Texas Trip (Two)

While we were in Texas I think one requirement from Drew and Matt was that we had to go to a Texas Rangers game. I didn't care so much, seeing as the kids probably wouldn't love it, but we all went and had a good time. Drew and Matt went and sat real close to the field for a long time because their uncle had really awesome seats. 

(Little story: Mama Pepper and I decided to take the kids home before the game ended because it was getting really late so we left. Then we get a call asking "Does Kathryn have the keys?" Oye...Drew couldn't drive everyone else home because the keys were in MY purse! We headed back to the stadium but by then the game was over and we couldn't get anywhere close to where Drew & everyone else was. Finally Mama Pepper parked and I ran to go meet Drew with the keys. It was stressful and annoying.)

And here are some random-ish pictures:

We got Luke some Toy Story pajamas but since both kids are OBSESSED with Toy Story, we put them both in the pajamas. I almost couldn't handle how boyish Gracie looked but she was so happy I didn't change her into something pink.

Look at Gracie's face! Not happy.

Texas Trip (One)

This is one of a couple of posts I'll have to do about our Texas trip. On our way there we stopped in Bessemer, AL for the night. The kids were really, really good. I'm talking no fits or random outbursts or temper tantrums. Gracie had the hardest time because she doesn't like TV as much as Luke but she was fine.

Okay, for this first installment, I wanted to post on how much work Drew's mom put into her house for our visit. Drew and I were BLOWN away. Seriously. Check it.

Bedroom

Gracie's princess-themed pack & play.

Luke's Toy Story bed

Playroom

Then as you head upstairs, you see this poster and those little shelves with Toy Story characters

Look at all those toys! Grandma Pepper has been collecting toys for a while in preparation for our visit!

This was Gracie's side, obviously. There was a baby doll in a car seat, a high chair, a play baby swing, a kitchen, and Snow White with a little cottage. And yes, Luke is playing with Gracie's toys. It happens.

The sign over one of the doors

I just love how Dad Pepper is looking at Gracie in this picture.

And of course the upstairs bathroom had to be cute!

Slinky Dog is guarding the toilet. Or drinking from it.

Gracie loved Luke's old rocking horse (despite the look on her face here).

Backyard

And the backyard wonderland. Unfortunately we only got to play with them for 2 days but Luke loooooved it!!


More to come...

Just lately...

I just had a couple of random pics I wanted to share so...enjoy!! 

This book used to be my favorite book when I was younger. In fact, I still have it. I really loved it. When I put Gracie into her bathing suit the other day, I totally thought of this book: 

And here's Gracie's tutu swim suit:

Then there's THE HAIRCUT. Drew had been kind of growing out his hair for a while and it had gotten crazy. He finally consented to me cutting it the other night. Here are the before and afters:

Before:

After:

And finally, just some pics of my beautiful kiddos

 

NC Zoo

Age 3 is worse than age 2. A little observation. I've been thinking of giving Luke to the circus lately but honestly, the circus doesn't come into town very often. But the ZOO...it's always there. So maybe I can give him to the zoo! 


We had to go check out Luke's new home the other weekend.


Okay, okay, I joke. But seriously, age 3 really is worse than 2. Whoever coined the term "Terrible 2's" didn't have a normal 3-year-old. Or maybe I don't have a normal 3-year-old. Hmmm. Food for thought. So, Drew is starting grad school is just a few short weeks and I wanted to go to the zoo before we never see him for the next 2 years. It was really fun--except that the weather website was wrong. Really wrong. It was about a million degrees hotter than it said it was going to be. Drew and Gracie were okay but Luke and I had jeans and hot shirts on...I was miserable. He was just sitting in a stroller, so I think he was fine. 


Other than that, it actually was really fun! I think Gracie was more excited about seeing the animals than Luke, though. 

I think the favorite feature (of the kid's) was the carousel. This was Gracie's first time on one and, well, you'll see her reaction...

 









So Gracie was excited at first.

 









And then she decided she needed to hang on to the mama. 

 









She stayed like this the whole time. Silly girl.

She was glad to be back on solid ground. She just wanted to watch. But Luke needed one more ride!

 









Drew also took Luke in to watch a 3D dinosaur show with him. I told him it wasn't a good idea. Drew said that Luke kept saying "I want my mommy!" Drew took Luke's 3D glasses off and he was better. Geez, that man :)

And some Gracie shots:

And on our way out:

Cow Appreciation Day 2012

The Pepper family LOVES Chick-fil-A. With a passion. Hands down, it's our favorite fast food. So how come we've never known about Cow Appreciation Day??!! Dress like a cow and get free food. It's a no-brainer.

This was our FIRST time participating. I'm saying this so you don't judge our cow outfits. I didn't know what to expect/the level of participation of other people. We did end up getting 4 free meals (even with our lame costumes). 

Girl Calf

Boy Calf

Baby Calves

With the famous Chick-fil-A cows

I guarantee we'll look better next year. Eat more chicken!!!

Baby, You're a Fiiiiirewoooork!!! (aka July 4th 2012)

Luke LOVES Katy Perry's "Firework" song. Random, I know. But I really took advantage of that July 4th morning! I played it over and over again and he continued to serenade us with it for the rest of the day. We had red, white, and blue pancakes for breakfast and then we went and had a BBQ at my visiting teacher's house (plus there was a POOL). It was a lot of fun. Then for dinner we had Chili's (nothing much more American than Chili's, right?) and went to watch fireworks. Buuuut, we didn't know the best place to see them, since this was our first year of keeping the kids up late enough, so we ended up being pretty far away from the action. And Luke got bored. But Gracie seemed entertained! Oh well, maybe next year we'll do better. 

Just a little comparison:

Look how much older they look! It makes me a little teary.

Here are some very uneventful pictures of the firework show:

Home again, home again, jiggety jig...