I'm back...

ok. I know it's been over two months since my last post. I'm a bad blogger-I've heard it from more than a few people-but unless you have two toddler boys and you are at least 5 months pregnant, I'm not really going to feel bad (she says with extreme "blogger guilt" in her voice). That being said-here's a little update since I saw you last.

We went to China to visit my sister and her family and also Casey's sister and her husband and baby. We were there for 11 days but it wasn't nearly long enough. It was really hard to come back and we are hoping to go back soon.

I got to go to a really cool b&b for one my friend's birthday. It was such a relaxing, wonderful and much-needed weekend. Afterwards, I went up to Dallas to my cousin, Erin's, house. I got to take a few pictures of her sweet family for their Christmas cards. I also took some bridal portraits last month but haven't been able to post any of them until now because the wedding was last weekend. The wedding was so much fun and now I have tons of editing to keep me busy for the next few weeks. Christmas was a lot of fun this year. Aiden loved every minute of it and was a joy to watch!

It's been a fun, fast holiday season so far and we're looking forward to 2008, especially the arrival of a little girl in May!

Aiden's party on Saturday was a success. He only invited 5 friends that weren't family, and yet there were still over 40 people there all together. That's what happens when you have a big family I guess. The weather was gorgeous, which was good, because my Dad was able to drive the kids on his tractor to the back of his lot where they picked out a pumpkin, then they all painted them later. Casey's sister, brother-in-law, and their three kids came in from Austin, and Casey's parents came from Denton to celebrate, which meant so much to Aiden and to us. It was a fun, fast, jam-packed weekend, and now we're starting to recover.

Pierce LOVES his Grandpa!


Our sweet niece, Morgan. Aiden adores this girl...........The Stones from Austin

WE HAVE A FOUR YEAR OLD

Aiden turned 4 yesterday. It was the first year that he was aware of what was happening, and it was so much fun to see the excitement in his eyes. He danced all day. Literally-he was almost always doing this little, I guess you'd call it a "jig", from sheer joy. Casey took off work early and we took him to do his favorite things. We played with the trains at Barnes and Noble, we got ice cream, rode the trolley (he got to ring the bell!), went to the library to get some books, and played at the park. It was such a sweet time and all I could think of is what a big boy he has become. He has such a sweet heart. We often worry about how sensitive he is, but his concern for others is so real, and he cares so deeply, that I think we should stop worrying and try to be more like him. I am so thankful that I have a son who still asks me to cuddle and puts his hand on my tummy already to "hold hands" with the new baby. He is a gift. It's hard to believe that 4 years have passed since he came into our lives. We love you Aiden, you are such a big boy!!

We are having a little party with his "big boy" friends this saturday.

I love his little fuzzy head at this age

he still loves his sunglasses!

HERE WE GO AGAIN....

Well, I'm sure all of you have probably already heard, but we had to make it official on the blog. We're expecting another little McKown! The doctor confirmed this week that there's only one in there (sigh of relief), and that the due date is officially May 8th. This being the third time around, I'm sure I'll be showing a lot sooner than before, so stayed tuned for my expanding waistline! We told Aiden and he is now enthralled with what the baby looks like and what it is doing and wants to talk about it all the time. Unfortunately he has a while to wait, so we'll see how his patience holds up.

aaarrrrgggghhhh!!!

Aiden got his face painted at a drop-in daycare the other night. He came home and said he needed to take his shirt off because pirates don't wear shirts and they are scary.

Our trip to Colorado with Casey's parents

I know these are a littled belated, but at least I got them up at all. We went to Colorado with Casey's parents at the beginning of August. Casey and his Dad went on a week-long hike in Pagosa Springs, and his Mom and I took the boys to Durango for the week. Fun was had by all (especially Aiden when he and I took the 3 1/2 hour long train ride!)

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girls will be girls...

i never posted pictures of a trip i took with my bible study at the end of april. it was so great to relax and spend time with great girls. we went on a cruise out of galveston to cozumel.













And upon looking at the pictures i am left with only one question: how come i am the only one who still acts like i'm in junior high....

(THESE ARE FOR YOU, CECILE!)

my little model...

poor guy. he's too often the target of my neverending picture taking. eventually he just putters out and ends up on the floor like this. little does he know that this is when i like to take pictures of him the most!

it's almost summer....

the boys and I spent the day out in the front yard. pierce ate approximately 9 leaves and a few pieces of tree bark i'm pretty sure. this is before we got the watering hose out!

water fun!!

...and this is after we got the hose out!

keep your eyes on the ball in my right hand...

AND NOW IT'S GONE!!

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm a horrible blogger, I know! I can post pictures all day long, it's the updating and the stories that are hard for me to get to, so from here on out I'll post pictures and just write brief 'snipits' and if you don't like it...well...call me and you can be my ghost writer.


Aiden and Pierce with our friend, Greenley. I think Pierce already has a crush!


We went to Palm Springs, CA last weekend for a business trip for Casey. We didn't take the boys and that gave us a chance to really relax and enjoy ourselves, even though the weekend flew by! We went to a really great zoo/nature preserve there, and I fell in love with these little birds.
Our flight back got canceled and we had to spend the night at an airport hotel, but we got great meal vouchers and ate in a really cool hotel-top lounge right next the where the airplanes flew in to land. It was amazing!