Stairway Wall

So, finally, after a few months (from start to finish), I completed this project!  I started collecting picture frames awhile back knowing that this is what I eventually wanted to do.  I got some at garage sales, some were given to me, and some I already had.  Once I thought I had enough, I got to work...

I laid them out on the floor to get a feel for how I wanted them to look.  Then I had to take out some glass.  Some of them had glass and some didn't.  I just broke it out.  I know, I know...  It wasn't the safest of projects, but luckily my husband wasn't home, or I would've had to do it another way.

So, once the glass was out, I wiped them all down, took out some hardware (that I put back in later, cuz I like the added character it gave), and began spray painting.

After about 5 coats of paint (no, I didn't prime - my mistake!!), I brought them back in and began to hang.  Some, I put up with nails and picture hangers.  Some of the lighter ones, I used the Command Hook brand velcro picture hangers.  I love that stuff!!  It makes them hang straight (forever!!) and is super easy!

Before...

After...

I also added our last name in black vinyl. 



We're Back!

So, Cason reminded me today of our blog.  It even took us a few tries to find the actual site.  I couldn't remember the web address.  But, we finally did.  He wants us to start blogging again so we have our "own website", according to him.  So, this is our attempt to start blogging again and get back to keeping up with this site.  As if I need anything else to do.  We'll see how it goes...

Got it!

My new camera is here! I'll be getting some pictures on my computer soon. It came this week. I'm using it and taking it with us everywhere to "play" with. It is so fun!

Last Day of School

Last week, Thursday, was Cason's last day of school. It was an early dismissal day. He got out at 11:00am. His end of year party was at 10:15am. I had Noelle, my friend, keep Brady at her house so I could go and enjoy Cason's party alone. He had such a great last day. We took lots of pictures with his friends. He had such a great Kindergarten year and I was a little sad about him leaving Mrs. Thompson. She was such a great teacher for him and taught him so much. Here are some pictures of his party and friends.

New Camera

James and I celebrated our 9th anniversary on Thursday (June 5th, if you were keeping track). For my anniversary gift, he told me that he wanted to buy me a new digital camera. Being the smart guy that he is, he didn't pick it out, but instead told me to research it and buy or order it myself so I got the exact one that I wanted. I was just thrilled!! I like my digital camera now, but it is about 4 years old, so there is much better technology out there. So, I didn't waste any time shopping. I started online and went to a few stores so I could "play" with a few. I narrowed it down to 3 and took James with me to the store so he could play and give his input. Although, he didn't really give much feedback. He just kept saying, "It's your camera, you just get the one you want." So, happy anniversary to "us"... we ordered my new camera online last night and it should be here this week. I got a Canon PowerShot SD 870 - IS. Not that it probably means much to you, but I'm so excited! It's a great camera!! Hopefully soon I'll be using the new one and you can see if there is any difference in the picture quality. Thank you, James!

Cason Graduates from Kindergarte...

I realized today that I never blogged Cason's graduation. Here is the rundown with a video and a couple pictures...
Tuesday, June 3, 2008, Cason graduated from Kindergarten. I got a babysitter to come sit at the house so I didn't have to take Brady. It was in the gym of Deer Park Elementary. They set up chairs that filled the back 1/2 of the gym and it was still standing room only. James isn't a fan of graduations unless you are graduating from HS or college. I, on the other hand, don't really care one way or the other. I think that since they have already started doing other graduations, you almost have to continue. Regardless, it was cute, and I did get slightly choaked up when they sang "Start Spreading the news... I'm leaving today". They are off to 1st grade. My sweet little boy who started Kindergarten just yesterday, is now already ending his first year of school. It really flew by fast. Only 12 more to go!

Here is Cason getting his diploma...
(Notice his arms and the public "cheering" that he does)


Afterwards at the reception in the cafeteria...

Ready for Summer...

This weekend, we bought a pool for the boys from Sam's. I wanted to get one for the summer, so we had something to do at the house (in the backyard) this summer without getting so hot. We rarely use our backyard each summer because of the heat. So, this year, we decided to do something about that!

We got the pool Friday night to be ready Saturday morning to set it up. Well, after a slow morning, we got out there around 10:30am. Now, the directions say "ready for water in 45 minutes". We worked on it for just a little over that - about 4 hours. We weren't actually setting up the pool that whole time. Our yard was not quite level, so we went to buy soil to lay out to level it. And with the help of both boys, things take a little longer than anticipated. These are a few pictures of the process from start on Saturday to swim on Sunday evening. We had our LIFE Group over tonight. After they were all gone, we put Brady to bed and let Cason have a little swim time. He was so excited!

Cason posing for the camera. He was already excited!

Starting to fill it up. The boys used it like a slip-n-slide.

First swim of the season!

Who's Topanga?

The following is a post from James: This won't make sense to most of you... We are curious as to who "Topanga" is. "Topanga" is my mystery poster who seems to enjoy reading about my family and I guess was in Puerto Rico with us? Topanga is a character on an older ABC TV show - "Boy Meets World". I hate to admit that I new that and did not have to Google it. So, "Topanga", if you don't mind... who are you?? And why do you call yourself "Topanga"?

Climbing Trees

We went to my parent's house this weekend (Memorial Day). James had off on Monday, so we took advantage and went to Winnsboro. Last week was so crazy for me, being the last week of school, so it was nice to go there and veg out! James and I even got to sleep each morning until at least 8:00am. When your 2 yr. old wakes up at 6:30am, 8:00am is "late". So, it was nice to relax a little there. Abbi was there for the week also, so we were able to spend some time with her. On Monday morning, the kids wanted up in mom and dad's tree. We couldn't help but take some pictures. I think this may be their first real tree climb.

Our evening at Kemah

Last night we went to the Kemah boardwalk to go to a birthday party. In our party favor bags, we had tickets to ride some rides and play some games at the arcade. The boys had a blast! We rarely go to Kemah because it takes about $1/person to ride a 3 minute kiddie ride. I'm just not that big on spending money for stuff like that. Kinda strange... maybe, but you can call me cheap. Because we don't ever take the boys to places like that, they really enjoyed it! And I have to say, so did I...

Riding the rides...