More games...more wins...do you really want to see more pictures?

So...another baseball game for Dylan's team on Monday night. A win!!! Against a team that had previously beat us...We did get 'em next time after all! That puts us in 3rd place in the league right now. They were really focused. I'm proud of 'em all.

Ron and Riley went to a Stars playoff game Tuesday night. We won 2-1 in overtime. Woohoo!!! Go Stars!!! Ron and Dylan are going Wednesday night. If we win then that'll be a sweep and they advance to the second round of the playoffs. :) Keeping our fingers crossed...

(Boo Hoo - so sad...our Mavs are out. They lost on Tuesday night. Maybe next year???)

That's my baby!

Can't help but post another proud momma moment...Dylan's team won their game this morning 14 -3. And...Dylan got the game ball! He did a great job and that's no joke. He caught a fly ball and threw a runner out at first. Then he got on base with a hit and ran in for a score twice. AWESOME! Love ya, buddy.

Around the yard on a beautiful day

Working on getting the pool ready! (cleaning out, getting chemicals just right, purchasing new polaris/aquabot)

Enjoying our rose bushes.

Watching the mondo grass grow and blow in the breeze.

Seeing our periwinkles bloom over and over and over.

Biding our time while we get pavers 5 to 10 at a time to make our "courtyard" out front.

Loving the shade we get from the mature trees in the front yard.

Lamenting over the burford hollies and boxwoods that are sprouting new growth and not having enough time to trim them back yet.

What are we thinking?

The boys, Dylan and Riley, want a dwarf hamster. Hmmm...really cute...but basically - a mouse, right? Hmmm...we're going to let them get one though. Can you say, "mom is a softie"?



But, guess what? We have two beta fish - one in each of the boys rooms.



We have a green snake - in Riley's room - in a tank that mom never lets them open when she's around.



A tuxedo cat named Clover. She doesn't know that though. She's convinced her name is Kitty Kitty.


Two adorable Shelties - Doogie and Katie.




Yeah - it's gonna be a zoo!

Texas Skies

We are very weather concious at the Nadwodny home. With some more storms possibly rolling in soon I thought I'd post these pictures. These are some pics of the sky before a recent round of crazy rains that we had. Freaky!

Proud Parents

Please excuse me a moment while I brag on my boys...Dylan got an award at his school called Sterling Student and Riley got an award at his school call WOW (Wrangler of the Week). Both have a lot to do with citizenship and other criteria such as attitude and study skills. So Ron and I are proud parents this week!

And...on the baseball front...umm...Dylan's team lost their game last Monday night and the double header they played yesterday. Not such a good week in baseball for us. Oh well - we'll get 'em next time, right?

Below are two pics from yesterdays game. Dylan at bat and base running. Go Knights!

A work in progress

This coming October we will be in this house 3 years. This is the 1st "pre-owned" house we have ever bought. The other two we built brand new. Long story short...we down sized from a large 2 story to a sweet one story. The kids were only sleeping upstairs and there was just too much to clean constantly with Ron and I working full time. Oh yeah, the $$ we saved down sizing were a huge help to reducing debt we had incurred. Anyway...this house has been a lot of work and almost 3 years later is definitely still "a work in progress".


Today we started to overhaul the backyard...this time for good! We've done a little bit here and there but now have the time and a few $$ to get it done. I've also mellowed and don't seem to want to go crazy. Just simple and sweet. But for now - here are a few things we just did in the back.




This is when you have to hide something like a hot tub hook up. I had just watered the plant so that's why the pot looks funky.




This is one of 3 pots that are on the side of the house "no one sees" according to Ron- actually it's from the driveway to the back yard and when we have a pool party - people will see these. (Any ideas how to remove rust from brick? The stain on the right side of the picture has been there since we moved in. Ugh!)

These are in the front yard by the walk to the front door. I love them. I try to put flowers in this spot every year and it never seems to work out the way I want it to. But...I like the white and burgandy and metal. I have found a picture and in about a week or two Ron and I will transform a little nook between the garage and front door into a little "courtyard" looking area. We already have a fountain we bought the first year we moved in and with aged 16 x 16 pavers and dwarf mondo grass - well...I just can't wait! These three little figures and two small gazing balls are right in front of the area where the "courtyard" will be. Stay tuned for the total picture...in a few weeks. Other than replanting one bush the front is done.

In the back...well...pavers in a few places, finish pulling some overgrown bushes, finish painting the back of the house, put some edging in most all of the flower beds, lots of mulch, get the pool ready for summer and I think we'll be done. Jeez...the last 6 weeks of school and baseball season look like they'll go by quick with all of this to be done too!

Never a dull moment! Bye for now...off to the ball field for a double header. :)

Going to Grandma & Grandpa's house

Sunday, April 13th, the boys and I went to my parent's house since Ron was playing with the church band at all the services in HV this weekend. (He plays the saxophone. Dylan plays the trumpet. Riley hasn't tried anything yet. I have absolutely no musical ability at all!)

I spent a few hours shopping with my mom and the boys got to spend some time in the garage with my dad, their PaPa.

My dad has worked with wood ever since I can remember. He makes lamps, lazy susans, crosses, and so much more. (see small pictures below) He's helped us build several work benches at several houses. Helped Ron and his dad build the awning over the patio in our backyard right now. He's refurbished several beautiful pieces of furniture. He's amazing!

Anyway, he took the time to help the boys with some projects. Dylan made a bowl. I think he's going to keep it in his room for loose change and little items that need to be contained. Riley made a gift for his teacher that is retiring. It was a small sign with her name on it. He had previously made me a pen/pencil holder that I keep on my desk.

They had a good time and that is one very special memory I know they'll cherish as they grow. Getting to spend quality time with PaPa is cool! We are so blessed that they only live 30 minutes away.

- little known fact - My dad worked at a company called Chippenhook. They built the building that is now our church offices and that I am currently working in. He use to have an office just down the hall from where I office right now. I remember visiting him at work when I was about 10 or so.

Above, Riley is spray painting while my dad watches. Below, Dylan is showing off his bowl.

Dirty Dogs!

Okay - I could not resist doing this.

A couple of mornings ago Dylan & Riley were helping dump all the laundry before school so Ron could get it going while we were all off at work and school. Dylan had the bright idea to put the dogs in the hamper - because we have been commenting for about a week that we need to give them a bath.

Lo and behold...here's our two dirty dogs!

Doogie is the black Sheltie (in the top picture)

and Katie is the brown Sheltie (in the bottom picture).

Getting Jason Whitten's autograph

This morning after our baseball game Dylan and I ran to Walmart for a few things. Oops - I had forgotten Jason Whitten of the Dallas Cowboys was going to be there signing autographs. I giggled at the 5 or so people in line that were going to wait 2 hours before he even was scheduled to arrive. Then I looked at Dylan and could tell he really wanted to do it too. I really just had a day full of house work I had let pile up to handle and of course that could wait. (hee hee hee). So we finished shopping, ran home to eat and change out of the baseball clothes, then went back up and waited in line an hour to get his signature on 3 balls - one for Dylan, one for Riley and one for dad. I know - what? nothing for mom? Joy on all my boys faces. That's more than enough!

Another Win!

Bright and early this morning we headed out to the baseball fields for Dylan's 9 a.m. game. It was a little chilly - about 50 degrees. We won!!! 8 to 5. Great job Knights. Here's a few pictures of Dylan and Ron. Enjoy.
Baseball Ready
Batter Up
In Action
Ron coaching first base

Dylan holding 'em at 2nd base

Treasures

I love that this man loves me. I love that he prays for and leads our family. I love that he is the strong silent type. I love that he does laundry on Fridays because he works from home and I'm in the office (that way our weekends are free to spend as a family). I love that he does the finances because I do finances at work. I love that he wanted to be a chef and loves to cook. (I'm the one pot wonder - like pot roast, beef burgandy, pasties, spaghetti, etc...) I love that he is an organizer and packs a car really well (for all our road trips). I love that he reasearches all our purchases to death and gets us the best deal possible (when I really just want to buy the best - right now!) I love the 18 years of marriage plus 3 years of dating full of memories...some good, some bad, all ours! I love him for a thousand more reasons. I love that he's my husband.

I love the way Dylan is a sensitive soul. He prays for his friends. He worries about his brother. He is shy and softspoken, doesn't like to yell. He loves his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. He wants to make his parents pround and happy. He tries hard to do his best. He is my little meterologist. He is fascinated by the weather and can tell you almost anything about it. He loves photography and has always loved animals.

I love the way Riley is his own person. He doesn't follow the crowd. He always use to yell "no" or hold up his hand like a stop sign when we would pray but now if I don't start at the usual time every night he wants to know if I've forgotten. I love that he told his pre-k teacher he wanted to "work" at church and everyone thought that was the sweetest thing. Actually he thought Ron worked at church (because he was up there a couple times a week practicing with the band) and he just wanted to be like his dad! He loves his grandparents, extended family and his animals too! He's shy but he's not. He's special alright.

I love my sons. I love that both boys are a part of Ron and I yet they are each their own person. I love that they like going to church, they like to pray, and that they genuinely care about their friends, teachers and relatives.

I love that we are a family.

Go Mavs!

Tuesday, the 8th, we went to a Dallas Mavericks game. They were playing the Seattle Supersonics. We won! It was close but the Mavs pulled it out in the 4th period. Fun Family outing.

Go Mavs!

Cool way to play Guitar Hero - on the big screen.

Okay - so this was at the car show but it still works. :)

Balloon Buddy

Balloon Buddy too.

Jaosn Terry - awesome!

Riley sharing his pretzel and cheese with mom - see I'm not always behind the camera. :)