Jeff's Graduation

Whoo hoo! Jeff's graduation from UTSA has been set for 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 16th.

Bristol - 7 months

Well, seven months and two teeth later Bristol is trying his best to crawl. He can get everywhere he wants - including in my purse, that was fun - but does this funky worm like crawling thing. He gets up on all fours and pushes himself forward, then up on all fours again. (I know y'all remember doing the 'worm' and I think we may remember Jeff doing it as part of his dance at Jessie's wedding. Good times!! =)
It's either that or he's starting baby yoga without any instruction or trying to become a back up dancer for Fergie's London Bridge hit. Either way, he's too much entertainment - much like the rest of us...

Goodbye to Ernst & Young.....Hello Maxwell, Locke & Ritter

Not sure where this should go in the blog, but after 5 years I've left Ernst & Young. This a picture from our masquerade themed holiday party two years ago at Green Pastures. The funny thing is, only 3 of the people in the picture still work there.
I was very burned out, and needed a change. I joined a local audit firm that's also in the Frost Bank Tower. I've been there for a week and a half, and I'm loving it. I'm going to be able to focus on nonprofit audits and have more time for my family. Win/win for sure! My new work email is hraymond@mlrpc.com if anyone's looking for me! =)

Nicole's Bridal Shower

As many of you know one of my best friends is getting married next month. We celebrated the occasion with a shower for her last weekend. We had fun playing the 20 questions game and are glad to know them both a bit better. (He wears boxers if youre curious =). This is Nicole with her mom Pat (left) and almost mom-in-law Karen. The kids also had a good time mugging for the camera - it's Maddy, Brenah, and Nicole's niece Kayla.

Goodbye Suns!

Madalyn's last basketball game was a lot of fun. You can see how much Jeff and Beck were enjoying their front row seats. We had a really good season and all of the girls enjoyed getting a trophy. Can't wait for next season!!

Bristol - 6 months old

Bristol is 6 months old now and getting so big. At his checkup he was 28 inches and 17 pounds. So he's still super long and skinny for his age. He's almost crawling - he can get up on his hands and knees, but can't seem to get anywhere from there. He just rocks back and forth until he loses his balance and falls.
He is precious and we just enjoy his smiles everyday.

First Day of First Grade

Madalyn started school last week. She is in Mrs. Bosquez's first grade class and is enjoying being with her friends again. It was a great summer, but she likes being back in the dual language program. She's changed and matured so much in a year it's breathtaking.
She won Bingo twice this week, and is looking forward to taking her basketball trophy to show and tell tomorrow.
Ah, memories....

Bristol and the Biter Biscuit

Bristol had his first go at a Biter Biscuit tonight. These things are super messy- kinda cookie consistency, but they dissolve quickly. He really enjoyed it even though he had a hard time hanging on to it. We all just liked watching him go at it. =)

Madalyn's Basketball Game in San Antonio

I only got to stay for one night of the Bachelorette party because Maddy's little league team was playing at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. They did a really good job and are showing some great improvement. They played a round robin style, so didn't keep score but all of the girls thought it was cool to play where the Spurs do.
Madalyn, Bristol, and I even stayed for the Silver Star's WNBA game that night where Maddy got to take a picture with the Fox. Way too much, we're hoping to go back and see another game soon.

Nicole's Bachelorette Party

Whoo hoo Nicole! Nicole has been one of my best friends since 7th grade. She's Beck's godmother and affectionately called 'NiNi' by the kids, and if you've been around me long, you've heard a story about her. We officially hit that point in our lives when we've known each other longer than we hadn't. Kinda crazy, but cool. We went to Port Aransas for the party and had a lot of fun, unfortunately I had to come home early, but still got to see the beach!! The ladies are Dianne, (Nicole's sister) Jessie, Nicole, Kim and me. The rest of the ladies found us later at Sharkey's.

Granny Smith's Visit

We all really enjoyed Granny coming to visit for three weeks. The time flew by, and we hope that she can come back soon. She's 86 and as fun as ever I hope that I can still have her love of life when I'm her age!
My favorite part of trip was our shopping spree at the Outlet Mall in San Marcos. I know where my shopping gene came from.

Beck's New Bathtub

Beck and Madalyn were helping my mom wash her car when Beck decided to strip down and jump in the soapy water. If this picture doesn't help my redneck street cred - nothing will. Maybe Dawn will sponsor him....

My 28th Birthday

Okay, no picture to go with this one, but had to tell everyone about my cool present from Jeff. I got a call from CHAD HENNINGS from the Dallas Cowboys, or formerly of the Cowboys. He played from 92-00 and was there when the triplets help take them to 3 Superbowls. He was my favorite player because he was like 6'6, a pilot, and gorgeous. Can't forget that part. =) So not only did I get to talk to him on the phone, but I also got a signed jersey. Very memorable for sure! Go Jeff and go Chad!!

Fiesta Texas

We took a quick trip to Fiesta Texas last Friday for our summer vacation. This summer has really flown by, and we threw it together pretty quickly. We stayed in San Antonio so the kids could swim at the hotel and went to the La Cantera mall. I highly recommend it - very nice! I bought Maddy the 'Troy' shirt she wore the next day. She was very excited that several people told her how cool it was. (Similar to my super hip Dylan McKay shirt in middle school) I'll have to explain the High School Musical phenomenon to those of you without kids. It's insane, but fun and the music is better than anything else out there.
We did Fiesta Texas all day Friday. Madalyn and Beck really liked all of the rides and even got to pose with some of the characters in the park. Beck won a Superman cape when he and I did the Man of Steel sledgehammer game, and Maddy popped a balloon at the dart throw. It was fun for all of us except maybe Bristol who couldn't do anything but hang out and wait. The last picture is Beck and Maddy watching a parade at Rockville High.

Symphony Square

We enjoyed the Biscuit Brothers at Symphony Square last Wednesday. It was a lot of fun, and the kids really enjoyed themselves. Niederwald was fully represented there was 4 adults and 10 kids there- Oh my! It made it all the more fun, and the girls loved getting their faces painted and doing crafts. One of the clowns made Beck a sword and holder that he liked toturing us with the rest of the day. Good times. They do it practically for free every Wednesday in June and July - I hope we get to go again next year.

More Christening Pics...

Bristol, Madalyn and Brenah- boy are we in for it, Jeff with Bristol who was worn out from the festivities

Bristol's Christening - July 23, 2006

Today was a very big day for our family. Bristol was christened at Gethsemane Lutheran Church by Pastor Karl Gronberg. He has been such a big part of our lives for so many years and we were so glad that he was able to officiate the ceremony. The church holds a lot of history for us- my mom was confirmed there in 1967, my parents were married there in 1970, my brother and I were christened there, and Jeff and I were married at Gethsemane by Pastor Gronberg in 2002.
One of the best things about the service is that my Granny Smith (yes, I really do have a Granny Smith) was able to be there to share in the day with us. She is here from South Carolina and will be here in town for another week and a half. Bristol has really enjoyed spending time with Granny and loves listening to her talk - I think its the southern accent.
Pictures are of: The Raymond Crew with Pastor, the whole group, Bristol wasn't such a fan of the hat, so we skipped it during the service- a four generation picture with Granny, Daddy, me and the kids, Bristol with Godparents Cody Smith, Gay Lynn Milner, and Brandy Reed.

Madalyn's First Basketball Game

I can hardly contain my excitement that Madalyn had her first basketball game yesterday. I'm coahing her team of 10 girls ranging from 6-8 years old. They are too much fun and I remember how much I love the game. They didn't win their first one, and Madalyn was upset she didn't score but are still 5 more games! Go Suns!!

Bristol - 5 months old

I really can't believe it, but on my mom's birthday Bristol turned 5 months old. He is so amazing and we just enjoy every day. He is so sweet and laid back- he loves watching the rest of us run around. Beck and I tried so hard to get him to smile, but no luck - you can see our hands trying to tickle him! I love him in red and couldn't pass up the (future) slugger onesie.

We have a busy weekend with Madalyn's first basketball game and Bristol's christening, so stay tuned!

Mom's birthday

We celebrated my mom's birthday last Friday, July 14th by grilling at their house. I snapped a couple of pics of the kids playing in the tree swing they have outside. They gave it to Madalyn for her first Christmas and the kids are still trying to wear it out. Maddy pushing Bristol, and the other is of my three and our cousin Eric.