture taken....I think it's super cute.

Back on the tram thingy...sunburned and tired...heading to the car.

In the car...happy to be off our feet. We had a wonderful time at the fair, and are already making plans to go back next year to do all of it again!!!!

Dinner with Friends

We went over to our friends (Teresa and Michelle) for dinner the other night. We had a great time. Michelle is a chef, and she made the most wonderful enchilladas, beans and rice for us. And she also made the worlds best guacamole...well second best compared to my Dad! :-) Here are some pics of the evening. Teresa was the main photographer, so there isn't one picture of her on here.....lol

Teresa's son Tristan with Madilyn

Michelle explaining the different types of enchilladas

Morgan Tristan and Madilyn

Mal and Mo

Me making my queso and Michelle finishing up the Enchilladas

The kiddos eating picnic style. They just moved into this apartment so they didn't have a diningroom table yet. I don't think anyone minded. It was kind of cozy actually.

Labor Day

Caitlin looking very suspicious, about to give me a big kiss.

Caitlin giving me a 1/2 kiss!

Madilyn enjoying the pool at Aunt Ree's

Could only get an action shot of Morgan in the pool.

Caitlin and Morgan hanging out playing.

Caitlin trying to get Ethan.

Hailey playing with the potato heads.

Blake and Ann's onLabor Day. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed the company and food. Enjoy the pics.

Ft. Worth Botanic Gardens

So, about the pictures I've been hoarding! Here they are. Not going to leave a lengthy blog here. Hope you all enjoy!

School...Work...Family

All dressed up! They were very excited to get the plaid skirts this year.

Love this picture! They both look so grown up!

Little sisters came to see them off on the first day of school.

Morgan is ready to start her day! She was very happy! She got new glasses too!

Madilyn looking very grown up! Little more reserved in her excitement than Morgan.

As some of you may know, I've started back to college. I'm taking 3 classes, and they're all online. Algebra is proving to be my weakest subject. I have to spend a lot of time working on problem after problem in order to actually get it! I also still work at the Jr. High full time. I am still enjoying working with special needs children, however the occasional heartbreak can be very draining. I am learning to balance home, work and school. It may take a couple weeks, but I am sure I'll get there.

The girls are back in school and have had a wonderful first week. As you can see, I've included some pictures of their first day. When the girls were younger I couldn't even fathom them being in the 3rd and 5th grades, so this is a pretty big shock for me. It's hard to think that Madilyn only has one year of Park Row left after this year. Then my baby will be in Jr. High!!!!!! I'm sure she'll be more prepared than myself. Morgan is getting used to the big girl responsibilities that come with being a third grader. This is a big transition year for her. We are hoping for a very successful school year for all of us!