Just Hanging Out

When we got back to San Antonio, Scott had to head straight to Berkeley for school, so CJ and I stayed back to get some more warm weather and good company. We got to actually hand deliver PopPop’s Father’s Day card this year. How rare is that?

happy father's day to poppop and cott (his first!)

My sweet friend Jessica took a day off work to have some quality time hanging out. I honestly can’t remember the last time we got to visit like that. Maybe when we lived together in Dallas (2000/01)? We drove over to Comfort, TX to pick up lunch and visit Bending Branch Winery.

high's cafe in comfort

We stopped at High’s Cafe for an amazing lunch. I had the half crab cake sandwich and shared an oatmeal raisin cookie with my mom. Perfection.

carter hasn't learned the art of looking when asked

Let me say, Comfort has come a looooong way. It is SUCH a charming little downtown.

high's patio

If we had been in town for the 4th of July, I would have requested going there for the parade. Adorable and just so American (in the best way possible). Small businesses, slow moving streets, friendly people, comforting (pun intended – harhar).

downtown comfort

When we got to Bending Branch, Pam made friends immediately with Oreo. If Pam would ever stop petting Oreo, Oreo’s paw was on Pam’s knee immediately. This happened within seconds of us arriving. Pam is lovable.

mom, pam, oreo

CJ enjoyed hanging out in the heat. Once again, it really does not bother him and he seemed to enjoy being warm for once. He got very good at sipping out of his cups while we were there!

tasting the water - that edwards aquifer is ahhhhmazing

Jessica and I partook in the tasting menu. Their wines were fantastic. I look forward to their all Texas harvested wines soon!

thirty one years and counting, such a special friend

Meanwhile, Carter got loved on by Mimi & Nama. The boy might as well have a few grandmas, I had several moms. Makes sense!

loving on nama

He thought it was hilarious to look at the world upside down from Mimi’s lap. It’s his new game (that he is still playing). The trip out to Comfort just what the doctor ordered, so much fun! Thank you Jessica for taking the day off to spend it with us.

being silly with mimi

Back at home, CJ spent a lot of time learning how 2 year olds share (insert sarcasm). He adores his cousin piper (he actually adores all of his cousins). He stares at her all the time. I wish we could understand what was going on in his head.

watching praise baby with cousin p

It’s too bad this below picture is blurry. This was after Piper really warmed up to Carter. She realized he wasn’t out to steal all of her toys and that he is a pretty fun guy (she had blue eyes first). They enjoyed this little afternoon playtime together.

fixing piper's hair

Of course, playing in the front yard was in order. Somehow, during every trip to SA, we spend an afternoon or evening sitting in the front yard until we’re so hot we can’t take it. And of course, we ALWAYS take pictures.

hanging out with mimi and poppop

And entertain Piper in hopes of some smiles. We won.

whashe doin?

Carter got his first taste of a southern watermelon. Sweet and perfectly juicy.

southern grown wawamelon

I think he liked it!

its so goooood

He had to think about it though.

let's never go home, mom

We got some much needed relaxation during those few days at the house. Laying around watching tv, swimming, and playing. Feels like home.

Party at the Pool

It’s always hard when I go home to get a visit in with everyone I want to see. So much family and so many friends. And all their kiddos. I’m so blessed to still have so many people to see and love in Texas. This go round, I decided to crash Mimi & PopPop’s backyard and throw a pool party for my SA friends and their little ones. It was complete insanity. But so much fun.

ryan and abby, both 4

It’s kind of hard to believe how big some of the little kids are getting. And that there are so many new ones here and on the way!

carlyle, 2

We sat on the deck and ate BBQ, watermelon and visited with everyone while watching the resident lifeguards take control of the pool.

jack walker, 5

Because we had some crazy kids on floating sharks and alligators.

henry 3, ryan 4

Apparently beer drinking is allowed during lifeguard duties. Times have changed since I was a QF lifeguard!

poppop old

Jessica was amazing. She was like the Schlitterbahn lifeguard one kid after the next jumping into her arms. Over. And over again.

ryan and his mama

Casey was the amazing kitchen friend who enjoyed watching the wacky kids and crazed parents chasing wacky kids.

casey marie, chef extraordinaire

Piper decided to hang in the baby pool. The big kids pool was a little too wild for her refined tastes.

piper, 2

Ha.

excited piper

Pam & Mom enjoyed seeing all the grandkids run wild. And not having on their suits so they didn’t have to play Schlitterbahn lifeguard.

nama and mimi

Piper wasn’t so sure about Sam joining her in her private pool. I think she gave in and let the boy in eventually. He’s pretty charming.

can i come visit the little pool, piper?

We have three jumping stations going on here. And only two adults in the pool. Jessica was good enough to play the role of two.

jumping insanity!

Carter just needed to pretend to drink his water and soak up that texas heat and love from his momma’s friends.

taking it all in

We attempted a group photo with all the kids. Only one was missing as she was taking a nap. Looks like mine might have needed a nap, he was unimpressed.

he's outta there

Or just really sad he was the only one without a cookie. Cousin Abby kindly shared.

ah, that first bite of sugar

Yep! He had his first taste of chocolate chip cookie. I took this picture as I was running to swat it out of Abby’s hand. I’m amazed it turned out so well. Poor Abby was just being a sweet girl and sharing her cookie with the only boy who didn’t get one. Carter’s one lucky guy to have such a caring cousin.

The day was a blast. We all said we should make it an annual party. Who’s hosting next time? We’ll be there with bells on!!!

Peek In Her World

A fellow blogger, Brooke, at Peek In Our World has been working on a really neat project called “A Mother’s Voice.” She’s asked several mothers to complete a guest post on her blog for the project. There are some excellent stories of how motherhood has changed some, lessons they have learned and of course, good humor. Because life as a mother is not fun if you can’t step back and laugh at yourself every now and again.

I did a guest post for the series, go check it out! While you’re at it, kick up your feet, grab some popcorn and enjoy perusing Peek In Our World. Brooke has some fun tales to tell, wonderful advice and beautiful pictures of an ever-adorable squirrel named Harper.

What Books Do YOU Read?

We get asked that question a lot. My friend Jessica formed a book club last year. Our first meeting was in January, 2010. Two of the gals were pregnant, due in May (within two weeks of one another). I had suspicion that Jessica was pregnant. I was pregnant (but not telling anyone yet). Well, it turns out that every girl in our book club was expecting. All of the babies have been born now, and they are one cute brood.

jack (sep13), ella (sep24), lainie (oct7), madelyn (may30), carter (oct1)

Last summer, when I would mention that my book club was pregnant, people would say “what in the world? what kind of book club is that??”. I promise. It’s a run of the mill, standard book club. With lots of cute additions this year.

talk to the hand, slobber boy

We met on Sunday this week to discuss Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (I told you they were legit books!). We did get to discuss a little of the book, but of course the babies tend to take over any adult conversation.

they all look like they have their own secret to tell (no fan though)

Not all of the book club babies made it, but a good chunk of them did. How awesome are they? Chubby little buggers.

missing a few, but oh so cute

We’re keeping up with the book club, babies are always invited, books are sometimes optional, good friendship is always there. It’s been fun to go through this major life change with such neat women. I look forward to raising our chubby munchkins together!

Ringing in 2011

Did you make it to the last tick of the clock for 2010?

I didn’t. Scott didn’t. THANKFULLY, Carter didn’t either. We went to bed around 11pm and turned on the bedroom tv to the local news station in hopes of catching the Space Needle fireworks at midnight. The neighbors had their own glorious firework show (hello, black cats. I wish those would be banned forever) that woke us up. I bumped Scott awake.  He rubbed his eyes, put on his glasses and we caught the last few minutes of the Space Needle show, said “Happy 2011″ and cratered. Until 3:30am. That’s when Carter likes to party.

We decided to have an impromptu celebration to ring in 2011 with a small brunch instead of a late night gathering this year. We had a crisp, sunny day again today, the perfect winter day!

Jack & Jessica were busy telling stories about their travels back east.

jess and jack

While Liz & Madelyn told us about Colorado, Carter and I talked about our long trip to Texas.

Really, the moms gabbed about how their kids haven’t been sleeping well and analyzed their patterns to pieces. When did you stop swaddling? Has he found his thumb yet? Who has two teeth?? My how life has changed.

liz and madelyn

The kids really just played together.

are you playing with MY jungle friends?

Kind of.

that is my giraffe!

As you can see, Jack is quite expressive. He and Madelyn kept us entertained throughout brunch.

here comes trouble

Carter is 13 weeks in this picture, and his buddy Jack is almost 16 weeks.

carter joe and jack

Madelyn is 7 1/2 months old. The boys sure are trying to get her attention. Carter was all grins and drools when he looked at her. Myron was keeping a very close eye on those boys.

their first of many games of leans

It’s hard to believe that last year at this time none of these little guys were with us yet. They’ve brightened our lives in ways we didn’t think possible. They brought such great joy to 2010 and are sure to bring even more to 2011.

carter joe (3mo), madelyn (7mo), jack (4mo)

Happy New Year, sweet readers! Here’s to a healthy, happy 2011.