Hill country trips

The kids and I took two trips to central TX within two weeks of each other. We made sure to pack a picnic lunch!

And stopped at the new Belton travel center. The boys were impressed!

I was impressed with the outdoor playground to let the kids run off some extra energy. Win!

I had to attend a professional conference in San Antonio for two days. The kids stayed with my in-laws. I was able to see my friends from grad school!

Riverwalk

And we four broke away from the conference and even went to Gruene that Saturday for some shopping, dining out and R&R away from our 11 kids combined :-)

I sure was ready to see my three! They had a blast with their Granny and Papa!

And two weekends ago, the kids and I drove to Austin to see my undergrad friends and my sister and her family! Phew, what a fun and busy trips!!

Friends for 14 years!

My sister was kind and watched all five kids that Saturday morning so I could hang with my girlfriends and without strollers :-)

I returned the favor that night and got in some extra fun time with my nieces...

The kids never want to part!

And on our way back to Dallas that Sunday, we stopped over to see my cousin and her family of five!

The baby girls were having a blast making a mess!

All the kids!! So fun!

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Mimi is 60, Memaw is 80!

My mom, aka Mimi, turned 60 on March 4th. She and Elise share their birthday!  We had a little family shin-dig on the actual day of her birthday. The boys were excited and helped me prep all day before she arrived :-)

Mom with her youngest two, reading her cards. Maggie made her a jar in which each of her four kids wrote down 60 reasons why we love her. She loved it! And I made a photo book on Chatbooks, which she can keep on her coffee table or as a brag book on her purse...

A sign I found her for in Canton

Mimi with her five grandchildren!

The birthday gals!

After dinner we met my brother and rode on DART to AAC to see Fleetwood Mac!

Many a childhood memories for us four kids growing up listening to them! So when Maggie told me there were playing ON the night of mom's bday, we HAD to go! And I had to make t-shirts to document :-) They read, "Mama, Mimi. Donna is 60!"

Such a great show!!! And the cold weather, "Snowmageddon" didn't hold back attendance for the sold-out show!

Speaking of snow, it snowed 5 inches that night and took us almost 5 hours to get back home, all 25 miles of it...memories!

The kids didn't care that we got little to no sleep :-) and they were up with the roosters ready for a fun day together inside and outside in the snow!

This year is a BIG year for decade birthdays in my family! My Memaw turned 80 in February. We headed to Vernon that day to celebrate her!!

Brett's grandfather passed away in February. He was known as Pappy to his nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Found this picture of him holding Brett from circa 1985.

We celebrated his life with a beautiful memorial service, and we look forward to reunited with him again one day

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Bluebonnet babes

When in the Hill Country of Texas, you MUST take Bluebonnet pics. I think it is an unwritten rule :-) The kids stayed with Brett's folks when I was at a conference in San Antonio, and they have bluebonnets in their front yard. The stars aligned just quickly enough that I was able to snap a few pics before we headed back on Sunday, right after church and right before lunch and naps.

Selfie with Mommy :-)

I love the TimeHop app! I posted this on Facebook. Five years goes by fast!

Then on our way back from Austin two weekends ago, we stopped at my cousin's in Belton. And there are TONS of bluebonnet fields. Everywhere. I made a pit stop, after LOTS of playing and way past nap times (Elise had already taken one, but she was upset by Blake's crying)...you can see how that went:

I am shocked J was able to hold his smile through all of that! Elise was happy and curious for some of it :-)

This boy is cooperative for mommy's many photos!

And we had more crying from B, poor guy...too much cousin time and not enough sleep!

Be still my heart!

Two out of three ain't bad, right? Better luck next year, I hope!

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Snow days!

At the end of February/beginning of March. The first winter storm was more of an ice mixture! And Brett came home early from work (yes, he still went to work and got rear-ended on his commute :-(

My heart all in one picture!

The second storm hit on March 4th (Elise and my mom's birthday)! And my sisters and nieces were in town to celebrate, so we were sure to get the kids outside!

Sledding, with laundry basket and tupperware lids :-) Brett was not home to rig us another type of sled!

better snow angels than with the previous ice :-)

The oldest cousins and their little Olaf :-)

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To our Elise on your 1st birthday (along with her one-year pictures!)

Dear Elise Faye,

Or as we lovingly refer to you, "Sissy" or "Lisey." You are such a joy to be around! Everyone who knows you cannot get over how easy-going you are...guess that comes along with being the third-born :-)

You have been pretty laid back since the day you were born...until you learned to crawl and cruise. And, now, you are constantly ON THE MOVE! And I thought your brothers were busy; you are sure giving them a run for their money!

You brothers simply adore you! Sure, there are moments that they realize you are coming after their toys, pulling their skin or hair, but they get over it quickly, especially after they see your toothy grin :-) You will be greatly protected by them, whether you want to be or not! I cannot wait to see your sibling relationships throughout the years ahead.

Some say you resemble Jameston, with your serious face and blue eyes. I can definitely see resemblances in your eyes and nose. But you and Blake definitely favor each other with your smile, cheeks and lips. What a perfect combo all three of you are!

But I do wish Father Time would slow down a bit! The newborn and baby stages seem like they goes by in a blink of an eye..and now you're ONE! How did that happen?! It seems like it was just yesterday we were headed to the hospital to find out if you were a little girl or boy, since we knew you would complete our family. It is hard to remember what life was like before you were born. You are the perfect addition and puzzle piece to our family unit!

It has been such a joy and blessing to have a daughter, and I pray that I can be the mother you need me to be...especially during the teenage years :-) I look forward to many discussions about life, love and everything in between (and shopping trips and pedicures of course :-)

And your Daddy? Watching him with you, I just melt. Not knowing if we would have a little brother or sister the night before you were delivered, I asked him his thoughts. He said, "Another little boy would be great, since I am one of three brothers. But I would love to and be so lucky to have a daughter." Swoon. I just sit back and watch him with you and take in the immense joy you bring all of us!

Elise,
You light up our lives in a way we could never imagine. Our hearts grew with love when you joined our family! We cannot wait to watch you grow, learn, and become the little girl God created you to be. We love you to the moon and back (and back again), Lisey Faye!

Love, Mommy, Daddy, Bubba, and Bubby

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