Shamu and Splashtown

I finally got my pictures developed that were on our disposable and waterproof camera. The pictures of Shamu were not great. That makes me sad that I was so cautious with the real camera. Oh well. I'll know in the future just how high the water goes if we go again. All I know is that there was water on the floor where we were sitting and I wanted to be careful with my new camera.

If you remember, we decided to save some green and go to Splashtown on Saturday instead of swimming at Sea World. I think we made the right decision. The girls just wanted to be in the water. I stayed with Julia as she took a nap in the minivan that we rented for the trip. If we had gone to Sea World, I probably wouldn't have let Julia sleep. Sea World is just too big to try to find someone, even with cell phones. It turned out great for all.

Independence Day 2011

Nearly every 4th of July of my life has been spent with the families of friends my mom went to high school with. We cook out and swim all day. It is fun to have my girls do the same things I did while growing up.

Julia, Macie, Audrey, and Maddie

Julia and me with Annabelle and Melody. The girls are a couple of weeks apart.

Audrey swimming all by herself.

Julia really does like the water.

Embrace the Camera 7.7.11

I am sooooo very proud of my naturally-fearful Audrey! She has never seen fireworks, but has been awakened by them before. She gets in a scared-for-her-life state and talks about how much she is scared of fireworks. She had talked about how much she did not like them as recently as LAST WEEK. You can imagine my surprise when she wanted to see them this 4th of July!

We met a coworker of Michael's who lives in Addison and she let us park at her house. We walked to the fire station to get a clear view of Kaboom Town. Audrey was great, even talked to random neighbor dogs, until we got to the fire station. The building itself scared her! Isabel took this picture of us. We were trying to get her happy again. Didn't work. The fireworks did brighten her mood (Phew!) but she was ready to leave about 10 minutes into the show. I guess it's just too late for her still. I am very proud of her for sitting through the whole thing. And if you ask her what her favorite part was, she'll tell you the Mickey Mouse fireworks.

Sea World

After celebrating MaMaw's birthday Thursday night in San Antonio, we stayed to do Sea World. I had planned out our two days there: rides and shows on Friday and swimming on Saturday. We got to a slow start on Friday because we visited with family during breakfast for a long time. I let go of my type-A self and decided just to go with the flow. We did get to see 2 shows on Friday, Shamu (or as Audrey says, Shampoo) and the Sea Lion one. No pictures of Shamu because I had no idea if we'd get wet, so I used my water-proof camera and I haven't developed those pictures yet. Then on Saturday, we decided to save some cash and do Splash Town instead. We visited my brother, Brett, on Saturday night too.

We lucked out with 92 degree weather, but that was still very, very hot.

I think I got sun block on the lens on the picture above.

The girls watching Elmo and gang.

Sea World was a lot of fun! There may be a post soon about Sea World and Splash Town after those pictures are developed.

MaMaw's 80th Birthday

Last Thursday, we packed up and headed to San Antonio to celebrate Michael's grandmother's 80th birthday. MaMaw has a lot of children and grandchildren and most were able to travel to the party. Even cousins from Paris and Berlin came!

MaMaw is something else, one of a kind, special. When her Sunday school class learned of her party, they created a "Flat Jean" (like a Flat Stanley) and took pictures of her all over town. It was the funniest thing I've seen in a while. People were kissing her, she was popping out of bushes, and lots of other funny things. Perfect for her and her personality.

Happy 80th, MaMaw!

Some Flat Jean pictures. (She's in black)

Audrey

Cake. Her favorite color is purple. We were encouraged to wear purple and the decorations were purple too.

Julia

Averys, Halls, and us. Burrows were not able to come.

Us

MaMaw looking at the gift we got her.

Happy 4th!

HAPPY 4TH Y'ALL!

Embrace the Camera 6.30.11

The picture quality is horrible, but this girl makes me laugh so much and it shows here. Audrey is such a sweet, helpful, goofy, one of a kind kid. For instance, she just came to me chanting, "Happy Poo Poo, Daddy!" ?????? Exactly. She has been so loving towards Julia lately. I love it. The jealousy that sometimes pops up is dwindling away quickly. I read a book with her tonight that talks about how wonderful little girls are and it is so true. Ok...so, I just took a picture. Gotta upload it on here for you to see. This kid is somethin else.

Those are headbands around her face.

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Wedding Weekend!

A lot happened Friday and Saturday! One - Audrey jumped off a diving board! (video to come later this week) Two - Our incredible, simply incredible, friends, Mike and Ruth, moved to Houston. We are going to miss them A TON, but it is such a good move for them. Anyone want to fill the void that we now have for accountability and our go-to weekend couple? Miss them so much already! Three - Jake and Amanda were married!

Michael and I introduced two lovely people a few years ago and Saturday night, they joined their lives together forever. I'm so glad it worked out and I'm so truly thrilled for them! The wedding was beautiful and the reception was tons of fun. Most importantly, two Christian people joined forces for God.

Here are some pictures from Friday and Saturday. I stole a bunch from Facebook. (Karen Heflin's and Stephanie Edevane's....hope that's okay!)

Michael and I at Rehearsal Dinner.

Jake and Amanda meeting but not seeing before the wedding. Isn't that dress/she elegant!

Reception at the Dallas Museum of Art.

Stephanie's Picture

Dance floor.

Stephanie's Picture

Houston and Karen with Jake and Amanda. Houston also married us.

Both are beautiful couples.

Karen's Picture

Great fun! Ignore my poor posture/strange dancing.

Stephanie's Picture

When you get a bunch of ACUers together, you are bound to get a Sing Song face picture!

Sarah was a college roommate. Now she is a neighbor and an aquatic pilates partner.

Stephanie's Picture

Bride and Groom dancing.

Stephanie's Picture

More dancing. Notice Scott and Cindy's faces. :)

Stephanie's Picture