Happy Independence Day!

I love patriotic holidays! They are such a special reminder of how lucky we are to be Americans and an opportunity to remember those responsible for shaping and fighting for such a great nation. Since the 4th landed in the middle of the week this year, we stayed in the Brenham vicinity. It was our first time to experience the parade in Round Top which was just as adorable as the community itself. Later on we went to Washington-on-the-Brazos where we enjoyed free Blue Bell Ice Cream and a concert. I'm not sure which the little ones enjoyed more--those girls LOVE to dance! The following weekend we went to the annual Half Moon Holidays in my hometown of Shiner. We were lucky enough to enjoy another great parade and were able to watch the fireworks from around my parents' pool.

In Round Top:

rare photo op with Uncle Cheez

she likes to give uncle jeff a hard time

my pretty nieces (and pretty Nat):

some of the parade entries:

Lyla was so into the parade that this guy went out of his way to shake her hand :)

how this guy did not pass out is beyond me

hook 'em horns!

Half Moon Holidays:

the best I could do with these three

Lyla's so proud that she got her bow out of her hair

staring at the floats

my Grandma is waving from the back seat, front window (if that makes sense); this is right up her alley

LBJ 2012

Another fun summer trip to blog about!  Lake LBJ is one of the nicest lakes I've been to.  It's constant level and is surrounded by gorgeous houses and if you're like me, you can spend hours riding around, looking at beautiful homes.  Lyla didn't try her luck on a boat just yet because her cousins like to go fast!!!  Next year for sure!

Playing around in the kitchen.  Lyla loves her cousins!

Uncle Cheez watching the boats

Tante Becky, Daddy, and Lyla relaxing...

Practicing her walking skills...

Emmy giving Kelby swimming lessons....

Kevyn swam 24/7 I'm pretty sure.

Frio Fun 2012

Of course when you think summer break, you think lounging by the pool, vegging around the house, playing in the park, and checking off to-do's on the list.  Summer "break" 2012 has been SO busy to the point where I'm almost looking forward to school to start so our schedule can return to normalcy.  Don't get me wrong, it's been ALL fun, but I haven't done ANYTHING on my to-do list.  I play catch up every time we get home from vacation (life is rough, right?) and then we go again.  Anyways, if I've been neglecting my blog (and I have), this is why.

Getting to the point--the Frio did NOT dissappoint this year.  We had a very sad year last because there was no water to float in but it was great floating this year.

Love how the roots look on this very old tree

Livvy likes to be in the tube on the grass but not in the water! 

A little tribute to the Dads for Father's Day (it fell on this weekend)

Mother's Day 2012

This Mother's Day weekend was extremely hectic.  We had Lyla's birthday the Saturday before Mother's Day in Shiner so we ended up staying in Shiner until Sunday.  The GG's came over for lunch and Sunday evening we went to Dime Box to visit Kathy (Matt's mom).  Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures there : (. 

Our mothers (Rose and Kathy) are the best.  We are so very blessed to have such supportive, nurturing, and all around wonderful people in our lives.  I certainly have some big shoes to fill as a mom for Lyla and our future children.

The Moms:

All the girls:

Mom and her girls:

My number one girl:

Mandy and her girls



Mom and her awesome son-in-laws!

Daddy pushing the limits : \



Lyla no likey!

Nana and Avery time: