Happy Halloween

This was Dylan's first Halloween and we dressed him up as a penguin. My best friend Angela said just because he is black and white does not mean he should be a penguin. Ashley was a twisted cheerleader in black and white with this crazy wig. Derek and I did not dress up. We went trick or treating around where we live and there were a lot of people out. Our friends and their kids joined us and their neighbors were also there. So we had a big crowd with us.

Cali here we come, right back where we started from!

Here are a few pic's from our trip home.

Out to the country we go........

On our last full day in Texas we went to Lovelady, that is in the “country” to visit Derek’s Papa. It was a 2 hour drive with the family, but we left early and got there safe. On the drive we saw the statue of Sam Houston looking like a pimp with his cane and all. Along the way we stopped at a small place and had some breakfast.

Papa fell in love with Dylan and wanted us to leave him there. I am sure that Dylan would have loved to live there in the country with him. Hunting, fishing and being outdoors everyday, but I could not leave him there yet.

Ashley would love it there too the time we there she was in her element. She was playing in the dirt and wanted to ride the 4 wheeler but none of knew how to work it and good thing because Ashley can be accident prone and that is all we needed was to have something happen. She saw a dog that was on his last leg and wanted to play with the diseased dog, but we stopped her before she could.

Papa told Dylan they would go down to the corner store(probably the only store) to get ice cream and then they would go hunt some coon’s. He told us that when we came back that he would not even know who we were. Sorry Papa next time you can have the little booger. It was nice to get to see Derek’s family but I think we were all ready to get back to Cali. So we headed back to Nina’s to get our 6 bags packed for our trip home the early the next morning.

The whole family was exhausted by the end of the day. Dylan was teething and we to bed early with his big mama and Ashley went to do some last minute shopping with Derek and I. But when we got back from our shopping she fell out almost immediately.

A Whole Lot 'O Visiting Going On!!

On our 3rd day in Houston we made the rounds around town. We went to Nina's church service in the morning and that was very uplifting and fun.

Then Derek's cousin Brian stopped by to say hi and visit for a little bit.

Then Auntie Michelle and cousin Brandy stopped by when I was trying to get a little bit of rest. I ended up getting up to say hi and be sociable. Brandy is 12 and a star Volleyball player at her school.After we all got ready to go, we went over Auntie Michelle and Uncle Randy's house to visit with them properly. Most places that you go on the Hampton side, there is family always dropping by. While we were over there Teci and Byrd(Aunt Michelle is Teci's Mom) showed up to eat some of her mom's yummy food. I always want to go over there when we visit to eat some of her good cookin, she got me to like meatloaf but I still prefer to eat her's.

Uncle Randy and Auntie Michelle.

Auntie Michelle with Dylan.

The Newlyweds Teci and Byrd. They were married on my B-Day!

While all of the visiting was going on Ashley and Brandy were outside playing Volleyball and hangning out with Brandy's friends. Next, Uncle Isaiah stopped by to see us. He had just come from Temple and was a sharp dressed man. The guys got to watch some football and talk for a bit, then we were off again to visit Uncle Jeff (on Derek's mom side).

As we were leaving Ashley decided that she wanted to go with Brandy to Teci's house for a swim in her pool. Teci just recently bought a beautiful 6 bedroom house with a pool and spa. You go girl, now you just have to fill the bedrooms up with babies.

So we went across town to have dinner with Uncle Jeff and Aunt Cynthia.

Dylan got to take a cat nap on the drive.

Our visit was nice and Dylan was on his best behavior with the exception of going to bathroom on himself, but it was not his fault but I had to give him a bath. Dinner was awesome it was nice to have a home cooked meal and not fast food. Now the boys ate by the TV and watched the Chargers game and Aunt Cynthia and I sat and talked and we women tend to do.


We had time for one more visit that evening. Next it was over to Derek’s sisters Ashley’s house. Ashley is married and has 2 children and another one on the way. Our visit was nice but we did not stay long because Dylan was getting fussy from being out all day.

Derek, Dylan, Ashley(Derek' sister), Jazzimine and "Baby.

These kids did not want me taking pictures espically Jazzmine, but she liked to see the pictures after they were taken and then I let her take pictures and as you will see she quickly warmed up.

Ashley and her husband Jonathan.


The boys: Derek, Jonathan and his cousin.(sorry cousin could not remember ur name) :(

You see she warmed up real nice. What a cutie.

Here is Dylan after a long day. We had to go he was acting crazy and he had every right his Mom and Dad had him out all day and he did not get his proper rest.


So we ended our day and headed back to Nina’s house.

Visiting Family in Houston

We went to Uncle Craig's house to visit with him and the kids and we took along My Father-In law too. We have some awsome BB-Q made with love from uncle craig.



This is Derek's grandmother and grandfather.


Uncle Craig and Dylan

Adam and Dylan playing with the toys. It was not as peaceful as it looks here.


This is Craig Jr. he is such a cutie.


Dylan and his grandpa, the Hampton genes are strong, look at how they are sleeping.

Birthday Dinner for Nina & Me-Visit with Uncle Jack

Nina and I celebrated our birthdays together at the Cheesecake Factory. Nina, Andrea (Derek’s sister), Dylan, Ashley, Derek and I all went out that evening. We all dressed up and went and had a great dinner. The service was great as well as our food. After dinner we went over Uncle Jack's house for a late visit. It was short since our visit to Houston was only a few days. We tried to get as many visits in during our time there. Derek's has such a large family it was work trying to get that done.

Nina, Dylan and Andrea waiting for us to get seated before dinner.

Derek's sister Andrea, she is so beautiful.

Andrea & I before dinner.

Ashley and her Auntie Andrea.

Derek, Dylan, Ashley and Uncle Jeff.

My Birthday--In Houston

I was able to celebrate my birthday on vacation. That is always fun. My husband took me out to dinner and it was nice to have some alone time with him.


Derek posing for the camera reping Houston Astros!


This is our cousin Teci. She is one of the sweetest people that I know. Has a warm and sweet soul. Love you girl!

This is Teci's and Byrds daughter Alicia (aka poota cause she poots a lot) and Dylan laughing at Teci dancing for them.


The end of a day running the streets and the kids are beat.



Dylan sound asleep!

Trip to Houston

Our family took a trip to Derek's hometown Houston, Texas to visit his family. We all had a great time and got to visit most of his large family. This was Dylan's first plane flight and we went from San Diego to Austin to Houston. On the first leg of our journey Dylan refused to give in and take a nap. He had only had one nap that day and he was very sleepy. I predictied that he would fall asleep as soon as we got to Austin and I was right(of course)! Ashley did well and behaved for most of the trip. Southwest treated us reall good.