April Part II

Thumbs Up:

• This is my 100th blog post!
• On this day 8 years ago, Mike asked me to marry him! It really does feel like only yesterday, but when I think about all we've been through and accomplished in that time, it has been a long time. 

Celebrating at Abuelo's after the big proposal April 30, 2006.

• Mike is officially a B-Course instructor now! So proud of him and all his hard work. He also celebrated 6 years since getting his wings on April 25th.
• Mike took a break from his master's work this weekend to go with the kids and I to Mt. Olive for the Pickle Festival. It's only about 20 minutes from us and it's the Pickle Capital of the U.S. Anyone who knows me or the kids, know we LOVE pickles! We all had a great time!

We had to take pictures by every car that looked like one from the Cars movie!

Pickle Derby was the kids favorite game!

Of course Piggly Wiggly was at the Pickle Festival too!

• Jackson had his first dental cleaning and did fabulously! He looked so awkward in the chair 'cause he's so little. He also had his 4 year well check and came in at 43.5 inches and 36.4 lbs! 

Thumbs Down:

• Restoration of our house is moving at a snails pace. It just seems to take forever to do the back and forth between the insurance and the contracted company. I'm just ready to see some progress and am disappointed that it's been over 2 weeks and nothing has changed inside our house. We met with the flooring guy today and the carpet will hopefully be installed in our bedroom next week.
• The weather has just been crazy here. One day it's sunny and gorgeous and the next it's raining with hail and tornados! So far we've been fortunate enough to miss the tornados unlike some of our friends in the south. Looks like this will be another year of weather craziness and here we have hurricanes to think about in addition to regular storms and tornados. I am grateful we've missed out on all the dust storms back in West Texas. The grit in my teeth is the only thing I don't miss about home!
• Jackson is trying really hard to give up nap time and I can't handle it. He absolutely still needs a nap and is a total grouch when he doesn't get one. Not to mention that Mommy needs her 'me time' too! He also has no concern for anyone but himself and seems to wake Kennedy up because he's so loud.

April Part 1

Thumbs Up:

• Kennedy had a hair cut and just looks adorable! She couldn't stop staring in the mirror while she was getting the cut. She loved being in a hair salon getting pampered. 

Before...

After!

• Our garden has started growing and our grass is green! I'm still hoping for some grass in the front, but I think we're going to have to seek professional help before we can get there.
• Now that the weather is warmer all the kids our coming out to play! The kids have had a blast playing with all the neighbors. 

Thumbs Down:

• Last Saturday, I woke up to the sound of running water at 3:30am. As soon as I stepped out of bed, I stepped right into completely soaked carpet. Mike and I tracked the sound to underneath the sink and Mike turned the water off. The ENTIRE first floor was covered in water. We did our best to get the water out and then contacted the builder. The plumber fixed the leak, apparently a compression joint bust in a line to the dishwasher under the sink. All of our carpet, wood laminate, and vinyl flooring along with the baseboards have been torn up. Our kitchen base cabinets and bathroom cabinets have to be replaced as well. We thought everything would be going through our home warranty, but the blame keeps shifting and it seems safer/smarter to go through USAA on this. I think we have a long road to recovery, but thankfully the upstairs is big enough to accommodate us all. Here's just a few pics of the horrifying event!

Our flooring being hauled off.

Now to end on a happy not...hope everyone had a very Happy Easter!

We had a very unorthodox Easter this year. The weather was cold and rainy, so we had to the egg hunt indoors and as seen above, our house isn't in the best condition! The kids didn't seem to mind much as long as they get candy, they don't have much to complain about!

Someone like chocolate!

Jackson's face is absolutely hilarious!

Kennedy had to mess up a photo too!

Miss ladylike!

Checkin' their inventory.

Jackson turns 4!

Jackson celebrated his 4th birthday on April 3rd! Mike had to work on Jackson's actual birthday so we celebrated the night before.  Jackson is still in love with all things Cars, but over the last year has really gotten into Toy Story as well.  Most of the gifts he got are Toy Story and Cars!
On Jackson's actual birthday he took cupcakes to school and celebrated with his classmates. After school we  played outside and then our neighbors, Casey and her son Danny, went to Chick-fil-a for dinner. Of course the one day we choose to go there for dinner they have half the restaurant roped off with black table cloths and the play place is closed. Jackson and Danny had fun playing at home after dinner though.
Jackson had a great birthday and I love watching him grow a little more everyday! Thanks everyone who helped make his day special!

Opening gifts over FaceTime...the next best thing!

Singing to the birthday boy!

Trying on his new Buzz costume while Kennedy wears the old one.