Ooh La La

This past weekend, I went and got a pedicure while Lila was taking a nap. When she got up the first thing she noticed was my toes, and she was constantly touching them and looking at them...so I painted her toenails. She was so excited, and just kept looking at her feet, then she had to break out her high heels. It was so funny. We then had a little date, and we went to my friend's wedding. She actually sat down by me in church the whole time, with her feet stretched out in front of her proudly.

Check out these legs!

vacation

**WARNING: This post is super long

This past week we went on vacation. We literally went from coast to coast, and two different time zones in four days. We had a great time, but I don't think we will be attempting that again any time soon.

We left Austin on Friday, July 31 st, headed for Seattle to vacation with Shawn's mother's family. It is always exhausting getting there, but we are so fortunate to have families that we are close to and that do things together, so it is always well worth it to go and spend time with everyone, and it is always soooo much fun. It was Lila's first plane ride, and I was a little nervous. She is such a trooper, and a generally content kid, but you never know what is going to happen at 30,000 ft for 5 hours. But, she was a champ. We had a bumpy start to our trip, and didn't get to Seattle until 1:00 am (which is 3:00 am here), but we quickly rebounded and had a fantastic time.

On Saturday morning, we headed down to Pike's Market and the waterfront in Seattle. I never get tired of going there. The market is such a lively place, and so full of color. Note that the pictures of the flowers and food are unedited...the colors are true to life. Everything there is so vibrant.

Here we are at the waterfront

Eating at Ivars. The kids love feeding the birds there.

On Saturday evening, we headed to the home of some friends of Shawn's Aunt Carmen. They have a beautiful home overlooking the lake, with a magnificent view of Mt. Ranier

Toby had planned to surprise Gran with a vow renewal ceremony for their 20th anniversary. Gran was very surprised, and it was a beautiful night.

Mt. Ranier at sunset

On Sunday, we packed up and headed for camping in Port Angeles, WA.

The drive looked a little different than it would in Texas.

This was the view from our campsite...not bad huh? It was a really neat place. The view and sound of the Pacific, and it was neat to watch the fishing boats go out. Also, a little break from the heat.

Not sure why all the guys get such a kick out of playing with Nerf guns?

We came home on Tuesday night, and on Wednesday we headed to Corpus Christi. It was Lila's first beach experience, and she loved sitting in the surf and letting the waves hit her.

Notice the necklaces: no outfit is complete without at least one plastic necklace!

Jaid, Mary and Kamdyn joined us at the coast and we all went to the TX State Aquarium. Lila loved it...especially the dolphins. During the show, she was dancing, and clapping

A good time was had by all. Next time I think we will take two separate trips, though.

Big Week

Last week was so much fun. Abbi and Aiden (cousins) came to spend the week at Gran's house. We went over almost everyday to hang out. Mostly we went to the pool. The little kids couldn't get enough of the "frog" slide (it was like a frog and you slide down the tongue), and Abbi was so patient with them, and caught them at least two hundred times. There was another little girl that came to the slide and she told her Mom that she wanted the big sister to catch her, too. It was so cute.

Lila would start to go even before her bottom hit the seat. The kid loves to slide!

Here goes Aiden

Here is the crew at Gran's house, pretending the swing is a roller coaster.


On Friday, we packed up and headed to Hallettsville. Lila always has such a good time there looking at all the animals, and playing with my crazy Dad.

Big Papa had young ducks

Here she is walking with big Papa in the yard, checking out all the animals

This is a picture taken from my Granny's yard. It was about to rain, and I looked out the window, and the ground was so yellow against the blue sky, and the trees looked so vividly green...it was soooo pretty. The picture doesn't really do it justice, but it was beautiful; it embodied why I love the country. And, did I mention that my cell phone didn't ring all weekend and I got to take 2 naps. Thanks for a great weekend everybody.

Here is "our" watermelon crop! Shawn planted the vine the last time we were there, and my grandfather has been taking care of it (so it is really his crop). There are 3 baby watermelons; hopefully at least one of them will make it...that will be exciting!

Good-bye Mullet

On Sunday, July 12th, Lila got her first haircut...unofficially. Her hair in the back was long and stringy (like a mullet), and it had been made dry and brittle by our summer diet of sun and chlorine, and it was time for it to go. So, after her bath I cut it off. Sorry, I didn't take any before pictures...I was in a hurry to complete the project before Shawn came in the house to find me cutting her hair (he didn't think it needed to be cut; said something about "natural progression" because he is such a naturalist and all). It looks so much better, and is starting to curl again.

18 months

Today my baby girl is 18 months old. People always told me things like, "they grow up so fast", and "cherish every moment because time passes so quickly". They all sounded so cliche', but today, I am so sad that they are all so true. I want this stage in our lives to last forever...we are so blessed, and are having soooo much fun. I get to witness the world and all its wonders in a new way everyday through my little girl's eyes. At 18 months old, Lila is such a happy girl...she is a little shy, but loves to be around people and in the middle of the action; she is pretty easy going, and has a good time everywhere we go, but has a little stubborn streak. She loves to be outside, wear jewelry, read books, and loves shoes...she loves her dogs, and she likes to go to Chuy's (I am not making that up). I thank God everyday that she is healthy, and still cannot believe that we were blessed with such a precious gift.

4th of July

We had a very big, and very fun 4th of July. On Thursday night (July 2nd), we went to the Round Rock Express game. While we were waiting for our friends, the Eatons, a lady came up to me and said, "Do you guys want to sit behind home plate, or do you want to sit in your other seats?" I said, "Is this a trick question?". So we all got to sit right behind home plate. It was so hot, but a good time was had by all...Lila especially enjoyed the french fries. The game ended with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth, and after the game was a fireworks show. It was a great All-American way to start off the holiday

On Friday, July 3rd we started off the day doing some decorating...

and Shawn put up a flag.


Then on Friday night, we went over to the Cash's house to watch the Avery Ranch fireworks show. Lila and Charli always love playing on the trampoline.

and all the kids had glow-in-the-dark jewelry, which they thought was really cool.

On Saturday morning July 4th, we went over to the Alaniz's house, and Lila got to participate in the kiddie parade. The parade was led by a big fire truck...It was so cute, and she had a blast watching all the kids on their bikes, and all the dogs. Mary and Nicole made all the kiddos matching tie-dyed shirts.

Here is Lila in all her glory

Here are all the kids in their matching outfits.

(from left: Seth and Lila, Terry Daniel and Lucas, and Liam and Kamdyn)

Summer Fun

Sorry it has been so long, but I have been busy having all kinds of fun. I love the summertime. I stay outside almost every day until dark. Sometimes we even eat outside, and I think that is a neat treat. We have not been many places this summer, but we have enjoyed our time at home, and playing at the neighborhood pool. Here is what I have been up to...

playing in my sand box

just hanging out on the porch with my dog

We went to Dallas to visit Barry, Cheryl and Morgan. It was so hot.

Here we are cooling off in Morgan's pool

Happy Father's Day!

We spent Father's Day weekend in Dallas. Daddy had a great time playing golf

with Barry, and then cooling off with the help of Barry's Keg-o-rator.

Here I am in my new pool. This is my new look...it says "I am

very excited, but am too cool to show it"

Last but not least...eating watermelon!