Ryann's Prince Charming

Ryann is obsessed with Cinderella. I didn't know the Disney Princess Obsession started so early...she is not even two! We actually try our hardest to not let her watch a lot of TV, but she did get to watch this movie last week on our way out of town. We borrowed my in-law's DVD player....which was a life saver!!! She watched it on the way down...and the next day...and the next day...etc, etc. She loves her some "Pincess Ella" Whenever Prince Charming comes on the screen, Ryann says really loud, "Daaadddyyyy!!" I caught her hugging herself and saying "Awwwww, Daddy" when Cinderella and Prince Charming were dancing. Sigh....melts my heart.

SpringBreak!

Last week, my family took us on vacation to Rockport, TX. They rented a house where my dad could just walk out the back door and fish....perfect for him and so relaxing for us. This was Ryann's first trip to the beach and she loved it. It was so nice to get away and spend time together. Mark has to study A LOT...with how many hours he is taking. It was nice to have a week where he didn't have to go to school. He still had to study, but at least the scenery was better than a cubicle at a library:)

Study Break....I love this picture.

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for a FABULOUSLY FUN trip! Wish I was still there!




Ryann got her beach on. I seriously cannot get enough of her chubby legs and feet, I love them so much. Ry wears the same size shoe as my 3 1/2 year old preschoolers...the girl's got some BIG feet




Jason made a friend

Ryann fine-tuned her ocean kayak skills this week



You are never too old to wear a bib

Miss Sassy Pants

2 out of 3

2 out of 3 of these lovely ladies are pregnant.....and I am not one of them! My homegirls Annie and Liesel are pregnant and I couldn't be happier for them. Annie is due in September and Liesel is post-due (praying that Baby Rios comes sooooooon, I am dying to know what she is having and what she is naming him/her, so exciting!!) Annie and Liesel, I am so happy for you....and I have to admit a bit jealous that your little ones will be the same age, and probably best friends....but oh well, Ryann can show them the ropes. Love you both...You both will be AMAZING mothers!

And the Oscar goes to.....

Mark Lamb....for his portrayal of "Troy Bolton"


Every Year since I was little, my family has an Oscars- watching party. Usually it consists of a meal that resembles aspects of all the 5 Best Picture Nominees, but this year my mom added the costume element. We all came as movies from 2008. It was a ridiculously FUN evening filled with food, games, and individual awards. I am blessed with such a creative, cute, and super-fun mother.
The Oscar meal
1. From "The Reader": Alphabet Soup
2. From "Slumdog Millionaire": Chicken Curry
3. From "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button": Corn Bread
4. From "Milk":Milkshakes
5. From "Frost Nixon": Frosted Preztles (Because Nixon was so 'Crooked')
Mark and I went as "High School Musical 3" and Ryann went as "Kung Fu Panda"





My dad ("Slumdog Millionaire"), My mom ("Rachel getting Married" and"Revolutionary Road") , and my brother ("The Wrestler")

LoVe.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY 2009

Ryann dancing in her Valentines outfit. She had a happy day.


look how long her hair is getting!!

My all time favorite book is To Kill A Mockingbird. I have read it countless times and taught it to countless students. When Mark and I were dating, he gave me a signed copy of To Kill a Mockingbird for my college graduation. It is my most precious keepsake. My second all time favorite book is The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis. This book is so special to me in that I read it during a time in my life that allowed the words of this book to really speak to me. Mark gave me a first edition of The Great Divorce that he had shipped from England. So incredibly sweet. I'm so happy to add this to our keepsakes to pass down from generation to generation.




I hate breakfast foods. Mark loves breakfast foods. So, I made him breakfast on Valentines Day....his favorite, Bacon, Egg, and Cheese biscuits

So Gross

Stock Show Fun

This Past Saturday, Mark and I went to the Fort Worth Stock Show with our friends, Xiaoming, Li, and Tina.Xiaoming is a visiting professor at UTD and his wife, Li, is here visiting for a few weeks. Their daughter, Tina, is here for the duration of the school year. She is 14 years old and we think she is absolutely adorable. Before we went to the Stock Show, Li cooked a wonderful, authentic Chinese lunch, filled with food I have never seen or tasted before. It was quite the cultural experience. We had a great time with our new friends and enjoyed their first "Texas" experience.

Tina, Li, and Xiaoming



I love Mark's "uncomfortable smile" expression in this picture

Petting Zoo

Tina and I went on the Ferris Wheel, she was more than a little scared:)