Miles' First Birthday Party

We had a small birthday party at a nearby park for Miles. This is the invitation. I went with a simple and fun theme.

Evan and Blake gave Miles this push car. He loves it and Miller loves pushing him around in it. While we were setting up for the party, they had fun going around the park.

I ordered these lolly pops for favors and used them as centerpieces. I think they turned out well. I also bought beach balls and we blew them up and scattered them around for the kids to play with while at the party and then they got to take one home with them. We brought our bounce house too.

Miles in the bounce house.Miles getting ready to blow out his candle. Okay, I helped him a little.
Family picture.

The party was at 9:00am since it was so hot. We had breakfast food (fruit, mini muffins and mini sausage kolaches). We had vanilla and cookies and cream cupcakes with ice cream. Here is Miller enjoying his ice cream. Can you tell it was hot?
Miller and two of his buddies (Jacob and Eli) being silly while waiting for the pinata. I ordered a number one pinata and it was a great extra activity.Noni and JoJo with the birthday boy.We had a lot of fun. The park was perfect for a first birthday party, but next year his party will be inside some place.

Wisconsin & Minnesota

Our trip plans were to fly to Minneapolis and stay with Kara (Jud's sister) and family in Rochester for a night, then drive to Wisconsin so Jud could play Whistling Straits (top ten golf course in the nation) with his dad, aunt and uncle. Then we would drive to The Dells for the Martin family reunion and finally head back to Kara's house for a few days before we came home. We left on a Wednesday morning to fly to Minneapolis as planned, but all four of us didn't arrive to Rochester until about 12:30am on Friday. We had the worst travel experience possible. This story will be long, but by no means as long as the actual travel time.

We used Continental miles to book our flight and ended up on a United flight through Denver. We got to Denver fine despite the fact that Miles didn't nap and wasn't happy on the plane at all. It was also really bumpy when we landed which made me nauseous. We found out that our next flight was delayed an hour so we decided to wait in the Presidents Club. Then our flight was delayed again and then finally cancelled because of wind shears (whatever those are). We were told by United that they couldn't get us a confirmed flight to Minneapolis or even home until Friday (Yes, it was Wed afternoon). We were put on a long standby list for the 9 pm flight. We then called Continental directly since that's who we booked our flight with. They got us on a 7 am flight on Thursday that connected through Cleveland. We then started working on trying to find a hotel (United didn't pay for anything because it was weather related). We had a really hard time even finding a hotel. Some huge high school girls softball tournament was in town and all the hotels were booked. We finally found a hotel that would hold a room for us. Good thing, because of course we didn't make it on the standby flight. After the shuttle ride and checking in, we finally got to bed about midnight Houston time (Yep, the kids too. They were actually troupers and did really well considering). Of course we didn't have our luggage - it went ahead to Minneapolis. I was super lucky that I planned for the worse and had enough diapers and formula.

Thursday morning we had to be on the 5am shuttle back to the airport. Miles was the only one that had clean clothes and he decided he would throw up all over himself, me and the shuttle on the way to the airport. He went back in his dirty clothes from the day before and I smelled like rotten milk all day. When we get to the airport we find out that our flight was an hour late. I thought that's not a big deal, we can go to the Presidents Club and get some breakfast. Then the dreaded, "so you are going to miss your connection". That's when I started to cry. I couldn't handle another day like the day before. After I gathered myself we had some breakfast and got on our flight to Cleveland hoping that our connection would be delayed. If not, we were on Standby for a 4pm flight. Miles had another rough flight, our connection had already left when we arrived and we find out we weren't actually put on the standby list even though we were told we were. That made us number 3, 4 and 5 on the list for a 50 passenger plane that was full. We spent the day in the Cleveland Presidents Club family room. I'm not sure we would have survived if we didn't have the Presidents Club. We get to the gate and there is only one seat on the plane. The two people in front of us don't want to split up so Miles and I get on the plane and leave Jud and Miller in Cleveland (Miller is screaming and throwing a huge fit when I leave because the decision was made so fast and he didn't understand where I was going). Meanwhile, Kara has basically been on call for the last two days to pick us up in Minneapolis. They live over and hour away in Rochester. She comes to pick up me and Miles and then heads back to get Jud and Miller who were arriving on the next flight at 11pm.

It was an absolutely horrible experience that I wouldn't wish on anyone, especially children. Miller and Miles were actually fabulous considering the circumstances. Jud missed playing Whistling Straits, but surprisingly all our luggage was actually there when we arrived. As a huge fan/customer of Continental I am even more upset and bummed about the merger. I can honestly say that I hate United, but unfortunately will be flying them again as we have no choice being in Houston.

Once we got to The Dells we had a great time at the reunion. We stayed at Glacier Canyon Lodge which has several water parks in the hotel. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was nicer than I thought it would be and very clean. Here is Miller ready to go on the first day.

Since Miles still takes two naps, someone had to stay back in the room with him quite a bit. That was kind of a bummer, but we were able to get him in the water some. Here he is with Jud going around the lazy river.Martin family picture. We all had matching T-shirts (thanks Leslie) that had and old picture of Jud's late grandparents.We celebrated all the July birthdays: Miles (1), Bijou (2) and Sam (5).

He dove right into his first cupcake and ate the whole thing.

All the guys played golf at least once and some played twice.Peyton, Piper, Bekah and Miller goofing around.All the kiddos (cousins/second cousins). From left in order of age: Peyton, Piper, Bekah, Bella, Sam, Miller, Max, Bijou and Miles.Daddy and Miller watching fireworks in a tube.We had a lot of fun when we got back to Rochester. Jud, Max, Chad and I went to a Twins game, we had an adult dinner out night and lots of fun kid cousin time.

It was so much fun to see everyone! I hope we get together at least every other year.

Miles - One Year

Sweet Miles is one year old - I can't believe it! He is SOOOOOOO Big...

Thanks JoJo for the awesome birthday shirt!

We decided to have a fun day yesterday for Miles' birthday. We had to find something to do inside since it is so hot. We went to Wonderwild, a great children's indoor play place. Here is Miles loving playing in the balls. He was in there for at least 45 minutes. He kept throwing all the balls out of the pit and I would throw them back in. He thought it was hilarious.

He had his one year check-up today. The three shots were not fun and the blood work was brutal. The doctor said he is doing great and way ahead of schedule since he can say about 10 words. We have already made the switch from bottles to sippy cups (yeah, no more bottles to wash) and will be moving from formula to whole milk soon.

Miles weighs 26 lbs. 3 oz. (97%) and is 34 inches long (>99%). I looked at the actual growth chart and he is way off it. I would say he's at 110-120%, but it doesn't actually say that. He's still a big boy. At one, Miller weighed 24 lbs. 4 oz. (75%) and was 32 inches long (96%).

We love our precious smiley Miles. He is so easy going and I can imagine our lives without our sweet boy.

Father's Day

We had a great Father's Day! We went to church and then to brunch with my family. Then Jud, my dad and Blake played nine holes of golf while the boys took a nap. We then hung out at my parents and had dinner over there. What a fun day! We took a few pictures at my parents house after brunch.

I just love these of them wrestling.

I had to get some of my dad on Father's Day.

Miles - Eleven Months

Miles was 11 months old on the 12th. I can't believe he's almost one. It really does go so fast. He is crawling super fast, pulling up and cruising on furniture. Lately he's even started walking while just holding on to one hand. He's talking more too. He says Mama, Dada, Kitten/Kitty/Cat, NiNi (Night Night), String (he loves the strings that hang down from attic doors, fans, etc) and he tries to say fan, light and monkey. He is still such a happy guy!

Crazy Hair!!!

Astros

Last week we took Miller to an Astros game. They had a day game during the week and Daddy and JoJo played hookie from work for a few hours.

Miller being silly. Popcorn head.

Backyard Fun

My friend Maggie stayed in Houston with her kiddos Eli and Mollie after we got back from Fredericksburg. We had plans to go to the Racket Club with them to swim one afternoon and they were having a swim meet so the pool was closed. We decided to come back to the house to play. When we got back Eli gave Miller an early birthday gift - a Buzz Lightyear slip-n-slide. We then quickly decided to set it up and get the baby pool out. Especially since they already had on their suits and sunscreen.

Here is the group posing on the slip-n-slide. We couldn't get them all to look at the camera at the same time.

This is how much fun Eli and Miller have together. Watch out Miles.

Miles loves the water. He sat there for an hour just kicking his feet.

My Boys

Jud took this picture of the boys when I was on my girls trip and I just love it. They were ready for church.

Girls Weekend in Fredericksburg

Every year eight of us from college try to do a girls trip. I couldn't go to Scottsdale last year since I just had Miles and several others missed last year too. All eight of us have never made a trip. Now that Lindsay Gall Stout lives in London it makes it even harder. When starting to plan, Lindsay said she would be in Fredericksburg for a wedding the first weekend of June. We thought that was perfect. Six out of the remaining seven could make it that weekend (Kelly was going to be on a family vacation) and F-burg was a perfect place. The day before we were leaving Erin Powers Threadgill's Father-in-law passed away - so sad! Obviously she wasn't able to make it. Kelly and Erin, we missed you both!

Me, Cherie Rafferty Behrens, Maggie Pfeifle Mitchell and Sarah Bryant Conlin at lunch at Bejas on Main Street. We met there when we got into town for great food and even better pitchers of margaritas. Sorry, the shadows were really bad in the picture.

One of my longest friends, Carrie Williams, is currently living in F-burg. She also went to TCU and was a Chi-O with all of us. She got us reservations at Hill Top for dinner on Friday night. She said she would be happy to drive us so we could all enjoy ourselves - so sweet. She met us at the house/B & B we rented and surprised us with a limo and champagne. Can you believe it? What a sweetheart! Here is an awesome picture of Carrie in the limo. This pretty much sums her up. By the way, she is getting married this weekend so a big congratulations to her and Jamie!

Carrie and I at dinner!

Maggie and I at dinner. So good and so much fun!

Saturday morning, the five of us went on a wine tour. We were picked up in a mini-bus and went to five different wineries in the area and stopped for lunch along the way.
This is my favorite picture of the trip - framer. Too bad Lindsay hadn't joined us yet.

At one of the wineries they had live music. Taylor and Maggie were brave and danced with some old men. Taylor said he was the worst two-stepper.

It was super hot that day and we had to taste outside at a few places, but we had a lot of fun and overall the wine was good. We all enjoyed Grape Creek Vineyards wine the most. I would suggest only doing a half day tour where you go to three wineries. Five was just too much.

On Sunday, we had reservations for a spa day that included a massage, facial, hand/foot paraffin treatment, grotto swim, lounging by the pool, lunch and wine tasting. It was about 15 minutes outside of town. We found the spa online and it looked great (eurospafredericksburg.com). I'm not sure I will really be able to explain our experience, even with pictures, but I'll try.

First, it was out in the middle of nowhere by Enchanted Rock. Maggie put it best - "it feels like your in Mexico". Apparently there is a hotel/B & B there too and lots of other strange buildings for events. In fact, there was a wedding there the night before and the guests were leaving when we got there.

After walking around ourselves and not having a clue where to go, we finally run into the chef named Elvis (Yep, Elvis). He takes us to the grotto for our relaxing swim before our treatments. We were split into two groups and me, Lindsay and Cherie had our treatments second. They took us into a small building, through a chapel to the grotto and left us here. Are you kidding, we were not swimming in this.

We decided we would go try to find the outside pool since we weren't sure what was at the bottom of the grotto (snakes maybe). Well, we found the pool and we knew what was in the bottom of it. Not water, that's for sure. So, we sat in some falling apart lounge chairs for a while and roasted.

Then we went to the restaurant and found Elvis who introduced us to his girlfriend that runs the spa. She then said she would take us on a tour. The first place we went to was the Cap Gun Museum. Yep, that's right. The owner collects Cap Guns. I stole this picture from their website so it makes it look much nicer than it really is. This doesn't show all the scary manikins and dolls dressed up in war costumes. The we went to the lodge that had 15 or so rooms in it. It was full of stuffed animals. Yep, real stuffed animals. I know we are in Texas and stuff like this doesn't normally bother me, but things like full lions, camels, bears, ostriches, etc. was a little much. Oh, and the owner isn't a hunter, just a collector.

Then their was the banquet room. Words really can't describe it. I'm not sure how many, but hundreds of animals including an elephant and rhino head, full alligator and another lion. The top picture I took and the one below is from their website.

So, as crazy as the day/place was, it wasn't a total bust. Elvis was actually a good cook and our massages and facials were relaxing. Just remember, don't always trust a website shows the truth.

Here are the girls relaxing at our house after the "spa" and before dinner at August E's. Another great restaurant suggestion by Carrie, who was able to join us again Sunday night.

After dinner, we went to a bar and had a drink. We had a mini impromptu bachelorette party for Carrie! We basically just made her take a shot.
We had a great trip and it was so much fun to catch up with everyone! I wish we all lived closer and could see each other more often. Next year, let's try for all eight!