Game of the Year !

Oh my goodness!!! Raiders win! Raiders win!

The girls and I just had a great day together ( Knox is hanging out with Uncle Jim and Aunt Becky), which ended with a most exciting night. We fully enjoyed all 4 quarters of the Tech/UT game.

We "tailgated" in the family room. We had a picnic dinner and setup lawn chairs and blankets. We wore our Tech shirts. We shouted and whooped and hollered and got our guns up. We ate a 2nd half popcorn snack. We called Uncle Kemp a couple times.

Shelby and Jerzy were excited most of the time... but started to poop out towards the end. I went nuts when Crabtree scored the winning TD. Shelby was tired and started to cry " Mama you're scaring me." So I toned it down a bit. Andrew is in the middle of nowhere ( near Tulsa) at a vintage bike rally-- so I gave him regular updates via phone.

Wow - amazing! Sorry to Dad, and all my other Longhorn family and friends! We'll enjoy this win as long as we can....who knows what the next two wknds will bring for the Red Raiders against OSU and OU!?! Hopefully the amazing combo of Harrell and Crabtree can stay strong. And how 'bout Matt Williams....the kicker , who up until recently was just another student in the stands!

Way to go!

Getting fired up for a "Wild Ride" with Kenny Chesney pre-game.

Jerzy took this picture of Shelby and I! Guns' up!

This was late in the 2nd quarter...the girls were getting a little silly.

He Did It!!!!

Andrew completed his first marathon! Wow! We are so proud!

He and Joe ran past some of the scenic sites of the DC area, including Arlington Cemetery, as they completed the 33rd Annual Marine Corps Marathon. The kids and I were able to track them online from home ( a yellow dot and a green dot) on a map as they ran. Around mile 19 he was calling us and other family for some motivation. The kids serenaded him with cheers of "Go Daddy Go!!! " He was slated to finish just under 6 hours, but he held up during the last 1/2 mile and waited for his big bro so they could finish together. Their offical time was 6hours , 32 minutes and 44 seconds.

I spoke with him a short while ago as they were just sitting , still at the course, resting and reveling in their accomplishment. Pictures will be coming soon.

Next up on the circuit, an "easy" and fun 10k run at the Turkey Trot here in Dallas on Thanksgiving Day.

Another Milestone

In the last few weeks we've reached a milestone ---there are more Tokarz kids OUT of diapers than IN diapers! Jerzy is officially , completely , fully potty trained. I can hardly believe it. It sort of snuck up on me. There have been points in the last couple years that I felt I would be changing multiple diapers for years. But time sure flies.Now more of our household budget goes to toilet paper instead of diapers!!!

Balloon Festival

Last week we took the kids to the Plano Balloon Festival. We took a picnic of their favorite cheeseburgers and watched the balloons launch. Shelby was quite excited....I think she was more excited about Knox being able to see the balloons. She kept telling him "Knox- look! See the red balloon?! Knox-look! See the BIG balloon!?!"...Knox-LOOK!!"

We had our first privilege of taking 2 girls into a port-a-potty at the same time.Andrew tried to keep one of them with him, ,concerned at how I would manage with 2 of them in there at the same time, without one of them falling in or contracting some sort of rare disease.But no they both wanted to go. Thank God for wipes and antibacterial hand gel!!!

Shelby HAD to go, so she had no problem using it. However, Jerzy who insisted she had to go too, refused as soon as we opened the door. She just wasn't too sure about that "big potty." And they both asked, "where do you flush it?"

The balloon fest is always fun, especially with kids. I took some pictures, but Shelby is obsessed with the camera and taking pictures so she got some shots too.

These are two balloon pictures that Shelby took.

Hangin out with Daddy...watching the balloons take off.

Best buddies.

Knox was too interested in watching the balloons fly away to pose for picture.

Catfish King and Princesses

Andrew and the girls have a new pasttime...FISHING!! We have a small stocked pond behind our house. The first few weeks we were here we watched neighborhood kids come down to fish, thinking we should try that. Well one wknd trip to Target we stopped by the outdoor section and picked up a Barbie fishing rod and a Disney Princess rod. That very day , using pepperoni and chicken nuggets for bait, Andrew and the girls caught 2 catfish,few bass and a few perch.

Shortly after that, we stopped by Target again to get Andrew his own pole. However, they seem to have most luck with the girls' rods. Mostly they go out after dinner or early morning.

Jerzy mostly watches, then will reel it in when it's time. Shelby can bait her own hook , cast her own line and reel it in. Now sometimes she loses confidence or just gets lazy and asks mommy or daddy to cast it. Knox watches...but also tries to help. No one has fallen in yet.

Andrew has caught one or two turtles. Of course he always returns the fish and turtles to the water.

If you come for a visit, make sure to bring your pole!! We always have chicken or pepperoni on hand for bait!

Catching Up

Hello all. We have been busy this past month ( who hasn't?!) , we have some pictures to show for it, but not a ton. I started my new full-time job as a high school teacher, the kids started their new life as full-time preschool students. Andrew has been working hard at home and on the road. He is also running A LOT as his marathon is only one month away. We are still settling in to the new house. In between all this we have all been sick, at least two times or more for some of us. But we are surviving and having fun too.

Knox's Trip to the Salon

We took Knox for his first real haircut a couple weeks ago. He was getting to be one shaggy dude.

It was cute-- but he needed to be cleaned up before school started. So I took him to see Karina, who cuts my hair and does the girls' hair. He was not a happy guy, but we made it through.

He cried and squirmed, but he didn't scream. The girls' did their best to entertain and distract him. Shelby even tried holding his hand. Fortunately , it didn't take too long. We kept some of the curls in back, but he definitely looks more like a little boy, than a baby now.

Shaggy and snotty a few days before his haircut.

You'd think we were torturing the kid--Shelby was very sweet trying to hold her brother's hand. The girls also picked "Shrek 3" ( one of their favorites) to entertain Knox in DVD player at the salon, but he never sat still to watch it.

All cleaned up- what a big boy!

9 Years Ago Today...

...Andrew and I were married ! We celebrate 9 years of ups and downs, laughs and tears.
We didn't spend it in any exotic, tropical location. ( maybe next year!!)Andrew went to work. The kids and I went about our usual routine of errands and chores. I did have a nice surprise of beautiful flowers on the kitchen counter early this morning. And we had a nice dinner out just by ourselves tonight. What a treat!

Happy Anniversary, dear!

11 Years Ago Today....

....my life changed forever. My mother was suddenly taken from us early in the afternoon of July 24, 1997. I cannot believe it has been 11 years. Sometimes it seems like it was just yesterday that I last spoke to her, but then I remember all the things that have happened in our lives since she passed. I miss her everyday and pray that I am passing on her spirit, love, and wisdom to my children.

Thank you to those of you who helped my family and myself through that terrible time. And thank you for continuing to remember her. Thank you for your kind words of love and support on this day.

Hug your moms today ! ( And your kids!) ( And anyone else you love!)

A Quick Note

In the last 2 months a lot has happened in our lives. Most notably, we sold and moved out of, the only home our children have known in their short lives. We are currently still "homeless." However we should be in our new home this wknd. With much appreciated support from family and friends, we are all surviving the transition.We are very excited about the new possibilities, opportunities and blessings that await us there.

Here are summer fun pics from recent weeks just so you can see how the kids have grown. One of these days I'll get back to posting more exciting details,stories and pictures to the blog.

Take care, stay cool and keep enjoying the summer!!

Dedicated to Mom and Nanny

In honor of Mother's Day, the display windows at all Kate Spade stores were decorated this past month with photographs submitted by employees. My sister submitted several photos ( given to her by my aunt) and two were selected to be used in stores across the country. KS has two Dallas stores. The Galleria store display window included both pictures. One is my grandmother holding my mom as a toddler ( black and white, center photo). The second picture was taken about 13 -14 years later in the Petrified Forest (left).It is my grandmother with my mom , my uncle and my aunt.

Today, the kids and I ventured down to check out the display. My sister had sent pics of the displays in the NYC stores, but we didn't want to miss the opportunity to see these displays in person. We picked up my grandfather and took him with us on our field trip to the mall. It was a fun and meaningful time. We stopped at the store, took a detour by the ice rink and visited the kids play area as well.

My family is proud of these pictures and the relationships they represent. It gives us a chance to pause and reflect on our love for each other, as well as the two women who have passed on. My mother has been gone for almost 11 years. My grandmother passed away almost 4 years ago. On special wknds like this I'm reminded of all they meant to me and how much I miss them. They are two of the most influential people in my life.

If you are able to speak to your mother, grandmother or other special "mom" in your life this wknd...please do. Don't miss the opportunity to share a loving word or thank them for what they do. Give them a hug too while you're at it! Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!!

Knox's First Ride

Yesterday, Andrew was itching to take the motorcycle and sidecar out for a ride. Jerzy was the first in line-- she's the old pro at riding along with Daddy. Then we let Knox have a try....he was patient as we harnessed him into the seat and put Jerzy's helmet on him. We did have to prop him up a little in the seat with blankets and towels, but he was a happy guy. However, he did take the whole ride around the block with his thumb in his mouth! : )

First Haircut

This past weekend we decided it was time to cut Knox's hair. We're not quite ready to lose the curls yet...so we just trimmed the front. We were visiting Dad and Trish , so we set him up in the booster seat and Andrew trimmed him up. Knox was a little restless at first, but the girls brought him a toy to keep him entertained. He's getting so big! ( For those of you keeping track-- he's 15months old, 30 inches long and 24 pounds)

BEFORE.....

.....and AFTER.

We'll keep the curls for now, but it won't be long before we'll have to trim those too.

Rough Riders Game

A couple weeks ago I was able to take the girls to a Frisco Rough Riders baseball game. I was given free tickets from work. Andrew was out of town for work, so I invited Dad and Trish to go also. One of Knox's best buddies, Uncle Jim, came to hang out with him here while we were at the game.

We all enjoyed it. We got a "VIP " tour of the park beforehand and our picture taken on the field, as well as all you can eat hot dogs/hamburgers, etc. If you ask the girls what they did at the game... they talk of eating chips and drinking Dr Pepper. I think that was the highlight for them. But I know they also enjoyed all the sights and sounds ( the Chicken Dance!) and the new baseball caps they got.

First Campfire

Several members of the Lowery side of my family gathered this weekend at Joe Pool Lake to camp and celebrate my cousin Elsie's birthday. The kids and I went out there with Dad and Trish for a few hours on Saturday afternoon. It was the kids' first campfire. They enjoyed being silly and exploring by the water. Maybe next year we will stay the night.

The girls wanted to get much closer to the lake....but this was close enough for me.

They enjoyed all the snacks available.

Jerzy and Grandaddy have a chat while they wait for cousin Warren to grill dinner. I think they were discussing whether they would have a hot dog or a cheeseburger. Or maybe it was a Bud Light or juice box debate?!

Once it got dark, Shelby was full of energy!! She loved singing songs for cousin Carrie and the rest of the campfire crowd.

Jerzy and Knox were winding down, so they stayed close to Grandaddy and Granny Trish as it got dark. All 3 kids zonked out less than 30 minutes into the trip home.

Band-Aids

The girls love band-aids. I don't know why, but they do. Each time we get a new box, I have to hoard them away and pretend as if we don't have any, until they are absolutely necessary. Friends and family know that band-aids make a great gift.

Sometimes I give in and allow the girls a few to use on their baby dolls (dolls in our house seem to get lots of boo-boos!) or to decorate themselves. However, recently the girls got new shoes which have caused a few sore spots on their feet. Jerzy had a scrape that got worse when she bumped it on her tricycle. Shelby decided she was better equipped than Momma to render first aid. She took very good care of her sister.

Quick Visit

On Friday, Aunt Brennan was on her way back to NYC from San Francisco, and had a layover at DFW for a few hours. The kids and I picked her up , went to lunch at Chick-fil-a ( something she does not have in the big city!) and then played in a nearby hotel lawn area. The kids loved the attention and new clothes ( notice the tag still on Jerzy's shirt) that Aunt BB brought them.

Outside Fun

When we have nice weather the kids really enjoy being outside in the yard. The girls enjoy swinging , sliding, climbing, riding their bikes, pulling each other in the wagon and Shelby has discovered the joy of throwing a frisbee. Here's a few pics of our greatest ways to wear the kids out.

Look Who's Walking

He's been holding out on us! The switch finally flipped! Knox is WALKING!! Woo hoo!

He decided it was time last Friday . He's pretty proud of himself. We've had a fun time watching him go for the last week. The girls like to share the news with everyone they talk to.


He still crawls if he wants to get somewhere quickly, but he's not afraid to walk in grass or dirt, or on concrete. He also thinks it's great fun to join his sisters out in the yard- making his way under and around the playset. He'd like to climb the ladder if he could!