Charleston

The first weekend in March Jud and I went to Charleston, SC for a wedding. We left the boys here with my parents and we had a much needed weekend away.

This is the view from our room. We had great weather while we were there. The afternoon we arrived, Jud and I sat down on that patio above the pool and had a cocktail. I asked him why it was so relaxing and his response was, "Because you aren't worried Miller is going to fall in the pool." SO TRUE!

A great Martin family friend, Kevin Kalkwarf, got married. The entire weekend was impressive and it started with the rehearsal dinner. It was held at the Old Exchange Building. It is considered to be one of the three most historically significant Colonial buildings in the United States and was built in 1772. The ratification of the Constitution was held there in 1788 and President George Washington visited the building in 1791.

On Saturday morning, we drove around to see the city with Max and Mary (Jud's parents). We stopped and toured the Calhoun Mansion. It's the largest private residence that is on tour in Charleston. The house has a great history, but what I took away from it was as a culture we just have way too much stuff. I've never seen so much stuff. The owner just likes to buy old, strange, expensive antiques...stuff. Several examples: stuffed polar bear, zebra and elephant hoof foot stools.

Here we are in the garden of the Calhoun Mansion.

Jud and I in front of the house.

This house was across the street from the Calhoun mansion and I thought it was so beautiful. I would love to have a glass of lemonade in the spring on that porch and maybe even take a nap. If you are wondering, the porches are all on the sides of the houses as that is the way the breeze blows.

We then went to the Hominy Grill for lunch. This is the third Man vs. Food restaurant we have visited and just like the other two, it did not disappoint . The Shrimp and Grits with mushrooms was fabulous and the Big Nasty fried chicken sandwich with gravy was delish.

The wedding was Saturday night at an old Catholic church in downtown Charleston. Then we headed to the reception at the Historic Rice Mill Building on the water. As we walked up, we were greeted with these beautiful hydrangea wreaths.

And then you open the door to this. I just love hydrangeas!

Jud with the groom and Kyle (brother of the groom and one of Jud's best friends from childhood). They both went to West Point and have given their lives to the Army and this country. Kyle has been on several tours of duty and Kevin has been on one and will head out again this summer. We don't thank them enough for our freedom.

Neither Jud or I had been to a military wedding. It was super cool to witness all the traditions. One of my favorites was that they cut the wedding cake with Kevin's Saber. Cissy was such a beautiful bride!

The four of us at the wedding.

On Sunday, Jud and I headed to Savannah, GA. It was just the two of us for the night and we really enjoyed the alone time. I'll do a separate post for that so this doesn't get even longer.

Weekend in Ft. Worth

Jud had a TCU Alumni board meeting in Ft. Worth the last weekend in February so the family decided to tag along. We took the boys to the TCU baseball game on Friday night with Ricky and Shae (I can't believe we didn't take any pictures). Miller had so much fun and Miles was a trooper (it was quite chilly and windy). The frogs started off the season top ranked so lets hope they can stay on top through out the season.

We stayed at my friend Maggie's house and had so much fun hanging out with them. Eli is a year older than Miller and they are best buds. On Saturday we headed to the FW Zoo with Maggie, Eli, Mollie, Ricky and Shae. We had great sunny/warm weather and had so much fun.

Pink flamingo.

Show me your muscles.

Checking out the giraffes.

Miller and Eli on the elephant statue.

Jud and Ricky wanted to pose on the elephant statue too, but Miller stole the show.

Sweet Miles is always smiling.

Jud took some great pictures of Miller checking out the fish.

Love it!

I'm an airplane.

Saturday night after dinner with Ricky and Shae we started goofing around on Shae's computer. Yep, we are 12.

GraMary & Grandpa Visit

In January, Jud's parents were in Houston for three weeks. Now that they are retired, they have decided to build a house in Conroe. It's an hour north of us and just a few minutes from my parents lake house. They have purchased a lot and are starting to work on plans. They stayed with us for an extended weekend and then stayed at my parents lake house for the remaining time so they could work on house stuff. We went up to the lake for two weekends to spend time with them and just hang out. We are looking forward to more visits in the future.

The boys with GraMary and Grandpa before church.

Chillin' at the lake.

Sweet Miles. He is so good when we are away from home...just goes with the flow.

Miller riding his bike.

Wake-up Miller

Miles waking up Miller from a nap. They love each so much!

Goodbye Sweet Alex

I have lots of other stuff to post, but this is what is going on today...

After almost 13 years, we said goodbye to our sweet yellow lab, Alex, this morning. This has been a long time coming and of course a difficult decision.

Poor Alex had horrible skin allergies and has been wearing the cone of shame for almost a year. He also would growl and had even snapped a few times at meal time. We just couldn't take the chance with the kids, especially with Miles about to start moving. We know he truly wouldn't hurt a fly, but for some reason when he was fed it was a different story.

We took this picture this morning. The hardest part wast telling Miller so he could say goodbye. I think it really got to him when both Jud and I started crying as we were telling him.

You were such a good boy, Alex, and will be missed.

Girl Friends!

I am so blessed to have a great group of girl friends. I joined a Girls Tuesday Night Bible Study right after Miller was born and I just love it! We have been through so much together (i.e. weddings, cancer and lots of babies). The eight of us have a total of 16 kids under the age of four with one on the way. It has been so much fun going through life with and having the support of these amazing and beautiful women.

In January, we got together for dinner with our husbands (who are also all great friends) to say goodbye to the Jason and Melissa. In early Feb. the Holton family moved all the way to Hong Kong. We will miss them dearly, but it will be so much fun living their adventure with them.

Ruth, Laura, Katie, Allison, Emily, Carly, me, and Melissa

Brothers

A few weeks ago I walked in to the living room to this...

Miller was playing with Miles. He is such a great bid brother. He always tries to keep him happy, helps me with him all the time and always gives him hugs/kisses.

Here is a pic once they saw me taking pictures.

We're Famous!

So, the place we ordered our matching Argue Christmas PJ's was having a contest and I entered our picture. Of course we won! Yep we are that cool.

This is the email they sent out announcing the winner:

So, the Argues will be having matching PJ's again next year. Plus, we will all get another pair or two. $1,000 is a lot of pajamas even when it's split between eight people.

Miles - Six months

On January 12, Miles had his half birthday (six months old). At his six month check-up he weighed 20 lbs. 4 oz. (85%) and was 30 1/4 inches long (99%). Everyone keeps asking what Miller's stats were at 6 months so, here you go. Miller weighed 17 lbs. 8 oz and was 28 inches long. To put it in perspective, Miles is 1 inch longer at six months than Miller was at 9 months. Yep, Miles is a big boy. He's in 18 month clothing. I think Jud is still estimating that he will be 6'8".

I took Miles to Picture People in the mall just to get some cheap 6 month pictures snapped. I think they turned out pretty cute. Here's what we got:

He's changed a lot and doesn't look as much like his brother as he did when he was a newborn.

He still only has two teeth, but has learned to love meal time. I decided to make his baby food. I didn't even give it a thought with Miller, but it is so easy. No, really it is easy. I'm buying the rice cereal and oatmeal, but so far I've made the following:
Bananas (likes)
Butternut Squash (loves)
Acorn Squash (loves)
Avocado (doesn't really like)
Pears (loves)
Carrots (loves)
Green Peas (loves)

I'm making Sweet Potatoes this week. He doesn't seem to get as much variety as Miller did, but it's much healthier and cheaper.

Bath Time Fun!

I've been waiting for the day when I could bathe the boys at the same time and it has arrived. Miles was starting to grow out of the baby bath tub, but I knew he couldn't sit up in the big bath tub by himself. I bought this great bath ring (recommended by a friend) on Amazon and I love it! It makes my life so much easier. Miles loves bath time especially if it's with his big brother!