Summer begins!

Summer has gotten off to a mostly slow and lazy start. June 9-12 was our church's Vacation Bible School (an institution of Southern summertime!), so that week was crazy and harried, but otherwise, we've just been taking it easy. Trips to the park, the pool, the gardens, and spending time with friends have been highlights.

Catherine is enjoying taking gymnastics this summer with one of her best buddies. They have had so much fun! I am amazed at how her little body has changed and developed. She has gotten so much stronger and more coordinated! She is loving it.

We also have been working this month on potty training Caroline. We did a week-long bootcamp style potty training with her at the end of May and she is doing pretty well! She is 100% potty trained for peeing and pretty much not potty trained at all on the other bodily function. I suppose it will come, but it has been a little frustrating. Can I just say that size 2T panties are just about the cutest thing ever???

A highlight of June so far was a day trip to downtown Chattanooga. We met up with my dear, dear old friend Betsy (my potluck roommate freshman year at A&M) and her sweet family. She has a little girl who will be two in the fall and a little boy on the way! It was just wonderful to see her. I wish it could have lasted longer!

The big D

We rounded off our road trip with a few days spent in the DFW metroplex with my brother and his awesome fiance! We enjoyed a trip to the Arboretum (wow . . . so incredible. I could have spent HOURS there!) with Russell's Aunt Fran, catching up with my own Aunt who I hadn't seen in way too long, and playing in Uncle Josh's pool. We had a blast - the visit was actually too short. (The drive home, on the other hand . . .)
 

Bethany and me. She asked me to be in her wedding. Isn't that the sweetest? I am so excited to celebrate her and my brother's new life together next spring!

Caro rocking out on a chime drum thingie at the Arboretum

Fran and Caroline enjoying some tasty flower cookies

Splashing around at the Arboretum!

Undergoing empathy training. How does that baby turtle feel?

Fran is such a good sport!

Bethany had a special gift for the girls too - beautiful flower headbands, a ring pillow, and white basket! She asked them to be her flower girls! They couldn't be more excited!

Props to her for great presentation. :) Catherine seemed to think she was supposed to go find Easter eggs. We have a little time to explain more, but so far, she definitely understands there will be a fancy dress. And cake. When she is 4 1/2.

Silly uncle Josh!

Sweet family

 

And sweet soon-to-be family

My mom with my Aunt Luan and Catherine, enjoying, wait for it, Mexican food. Yum!

Our trip to Texas was a total whirlwind. We spent ten days (with 2 1/2 of them in the car), but it was so worth it. We love and miss our family so much. Thank you all for being a special part of our lives. It won't be too long til we're back. That's the thing about Texas, we can't stay away TOO long.

Time in Sugar Land

After graduation, we headed to Houston to spend a little time with my in-laws. Daddy headed back to Huntsville while I got to hang out with Peaches and Grandpa. Two kids later, it still felt like the old days when I was in grad school in College Station and Russell was in Atlanta. I made their home my second home! The only thing missing was David and Allison as middle schoolers!

Oops, this was actually at Allison's graduation party. But I had to include it because it really reflects that Catherine thinks Aunt Allison hung the moon!

Hello, Daisy Duck? We have a situation. My mom has decided not to dress us today.

Hello, Minnie Mouse?

Grandpa getting a thorough medical examination from Docs Mc Stuffins and Minnie Mouse. Implements of choice: candle snuffer and potato masher. If he wasn't sick before, he probably is now.

A church near their house has this incredible indoor playscape. Seriously, this thing was totally free and puts Chick-fil-A to shame. Way fun!

Someone wasn't cooperating. It wasn't Peaches.

And the best pic we could get of all four. Oh well!

 What fun we had! Thanks so much for hosting us for a few days! LOVED our time together. :-)

Whoop! 2014!

Introducing the Proudest Member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of '14 . . . Allison! Whoo hoo! (Okay, maybe not the PROUDEST . . .) Here are some photos of her graduation day. She certainly had good reason to be proud. BA in English, Emphasis in creative writing (and voracious reading, but it didn't say that one her diploma), Summa Cum Awesome, Magna Cum Smartie, University Honors, Foundation Honors, Total Honors, Great Hair, and Cute Shoes.

We love you sis! Congratulations!

Observe the cute shoes and lots of cords

This hat is actually cute on her. Wow.

Could they all be related?

Allison and the grands

She can float?

Oh she gigged em.

Proud parents

Sweet family!

More sweet faces

The whole gang. Can you tell it was a little breezy? I bet Peaches would like to have her hair secured with a nifty flat cap!

Way back Texas

Here are a few photos from our trip to College Station. We finally introduced both girls to the promised land, the best little city in the world, Aggieland. Home of nice folks, a fine university, and really good food.

But of course, the highlight was spending time with our families! We actually went to CS to see Allison graduate, but while we were in TX, we couldn't resist having a little more family fun too. (Those photos coming in the next post!)

Reading with Nana

On the playground at Nana's school in some fancy clothes!

We enjoyed breakfast at the Hullabaloo Diner on Mother's Day! Yay, I got to see my mama on Mother's Day! This diner was unbelievable. So so good. The dining room is an old train car and the rest of the property is an old barn. There's a huge parrot (named Turkey) and live music, even at 9 am. It was super fun until Caroline's diaper leaked all over my white pants I was daring to wear for the first time ever. At least I finished my french toast first. 

If you want to keep a 2 and 3 year old girl entertained, one way is to give them accessories and a full length mirror. According to Catherine, it was Fancy Day! (Like everyday!)

Borrowing Nana's ballet shoes

In case you were getting the impression that our children are always sweet and happy. Someone doesn't like being told not to play house behind the mirror...

Fancy day continues with pedicures

Catherine's first braids. Is there something wrong with me that I am posting three photos of this?

I have to learn to do this! Ack, little girl hair bewilders me!