It's a ZOO in there!

We took ALL the kids (except Trever!) to the zoo this past weekend. And we all had a good time. The weather was beyond perfect. The Caldwell Zoo is located in Tyler, which is only about 40 miles from us (if that). And I think the last time I went I was around 13! I can't believe it has taken me this long to revisit. It's not too big but not too small either. And the flowers around the property were beautiful! Taydem had a blast! I was so mad at myself for not bringing my nicer camera. But at the time I didn't feel like carrying it around. So, instead I had to use my iphone.

Trever is STILL kicking some butt in baseball! They beat Hallsville last night. It's been since 2008 since Pine Tree beat their rivals in baseball. Proud of those boys and even more proud of Trever! Here's the newspaper article:
http://www.news-journal.com/sports/high_schools/pine-tree-snaps-long-losing-streak-vs-bobcats/article_cf16fe5f-78a0-55d8-b1c7-ed13d0d67b48.html

My blogging is getting worse and worse! SORRY! I just never feel that I'm much in front of a computer anymore and when I am, I am stuck working! So let me catch up...
Leven is still busy with track season. Trever is still doing well with baseball. I believe he's still leading the team with RBI's and batting average! Go TREVER! Taydem is a girlie girl! She wants to wear a dress to school EVERY DAY! It wears me out. I guess I just need to only buy dresses from now on. She's just so grown up and so caring. So dang sweet! How did we ever get so lucky? I am almost finished with club volleyball. My last tournament is next weekend and then I will be able to slow down some. Tomorrow we are going to the ZOO! I will have pics next week to show you.

This picture was on the newspaper's website

Last weekend, Leven and I went to Shreveport with another couple for the night. We started off at Superior Bar & Grill and ended up at the casino. Leven and I did bad...in other words LOST OUR BUTTS! But Paul and Stephanie hit it big...on SLOTS! We never play slots. Even though we came home broke, we still had a good time.

We decided to spend the night in Shreveport that night so Taydem ended up staying with Nikki (she plays on my volleyball club team) and her mom, Babette! Nikki and Babette love Taydem and would probably adopt her if we let them. And Taydem loves them! She's already asking me when Taydem can stay the night again! Such sweet people. Here are some pictures that Babette took of Taydem and Nikki that night and was texting them to me so I wouldn't worry much!

And while we were having fun in Shreveport and Taydem having fun with Nikki, Trever went to Waco to watch Baylor play Texas Tech in baseball! He got to see Bailey and Melissa too!! Bailey and Trever were the bestest of friends while we were in Mexia. And Bailey, her mom Melissa and her sister Kendle were such good friends to Leven and Trever. Kendle played volleyball for Leven before we moved to Longview. We love and miss this sweet family bunches.

And this is how we ended last weekend:

Poor thing and his allergies!!

Working out is about to wear me out! I started bootcamp back in January and I'm pretty much already burned out from it. Vegas is in June, but I need a break.  Next week is my last week so I'm think I'm going to take a break and start back up in May. Ugh....

Leven took off to Mexia yesterday and Trever went to visit his mom. Taydem and I have the house to ourselves for a couple of days! Can you see me smiling??

So last night we headed to Tatum to eat burgers at Dustin and Molly's house and celebrate Darin's birthday. I love these times we spend together. I have said it over and over. We are so blessed to be right around the corner from one another. I love seeing Taydem play with all her cousins. I actually got all of them together for a quick picture.

Later on I took a few pictures of Taydem and Austyn. Austyn loves her big cousin Taydem and does everything she does.

Trever is still doing really well in baseball. As of Tuesday he was leading the team with the highest batting average. His playing first base and has made some incrediable saves. Very proud of him!

Taydem has her Pre-K graduation in May! OMG. I've been getting information about it and I can't believe it. She's so grown. She has to say a couple of sentences for part of the graduation. I guess they are putting together a little program for us. So we've been practicing.  ALOT

My sweet bundle!

Taydem and the Bride!

Work it

Yesterday at work I did all kinds of NEW things! I did my first sampling. After the oil spill that happened a couple of weeks ago, you have to take samples of the area after it's all cleaned up to make sure there's no oil still in the soil and surrounding waters. After you collect the samples, they must be taken to a lab for results. Check out our cooler full of samples.

A little bit later, I got to drive the dozer and be the operator for just a little while. As a child, my dad had a dirt construction company and he had this type of equipment. But being a little GIRL, I never had the chance to drive it like my older brother's did. So yesterday was a blast. I only got to drive it for about 10 minutes, but I got the hang of it and didn't want to stop. Something about running over trees and brush is COOL!

You ask?? Of course I had help...in the beginning. Paul was in the cab with me teaching me how to operate all those gadgets. Then he decided to film some of it! Check it out....

Rip it!

Trever is doing really well so far this year in baseball. He's already made the paper three times! (Longview News Journal). This past weekend bases were loaded and we were down 3-0. Trever steps up to bat and rips it to center field over the players head. He gets a triple and ties the game with 3 RBI's! They ended up winning that game 8-4! He has played 3rd and 1st base and is doing well on defense too.

And then there's sassy pants!

"Mommie, take my picture! I look cute today!"

It's getting to me

I am worn out these days! I think this will be my last year to coach a club volleyball team. Two practices a week and weekend tournaments are getting to be too much. This past weekend we had another tournament in the Garland area. Ronny and Debbie Maxey were nice enough to let Leven and I stay in their condo. Their condo is by far one of the nicest places I've stayed at. It's located in Uptown Dallas one the 7th floor. So cool! Here's a picture of our view Sunday morning.

My team this year is struggling! We just can't seem to get it together. The problem is these girls are way to soft. None of them have a competitive bone in their bodies. They are just out their to play. I don't think they care if they win or lose. So it DRIVES ME CRAZY, when I'm trying to coach them. So if you do bad on Saturday pool play, then you have the later games on Sunday. And that means getting home later!! **Another reason to be worn out**

Trever started baseball (finally) last Wednesday. His first game is tonight!

Taydem is getting bigger and smarter! I can tell a big change in her these past couple of months.

Leven is on to coaching Track for this Spring. His first meet got cancelled (rain, this past Saturday) so he was able to go with me to my volleyball tournament. I never talked about Valentine's last week. Leven hooked me up with a nice pair of sunglasses and flowers!

I have always liked any kind of video games. Growing up my parents wouldn't let us kids have a video game system in our house because 1. They knew we would all fight over it AND 2. They didn't want us stuck in the house behind a TV all day. So I would find ways to always get my hands on one. Usually at our cousins or friends house. Well now I'm in my 30's and I'm hooked on these stupid iphone games! Angry birds, Bejeweled, and Temple Run. I will lay in bed at night playing these games until I'm about to pass out. Plus, I always have to beat my score from the night before! Temple Run is my new obsession. I finally broke my record last night. If you don't play this game, then you have no idea what this score means!! I'm still not as good as A LOT of folks, but it's my best score.