My New Middle Name

I am amazed at how many loads of laundry a family of three can create...it is my new perpetual task in life...I get excited that I can finally see the bottom of the laundry hamper and then I blink and it is heaping again. I can't complain though...I am thankful that our washer and dryer are in working condition, I have the ability to do our laundry in our home and I have company from two of my favorite companions...B and Ella.
These photos were taken while I was folding one of the many loads that I did today...it is almost as if Owen is thinking..."Go mom, go!" I would fold laundry all day with this kind of encouragement!

Ella came to enjoy the laundry party...I think she must be thinking "The quicker you fold that laundry, means the quicker you will let me outside to play ball!"

Here is evidence of the perpetual task I am talking about...I really don't mind washing, drying and even folding...putting it all away is the hard part...so this mountain stands until Chad or I get up enough initiative to put it away! And then the process starts all over again...

Rangers Game

B can officially say that he has been to a major league baseball game...

On Wednesday we ventured out, despite the heat, to watch the Rangers with some dear friends from college..B was wide eyed as the crowd cheered the Rangers on until he fell asleep during the 7th inning stretch...it was a fun night and great to see some friends that we haven't gotten to see in awhile!

B's First Trip Up North

We packed up the Jeep (most of the items belonging to the youngest member in our family) and headed north for some good quality family time and cool weather...Owen can now check Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota & Wisconsin off his list of places he has visited...he wasn't real impressed by Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri or Iowa but he and Ella were troopers as we made the long drive.

Before heading up to the cabin, Owen got to meet several special people who have been patiently waiting for his first trip up north...

My dad's parents, Great Mimi & Great Grandpa Ben

My mom's parents, Great Grandma Marion & Great Grandpa Bob (Owen enjoyed his first big bear hug!)

My dear friend, Mackenzie

His "Aunt" Marissa & "Cousin" Mia (Mia is almost a month older than Owen)

Then we headed up to the cabin...it was so special to bring Owen to one of my favorite places in the whole world. My family has been going up to the cabin since my youngest brother, Jamey, was a baby. We have spent countless hours enjoying the lake, campfires and family meals around the table.

Many laughs have been and continue to be had around this table, let me paint a picture...there are usually anywhere between 1-3 dogs laying under the table as we eat, towels wrapped around wet swimsuits, half opened cans of soda (somewhat of a novelty), and everyone sitting in their own designated place around the table...

B enjoyed being invited to the table, even though it meant he was sitting in his stroller.

This is my attempt to take a "self take" with B...Jamey decided to jump in at the last minute...I love both B & Jamey's faces in this photo...B looks so curious almost like he can see Jamey's face behind him

B loves his baths and the water, but did NOT like his life jacket...we had to go tubing (the boat went at less than a mile or two an hour) and capture of photo for his baby book, he really did enjoy the tube...just not the life jacket!

My mom found this baby play pool for B to play in while everyone else played in the water and got towed behind the boat...Jamey's dog, Gatsby, was quite curious about the pool

This photo is a little shout out to the great state of Texas...well really more to Baylor...Owen is enjoying his "Big Kid" shirt (it doesn't have buttons between the legs), courtesy of his Uncle Jamey

B received another "Big Kid" shirt from his future Aunt Amanda and Uncle Jeff. (who hope he may be an Eagle someday)..He enjoyed a quick visit from Aunt Amanda and is really excited for his next big trip out to California to see Amanda & Jeff get married in less than two weeks!

While at the cabin, Owen slept in a crib that I used to sleep in as a baby. This is Owen catching some zzzz's after a big afternoon of playing outside...I love the baby size rash gaurd & board shorts (with his belly hanging out). This is a classic Owen pose, we call it the "touch down" position...it is how he sleeps the majority of the time.

Enjoying the swing as Ella fetched balls that Chad threw into the Lake...when we are at the cabin, Ella is swimming after tennis balls almost 100% of the time...she loves it!

Enjoying the hammock before a camp fire...

Just chillin' in the Bumbo chair, watching everyone play in the water...don't let the photo fool you...he did NOT like the sunglasses...

All packed up and ready to head home...it was a fantastic trip, we are so grateful for our time up north...we can't wait until next year to enjoy some more meals around the table, pulls behind the boat, tennis balls in the lake, cool weather, Owen enjoying the water more, time with precious family and friends (one of the hard realities of living so far away).

Early Father's Day & Birthday Celebration

I accidentally posted these photos in reverse order...just scroll to the bottom of the post and move up...


After walking we found a little hole in the wall restaurant called Hanks Casual Diner to eat dinner, let me take a moment to "plug" this restaurant...both Chad and I were quite impressed! After dinner we walked around the square some more and found a little ice cream shop where we both enjoyed some Bluebell Candy Jar ice cream...the entire day was so special...I am so thankful I got to celebrate with friends, family and my two boys!

We left the cross at the store to be grouted and look forward to see it all completed hopefully next week...

And walked around the Granbury town square...while we were walking, we found this little store that has ceramic pottery and mosaics available to make...Chad was sweet and had the idea to make a cross for our family's cross wall...I never thought that I would see Chad glue little pieces of glass with such precision...we both had a lot of fun...(Chad was a really good sport)...

After our Father's Day lunch...Owen enjoyed some time at home with Chad's parents and our friends, Kendrick and Jennifer, so Chad and I could go on a little birthday sussy trip to Granbury...it was such a gift to have time together. We visited The Barking Rocks Winery in Granbury...

It's hard to get photos of the three of us...Chad's arm isn't quite long enough to take "self takes"...so when we have the chance to get a family photo we take total advantage of it!

We enjoyed lunch with Chad's parents and celebrated Father's day a little bit early. Owen helped Chad open his very first Father's Day gift...

Yesterday was truly a sweet day...

I woke up to these beautiful blue eyes as Chad and Owen sang their own rendition of Happy Birthday to You...then we headed to Bluebonnet for some breakfast

Waiting for the Storm to Come In

Last night Chad and Owen swung together on the porch swing as we waited for the big storm to come in...B loves to be outside, it is the cure for any "grumpiness"!

I love the way B is grasping Chad's thumb...

A rainy day cooped up at home...time for a B update

Just hanging out...listening to the rain come down outside the window...

The other night we enjoyed Burgers and Bach at Central Market...Owen enjoyed the silly noises that Chad was making near his head more than the music.

B loves to take rides in the car but DOES NOT like to get buckled into his carseat...Chad tried to entertain him by wearing him in his carseat as a hat as I was getting the diaper bag together for some Saturday errends...the attempt wasn't real successful...but worthy of a photo.

We heard B's first laugh last weekend! It was so bubbly and sweet. The laugh isn't near as consistent as this sweet smile...but hopefully that will come soon enough.

I love this photo of his eyes...He looks so grown up as he is waiting to go for a ride in the car.

B's first TCU sporting event! We were able to enjoy the tail end of one of the regional baseball games held at Brown Lupton Stadium...B slept...but it was fun to be back at the ball park.

We had to capture our family's first trip to Chuck-E-Cheese...we met some friends who have a little one Owen's age and an older daughter. Owen didn't get much Skee Ball in, he hopes to play more next time! (I didn't realize I had left the burp cloth on my shoulder...this is my new fashion statement!)

First trip to The Home Depot with a stroller...again, we had to capture this moment...there will be more trips to come!

One of our favorite parts of the week...Our Saturday morning trip to Bluebonnet for breakfast...Owen keeps telling us that he wants to sample a donut...soon enough!

This is what Ella, Owen and I look like on a typical morning walk. I think we have walked almost every street in our neighborhood...at least 100 times! It is one of my new favorite things to do.

B's Big Swimming Debut

Some dear friends invited us to go swimming last weekend...We had a blast! I don't know if I was more fun to see B in his miniature swim trunks or see B's reaction to the water?

Getting ready for the pool was a little bit of a challenge in that the smallest swimming diaper available is for 16 plus pounds and the smallest swim trunks are 3-6 month size. Let's just say that the diaper acted as more of a floatation device and the swim trunks looked like pants...

At home, B loves to take baths. He smiles and coos when he is placed in the water and almost giggles (I am hoping that will come soon) when water is splashed near his little body.

The pool just seemed like a gigantic bath tub...he loved it!


B has started to move his eye brows to make faces that really emulate some of Chad's expressions. In this photo, his eye brows make him look concerned or somewhat skeptical of the water...we promise...he really did seem to love the water!