Fun At The Lufkin Zoo & 18 Month Check-Up Today

Waving at the Crocs

She loved Blake's Binoculars

Bryce watching the flamingos.

Blake...walking ahead on the path...

Blake checking out the birds...

The little croc had a boo-boo!

The peacocks were 'strutting'

In front of the old palm tree water feature.

At the entrance to the zoo....C looks stunned!

We had a fun day on Sunday at The Ellen Trout Zoo in Lufkin. My parents used to take me there as a kid, & I must say it hasn't changed a bit!!! All of the exhibits are up close & personal with the peacocks wandering where they please & "talking" loudly! It was wonderful weather & we had a great time! I was happy to get a couple of decent pictures of all 3 kids together!

Caleigh had her 18 month check-up today & 2 shots. (We're all caught up until she is two years old now! Hooray!) She gained a pound & an inch since her 15 month check-up. She's now 19 pounds & in the 25th % on the charts! Amazing! She is on target & healthy. Her TB Test read much better last month, almost good enough to qualify as a true negative. Our doctor wants to wait another 6 months & re-test; we will of course follow her clinically & try for the blood test again as well...that's the only true way to know for sure she is TB Neg. There is still time to treat her with preventative meds if necessary....we would rather not if it is possible to avoid.

New Beginnings

I still think there are few things cuter than Keds!

Doing a little jig in the kitchen.

Walking to get my camera!

Babies waiting for their lunch....

Momma bird waiting with a worm (waiting for me to leave the porch!)

I love Spring...Easter...new beginnings. Things are changing around here...getting much busier with Caleigh walking! School is beginning to wind down. One of my best friends is about to have a long awaited baby! So exciting!!! Baby birds on our front porch flew away 2 days ago...I loved watching the momma bird take care of them. I let the boys ride their bikes to the other side of the street yesterday for the first time to play with a friend. I'm such a momma hen; it kills me not to be able to check on them, but I'm sure it's good for them & me. Summer's coming! It's gonna be crazy fun with 3 kids! Emphasis on the' crazy'!

Our little girl is 18 Months Old!

The first day we met...

Showing her grandmama the way....age 18 months

Walking to my sister~in~law on Easter Sunday....age 18 months on Easter~

Where did the time go?
Caleigh is 18 months old as of yesterday! I cannot believe it....I have prayed so very long for her to be able to walk; now I watch her & cry with joy & a bit of sadness...my baby is growing up...it happens so fast!

Happy Easter !

Happy Easter! Without Him, nothing is possible.

Happy Gotcha Day!

Today is the 7th "Gotcha Day" Anniversary for Blake & Bryce! 7 years ago today, we officially became Long & Lan's parents in the eyes of Vietnam. It has been a crazy fun time & we look forward to the future! We are so blessed. These were our first family portraits we had made a few months the Fall after they came home (In April)....they had just turned 2! Finally a FAMILY!

Out the window at 70

While Caleigh slept on the drive home from San Antonio, I thought I'd try out the zoom action on my camera. I don't think it's too shabby for 70 mph out the rolled up window! I love old falling down buildings, barns & landscape. I miss living in an old town on the farm. City life is convenient, but over-rated. Someday I would like to look out my kitchen window & see cows again! (And yes, that is a pringle on her seatbelt...she fell asleep eating it!)

Home 9 Months Today

Me & My New Friend

He likes to ride on all my toys!

He has a funny nose!

My funny girl laughing! Oh the drool! I wish those teeth would hurry up & come on in! :)

Home 9 months today!

It doesn't seem possible, but we have been home with our baby girl 9 months today. She is growing & changing like crazy. Walking all around...still prefers to hold on, but will let go & walk all the way across a room now! It's crazy & such a miracle...fun to watch! Her new best friend is the teddy bear in today's pictures...it even went in Target with us yesterday, to Grandmama & Grampie's house today & always in the car now. It's so funny...she fed it her pretzel in Target & gave it her drink! It went to bed with her tonight....super sweet.

Favorites From Sea World

We had a good day at Sea World last Saturday....here are some of my favorite pictures. I took too many & it has taken me forever to go through them! The boys were bouncing off the walls excited...(kinda drove us nutty!) It was really cool in the morning, but warmed up nicely around noon when the winds stopped. C did pretty good in the hotel...she woke each night just once, but was difficult to get back to sleep....after about an hour she would go back to sleep until 7:30 or 8 so it wasn't too bad. I was worried since she hasn't been in her pack-n-play in a long time....She hung in her stroller happy as could be..enjoyed the breaks with ice-cream & lemonade!