Wow, we had fun!!!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!!  We had a very special weekend!!  We went to dinner with some great friends on Saturday night.  After dinner we saw Rob Schneider at the Improv.  I have not laughed that hard in so long.  It felt sooooo good to just RELAX and have fun!  Boy, did we need that!!!

Sunday after lunch we went to Lone Star Park.  The girls had never been to the horse races so we thought....3 and 5 was the perfect age to introduce GAMBLING. LOL!  Of course we brought our favorite person in the world with us!! (Jaelyn)  We gave each of the girls $2 before each race and told them to pick a horse.  The girls absolutely loved it!!  They also enjoyed the hot dogs, nachos, french fries, candy, ice cream and coke!!!!  YES, they had all of that!

We came home after race 8 and ran to the swimming pool!  We stayed at the swimming pool till dark.  Then came home to our favorite dinner....7 Spices.  We have that quite often.....because I have connections......sssshhhhhh!!!! ;)  (Jaelyn's mommy and my best friend own the restaurant)

After dinner we tucked the girls in bed early.  You can only imagine how exhausted they were!  Mike and I then watched a great movie! 

Wow, it is almost unbelievable how great our weekend has gone!  I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!!

We had a small attitude problem at the very beginning, but things got better!  Berkley could not understand why she couldn't race~ LOL!

Jaelyn really wanted to ride too.

Their first $2....Their first bet!

Oh yes!  That is my girl!  Lone Star Park...Kentucky Derby.....a girl must not forget her hat! :)

The big girls really paid attention.  Halle was just thrilled to have her peanut M&M's!!!

So naturally, guess who won the first race?  HALLE!!!!!  She loved it!!!

This was Berkley and Jaelyn's reaction after race 3.  Jaelyn WON and Berkley came in second.  The race was VERY close.  Soooo fun!!!

Buds!  Jaelyn, 5 going on 15.

Yummo!!!

Halle sister, that is as big as your head!

The big girls waiting to see how much $$$$$ they won!  I think Jaelyn brought in $4.80 here.

It was very hot, but we did go out once to get a closer look at the beautiful horses!

Halle was insistent on riding one of the horses!  This was the best I could do.  She was thrilled!!!

Whewwww~

I'm a big girl now

Berkley had an awesome Pre K program at St. Johns.  I have actual videos of the performance.  When I have time I will load them.

I know you have already seen this picture, but....I can't get enough of it. :)

Waiting for the show to begin.

This is Lily.  We never did get to have a play date with her, but Berkley talked about her all the time.  Lily, we hope to see you again real soon!

Nana and Papa sat with us at Berkley's program.

We curled Berkley's hair for the performance and straightened Halle's hair.  :)  My girls keep me very busy. 

St. John's just built the most beautiful prayer garden.  We could spend hours here!  (notice the other sisters taking pictures as well.)

My Halle-girl is finally letting me take her picture! 

Berkley has always posed for the camera!

catch up

I have been horrible at keeping up with my blog!  The good news is, I have been sleeping much better and so I rarely stay up long enough to update.   Although I have been bad at the up keep, I am still pretty good at making sure my camera is with me at all times to capture the special moments God has blessed me with. 

The last two weeks have been peaceful at our house.  Peace is not always how I would describe the Bickle household. (I would typically describe us as a F-0 tornado..... Little or no destruction, but much more of a whirlwind than most family's.) LOL!

Mike and I have actually found time to visit.  Believe it or not, we have found time for a date or two.  We have been enjoying each other's company.  I cherish these days!  I really do! 

I am working hard at staying active!  The gym is helping me with so many aspects of my life!  It is interesting to me how God changes your expectations and your focus as you age.  I use to go to the gym (or run like a mad lady) for image....and image alone.  I exercise now because I realize my body is a gift.  It is my responsibility to take care of the gift I was given as much as possible.  I also realize that exercise gives me such a clear head. (those who know me are saying....keep exercising!):-)  I have so many positive and inspirational thoughts while I am exercising.  I seem to be happier at home.  I have so much more energy....the list just goes on and on.  I am still extremely self conscious about my swim-suit body.  I am still not sure when I will be able to go to the pool without a full cover up on the entire day, but I am working on it.  The gym is my natural anti-depressant, anxiety medicine, pms reliever, and a diet supplement all in one.  I am so grateful that I have no disabilities keeping me from exercising!



Here are some pictures I have collected.

The girls are taking swim lessons at Lifetime.  I am so glad my girls love the water!

I think this is my FAVORITE picture of Halle ever.  Daddy took them to their lessons and took this picture of Halle.  She melts me.....oh how I love this girl!!!

 Justin and Jaelyn went to Mayfest with us.  We had the best time.  The girls were worn out!

This was on Mother's Day weekend. 

Jaelyn is my adopted child. :-)  I love her like my own.  My whole family loves her like our own! Look at that pose!  Jaelyn, you sassy thing!

Halle peeking in on a mama rabbit and her babies.

 Jaelyn loved this bunny!

 Berkley really wanted to take this duck home as our pet.  I almost fell for it.  Good thing Daddy was there.

Halle really wanted to see if the duck's legs pop off.

We tried really hard to keep them from seeing the playground! :)  No such luck.  Those girls can sniff out a jungle gym from 10 miles away.  We watched the girls play for about an hour

Halle's favorite ride at Mayfest.  Round and round and round....oh my goodness! I rode with her twice and then Mike had to take a turn.  We were both sick after.  Halle was ready for more!

Jaelyn and Halle snuggled in my bed.  So precious!

My little Rock Star.  Berkley loves to sing, dance, act and of course be on camera

Best Friends

The girls and I enjoying a 'pop' at Rays pharmacy after Berkley's last soccer game.  We love Rays/Suzy Q's.

They have an old-fashion diner and a gift shop a girl could spend hours in.

We had a soccer party for the Ponies later that afternoon at Chuck E. Cheese. 

Having one last team pow-wow

Gatlin and Halle are buddies. Gatlin's Mommy was Berkley's coach.

Lisa we hope to be on your team again!!!

 My girl got her a trophy!  Berkley scored 3 goals this season!  For NO experience, I was soooo proud of her!!  She is a lefty just like her big sister. 

Just one of those days I had to take some pictures of my beautiful girls! 

Berkley is so good at dressing herself!  I mean look at that ensemble!  ;)

Berkley all excited for her Pre K performance at St. John's.  She did beautifully!  ...and what a smile!  Berkley, I don't know what I ever did to deserve you and Halle!

Berkley's friend Grason.  The girls were so cute up on the big stage!

The girls and I spent an afternoon together at the Nature Center in Arlington before Mommy started working more hours.  The girls enjoyed it so much!! We are thinking of enrolling them in the summer camps there.

Believe it or not we did NOT have gymnastics on this day.  Berkley dressed both herself and Halle.  She says she wants to be a fashion designer when she grows up!  :)  and why not?  Everyone wants to wear tight gymnastics leotards on a 90 degree day!

We took a nature walk...just the 3 of us. Yes, we got a bit lost. We did find our way back eventually.

Two tired babies!!!