Christmas 2010

Christmas was wonderful. Everyone was here and the food was good. I enjoyed having everyone home and just hanging out with them. I loved spending time with Claire. Hopefully everyone had a great time and liked all their gifts. I know I did.

MiMi's smiling Angel...

Here is another picture of Claire. She is smiling and hamming it up for her Mommy so she can take her picture.

Little Claire

Here is the latest picture of Claire. She is really becoming Miss Personality....

Thanksgiving is Almost Here

Thanksgiving is fast approaching. We will be doing Thanksgiving Dinner this year. I think everyone is going to be here. Of course we all can't wait for Baby Claire to come see us. (Yes, Eric and Julie we are glad to see you too!!!) Megan and Burl will also be here. I'm going to be happy to see them, they haven't been home in a while. Kayla and Kyle will both be home this year for Thanksgiving. Dennis is frying the turkey. MMMMMM!!!!! It was really good last year. I just hope the rest of the meal will be as good. Hopefully I will have some pictures to post of Thanksgiving.

The Scarlet Pimpernel Play

The High School Theater dept. put on a play this past weekend. Kayla worked as part of the stage and tech crew. She worked in make-up and wardrobe and also props. They worked long and hard for several weeks. It was really good. Here are a couple of pics of Kayla and some of her friends that were in the play or also did stage and tech.

Great Grandparents

I took Dad and Elaine to see Claire for the first time. Of course, they thought she was precious. Claire was really hamming it up for us with the smiles. She is developing such the little personality. Of course I had to hold and love on her every minute she was awake.

Soccer Team

This is a picture of Dennis and Kyle's soccer team. The teams name is the HotRods....

MiMi's Little Girl

Claire is changeing so much everyday. It is so hard to believe how much she has changed since I saw her last. I wish I could be with her alot more....

She has her Daddy wrapped around her fingers...

Who wouldn't be wrapped around her little fingers....

Kyle's Soccer Game

Kyle is playing soccer. It's really hard to get good close up pictures while they are playing. Hopefully I can get a better one soon. He is really doing good. Dennis is helping coach his team.

Claire's Halloween Picture

Our Sweet Little Pumpkin!!!!

The Little Family

Eric and Julie took Claire to the Pumpkin Patch. I thought this was a really cute picture of all of them.

Claire's First Photo Shoot!!!!

Here is a new photo of Claire. Julie and one of her good friends did a photo shoot with Claire. Of course MiMi thought all of the pictures were great, but since I couldn't put all of them on here I thought I would put this one. She is so precious.....

Quick Visit

I made a quick trip to see Eric, Julie and precious Claire on Thursday. I enjoyed my visit but it just wasn't long enough. I held Claire as much as possible and loved on her every minute I could. She is really growing. She loves to be talked to and definitely doesn't like a wet diaper. She also loves to cuddle up on your chest. She fell sound asleep on Eric's chest. It was really sweet. Julie is doing an awesome job with Claire. She is such a loving and caring Mom. Claire is a very lucky little girl to have Eric and Julie as parents.

Just Like Her Daddy

Seems Claire does have some of her Daddy's traits....She can sleep anywhere at anytime and sleeps hard......I laughed so much at this picture.

YES!!!!!! More Pictures of Claire....

I just had to share this with everyone. I was just playing around with some pictures and made this collage. As you can see I am a very proud Mom and MiMi!!!!!

One Week Old

Thursday, Claire was 1 week old. It's hard to believe that she has changed so much in a week. Of course she is still just as beautiful as ever. Eric and Julie are doing an amazing job as parents. I couldn't be more proud of them than I am right now.

Claire Elizabeth Westerman

Claire's coming home dress. She has more clothes than all of us put together. She is going to be the best dressed little girl in Spring Tx....

She's Here!!!!!

Baby Claire is finally here. She arrived 9-16-10 at 1:08pm. She weighed 8 lbs and was 20 in long and has a head full of blonde hair. We all think she is beautiful. She broke Eric and Julie into parenthood her first night by keeping them up most of the night. But as you can see in the pic above, they are very proud parents. She came home for the first time on Saturday. I can't wait to go back and hold her and spoil her even more.

Waiting on Baby Claire

We are all so excited and impatiently waiting for that call that Eric and Julie are headed to the hospital to have Claire. It's all I can do not to call them everyday and ask how things are. I'm sure they are so tired of me calling and saying "How is Julie feeling today?" Well, it could be any day now. Claire's actual due date is Sept. 13Th, so like I said anytime now. I know Julie and Eric are both ready for her to get here and try to get to some sort of a routine. Of course MeMe is just ready for her to get her so I can hold her and spoil her rotten. Even Megan calls me almost everyday and ask have I heard from Eric or Julie. So we are all ready. Come on little Claire we are all ready to meet you!!!!!

Rat Race

This marks the 3rd week of school. The rat race has begun. Homework, after school activities, soccer and the routine things such as dinner.... Both Kayla and Kyle are doing good. Kayla ended up in an upper classman theater class, but I have told her this will be good for her. They can help her. So she is in a class full of Jr. and Sr. But, I'm not worried, she can hold her on. She is also taking a sign language class this year for her foreign language. She is really doing well. She comes home everyday and teaches me things she has learned. I told her she needed to teach me, then we could sign to each other. Kyle is doing choir in school. He told me yesterday he placed like second for one of the voices with the most range. He has also began soccer practice. Their first game is Sept. 18Th. Well, with all that said, Dennis and I are doing good. Exhausted...LOL!!!! but fine. Now, we are all just waiting on pins and needles for Little Claire to get here. It won't be long now. I talked with Eric the other day and he said Julie is really ready to get it over with. So I say come on Claire we are all waiting very impatiently on you.....I know that they go to the doctor this Wednesday, hopefully things will have progressed and I will be getting a call that they are headed to the hospital very soon. I'm ready!!!! Julie sent me some ultrasound pictures the other day and I must say, even though I'm sure I'm a little prejudiced, that Claire is beautiful. She has the cutest little nose and the roundest little cheeks. Well, hopefully I'll have pictures of us holding her soon to post.

Back to School

Today is the first day of school. It seems the summer went really fast. Kayla and Kyle were up and going at 6:30am this morning. They both seemed a little excited and apprehensive at the same time. Kayla starting High School and Kyle starting a new school. I can't wait until this afternoon to see how things went. I'm sure they will be talking ninety miles an hour. Hopefully it will be a good day for them both. As for me, yes!!!!! It's nice to have the house alone during the day again.

Camping and Rafting

This past weekend Dennis and I took Kayla and Kyle camping and rafting. We went to New Braunfels and road the Gruene River. It was HOT, but we had alot of fun. The river was nice and cool. Actually at night it was really nice. We also ate really well. We had taco soup the first night, then the next night Dennis cooked marinated chicken breast and fresh corn on the cob on coals. Oh, and of course pinto beans....LOL!!! It all tasted really good. Rafting was a blast. I really enjoyed watching the kids when we would get to a part where the water was running faster. The kids seemed to really enjoy themselves. Poor Dennis worked hard this weekend for us to have a great time. Now all vacations are over and it's time to start getting ready for school to start. Summer is just about over.

Larry and Addi's Visit

Larry and Addi came to Marlin to visit this weekend. We went there on Saturday to see them. The kids went swimming. We enjoyed their visit.

National Night Out

Dennis' section at the PD was in charge of National Night Out in Waco. Alot of different agencies were there and had booths, inflatables, food and alot of other things. Here are a couple of pics of Kyle there.

Kayla's trip to Disney World.

Here are a few pics of Kayla when she went to Disney World this summer.

Dennis and Kyle

Dennis and Kyle played paintball awhile back. I just downloaded these pics and wanted to post them. They did this around the first of summer. Sorry for the delay....

Train Ride

The Train ride was wonderful. It was very relaxing and fun. The scenery was beautiful and the FOOD!!!! The food was outstanding. We laughed and said all we did was sleep, walk to the dinning car, and eat....Now that's a vacation. Waited on hand and foot.

Pink's.....Hotdogs!!!! Need I say more....

Pink's is well known for their hotdogs. Alot of famous people have eaten there. Of course, we had to have our hotdogs....

Knott's Berry Farm Resort

We Went to Knott's Berry Farm. It was alot of fun. I think Dennis and I were trying to be young again. We rode almost every roller coaster there. I have to admit the last one we rode proved to me how old I am getting. I was sore for days....

Robert and Mary

This is Robert (Dennis' brother) and his girlfriend Mary. We were all at the The California State Fair in Sacramento.

Dennnis' Family

This is Dennis and his Mom, his brother's Robert and Larry in San Francisco.

Pictures in California

Here are a few pictures we took on our vacation. Some are of Dennis' family. We had a blast.

All Good Things Must Come To An End....

Vacation in California is officially over... :( Dennis and I had a wonderful time visiting his parents and brothers. We were all over the place. One day in San Francisco, the next in Sacramento, then on to Los Angeles. If nothing else, we ate very well. We ate at Bubba Gump's in San Francisco then that night when we road the ferry back to Oakland, we had BBQ. The next day we ate in Sacramento at the California State Fair. Yes, Funnel Cake.....MMMMMM!!!!!! Dennis' family was taking us from one restaurant to another, and I loved every minute of it. Then while in Los Angeles we ate at the famous Pink's Hot Dogs....That was some hotdogs....Then that night we had Knott's Berry Farm Fried Chicken...Dennis and I went to Knott's Berry and had a blast. I think we were trying to relive our childhood. We got on almost every roller coaster there was....And yes, the old wooden roller coaster let me know just how old I am. It slung me all over the place and dropped so many times that I felt I left my stomach at every turn. But all in all we had a fantastic time. Then the train ride home from LA to San Antonio was wonderful. We were treated like royalty. Steak and baked potatoes, ribs, omlets, grits, biscuits and all the desserts you could think of. We got home about 3am Sunday morning. Then we went and picked up Kayla and Kyle. Thanks again to Eric and Julie, Megan and Burl for letting Kayla stay with them. Now time to get back to a routine. I feel really rested and renewed.....I'll post some pics soon.

California Here I Come!!!!

As you can tell I am really excited about going to California. Trust me, it's a much needed vacation for me and Dennis. We leave on Saturday and won't be back until the following Saturday. Kayla will be staying with Megan and Burl and also Eric and Julie. She's dividing her time between them. Kyle is staying with his Mom. Hopefully I'll have some pictures to share when we get home.

Back to Normal

Julie went to her OB on Tuesday and they repeated all the tests on baby Claire. Everything was back to normal and all test were good. Thank God!!!! Wow, if I worry this much before she is born, what am I going to do when Claire gets here. But I know she is going to be in great hands. Eric and Julie are going to be wonderful parents. Thanks to everyone for all your prayers.

UPDATE...

Eric and Julie are at home. All the tests have started getting better. They want Julie to come back to her doctor's office on Tuesday for another check. Thanks everyone for all the prayers. I told Julie to take it easy, lay on the couch and let everyone wait on her hand and foot. Take full advantage of this....Continue praying that the doctor's visit on Tuesday will be a good one.

Prayers

Please remember Eric, Julie and Baby Claire in your prayers. Julie was recently involved in an car accident and spent the night in the hopsital. We thought all was well. They went back today (Saturday July 3rd) for another check on the baby. They ended up keeping Julie in the hospital again. Seems there is a problem with the fluid to the baby. It has decreased since they were in the hospital on Thursday. So please keep them all in your prayers. I will try to keep everyone updated.

Little Claire's Mommy!!!!

Here is a picture of Julie at 28 weeks. She is looking so good. Little Claire is really growing. I can't wait until September!!!!

EXHAUSTED!!!!!

Well, We made the move this weekend. Thanks Burl and Megan. We really appreciate your help. I know Dennis was really glad to have Burl help lifting heavy things. Since I'm a weakling....Our house is almost put together. Still going through some things, but for the most part it's done. But Wow!!!! I'm exhausted. I guess I got a new couch out of the move and Dennis is getting a 40" Flat Screen TV. Works for me....Now I'm ready for our vacation in California....

Busy, Busy, Busy!!!!

We have found a place to live in Hewitt, so now the packing begins. We will be moving on June 25th....Less than 2 wks. So the next couple of weeks are going to be jammed packed...literally!!!! But, I'm ready. Hewitt here we come!!!!!

Changes

We have alot of changes getting ready to happen. This summer is going to be very busy for us. Kyle will be coming to live with us. We are so excited. He will be going to Midway school also. We are also in the process of finding a place to live in Hewitt. We will be moving there probably by the first of July. So that's a major change. We will be putting our house up for sale. I am so ready to be out of Marlin. Yes, I know it's where I grew up, but change is good. With Dennis working in Hewitt and Kayla and Kyle going to school in Hewitt, it just makes sense to be in Hewitt. The gas alone will save us money. Plus it will be good for the kids to be close to where their friends live. It will be a good change for all of us.

She's now 14

Well, Kayla turned 14 on Sunday May 23rd. It is so hard to believe she is 14 and going to be a freshman in High School. They truly grow up so fast. I remember when she was born...she was so small (barely 5 lbs). I also remember her Grandma was so worried because she didn't talk for so long....Wow!!!! What happened? Now you can't shut her up. HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAYLA....We love you.

Summer Time

Just a couple more weeks and school is out for the summer. I'm sure Kayla and Kyle are both ready, I'm not so sure about myself...He He He!!!! My plan is to keep them both very busy this summer. Between vacations, camps, and helping around the house, their summer should go by pretty fast. I told Kayla the other day she needed a job this summer. So if anyone knows someone that needs a babysitter.....she's your girl. (I know she is going to love me for that one.)
We plan on taking the kids camping and rafting this summer. They both love to camp and Kayla actually asked the other day when we were going to take her rafting. Kyle will be going to a basketball camp also.
Dennis and I are going to California for "our" vacation this year. A much needed vacation for the both of us. We are taking pretty much every mode of transportation there is. We will be flying to California, then renting a car while we are there and then riding the train back to San Antonio. It is going to be so much fun. Dennis always plans the best vacations. While in California, we will visit his parents and brothers, spend time at Knott's Berry Farm Resort and go to the Theme Park there. I can't wait. Then it will be almost time for school to start back. Then it's buying school clothes and school supplies....Wow!!! Then summer is over.

Our Mommy-To-Be....

I hope Julie doesn't get mad, but I wanted to put a pic of her on here so everyone could see how beautiful and radiant she is. She is at about 22 weeks now. Eric, Julie and baby Claire are all doing well. Yes, I guess you could say I'm a little proud and so ready for our little bundle of joy to be here. Looking good Julie!!!!!

He's now an Alumni (AKA-Aluminum)

Graduation Day came and we were all so proud. Burl is now an official Aggie Alumni, or as he would say "Aluminum." It was really nice and we all had a great time. Once again, Gongratulations Burl!!!!!

Baby Claire update...

Eric and Julie went in for a routine check for baby Claire. Eric called and told me that she weighed about 1 lb. now and is doing good. He said he thinks they woke her up, because she kept rubbing her eyes. Well, at least this time she wasn't sucking her thumb. Yeah, I think we have a thumb sucker.

On another note, Eric and Julie will be leaving to go on vacation on Saturday. They are going to Las Vegas. There last vacation without baby Claire. Win some money Eric!!!! Claire will need a college fund......

Graduation Day

Burl (Megan's Boyfriend) will be graduating from A & M on Sat. May 15. We will be attending his graduation on that day. I know he is so ready to be done. Congratulations Burl....Dennis and I are so proud of you!!!!

Grandparents

As everyone probably already knows, but yes Dennis and I are going to be Grandparents. We are both so excited and can't wait for little Claire to get here. She will arrive in September. She is going to be so spoiled....I can't wait to hold her and tell her all about the funny things her Dad and Mom have done. Yes!!!! Payback is sweet...Sorry Eric and Julie. Baby Claire is growing and doing really well and so is Mom and Dad. Eric and Julie are going to be great parents. I will keep everyone updated on our precious little angel.

Our Kids

Here is a pic of all of our kids. The first pic was at Christmas 2009. Burl couldn't be there because he was in Louisiana preparing for the A & M bowl game, so I put a pic of him and Megan also.