12.31.08 -- Dr. Appointment/New Years

Her Profile (Isn't she cute)

Well today I had my 21 week checkup and they did an ultrasound to check the baby and they checked to see if they could tell what gender it was and they determined that it is going to be a GIRL!

One photo is her foot, and the other is the side of her face and her arm. My Dr. is not comfortable with 3D ultrasounds so it dosen't look like we will be getting any closeups! We were going to use an outside company and pay for it ourselves but she said that she did not feel that that was a good idea.

After all the excitement we went to the Evans house to exchange Christmas presents with them and the Moore's and to ring in the new year at their party. We had a great time and Grant loved having the other children to play with. We were also treated to their neighborhood fireworks show where the neighbors compete to see who
can have the most impressive display. It was really fun!

Her Foot:

12.25.08 -- Christmas Morning

Well today Grant woke us up to see if Santa had visited. We all ran to the tree and discovered that he must have been on the nice list. Later that evening Grant proclaimed that this was the best Christmas ever! Dad assembled the full size big boy basketball goal that now decorates our driveway and they tried it out with the help of some neighbors.

12.24.08 -- David's Family Christmas Party

Tonight we went to Daivd's Aunt & Uncles house for their Christmas Eve Party. We had a great time and Grant had a blast playing with all of the kiddos!

Yes, that is a TV in the fireplace with a DVD of a fire.

12.23.08 -- The Galleria Houston

Today we decided to brave the crowds and go to the Galleria, becuase it is not Christmas without braving the craziest mall in Houston at least once during the season. It was extremely entertaining and Grant loves to watch the ice skaters skate in the middle of the mall. We checked out the view from both levels before moving on for more shopping. We wanted to stop by the Container Store (the coolest store in Houston) and I was able to find the perfect new spice rack for the kitchen. Overall it was another fun day together during the holidays!

12.23.08 -- Christmas Light Hay Ride

Tonight our neighbors came by and picked up all of the kids and took them on a trailer ride around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights. It was really cute and neat. Unfortunately I did not get a photo of the event but it was priceless non the less. All of the Children were so excited as they cuddled up on the trailer with their blankets to stay warm.

12.20.08 -- A McKay Christmas

Well tonight we celebrated Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa McKay's house. We had a great time with Great Grandma & Grandpa Schaller, Uncle Shaun, Aunt Sheila and Cousin Lauren. After dinner we all exchanged gifts and watched the video from Grant's Christmas Program.

12.19.09 -- Grant's Christmas Party at School

Today was the Christmas Party at Grant's school. It was really adorable and our room mom did a great job putting all of it together.

12.18.08 -- Emily's Christmas Party

David and I were able to escape for dinner at a nice local seafood restaurant for the Christmas Party. We had a really entertaining dinner with my coworkers (not hard for this group) and a nice dinner on top of that. I was really glad that it went off well because I was one of the three that were responsible for planning it this year. David's Parents watched Grant and it sounds like they all had a nice time!

12.14.08 -- Church Christmas Program

Well Tonight is the Church's Christmas Program Grant has been practicing to prepare for it and we cannot wait to see how it turns out. We made a mad dash to buy a new video camera before the performance tonight so we would be able to remember the glorious occasion for years (we were actually hoping for material for America's Funniest Videos). Last year when we were at Disney World our video camera went kaput and we have not taken the time to replace it until now and we figured with the new baby on the way it would be a great time to break down and replace it.

12.11.08 -- SNOW!!!

At dark it started snowing and it kept snowing! Grant stayed up until 11PM (on a school night) This only happens once every I don't know how many years and we were going to enjoy it. It was a winter wonderland around our house and it was very special! We really missed the snow fight with the Moore and the Evans family like we had the last time after we all put the kiddos to bed and there was not even close to as much snow that time.

12.12.08 -- Snow in Houston

Last night when Grant went to bed I told him not to expect the snow to be here in the morning, not only was it still here but it was still on the roof when I made it home that night around 6PM. This has got to be the most snow that we have had in a very long time.

12.10.08 -- Letter to Santa

Well today Grant came home from school and told us that they had written letters to Santa today at School. I told him that was great and asked him what he told Santa that he wanted for Christmas and he responded that we needed to wait and see what he brings.

12.6.08 -- Emma's Spa Birthday Party

We went to the Moore's house for Emma's 6th Birthday today. It was wonderful to see our friends (which we don't see enough of because of our busy lives) and to let all the kids play and have a great time.

12.5.08 -- Church Christmas Party

We had the Church Christmas Dinner for the families with kiddos tonight and Grant had his photo taken with Santa.

11.22.08 -- Michael's Birthday Party

Today we went to Michael's birthday party and it was a bowling party. Grant has never bowled except for on the Wii or the kiddie bowling at Incredible Pizza (both of which are not like the real thing), but he really enjoyed it and they seemed to have a really good time.

11.6.08 -- A New McKay on the way...

Sorry it has taken so long to post this good news but we wanted to make sure we were beyond the first trimester before we announced it and we wanted to make sure that someone did not spoil our suprise for Grant! I am glad that we decided to announce it this week because this is the week that I began to bloom so to say!

It looks like our new addition is expected from early to mid May. They are keeping a close eye on this one because of how large Grant was so we could two children born in the same week 6 years apart!!!!

Sorry for the poor quality but this was just a quick snap after they finished a procedure and the baby was moving alot because they had disturbed it.

10.23.08 -- Trip to the Fire Station

Today Grant's Class took a field trip to the fire station. He had a blast and they took a group photo while they were there. Grant has had a blast this year in Kinder and has made many friends. He is also reading small books now and we are continuing to work on his sight words.

10.3.08 -- Kindergarten School Pictures

Here are Grant's Kindergarten School Pictures. They took these the Thursday before Hurricane Ike hit. It is kinda cool because this is another kindergarten first for us.

10.1.08 -- Paula's Birthday Tailgate Party at Church

Happy Birthday PAULA!!!

Well tonight at Church they did the make up Tailgate party for last week's see you at the pole. I stayed home and rested after the "Fun" week we have had. David and Grant went and Grant came home soaking wet from the foam pit. Grant seemed to have a really great time.

9.28.08 -- Musuem with Nana

Today after Church we went to Fuddruckers and then to the Museum of Natural Science. Nana saw the butterflies with us for the first time and then we went to Dinosaur CSI. Nana was really impressed with the butterflies and how they would flutter you. I believe that they are my favorite exhibit and I really enjoy it every time we go.

9.29.08 -- Hospital Visit

Well I started getting a migraine last night and I was also having some weird tingles in my are so I went to see my Dr. and she put me in the hospital so they could get a neuro consult and kick my headache. At first I thought I was going to die and then I progressed into wanting to die, but I survived and after a stay and some tests they sent me home the next afternoon. I now have a neurologist that is on a mission to find out what is causing them so hopefully I will end up with a treatment plan that will fix this problem in the future.

8.29.08 -- David's Birthday

Well tonight was David's 31 Birthday and to celebrate I suprised him with tickets to the Lastros Game (Ok I will admit they were free) Well I am sitting there talking to some people from work when I look up and say oh my David is on the screen... and then they start yelling that David is on the screen also. Well long story short David was selected to play the trivia game and he won a gift card to Luby's. It was pretty neat.

8.22.08 -- Self Portrait

Grant was playing with my camera and snapped this photo. It is kinda funny so I thought I would share...

8.17.08 -- Church Pool Party

The church had a back to school pool party where they rented the local city pool and all the kiddos had a blast swimming. Here is a photo of our little fish.

8.7.08 -- Jayme's Going Home Party

Today we had a going away party for Jayme at CEC. Se was here for several weeks and stayed with Grant and Mason most of the summer. Mira came out for the party also and they all had a great time.

7.12.08 -- Visit to the Houston Musuem

Today we went to the Houston Musuem of Natural Science and it was really fun. We all had a great time as Grant explored the Musuem and then we went to the Butterfly Cener. It is REALLY neat!

6.29.08 - WALL.E

Today we took Grant to see WALL.E at the theater and it was a cute movie. (YEA, we contributed to the successful opening weekend) I was pertty disapointed unfortunately!

6.28.08 -- Space Station

We woke up at 5:40 this morning and all sat in the driveway in our pajamas and watched the spacestation go over. It was remarkably large. It has been 8-9 years since the last time we saw it and it is much larger than it was before. Grant was impressed and he is pretty hard to impress.

6.23.08 -- The Tadpole Experiment

Well we bought a tadpole house but you have to mail the little certificate in and then they will mail your 2 tadpoles back, the problem with this is they won't ship them when it is hot and in Texas that could even be in December so that was unacceptable for us. The people that live behind us have a pond so that is where we decided to begin our hunt. We got on our bikes a rode to their house and they just happened to be in the back yard and were thrilled to get rid of the pesky little things that had invaded their pond. So they kept fishing the little boogers out and we kept putting them in our cup. The optimal number that they suggested in the book was like 2 so we decided that 15 would work and our frog rearing adventure began. Well the length of time it takes them to mature depends on the temperature and as you can guess inside our house is significantly cooler than outside in the summer in Houston so we ended up raising them most of the summer. Our mortality rate was very high (so we have decided against starting a frog farm) we did fine while they were tadpoles but once they changed into frogs it was all downhill! This made for some difficult discussions with Grant on where the cute tiny frog that was in there this morning went, but we survived.

6.20.08 -- Leah's Wedding

Tonight we went to Rachel's sisters wedding and despite the terrible weather it was a really lovely event. I was very impressed with the facility and it ended up being a very nice event (I just hate it that I did not get to try the cake!) Grant was crabby and we left before they cut the cake.

6.19.08 -- UH Childrens Theater

Once again we purchsed tickets to the UH Childrens theater for the two plays that they will be showing this summer. Today we went to see sleeping beauty and it was amazing. I cannot believe what an awesome show that they put on and what a great value it is. Later that evening we had Swimming lessons and Grant is progressing quite well!

6.13.08 -- Zoobilee

Well today we went to Zoobilee with the Moore's this is now kinda a yearly tradition with our families and thank goodness it did not pour this year like it did last year. The kiddos had an excellent time and the adults did too. Danny brought his new lens and I cannot wait to see the photos that he snapped. We even ran into some other friends while we were there the Brown Family (Paul, Debbie, Harrison, Tony, Carly, Ben and Liam.)

6.10.08 -- Morgan & Miss Molly

We went out to the Crosby Fair tonight to see Morgan and her pig Miss Molly. She competed in the heavy weight division (she was a porker) and she won then she went to the overall and won Grand Champion!!! YEA MORGAN!!! It was really exciting for everyone, and that means she goes to auction tomorrow. (she ended up getting 4K for her)

5.31.08 -- OH CANADA!

Today was the day for fun! We checked out of the hotel threw the suitcases in the car and made a run for the border! We stopped to see the Canadian side of the falls before all the touristy stuff opened, there were very few people and it was really nice. Then we jumped back in the car and headed out across the Canadian country side up the border (we came back in at a different location) It was funny because I was really relieved to return to the US! Right before we crossed the border we stopped at Walmart and walked around the store and bought nothing because of the conversion factor and we can get the same stuff in the us at the Walmart down the street! Canada was beautiful and I cannot describe it but I was really relieved to return to the US even if I was still a long way from home.

The Photos:
The Tulips were beautiful and the were everywhere but most of the beds we saw we were in the car moving. There is a photo of hotels on the American side of the falls and we were staying in one of them. I took a photo of the KM/H sign the speed limits were significantly lower over there. Just photos of the falls.

5.30.08 - Battle of the Regions

Well today was the NRG Battle of the Regions and it was awesome! We started at around 8 am driving to the plant about 20 minutes from the hotel. The guys spent the night on the trailer (It was pretty chilly when we left the night before). Everyone was really impressed with the Shiner Beer that the guys imported and we made quite a few great trades for it! We got a big bag of Shrimp and they spiced them and threw them on the grill (we were getting pretty burnt out on BBQ) We also traded for two large bags of chicken breasts and they spiced them up and grilled them for the mass taste testing that occurred that evening in the tent. When the guys came back to the trailed we proudly showed them our chicken and they said let me guess another Shiner trade!

All the people were so awesome and the people from the Huntley Power Plant were such wonderful hosts! They wanted to make sure we understood that all people from NY were not rude and this was definitely true!

We ended up taking first in Dessert, First in Baseball and Second in Food! We lost by they claim less than one point to the Western Region and the defending Champs (South Central) won Third. We are convinced that we lost because the baseball team won and we want them to judge the food BEFORE the final game next year! OH WELL IT WAS AN EXPERIENCE AND WELL WORTH EVERYTHING!

5.29.08 -- Flying to Buffalo NY (not TX)

Well David and I flew to Bufflao NY today and as soon as we hit the ground we went to the power plant to help out and hang out with the cookoff team. We had a wonderful steak dinner (I am pretty confident that we could not have found better food any where around.) Then we finally made it to the beautiful Seneca Niagra hotel. After we took our bags up to the room we came back down and hung out at the social mixer for a little while then we checked out the casino.

The deer really liked the grass they planted for the baseball field!

5.26.08 -- Happy Memorial Day

We are just hanging out today with Nana & Pawpaw. WE are going to have the typical fares but I could not wait until 1pm for food so I broke into my piminto cheese and made a sandwitch. Hopefully I wont be as tempted when the BBQ arrives. I am tired of my little mii telling me that I am fat! :-)

We all went for our first family bike ride with everyone on two wheels and it was so exciting. We are so proud of our little stinker!

5.25.08 -- Annual Crawfish Boil

Brian & Rachel had their Annual Crawfish boil today at their new house. We all had a blast Grant was totally pooped last night. It was great to see our friends...

5.24.08 -- Off With the Training Wheels

Today we were out woring out in the yard and Grant was playing. He brought me his bike and requested that I take the training wheels off. I started by taking one off. I was nervous and he came back and told me to take the other one off. He kept his feet down for a minute to ge tthe feel of it, then he started pedaling and took off without any help. After all of that excitement Grant played in the sprinkler when we set it up to water the plants.

5.23.08 -- New Outlet Mall

Today we made the trip out 290 to the new outlet mall. It was really fun they are still small nothing like San Marcus but they are still expanding and I am really excited about all the shops and the quality that they seem to be attracting. Yes Katy Mills has a Gymboree store but it is not even close to the size/quality of this one. They also have a great kids area here is a photo of Grant from one of the little rides they have...

5.10.08 -- Speed Racer & Driving Range

After we went to vote this morning we took Grant to see Speed Racer. He has wanted to go see the movie becuase he saw the previews on tv and Laura and Jerry gave him the helmet for his birthday. After the movie we went a couple of places and then stopped by the driving range to hit a few balls. The last time Grant got a blister so David is helping him put on a glove in the photo. We had to get a baseball XS glove because we can't find a golf glove small enough!

5.9.08 -- Suprising Nana, G Grandma Schaller & Grandma McKay

Today Grant and I suprised all his Grandmas and Great Grandma! We went by and dropped off cards and flowers for each of them. Grant loved Grandma McKay's School he always enjoys seeing her classroom. When we went to see Nana at work she had a little break so she highlighted some of Grant's spikes. It looks SOOO CUTE!

5.4.08 -- Emma's AJDC Performance

Today we went to Emma's AJDC performance and I snapped this photo of Grant and Hannah in the crowd waiting for Emma to perform. She was SOOOO Adorable!

5.3.08 -- Grant's 5th Birthday

Today we had Grant's 5th birthday party!!! We had a baseball theme this year and it was really fun. Here is a photo from when we were all singing Happy Birthday to Grant.

4.28.08 -- Grant's 5th Birthday (the official day)

Today is Grant's official Birthday and we made the mistake of telling him on a regular everyday work day! It is kinda funny because this is the way the days fell on the year that he was born! Well we were worried becuase he was expecting a birthday party and we had to go to work! I had mentioned to mom that I was worried that he was going to be disapointed and Nana showed up with cake and toys and had a party for him. Grant was SOOOOO happy!

4.19.08 -- TX Family Picnic & BBQ Cookoff

Well we went to H&H Ranch for the 2008 Family Picnic and BBQ Cookoff. Again this year I was on the cookoff team and we took second place overall and I entered a baking entry and won first place in asthetics. I was SOOOO excited and I won a 100$ giftcard and a book on cupcakes! It was SO AWESOME!!! In addition I was selected by the winning team to join them in NY at the Huntly Plant for the 2008 Battle of the Regions as a member of their cookoff team!!! (Please don't mention this as we have not told Grant yet becuase he will not be joining us on this trip.) I have attached a photo of Grant and I that Albert from work snapped! (Thanks Big Al!)

4.7.08 -- Zeke's Seventh Birthday

Today was Zeke's 7th Birthday. Zeke and Grant were rolling in the floor playing and it was too funny.

3.29.08 -- David's Mom's New Car

Today we spent the day with David's Parent's and we went to Sterling McCall Toyota and selected a new Toyota (it is BEAUTIFUL!!!!) She picked a Grey Highlander and she is the newest member of the Highlander Club (My mom was the charter member with the first year model) Afterwards we went to Pappa's BBQ and had a wonderful late lunch/early dinner (the free hotdogs at the dealership just would not cut it for the adults!!!!) Grant, however, could not leave without one hotdog and a glass of orange soda. I need to add a photo (I forgot my camera at home)

We also met our new neighbors and it looks like Grant is going to have two new friends, Claire and Jax! They are too cute and Grant had a blast playing with them at their house.

3.28.08 -- Yearly Bluebonett Photo

Grant and I went on our yearly excursion to find those special flowers that only appear each spring in Texas. David feels cheated so we will still make our yearly trip to the hill country but I found a really nicer patch right here near the house. I feel like hey, I have these on the hard drive whatever else we get is just a bonus!

3.24.08 -- Good Monday

Well it was back to the salt mine today but after work we took Grant to the park and had a nice little walk and enjoyed actually getting to be outside for a change.

3.20.08 -- Rodeo -- Dierks Bently

Tonight we got suprise tickets to the rodeo thanks to someone at work and we went to see the show. It was a real treat because we thought that were finished for the year and we got to enjoy one more show.

3.23.08 -- Easter Sunday

Well today we started the day with Breakfast at a local eating establishment (Sorry I cannot name names they won't pay me for advertising) Then we went to Church for Easter Services. After all that excitement we came home and rested for pretty much the remainder of the day.

3.16.2008 -- New Living Room Furniture

Today we went and picked up our new furniture with the help of David's Parents (we nearly lost the couch on 45 but the delivery was free) Everyone needs a little adventure every now and then. I LOVE MY NEW LIVING ROOM FURNITURE!!!!

3.15.2008 -- Rodeo Houston 2008 Brad Paisley

This afternoon we went to see Brad Paisley at the Rodeo Houston, we had a wonderful timeand really enjoyed the show. I know you can't tell much from the photo I took my POS (point & shoot) and it just cannot reach that far, but you get the idea from the photo.

3.15.08 -- Church Easter Egg Hunt

We went to the easter egg hunt at church today and we Grant had a wonderful time hunting for the eggs that they hid in the pasture behind our Church. Ms. Elindabeth read the children stories about Easter.

3.14.08 -- Hannah's Birthday

Happy Birthday Miss Hannah!!! We went to her lovely party last weekend.

3.09.08 -- Rodeo 2008 -- Hannah Montana

This afternoon we went to see Hannan Montana at the Rodeo. It was a really nice show and Grant really enjoyed getting to see the person that he watches on the Disney Channel all the time.

It was really neat also because one of my co-workers kiddos was in the calf scramble. Lizzie did not catch a calf but she sure did give it a great shot.

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY DYLAN!!!

3.11.08 -- Rodeo 2008 -- Rascal Flatts

Tonight we went to Rascal Flatts and this year 1) David did not have to leave town for work!!!! 2) The preformers actually made it!!!!!

It was a really good preformance and Grant really enjoyed it!

3.7.08 -- Hannah's Build-a-Bear Party

Today we went to Hannah's Build-a-Bear party at the Woodland's Mall. All of the Kiddo's (and there were a TON) had a blast. Grant totally loves his dog that he built at the party.

3.6.08 -- Rodeo -- Alan Jackson

Tonight we went to see Alan Jackson and David's Parents joined us. After Dinner at Pappa's BBQ we had WONDERFUL seats for the Rodeo and the show and a great time was had by all. Alan Jackson is a great preformer!

It is Going to be a busy weekend, Tomorrow night we are going to Hanna's Build-a-Bear Birthday Party at the Woodlands Mall and then the following Day will be Dylan's 1st B-day.

(Please forgive me I got some of the posts out of order!!!

2.17.08 -- Dinner after Church

Today after Church we had dinner with my Dad's sisters. Don Piper (90 Minutes in Heaven) came to Mom & Dad's Church to speak (it was wonderful). afterwards they all came over to our house for lunch and we had a really nice time catching up. Here is a photo of me with My Aunt Lee (the one I am named after) and Ada.