March 2011

I'm not for sure the date, but sometime in March Kasey decided she didn't want to go pee pee in the potty anymore. We will have to see what happens....

3/30 - Kasey was pretty fussy today so I stayed home with her while Greg and Landon went to soccer practice. We ate dinner and then hung out. We were in the play/computer room just talking. It was fun to really have a conversation with Kasey. I wish I had a camera to record it. She was talking about all kinds of things including telling me she talks a lot now. We talked about family and how everyone in the family loves Kasey and that she loves everyone. We talked about our walks and Landon riding his bike. She would talk about something then lean up on the desk and say yea. She told me about her kitchen and cooking. She requested that we listen to Shrek CD (which she later said was fun) on the computer. Anyway, we talked about several things and it was so fun to have that one on one time to talk with her and see how her mind works.

3/24 – We did kindergarten registration today. Landon got to see his new school for this year. He got to meet the teachers for next year and they all seem very nice. We got to meet the Principle and the Nurse and a few others. It was very interesting that they really focused on talking to Landon and asking him questions. He was a little shy, but answered them. He is now a Norton Knight, and we even got a t-shirt :)

3/23 – Landon went to the dentist today. He went to the back by himself for the first time. He also got to tell them that he had completely stopped sucking his thumb. They gave him a little monkey with a shirt that says I love my pediatric dentist for stopping sucking his thumb.

3/22 - There was a kindergarten preparation session tonight, and Greg offered to go so I could spend time with the kids. We had a good time. Finished up dinner, and then the kids helped me wash dishes. They really did. They both stood on stool, and Landon really helped wash dishes. Kasey helped wash a couple lids and I rinsed and layed them out to dry. Then we decided to go for a walk. Landon got to ride his bike a little. We went to the park, then walked some with Lady then headed home. We had a good time.

3/20 - After traveling for spring break and me day tripping Milwaukee on Friday, we had a very busy Saturday. I got up and worked out when I got back Greg and Landon went to his soccer practice. Kasey and I painted our toenails. We picked green :) Then we went to lunch and headed to Frisco for a birthday party. Landon got to play broom ball with about 20 other 4-5 year olds. Landon scored 2 goals and his team won 3-2. He had good time, but got sweaty and tired. After that we drove around trying to get the kids to take a short nap. We succeeded with Kasey, but Landon wouldn't fall asleep. Then we met Doug for dinner and the FC Dallas soccer game. It was opening night for the FC Dallas season. the kids got to have popcorn and did pretty well. They actually stayed in the seats through most of the game. After the game they had a fireworks show right next to the stadium. It was good and the kids really enjoyed it. Landon fell asleep on the way home and Kasey didn't take long to fall asleep after you busy day.

3/12-18 - We took a little trip for part of Spring Break. Landon had a noon soccer game on Saturday the 12th. We had the car packed and ready to go and lunch packed for the car ride. We drove down to Conroe to visit family. Saturday night my mom, aunt and cousin and I stayed up talking til 1am (which was 2am because of daylight savings) which was fun. Sunday we slept in a little and then Greg, Landon, Kasey and I drove to College Station for lunch and an Aggie baseball game. We had a good time and the kids did pretty good at least through the first 5 innings. They were a little more restless after that but did well. Then we drove back to Conroe. Monday we were going to try to go out on the lake with my aunt and cousins, but it ended up raining, being cool and windy. We actually had a relaxing day hanging out which we rarely get to do. We had a nice relaxing visit with the family. We also ate some good food and to much as usual.

Tuesday we drove to Brenham had lunch and at Brenham cafe and then went to the Blue Bell factory for a tour. It was like watching how it's made in real life, and then we all go to have ice cream at the end. Then we drove on to Austin and had dinner with Jaime, Tony and their twin 4 1/2 month olds Drew and Alex. We stayed the night in Austin. The kids were tired, but Kasey had a good nap from Brenham to Austin so she didn't want to go to sleep at all.

Wednesday I worked in the TI office from 7:45 til about 1pm, and then Greg and the kids picked me up. We went to eat lunch and headed home just in time to get Landon to soccer practice.

3/7 - We went up to the new Splitsville bowling alley to celebrate Liam's 5th birthday with the Turners. We all did some bowling including Kasey and had dinner. We had a good time. At the end the kids all started dancing around which was cute. Landon made a nice card for Liam that was cute with a picture of both of them.

3/6 - we took the kids to an Allen American hockey game today. It's a minor league team that plays 10 minutes from our house. We had good seats 3 rows from the glass. It was fun. The team is pretty good and won 6 to 2. The played the team from Odessa. Landon liked it some, but didn't watch as much as thought he would have. Kasey basically ate popcorn the whole time, but was pretty good. By the end they were both VERY tired.

They got to meat the mascot Biscuit who is a man dressed up as a bull dog with hockey gloves on. They both seemed to like him and weren't scared of him.

3/5 - Landon had a good assist in soccer game today. He passed the ball to Dylan and he scored. It was fun to watch. The boys won 3 to 1 against a team that had not lost a game. That was pretty good for us.

3/3 Kasey has been dancing and singing more. She'll say dancing and start dancing. She likes singing ABCs. She also is becoming more verbal about her feelings - not sure she understands it or not. Sometimes she'll say I'm mad, but not explain why. Or she'll say I'm happy or sad.

Kasey is doing pretty well going pee pee in potty when timer goes off every 45 minutes or so. Still some accidents, but she's getting there. We aren't pushing to much.

3/2 At soccer practice one of the other little girls brought a baby doll and stroller that had a blanket, pillow and pacifier. She played with it for quite a while. Taking the baby out putting it on the blanket with the pillow and blanket. Then she took the baby for a walk.

February 2011 Pictures

We finally got the letters up in Kasey's room - 2/6/11

We moved Kasey to her big girl bed - She was very excited. We have positioned her sideways because she moves around so much at night. 2/6/11

I got to see Jaime Anderson's twin boys in Austin - Drew and Alex (~3 1/2 months old). 2/12/11

I even got my picture with both of them :) - 2/11/11On the way home form Austin saw mom and dad in the airport - they were on their way to Florida for a cruise. 2/12/11

This is from Asher Cook's Birthday - it was cool science experiments - 2/12/11

Landon and his friend Liam - 2/12/11

Justin, Liam and Landon showing off their jewels that they had panned for - 2/12/11

Kasey panning for jewels - 2/12/11

Kasey getting ready to open Valentines gifts from us, the Grandparents & Fredel - 2/14/11

Landon wishing I would put the camera away so he could open his Valentines presents - 2/14/11

Landon's indoor soccer team - Raptors - 2/15/11

This was at Landon's friend Evan's birthday party. Kasey had fun as well - 2/19/11

Landon jumping on trampoline - 2/19/11

Landon and Kasey in the sponge pit - 2/19/11

Landon playing in the big ball that you could roll around in - 2/19/11

Hanging from the bars - 2/19/11

Kasey and Landon helped me make muffins then they enjoyed licking the spoon and bowl - 2/20/11

Tried on new swimsuits - 2/20/11

Landon at skating wearing hockey skates for the first time - No toe pick - 2/21/11

Celebrating Grammy's birthday - 2/27/11

Eating uncle Julio's for Grammy's Birthday - 2/27/11

Silly Landon (not his beer :)) - 2/27/11

The kids with Grammy and Greg's really good banana pudding - 2/27/11

Resting after a good meal - 2/27/11

February 2011

Apparently I'm really behind on the blog :)

2/27 - With Grammy and Gramps cruise and Gramps being sick we didn't get to celebrate Grammy's birthday until 27th. We brought in Uncle Julios to each (Yum) and Greg made a really good banana pudding that we all love! We had fun hanging out.

2/26 We tried out moving Landon from MWF Stay and Play (extra few hours at school where he has lunch and plays with friends) to TTh Stay and Play. He had a good friend in MWF, but he wasn't happy there and ended up playing on his own most of the time because he didn't want to do what other kids were doing. In TTh he has several friends who are closer to his age and they all play together well. Landon is much happier even after a few times switching. Greg, Kasey and Grandparents have all changed around their schedules to make this work, but it's worth it since Landon is happier.

2/19 Landon played his first outdoor soccer game of the season. We went straight from indoor soccer last weekend to outdoor this weekend. It was in the 70s which is great, but a little windy. Landon scored a goal and played well both offense and defense.

We had a birthday party for one of Landon's school friends that both kids got to go to, at metroplex gymnastics. They both had a blast and were tired.

I drove with a screaming Kasey from Allen to Love Field to pick up my parents at the airport. I was running a little late (so I thought), then got a ticket for speeding on mockingbird. Fun Fun. My dad isn't feeling to well, but they sounds like they had a great time on their cruise.

2/18 - Landon had his school social at a park so I took a long lunch and went out there. It was over 80 degrees, and I actually got some sun on my arms. Then we had a small playdate in the neighborhood with a few friends that will go to school with Landon next year.

Landon had a very busy day - School 8:30-11:20, couple hours eating and playing at the park, swim lessons and another park play date. Needless to say he was a little tired.

2/14 - I got my phone (Nexus S) for Valentines day which I love. I got Greg an iGrill - Meat thermometer that uses one of my bluetooth devices to transfer information to iphone. My boss keeps telling everyone that I bought this for Greg for Valentine's day. The kids had a fun valentines as well. They got some candy, muffins, some fun valentine cards, clothes, books, etc.

2/13 we went to Purple Cow after Raptors soccer game for milkshakes. Kasey started to take off pants saying she wanted to go potty. I took her to the bathroom and she went pee pee for the first time in public bathroom

2/12 Kasey went poo poo in big potty for first time during bath time

Mom and dad flew through Austin on their way to Ft Lauderdale for their cruise. I got to see them for a few minutes in the airport which was fun since I was flying from Austin home.

The kids friend Asher had a fun science birthday party where they go to do experiments and make stuff like volcanoes, silly puddy and gummy bears.

2/10 - I was going to Austin on a business trip so I took the opportunity to see Jaime, Tony and their 3 month old twin boys Drew and Alex. Very cute! Twins are a lot of work. It was fun catching up and trying to help out a little bit.

2/9 - Kasey had been getting out of the toddler bed quite a bit so we thought we would try a big girl bed and see how that went. We got her a Full size bed and put it on the floor. We found a comforter with pink, green and blue butterflies on it. She was excited about her new bed. Of course Landon was excited about it too.

2/7 - We all had to go back to normal routine today. We were basically off last week so it was tough. I got up at 5:45am to work out which was good, but I could tell I was more tired. Tonight Kasey tried to go pee pee on the little potty, and then she went potty upstairs in the big potty. She was very excited - probably most excited that she got to flush the potty.

2/6 - It was Super Bowl Sunday. Kasey has been showing some interest in going potty in a little potty, but not really in big potty. She would even take her pants off, sit on their little couch (with diaper on), and then get up say gone potty, flush potty, wash hands. We had a little potty so we thought we would get it out. She went crazy and just wanted to sit on it all the time. She did go pee pee on the little potty twice and got her M&Ms. She was excited and we called the grandparents to tell them that Kasey went pee pee

Happy Birthday to Grammy

Happy Birthday to Grammy, we love you!! Dana, Greg, Landon and Kasey


recorded - 2/13/11

Grandpa Myers

1/28 - Greg had decided he wanted to go see his grandfather one more time (he had stage 4 melanoma), and so he flew out early Friday morning. We knew grandpa wasn't doing well, but we didn't expect him to pass away this day. Greg and his mom were there with him along with his caregiver Karen when he passed away that afternoon. The kids and I were at Grammy and Gramps house hanging out and having dinner.

Grandpa was a wonderful man and grandfather and we are going to miss him very much!

1/29 - Greg came home today from Odessa so we could drive out as a family for Grandpa's funeral.

1/30 - We drove 6 hours to Odessa with the four of us and Aunt Cindy. The kids were pretty good. Kasey watched Kung Fu Panda about 3 times but it kept her content. Landon watched Cars - he's actually started to venture into the special features because he's seen the movies so many times.

If you don't like gross dont read this - we stopped at Wataburger for a bite to eat. Landon was feeling terrible, and threw up on the tray - all we had. Then a little later - Kasey also threw up her entire dinner. We think she just choked on something. Needless to say it wasn't a great experience, but luckily it wasn't crowded.

1/31 - In Odessa it was beautiful (in the 70s) so the kids played football & soccer outside and we took them to the park for a little while to run around. Some of the other family that was able to make it to Odessa came over - Audrey, Steven, Kathleen & Basil. I was glad they got to see the kids some. That evening we went to the viewing. We kept the kids in the back room playing for a few hours, and then when the viewing was over we had them close the casket and took the kids in to see the video of pictures and say goodbye. I think that Landon understands, but Kasey does not. He understand that Grandpa has died and gone to heaven.

2/1 - Of course it got REALLY cold over night (in the teens) and snowed which it doesn't really do in Odessa, TX. We got bundled up and made our way to the funeral home. I ended up outside for most of it because Kasey wouldn't sit still, and Landon had to go to the bathroom, etc. They are 2 and 4 so I didn't expect much different. Greg's dad Tony got up and talked at his dad's funeral. I really wished I could have heard his talk as everyone said it was great. He thanked Greg's mom and Grandpa's special friend Nadene for all of the help they had given to take care of Grandpa. He also told some fond memories for different times in their lives. He got choked up a couple times, but commented that he was waiting for the train outside to pass (there were trains for some of the instances).

It was really cold so after the service just immediate family went to the graveside and we had a quick prayer and said goodbye.

Grandpa's church made a great lunch at Grandpa's house for the family. This ended up feeding us for days.

2/2 - 2/5 - At this point the weather got bad both in Odessa and back in Dallas. It was snowing, really cold etc. So we decided to stay a few more days in Odessa. Back in Allen school was cancelled Tuesday - Friday, Landon's soccer and swim were cancelled, and Kasey's Gymboree was cancelled. Basically everything shut down with the weather. Greg's dad, mom and sister drove back to Dallas on Wednesday - it took them 16 hours to get back (usually a 6 hour drive). We considered having me and the kids fly home Friday, then it snowed another 6 inches in Dallas so that was out.

A lucky thing was that it was cold in Odessa, but the roads weren't to bad (better than Dallas). We were able to get out. We went to YMCA to take pictures of lifeguard stands that had Grandpa's name on them (he donated money to the pool at the YMCA each month and used it all the time up until about a year before he passed on). We went to lunch at a great place that my co worker's mom owns Yana615 - We had a great lunch there and stayed warm. We went by Nadene's house to visit and let the kids play - they like her toys. We took Kasey to her first big screen movie - Tangled on 2/2/11. She actually sat through most of it. We were the only ones in the Theater so it was fine. We took the kids to Gatti Land to eat and play.

Thursday night Kasey got sick while eating dinner. We thought that she just choked again. She went to sleep a little early, and then woke up at 11:30 and had gotten sick again in bed. She also had 102.3 fever. I ended up sleeping with her in a chair because that was where she was most comfortable. She got sick a couple more times. Kind of like Landon she was sick for about 12 hours then got better. We all got up around 8 and Kasey and I went to the front bedroom and slept again until 11. I haven't done that in a while.

We decided to drive home as a family on Saturday. The day was beautiful, temperatures were above freezing, and if we hadn't seen pictures on facebook we might not believe that there was a lot of snow and ice all over Texas. The roads were pretty clear. We did see a couple trucks on the side of the road.

On our trip Landon did a lot of coloring in some coloring books that I get the kids for Christmas. He was doing really well coloring in the lines most of the time and using different colors for different things. Grammy had gotten him a books of things to do for Boys and he did a lot of this as well, using stickers, colors and counting to several activities with various themes. Kasey did some coloring as well, but not in the lines (which is good at her age).

I think we'll be glad to get back to a normal schedule next week....

CLICK HERE to see some pictures

Douglas Harvey Myers Obituary
April 6, 1921 - January 28, 2011

Douglas Harvey Myers, 89, of Odessa, Texas, passed away Friday, January 28, 2011, at home. He was born April 6, 1921, in Osage County, Oklahoma, to O.H. and Julia Myers. He graduated in 1940 from Burbank High School in Oklahoma. Later he moved to Odessa where he worked in the oil fields of the Permian Basin and Alaska. After retiring, he spent his time delivering for Meals on Wheels and popping popcorn at MCH. When not volunteering, he could be found at the YMCA swimming, working out or visiting with friends. He was also active in Sunday school and Church at Second Baptist Church of Odessa.
Doug was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Bessie; son, Paul; parents, O.H. and Julia Myers; brothers, Tracy, Troy and Harry Myers and sister, Gilda Myers Pebble.
He is survived by his son; Tony Myers and wife, Janice, of Richardson, TX; grandchildren, Greg Myers and wife, Dana, of Allen, TX; Cindy Myers of Euless, TX; Julie Myers Heniford and husband, Jack, of York, SC and Heidy Myers of Denver, CO; great-grandchildren, Landon and Kasey Myers of Allen, TX; brothers, Travis Myers and wife Helen of Schulenburg friend and companion, Nadene Meachum of Odessa, TX and many nieces and nephe, TX; Harvey Myers and wife, Pat, of Ralston, OK and Basil Myers of Muskogee, OK; his sister, Audrey Myers Pickert and husband, Everett, of Kansas City, KS; a very special ws.
The family would like to thank the staff of Home Hospice for their kindness and support. We would especially like to thank his caregivers, Karen and Mary for enabling Doug to remain in his home where he was comfortable. We would also like to thank his many friends who visited him and kept his spirits high. He will be greatly missed by all.
Family visitation will be Monday, January 31, 2011 from 5-7 pm at Sunset Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 10:00 am at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Randy Duckett officiating and burial to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Doug’s memory be given to: Meals on Wheels of Odessa or the YMCA of Odessa.

Pictures January 2011

Here are some pictures from January 2011

Kasey and Landon in their Chef outfits from Christmas - 1/1/11

Landon showing off all the stickers he put on Christmas card from David and Cheri - 1/2/11

Kasey trying out crib mattress on the floor at Grammy's - 1/5/11

Went to watch the A&M game with Doug, and my cousin Michael came by to hang out with us for a little while! - 1/7/11

I got to see Danny Gokey from American Idol at the Sony booth at CES in Las Vegas. Great show. I bought his album after when I got home - at least the MP3s for it - 1/8/11

My favorite bar in Las Vegas - Fontana Bar at the Bellagio - outside you can have drinks and hear/watch the water show - Doug and I got to hang out here a few nights while in Vegas for CES - 1/8/11

Kids playing in the snow - 1/9/11
running in the snow - 1/9/11
Landon is really getting into coloring and drawing more. This is the A&M football field he drew on his own - 1/12/11

We decided to put Landon in skating lessons to try it out and see about playing hockey - this is before his first class - 1/15/11

Landon in his first skating class - 1/15/11

We went to Fort Worth Stockyards to see some of our Cloud Cousins who were showing a heifer - 1/22/11

Landon got to walk our cousins 3 week old calf Mr Sir - 1/22/11

The family - Dad, Mom, Lee Cloud, Me/Kasey, Lauren Cloud, Peggy Cloud, Landon and Greg - 1/22/11

Cousin Lauren Cloud showing the kids calf Mr Sir - 1/22/11

Landon had social with kids from school - Alfonso and Evan - 1/28/11

Landon's class this year is small so the kids are really close - Evan, Brooklyn, Landon and Brooklyn - 1/28/11

Grammy and Gramps gave Kasey a doll house for Christmas - This is how she plays with it. She thinks it's for her :) - 1/28/11

Landon getting ready for indoor soccer game with Raptors - He's number 10 (like Landon Donovan) - 1/29/11

Greg and kids at one of our favorite restaurants Zorbas (Greek) - 1/29/11

January 2011

See Grandpa Myers post for the rest of January and early Feb.

1/29 - I know I'm in trouble with Kasey. I was on the computer on an entertainment page that had thumbnails for videos. Kasey pointed to one wanting to see it. It was a video of a cute boy on the Ellen show taking his shirt off to put on an Ellen tshirt. Completely innocent. So today I'm on the computer and Kasey points to the screen and says boy then something about shirt. I had to laugh out loud

1/18 - I took the day off today since I was gone a lot around CES. I got to go to music with Kasey this morning. She's not really into it, which I still don't get because she loves music and dancing. Then Greg and Landon met us for lunch at Cotton Patch Cafe which was pretty good. After that we went to Parker train station and took the DART down to fair park. We went to the Dinosaur exhibit and the children's museum down there. Landon was a little scared of the dinosaurs but did ok. I thought it was pretty cool. They had a great time playing at the childrens museum. They looked at all the body parts stuff, planted seeds, picked up different vegetables and fruits and then later organized them back into the correct place. Kasey actually did pretty good with this with Landon's help. They got to milk a cow (or at least get water out of it), play in the water area, make lots of noise and pretend to be firemen. We had fun and then rode the train back (Kasey slept 90% of the way home).

1/15 - Landon had his first ice skating lesson today at the Stars Center in McKinney. Landon has been drawing a lot more lately. He drew several football fields (A&M and Cowboys), and he drew water with several fish. He's also coloring within the lines much better than he used to. He seems to like doing that.

Greg and I got to have date night tonight. We went to see Riverdance in Grand Prarie, and then came back and had a few drinks at the Londoner because the kids were staying at the grandparents. We had a good time.

1/13. Kasey counted to 3 today. With me being gone quite a bit Kasey is getting closer to Greg and asking for him to do things she would normally ask me to do. Some of it is just to stall bed or getting a bath

1/5 - 1/12 - I had to go to Las Vegas for CES. I worked the first day and evening, and then worked during the day after that. Doug was there as well so we got to go to our favorite bar in Las Vegas (Fontana Bar in the Bellagio overlooking the water show) a few times and check out a few other places as well. Thursday multiple plans got changed and Doug and I had reservations at Nobu (Yum!!). Friday we went to Blondies in Planet Hollywood to watch the Cotton Bowl (Aggies vs LSU). My cousin Michael came up there to visit for a little while. It was great to see him and catch up. On Saturday I got to go look around the show floor. At the Sony Booth, they had a 45 minute concert from Danny Gokey from American Idol. It was great!!! I bought his album when I got home...

I got home Sunday night, then Monday through Wednesday I had all day world wide meetings at work. Monday night I had a team dinner, but was able to get home to see the kids for about 15 minutes before bed. Tuesday night I ran a board meeting so again go to see the kids very little. By Wednesday night I was tired, ready to not have to go anywhere etc.