Vacation...2 months late

For July vacation, we rented a condo in Pointe West, just south of Galveston.  It was a great resort community that we enjoyed.  I will have to admit, we rented through VRBO for the first time and I was a little nervous that the pictures online were going to be much better than the actual condo....to my surprise, it was great.  I will for sure be using VRBO again...hopefully it won't let me down!

Picture of the resort when you drive in.

View from the balcony

Kids enjoying a little down time.

Roan sleeping on the beach...be aware this is the ONE AND ONLY time he did this...I bought this cheap tent thinking we would be able to keep him in it for part of the time so we could enjoy the beach without having to grab him every 5 seconds because he was eating sand, crawling in the ocean, or playing with sea weed.  Note to self...do not EVER think a 10 month old will stay put in a tent.  HA!

She was NOT a fan of the sea weed.

My failed attempt at getting them to smile for the camera with this picture.....I took 5 of them and Roan looked every time but Madeline insisted on keeping her eyes on the sand.

Eating sand...we gave up at this point.....he didn't die so we were all good.

Rare sighting....playing nicely together and not screaming....we enjoyed this 5 minutes.

The boys

The girls

Ike Line on the Strand in Galveston

We loved the pools at the resort.

How can you resist that smile?

The lazy river pool......what an interesting picture...I have NO IDEA what Madeline is doing...but it sure is funny.

I had to put these in for a good ending and laugh to the blog.  We attempted a self-shot family picture.....3 failed attempts....but you sure get a giggle out of looking at them.  Joseph looks confused in all the pictures...I can't stop smiling (b/c my braces are off!) Roan tried and Madeline is just Madeline! 

Hope you can enjoy a little of our vacation in September!

Roy Langerhans

I have lots to post, including vacation pictures, but I feel at this time I need to pay a small tribute to my Opa.  He was such a wonderful man and great influence on my life.  I can't put into words the what he meant to me.

Opa passed away on August 8, 2010 and my  life will forever be changed.

Growing up, Aaron and I would spend our summer's at Oma and Opa's house, for those of you who do not know he is my mother's father.  I have so many fond memories of time spent with him....from mowing yards in the summer, to swimming in a backyard pool (which at the time we thought was so big), he taught me how to drive (God bless his soul because that was a task), dove hunting, swinging on the back patio swing while he sang songs to us in German, his presence at all our events, and the image of him sitting on the front porch waiting for us to arrive.  He would always be on the front porch swing waiting for us and say "What took you so long." when we finally arrived.

He touched so many lives and I knew and now know even more how important he was to so many other people.  I write this with a heavy heart but know how peaceful he is today and will see him again in a reunion in Heaven when I am finished running my race here on earth.

Opa suffered from Alzheimer's disease along with many other health conditions.  Alzheimer's is a terrible disease that affects not only the individual but the family.  Oma has taken care of him for many years now with his daily revolving door of questions and remarks.  She is a patient and loving woman for doing that and  I have the utmost respect for her.  She is so strong and doing good.

I have only been able to find a few pictures on my computer that I can post for now....but you can see what a man he was.

Opa and Oma at Madeline's Christening - February 2008

Christmas 2009

I have now lost 2 grandparents in 11 months.....how it gives you such sorrow.  I have told Madeline that Grandmama and Opa are now taking turns feeding Nemo (her goldfish) in heaven and are waiting for us to come help them one day. 

Wonderful Wedding

Aaron and Keathley were married on July10, 2010....I can't believe my baby brother is married.  We love Keathley so much and are just so happy.  The wedding weekend was jam packed full of activities.  The kids and I went down on Thursday and had a nice family dinner at Keathley's parents house.  Great family time for all of us minus Joseph, he had to work so came in on Friday.  Friday was rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, and a little fun at the bar Legends with everyone after dinner.  I HAD A BLAST!  Then Saturday was the BIG DAY!  Brunch at 10:30a, to the church by 3:00p, wedding at 7:00p and then the F-U-N party! 

I was a terrible mother and got very few pictures of my kids together or Roan...Madeline was in on all the activities but poor sweet Roan was just there....but he was a cute there. I can't wait to get he pictures back from the wedding...oh how much fun! The food was great too. I could not get enough of the FRIED MACARONI AND CHEESE...to d-i-e for! I wonder if Keathley's parents want to throw another party just for fun? It was a blast. Here are a few pictures from Saturday.

Madeline the flower-girl patiently waiting

Sandy, Tonnie, Jerry's head, and Joseph....what great decorations-look at the flowers!

Dancing with the kids

Madeline and Joseph

Madeline and Jerry (aka Poppy)

Old Oma and Greg - the man who paid for the party

Madeline and Tonnie (aka Mimi)

Bride and Groom

Madeline and Marsha (aka Oma ) - if you notice...everyone is picking her up while dancing...she

L-O-V-E-S to be picked up and twirled when she dances

Aaron and I dancing

Mom and Dad - so happy!

Best song of the night - SWEET CAROLINE!

Aaron and his college buddies

US!

Mom and I...I love this picture!

They are OFF!!!!

After almost 3 years of braces...they are finally off!

2 days before Aaron's wedding....I couldn't be happier!

4th of July

was spent at home because Madeline was sick!

She started running fever Friday evening - holiday weekend and no docs in open until Tuesday....wouldn't have it any other way - that lasted until Sunday afternoon.  So all the plans for the 4th were canceled so we could stay home and get her well.  We have a B-I-G weekend starting tomorrow - Thursday - my brother is getting MARRIED and we all have to be healthy for the wedding.

Roan enjoying the 4th!

Instead of 4th of July plans...we changed them to 5th of July plans.  Joseph was off - by the grace of God - so we took the kids to the Children's Museum in Bryan, TX.  It was fun for Madeline but Roan needs to be a little older before he can enjoy it all!

The enthusiasm in his face on the ride to Bryan, TX.

Almost nap time!

Madeline watching her movie - the Bee Movie

The HEB store that Madeline LOVED!

Checking out her groceries

Roan enjoying the fun - if only his feet could touch the ground.

Madeline in the Music room

Her favorite part - PAINTING THE CAR!  Yes it is a real car the kids get to paint all over.  I had a nice chat with Madeline and told her that we ONLY paint on cars at the museum....I could see the wheels in her head turning when she saw she could paint a car...so I had to quickly clarify the painting!

My attempt to take a picture of Roan and me but he didn't want to look at the camera!

It has been a while

WOW....I can't believe how long it has been since my last post. Can you tell school is out and I am running around like crazy with the kids?  What have we been up to....well I'll give you a quick version.

1. Roan Family Reunion

We had a wonderful time in Moran for our annual Roan family reunion.  My Dad's family gets together every summer for some good ole family time.  This year it was at my parents house and we spent the weekend fishing, playing washers, and just hanging out.  I was so relaxed that I FORGOT to take pictures.  This was also our first reunion without my Grandmama and I think we all did really well, considering.  My Papa has been diagnosed with cancer (the ugly word) and had just had his port for chemo put in a few days before the reunion and was out pitching washers that Friday....you would never know by the looks of him that he was going through all of this....what a trooper. 

2. Abilene Zoo

The kids stayed at my parents the week after the reunion for some quality time with Oma and Opa.  They made their annual trip to the Abilene Zoo with Aaron and Keathley.  Madeline loves going to the zoo and this was Roan's first time and by the looks of it...I think he enjoyed himself.

3.  Swimming Lessons

Madeline took swimming lessons and is such a little fish now in the water.  We thought she was fearless before...good heavens, all the child wants to do now is jump in the water and swim to the side.  Needless to say, it has been quite an adventure at the pool this summer.  I don't have pictures because all I took was video for Joseph to see her progress.  One day I will get it all together.

4.  Part-Time School

Madeline is still going to preschool a few days a month in the summer.  I like to send her to "socialize" and keep herself in somewhat of the school routine. It also gives me some great one-on-one time with Roan, which I have completely enjoyed!

5.  TOILET PAPER

Roan has recently discovered how to UNROLL toilet paper.  I have spent many a day this summer cleaning up after his toilet paper fun.  Madeline thinks it's funny and encourages this silly behavior.  I think she enjoys seeing me in a tizzy about all the toilet paper on the floor.

6.  Fayette County Library

We have enjoyed going to the library several times a week to participate in the kids activities that they have(for free!) and reading books.  Madeline and Roan both LOVE to listen to someone read to them.  I have made it part of our daily routine to read in the afternoon.   We have also discovered books with a CD that Madeline can play while she reads along with the book. WONDERFUL!  Today they had the firetruck at the library for the kids to look at.  Madeline was not a big fan on the sirens but Roan enjoyed the hat that was given to the kids.

7.  Eating

Need I say more....proof from my little Buddha mans belly!

8.  WEDDING

I can't believe the wedding is next weekend.  WOW time has flown and I didn't lose as much weight as planned OR tone my arms like they need.  But the wedding is here none the less so they will have to take me as I am!  I did get a tan for it so I wouldn't be pasty white for the wedding...and I've heard that a tan makes you look a little thinner.....lets hope!

Joseph and I enjoyed the bachelor/bachelorette parties - on the same weekend....different locations.  The girls headed to Austin for a Little fun on 6th street and at the spa.  The guys spend a long weekend in Concan floating the Frio and enjoying some adult beverages.  Oh to be a fly on that wall all weekend! 

I hope this has caught you up a little on our lives at 255 E. Pearl.....we are loving the summer and can't wait for the long 4th of July weekend.  Joseph is home on Monday so that makes it even better!

NO KIDS!

One would think I could keep catch up on the blog since we have had NO KIDS in the house for the past week, but it seems that Joseph and I have been taking ourselves "back to the day" when we were childless 24/7. 

Madeline left last Saturday for a RV trip to Arkansas via Mississippi with Mimi and Poppy.  They headed out from LaGrange bound for Greenville, MS to pick up cousin Claire.  Madeline couldn't wait to go to Claire's house and see her room and toys.  We have not been there since Madeline's birth so it was going to be a whole new experience for her.  After Mississippi they were headed to Arkansas to spend a few days just Mimi, Poppy and the girls.  I have prayed the entire time for Madeline to be on her VERY BEST behavior for them and I guess it is working.  According to Mimi, Madeline has been perfect.  They will return to Texas tomorrow and I can't wait!

Roan has been in the big city of Moran, TX since Tuesday.  The original plans were to send Madeline off on her trip Saturday morning and then head to meet my parents that Saturday afternoon.  I needed a sitter for the week since Mimi was going to be out of commission and Dad was just so convenient now that he is retired.  Roan came down with an ear infection and fever Friday and he/we dealt with a yucky virus all weekend so Dad came in on Monday to stay with him and then take him back to West Texas.  He seems to be getting along just fine without us!  His new favorite thing is Slim Jim's. Yes, you read it....SLIM JIMS!  Apparently in Moran they don't have teethers for babies (and I packed a few) but instead they use Slim Jim Jerky for the babies to chew on.  According to Oma, Roan LOVES IT and can get a bit upset if he doesn't get his Slim Jim.  Thanks mom for a nice habit I will have to break at home.  He is coming home tomorrow as well...all my chicks will be in their nest tomorrow night!

A few Slim Jim pictures of Roan....how cute are they!

In the meantime, Joseph and I have had so much fun....just the 2 of us.  We have met friends on several occassions this week/weekend to have drinks, great conversations, and fun!  We even went fishing yesterday evening ..... it was nice to sit and chat with my hubby and not chase the kids around!  We needed this reconnection and it has been wonderful!