Time Keeps on Slippin into the Future

For those of you now stuck with the Steve Miller Band song stuck in your head after reading the title, I am somewhat sorry, but it was what came to mind.  I did not mean to stretch out my posts to three months, but it has been C.R.A.Z.Y. at the Pope house.  I am hoping that going forward my posts will be a little more frequent!  Here is our first quarter of 2016 in review.

We finally sold our house in Sienna.  Everything always works out just as it was supposed to be, though the road is often uncertain.

It took 2 large moving trucks and a trailer to move us and all of our stuff to Katy.  It was definitely different with the kids this time, but our wonderful family helped watch them so that we could pack and move with minimal disruption to the Little Popes and Team Leader.  We love being closer to the Nutrition Nazi now!

This sweet little monkey turned 2 in February.  We somehow managed to have a wonderful party with our family and friends in the middle of packing!  The rule was everyone had to pack two boxes before they could have cake!  Just kidding I'm too Type A to let someone else pack my stuff!

I seriously don't know where the time is going and can't believe how big he is getting.

There is still no denying who this kid belongs to! 

He learned how to open gifts from his big brother, and with a little help from our friends ripped through them in no time!

Every year I try to get a pic of me holding them to show how they've grown, and this may be the last year for that.  He is so tall his legs will probably be at my knees next year!

Of course there is the camera switch and NN gets in on his own pic! 

Shortly after we moved into the new house there was a brutal ninja sword fight that NN got caught up in.  Just kidding!  He was playing with the Little Popes when Camo's teeth caught his forehead.  Ouch! 

The kids settled in nicely in Katy.  They love the parks!

They especially love to chase each other up the slide!

The Team Leader is loving our new patio!

The beginning of March brought us another trip to the Rodeo, and we actually went to the show this year.  Beforehand Camo had to sample some of the food in the midway!

Of course they loved the rides!  This was Camo's first year of eligibility in carnival rides!  Luckily he had Little Pope close by to ease his fears.

Surprisingly this sweet face loved the actual rodeo, especially the bull riding.

I love this photo of the amazement on his face.  He was so enamored with the fireworks show before the concert.  The concert was less impressive.

The end of March brought several days of Easter festivities, beginning with a soggy parade at school.

This was how things were going about halfway through all of our events.  Definitely not a good sign.

Camo did at least participate for a few minutes in the egg hunt.

Little Pope was really excited, though, the picture says otherwise!

Thank goodness Little Pope looks like his mama!  Camo is looking at his future in this pic!

At least one of my children was excited about their Easter basket!  She also learned a new trick...blending in with the new rug!

Every year she always has the most fun in the Easter egg hunt, though Camo is starting to jump on her train.

This one used up all his excitement in the days leading up to Easter.

Once they woke up I got a few smiles!

I guess this is Camo's way of telling me no more pics.

And just for grins I threw in this pic of their reaction to seeing me blow a bubble with gum for the first time.  They thought is was the funniest thing ever.  Luckily we 'ran out' of gum or otherwise my jaw would be beyond sore!

Easter Overload

We had many fun Easter events that we attended this year.  So many that by the time the kids got to the Easter egg hunt at our house Easter morning they were basically not interested!

The fun started with a Easter Bonnet and Hat parade at Little Pope's school, then followed by the Easter bunny and an egg hunt.

He really got excited about the Easter bunny this year!  He is waiting and looking at the Easter bunny talks to other kids.

The poor little girl next him did not have a great time during this part!  Luckily it was short-lived and her mom was close!

Having fun at the egg hunt!

The boys were too cute working as a team at the egg hunt!  Camo picked up eggs and put them in Little Pope's bag.  I had to make him put them in other kids bags towards the end so that we did not go home with too many eggs!

Bless these two ladies who wrangle these toddlers and even smile doing it.  Aren't the little girls' hats too cute?

Next was the Easter Fair at Sweetwater Country Club!  I can't believe he sat still long enough for this to happen!

This time Little Pope got up close and personal with the Easter Bunny!  

There was also a trackless train that we rode many times!  I guess it reminded them of the rodeo carnival!

Camo had a good time running in the grass!  Such simple things make him happy!

Then it was on to the Pope Easter with the cousins.  My poor sweet niece is still the only little girl.  She is smart enough to stay away from the other 5 knuckle-heads!  She quietly colored while waiting for the Easter egg hunt.  The boys ran around crazy in different directions.

Finally Easter morning at the Pope house!

He likes the idea of the Pez dispenser more than he actually like Pez.  I have s serious supply of the Pez candy since he does not like it!

We had our egg hunt inside since it was pouring outside.

Like I said earlier they were basically ambivalent at the beginning and lost interest in less than a few minutes despite the eggs being blatantly obvious.

The enthusiasm is going downhill quickly! I ended up picking up most of the eggs.

He was excited about this toy for exactly 5 seconds.  All of my hard work of finding non-candy egg stuffers was somewhat wasted.  However the Team Leader loves hunting Easter eggs!  This was actually the first time she came up the stairs in over a year.

So I saved the best for last.  With all that has been going on with her I actually forgot until the day before Easter that I had not bought anything for her Easter basket.  So off we all went to Petsmart.  I am glad because she had the most fun!

And like any good pet parent and half-poodle lover, the Nutrition Nazi was right behind carrying her basket and opening the eggs with her treats.  She knows who runs this show and she has and very terrible haircut right now!

A Hoppin Good Time

 Our Easter weekends seem to be crazy now that we have the Little Popes.  Here is our fun-filled weekend in pictures!

We started out with a an egg hunt at Paw Paw and Cici's house.

We are still perfecting his egg hunting skills, and maybe I should have bought him a lighter egg hunting basket.

Success!  His cousin Korbin helped with the rest of the hunt because Little Pope decided he was done with it all.

My guess is that Little Pope is running his mouth endlessly in true Pope form to the Nutrition Nazi and his uncle.  I am sure the Pope side considers this a genetic gift while the rest of the free world could use a little less chatter some days.

My father-in-law holding the newest Little Popes.  On the left is my nephew born 10 days before Camo!  He is a solid little one!

We attempted to herd wet cats in this pic, and we are actually missing the oldest grandchild!

Take two of about ten pics!  Of course my child is always the least cooperative.

I was amazed, though, because he hung around for a solo pic with my step mother-in-law.

Our next stop was the great grandparents.  Little Pope made himself at home quickly.  Good thing George wasn't going anywhere because Little Pope entertained himself with his walker!

Granny holding one of her favorite people in the whole world.

Perfecting his I-didn't-do-it look!

Camo on Easter morning sporting his matching onesie to his big brother's shirt!

This is my favorite pic of the whole weekend.  It is our life perfectly captured - pure chaos - I love it!

On to the Easter egg hunt.  The Team Leader is always the most excited!

She still needs a little help, though, but that is what the Nutrition Nazi is there for!

 She even brought the enthusiasm to Little Pope's egg hunt at our house.

Again NN serves as the helper and also Camo holder!

And one last stretch and Easter comes to a close until next year!