Time Flies!

Well, well, well, I guess I've done it again.  Here we are in the 17th week of the year ( I think), and I am still on new thing number 8.  I guess this blogging thing is a little more time consuming than I thought it would be.  I'M SORRY PEOPLE!!  I know you have been checking my blog like crazy wondering when there will be an update.  Haha!  So here are a few updates for ya!

#8  He's got WiNGS! 
Marc and I went home to Mississippi for Spring Break.  Ryder came along too, of course!  Marc flew with us and stayed a few days before going home.  This means that I flew back to Houston with Ryder solo.  I won't go into detail, but it wasn't so smooth with one parent.  All you need to know is that flying with a baby was a new thing that I tried!
We had a GREAT time in Mississippi!  Marc finally got to go to Utica with me.  This is where my grandparents live, and a place that means so much to me.  Here are a few pictures.  Unfortunately, we didn't take too many while in MS.

Mee Maw, Me, Ryder, Paw Paw, Mom, and Aunt Lisa

Paw Paw and Ryder man doing what he does best!

 I thought this was a cool picture.  It is one of PawPaw's old cotton pickers in an old chicken coop.  Nice photography Marc!

 This picture makes me smile.  This is Granny's (my great grandmother) house.  Paw Paw grew up here.  Many great memories! 

#9  and #10 Two Birds with One Stone
Haley and I decided it would be fun to do a 5k.  Well, the one that Haley found involved wearing tutus.  Haley made them and did a FABULOUS job!  Pictures were very limited because we didn't have a camera.  This counts for two "new" things because *it was the first time I ever ran in a tutu...AND *the first time I ever wore a tutu!  Good times!

#10  You Better Learn to Crawl...Before I Walk Away 
That would be the lyrics to a Kings of Leon song that I found quiet appropriate for #10.  Although Ryder was NOT crawling at the time, he sure did enjoy going with me to his very first concert, Kings of Leon.  They put on a free outdoor concert.  Ryder and I walked 3 miles there, put down our blanket, and jammed!  He wasn't sure what was going on at first and expressed that by SCREAMiNG and crying, but he eventually loved it...as you can see below.  Angie, my bestie since high school, came with her crew to hang with us for a bit! Marc had to miss this one because he was showing our house.

 I tried to rotate this so many times.  I was not successful.  Sorry!

Once we got home...

#11  We FON DID IT!!! 
The Melting Pot that is.  Have you been there?  If not...you must!  I went with my girls, and we had a BLAST!  We were even told to lower our voices.  Can you believe that?!  haha.

Ok, that's enough newness for the night.  However, I must post some more pictures of RYDER!!  He is now 8 months old (tomorrow).  He is crawling and pulling up.  HE IS HUGE!  Seriously, he wears 12mo clothes and those are snug.  He is talking a lot, and says "Mama" all of the time.  No, not to me.  I think it's on accident, but that counts right?

I love this one! 

This past weekend we went to Galveston.  It was REALLY windy, but we took the kids out to the beach with Gloria and Mamo.  I will post more pictures of this day, but wanted to post a couple.

Jordan and Ryder playing.

I will also do an Easter blog later, but I could not resist giving you a peek of Ryder's outfit.  Mom and I found this outfit in Jackson when I was home.  However, she had to mail him a new one...a bigger one than the original!  Surprise! Surprise!  He couldn't fit into the 9 mo when he was 7 mo! 

Family Easter picture! 

Well, I'm blogged out!  Have a great night! 

Falling Behind!

I know I'm really behind, and I'm getting grief about it.  Sorry!  However, I'm still trying new things, and today I have 4 new ones to share with you!  Make sure you're sitting down because they are super exciting!

#4 - Fish Tales
On my quest to try new things, I decided to try cooking and eating Tilapia!  This doesn't sound like a big deal, but for those of you who know me you know I hate fish.  However, I thought maybe my taste buds had changed over the years.  Here's what I prepared:

Result?  Taste buds have not changed.  I took one bite and one bite only!  Yuck!  Marc really liked it though!

#5 VEGAS BABY!! 
I made the journey to Las Vegas for the first time.  Wow!  That place is crazy!  I have just a few things to say about our trip.  We had a blast, but I have yet in my 28 years to feel old until I visited a club in Vegas.  I did not know a single song they were playing until Jessie's Girl came on.  I jumped up and shouted "YES!!" and  I'm pretty sure everyone else went and sat down!  haha!  I also felt old when I looked up and saw a dancer dancing on a platform (it was a regular club, I promise!) and the thought that came to my mind was "Where is her mother?"  Wow!
It was a lot of fun though. I want to go back and go to some shows.  We went for our cousin's wedding.  I really thought that I was going to win millions, but it just wasn't in me this time!  Watch out Vegas!  I will be back!

Yes, Elvis married them! 

 Bride and Groom!

I guess I still think it's cute to do this.

 I WON!!!!  First spin, $10.00! I cashed out! 

 I think this is hilarious!  

 Blue Man Group

 Handsome! 

 
#6 - Watching the Weight! 
Haley and I started weight watchers!  I was quite obsessed with it at first.  So far, 10 lbs down!  Yah!!  I highly recommend the program.  It is a lot of fun if you have someone to do it with.  I know Marc is really tired of us referring to everything as "points" but he is really supportive and enjoys the food we make!

#7 - Home Sweet Home!
We're moving!  Yes, we have decided to build a house.  They started building and it should be ready this summer.  We will miss our downtown views, but will enjoy having a backyard and ONE story. Currently, we have 3 and those stairs get really tiring!  So, if you're looking for a house in the Houston area we have one for sale!!  Spread the word!!

So, those are my new things!  Here are some pictures of Ryder.  He is holding his own bottle now, trying to start crawling, and has teeth!  Well, a tooth and one very close to appearing!  I can't believe how big he has gotten.  Oh, and I'm pretty sure I have heard him say "Ma Ma!"  I think...

Ryder - 6 Months!

Playdate with cousin Elias! 

#3 Westside Story

Well, I'm a little late on the post, but I'm doing the best I can!  Marc and I had a date night last week.  We went to eat at Samba Grill, a Brazilian grill http://www.sambabraziliangrill.com/.  It was delicious!  We highly recommend it.  However, if you're on a diet and don't want to fail, get rid of the rolls that are on the table.  I failed miserably!  That brings us to the #3 new thing for the new year...After, we went to see Westside Story.  It was GREAT!!  I don't know how I missed out on the story after all of my years in school, but somehow I did!  I guess I cliff noted it in high school!  The musical was really good.  However, I had a really hard time believing that the lead guy was a gang leader...something about a man dancing around and fluttering his feet does not strike me as tough, but it was entertaining nonetheless (sorry if that offends anyone).  

 Here are a couple of pictures of the little man.  Daycare is going well.  He's been a bit sick lately, congestion and other daycare funk, but he's still smiling!  I'm waiting on Haley to send me some pics that she has taken.  Stay tuned, and I will post them as soon as she gets on it!  Have a great week everyone! 

Ryder - 5 months 

#2 Vietnamese Please? No Thank You!

I don't know if any of you caught Food Truck Wars on Food Network, but it was GOOD!  Ever since I saw the Nom Nom truck I have wanted to try a Vietnamese sandwich. Haley and I went to a Vietnamese restaurant and I ordered it up.  I knew Marc would be so proud of me...and he was!  The picture below is what I ordered.  Unfortunately, that's also what I took home to Marc!  I took one bite and saw the dark meat chicken.  YUCK!  So, that's number #2 for the year.  I tried and that's what counts right?!?!

It's been a great weekend and a great day off today!  Here are some pics of the little man playing today.  

Yes, he is wearing a cop uniform in the first 3 pictures.  Haha! 

 He's really focusing in this picture! 

52 New Things in the New Year!!

Ok, so ....I know.  It has been over 2 months since my last post.  Clearly, I couldn't handle blogging and working.  However, it is a new year, and I'm READY!  I've been thinking a lot about this blog and how much I really want to keep it up.  Today, I decided that my new and improved blog is going to be "52 New Things in the New Year."  So, what does that mean exactly?  Well, I'm going to try 1 new thing ever week for the next year.  I kind of have a hard time trying new things.  I like what I like, you know?  So, I thought this would be a great idea!  Hopefully (fingers crossed) I will stick to this!  Don't get too excited right away though.  These things don't have to be wild and crazy.  I'll do my best, but a new thing no matter how wild is my goal.  Take #1 for example....

1.  Painting my nails a COLOR!! Yes, that's right!  A color!!  Let Me Entertain You is the color I have on my nails.  This may not be new to you, but to me?  Oh yes!  I'm a French Manicure kind of gal.  I always have been.  SO, my new thing for this week is painting my nails a beautiful color...and I like it! Check it out...

Ok...so on to what you all really care about...Ryder!  Man is he huge!  I can't believe how fast he has grown.  Everyone warned me!  Where to start?!?!
 I'm sure everyone has heard the story, but after 3 days back to work, Ryder hit my in the eye with his finger nail.  The doctor said he "took a chunk out of my cornea."  So, I ended up missing another week of work.  It was really painful!

Moving on...Marc and I spent Thanksgiving in Mississippi.  We had such a great time and ate lots of good food!  Since we were going to be in Texas for Christmas, we went ahead and had our Christmas with my family at Thanksgiving.  Here are some pics!

 Haley came home from Thailand!!  Yah!!  She finally got to meet Ryder and reunite with Hutch.  Look at what she brought them!! haha! 

 What a precious family! 

 Mee Maw making Ryder laugh! 

 This picture makes my heat smile! 

 Ready for some turkey and Mee Maw's dressing! 

In December we went to San Antonio with Daniella and Jason (Marc's sister and husband).  We took the kids on the River Walk and had a blast!  The next day, we went to Marc's Uncle's house where we hung out with his whole family.  It was great seeing everyone! 

Before we left:

 This is a picture of Jordan and Ryder on the River Walk.  Clearly, Ryder can't hang with his cousin Jordy! 

Grandpy and Gigi with the babies!

Family pic. 

Next, Christmas in the Woodlands with Marc's family.  We had a blast, and AGAIN...ate too much!  

Marc with Ryder!  haha! 

My precious niece! 

Jordan and Ryder got these Chevy cars for Christmas.  Aren't they cute!  Ryder got the little push car that Jordan is on!  Can you see her?  Too cute! 

 Mamo and Ryder

 Marc and Fisher

 Oh Christmas Tree! Oh Christmas Tree! 

So, I officially spent my first Christmas away from home.  It was great being with Marc and his family and seeing the way that they do things.  As soon as Gloria pulled out the Honey Baked Turkey, I knew everything would be ok!! haha! (my mom always has one for us!) It's great being married into a family that does things like my own family! 

Finally, we went to Austin for New Year's.  My mom, dad, and Haley were there also. We got to ring in the New Year with a new little blessing Hazel Claire Hoskinson.  She looks just like Lindsey.  She is beautiful!  

 Look at all of that HAIR!!  WOW!! 

Finally (again), Ryder completed his first trial run at the daycare today!  The school was opened.  So, I went to work for a little while and he got acquainted with his new friends!  Here he is all dressed up and ready to learn! 

So now we are to January!  WOW!!  Time flies! Haley made it back from Thailand safe and sound.  She is staying with Marc and me until she figures out what she wants to do.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she stays close to home.  We miss her wayyy too much when she is gone!!  
I hope all of you are ready to bring on the New Year!  I also hope that it is filled with lots of love and many blessings.