Family, Fun, and lots of Desserts!

London loving on Carter during a break from her soccer game!
London & Carter after church!

This weekend Carter and I surprised Brad, Robin, and London by taking a roadtrip to Kingwood! My mom already was planning on going, she flew down a couple of hours before we arrived. Ryan took Benjamin on a Merriman camping trip. I will blog with pictures later from that trip (waiting on pictures from the SIL's). I hadn't seen my sister or sweet London since Spring Break, so I decided what a good weekend to go down there. Mom had everything planned out just right. Her and London were going to treat Robin and Brad to a special dinner at Pappasito's (London's favorite place to eat). I was going to show up there to surprise them. Timing worked out perfect. I arrived at the restuarant as they were sitting down. I called mom and she took London outside to meet us. I wished I would have taken a picture of London's face when she saw us. It was worth the 4 hour trip down there. And then Robin came out to get Mom. When she saw us, she started crying! I mean CRYING!!!! We laughed because I don't think I ever seen her cry that much!!!! I was perfect. I LOVE eating out with my mother and sister because we always order DESSERT, usually 2 desserts and share. Friday night we had the Tres Leche cake and a Brownie Sundae (London's pick), I think Pappasito's make the best Tres Leche (my mom's matches it pretty close). After church on Sunday we went to Hasta La Pasta, after stuffing ourselves, yes we order more dessert! We had Carrot Cake (Brad's favorite) and Tiramisu. The tiramisu was delicious, I let the others eat the Carrot cake, I didn't want to waste my calories on it!!!!! We had such a great time spending the weekend together. I got to sleep with my London both nights, my mom took Carter duty! We got to watch London play soccer, her team is called the Ladybugs (boys are the Dragonflies). She loved on Carter the entire weekend. I can't wait until she comes and stays a week with us this summer! We were already making out our To-Do list for the week! I am looking forward to seeing her again for Mother's day. She is my little girl! Brad, Robin, and especially Mom, thanks for a FABULOUS weekend!

Through the Eyes of a Child

Benjamin in his cute outfit from Aunt Robin! This blog "Through the eyes of a Child" is for my sweet Benjamin. Every night before he goes to bed, he gets his special time (Carter goes to bed 30 minutes earlier). Usually it is with Ryan because he is the bedtime king, and I am with them most days so I am resting/watching TV. On the special times that Ryan is busy, and I get to sit with him; I try and soak in so many moments that become great memories. We were watching baseball, the Rangers, and talking baseball. We would chatter at the opposing team when they were up to bat. We would encourage our pichter to throw strikes, etc. We created nicknames for the Rangers (of course different from their given nickname). We had so much fun that bedtime got pushed back a little. Well the other night, Ryan and I were home alone. My mother had both of the boys and Ryan and return from playing in a golf tourney. So on Saturday night at 10:00, we were finishing up watching the Texas Rangers. What!!!! I started laughing and told Ryan, "You know, 3 years ago we would never be watching a baseball game." Now, we love watching baseball, especially the Rangers. Benjamin's love for baseball has made us baseball fans too. It is amazing what kids will do to you. I think I even caught myself calling the players by Ben's nicknames!
Carter in a beanie. Carter is my love bug, drama boy, game seeker, and game player. He loves to be playing with you. He loves to be held and curl up in your arms. He will throw a fit that makes you think he hurt himself. I had a chance to spend some alone time with him on Sunday. He love being the center of attention. He loves sitting in my lap and playing with my hands. Carter loves to be held, Benjamin wouldn't last 19 seconds being held. We can already tell, he is going to be our daredevil. He likes to play tough, but he doesn't like big brother to mess with him if it wasn't his idea! But, most of all he is a big mama's boy! Got to love it and enjoy it now!

Easter Family

Rylie (cousin), Granny, Ashley (cousin), and I at Easter.
Carter, Vaughn, Benjamin, & Dylan after church on Sunday.
Doug and Melissa getting Easter goodies from Ben and Carter. I bought the Valentine outfit for Melissa 6 weeks ago not knowing. I got a 0-3 month outfit for the baby. The baby will be exactly 3 months!
Rylie and I (her mom and my dad were brother and sister)
Ashley came in from college (Emery in Atlanta) to spend time with the family. She is helping the boys crack into their candy!

Finally Easter Pictures

Off for the Easter Egg Hunt at Mum's and Grandad's house.
Carter trying to "hunt" eggs from Benjamin's basket.
Easter morning at breakfast.
Benjamin on Easter morning.
Pictures before church!

It has been 2 very crazy busy weeks, but finally I found a little time to blog. Ryan had to get the boys ready for church on Easter morning. I told him to take pictures before church, he did a great job. This was the best picture from Easter. Carter was getting sick and not in the mood for pictures. We later found out he had a ear infections, I would be unhappy too!

We had a great Easter Holiday with family. All of the Rye family minus Aunt Lana joined us in J-town for Easter on that Saturday. We had a Easter Egg Hunt with the small kids then, but the older cousins had to have their hunt on Sunday. I think it was because they didn't want me to steal the money out of the eggs. Growing up at my grandmother's house, I used to take the money out of the eggs and leave the egg with candy for the little cousins to take. I didn't think they need money, I was the one at college that needed laundry money. Saturday night we went to Ryan's parent to have an Egg hunt and dinner. Then we spent all day Sunday with the Merriman's too. We had some exciting news. We have another Merriman baby on the way. Doug and Melissa are expecting their first baby in November. Yea, with Eric and Rebecca being pregnant again (October due date) that means 7 & 8 grandbabies now. I will try and attach pictures from both of the family get togethers later. I rounded out the week with working on Wednesday and taking students to a conference Thrusday and Friday. I am now resting!!!!

Smart, Funny Boys!

Benjamin playing with bubbles!
Just a swingin'!

Each day the boys amaze me more. I can't believe that Carter understand as much as he does. That little guy has us fooled. He knows everything we are talking about; and if he likes what we are saying, he does it! He was crawling across the floor, and I said, "Carter, stop, stand up, and walk. You know how to walk, stand up and walk." Carter stops, looked up at me, and stood up and starting walking. If I ask him to go get the soccer ball or football, he does. It just amazes me how much their little minds work! Benjamin is excited about baseball season. We are full force hitting the bat, that is his favorite thing to do. He is such a funny little man. He will be the class clown, I wonder which parent he got that trait from. I can already imagine the parent/teacher conferences. Once they meet Ryan, I bet they will not be able to say anything else! For example today at lunch, Ryan was trying to get Benjamin and Parker (one of his friends) to stick their nose and ear into their ice cream cone (free ice cream and kids plate at Dickey's on Sunday). What normal parent would encourage thier child to get ice cream all over their body????