Camping Trip - October 23-25

All Julie's Dad has ever talked about is a family camping trip...so we finally bit the bullet and did it. On the weekend of October 23-25 we went camping (yes, in tents) at Bastrop State Park. We actually had a great time and Julie's parents made the weekend very enjoyable. They made it as much like home, comfortable and functional, for us as possible. We had our 6 year old niece, our 4 1/2 year old nephew, our 2 year old niece, of course our own little 1 year old, and 2 dogs and let us just say the fun was endless. We had 5 tents (3 tents to sleep in and 2 tents for all the stuff we brought). Julie's parents got to the park bright and early on Friday morning to get the best camping spot in the entire park - and that they did. They set up camp all day long and as we all breezed in Friday evening around 7:30-8:00, they had the tents set up, a fire going, the air mattresses blown up, the pack n play ready for Caleb, and a hot bowl of soup ready to eat. Friday evening it got down into the the 40's and was a little chilly but with plenty of blankets, layers of clothes, and a heater we all were warm enough. Saturday morning we had a big country breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausage, hot chocolate, and a warm fire. We lounged around most of the morning-trying to stay warm. Julie's parents had a tarp and a children's play fence on it so that Caleb and Sarah would have a safe place to crawl and play. Caleb took 2 nice long naps (we joked that he slept better camping than he does at home.) There were a few injuries during the weekend- 3 bee stings and a head injury. While Julie was feeding Caleb lunch at the picnic table-Caleb leaned over, fell out of his Bumbo chair and onto the concrete slab. It could have been a whole lot worse but just a bump and a few scared people. We are grateful the Lord protected him. Papa took the big kids fishing and Great-Mimi and Bob drove out for a sandwich. We also took an hour long hike while the babies were taking a nap. It was so fun to see the kids pure enjoyment on this entire adventure. After the hamburgers and hot dogs we roasted marshmallows and made smores. Everyone slept much better on Saturday night because it was a little warmer (except Julie's parents who ended up on the ground because their air mattress went flat.) Sunday was a long process for packing up camp (again Julie's parents did the bulk of the work.) We really look forward to doing this again and really appreciate the way Julie's parents made everything so special. Thanks for the memories that will last a lifetime!

Mom or Dad??

Who do you think Caleb looks more like at one year old? Mom or Dad?

This is a poster that was hung up at the birthday party- but is hard to see Craig and Julie's 1 year old faces!!

TX/OU Party - October 17

On Saturday, October 17 we went over to an ADPi Sister of Julie's to watch the big game. It was great to see some old friend's, especially those that traveled far distances. Here we are this past Saturday......and here we were in 2002!

Party Like it's 1999 - 10 Year High School Reunion

During the weekend of October 9-11 we drove to Austin to celebrate Julie's 10 year high school reunion from Westwood High School. We started the weekend with a football game to reminisce about the good ol' days of Friday night football games and the joys of seeing the drill team (the Sundancers) perform at half-time. They did a cute fence routine and their outfits have changed quite a bit. Oh, the great memories of football season. Saturday evening consisted of the actual reunion part with many familiar faces, many unfamiliar faces, and good laughs. We were not very good at taking pictures but the one picture we did take (above) is Julie's fellow Sundancer friend, her freshman roommate, was in our wedding, and dear friend- Sara Tracey and fiance' JB.
Sunday was a more intimate gathering with just the Sundancers. It doesn't feel like 10 years has past but so much has changed in our lives!!! A few pictures of Julie's life in high school:

There was a bonus to the weekend...Julie's nieces' had a dual birthday party on Saturday before the reunion. We were able to celebrate Christalyn's 6th birthday and Sarah's 2nd birthday at a precious Thumbelina party.

State Fair of Texas - October 4

While Mimi and Papa were still in town from the big birthday party, we took them to the good ole' State Fair. It was their first time to go and what a day it was!

We tasted a few fried foods while we were there. We tried the 2009 Most Creative - Fried Butter (Garlic and Honey flavored), 2009 Best Taste - Fried Peaches and Cream, Twisted Yam on a Stick, Sweet Jalapeno Corn Dog Shrimp, of course a corn dog, and Julie's favorite Fried Snickers. We are almost embarrassed that we ate that much fried food but when you divide the already small portions into four pieces it really only equals a very tiny bite with a ton of calories. Oh well, we don't get to do this everyday. Mimi is about to enjoy Fried Butter below- which that is a horrible name it is more like a garlic bread or a dinner roll with honey!!

In between our Fried Food Chase, we stopped for a dog show. Below is Caleb's excitement at seeing the doggy's jump to great heights, soar through the air, and run around at top speeds. He loved the audience, the clapping, cheering, loud music, and the dogs!!

We could not make a trip to Fair Park without seeing Big Tex!!

Caleb did so incredibly well during the rainy, dreary day without a nap and very substantial meals. What a trooper he was!! He was so happy and very distracted by all the excitement at the Fair, not to mention the fun shoes we put on his feet for the first time in months and months.

And here are a few family photos- Craig took the first one and the kind gentleman that we had take the second one cut Caleb out of the picture - Lovely!! At least, between the 2 pictures we have both Craig and Caleb and the big Ferris wheel.

Now we are going to go detox and cleanse ourselves after all the food we ate!!

1st Birthday Party--John Deere Style

Finally, we have a moment to sit down and catch up on the crazy amount of blogging we have. Now that Caleb is a big 1 year old we think it would be more manageable to blog as we do certain things as opposed to having one big one once a month. So here we go for some serious blogging!!

On Saturday, October 3 we celebrated Caleb's First Birthday with friends and family - John Deere style! Here is the invitation that our sweet friend, Cori, painted.

As the kiddos came in we were able to take their picture on a real John Deere Lawnmower and boy was that fun to climb on a "real tractor."

Here is the birthday boy ready to par-tay!!

On to the cake but first a little kissy kissy from Mommy and Daddy!

Daddy had to help Caleb to realize the sugary delight at his fingertips.

That is better but first Caleb had to feel the texture of the slimy, oooey, gooey icing.

Caleb's friends/babysitters had to help him get messy! (These are 3 of the 11 9th grade girls Julie leads at church).

Now we have a happy camper with icing, a spoon, and all!

The attempt of getting 15 kids in a group picture.

Other cutesy details of the party that Julie went way overboard with but had a blast doing it all. We had a "Watering Trough" for bottled water, "Moo Juice" with milk for the kiddos (or adults), "Pony Rides" with a few stick ponies, "The Garden" for the kids to shovel, rake, and plant things, a "Farm Yard" a pack-n-play for the little farmers, and "Tractors for Tots" including an electronic John Deere Tractor Thanks Mimi and Papa!), a few sit-n-scoot toys (Thanks Mammy and MeDad!), a push car, and multiple other toys for the kids to play with. The entertainment was endless with the kids' imaginations.

Here is a picture of the "Grazing Grounds" with "Livestock" (Animal Crackers), "Pigs In A Blanket," "Haystacks," a "Fruit and Vegetable Garden," "Cow Chips and Dip" (Potato Chips), "Farmer's Favorites" (with a few of Caleb's favorite things- goldfish, Gerber puffs, cheerios, and raisins), and Southern "Sweet Tea."

Happy Trails, Until We Meet Again!!