Friday, June 12, 2009

Tornado in Flower Mound

Flower Mound Tornado Siren!


Flower Mound was hit by a tornado
Wednesday night! It is likely to be called a F-1 (F-5 being the strongest) It was worse than last year’s hail storm. I am still amazed at the power of TEXAS! Kenny and Nick were gone at high adventure so they missed out on all the fun.

Emma and I were at her dance dress rehearsal and when we had come into the auditorium we did not even expect rain it was so clear. We were there about an hour and they stopped the rehearsal and announced there was a tornado warning(worse than a tornado watch) and we were all to evacuate into the band hall. It was a little chaotic, but emma and I managed to walk by the concession stand and grab a couple of bags of M&M’s before making our way into the band hall. There was a lot of little dancers running around with their little tutus and hair slicked back in a bun playing duck, duck, goose, or other small games. Luckily because of my experience with dance recitals I did not put emma in her costume yet since her dance was toward the end of the show. She was not happy with me at first because her whole class had their costume on and she did not. Anyways about 20 minutes into we heard the thunder and than the lights went out and we sat in this band hall for another 40 minutes. Emma was very scared, and just wanted to get home to Lily!

That was my biggest fear was my kids at home and Ashley who was at Gymnastics.

I called Kelsi who was at home with Jackson and Lily and gave them instructions to go outside and get all the towels and pool stuff and make sure the closet under the stairs was cleared out so if they needed to they could get in. I told her when the sirens go off just go in the closet. She said Lily was very scared, and crying because the sirens are so loud and then our electricity went off for awhile and the house alarms were going off which are very loud.

I started texting Ashley and finally got one through. I told her not try to go home but wait until the storm had passed. She texted back they were all huddled in the pit but it was really scary and loud.

Finally the storm finished and we left quickly while it was still raining but I was desperate to get home. As we drove home there were a lot of trees down, but our house was fine, we had tons of branches all over our yard, our barbeque was blown over and broke and our table outside with umbrella ended up in the pool. But compared to everyone else we were very lucky.

Many people in our ward got hit hard, large trees spilt into two, chimney down, and lots with out electricity. The Priesthood was out making sure everyone was ok immediately after the storm making sure everyone was ok. They had crews out all day yesterday with their chainsaws cutting down trees. It was awesome to see.

The storm even affected Elder Mele who was returning from his mission in Brazil. We were going to try to go see him in the morning but because of the storm, Lily became sick and I just had a feeling it might not be a good thing for us to go. Then about 5:50 in the morning, the time we would have been driving to the airport to see Jake, another storm came with some powerful wind and rain! I was so glad we were at home. Poor Jake’s flight from Brazil was rerouted to Houston because of the second storm that hit right about the time he was suppose to land at DFW. He spent the most of the day in the airport, I’m sure just wanting to get home to his family! We thought at first he was stranded at DFW and so for awhile we got excited that he might be able to come and stay the night with us but no such luck! He made it home last night safely!

It has been a couple of crazy days in TEXAS!

I didn't think to take any pictures yesterday but someone sent me this a video of some storm chasers. They are driving down Morris Road just down the street from our house, (we live off of Morris) They pass the kids elementary school! (sorry about the language)

http://untamedscience.com/DFWstorm

http://www.scntx.com/articles/2009/06/10/breaking_news/96.txt

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Lily's Birthday!

























































































































Lily's 2nd Birthday at Chuck E Cheese! Even the teenagers enjoyed themselves using most of the tokens for themselves! Except Kelsi who was too busy texting boyfriend!

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Friday, May 15, 2009

Bartlesville, Oklahoma

2009 USA GYMNASTICS WOMEN’S JR. OLYMPIC LEVEL 9 WESTERN CHAMPIONSHIPS
was kicked off with a good old fashioned western barbeque at the famous Woolaroc Wildlife and Game Preserve once owned by Frank Phillips, founder of Phillips Petroleum Co. There was real life cowboys and Live Indian dancers from the Oklahoma Delaware Tribe. There were clown's making balloon animals, a beautiful landscape to enjoy, a loud DJ with hundreds of wild gymnasts dancing, and even fireworks! It was alot of fun! Nick said "I think i am the only guy here under the age of 30!" We tried to talk him into going on the dance floor so we could take his picture with all the girls but he chickend out! we only got a picture of contemplating the idea!
Emma was showing her stuff to the Miley Cyrus song "Ho Down Throw Down" Lots of fun!!



















































Thursday, May 14, 2009

Tulsa, Oklahoma







Remember John's Incredible Pizza?
We found a "Tulsa's Incredible Pizza" and spent the day having a great time!



Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Historical Sites in Bartlesville, OK


We did some local historical sight seeing, Price Tower, only skyscapper designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and toured the home of Frank and Jane Phillips from the early 1900's!








Thursday, May 7, 2009

Lily's Broken Arm!


Lily tried to be Ashley and flip off the couch! Instead of sticking her landing she fell on her arm and began screaming! I knew immedietly she broke her arm so we rushed her to the ER and after much screaming we learned she had what they call a "green stick fracture!" We waited a day and then took her to the orthopedist who confirmed and then put her in a cast! At first she wanted orange and then half way through changed her mind to purple! Let me reassure you this has not slowed her down one bit! She is still climbing on everything and running around and has become quite good with her left hand! She gets even more oooo's cause her cast is so tiny and cute! It is not waterproof which is becoming difficult as the hot Texas summer starts and all the other kids are in the pool! She has to wear it for 3 weeks, so she will have it on for her birthday!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Monday, April 13, 2009

Happy Easter

I don't know if our video looks like it's from the 1970's because we need a new camera or if it was nick's lack of camera skills! I think we need a new camera which i don't want to admit to! Had to take pictures with the Blue Bonnets this year without kelsi, not sure they will be here still when she gets home in a couple of weeks! We can't wait!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

From Pinewood Derbies to Eagle Project!


Nick has finally arrived to be working on his Eagle Project. He choose helping kids at Children's Medical Center of Dallas who are too sick to get out of their beds to go to the playroom. He is collecting items to be put into activity bags, bringing the playroom to them! His goal is to make 40 bags by May 2nd!
The activity bags will be filled with coloring books, crayons, bubbles, beads, playdough, puzzles, cards etc...)
Good Luck Nick!

Friday, April 3, 2009

Is Mom Spending Too Much Time With Relief Society???























Here is a clue....when Lily (not yet 2) moves a chair into the kitchen, opens the peanut butter and spreads it on a piece of bread because she is hungry. I do pride myself in raising independent children but this is a little too soon for independence! I noticed her first piece of bread she added salt to the peanut butter but did not like that very well!

Maybe we have a future chef on our hands, she is kenny's daughter!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Ashley's Prom!











Opps i forgot to post Ashley's prom pictures. She went with her friend tyler and had a great time! Ashley always rates the dances by the food and according to her, it was excellent!, oh and the dancing was fun too! Still having a hard time believing she is driving and dating and working wow!

Only in Texas!
















MECHANICAL BULL AT THE PROM!
Ok I copied my friend Jenny who posts hilarious post called "Only in Austrailia" but this, I am sure would only happen in Texas!


Two days before Ashley's prom we get an email asking us to sign a permission slip becasue they are going to have a "MECHANICAL BULL" at the prom! I was like "are you kidding me?"


who would ride a bull in her prom dress? after i thought about it for a minute, ashley would, so i didn't sign anything! Ashley thankfully was not interested in it but said there was a huge line to ride the bull! ONLY IN TEXAS!

check this website for a newspaper article ashley was quoted in...
http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/32388

Monday, March 30, 2009

Texas State Championships Level 9 Sr B 8th All-Around


Click on following links to watch some of Ashley's state meet! we are very proud of her. she has worked very hard to come back from a torn Achilles. There is still more work to be done but she qualified for Regionals placing 8th AA!

Floor Routine
http://www.gymnastike.org/videos/coverage/view_video/234822-2009-level-910-girls-texas-state-championships/165384-us-gold-ashley-follett

Vault
http://www.gymnastike.org/videos/coverage/view_video/234822-2009-level-910-girls-texas-state-championships/166120-us-gold-ashley-follett

Beam & Bars
they have not posted her beam or bars, which is a total bummer, she scored a 9.5 on beam! and placed 3rd.

we are now off to Denver, Colorado for Level 9 Regionals April 18th!

Saturday, March 28, 2009

What's the weirdest thing you've fished out of your swimming pool?



In our case, I am speaking of the creature on the left...sorry for the potential confusion Nick! I have read that armadillos have notoriously bad vision. This one, who we have affectionately named Armando, met his fate by walking into our swimming pool sometime overnight (reminds me of Grandpa Phil escorting Aunt Toni into the pool! Those readers from outside the family will have to ask Jane for details of that story). Based on Armando's girth and the weight of his body armour, I am guessing that swimming was not on his list of evolutionary gifts (I think armadillos have swimming skills similar to large rocks). Thankfully, Armando's death is not in vain, for he has finally proven to the scientific community that roadkill is not the only method for armadillo death in Texas (armadillos are referred to as "Texas speedbumps" around here).

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Emma and Lily


Goth Girl


lily loves to get on my sink and get into my makeup! I'm a little worried about how much eyeliner she is using!

Monday, March 2, 2009

FHE-The Last Supper (thursday)


Leonardo da Vinci, "The Last Suppe 1498 Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie,Milan


Walter Rane, "In Remembrance of Me," 1949
Simon Dewey, "In Humility"
Arrangements for the Passover Meal
Institutes the Sacrament
Washes the Apostles Feet
The Betrayal of Judas
Love One Another
Many Mansions "I am the way, the truth and the life"
"If ye love me keep my commandments"
"I am the vine, ye are the branches"
The Comforter
Great Intercessory Prayer
Father and the Son are One