Kaska Family Farm

We headed out last weekend to a family farm. It is way out on a gravel road in West, Texas. It is literally the people's backyard. We played Garden Golf, rode a cow train, journeyed through a corn maze, went on a hayride, played in a corn box (instead of sand), picked a pumpkin from the patch, and shot a corn shooter. It was the best wholesome fun you could get. It is really sad that this world has become such a fast paced society and that kids think they need TV or video games to be entertained. My kids had a blast out there and didn't want to leave even though it was pouring down rain.

My two Piggies...

My sweet little babies are holding up really well against the "Pig Flu". They look pretty pitiful but in general are in good spirits. We are pumping them full of motrin, cough syrup and tamiflu. I hate to see my babies so sick and hope for a speedy recovery.

(Yes your eyes are not deceiving you...that is a binky in my 3.5 year old's mouth. And worse yet that is a tiny baby binky that you give to a 6 month old...I promise she won't go to college with it)

Gettin' Piggy wit it

All my fears and worries about the swine flu has officially hit home. Bubby was diagnosed today as a "piggy". As we were awaiting the test results, we get a call from Buggers' school and she is running a fever. So to spare everything the snotty, coughing, squirting, feverish details we are hunkered down here at the house until pigs fly. I made dinner tonight and you guessed it....pigs in a blanket!!! (I'm lovin' all the pig references)

Blue Man Dancers

We saw the Blue Man Group while in Vegas. Hubs loved them so much that he snagged a dvd on the internet for a few bucks. He let the kids watch it when we got home and they LOVE it!!! They both get to dancing and banging on the couches like they are little Blue Men. It is hilarious to watch!!

First day at school

Well my little babies started school today. They are going to a school that takes PreK kids ages 3 and up all the way to big kids 8th graders!!!. I was pretty apprehensive about them going today. I was worried about them in the cafeteria so much that we practiced eating out of our lunch kits last night for dinner. Also I was scared they would wander out the front of the school with a stranger. So I kept making them repeat all morning who was picking them up. I guess I wouldn't be so worried if they were going to daycare but they are actually going to elementary school. So in a sense today was their official first day of school that parents experience when their kids go to kindergarten. The funny thing is I thought my kids would be sad to stay and watch mom and dad walk out. No just the opposite they both hugged us and said see ya later. Surprising to myself I didn't cry, I guess because they did'yn cry. Plus they have had such a good attitude about school that it just felt right. So off to day #2 tomorrow.
Our clothes are all ready for tomorrow!!!

Breakfast of champions

Happy Birthday Momma!!!

My mom's birthday was Sunday...She turned 29 for the 30th time or so. We celebrated by eating lunch then heading over to my parents house for homemade double layer chocolate cake...yummo!!! I hope she had a great day.

122,222 turns 122,226

Well we are finally back online and ready to face the day without digging through boxes to find underwear. It is official we are in WACO!!! Woot Woot...
It is definitely taking some time to get used to this small town of 122,222 now 122,226. There are some definite differences between Waco and The Woodlands.
Lot less traffic, snooty people, things to do, restaurants to eat at (but my fav is here so all is good in that category), pools, parks, high dollar anything...to name a few. But with all this we got some great trade-offs...small town feel, slow pace, the fact you can get anywhere in town in less than 15 minutes, no humidity, good country folks, and of course one of the main reasons we moved here...my parents. It is going to take us some time to get used to things over here, learn how to get around without the GPS, and make some friends. We are going to head to church this weekend so hopefully that will help in the friend department. I have been meeting some interesting people at school. Some really funny gals who are cool to be around and looks like we have lots in common. It really looks like that my year at school is going to be great. I'm hoping it is my best yet!!

We are also having to get used to the house we are living in. It is a one story and we catch ourselves saying "Go upstairs for such and such." It is driving hubs crazy trying to learn all the little sounds that go bump in the night here also. One night he jumped out of bed when he heard something come from the bathroom in our room. He was ready to pounce on whoever/whatever it was...turns out the sticky hook on the door had popped off.

So wish us luck in our new town and pray we don't get lost often. We are excited to be on our little adventure and look forward to making this home.

Ball is rollin'

Well the ball is rolling on our house. We are going to hold out until the end of the weekend to try and sell it. But if it doesn't we have a lady who wants to rent it and eventually buy it whenever she can. We really like her and her kids and think she will be a great fit to the house. Of course we would really like to sell it so maybe it will happen this weekend. We had a good showing last night and have another one tomorrow. I just wish someone would commit and buy it. That would make moving over there so much easier since it would fit with our original get out of debt plan.

More good news...Hubs has an interview for an 8th grade math position next week. Send all the good thoughts and prayers you have up. We need this!!!! Plus I found out I should be able to get Bubby into PreK and it will be FREE!!!! Good news among all the stress is well welcomed!! '

BOUT TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!

Independence Day

(ok last smilebox I'll do tonight...just so darn cute)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Where they don't wear watches.

My parents took me and the kids to Galveston for a few days. It was so nice to get away for a little minication.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Cow Appreciation Day

Today was Cow Appreciation Day. Chic Fil A gave you a free meal if you came dressed as a cow today. I'm always a sucker for something free. I made our cow costumes out of things around the house...little bit of construction paper, tape, and ribbon. I think they turned out pretty cute. I was impressed that their were probably about 15 people total that I saw dressed up. That is pretty good considering where we live.









Now there were some valiant efforts made by some others. And some not so valiant.
These girls were so cute!!!


These guys were not!!!


I could not stop laughing at the guy who came in all alone wearing his cow costume loud and proud. He did not stay long. He came in got his free food and walked back to the car. Funny enough, his wife was in the car waiting for him laughing!!!! The guy in the black was very resourceful, the spots are torn up paper towels. Atleast he had a fellow idiot to stand next to him.

Summer Survey

1. What time did you get up this morning? 6 flippin AM

2. Diamonds or Pearls? Diamonds are a girl's best friend

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Cinema seriously? Who calls it that anymore? It's the BIG movie here in my house and we last saw UP

4. What is your favorite TV show? Currently...The Bachelorette (good summer TV)

5. What did you have for breakfast this morn? Good ole PB&J holding strong 10 days in a row

6. What's your fav name? Mommy....especially when it is accompanied by "can you wipe me?"

7. What foods do you dislike? any type of mushy vegetable

8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? CD? When was this survey written...all time fav CD is DMB Under the Table and Dreaming

9. What kind of car do you drive? You mean Bluebelle...Nissan Sentra

10. What characteristics do you despise? moocher

11. What are your favorite clothes? lounging clothes...comfy, faded, and all stretched out

12. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you
go? anywhere with a beach

13. What color is your bedroom? boring beige

14. Favorite brand of clothing? are you kidding me??? I only shop Walmart and Target with the occasional Marshall/TJ Maxx. My favorite brand is one that fits

15. Where would you want to retire to? either near the beach or in the country whichever is closer to my kids

16. Favorite time of day/night? morning....def a morning person

17. WHERE were you born? Bryan, Texas

18. Favorite sport to watch? Volleyball of course

19. Are you a morning person or night owl? both...i only need 5 hour to function

20. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with everyone? I won $1 million off a scratch off ticket...too bad it was fake

21. What did you want to be when you were little? physical therapist

22 . What are the different jobs you have had in your life? HEB cashier, Subway Sandwich Expert, Red Cross receptionist, teacher

23. Nicknames? Boo, Hay, Haybug, HillHay, Red

24. Number and location of piercings? really being a rebel here...2 one in each ear

25. Eye Color? green

26. Ever been to overseas? Rome!!

27. Been in a car accident? Yes unfortunately...3...2 of them in the driveway of my parents house

28. Favorite day of the week? Saturday

29. Favorite restaurant/fast food res.? Restaurant...Chuys Fast Food...Taco Bueno

30. Favorite flower/plant? Toss up btw hydrangea and tulips

31. Favorite ice cream? chocolate

32. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? a furniture store...

33. Bedtime? around 12

34. What are you listening to right now? Power Rangers Movie for the 3rd time today

35. How many tattoos do you have? None...

Upside Down and Feet to the Street

We are headed into craziness here with our house still on the market. We are into an insane routine of cleaning. We clean before we go to bed, clean before we leave, clean between cleanings, and clean when it is already clean. Our house is ready to show at the drop of a hat and believe me we have had them drive by and want to come in right then. So I have gotten a little desperate to figure out why it hasn't sold yet. I have fixed everything under the sun, painted everything that needs a touch up, swept so much I need a new broom and to no avail it still remains on the market. So I was talking to someone and they asked if we had gotten a St. Joseph statue yet. I googled it to see what the hype was all about and proceeded to call all around town looking for one. I found a Hallmark that carried them and loaded up the kids, grabbed my stash of cash that is for emergencies and headed out. I told Hubs that I was picking up a man and taking him back the house to bury him. He was confused but wasn't surprised that I was up to something. He even got home and searched the yard for freshly turned dirt. He was a good sport and helped me bury our little St. Joseph, upside down and feet to the street right next to our for sale sign. So we will see what the week brings...

Call me crazy, call me desperate, call me 1-800-Need it SOLD!!!

Safety Patrol!!! Safety Violation...Digging a hole with flip flops on.

Not quite sure why I can't get the pic right side up....Is that you St. Joseph playing tricks on me???



Here lies St. Joseph...

All great things must come to a close

Today my grandparents house sold. It offically closed around 11 and everything has to be out by 6 this evening. A new family will be living there after 47 years of having Catos reside there. There have been many children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends and family walk the halls of that old house. It is certainly sad to see the house change hands. However there is comfort in the fact that the memories will live on forever in our hearts. That house was very special to the Cato family. A family of six was raised there, many were married there, Thanksgivings and Christmases were held there, grandchildren were cradled and loved, and many meals were served out of that kitchen with the imfamous "table". That old house is even where my grandparents took their last breaths. I will miss the house but it is just a house. The legend lives on in our memories. So...so long 735 Terrace Blvd. Be good to the next family.
1963




PS A family friend sent this link to us not long after my gramp died. I just love it!! It is like he is still watching over us. Not sure when this satellite pic was taken.

Ellie Jane

So Rudy has been brought out of the closet...guess it is time to bring Ellie Jane out too. Buggers has this adorable baby doll made by Goldberger. No one can remember where we got her (but I have found that you can buy her brand new on Ebay). Buggers became attached to Ellie Jane about a year ago. I remember I was thinking of baby names for no apparent reason and came up with Ellie Jane. I told Hubs about it and he said "Where are we from? Alabama?" Right then and there I knew I would never get to use it. Therefore I gave it to Buggers baby doll. Well never in a million years did I think it would stick?


Buggers takes Ellie Jane everywhere....swimming pool, school, church, store, outside for walks, to the park, EVERYWHERE!!! Her teachers know Ellie Jane's name even the kids in her class know the doll's name. She is such a sweet little momma to her. She talks to her, rocks her, and puts her down for a nap/bedtime. She usually sleeps with her tucked under her arm. I just love watching her with her baby. She is very protective of her...no one else can play with Ellie Jane. They can play with her other babies but not Ellie. Bubby is also sweet and joins in with Buggers pretend play. Anytime Ellie Jane is left laying around he picks her up and takes her to Buggers. He even makes sure that we have her with us before we leave the house. Such a good big brother!!!



I notice Ellie Jane is getting a bit worn. Her clothes get washed fairly often but they are starting to get holes. She is a bit dirty from all the places she goes. I try to baby wipe her to keep her clean. I plan on getting her a back up doll just in case anything every happens to Ellie Jane. (Hubs made fun of me because one time we misplaced Ellie Jane and he claims I was more upset about it than Buggers.)

I've got a new number

1.31.10 I'll complete 13.1 when I'm 30.0

I have been training for my biggest personal accomplishment (next to birthing two children) for the past few weeks. I'm training to run a half marathon on Jan 31st. Just 2 weeks prior I will have turned 30. I feel like this is the greatest present I can give myself. It is the Miracle Match Marathon which supports those who are seeking their "miracle match" which is run through Scott & White Marrow Donor Program. I think it is a wondeful cause to run for.

I had a great start to my training. I was up to running for 30 minutes which was at or more than 2 miles. I even broke my mile time by 2.5 minutes. Then this stinkin' sinus infection got the best of me. I have taken a week off trying to get over it. I'm not quite over it but I've got to get back to training. I officially start on my 26 week training program which will take me all the way to race day. I have a week buffer in there just in cause something happens and I can't train one week.

I have been very fortunate to have a supportive hubby who entertains the kids while I go run. At the beginning my runs are just 30 minutes but as the training increases so will be my times out. He has been great so far. He even rode his bike while I ran cheering me on. I would love for him to run the half with me but we would have to get pretty creative on training. Mainly because I would want to train together if we race together.

I can't wait to cross that finish line and celebrate with my family on this huge accomplishment. It is going to take alot of dedication on my part as well as my family.

Life is short...so get out there and make something happen!!!