Past two weeks

  Had a wonderful past two weeks with Grammy and, as Kate says, Paka. The time went by super fast and it was hard to say goodbye.
  The first weekend they were here, we drove out to San Antonio so Andrew and I could go to the temple.  It was wonderful!
  Andrew and I were also able to go out on our first date since Abby was born! Nothing too exciting, pizza and ice cream, but it was sure nice to go out with my handsome hubby!
  Linda and I were able to go and get our nails done together! My once-a-year-nail-appointment has now been made. It was fun and I am happy with how my nails turned out.
  Kate got a surprise from Grammy and Paka.  It was a perfect gift because Kate LOVES playing in the water. (pictures to come in a week or so).
  This past weekend we went out on the boat together. Always a good time! This time there were quite a few fish swimming with us. Kate enjoyed feeding them her snacks which attracted more. Because Linda and Russ don't have a pool where they are off to, they gave us their sweet pool noodles that look and act like they are on steroids. They can hold a full grown person and then some. They are awesome!

  We didn't stay out on the lake too long because Andrew and I had an Air Force social to attend that evening. Mandatory fun. It was a good time. :) 
  And then Monday came around and it was time for them to go home. We said our goodbyes and they were off.
  Kiersten flew in as they were flying out so they met up, had lunch together, and Kiersten started the 3 hour drive back to Del Rio.
  We had an enjoyable day Tuesday touring Del Rizzo. Took about an hour and a half.
  Yesterday morning we headed out on our journey north. We've had a good time together.

  We are now in Albuquerque, NM. Hope to be on the road in an hour or so.
  I am writing this blog via phone so I have no idea where these pictures will post in my blog but I will update it later. Pardon the randomness of my writing :)

Temple trip

  Had a wonderful trip to the temple today. It had been way too long since Andrew and I last went so when his parents said that they would watch the girls while we go through, I jumped at the offer! 
  Because the earliest session available was 2:30 we were able to take our time getting out the door this morning. So much nicer than rushing out at 6 am. We arrived a little after 11 and were able to find a dress for me to wear to next weeks T-1 20th anniversary celebration, fill all our tummies, empty all our bladders and get to the temple with 5 minutes to spare, but only barely! 
  I love feeling the spirit in the temple and could spend all day there but today was the first time I was anxious for the end to come.
  Last night Andrew and I went out for dinner together and arrived home to a not so happy Abby, so all throughout the temple I was praying that Abby was doing okay.
  Well, my prayers were answered because both girls were very happy when we got out! :)  Kate was talking Grammy and Grampa's ears off and Abby was cooing away!
  We grabbed some dinner, then headed home. To top off the greatness of today, Brandon dropped the dogs off right as we were putting Kate to bed. That made her very happy! Such a great day! :)

Wonderful day

  Gosh, we had such a great day yesterday out on the lake.  We got a late start, but that was on purpose. We were in the car getting the girls buckled into their seats when our friend, Brandon, called.
  He proposed the idea that instead of going out to the lake for a couple hours and heading back, let's make our trip worth it by packing a little extra food and staying till after sunset. We were on board.
  We got to the lake, launched our boat, and headed to our usual spot at about 3 o'clock to wait for the Strongs.  They showed up at 3:40 and proposed another great idea; let's go explore a little bit and find a new spot to swim.
  And, oh, what a great idea that was! The cruise was so beautiful! There's not much to look at in Del Rio but Lake Amistad is beautiful!  

  We found a good spot to throw the anchors and chilled out there till sunset. Everyone had a wonderful time playing in the water, eating good food, and enjoying each others company.

  And Kate has definitely come a long way from last year. She was literally bouncing off of the walls, the boat, the kids, the dogs, ...everything and everyone! She had to be told to settle down at least a hundred times but she, and everyone watching her, had a good time. 

  Waiting for the sun to go down was so peaceful and relaxing and the sunset was beautiful. So worth the wait. After it had set we packed up. We left the boats tied together and cruised back to the dock. The moon was beautiful and it was nice taking a slow ride back. 

  We got back to the dock at 11:15 and rolled into our driveway an hour later. I know, crazy late night, especially for the girls.  They were already asleep, though, so we just transferred them into their respective beds.
  Andrew and I were finally in bed at 1:15.  We won't be doing a late night on the boat very often but we sure had a great time last night. 

Hunt a lion but not harm a baby bird

  Went on a run this morning and 10 seconds into it found this little guy. Actually, Duke found it. Duke wasn't on a leash and when he saw this little guy in the middle of the street he ran right up to it. I didn't know what it was at first but as soon as it started to try and fly I knew and dreaded what was going to happen next. I was picturing blood and feathers everywhere while I scream and Kate cries.
  Well, we have an awesome dog. I called his name and started whistling to him and...he came to me!! I was so proud but mostly relieved.
  Once we got back from our "run" the bird was within 15 feet from where we left it and there was a cat prowling around. :/  I'm not a fan of birds, at all, but I couldn't just let this little guy get eaten. So we got a box and brought it home. Cats usually stay away from our yard so maybe it had a chance of living at least one more day. Hopefully it will have flown off by the time we get back from the lake. I'm crossing my fingers.

Happy July 4th!

  This July 4th weekend has been wonderful and it's not even over yet! Yay! All day Friday Andrew helped two friends move, one old and one new.
  Our friends, the Strongs, who we've known a while, had us over for dinner Friday/July4th night in thanks for Andrew helping them out and so we could celebrate how great America is, together. And we had a great time, of course!
  Melanie and I talked about life, watched the kids play, prepared all the side dishes, cleaned and cut the fruit, and all that good stuff while Andrew and Brandon unloaded boxes, hooked up the washer and dryer, and did manly stuff, including firing up the grill. :) 
  Kate always has fun with the Strongs. Last night she crawled up onto the Lego table with Beckett and played happily for quite some time.  I got a picture of it but sadly my phone decided to delete it.  >:(
  I do have this picture though!  This was how our Friday morning started, sisters playing so sweet and nice together.

  I went to post this picture on facebook and realized I had forgotten to put them in their red, white, and blue outfits.  So, I did just that and got some pretty cute pictures!

Kate giving Abby a kiss - I didn't even ask her to do it, which I love!

 Kate happy with her sweet self

 And my favorite, my two happy girls!

  We weren't planning on going to see fireworks because they started at 10 and that is way past Kate's bedtime.  There were a few small fireworks that were set off at the Strong's house, though.  The older kids had fun running around with some sparklers and everyone enjoyed watching a couple roman candles go off.
  Abby and I watched from inside with Melanie and baby Deklan.  There were quite a few biting bugs outside and we didn't want our babies getting bit.  I know Kate had a great time outside with everyone but I wish I would have brought her inside as well.  This morning at church her bug bites were bothering her quite a bit.  Texas bites are worse than I have ever experienced elsewhere.  They swell up into a welt and are sore to the touch for a couple days and then they start to itch like crazy AND they last FOREVER.  Like three weeks.  They are pretty horrible.  I hope Kate's don't last that long.  She's got five on her.
  Tomorrow we have the day off as well and we have plans to go out on the lake and soak up some wonderful sun.

  On a different note, I found this jem on my camera while uploading my July 4 pictures.  Most mornings I get up, feed Abby, place her on my bed and then go get Kate up for the day.  When I'm done with that, Kate usually runs into my room, climbs up on my bed and hangs out with Abby while I get her some breakfast.
  Well, that is just what happened the day I took this picture but when I went in to check up on the girls, Abby had fallen onto Kate's lap!  And she was totally happy about it too!  As you can tell, so was Kate!