2nd Birthday Party

We celebrated the big "2" a few days after her actual birthday. We were so happy that our family and friends joined us in celebrating our big girl's special day!

Here are just a few pictures of the day.

The birthday girl!


Mommy & Daddy got her a new trampoline! It took her about 2 minutes to warm up to it - now we can't get her off.

Getting some air

Mommy's "masterpiece" that didn't quite like the heat. All the decorations began to melt right off (or rather, down) as soon as we stepped foot in the 90-degree temps.

The Big Bird on the table was a birthday gift to me 26 years ago. :)

She was shy when everyone was singing to her

Yea!!

She did her very best to blow out the candles...

But she needed a little help.

Enjoying some yummy birthday cake!


"Iss good Mommy?"

The cake!

And the best cake cutters ever!

Some of our sweet guests...




And no one can get away from a family event without family pictures (of EVERYONE!)!!!





(Grandma & Grandpa's picture was taken the next day)

She kind of got the hang of opening the gifts this year, even though she wanted to stop and play with each gift before moving on to the next.
A new apron and a Rangers hat!


Even after opening all the awesome new toys and clothes, all the girl wanted to do was play in the new dirt. Maybe all of you family members should rethink your presents next year. ;)


The party turned out great, despite us having to have our family help set everything up last minute. :( We had a new patio built, and the crew literally put the last coat of sealant on it and left our house at 7 pm the night before the party. I also burned my hand badly at work a week and a half prior, so I wasn't even sure I'd be able to do all my crafts and baking! Thankfully, my hand healed a few days before the party, so I was in rush mode trying to get all my little DIY projects done that I didn't think I'd be able to. So, THANK YOU FAMILY! We love you!!!

All in all, it was a fantastic day. Even after all the party guests were gone, the big girl stayed outside playing and running and jumping until we made her come in at 9:00, which is already well past her usual bedtime. It was a great day!

Two at the Zoo

Just like last year, we both took the day off work to take our sweet girl to the zoo on her birthday. We had such a fun time, and it was so exciting to see her little mind at work as she recognized and imitated the noises of so many of the animals. She definitely had way more fun than she did last year, and she wore herself out running and playing and having fun.


Just for grins...here is last year's pic! :*(


Hello, giraffe neck!



She loved the birdies!

And she's off. She DID NOT want to sit in the stroller, and poor Mommy's arms could not hold her very long. Thankfully, Daddy's shoulders were an acceptable option to her!



We tried and tried to get her to show us her wingspan, but this is all we got. Attached much? Man, I love this kid.

After last year's awesome pic with the gorilla, we were looking forward to see what she'd do this year. Unfortunately, Mr. Gorilla wasn't in a "sit by the glass for pictures" kind of mood.

Reading up on the Cheetah.

It couldn't have been a more beautiful or more perfect day to celebrate our sweet girl's birthday.

Turning Two

It seems like just yesterday we were driving to the hospital, hand in hand, anxious about what was ahead of us. I've said it time and time again on this blog, and although it's so cliche, it's so true - you've grown up way too fast.

Baby girl, you are our dream come true. Every day, you make us laugh more, love more and live life more than we ever have before. You are funny, smart, polite, beautiful, and every other good thing in this world. You will always be our "baby girl," but for now, I guess we can call you our big girl, because that's what you're fast becoming. Independent, social, daring and inquisitive. You amaze us every single day. We adore your sweet unsolicited hugs and kisses. Your "I sowwy" followed by a big smooch turns us into mush in an instant. We are head over heels in love with you little girl. We can't imagine life without you.
XOXOXO

Opening Day at the Ballpark

If you know us, you know we're HUGE Ranger's fans. Anthony has been his whole life. I married into it when we started dating 12 years ago. In all those years, we've never been able to go to an opening day game. For most of the years, the Rangers were on the road for opening week. The past few years, it's either been work, being induced a few days after opening day or the fact that we just couldn't get tickets. Well, this year was different.

I was able to score tickets as a bonus with our multi-game pack before they sold out and had to implement the ticket lottery. We were so excited and looked forward to this date for months!!!

We got to the stadium at 9:30 am in hopes of parking and waiting for autographs at the tunnel, but unfortunately, the lots didn't open until 10 and there were already long lines! By the time we got parked and settled, we headed over to the tunnel to get a few autographs. We saw Josh drive by in his big pickup truck, Feliz and Ogando (I think), George W with his motorcycle escort, JD and then CJ pulled up in his Batmobile (Ferrari) and actually stopped and signed for everyone there. We were surprised (and impressed) that the starting pitcher would do that for the fans. And yes, he is pretty cute up close, too. ;)

We then went and "tailgated," with our 3 little chairs and our little grill. I felt a little out of place with all the tailgating pro's and their washers and tents and grills that they brought in trailers... but we still had a really fun time.




Someone wouldn't nap in the car after lunch, so we made our way into the stadium and enjoyed watching one heck of a ball game. Our little fan was actually really good during the game. :)

Making new friends

And deciding she'd rather sit by the new friends than Mommy & Daddy



Looking like a pro during pre-game

Raising the AL CHAMPIONS flag!!


I fully expected her to crash in our laps, but I guess there was just too much excitement. She was awake the entire time we were walking out down the ramps at the stadium, but once we stepped foot outside, she was out.

It was an exciting and fun day, and I'm pretty sure we will not miss another opening day (if we can help it) in the years to come. Here's to hoping this becomes an annual tradition with our little family!

Dallas Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon

Several weekends ago my handsome hubby ran his first 1/2 marathon!

Since the sweet girl and I didn't want to get up super duper early and ride to the race with him, we took an hour-long train ride from Carrollton to Fair Park (Cotton Bowl/State Fair area), where the race ended. She did really good on the train and seemed to have fun (despite the look I got in this picture)!

Once we got to Fair Park, we cheered on the runners and waited for Daddy. We got to see the UT Longhorn band playing on the steps of the Cotton Bowl, which was fun (well, for me, at least {bandnerd}). We waited for about 10 minutes or so, and of course, as soon as I put my camera down to get something out of the diaper bag, I looked up to see Anthony coming toward us. He waved and was gone, and I didn't get a picture. :( We were able to get to the finish line and be there when he came out of the runners' area.


Someone was so excited to see her Daddy and didn't want to leave his side.

It was a fun morning, and WE ARE SO PROUD of Ant for this accomplishment!!! Way to go Daddy! We love you!! XOXOXO

It's Just Too Far

This song brings me to tears every time I hear it. There's nothing I'd like to do more than drive on up to heaven today to wish my Nannie a happy birthday.

If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away (Studio Version) - Justin Moore - Justin Moore Videos

Love you so much, Nannie. I like to think you spent the day checking your trot lines, tending your garden, enjoying a cold Pearl Light and watching down on your sweet great-grandbabies. We miss you.