Friday, October 19, 2012

Wedding Bells

Playing catch up here with this post. My little brother got married this past August to his beautiful high school sweetheart. Is there anything better than a wedding? I love seeing two people make the best decision of their lives and how happy they are together. These two are amazing! They are the sweetest, most talented, most giving, best looking people who are ready to take on the world together.

I just love the lead up to the wedding too. Three or four days before the wedding, most of the family is in town and everyone is focusing on getting stuff ready for the reception or wedding dinner. We got to meet Addie's sweet new baby boy, Robby. That makes three baby boys within 4 months of each other in our family!


We went to a fun play with the Petersons and loved being with them! I wish Rhett could see them more often, and not just over Skype! One day...


The wedding dinner was in our backyard and, of course, my mom did an incredible job with all of the decorations and flowers. It was a beautiful night and we loved hearing about Kev and Rachel's lives. 





The sealing in the Salt Lake Temple was perfect and so awesome. Kev and Rachel looked beautiful together and were so happy. The reception was gorgeous in the Reese's backyard and it was so fun to see lots of friends and family there.







The future family of Kevin and Rachel...



Just love weddings! 

After the wedding, we went to our ranch to relax and just enjoy some family time together. Mitch of course had to go back to school, but I stayed a few more days while he studied for his surgery exam. I was sad he had to miss Rhett's first trip to the ranch. He loved the horses and cows and hay and just being outside! I loved showing him one of my favorite places on earth.








Thursday, October 4, 2012

Crystal Beach

We had our first camping trip with Rhett a couple of weekends ago. I had pictured Rhett crying all night, getting rained on (like every other camping trip we've been on), and never wanting to go camping with a baby again. 

Rhett was a perfect angel the whole time and loved it! He slept better than he does in his crib. He loved sleeping right next to us and the sound of the waves. Too bad I didn't sleep well at all. Some crazy people drove in at 3 am and parked right in front of us and stayed up till 5 am talking sooo loud. 

We stopped in Galveston on our way down and had dinner at The Spot and then took the ferry across to the beach. The weather was perfect! It was just so nice to get out of the city for a change and see the stars. We had banana boats, s'mores, and roasted starbursts around the fire. All yummy!



We woke up to a beautiful sunrise. You can definitely tell I didn't sleep well.








Rhett took a nap in the shade while we played volleyball. He loved sitting in the shallow water and playing with the sand. I should have seen it coming, but didn't expect the handful of sand he put right in his mouth. He lived through it. 

Thanks to the Hamblins for planning the fun trip! We're so grateful for our fun friends down in Houston!


Thursday, September 27, 2012

5 months

First Time...

  • Going camping (best you'd slept in days) who knew camping would be so easy with a baby? 
  • Eating rice cereal

Things you LOVE...

  • Laying on your tummy on mom's knees
  • Humpty Dumpty
  • Board books (especially Peek a Who)
  • Your white giraffe
  • Watching us eat
  • Tools, brooms, the vacuum
  • Pretending to drink out of our glasses
  • Sleeping on your tummy and side

Things we LOVE about you...

  • The faces you make when you eat rice cereal
  • How cuddly you are
  • Your "crinkly nose" face
  • When you get overtired and pretty crazy/giggly

Here you are the first time trying rice cereal. You were figuring out your bib, the spoon, the bowl, the texture, taste, everything. Luckily, I don't think you'll be too picky!


You are loving rice cereal now, and it shows! It's all over your face, hands, my knees, the floor....


You love sleeping on your side and tummy now and your little giraffe.


You love figuring out anything we're working on


You are so much fun Rhett and keep us laughing all day!








Tuesday, September 11, 2012

4 Months


Rhett keeps getting more and more fun. We feel torn between being excited about him growing up and how much fun he is and being sad about him growing up too fast. 

Things you LOVE:

  • Flying around with Dad
  • Playing with your cousins, holding hands with Luke
  • Water bottles
  • Sitting sideways
  • Putting your hands in mom's mouth
  • Swimming
  • Doing your high pitched squeals
  • Animal noises
  • Books
  • Sleeping in our big bed
  • Colorful pictures
  • Dad's stack of med school books
  • When Daddy gets home
  • Rolling onto your tummy
  • The mirror in your car

 This shows just how much he loves water bottles. You'd think he'd be snugglin' that monkey, but he chose the water bottle instead. 




Clothes you've grown out of....sooooo many! I can't keep up with you. But that's ok cause I happen to love shopping for you. 




Things you DON'T like:
  • Getting stuck on your tummy and forgetting how to roll back
  • Being bored
I think the first thing people notice is how blue your eyes are, and then how chunky you are. I love it! You are almost 20 pounds and I get my workout in just by carrying your carseat around. You are such a happy baby and keep me and your dad laughing and smiling all day long!


This one he is kind of smushed but I love his face...


Just wanted a good view of the chubs.







And we're done with that sad face.



Happy (late) 4 months Rhett!! We love you!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Anniversary in Austin


I can hardly believe it's been three years since we've been married. Best 3 years of my life! Marriage has taught me a lot about myself and how far I still need to go, but it is sure a fun way to learn. I am so grateful to have Mitch by my side. He is an incredible boy and I am constantly reminded of how smart I was to marry him. So smart. 


We've had to make some adjustments since Rhett shook things up: less date nights, more late nights, but I can definitely say I love Mitch more now than ever. I will never forget that second night in the hospital during a particular meltdown by me, brought on by a particular meltdown by Rhett. You'd think all those tears would drive a man out of the hospital room straight to the nearest ice machine, but I'll never forget Mitch putting his arms around both of us (me with crazy hair and my hospital gown on backwards-am I the only one who could't figure those things out?) and how safe and comforted I felt. He has since given both of us lots of good hugs and made our lives so much better and easier. 

I remember one day when I was pregnant and it was obvious I was about to pop, a lady stopped to talk and give me some advice. She told me, "your husband is just going to have to realize it is NOT about him anymore."Even though it is harder to make time,  I've really tried to still make it about Mitch...and Rhett. Marriage is the most important thing!! I do not want to raise my kids and then catch up with my husband 30 years later. I want my kids to see a good marriage and know how much I love their dad. Anniversaries are a good reminder each year and a good excuse to spend money. 

July 22nd is our official anniversary and it happened to be on a Sunday so we celebrated the next weekend with our first road trip as a family of three. 

I got us some caffeine and treats for the road, and we even bought ourselves some flowers. We drove to Austin after an Olympics party at 11:00. We were exhausted when we got there, but Rhett did great sleeping in the pack n play set up in the bathroom until Mitch had to use the bathroom at 5 am because of all the caffeine he drank.


We ate some delicious hotel continental breakfast- gotta get your money's worth, is what my dad always said, and then headed to Zilker Park and Lady Bird Lake. We walked about 20 minutes in very extreme heat to Barton Springs Pool, only to realize we left our swim suits in the car. So we made it better by RUNNING (Mitch's  idea) back to the car in the extreme heat to get our suits. We looked like definite out-of-towners running in my flowy skirt and flip flops pushing our non-jogging stroller next to the outdoorsy Austin folk running with their fancy jogging strollers and slick running outfits.

All of our work and heat endurance made the amazingly refreshing cold water feel 100 times better. It was too cold for Rhett, but Mitch and I took turns making fools out of ourselves. 









For lunch, we ate at some safe food trucks. Torchy's Tacos- delicious, and Gordough's donuts- even more delicious. Imagine a giant, freshly fried donut with fresh strawberries and cream on top. I would go back to Austin just to get one of those donuts. Rhett was a champ all day!



To end our day trip to Austin, we met up with the Hamblins, who were also celebrating their anniversary, for dinner at the Oasis. 


We had a gorgeous view of Lake Travis and the sunset over some yummy Mexican food. Well a house salad for me...I was too full after tacos and the giant donut. 

The trip was way fun and Rhett loved being outside all day. He is such a trooper!

Happy Anniversary to my one and only!! 

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Farewell Party for the Robkers

We lost some of our best friends to a certain med school in Las Vegas. We were so sad to see the Robkers leave but are excited for their new adventures!

The Ences threw a fun goodbye party for them and we all had a blast!





Some of our finest shining moments with the Robkers...

Galveston Beach, rain or shine




Rodeo Houston

Amy went to so much work for my baby shower...


They helped us with our nursery projects...even the hard ones


And many more game nights, camping trips, tennis outings, dinners, and free movies with them. We'll miss you guys!!