Dinner at Gloria's

I must immortalize Gloria's in Dallas. We went to dinner here and have every time we have been in Dallas for as long as I can remember. The BEST Mexican, rather Salvadorian food. The kids are eating their famous black bean dip. Myann went through 2 bowls by herself. Shane and Austin shared 2 or 3 bowls. Diapers the next day were not fun. I was pretty cranky at dinner, Myann wasn't in a great mood, so I had to eat fast. I dislike eating my favorite food fast.



Alex and Myann. My brother is amazing about coming to get whichever kid is misbehaving so I can eat in a little peace. It is so wonderful. I don't remember ever doing this for him when his kids were young, so I am doubly appreciative. Thank you Alex!!!

The Laynor Reunion Day 2

Today we all played at the park, though really windy and then had dinner at my mom's house.

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Happy Birthday Mom! I am with you today, what a special treat, that only happens once every 3-4 years. You are a wonderful mother who I am lucky to have. I treasure our relationship and hope that we have set an example that Myann and I can follow. I know that we are blessed to have a relationship where you are both my mom and my friend. I love that we talk everyday and that I can talk to you about anything. You are always there to listen or offer advice, but mostly to just tell me I am doing a good job as a mom. Hearing that from you means more than you will ever know.

My mom is an identical twin, and I adore my Aunt Pam, so I would be remiss to not say Happy Birthday Aunt Pam!!! I love you so much and can't wait to see you again. You are a wonderful aunt and such a great example of enjoying life, taking care of yourself, and loving your family. Plus you can bake, I love your cooking. I can't believe it when mom says that you used to be a terrible cook, I have loved your cooking for as long as I can remember.

The Laynor Reunion Day 1

We drove up from Houston to Dallas and made it with just enough time to see my cousin Micah and his family before they left town. So lots of my cousins and our kids were all together, great photo op. Though at the time of these pictures it was pretty late at night and we were all exhausted. I love family, just being together was wonderful. Thank you to my cousins and aunt who drove from far away so we could all be together.

My grandparents and the 1st generation


Cousins and our significant others (though Tiff's husband Steve wasn't here)


2nd cousins (not all, but a lot of them)

Merry Christmas

Poor Shane spent Christmas with a post allergic reaction face, he had been around cats the day before, and this is what he looked like WITH benadryl.

Christmas Day was spent at Brian's Dad's, Grandpa Jo and Grandma Anne's.




Brian took these:
All the siblings are asleep, I'm wide awake.






Braxton and Shane - too cute in matching pjs

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was at Brian's mom's house, Grandma Jo's.

All of our kids - Wow we know how to procreate!!!

Tonight we had a reunion of sorts we some of my closest friends and their families. Michelle hosted all of us at her house. It was the first time we had all gotten together, husbands and kids. Considering all the people, it was not too chaotic and a lot of fun. We had a wonderful dinner, gingerbread house decorating, and bath time craziness.

Anders' Baptism

Today Anders was baptized at Abiding Word Lutheran Church in Houston, TX. Abiding Word is the church we still hold membership at, and the church we were married in. It is a special place for us and we were so happy that Anders was baptized there with people who know and care for us. We pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to work in Anders and he will always love the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you to our family and friends who joined us on this wonderful occasion.

After the baptism, we continued the celebration at a party hosted by Grandma Jo and Richard at Richard's gorgeous home. We had a wonderful time visiting with everyone. I was too thrilled to get some yummy Lupe's Tortillas mexican food. Richard also made the most amazing shrimp dip I have ever had. Several of us ate ourselves sick over it. Thank you Merrilee and Richard for a wonderful day.

Anders adoring his Godmother, Aunt Danielle. Alex is Godfather, but he had to work and couldn't be there.


Us with Pastor Valleskey


Michelle and Morgan (What a cute mother/daughter pair)




Uncle Shane with Anders

Uncle GG is brave

Today Uncle GG (my Uncle George) took Shane and Myann to the Houston Zoo. I drove them into town and dropped them off at his house with the diaper bag and instructions to have fun and call if he needed anything. Uncle GG had not a worry in the world, until everyone kept telling him how brave he was to take both kids alone. I don't think Brian has ever taken both kids out in public alone. However, our kids are usually well behaved with others, so I wasn't too worried. I warned George that he probably should bring them back by 2 or 3 since Myann would become unpleasant if she missed her nap in entirety. I then headed off with Anders to meet up with Brian's mom to coordinate for Anders' baptism party the following day.

Around 3, Uncle GG brought them home and said they had a great day with only one meltdown when Shane got his shoes dirty. I would call that a great success!!! Shane still talks about his outing a year ago with Uncle GG, when he took Shane to the Children's Museum and Shane milked a fake cow and rode the train. I love that my kids are building these types of memories with Uncle GG like I did as a child. When I was 12, Uncle GG flew me by myself to Houston for my birthday, took me shopping at Macy's, and then to see the Nutcracker. This was the first of many specials outings with Uncle GG. I love you Uncle George!!!

Random statements

Shane told Myann that he got to go first. I said they needed to take turns and Myann got to go first. Shane said that he came out of my tummy first, so he always got to go first. Pretty good logic.

Shane has been terrible about going to bed. Fighting us every night. The other night after the soap incident from HE!!, Brian again asked him why he would not go to bed. Shane said, "You have to realize that I am still a little boy and I get afraid of the dark." Talk about a precocious 3 year old.

Myann starts everything with "Hey!" Like, "Hey, don't eat that, or Hey don't do that, or Hey, that's mine." Normally I would think it was quite rude, but it is so cute coming from her.

Behind on blogging

So I am super behind on blogging and hope to catch up in the next week. I have 2 weeks worth of happenings and photos to post. I wanted to post a shout out to all my friends in Spokane. I am so sorry for the snow you are enduring. I won't rub in that we have had temps in the 70s here in Houston. Tomorrow it is supposed to get into the 30s, so we will get a bit of a cold spell. I hope you are finding ways to keep sane. I owe Tina, Ben and my neighbor Heather huge thank yous for plowing our driveway and taking care of the house for us while we are gone.

As for what we have been up to, hanging with family and friends.

One funny to tell and then off to bed. Today I was driving the kids into town so they could go with their Uncle GG to the zoo. Uncle GG was very brave to ask if he could take Shane and Myann to the zoo alone. (Apparently all went well, they had fun and he survived). Anyway, while driving in, every time we came to a stop Myann would say, "We're home!" The first time Shane corrected her and said we were not home. As she continued to say it, he grew more irritated and repeated that we were not home and to stop saying it. Finally, Shane was done and told her that she had said it for the last time and to not say we were home because we were not home. I was laughing hysterically. I think she was doing it just to annoy him.

Girls vs Boys

Today we hung out with the Gaitz family, Shane and Charles Ethan played while Morgan and Myann played. "Playing" is not accurate, "fighting" would be more descriptive, but hey, they were preoccupied and Michelle and I got to chat.

By the way, Michelle is a genius. Myann and Morgan wanted to play with game controllers too, so Michelle gave them their own, the girls didn't notice that theirs were not connected to the actual game.