August– Destin, FL

OK, so I am now only like a month behind. Hah.

The first week of August we went to Destin, FL. I tried to blog while were there but the pictures didn’t upload right, so this is a do-over.

First off – I had posted before about not being sure about the new Becoming Apparel bathing suit. I ordered it and it turns out that I really love it.  It is so comfy and so modest, in fact it is so modest that I will actually post a picture of it on here -

It was especially great for the beach, the design makes it so that sand does not get into places where sand should not be!

Of course we spent many days at the beach.

The rental house had a play room – so the kids had a great time playing up there, watching movies and playing Wii

 

We spent one evening at a place called Baytown Wharf, it is a resort on the bay with restaurants, and little shops and midway type games and activities for families.

Our whole gang had dinner out on the deck

The boys enjoyed climbing a rope’s course

The kids rode inside these inflated balls, you get in, the inflate it (with a leaf blower), zip it up and then roll you into a pool of water where you roll around and crash into each other. It was really fun to watch.

(My camera doesn’t do far away & at night shots very well)

Random lovely beach pictures

The kids were very excited to have gelato one day. There is an Olivia book where she goes to Italy and eats gelato, so they were excited to try it!

The other kids that were with us… Finley (4), Beckett (18 months) and Ramsey (7)

Bella on her actual 4 year birthday – we had been to the ER the night before because she had cellulitis in her eye, so we were not able to have the big ice cream party we had planned. Instead, she ended up blowing out her candle on waffles that morning. (poor baby!)

 

On the way home to Texas the next day we stopped at Beauvoir in Biloxi, Mississippi.  Will’s grandfather was a leader in an organization that helps support and run this former home of Thomas Jefferson.  At one time there was a bench with a plaque commemorating his efforts.  Unfortunately it was lost in the hurricane.  It was sobering to see and learn about the effects of the hurricane on this area of our country.  Much of the Biloxi area has not been rebuild at all.  At Beauvoir the presidential museum, a  brand new modern build steel beam building was completely collapsed, but the old wooden house still stands despite 23 foot storm surges – simply amazing. 

Front of the house (grumpy Bella with Mr. Pettibone)

View of the back of the home

Will and I on the front steps

View from the side. The grounds have not been restored very much after the storm, at one time it was park-like with walkways and gardens connecting the historic home and the presidential museum.  The  outbuildings were destroyed, they are all reproductions now.

This is the presidential museum that was completely lost that is now being rebuilt.

It was good to be able to take the kids to a place that Will remembers visiting when he was a young kid.  I think I had taken it for granted that after the storm things would have been rebuilt by now.  I wasn’t prepared to see so many damaged homes and miles of beachfront where you could see nothing but the foundations of the businesses, hotels and homes that used to be there.  I am thankful that this historical place made it through and is still standing for future generations.

July Continued…

It might very well be that no one cares anymore what we did back in July, but I like to do things in order.

So – my Dad came to town for a few days.

Will and my Dad took the kids to the zoo.

I like how both of them have the same fake “smiles”.

Bella is still very much in her not wanting to pose for pictures phase.

On the next day my Dad took Jacob on his first fishing trip, out at Dwight Eisenhower Park. I dropped them off at around 7 am and they fished and messed around for a few hours.  They did not catch anything, but had a great time.

Very pretty.

The next day we went to a birthday party at the roller rink.  My camera did not do well at the skating rink. In fact it is around this point that my camera began to not do well period. But anyway -

Here’s Jacob rockin’ and rollin’ – he was a pro because of going skating every week this summer with karate school day camp.

And little sister. Dad had her up on the thing you hold onto but pretty soon they said over the loudspeaker not to do that – oops.

So overall I would say we had a busy fun time with Dad. I think the visit probably kind of wore him out, but in a good way!

The other fun thing that happened in July was that Will and I took a trip to Austin to go to my church reunion from the church I went to as a youth.  It was a really awesome time and also a kind of getaway for us because the kids stayed at my in laws. 

I really didn’t take many pictures, at the reunion I was busy talking and eating and then the rest of the weekend we were mostly just relaxing.  We stayed in a new hotel right on UT campus (my Dad works for UT so we even got a discount woo hoo)

This was my dinner out at our favorite Austin dinner spot Z’Tejas

Pork Tenderloin stuffed with chorizo - YUM

On Sunday before we left we had a late brunch at Juan in a Million. (I know you are thinking ohmygoodness all they did on this trip was eat. Um yeah, pretty much!)

This is a spot we used to go to when we were dating and we always like to go back when we can. This is the place where the tag line and header picture on this blog came from – because the breakfast tacos there are so big you have to order an extra tortilla to hold it all. It is just my quirky was of being thankful for the abundant life that we have through Christ Jesus! (Only I could make a connection between tortillas and Jesus – but hey that’s how my brain works!)

Dad and my brother in law

My sister in law and sweet niece Luella.

The famous taco

"Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure-- pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." Luke 6:38

July 2011

I’m trying to go back and blog some things in order (although probably no one but me cares!) Get ready for tons of pictures!

Even after so many years of marriage, Will still amazes me – I had no idea that he would become the King of Salsa.  He makes fresh pico and salsa every week now.

Fourth of July we spent out at the Lake with Will’s parents and his brother’s family.

The kids had their first ride behind the boat in this inflatable. It was really fun.  Bella is such the thrill seeker.

Will captained the boat for a while

Sweet Muffin, growing up fast.

Jacob practices karate moves poolside

Cousin Lulu

All photogenic Miss Lady dog.

Will’s Dad on the dock

Obligatory flag cake. It tasted better than it looked (Homemade whipped cream on a yellow cake) Mama had a few cocktails before decorating it – not my best work! LOL

Some July randomness

My camera just isn’t picking up sharp shots anymore but I tried!

We dog sat Sandy – our grass was so tall for her!  She had a lot to explore!

Bella fell head over heels in love with this sweet puppy. She was just Bella’s speed, they curled up happy and quiet for many long snuggles during the week.  Come back anytime Sandy!

Next I will blog about my Dad’s visit.

Bathing Suits

For over a year I have been waffling on buying this bathing suit.  I am pretty sure that I actually talked about it so much that two other people I know have already bought it and loved it and yet still... I waffled.

I remember when the whole modesty thing first really struck me, I was at a Christian concert with Jacob and asked a random person to take our picture.   Jacob was 4 and I kind of hunched over to get my face next to his.  When I got home and checked the picture, uhhh...oh boy - birds eye view straight down my shirt.  OOPS.  Super embarrassing.

My husband is fond of the phrase "modest is hottest"... but when it came to bathing suits, I got stuck. My pride got in the way and also a warning bell that made me question my motives. Was I wanting to be modest, or was I wanting to draw attention to my modesty (which isn't very modest?!) by wearing something kind of different (I like being different).

Anyway, I finally just decided to buy it and now it is on it's way and I can't wait to try it on! Hopefully I will feel like it is modest enough to actually post on the blog and once I've had a few swims I will do a review as well.

For what it is worth I have a couple of other suits that I think are really great.

I have this one from Lands End:

The pro's:
It is thick and very well made. The straps are wide and adjustable. I ordered the mastectomy version, because it comes up an inch or so higher at the bust. You can go from pool to patio or climb around on boats and be nice and covered.
Cons: There's just a lot of fabric, it is heavy and sags a bit when wet. It takes a long time to dry.

I also have a basic black tank suit that I plan to pair with this swim skirt.  It is light, parachute type material over a sort of boy shorts under layer.  I got it in the mail yesterday but haven't worn it yet.  I'll have to do a review of how it does in real life, at home in front of the mirror it seemed to fit well and was cute and covered enough to wear around.

June–Where did it go????

Jacob graduated from Kindergarten the first week of June.

Here he is on his first day back in August of 2010.

What a difference – he is at least 3 inches taller and his confidence is through the roof! We are so proud of our first grader!

Here he is walking home with some of his school buddies.

Later in June Will and Bella went to a Daddy-daughter sock hop up at the church.   I happened to have a lot of red felt left over from a crafting fail a few years back.  Of course I had to do a SHELTIE skirt instead of a poodle.  This circle skirt was an easy no-sew project, I loved how it turned out.

Then we headed to Austin for cousin Luella’s third birthday party.  It was a splash pad birthday party at Bartholomew park. This is the same park I grew up playing in, so it was fun to see my kids enjoying it. Of course it is mostly different play equipment and all that.  Evidently it was all coated in lead paint, and also very dangerous wonderful things like merry-go-rounds and metal slides that burn your behind are no longer cool.