Its been a long, long time...

It has been a long time since my last blog...which was right after Beth's 1st birthday (June 12)...so a lot has been going on. We sold our house in San Angelo and moved in with my mom and dad in Paint Rock...no we are not in financial woes...we are happy to say John's parents gave us a few acres so we can build our own home....woohoo!!! So pray for my mom and dad...and us...b/c even though there is lots of love in that house....it hard to go back home if you know what i mean.....

with all that said...this is the picture of our land....my truck is in the future garage...and they started on the pad on June 29th. We spent July 4th in Rowena at the cookoff - it was fun...but who's idea was it to build a fire on the hottest day of the year?!?!? So we took off after the BBQ results were in and headed to Nanna Sally's house.

Beth got in her little speed boat as soon as we got there to cool off...she loves that thing.

Here she is hanging out on papaw's lap.

She convinced Papaw to sit with her in the hot tub...and he taught her how to spray mommie with the fountain...you can tell they were both having fun.

And yes...nanna Sally joined Beth and Papaw in the hottub.....they had a good time. How lucky we are to have young grandparents for Beth.

This is just a cute little dress my friend Ashely bought her...i think she is sucking up in case Beth is tall...she wants her to play volleyball.

Daddy & Daughter picture...toooooo cute. I am so lucky to have them in my life....and yes the background of most pictures are different b/c remember...we are living in Paint Rock with my mom and dad....they say patience is a virture...where do you buy that at?!?!? HE! HE!

She decided to try on the pirate hat at the annual gin supper...i just think she would look cute in anything.

Showing off her figure in a swimsuit...and holding on tight to the coolest chair ever at nanna sally's house.

BACK to the house building.....we have a pad...and some plumbing if you look closely...my truck is the "garage" and i am taking the picture...looking WEST....our garage will open to the South...if that helps anyone with directions.....but then...what a wierd July...it started to rain...no complaints from us kids that grew up on the farm...but it did slow down the house stuff.

Kyler came over to go swimming with Beth at nanna Sallys......and they ended up playing on the four wheeler she has for them...isn't this the cutest picture.

Just a cute outfit to look at.

BACK to the house...we have forms and trenches...seemed like concrete would be coming soon...but more rain (which is good) but slower at getting stuff done...and for those who kinda know....as my friend Belmont says...we are moving to the "Kellermeier Compound"...b/c we are building only 3 tenths of a mile from Ralph and Sally...so look at the picture...i am facing the Northwest and you can see their barn and house if you look carefully. We are excited...how lucky Beth will be to be able to ride her bike to Nanna's and go swimming and everything else.

Beth loves to play in the dog food and dog water...go figure.

And Beth can pretty much only say one word at 13 months...that is "ball"...and a really funny thing....you don't realize how many things look like a ball (watermelons, cantelopes, onions, honeydew, etc.) until she throws a fit b/c she wants to play with the "ball".

As any good farm kid in west texas - play in the mud when you can b/c it doesn't happen often...she had such a good time in the caliche...me and Opa had to clean her up in the utility room before we could take her inside.

We went to a baseball game with Robin, Chad, Bryson, and Kymbree and a few of their friends...we had a great time.

Beth got a free baseball glove that night (all kids did)...and apparently we ended up on TV b/c of it.

And for those that think Beth is PERFECT...proof she can cry with the best of them.

Kymbree and Beth are reading...how advanced.

Beth loved playing on the tractor they had on display at the Colts Stadium.

And yes...she is a climber...she wants back on the tractor with or without my help.

Quick family picture.

CUTE, CUTE, CUTE dress...don't you think.

She loves riding on the rhino every evening with Opa and daddy to feed the deer.

LOOK at this hair...the curls are crazy.

FIRST knot on the head...it is a big one...can you see it...took about 10 days to go away...i am sure people thought we beat her. But she did learn to catch herself with her hands so she doesn't bonk her head anymore.

We have sand....now we are closer to concrete...right?!?!?

She LOVES shoes...must be inherited from Nannie and Mamma....she got these on herself...and by luck on the right feet...so i had to take a picture so that she looks like a genius.

She loves to ride in this wagon...so much fun.

Cute little Texas Tech swimsuit.

WE GOT CONCRETE.....we put Beth's footprints in it and dated it...we are so excited.

Another cute picture of her.

We have walls...this is the South part of the house where our bedroom and bath is...i am taking the picture facing North...the garage will be to the left in this picture.

This the North part of the house which has the kids bedrooms and bathroom...i took this facing west...so to the far left (which you can't see) would be where our bed and bath are. More pictures to come as it goes fast at this stage.

and one more of our cute girl in her little chair Oma bought her by her swimming pool.

I started back to work...so the next posts should be more regular and not so long...hope you all enjoyed the pictures...and give me a shout when you get a chance.

1st Steps & 1st Birthday

John and I have been holding her fingers FOREVER it seems like - we are now making her "walk" from one of us to the other...most of the time she just sits down - starts crying and then crawls to us...but every once in a while she will take five or six steps to get to us...i hope it won't be long before she is truly walking. Doesn't she look determined in this picture? Her other "new" thing that is just toooooo funny....is her "OSTRICH" stance. She will put her head down and look between her legs at you and start giggling away...it is sooooo funny.

And yes - she turned one on June 12th...so we held a "small" party for her on Sunday the 14th...but it turned out to be a BIG party...but the more the merrier...we had a good time...all the sonnenberg's and kellermeier's showed up along with more family members and LOTS of friends...we are so blessed to have so many people care enough to make it part of their day. Thanks to all for coming...hope you enjoyed the hotdogs, cake and ice cream...as you can see below...I am not as good of a mom as my mom....my mom would have made the cake herself and decorated it perfectly...but i was a little scared to try that on Beth's 1st b-day....so i let Sam's make the cake, John make the hotdogs...and i did manage to make some homemade ice cream (thanks to Tessa's recipe) and i think it was a hit. Hope we have an even better second year with Beth and hope everyone can come to the next birthday party too.

Here is Kymbree and Bryson Hirt, Beth, and Kyler. Perfect children - all behaving...we hope we can always be this lucky.

Here is the terrific twosome...it is going to be so fun watching them grow up through the years. We are so lucky to have such great friends with awesome kids.

Here she is going to blow out her first candle.

Here we are - one small happy family.

Here is the Sonnenberg's...for those who don't know...i will try to name and identify each from left to right. Clifton (my brother), Kerri (his wife), Stacey(my brother), Brenda (his wife), Johnathan (Clifton & Kerri's son), Theresa (my mom), Me, Beth, John, Dalton (my dad), Landon (Angie and Scott's son - he is 3 months old), Angie (Scott's wife), and Scott (my brother)....whew!!! That is a mouth full.

Here is Oma and Opa Sonnenberg with Landon and Beth...we have to get Johnathan in the next picture...we only got babies in this one...silly me!!!

Here is the infamous 5 generation picture we take at each gathering....for those that don't know...i will list them off - Sally (john's mom), John, Beth, Mam ma(Sally's grandma), and Nannie(Sally's mom). It is amazing to have a 5 generation picture...and for those that don't know these wonderful women...you are missing out. Mam ma is 90 and drives the other "old ladies" around at the retirement center...and Nannie is so young she and Pa have kept Beth all year long while i was working. And Sally is the best mother-in-law a girl could want..so all in all - we live a BLESSED life.

Here are the "gregg's"....Sally and Ralph (john's parents), Beth, John, Mam ma, Nannie, and Pa. We are missing Diane (sally's sister), her husband Chuck, and their kids and grandkids. Diane and Chuck came with Abi and Aaron...but i don't have a good picture i could find...but i am sure Nannie will have some for me to put in Beth's photo album.

And the Kellermeier's...here we go: Ralph, Sally, Gertrude & Edward (Ralph's parents), Beth, Me, John, Ashley (Mark's wife), and Mark (John's brother)...the only one's missing are Uncle Glenn (Ralph's brother), his wife Brenda, and their kids Chad and Jill. Chad is on a select baseball team and had a tournment out of town...he is the all-around kid. Athletic, smart, handsome, well-mannered...watch out girls...he will be a catch. And Little Jill is his cheerleading sister.

Here are Haleigh and I with Beth and Kyler...I am so glad we are going thru this first round of children together...makes me think i am somewhat sane. HE!HE!

Beth had so many toys (one being the kiddie pool she and all the other gifts are in)...we will have to rotate toys for the next 3 years b/c she recieved so many. Thanks again to everyone for all the great gifts and outfits.

And of course....Robin and i with Kymbree and Beth.....also blessed to have her in my life...she has some great advice...and is a blast to hang out with.

Here is Beth with some of her toys...she loves balls...so she didn't let go of these for quite some time.

And i had to add this photo...Beth makes the funniest faces...and it is hard to get them on camera...so hopefully i will be able to catch more of these looks and post them...stay tuned....this summer should be interesting. We are actually packing up the house in San Angelo this week and moving in with my parents for the next 6 to 9 months. We sold our house here - and are building one over by Ralph & Sally. Again - we live a very blessed life and are thankful for everything that God has given us...starting with GREAT FAMILY.

11 Months & Memorial Day @ the Cain's

11 Months old...she sure is growing fast and learning so much. She FINALLY learned to crawl just a week or two shy of her 11 month b-day. She now wants to "walk" everywhere...but has to have "fingers" to do it. I am sure she will learn to let go soon and be cruising around this summer. She is drinking cow's milk now...that is even easier than formula...and loves all table foods. Mashed potatoes and cheetos seem to be the new favorites...she takes after mommie afterall. Beth loves to play Peek-a-boo...and i just thought these two pictures were toooo cute not to include.

Memorial Day came - and we went to Chris and Steph's for a little boating. So I put Beth in her 1st bikini and lotioned her up...everyone got ready to go on the boat...then her and Kyler decided to take a nap. I stayed with the kids while everyone went out to boat....after a few hours...the boating crew came back for me and the kids and they got their first boat ride.

Just too cute...be prepared for lots of pictures of her in her swimsuit.

Beth with Stephanie...these two have so much fun

....and we just hope this is not a preview of a "pole dancing" career - he! he!

Beth and daddy relaxing on the boat.

Here is Kyler - also having a good time boating. Those blue eyes are going to be heart breaking.

John and Beth got in the lake after a little bit...and Beth LOVES the waterbug...she must get that from Daddy - b/c we all know mommy is not a waterbug. But i am so glad she enjoyed it...should make for fun swimming lessons...and fun times at the pool this summer.

Our wonderful hosts for the afternoon...they are so gracious to take us all boating - it was fun!!! We hope to do it some more during the summer.

Here she comes....Miss America....in the swimsuit competition.

Coming back from the boat ride...she didn't want to leave the boat.

Kyler and Beth, sitting in the yard, K-I-S-S-I-N-G....well, not yet...we tried to get Kyler to give her sugar...but it was not going to happen...but they still had a good time - i think?!?!

The happy Kellermeier Family...i can't believe how much things can change in a year. I hope it keeps getting better and better...although i can't imagine being happier than i am right now. It truly is a joy to be our own little family. (never thought i would say that)

The Oneal's and the Kellermeier's - no doubt we will have many more pics like this in the years to come...it will be so fun to watch them grow up together.

And one more picture of Stephanie with Beth...i think Beth will want to hang out with "the girls" all the time when she gets older...she doesn't have choice now. HE! HE!

Kentucky Derby & Mother's Day Fun

Here are the ladies (Me, Molly, Jamie, Christi, Glenna, and Haleigh) at the Kentucky Derby party...BEST party ever. LOVED IT!!! I even like Mint Juleps...way to go Jamie and Chase for making it such a fun event...we only hope the tradition continues and we get to come again next year.
Beth finally got her first official hair cut. Angie Serrano is amazing...i was lucky enough to go to high school with her - and now she does our hair - she also teaches the college cosmetology classes...we are fortunte to have her.

Here is Beth at Oma Sonnenberg's on Mother's day...boy do we love going out there. Oma pulled out an old horsie that i "rode" when i was little....it was a hit.

More pics on the "buckin' horse"

Beth didn't want to leave it behind...but wanted Oma to walk her around everywhere....she doesn't understand she can't have everything at once yet...sounds like me.

And had to try out the John Deere toy Aunt Ashley and Uncle Mark got her for Christmas...also a hit.

And then off to Nanna Kellermeier's house for Mother's Day evening...she put up a little swing...which Beth LOVED!!!! Too much fun....i have to say - Beth got more on "mother's day" than anyone else. By why wouldn't she - she is too easy to spoil. HE!HE!

Look at those 4 teeth...that is right - 4. Crazy...and we are crawling....it is official...just a week shy of her 11 month b-day and she was crawling...slowly - but still - movement is good. I just wonder how long it will be before she figures out walking. I am going to enjoy every minute of her while i can...she is growing toooo quick.

Petting zoo cutie

We went out to the petting zoo on saturday at Palmer's.....Haleigh helped beth hold the bunny.Christi also went in the pen to show Beth the cute little animals...although some of the other kids thought Beth must have been an animal b/c they all wanted to "pet" her. HE! HE!Beth and Oma Sonnenberg sure do have a good time together. She had on the cutest little outfit...just had to show it off.

And once we take the ponytail holders out of her hair before bathtime...it all seems to stay. It is soooooo funny. And she has a tooth!!!! Look closely at the bottom gum....you will see one.

And even though i said it before....she LOVES propping her feet up on things...she takes after mommy.