Paul's Birthday

I feel really bad.  Paul's birthday this year was rather uneventful.  It was probably the worst birthday ever.  He stayed home to take care of me because of my self inflicted eye injury.  I took a nap because I was so dizzy from having my one eye dilated.  When I woke up I was determined to at least make him a cake.  I did my best.  It turned out terrible.  I think the fact that I couldn't see very well played a part. Audrey was the best helper.  She was singing Happy Birthday the entire time which I'm sure was Paul's favorite part.   

Here's to hoping his next one is perfect to pay him back for how horrible this one was.  He is the best husband and Daddy in the world.  I'm thinking a really large party with lots of people.

Our First Family Vacation

 Last week we went to San Antonio.  I feel terrible because I couldn't get pictures of most of it and sometimes I forgot my camera.
We took a road trip. Before we left I downloaded all the Disney Princess tunes I could find.  Audrey loved singing as loud as should could to every single one.  I love that she's old enough to sing along.  Paul was probably thinking that it's about time we have another man around, but he loves his girls.  We got there late at night.  Audrey was confused about the whole sleeping in a hotel thing, but it didn't take long before she got used to that big queen sized bed.
While we were there we visited a lot with Paul's brother.  It was really nice to have him around.  I think Audrey knows her uncle Grant more than any of her aunts and uncles.  He takes road trips out here all the time.  She loves him.  She was so excited to spend time with him.  I wish I could have captured it in pictures.  We went to see the Alamo, walked the river walk, went to a vintage store, and ate some surprisingly good pizza at Rita's pizza.  I say surprisingly good because we walked in at noon and no one was there.  We thought for sure something had to be wrong with the place, but it was really good.  We managed to eat the entire massive pizza in one siting. Later in the day Grant took us to an indoor go-cart race track.  I was a little nervous I have never done anything like it.  It ended out being so fun!  I kept finding rubber on my pants and in my pockets.  Bucket list....check.
The next day we went to church with Grant and visited with my cousin Cindi.  I don't know Cindi very well.  She's older than me and has always lived pretty far away so I never really got to know her.  It was such a great experience.  I hope to visit more.  She inspired me in so many ways.  Her two little girls are beautiful, kind, and so well mannered.  Her home is beautiful and her neighborhood make me want to lived there. Don't be surprised if you find me in San Antonio someday.
On Monday we went to the Schlitterbahn.  It's a pretty amazing water park.  If I lived closer I would probably buy season passes.  Audrey loved all of it.  She was always braver than I expected her to be. When we went to leave she cried  because she didn't want to leave and then she fell asleep in my arms while we headed out to the car.
I don't want to admit my stupidity, but for memory sake here goes.  after leaving schlitterbahn
I was feeling claustrophobic and my wristband could not come off soon enough.  I grabbed a pen and stuck it in one of the holes and yanked.  The pen went into my eye....awesome.  I thought I had just bruised it and that I was going to be fine until Paul told me that my tears were bloody.  We went to the instacare and found out that I lacerated the white part of my eye and scratched my cornea.  I couldn't open both of my eyes without being in pain.  It was a good thing it happened at the end of our trip.  We went to bed that night and in the morning Paul packed us up. It was probably the most painful trip home. Thankfully after a couple of days and a couple more trips to the eye doctor, it was looking so much better.  My eye wasn't solid red anymore and the pain was minimal.  I'm so grateful I still have an eye.  It's still blurry, but that's supposed to go away with time.

Despite my eye, I really enjoyed our trip.  I was so grateful that Paul was able to take time off and take time to do somethings that he enjoyed.  Happy Birthday Babe!

Things I missed

Kim and Tam made the little girls flower crowns.  They were beautiful, until they died.  I realized going through these pictures that I missed a lot and I didn't take pictures of a lot.  

• We went to the pool with Lisa and Jennifer's family and we had such a good time.  Jenn was so nice to buy Audrey floaties which she refused to wear, I hope she gets used to them someday.  
• We went to summer sno with the Kim, Tam, Phil, Katrina, Karalee, and Benje.  They make the best snow cones.  I dream about it at night...that good.  Thanks to Katrina for coming up with the plan.  
• We took a drive with Michelle out to see Mike and Chrissy and their cute family.   They made me fall in love with farm life. Their new little girl is so beautiful...I might have almost let out a few tears.
• We went to the best children's museum I have ever seen and made a life size house for little kids out of big legos.  It was awesome.  I will never forget going through a dark tunnel on my hands and knees with my Mom.  We couldn't see anything and we ran into a lot of walls.  My Mom is the best!
• We ate really good burgers and celebrated Tessie's birthday.
• We went to a taco truck round up.  It was definitely something to scratch off my list.  Although it was a rather long wait for our food, I couldn't have been in better company.  
• I learned how to put together Tiki Marsala (I think that's how you spell it).  Thai food is yum!  Thanks Karalee.
• I went to see Maleficent with my siblings and parents.  It was really fun to go to a movie with my family.  It's been a while.  It was a good movie....except for the single girls behind us giggling at EVERYTHING.  I might have glared...which didn't seem to have an effect on them.  Maybe I need to practice.  
• I went shopping with my little sisters.  It was so good to spend a little more time with them.  They are so busy. 
• We all went out to Yogurtland the evening before I left and just talked. It  made me miss home.  

It was a pretty eventful two weeks.  Thank you to Jenn, Michelle, and Karalee for keeping me entertained.  Thank you Lisa, Phillip, Michelle, and Mike for coming to see me.  I know it was a sacrifice to make the drive.  Love you all.  

Chocolate Bake Off

The chocolate bake off was really the best idea ever.  I take credit for it.  It was awesome.  My Mom instilled in all of us a love of cooking good food, and it's really awesome when we get to do it together.  

The rules were simple.  It had to be made from scratch, it had to be a dessert and it had to have chocolate in it.  After we were all done cooking we would then have the desserts taste tested and judged by the boys.  As soon as the desserts started coming out of the oven they were being devoured.  They were all delicious. 

Lisa: Flourless Chocolate Cake with whipped cream and a raspberry on top

Kimberly: Coconut Macaroons dipped in chocolate with raspberries on top

Tamara: Chocolate Biscuits on top of a layer of raspberries served with vanilla ice cream

Me: Brownies with thin mints in the batter and andies mints melted on top

Jenn: Chocolate Chip Cookies with nutella and peanut butter in the middle
Karalee: Peanut butter cheesecake balls dipped in chocolate

I hope to get links for these recipes because we shouldn't keep all of this awesomeness to ourselves.

Kimberly and Tamara won. I bow out gracefully.  Too good not to have several helpings.  I don't know what we'll do next year but I'm sure it will be awesome.

 Kimberly holding the trophy.

I had to laugh when I saw this photo.  I didn't notice Derrick at first. Haha!

Hating myself for not turning my camera on this one and getting Mom too.  Lame.

Beauty is Pain

Mom brought out a gift out for Audrey.  She bought her some beautiful princess shoes, a coloring book and finger nail polish.  I don't think she could have picked anything better.  Audrey wore those "glass slippers" until she had bloody blisters.  Even then she reluctantly gave them up.  Lisa found her a Cinderella dress out of the dress ups to go with them.  She couldn't have been happier.  Thank you Mom and thank you Lisa.  I think you made her week.  

This is a random picture of Madison but I think she is beautiful so I couldn't resist.  She wouldn't smile for me though.  

Phillip arrived with his family on Friday and stayed for a few days.  I truly didn't expect for all of my family to show up while I was there.  To all who made the trek out, or just took time out of your work schedules to spend the day with me, Thank you!  It meant a lot to me to see each of you.

On Saturday Karalee took Phillip, Katrina, and me and our families to a little farm.  Karalee spoiled us with shaved ice, we took a ride on a horse drawn carriage, pet cows, saw goats and birds, and we went on pony rides.  Audrey loved riding the pony until he starting neighing.  Then she looked at me with raised eyebrows and said, "Mama...he's a mad one!"  I told her the horse was just trying to talk to her, but she was convinced that the horse was mad and she didn't want to be on a mad horse.  She practically jumped off of him into my arms.  I had to laugh.

(Picture stolen from Katrina, Thank you for taking it!)

 I really wanted to get a picture of L and Audrey before Phillip and Katrina left.  I was thinking something like this.  I wish Clara had of been there too.  

I was sadly disappointed.  They are a little older and can say no a little easier. Don't let this picture of Audrey fool you.  She was the worst....I randomly and miraculously caught the one second she was sitting still and smiling.  Maybe next time.  Either way it made for some good memories.  

Utah is Beautiful

Paul and I get into these discussions about how beautiful Utah is, I'm usually defending Texas and he's usually defending Utah.  After being there this last time I concede.  Something about being there just feels like home, and it really is beautiful.  Especially during the summer.  Jennifer took us to her little girls favorite spot.  Audrey loved feeding the ducks.  She was rather generous with her portion sizes.  The ducks were pretty happy.  Sticking my toes in the water an being with my sisters was probably the best part.    

 Audrey loves to pick flowers.  It's probably my fault.  Last month in Texas all the wild flowers were in bloom.  We'd go on walks and I would pick her flowers as we went.  By the time we got home she would always had a large bundle of flowers(weeds).  These flowers weren't weeds, but I didn't have the heart to tell her no.  She was having so much fun.  She wasn't happy when we went to leave.  

Arrival at Mom and Dad's

I was dreading my flight at six in the morning.  Getting up at 4 to get out the door was a little too early.  I was sure that they were going to delay my flight because we had tornado warnings the day before.  As we got to the airport the clouds departed and we left right on time.  Audrey slept the whole way as I stared out the window watching the most beautiful scene of clouds unfold in front of me.  I was in awe thinking about how beautiful God's creations are.  

When we got there Jenn made us pancakes and we went on a walk to the cemetery.  I was really excited to hear that Jenn was going because I didn't make it to Grandma's funeral.  Going made me miss them even more.  They were such amazing people.

Audrey loved these cousins.  They were so nice to play her big sisters while they were there.  I already miss not having them around to play with her.  

(Picture credit goes to my sister, I didn't bring my camera)