Zoo trip at the Jackson ZOO

Friday we took the kids to the Jackson Zoo. We have lived here for over a year and had never been with them. The weather was wonderful. It was only about 70 degrees and perfect. We arrived at the zoo around 2:30 and found it to be very busy, but we stayed and saw all we could. (Jackson zoo is not that big). We ended our trip with a train ride and were out of there by 5. Quick, fun, and easy...my kind of day!

Bourne Photography Hour

This past week was spring break for us. We had fun doing nothing. (for the most part) One morning we woke up and I decided to try and get some pictures of Austin and Ella since I have not had any professional pictures done in FOREVER. And, no, I am not a professional, but I did have fun pretending. This is what we captured. And, I will say that I have a new camera, and don't know how to get the flash off. Or didn't take the time to figure it out and Austin and Ella are no good with a flash. I must have taken 100 pictures and about 80 of those were with eyes closed. But, I was pleased with the final results...and it was FREE!

Who let the Dawgs Out??

austin's team...Diamond Dawgs

austin with rob after the game

after the game..

right before leaving for our first game in canton....our spirits dwindled a bit after this game!

Austin's baseball team had a slow start with a tournament in Canton ending in a 3 game loss. That was 2 weekends ago, when the temperature was hovering around a low 40 degrees. It was our first games with the team, and we were all a little discouraged..but really who could perform well, when it was that cold??? This past weekend the Diamond Dawgs played again in a tournament here in Brandon. There were only 3 teams in their age group, but after 4 games, (2 losses, 2 wins) the Diamond Dawgs ended up winning the Championship game! The parents were excited, the kids were excited..it was a great day. Esp. coming off of the losing streak of 5 losses, before our first two very important WINS. We were at the ball field that day from 8 am until the last game ended at 5 pm. It was a long day, but well worth the money! I am including a few pictures from our day!

Pictures from Rob's Big Birthday Celebration..ha!

"extra extra read all about it, we've got the best dad, no doubt about it...."

Rob celebrated his birthday in style with a homecooked meal of roast beef sandwiches(made from a real roast) and cesear salad(straight from the bag) , complete with a chocolate chip cake, cool whip, and strawberries. (the cake I made)!! We sang happy birthday to him, he opened his gifts, ate a piece of cake, and it was out the door for baseball practice. Whew! Okay..so the presents were wrapped in newspaper, which Austin and Ella, were like , "what??", but they were wrapped and that is better than being left in a walmart sack...right Rob???

Ella Lost a Tooth! (well, it was pulled!)

I am a little late in posting this..but a week ago today Ella lost her first tooth. It had been dangling for over a week, and eventually it was either be pulled by me or by the dentist. After a traumatic few minutes the tooth was out, and Ella was all smiles.....She realized it didn't hurt NEAR AS BAD as she had anticipated. The tooth fairy came that night. What a proud day! I am only hoping and praying that the one that is loose next to it, is not near as a traumatic event.

Happy Birthday Rob!

Today is Rob's Birthday. Ella, Austin, and I just want to wish him a very Happy Birthday.
CAKE MADE (check)
SUPPER PREPARED (check)
PRESENTS BOUGHT (check)
PRESENTS WRAPPED (not quite)
Better get going...

Cracking Me Up!

Ella enjoying her pecans!!!

Cracking away!

My view from the window! (Ella obviously in her own little world)

I know I haven't posted in forever, but I have just been busy, what can I say? But, I had to share this.. I thought it was funny!

Ella has gained a new found love of our backyard. For a while, it seemed she had no interest in being outside esp. by herself, but lately has been playing around out back quite a bit.

Tuesday, I was sitting at my computer, and noticed the stillness of the house...which typically is unusual. I got up and walked to the den. I could hear Austin upstairs playing his playstation. So check, one down, one to go. Remembered that Ella had decided to go out back, so I walked back to my bedroom and looked out the window to check on her. I found her sitting in the middle of the dirt, in her OWN LITTLE WORLD, with a bag of pecans (some that Rob's mom and dad had brought to us a while back), with a pecan cracker, eating pecans! I snapped a picture of her from the bedroom window, and just watched her for a few minutes.. She seemed to be enjoying this moment so well, that I hated to disturb her. I let her crack away at the pecans for a few minutes more and then, I had to go out back and get a picture of her. She was enjoying herself immensely! And, it really was "cracking" me up! Best part.. she had her afternoon snack, and I didn't even have to fix it!