Wal-mart trip

I usually try my hardest to avoid going to the store with Samuel, because at the age he is, it makes it a pretty frustrating trip. I had to go to the store, becuase I'm having a Pampered Chef party tonight, and I needed to get the ingredients. I was going to go last night, but by the time I could go, it was too late at night. So after I dropped off Austin and Joseph at school, Betsy, Samuel, and I headed for Wal-mart. I came prepared with my list, and a purse full of snacks. We were doing pretty well for a few minutes, and then I made a huge mistake. We passed right by the big display of those big bouncy outdoor balls. Samuel starts yelling "Ball! Ball! Ball!" Now Betsy being the nice, helpful older sister, sees what he wants and runs over and grabs a ball for him and starts bringing it back before I could figure out how to get away from the balls and keep Sam quite at the same time. I told Betsy to put the ball back, and she starts to go put it back, and Samuel flew into a full blown tantrum, and betsy looks at me and says "Mom, can I make him happy?" I realize that I have 2 choices, 1) Let Samuel have the ball, and continue shopping, or 2) Don't let him have the ball, and leave the store immediatly due to his tantrum. I decided that I really had to finish my shopping and told Betsy she could make him happy. So she gives him the ball, and immediatly he is happy and giggling, and Betsy turns to me and says "mom, it's just a ball." So as we continued our shopping Samuel would throw the ball, and betsy would run and get it and bring it back to samuel. Now, although this did a really good job of keeping the kids busy while I shopped, I can't tell you how many times I had to apologize to people for samuel hitting them with the ball (I think he was waiting for someone to cross his path before he threw it). This one time he bopped this lady right on the head, and the look on her face was pricless, hehe! Oh wait, sorry, that's not supposed to be funny. Anway, we finally got to the check out, and about half the things I was trying to purchase, didn't have tags on them, so I couldn't purchase them.(I think Samuel was sabatoging me, and ripping them off when I wasn't looking, but I have no proof) Then, my WIC card wouldn't work, so I couldn't get my milk and eggs either. That was pretty frustrating, but at least I was able to get the ingredients for tonight, I'll just have to go to the store again soon, without the kids.

Carlsbad Caverns

Although you can't tell, the carlsbad caverns are behind the kids. My parents were in town for the week, and we did some fun things with them, one of them was the carlsbad caverns in New Mexico. It was amazing, I couldn't believe how huge the caverns were. We went in an elevator down about 750ft. Then we hiked through the caverns for about 1 1/2 miles. The cavern was pretty awesome, it is as big as 14 football fields( I remember this, becuase I chased samuel through all of them) and the largest vertical distance was approx. 385 ft. from top to bottom. The kids were really fascinated by all the different formations, and listening with the audio guide about how they form and such. I plan on going back once samuel is three and we can go on the guided tour, which is supposed to be pretty neat.

The pictures on the top are taken at the Wyler Aerial Tramway. That was also fun, the kids really enjoyed the ride up the mountain, and had fun running around on top at the observatory. It was a really fantastic view, which included 3 states, and 2 nations. I wouldn't have minded staying on top a little longer, but the kids really wanted to ride the tramway back down.

Murder Mystery date!

Sorry, I couldn't figure out how to rotate the picture, so you'll just have to look sideways. Anyway, we went to a really fun murder mystery party on saturday at the perez's house, it was the first one I have ever been too. It was a lot of fun playing the part, and trying to figure out who the murderer was. The food was delicious, and it was fun to get all dressed up and get out for the evening without kids.

Operation Rising Star Wk #3

Well Travis and I didn't make it to the next week, but that's okay. We had a lot of fun doing it, and it is a relief to not have to do all the work to learn songs, and go through the nerves of performing them. We will still continue our date nights, and be part of the audience for the next two weeks.

Operation Rising Star Week #2

Travis and I made it to the next week again, although they actually didn't eliminate anyone, because two people dropped out. We had fun singing our country songs, especially the ones we sang to each other on our wedding day. I still have a lot of nervous issues, so I will probably be eliminated soon, but I'm hoping to stay as long as I can, so Travis and I can have out date night.

Operation Rising Star

Travis and I decided to compete in the Operation Rising Star contest here at Fort Bliss. It is very nerve-wracking, I've never done anything like this. Here are the videos of our first performances. We both made it to next week, where we get to sing a country song. Yeah!! We like country.

Back to school

Yeah!! The kids are in school again. The girls are both happy and loving school so far, they both love their teachers, and Austin is so excited to homework. Joseph is happy to be in school also, and isn't very excited about homework at all. Joseph was out the door too fast to be in this picture, but I'll try to get one of him up soon.