Happy 4th Birthday Haley

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It's a crazy life...

It's a crazy life but it's our life and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Some days I wonder what life was like before the kids arrived. Wow, we must have been really boring. Let's look at a few adventures over the past weeks.

That's right, Dad:

On Saturday Jackson spent the day with Uncle Mark while Matt, Haley and I watched the Aggie game (uggg...no need to mention what happened there! Let's just say it was really hot and the outcome didn't help but we still had fun). Well, it was a long day for Mr. Jackson as well. He had a blast at Uncle Mark's house and finally got home around 9:30pm. Matt stands him on the kitchen island to take his clothes off and get him ready for bed. Jackson, completely naked, folds his arms and starts peeing everywhere! Matt's asking Jackson what he is doing in a stern voice. Jackson didn't move or change his expression one bit, just looked at Matt with his arms folded and continued to pee. It was hysterical. That's our Jackson :)

Heroes:

An image of 9/11 was on the tv and Haley started to watch. She asked me who those people are running into that fire. I told her they were the firefighter heroes rescuing people. She then asked, "Superheroes, Mommy?" I responded the only way I knew, "Of course, sweetheart. Superheroes for sure!"

More heroes:

We stopped at Chick -fil-a one morning and there was a firetruck in the parking lot. Haley tells Jackson, "Look Jackson, that's where you were born!" I explained that's close, but he wasn't born on a firetruck, just at a fire station. Later that day they had an ambulance come to their school. Haley then tells Jackson, "Jackson was born in the ambulance too." Close again. I had to explain he took an ambulance ride right after he was born but thank goodness people are only born once!

Butt Flaps:

One evening Haley told me I needed to clean her butt flaps. I was very nervous about where she heard that or what that even meant? What crazy kid was I going to have to talk to at school? When I asked her where she heard that from she said, "Mack....you know.... from Cars". Oh sweetheart, you mean MUD FLAPS! Whew. I got a good laugh out of that one for sure.

Set, hut:

Jackson is so cute when he gets a football in his hand. He says in his deepest voice, "Set, hut" then throws the ball. I love it! We've also started brainwashing him good. When he sees his game day Aggie shirt he says, Gig'em Aggies. And asks to go to "football game". He'll get to go to his first game of the year in a few weeks vs. Baylor.

Kids are very hard work but oh so worth it. We count our blessing everyday to have two wonderful, healthy kids to fill our hearts with joy.

And now for some pictures...

Jackson found the book box and made a boat. Silly boy made it bust at the seams

We took the kids to the zoo and fed the giraffes, our favorite thing to do. When I asked Jackson later in the week what we fed the giraffes he said, "chicken". Pretty sure it was lettuce :) Haley is a pro at feeding them.

Jackson getting the hang of it

Posing with Mom. Haley wasn't too thrilled apparently.

Haley loves to pick Jackson up and try to carry him despite him weighing almost as much as her!

Always practicing our "Gig'em Aggies"

After the zoo I took Jackson for a train ride...

while Matt and Haley went on a boat ride. Jackson and I waved at them from the train.

And when it's not 100 degrees out, which is rare this summer, the kids have fun outside just being kids.

Haley rides her scooter

And Jackson rides his Lightning McQueen.

Have a good one!

The Vara's in Aggieland

I really do have every intention of updating the blog more often but life seems to get in the way. There is so much to catch up on, like our trip to Boston, but first we'll start with the most recent weekend adventure, our trip to Aggieland.

After 10 years Matt and I are finally season ticket holders, WHOOP! We ended up getting three tickets this year since Jackson is still a little young to enjoy the games. We have plans to take him to two games and next year we'll probably get him his own ticket. Jackson had some much needed Grandma time and had so much fun. I was worried he would cry when we left but nope. He just waved and said bye bye like a big boy while he watched us leave for the big game.

We got to College Station early so we could show my cousin Addy the campus and the experience of a college football game. It was so much fun!

First things first, it's always important to be clean for the big games. Where did Jackson go in all those bubbles?

The kids had so much fun in the sea of bubbles. Once they were squeaky clean it was time for bed to get ready for the big day!

The little Aggies all dressed up in their gear

Sweet love

I love how Haley just went behind Jackson and just held him. She is such a good big sister.

Gig'em Aggies. Getting lots of practice

Checking out her new dress

Mama and her babies :)

Haley met a yell leader at the game

Then did kids yell prior to the football team walking in. She was a little timid but hung in there.

Daddy and Haley enjoying the sights and sounds of the pregame festivities

Me and Haley watching the game. She really did great and lasted the entire game despite not taking a nap. What a big girl!

TOUCHDOWN!!!!!

Can't wait for the rest of the season. We had a blast!

Keeping my fingers crossed it doesn't take a month to update again...

A quick trip and catching up

Turns out it's wedding season! The first wedding we attended was in El Paso for Matt's Godparent's daughter. We made a quick weekend trip to EP flying out Friday evening and coming home on Sunday. As it turns out Friday was quite the adventure. Long story short, the flight was delayed by 3 hours which meant we spent close to 5 hours in at the Houston airport. We rode the train, ate a nice meal, and visited a few Presidential Clubs. Jackson pointed out EVERY plane at the airport and never got bored saying "Plane!". Considering the delays, the kids really did great. It's a shame to see all the changes with our hometown airline now that they have merged with United but we'll adjust.

Once in El Paso the kids enjoyed lots of Grandparents time and we enjoyed catching up with friends.

The wedding was beautiful. We took both kids but the Catholic mass wedding ceremony, which was 1 hour and 30 minutes, was 1 hour and 20 minutes too long for Jackson. I ended up waiting outside most of the time with Jackson.

The beautiful couple

Grandma Vara had bought the kids precious outfits for the wedding. Haley and Jackson posed for a few pictures.

Jackson sitting still but I love his eyes. Wonder what he is thinking?

Sat just long enough for a picture with mom :)

Tia had brought the kids some presents. Jackson was overly excited about his beanie babies.

Haley loved her princess glasses

It was quite hot outside, especially when in long sleeves.

We could never get the tie on Jackson and I had to force the vest on for pictures. He tried hard to figure out how to take off these clothes

Haley seems so grown up in the picture

Jackson had enough and was ready to leave. I'm outta here peeps

But Haley had other plans. She loved playing with the shaw from the bridesmaids dress.

We had a few hours after the ceremony to relax then it was time for the dinner and dancing. We took the kids to the dinner then were kid free for the dancing. Matt and I took advantage of no kids and danced well into the night!
Haley and Daddy at the dinner

Grandpa and Jackson.

Our best attempt at a family photo

The highlight for me of the dinner was the mariachi's that sang the entire time. They even did an 4 song tribute that included Sweet Home Alabama & Journey. Pretty cool. I told Matt we can have mariachi's at our 10 year anniversary party so watch out!

On Sunday we had some friends over for a cookout prior to our departure. Haley fed Uncle Michael so she could get to swimming faster.

Jackson had fun with Sandie, Tia's new puppy

We had a great trip even though it was short. Grandma and Grandpa are back in Houston this week to watch the kids while Matt and I head to Boston for another wedding.

A few pictures from everyday living.

Haley and her babydoll Sunny posing on the stairs. Sunny is technically a boy, and has the parts to prove it, but Haley told me she has turned "him" into a girl. It only gets awkward when she dresses Sunny in a dress and you can see the dolls boy parts (STRANGE!) She doesn't seem to care. I guess since she has a brother it's not a big deal. Just as long as she doesn't start dressing Jackson in dresses I think we are ok.

Jackson is mastering the stairs. Hopefully that means no more broken bones for me!

My little bug catcher. Haley loves frogs. She caught this baby one the other day in the pool. Funny thing is Jackson HATES frogs, and really most bugs for that matter. A frog came in the house the other day and jumped on Jackson and he was hysterical. It was so funny. Buster ended up finding the frog and that was the end of that little guy.
Here's a baby frog from the pool Haley caught

My brave girl

And not so brave boy! He kept his distance for sure

And finally, most days are spent beating the heat with a swim after work/school. Haley is an excellent swimmer and is working on doing back rolls in the water. Jackson is becoming quite the swimmer too. He's learning to take breaths and then put his head back under water in the middle of a long swim. So proud of them both.

Jackson loving the water

Then sneaking into the spa. You think anyone will notice if I'm really quiet?

He loves to "hit" the fountain in the spa then swim to the other side. Fun times at the Vara's.

Have a great week!!

Kemah fun and everyday happenings

I love going back and reading old posts to see how much the kids have changed and remember the funny times in our lives. It seems like everyday they do something to crack me up or make me proud and I think I'll remember it forever but by the next day I'm scratching my head trying to think of the story. Guess that happens when you get older and your life is full of go go go. Seems like I never have time to sit down and journal the fun, sweet memories. Here are some of the highlights from this past week.

Sweet brother:

Haley was goofing off and fell out of the chair. I really didn't have too much sympathy since I told her not to do it or she would fall. I know, mean mom. Well, Jackson was much nicer. He went over to comfort his sissy and peeled off all the stickers he had painstakingly put all over his arms to give to her. It made her happy, and me too. He then gave her a hug. How sweet.

Another mother:

Haley asked me the other day in the car when she gets to be a mother. I told her not until she gets older like me and to enjoy being a kid, it's lots of fun. She will be a good mother one day. This week she helped with Jackson's bedtime routine. She patiently brushed his teeth, read him books and gave him the sweetest kisses. It was too cute.

Little Gym fun:

Haley cracked me up at little gym. They had a station where they were to run a few steps then jump on the springboard and land. Well, Haley doesn't weigh enough to make the board go down. So she ran all the way across the mat as fast as she could go, hit the board, and... nothing. She didn't mind though and had lots of fun doing it. Guess that's what happens when you're so petite and not even 30lbs yet!

Today we took the kids to Kemah to enjoy the boardwalk. They had a blast despite the intense heat. Their favorites were the airplane ride and the Ferris wheel.

Jackson trying to fill Daddy's shoes. He is in a shoes phase.

Captain Haley ready for takeoff

Daddy and Jackson squeezing into the front seat

Haley flying high and loving it

Daddy and Haley on the Ferris wheel having a good time

Mommy and Jackson. Jackson was too busy looking at the water

Waiting patiently in line to ride it again!

Ready for the train ride.

Cooling off in the Aquarium. Jackson meeting some fish

Haley, Jackson and some random kid checking out Big Bertha, a huge grouper.

After a quick snack it was splash pad time. Jackson had lots of fun chasing after Haley

And Haley had lots of fun running from Jackson

It was HOT

Haley and Jackson taking Mommy for a ride

We had a blast in Kemah. The kids really did great despite the heat and powering through nap time. They were passed out in the car seats not even 30 seconds into the car ride home. Fun day!!