It looks like candy...it must be candy!

Madison insisted that the foil-wrapped chicken bullion cubes were really candy. Zachary even tried to tell her from his experience with the cubes, but she had to make sure for herself.

But there was still the beef bullion cubes on the top shelf, and those must be candy- or so she thought. Funny girl!

There's a COUGAR in the house!

Lance is going back to school. The original plan was to complete a Masters in Mechnical Enginerring at UTD. Easy enough, right?

As we got more into the process, he realized that his previous undergrad degree (electrical engineering) wasn't compatible to apply to the mechanical engineering master's program. So the new game plan is to complete another undergrad degree, this time in mechanical engineering. A lot of his previous schooling credits will transfer, so he will be a junior at the end of this semester. He has talked to his academic advisor and we will be able to enter the Master's program his senior year. GO TEAM!

He will be taking majority of his classes at the University of Texas at Dallas, but a few generals at the local community college. (MUCH CHEAPER!) I walked past the computer while he was registering for classes at the local community college and realized their mascot was a cougar! The children and I have our BYU cougar shirts, and now Lance doesn't have any excuse not to wear one now. A cougar shirt is coming your way once I look at my options on the BYU bookstore website.

Can't wait to have Daddy in the picture with his cougar shirt next time!

Grandma's Legacy

My Grandma is the world to many people. First to Grandpa, who has her in his arms again tonight. Then to my mom, who strives to be like her every day. And to me, who has enjoyed my French lineage (mixes well with Lance's English and Irish =) ) and for teaching me life is what you make of it. Grandma had her fair share of ups and downs, but she has gone on. Life is one step in front of the other.

I will continue to cherish the porcelain doll we made from scratch together many summers ago.

She was a good sport to be our yearly measuring pole. By sixth grade I celebrated that I was taller than Grandma's 5 foot frame.

She was wonderful to let me stop by on a needed get-away weekend from college. Plus being able to do laundry without quarters was a bonus!

Among many talents was her able to gather and organize family history. She and Grandpa were able to compile histories and family trees and published a set for each grandchild. But I was always intrigued by her history. Coming across the Atlantic Ocean as a young child, seeing a sister being buried at sea, and coming to America with little hope of ever returning to France.

But most of all, thank you Grandma for the best gift you could of given me, my mom. We will all miss you.

My mom holding Zachary (2), Grandma Aagard, me holding Madison (2 weeks old)

Growing Pains- Part 2

Zachary is not having a good week. We are contemplating fitting him for a helmet. Then he might make it to his fourth birthday without suffering major brain trauma.

This evening Zachary saw the water sprinkler on in the front yard. He ran into his room and put on his swim shorts. When he asked if we could go outside, I couldn't say no. So we all went out to play. Soon our neighbors turned on their rainbow sprinkler. Zachary wanted to play in their sprinkler, too. We like our neighbors, so I had Zachary go to their door to ask permission. Zachary and Madison loved going back and forth between the sprinklers. I saw a hot air ballon in the sky and told Zachary to come and look. As he approached me, he lost his footing in the wet grass and ran into a plastic utility post, head-on. He instantly started crying. As I checked him over, I realized that he managed to hit his forehead on the exact same spot of his current bruise. He almost spilt the skin this time. I think his forehead is going to be sore for awhile.

Growing Pains

It's not worth two marshmallows! Zachary declared he wanted two marshmallows for breakfast. It was taking me a bit longer to get breakfast ready for the kids. So, I told him he could have one before breakfast and the other one after breakfast. He took the marshmallow and threw it across the kitchen floor. Madison saw an opportunity and literally took it. This sent Zachary running to his room crying. As he approached his room, we heard a thud and a blood-curdling scream. He had slipped on a pair of pants outside his doorway and tripped head first into the door frame. As he sat on Lance's lap with an ice pack on his forehead, Zachary agreed it was not worth two marshmallows. We now know why they are called goose eggs. We look forward to reviewing our colors throughout the week.

Another fish in the Sea

Zachary had his first swim lessons this summer. Ms. Ruth is the best! She teaches swim lessons in her backyard at an awesome price, especially considering that there was only 3 other kids in the class. So Monday through Thursday for the past two weeks Madison and I have seen Zachary make HUGE improvements in his confidence around water. Good job Zachary!Every class started with Hokey Pokey.By the end of two weeks Zachary was almost floating without any assistance.

On the last day, Zachary asked Ms. Ruth if he could jump from the tall wall. Here is the leap of faith.
Ms. Ruth presenting Zachary with his certificate. He passed with flying colors.

President of Zachary's fan club!

Here he is practicing his bubbles and getting his ears and eyes wet. Pretty cute!

Newest student in Nursery

Madison is 18 months old now. This past Sunday she attended the toddler's Sunday school class in nursery. Next week I will be able to hear my Sunday school teacher and for the whole class time! Good bye to the hallways with a loud toddler.Block time.

Madison holding on the ring for their class walk.

I don't think I will see any tears out of her next week when we return.

On the way home from church. Making new friends makes a girl tired.

I'm broken!!!

I am happy to say that I am on the healing side! =) Five weeks ago I thought I had gotten into some poison ivy. So I went to my family doctor and come home with a steroids RX and some creams to help with the itching on my back, chest and stomach. A week later new pink ITCHY patches were showing up on my upper arms and legs. As Lance put it, I was "broken" and both of us were pretty sure we weren't dealing with poison ivy. A visit to the dermatologist confirmed that I had pityriasis rosea. It means you have more itchy spots than is necessary for an intense session of connect-the-dots. You have to hate having a diagnosis that has no cause and no universal treatment. The kicker was when I was told that it should all go away within 12 weeks. ARE YOU KIDDING ME! Summer is here and sweating does not help the itching sensation.

Follow-up: I'm not as broken anymore! Most of the spots aren't itching anymore and I am starting to discover places on my body that are spot-free! My kids like that I am willing to be in the sun again and take them on walks and play in the backyard. Also we are all happy that the rash can't be passed on to each other. I don't like being broken!

Zachary has all 20!

Zachary was excited to go to the tooth doctor (his words). He did awesome, especially for being his first time to the dentist. I love his pearly white smile. We hope Zachary will have my eye sight and Lance's teeth. (Lance was in glasses by second grade and my parents probably had to sell some stocks to pay for my orthodontist visits over the years- widener, head gear, braces.)Sitting straight and tall during his x-rays.

Dr. Spence counting all of his healthy teeth- 10 on top and 10 on bottom.

Dr. Spence and Zachary

Looking so cute and brave! Happy to report no cavities!!! See you next year Dr. Spence!

Nana and Pappy's House

Lance's mom and step-dad live in Bonham, TX, about 45 minutes from us. It's a bit more country than McKinney. It is routine for the kids to go out to the fence and to call for Peppy and Oreo to come over. Larry and Carolyn helped them out by bringing out some animal crackers for the kids to feed to the horses. Madison took her allotted crackers and had a snack. Zachary was content with patting the horses.

Daddy's three favorite ladies...his mom, his sassy girl, and soft-spoken wife. =)

Zachary liked the new view.

Zachary and Madison swinging and hanging out with their cousins Taylin and Cohen.

Memorial Day celebration

McKinney's historic Pecan Grove cemetery was the place to be on Memorial Day. The memorial service was complete with rifle shots, playing of Taps, plane fly-by and various men in war uniforms for the opening parade.

Black powder really does stink! I can only imagine the smoke cloud of all the rifles on a battle field.

My patriotic girl waving her stuff to the band music!

Zachary loved seeing the American flag flying from the fire truck's ladder! As we left the cemetery, we HAD TO drive by the fire truck to see the ladder being lowered.

AND

Why you don't hold young children with long-stick flags...

Animals at the Zoobilee

We got an unique experience to go see the zoo at night. Once a year the Dallas Zoo reopens at 6pm for a spring animal-style festival, of course. It had been raining all day, but it cleared out for us to make the drive. It was fun to do the carnival games, get Zachary's face painted and to ride the carousel a few times!

Zachary thought it was cool to touch the turtle's shell and legs. He wasn't a fan of touching a snake's shedded skin at the end of the table. A picture of his face would have been priceless.
It was the opening night of "The Ghosts of the Bayou" Exhibit, which featured two babies and one adult albino alligators. We had fun chanting and acting out the Monkeys teasing Mr. Alligator song.

We thought cousin Kelyn might like to see Dumbo again.

I love this family pic. I got Madison to sit on her animal, but she wouldn't have anything to do with it once we started moving. The kids were great for being out past their bedtime.

Watch out for the snake! The face painter started a butterfly on Madison, but she freaked out. Maybe next year. =)



Enjoy seeing Zachary on the Endangered Animal Carousel ride. Madison was in my arms.

Easter Egg Hunt

Three days before Madison's 16 month birthday, she finally decided walking was the cool thing to do. For months she has cruised the furniture and pushed her walker around. Enjoy the Easter egg hunt and Madison struting her walking stuff!

Only one box of diapers!

I think Zachary has finally figured it out. We are grateful for the encouraging phone calls when he successfully made it to the potty in time. The whole process took about 2 weeks. I think it took us more time to train ourselves to know where the bathrooms were when we were out running errands. It is fun to hear him discuss which underwear to wear each day. The favorites are Lightening McQueen from Cars and Wall-E.

Yeah for more space in the shopping cart and car trunk!

Disappearing Sock Act

When socks go missing, I no longer blame the dryer. Madison usually chuckles after she has managed to take off her shoes and socks when we are in the car. I completed her laundry yesterday, but her sock drawer was still a little empty. I was amazed when I came across SEVEN socks around her seat in my car today. Maybe it is time to graduate from velcro to shoelaces, especially ones that can be double-knotted. But hearing her chuckles from the back seat are part of our drive everyday and I'm not ready to give it up, yet.