First Amtrak Train Ride

The boys and I (Monica) rode the train to visit Grandmom, Grandpop, uncle Dodo, aunt Tammy & Chad. Sadly Deona was not able to join us for our first train ride.  Thank you Grampy for driving the 3 of us to the train station and for getting us there in time to catch the 2:00 p.m. train.

Patiently waiting for our 2:10 departure.

While standing on the platform, we were told our 2:00 train would be delayed an hour.

One hour turned to 2 then 3 then 4 until 6:00 p.m.

We were all so tired. 

 Grampy went home.

 Deona suprised us and came straight from work. :) <3 

Some may wonder why we didnt just get our money back, cancel the trip, or try again the next day?  If you've ever had to pack and load 2 toddlers, plus carseat...I'm sure you'd understand my reasons to stick it out.  The thought of starting over the next day (with no guarantee of better results) did not appeal to me.

Mama blows kisses as we depart.

Finally 4 1/2 hours after our scheduled departure, we were back in business  The bathroom however was not. Luckily I have a bladder of steel, Emory wears diapers and Everett had an empty water bottle accessible. Additionally our air flow control was not working; neither was our train attendant.  Even so, Ev was sooo excited about getting to ride a real choo choo train.

The happiest little conductor ever.

Ev didnt want to miss a thing; even after sunset.

The many hours waiting for the train and being on the train really started to wear on Emory. Tantrums like I've never seen before.  I was so thankful we were in our own room.  With a door. :( 

Sweet relief, yet another hour away from our destination. THEN another 45 minute delay in south Austin.

Everett was exhausted yet refused to sleep.  With every train whistle he'd perk up, look out the window and exclaim, "HEAR THAT MOMMY, A WHISTLE!, that's awesome!"  

Finally, 30 minutes from our destination, Ev decided to lay his head down; within seconds my little conductor was fast asleep.  

At 12:45 a.m. (more than 12 after leaving the house), we arrived at our destination. A big thanks to my wonderful family for waiting patiently and taking care of us.  Not sure how I would have managed without you. <3 More pics from the week coming soon!

UPDATE:  After making a call to Amtrak (and sitting on hold for 40 minutes), some compensation in the form of train tickets, should be on their way.  We shall wait (some more) and see. :)    

Don't Give Up On Me!

Okay so I realize I've been lousy with updates.  You're probably thinking, "I thought moving to a house was suppose to make their lives simpler", right?  WRONG-O!!  Well I'll tell ya, even after being completely moved in and having a designated playroom for all our toys and mess, Deona is back at work and I'm consumed.  Consumed with kids and housework during the day and all things Thirty-One in the evenings. I'm hopeful however my investment (time and money) will eventually pay off.  At the moment, I have 3 catalog parties, 1 house party and 1 Open House scheduled in the next month.  I'm not going to bore you with how much I like this product and company, but I will tell you it's worth visiting my website and making a purchase. and possibly having a Thirty-One party for me, so I can buy a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk for my frail and emaciated boys. :o)  Okay, okay.   I digress.   Anywho...
Don't give up on me, I'm still here and will be posting regularly soon; hopfully within the week.  In the meantime, here's a picture of our emaciated boys spinning on the office chair. :)

   

Favorite Hat

Emory's new favorite hat.

Just try to take it off his head.

Favorite Hideout

Precisely!

I did not create these works, but I admire them so.  I found both via Pinterest.  Ahhhh Pinterest, why oh why did I give in to you?

Oh and one other fabulous thing I found on Pinterest....

Guacamole Brushetta

Ingredients:

1/2 loaf French bread

1clove garlic

2 Tablespoons olive oil

2 tomatoes, medium chopped

2 avocados, medium chopped

1/3 cup finely chopped onion

¼ cup chopped cilantro

2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
• Slice the French bread on the diagonal into ½" rounds and place on a baking sheet.
• Toast the sliced bread in the oven for 3 minutes, then flip each piece over and toast an additional 3 minutes.
• Remove the toasted bread from the oven and immediately rub with the clove of garlic (it works best to first cut a small tip off the garlic clove so that the oils will seep out).
• Brush the tops of the garlic-rubbed toasts with olive oil and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, avocado, onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper. Mix together gently making sure the avocado is well coated in the lime juice.
• Spoon a portion of the mixture onto each of the garlic toasts and serve.

I'm definitely going to try this one!

Emory is 16 months old today!

Emory's...

favorite things - cars, books, fruit, cookies, forts and getting into trouble.

dislikes - being told "no", vegetables, diaper changes 

words - juice, banana, car, book, ball, cookie, cracker, dog, again, more, done, go, no

signs - juice, milk, done, please, eat

wears size 2T/3T clothing, size 6xxwide shoes, size 6 diaper

eyes are hazel and hair is blonde.

Big 'Screen' Week for Emory

Emory was introduced to the (movie) theatre this week.    How did he do?  Amazingly well; in fact he stayed seated the entire time.  Hooray for popcorn!

Our family gives both shows (Cars 2 & One World, One Sky Big Bird's Adventure)

 Two Eight Thumbs Up!

Alphabet Train

Incredibly excited about building an Alphabet (& Number) Train, Everett eagerly poses for a photo.

Everything & anything train makes for a very happy Everett.

"Girl On The Go"

Just got the new Thirty One “Girl On-the-Go” kit from the new fall catalog. I LOVE everything that has come in. I WANT IT ALL!! 

I am excited about getting my business underway and looking forward to scheduling some parties.  Would you be willing to help me start my business by hosting a party?  I KNOW you and your guests will love it too! :o)

I've sent many of you Thirty One catalogs, I'm sure you'll find something you love, or something for someone you love.  If you didn't get one and would like to receive one, send me an email, I'd love to share Thrity One with you!

Our Climber

So this is what Emory's been up to this past week:

Tank

I wanted to share this pic of the boys.  I think it's great because they are sitting exactly alike and  because Emory looks sooo huge compared to his brother.  (Today Everett's weight is 34 pounds; Emory weighs 29 pounds - sans clothes.) We've nicknamed Emory, Tank.  I think it's quite fitting. 

Although you couldn't tell by this shot, :o) our boys are LOVING their new house.   They have soooo much room to run around and play.  We are looking forward to cooler days so we can play outside.  We are fed up with 110 degree days. Fed up, I tell you.

Who Forted?

Aunt Tammy, Uncle Dodo, Everett & Emory, THAT'S who!! :-)  The boys had a blast building a fort; these days forts include Netflix and Ipads.

Have YOU forted lately?  If not give it a try, you'll be glad you did.  :-)