Bragging on myself a little

Bragging on myself is not something I do often but I really am quite proud of myself for learning some of the things that I have in regard to my bow making. Click on the link to check it out. This is our creative blog.

http://www.createdwithheart.blogspot.com/

Thanks for humoring me.

Children's Museum

Tuesday morning I took the kids to the Children's museum. We had nothing on the books for that day and since we became members and had not been yet I thought this would be the perfect outing for us. We had a great time (though I have to admit that this outing may be easier with daddy tagging along or with one of the kids (Samantha) staying home). Poor Samantha but maneuvering her stroller through some of those areas was a tight fit. Anyways, Mason had a blast walking through the exhibits and climbing in all the cars. Poor thing wanted so badly to climb the tower of power (or whatever its called) but you have to be 5 yrs old to do it. He my look older then his age but he does not quite pass for 5 yet. I KNOW he would of had no problem climbing it though. We then made our way tot he tot spot so that I could feed the baby and he has DEFINITELY grown out of that phase for sure. You could totally tell that he was older then all the little tots in there. BUT, they asked me if he was 3 yet and he isn't so they let us in. heehee All in all it was a fun time. Here are some shots from the day.

Here he is shopping in the little grocery store

Doing some buliding

Samantha looking around. We have been sitting her in her stroller like a big girl b/c she loves to look around and see everything that is happening around her.

Driving his hot rod

With the cow outside the tot spot area. He really wanted to sit on it but there is a little sign put up behind it that specifically says " Please do not sit on cow" haha

Birthday weekend in CC

Last weekend we went to CC (Corpus Christi) to celebrate many a birthday. My brother Joshua's birthday was Feb. 24th, my nephew Zachary's birthday was Feb. 26th, my brother Michael's birthday and my niece Jacquelyn's birthdays were March 2nd. Crazy huh? Well Zachary and Jacquelyn were both having birthday parties so we made the trek down to good ol CC for them. What a fun weekend we had. Saturday was Zachary's birthday party at the Ultimate Party zone. Here is a picture of him and Mason together in the giant blow up chair.

As you can see Mason has chocolate frosting all over his mouth. Those sure were yummy cupcakes :)

Sunday was Jacquelyn's tea party in tutu's. It was so cute! Here are the girls together.

Sorry its the wrong way but here is one of Samantha in her adorable outfit. I didn't have a tutu for her (shocking I know) so I went to gymboree and bought this onesie that had the tutu attached. Then I put her in baby legs so that she wouldn't get cold. Isn't she ADORABLE!!

We also got some good quality time with my parents and grandparents. Its always nice to get to spend time with them.

Here is Samantha with her GG-Ma and GG-Pa

Mason and GG-Pa

Mason and his PoPo Ne (my dad)

Thanks for the fun weekend family. We love ya'll and miss ya'll already. See ya'll in a week :)

Saturday Morning Panpakes

Derrek has officially started a new tradition in the LeRouax house of Saturday morning panpakes (as mason calls them). It is so funny b/c we have done this enough times for Mason to actually KNOW that he gets panpakes every Saturday morning. When he gets up in the morning and we ask him what he wants he always says panpakes. He loves them!! This is one of those things that I hope he will take with him as he gets older. When he goes off to college and is on his own I hope he will make pancakes on saturdays and think of his daddy. When he gets married and has his own kids I hope that he will make saturday morning panpakes for them too and say " You know your grandpa use to do this for me when I was a little boy." I know its super sentimental of me but that is my hope :)

Here they are together making their Saturday Morning Panpakes

I did it!!!

Well I finally did it, I opened an etsy shop. It is 100% still a work in progress but at least it is up and running. All I have in it right now are bows, clippies and stretchy headbands (thanks to my MIL for the indirect idea). There is a ton more stuff that I am wanting to add to it but of course I need to have (and find) the time to be able to make them. So go and take a look and tell me what you think. Of course if you happen to HATE it then please just lie to me :)

www.homemadewithheart.etsy.com

Here is my little avatar but on the etsy site it is facing the correct direction. Aren't I so clever?? haha :)

ENJOY!!!

The backyard project begins

So now that we have our fabulous play set in the backyard we have decided that we need a fabulous backyard patio to go with it :) Well, since we unfortunately payed way to much to the government last year we got back a pretty decent tax return so with this return we are putting in our new back patio. We are super excited!! This morning the work got started. We have contracted out the concrete work b/c what these guys can do in one day would have taken Derrek about a week to do on his own. The pergola that will go above the patio will be built by Derrek and his friend Jonathan (D is very excited to be taking on such a manly task). Lastly, Derrek and Jonathan will tile the concrete and build out some tile bases for the main posts. Today the concrete crew came and demolished the existing 10X10 slab, they put up the side forms for the new slab, they dug out the grass that was in the new space and they put up the main posts for the pergola. Like I said it took them 1 day to do what would have taken Derrek a week :) So far its looking like it is going to be an awesome space. We cant wait for it to be completed.

A side view

From the back

The post in the hole :)

These boards are the top of the pergola. Derrek is cutting the design into the end of each and every one.

And just b/c they are so stinking cute here are Mason and Samantha.

Mason was so tired he fell asleep watching the olympics

We love our Paw Paw Tuck

Recently our family has been going through a very difficult time. Our beloved Paw Paw Tuck is very sick and will not be with us for much longer. This is heartbreaking for us all. For those who dont know, Paw Paw Tuck is Derrek's grandfather on his mothers side. He is also the same grandfather that Mason Tuck LeRouax (my son) is named after. To all you reading this post let me tell you a little bit about Paw Paw Tuck. He is a very dedicated LONGHORN. He himself went to UT as did his father before him. He is a Navy man. He is an engineer who spent a large amount of time overseas and who worked for Exxon for many many years. He is a dedicated and highly gifted wood worker who loved to create beautiful things. He is a problem solver. He is a Master Mason and has been for over 30 years. He is an avid story teller who never left a single detail out. He is a man who loved to razz his grandsons for going to (according to him) "the other school" but, the rivalry was fun and always in good spirit. He loved his wife, his kids, his grandkids and great-grandkids deeply. He loved to brew his own beer and we all loved to drink it. Paw Paw Tuck is a sweet spirited and loving man who has lived an amazing life that contained heartbreak, laughter, adventure and love. He will be deeply missed but NEVER forgotten. WE LOVE YOU PAW PAW TUCK!!!

Shirt and boots courtesy of Paw Paw Tuck

The first time Paw Paw Tuck and Lit'l Tuck met

Paw Paw Tuck and his daughter Amy at a christmas gathering. His shirt alone tells you that he had a fun sense of humor.

Paw Paw Tuck and Lit'l Tuck sitting in his office on one of our visits

The Tuck's together

Mason riding his hobby horse that Paw Paw built for him. Isnt it beautiful?

Paw Paw Tuck with his grandsons as they carry on the Mason tradition

Derrek and Paw Paw Tuck in the shop doing what they love.

The finished product of from the above pictures in the shop

Lit'l Tuck with his Paw Paw Tuck and Gigi Joy

Mason and Paw Paw lounging around in Paw Paw's favorite chair.

And lastly I am sad to say the only pictures that we have of Paw Paw Tuck with Samantha. I am so thankful to have these photos of them together and that they got to meet each other.

We are all so grateful to have him in our lives!!

Frank Tuck Focht: April 26, 1926-February 4, 2010