Happy Birthday Monny !

A video tribute to Nan-E!

CHECK IT OUT, within 21 hours..... 139 views! 

Fullness.

A day on the boat with family is a day that makes my cup runneth over.

We laughed, we are doing something active, the sun is warming our skin, the "togetherness" is warming our hearts...it is (and was) a perfect day.

I had a great time skiing. I suppose because of boot camp, I am stronger this year, so I was able to jump the wake with more confidence. Bella, Lexie and their cousins rode on the tube...I am pretty sure they drank from the lake, because it is hard not to when you are giggling with your mouth wide open on the tube. The sheer joy beaming through my children makes my heart sing!

My Mom and I went to see the movie "Magic Mike".

We had more fun taking these photos...and the movie had not even started. 

My Mom is so spunky. We had fun with our mini-shoot before the main event. 

While I have NEVER been to a strip club, I am fairly certain that this movie glamorized what that environment really looks like. I don't condone strip clubs, but one thing is for sure.....there is something incredibly sexy about a man that can dance! Channing Tatum....w-o-w....wow......WOW!!!

Easter 2012.

Easter is one of my favorite holidays. Something about Spring, the flowers in bloom, little kids in pastel colors, fluffy bunnies...Resurrection, a new beginning, sunshine. What about that doesn't want to make you whistle?


The girls spent Easter with T-bone, so I was hunting eggs all alone. Actually, I went for a long bike ride, 13 miles to be exact. A caterpillar hung out on my shirt and I thought about that little guy...how his Easter was coming, his birth into a beautiful butterfly. Soon, his story would begin. 


After church, after the bike ride and the butterfly revelation.....I witnessed the best beginning I had seen in a long time.....

The Masters 2012 winner, Bubba Watson and that dude on the right....MY BROTHER, his caddie. It was incredible to watch the progression of the tournament. Bubba sliding up and down the leader board, keeping us all on our tippie toes, holding our breath, making our brows bead up and our eyes well up. We watched from the edge of our seats as Bubba hooked the ball on the 10th green in a Sudden Death playoff...we held our breath. We exhaled when his opponent Louis Oosthuizen hooked his ball. Game On.
Bubba hits an impossible, monumental shot off of a pile of pine needles, in the middle of the trees. Lining up the crowd, he visualized his perfect shot and launched his ball onto the green, 10 feet from the pin. Did you see it? Were you thinking "God has your back brother"? 
I wept. I knew that this win was going to launch Bubba and my brother into a new stratosphere. They're never going to be the same again. The game has just changed for these guys. Their caterpillar is perched on that pretty little azalea bush in Amen Corner. Team Watson is in flight. Flutter flutter butterfly. 
I am SOOOO proud of my brother's professionalism, his ability to lead and to follow, his ability to manage the crowd, carry a very heavy bag and sometimes the man attached to it. I admire the fact that he is an incredible human being, strong in his faith, humble and even though he won't admit it, looks amazing on television! He is a wonderful Dad, brother, son and husband to boot. He's not very funny though. I'm just sayin'....


This Easter, could not have been better!
Thank you Lord~

A Busy Break.

This Spring Break was special. Family was in town! We went downtown and explored the city in the rain. We ate some incredible food, went to a vineyard, played at the park, visited a museum, had an American Girl cupcake swaree', tie dyed t-shirts...

It was a busy week filled with great times and loving, creative memories.

Below are some of the moments captured on my iPhone or with my camera~

 

La Familia.

My Dad and Pat came to visit the girls and I for a week. Dad and Pat stayed in their RV at a local RV park. We were able to have dinners with them and show them around our city a little bit. 


We ate at some really great local restaurants, having "the best hamburger Pat has ever had", eating wonderful Mexican food (twice). Of course, you cannot be in Texas and not eat "chicken fried steak"...so, we did that too. We also went on a glass bottom boat tour!
The only thing we didn't do was saddle up a horse and ride along the river. Next time perhaps?


It has been 3 years since my Dad has come to our little neck of the woods, so it was a nice change of pace for us. The girls enjoyed the time with their Grandparents and I enjoyed having my family around!

Family Getaway.

On a warm November day....WHAT? Yeah, you heard me correctly, it was a warm day in November and the girls were on the beach in swimwear. We spent the week with family and it was a complete blast. There was shell hunting, wave jumping, sand art, fashion shows, photo shoots, great meals, awesome company and family. What more could you want on a warm day in the winter? OH, I know...fresh grapefruit from Pere's garden, add vodka with salt.

Word.

Sometimes, during the holidays, people WIG out on each other. It happens.  


In my family, we all stay together, in one condo, for a week. We learn something about each other every year. We wholeheartedly love one another and that is such a beautiful thing to me.

This tradition is a fond one embedded in my heart and in the hearts of my children, forever. Times like these are truly priceless. Even if we are wiggin' out on each other.....

We Are FaMiLy!

We toast to you Pa-K, you are wonderful and we love you!
Nan-E, your reaction was priceless. 
We love you guys and enjoyed surprising you. 

It was a fun few days spent with my Bro and his beautiful family....

Those memories and times are precious and unforgettable in life.

Where do you live?

There has been a lot of traveling going on this summer. Recently, while on a 10 day trip to Louisiana, one of my friends in Texas said "you are never HOME, so where do you live?". Good point. I guess, based on my traveling adventures over the past 2 months, technically, I am homeless. I'm just a girl who lives in her car. That's how I roll...
Our whirlwind trip to Dallas for market is where the "vacancy" sign was first ignited. Less than two weeks later, off to Louisiana, 2 days following that trip, to Mexico, in the interim, Lexie turned 7 years of age. 
Soon, we will be in Austin for a reunion. Unfortunately, blogging hasn't been a passenger on these trips, however, my camera was a trusty co-captain. Below are a few of the festivities that we engaged in on our journey through summer. 

"The Parade".

A tradition that happens at Nan-E and Pay-Pay's house. "Here comes the Queen" is lovingly chanted as each child makes their way down the parade route. Every child is given the appropriate paraphernalia to attract their patrons.

This is what "JOY" looks like....Great Grandmother with her only Great Grandson.

And then, there is this kind of thrill seeking "JOY" that Lexie is demonstrating. Convincing.

Friendship.

The best woman for the job of raising the crazies below....no easy task.

What's a blog without some Eye Candy. 

Please deposit 25¢.

Happiest Birthday to my sweet precious "7" year old, Lexie. What a ride it has been to watch you grow and blossom into this wonderful, smart, funny, ENERGETIC, fun loving girl. None short of a gift to this planet. I love you and I wish I had a smidgen of your energy! Today, I celebrate you and thank you for all that you have brought into my life, you are a blessing....

Happy Birthday!

The Masters

The course is dreamy, even a non golfing girl like myself can appreciate the way the trash bags match the exact green of the well, greens. The dogwood trees, the azalea's in full bloom, tall perfect mixture of pine trees and other posture flawless trees. The exact shade of Masters green grass, the crisp yellow flags on the green contrast perfectly with the glorious blue skies. The Neiman Marcus of courses. "There are no cell phones at the Masters"...."Hats are not to be worn backwards at the Masters"...."there is no farting at the Masters"....No purses, no camera's (except on practice round days), no cell phones, no cut off's, no gum chewing, hillbilly actin', no blah blah blah....They are proud, for sure!




I don't really care much about the hoity toity-ness of all of it, but I did thoroughly enjoy being 3 feet away from the players. Hey Tiger, what'cha doin?

Ricky Fowler, My Sassy Pants loves you, with your Caribbean blue jacket and pink Puma shoes. All you missin' is some bling baby! Mama Sassy Pants be lovin' you...My bro was checking out these pics later that night and he said, "awww, Sis, Ricky is one of my buddies, you should have called him over." Good to know Bro, some advance notice would be useful, nevertheless, good to know. 



Ben Hogan bridge in Amen Corner....
As the story goes, when the Masters decided that they were going to build a bridge, they had to acquire a portion of someone's property for the project. The property owner countered the Masters financial offer with a proposal for the Masters to give the property owner 4 Lifetime Memberships. The Masters paid several million dollars (as story has it) for the property....Hey, not everybody is privileged enough to be a member, not even if you have prime real estate.




I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to see the course, take pictures and walk amongst the best golfer's there are, "the Masters" of the game. My brother, Angie and Bubba Watson made it possible and I am truly grateful for the experience. Hey, can I put in my request to attend next year too? After all, I have to walk the front 9 at some point. The hills worked me over. The footage they show on TV does not portray the accuracy of the slopes. My gluteus was maximus hurting. OH, and to prep for my trip next year, I will need to be debriefed on the who's who of your bff's, Ted. That way, when a little 9 year old who is sitting in front of me DYING for Ricky Fowler's autograph, I can help a sista out.

Summer, How I Love Thee.

While in Louisiana, we had to eat at our favorite restaurants, see our favorite people, take afternoon naps and OF COURSE, hang out in River Ranch. On this particular evening, the festivities in the town square were centered around kids. There were water slides, a balloon sculptor, dance contests, face painting, snow cones and fun music to get wild to. The girls had a blast with Nan-E and all of the activities that were offered. We enjoyed an outdoor dinner at the "Club for the elite frou frou people" (uh, wait, I wonder why they seated us OUTSIDE???). Anyhow, it was a wonderful evening and a great couple of days spent with family!