Dress Shop

My shop assistants helped me get a dress and accessory shop set up in my bedroom. Julie made sure everything was in order, and Cole spit shined the jewelry....

Although I didn't take a picture of our fancy displays, I got a picture of what was most important -- these shopping crazed ladies:
Money was obviously no object.

Fun in Mesquite

Jake's parents came to visit, and, as always, we had a great time with them. We bought tickets to take them to the rodeo and concert festival in Mesquite one night. Besides music, there was a small car show, carnival rides patooey!, and Texas vendors. The car show had quite the assortment of vehicles (I still have a hard time thinking about cars made in the 1980's as "vintage"). Among all the classic cars, they had a brand new Chevy Traverse out. I promptly got inside and dreamed about owning it.
Here's proof we were there:

Bubs got a new hat. I wasn't really going for the chin strap in the beginning, but then I realized the benefits of him not taking off the hat and dropping it wherever we go. Chin strap it is. Here he is showing it off......like a Glamour Shot photo minus the foofy hair.

Okay, this was cool. This vehicle is a 1903 Oldsmobile. As I was admiring it from behind the rope, Tessa asked if she could go sit in it. I explained how it wasn't ours to touch as the owner came strolling up with his nachos. He was a sweet old man who told us that the car had been passed down in the family since it was new. Awesome. After explaining some of the work he has had to do on it, he offered to let Tessa sit in it so I could take a picture. Woot! Tessa got to sit in a car that is over a century old. I have no clue why the owner felt the need to go grab a polar bear wearing Mardi Gras beads to be in the picture with her, but I wasn't going to question it. He was being mighty generous.

Convertible! This baby can get up to 23 miles an hour.

We had dinner soon after from a BBQ stand. I'm pretty sure that was the healthiest thing there. I heard mention of fried Nutter Butters, but I resisted.

Jake insisted that Tessa get to go on one of the rides and reminded me that just because I think carnival rides are the nastiest piles on the planet, that it doesn't mean my kids do. Good point, Hub. She was very excited to ride on the Carousel, just like Mary Poppins.

We made our way to the Resistol Arena for the rodeo:

I will be visiting this place again someday. I love rodeos. We had to leave after about 2/3 of the rodeo since the kids were already up way past their bedtime and showing it, but we still had a good time with what we were able to see.

I think I need cowgirl boots.

What's a girl got to do....

...to get a decent picture around here?

I got snapshot after snapshot of, "WHAT are you doing to me?!?!" faces. I'm sure I'll get plenty more of those in the future.

I didn't think it was too much to ask to get both siblings smiling at the camera, but apparently it was. I just had to laugh.


Jake's parents had never seen the blue bonnets, though, so score on that part!

These gums were made for gnawing.

Easter Eggs

Tessa and her 2nd cousin Selina had an Easter egg hunt in our yard this year. It's so fun to see these two play together. And it was really fun to have family over to celebrate the holiday.

Isn't she lovely?

She is large and in charge. AND she comes with a bitty baby warmer. Happy Easter to me! ...and the whole family, I think, because, really, don't they all benefit?

Crockpots and I, to be honest, haven't had the best of relationships. I mean it's fun at first, and we get along for a while. But then it always ends badly. I like to say it's not me, it's them. Remember this one? Shortly after, I was lucky enough to receive a free one. This particular crockpot had a hairline fracture in the ceramic dish. As time went on, I pressed my luck. "One more dinner before this thing breaks in two!" It lasted.....just long enough for the silver and black beauty featured above to arrive.

So far, we're getting along swimmingly*. I have a feeling this relationship has lasting power.

*I have never, in fact, used the word "swimmingly" before now. I can see why.

He is Risen

He Lives