We Ventured South

One of Aaron's work meetings took him to Dallas and so naturally, we followed. While he attended the meetings, the girls and I spent time at Grammy and Poppy's house for a couple days before heading down to Galveston with Tara and her family. When Aaron wrapped up his work piece, he flew down and met up with us in Galveston where we enjoyed a bit of vacation time. The most anticipated piece was that the girls would be able to see the beach for the first time but we were so disappointed when we arrived and found the beach covered with seaweed. Covered. Aside from that, we had so much fun being together, playing in the pools, and watching all the cousins interact.

Avery became quite the fish as long as she was in a tube or floaties

Doesn't get much better than riding in a float while eating your popsicle

View from our condo balcony

Dancing after dinner!

Divas!

First time in the ocean for both girls

Love this! The youngest 6 cousins of the family: (starting left) Jack, Luke, Tucker, Avery, Holden, Emmersen

Emme got brave and began jumping off the side. We really had to watch her to make sure someone was ready to catch!

Sean and Tara

Of course, Avery found some zebras.

They fought over this car the entire time!

Life is rough

Going crabbing

Emme Jumps

And jumps, and jumps, and gives her bed a real beating. This is Emmersen's most recent way to greet us of a morning when we enter her room. Hilarious, that silly girl!

Father's Day

This is life. Real life. Leave it to me to pick the sunniest spot around the house and minutes to spare before nap time and this is what you get. A sweet Daddy trying to get a quick picture with his girls on Father's Day and it just wasn't quite working out that way. But blinding light and cranky kids aside, the girls and I couldn't ask for a better daddy and husband. He loves us like crazy and works so hard to provide for us. We love you!

Bobbing For Apples...

...minus the apples.

Since the weather has turned nice, this is where I can usually find the girls on any given afternoon following naptime: Outside on the back patio, hose on, sink full, heads and/or feet in water- clothing optional.

A Wonderful Evening

Tonight we met some friends at the country club for dinner. While waiting for our food, we took the girls outside to explore for a bit as they were getting a little antsy. I was even lucky enough to get on the other side of the camera this time with these two beautiful girls. After a relaxed dinner and easy conversation, we parted ways with our friends and Aaron grabbed a golf cart. He wanted to drive us around the course to soak in more of the stunning scenery. How incredible God is! Aaron told me that we might see deer as they like to congregate on the golf course at dusk but I was skeptical. Boy, was I wrong! They were everywhere! It's like they view the golf course as their playground when the golfers leave. All I had on me was my camera phone so many of my pictures didn't turn out as the deer would run off but we were able to pull over at one point and walk to the edge of the course and see over 15 deer in the adjoining field. I turned the zoom up on my phone and captured six of these beauties. Fresh air, God's creations, good friends, wonderful evening.

Going It Alone: 18 months and 4 years

In Illinois I was incredibly fortunate to have 3 friends who were amazing photographers. At any given time, I could call one of them up and bank on beautiful pictures. Here, I have yet to find one photographer, much less three. But here we are at 2 milestones that I want photographed to remember one day when my memory fails me. Avery is 4 years old and Emmersen is 18 months old. I took a stab at a photo session in our backyard today and while I might have snagged one or two decent pictures, it is quite obvious that I need to find a photographer. Now. Not to mention that a photographer wouldn't make my kids cry like their own mother did (Yes, I got a little bossy with my directions and lost my patience thus resulting in many pictures with blotchy eyes. I did apologize, but really, I got upset over stupid pictures?! I definitely need to find a photographer if not for good pictures, then the sanity of me and the girls!).