Mari's Birthday Party

We had Mari's birthday party on Saturday. Those Brazilian's LOVE to party!

I made a larger different version of the Fejoida with rice that took all day (and kept multiplying!), caipirinhas, lots of finger food and pie!

Mari and her friends pausing from dancing for a picture . . .
The Solari's came over to join in on the fun! The boys hung out in the trees . . .

Outside with the Birthday girl!

Why is Tommy always trying to hurt me . . .

Birthday Princess and Host Momma!

Birthday Cake!
Willy wanted so badly to shove a piece of pie in his face!

I think it was all he thought it would be and more! Love those Solari boys!

Mari and her friends outside . . .

Our driveway looked like a used car lot!

We're so glad to have Mari in our lives! Happy 26th Birthday!

Annual BNSF Picnic - 2008

It's that time of year again! The kids look forward to these picnics every year just as much as I did when I was little!

The cousin "reunion"

The big slides . . .
Landon going down - Dylan catching some air on his jump!

Madelyn going down like a little lady while Chase helps Marek up the rope ladder.

So sweet of Chase to help and then look on as my man makes it down the slide . . .

Watermelon!

More lines for more rides!

More sugar!

Train ride!

Uncle Chris getting some loves from Marek!

My sweet angel

Cousins and Best Friends . . .

Waiting in line for the face painting after LOTS of sugar. It's hard to hold still . . .

Marek being consoled by Nana . . . little too much sugar for him . . .

Sugar comas. . .

Of course they picked the same design! So beautiful!

Chase and Dylan with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!

They danced and sang with the band the rest of the night! It was home, bath and to bed!

Another GREAT BNSF Picnic.

Snuggles

I can never get enough.

Mari's Birthday!!

The big 2-6! We love our Mari and wanted to have a special celebration.

I took her and her girlfriends out to Cheesecake Factory for lunch.

I LOVE Cheesecake!!
Mari, her friends (Schlomit and Elaine) and me. :)

On her big day, I made her her favorite Brazilian fare - fejoida (black beans and pork dish) with rice with Pudding Cake for dessert!

Happy Happy Birthday, Mari!!!

Rangers Game with the Hannah's

We went to the Rangers game with Tom's college friend, Chris, his wife (Erin) and their two beautiful children! They recently moved back to Texas from Chicago. We're glad they're back!

Madelyn getting Rangers tattoos . . .

Marek getting inked as well . . .
Ethan with his cheek tattoo!

Ice cream!

and dippin' dots!

It was a great day with great people!

My Babies!

Before their 3rd day of school! Marek was not quite sure what all the excitement was about each week but smiled anyway. . .

Ready for school!
Momma and her babies. . .

GNO!!

Susan, Cindy, Donna, and I had a girls night out in Dallas! Love my Hoochies.

(Cindy, Susan, Donna, me)

I did Donna's make-up for the night - doesn't she look great?! She was pregnant so she couldn't drink, poor thing!

So, Cindy made a "Jacque" mask as a joke because they claim that I get things for free. "Free Jacque". Cracked me up!! No - we didn't bring it with us!

We went out to 864 for dinner and then went to some club (they're all the same)


We stayed at the Renaissance Hotel using Joey's (Cindy's husband) points - what a GREAT husband!!

2nd Day of School

My babies before their 2nd day of shool . . .

Back Rubs by Maddie

Like father, like daughter . . .

She actually gives really good back rubs!!

School Starts!!!

So, Madelyn and Marek started school today!!! This was Marek's first pre-school experience and Madelyn is in PRE-K!!! I can't believe it. They're getting so so big.

Here they are before school - all dressed and ready to go!

With mommy . . .

With Mari . . .

Walking in to school. Marek is still clueless - he just thinks we're all going somewhere together. :)

Stopping to check out the fishies!

Off to their classes! Madelyn ran right in - no issues!

Marek putting his lunch bag on the cart.

Marek was all smiles until I said "goodbye"!! Mari and I both cried as we left. He only cried and hid in the corner for the first two weeks of school. :( Breaks my heart.