A Rockport Weekend

Well, it's been almost a month since my last post!  GOOD HEAVENS! 

I've been busy - yep... I say that a lot.  It's true.  

Since then I have traveled to all these places:

San Antonio, Texas

Orange County, California

Dallas, Texas

Denver, Colorado

Boulder, Colorado

Rockport, Texas

...and tomorrow I go to College Station for 2 days!

That's in the last 30 days.
I live out of a suitcase! 

... and next week, I go back to Colorado and then to Tahoe, California!

Regardless, I missed blogging.  I love to write and it is so nice to be able to share life as it seems to fly by.  It is my way to slow it down, just a little bit, and to be able to go back and remember all the things I know I'd forget otherwise! 

Here's the latest; last weekend Jason, Travis and I took a road trip down to Rockport.  It was the last weekend of duck season and the boys had to get their last hunt in.  The wives and kids tagged along this time and I looooved being down there.  January at the coast is new for me, and I can not wait to get back there.  The weather was absolutely perfect - 65 degrees with an ocean breeze, lots of sunshine and refreshing humidity.  

Oh, I loved it.

We still have dreams of owning a little cottage and I'm excited because I found some that might have potential.  

We shall see... nothing purchased yet, but I do love to dream about it.  

I feel blessed to have such great friends.  Brett and Jason have been best friends since 6th grade (I think!) and Jill and I were college roommates.  They are amazing friends and I feel so at home with them.  

Here is Jackson, showing off his wet T-shirt!

Jill and Bertie (and little baby girl in her belly) 

We even got a bonus: Brett's parents, Tim & Diane were at their cabin too.  I loved being able to walk down the street and just talk and catch up with them.  To be able to walk out the door with a cup of coffee, smell the coastal air and walk 45 seconds over to a friends house.  Dreamy. 

 One day... one day. 

I must say, there are few things cuter in life than a baby in a diaper.  

Travis couldn't decide if he liked the water as much this time... there wasn't crazy splashing like last time, but he would giggle and run, then look up at you like "why did I get wet? wait, pick me up!"  He's definitely going through an attached stage these days.  Sweet moody kid. :) 

Lauren, Kaitlyn, Kristi and Les came to the coast on Saturday and just helped to make it a perfect weekend.  

Next up: Story time from Orange County! Sisters, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, dad, aunts, uncles, cousins... did I forget any? Family, Family, Family!

Until then, sweet dreams. 

xoxo, Cyndy

Beach baby

This weekend was such a nice getaway.  We did a ton, but managed to keep it slow and unplanned :) On Friday, Jason, Travis and I headed down to Rockport to get in some good old fashion family time.  We spent a lot of the time driving around looking at lots and properties - dreaming of the day we might have a little cottage of our own. Who knows if we'll ever actually do that, but it was fun to look!

One of our first stops was to Big Tree in Lamar.  Jason and I love this spot. 

Travis ate lunch and we tried to avoid being eaten alive by all the mosquitoes!  Look at those eyes... they are so pretty. 

One of the most fun parts of the trip was our little improv trip to the beach.  We didn't plan (obviously, as none of us had bathing suits!) to stop by, but boy did Travis love it.  He is a water baby for sure.  It was a hoot!

First time in sand... 

He liked it!  Especially when he found out how it goes through his fingers. 

off to the water...

I love this picture. 

First toes in the ocean

Check out those legs! 

he loves the water!

SPLISH SPLASH! priceless.

Travis' new thing: jumping forward to get to the crawling position!

awww.... weightless. 

It was a great trip wrapped up with a pretty little bow.  On our way home yesterday, we stopped off at Jason's parents house and popped in on Evan and Meigan's baby shower.  It's so nice getting to spend time with the people you love.  Their baby, Emma, will be here sometime around November 10th.  It looks like they're pretty well set after the shower, WHEW!  Kristi and Keri did a great job throwing it.  Just beautiful. 

Enjoy your Columbus Day today! 

xoxo, cyndy

Enjoying the heat at Seafair... boy it was hot! 

Happy Birthday Little Buddy!

This past weekend Jason, Travis and I made the trek out to St. Hedwig to share the day with our little buddy Slade for his 2nd birthday.  Every time I look at him, I just can't get over what a miracle baby he is and am so impressed because he is just growing like a weed.   

Two years ago, Slade decided that he couldn't wait to join this world and he made a very surprise welcome at a mere 28 weeks.  Sarah's water broke at 26 weeks and she immediately went on bed rest for an extra 2 weeks. He was able to grow just a little bit more and strengthen his little lungs while inside his mama.  The months following his birth were full of agonizing worry in the NICU.  It was a very scary time for his parents, as I'm sure you can imagine - Slade had a lot of hurdles to overcome.  Sarah and Michael spent every moment they could with him in the hospital.  Sarah jokes now that she spent so much time at the hospital, and got to know staff so well, that she asked them for a hospital badge to visit her little boy.  I honestly believe the pure will and love of his amazing parents are a major influence in what helped save his life.  

This is what he looked like just 24 months ago.

Isn't that breathtaking?  

Such a little guy, but I tell you what - he fought and fought and this is him today!

He's such a happy big boy! 

I was the annoying paparazzi all day long and was able to catch some fun pictures of Slade on his special day.   

He is now a big brother too... he has a new little buddy in his life named Case, who was 2 weeks old on Sunday. 

Isn't baby Case a cutie?!  

Sarah and Michael did a great job with the party.  It was "bug" themed.  They even gave the cutest party favor: Bug Bags including a Bug Viewer, a Butterfly net catcher and bubbles.  What a thoughtful idea!

We ate hamburgers and hot dogs cooked by the grill master, Wes (Sarah's dad)...

... and we watched all the kiddos play in Wes and Tess' amazing yard.

Here is Miss Henley.  She is learning to walk and her mom and dad, Sylvia and Jake kept her happy and smiling through the whole party.  What a sweet girl. 

There were babies galore for me to take pictures of.  It was too much fun!

Love me some babies :) 

Well, here's to you little buddy.  Know that you are loved and we're so happy we can share these beautiful moments with you. 

xoxo, cyndy