Happy Birthday, Sean!

Tomorrow (Monday, the 11th) is Sean's 31st bday! We celebrated last night with dinner at Rudy's (yes, that was his choice! I think what's more the gift to him is not having to wait for a table, no crowds, etc.) and then coming back to our house with the fam for ice cream cake. (Jamocha Almond Fudge---his fave!) When I called to order it, they asked me what colors I wanted----"huh? he's 31!---ok, ok, just do Texas Tech colors". oops-----later I realized that meant red and BLACK icing. I did not get a picture, but we all had black teeth and tongues to prove it. :)

Of course Daddy had a little help blowing out the candles---3 for 30 and 1 for the added year!

What a wonderful dad he is, and what a wonderful husband he is to me. I am so thankful to celebrate his life and what he means to us and everyone he knows--a kind hearted, do anything for you, one of a kind guy. Not much for frills (WHAT???? NO FRILLS??????, says the eccentric wife), not much for being the life of the party, center of attention (again, WHAT?????), but now you see why I need him SO much. My one who is able to remain calm in all situations, my even-keeled rock, my man with a heart of GOLD, my best friend. I LOVE YOU, SEAN!!!!!!!!!!

J&J couples shower

Last weekend Josh and Julia had a couples baby shower given by Julia's old highschool buds (who also mostly happen to be BU grads). It was super cute with a Baylor Bears theme, and I'm sure it will prove to be very appropriate for Mr. Brooks come college time! ;)
Here are the cute parents-to-be opening some gifts. What joy they have ahead!

So sorry that Blogger won't let me make these horizontal, but you can see how cute they were!

Kathryn modeling beside all the fun gifts.

J&J with Martin and Libby Starr

The sweet little bear arrangement as you walked in the door. We all signed the "Old Bear" book.

The two preggos in the third trimester. Ah! Just do not love taking these---but, baby boy must see what he's put his mother through. hehe

Easter week

So some people talk about birthday "weeks", well we had an "Easter week"---which was great! It was filled with cute crafts, fun activities, time with friends old and new, and dear time with family. And as I'm reflecting on it all, I think in a way each of those things helped me (and our family) realize how thankful we are for what Jesus did for us, and what our Lord continues to do. He is Risen!

The Sunday before Easter started out with this funny little craft (well, I don't think it was intended to be jovial, but AM's answer was): Looks like Sean and I are right up there with Santa. Glad to know we're that prized!

AnnMarie's treasure she brought home from school on Tuesday. Isn't it cute? Lucky for her, it was stuffed with candy filled eggs from her first egg hunt of '09.

Back view

On Thursday we went to an Easter party at Caprice's house. Sweet little friends--round one of dying eggs in '09! This was a BIG hit!

After the dying eggs was over, the kids played a bunch inside because it was a little cool and rainy. Here is damsel in distress, princess AnnMarie, and her brave prince, Caleb, defending her from the top of the bunk beds. This pic cracked Ann and I up!

That night we went to Gigi and Papa's to eat dinner (yesssssssssss, looooove it when Mom cooks...), and she and Gigi made this bunny cake together. If you can manage to see past AM's HUGE oversmile, you'll see the bunnies in the "grass".

Dying eggs round 2 (I remember really loving this as a kid!)

Now, on Friday, we attended our little man, Wyatt's, 2nd birthday "eggstravaganza". If you want to see better (and more) pictures, please go to Caryn's blog on the right--it was adorable!!! Here are all the kiddos on the trampoline. Bday boy's in the yellow shirt. It was SO fun getting to go to a Smith bday in Waco!! I miss Cary!

Drum roll please...... a REAL bunny made an appearance---can you tell my child likes animals???????????

Egg hunt round 2! Go go go! Great party, we love you, Wyatt!!! (P.S.Caryn has a business planning parties so please contact her if you ever need assistance! You'll be glad you did!)

Friday afternoon we headed to Midland to visit the Svobodas. AnnMarie just lights up when she sees Gamma and Pepaw (well, and Allison, and cousin Madison, and everyone else, but I'm typing too much!). We (as always) got to have THE BEST Mexican food, THE BEST home cooked meal by Grandmommy, and lots of TLC from Sean's parents. Here is AM in her Easter dress before church. (I tried to stage it like she hadn't already rifled through her basket, but it looks like I did not succeed.)

Sean's Granddaddy, Clark, (name sound familiar?) :), is doing an interim at a church in Odessa so we got to hear him preach. What a treat! Also--I must record in our family journal here that AM came to "big church" with us and did a terrific job! Way to set the bar high at age 3, sister! We were so proud of her, and I was so glad she had a chance to see what "big church" is like.

I will end with this note--I think the 5 1/2 hour drive both ways was probably the last long road trip this preggie is making until baby brother comes. A little too much sitting in one position. I was so glad we got to do it though! Another wonderful weekend of memories. :)

Julia's shower

A couple Sundays ago we got to shower Julia with gifts at her first baby shower! Everything was adorable (thanks to Mimi Harrison) as you'll see in the pictures and really reflected Julia's taste and nursery decor. It has been so fun going through everything together, and I just praise the Lord for what J&J are about to experience. God's best blessing! We love you already, baby Brooks!

Julia with all the hostesses. Lots of loving friends!


Julia with her sisters, mom, cousin, and aunt. Cuties!

Julia, Libby, and I

Julia and the Great Grandmothers (Nana and Mimi) These two are a hoot!

Mimi's creation #1: eggs in a basket centerpiece (aka onesies tied up with string)

Napkins

Mimi's creation #2: button skewers for our fruit

Decor

Just a taste of all the fun gifts! This kid is going to be Best Dressed!

Note from the hostesses (so you can see the cute invitation)

Pack n Play hostess gift

This was Josh's outfit when he was a babe---Deb saved it!

Creation #3: eggs in the nest cupcakes (italian creme---oooooh yummy)

Crumpler's cookies (a Waco standard and always does the job!)

Punch

Mimi's creation #4: Tiny birdcages hanging from the chandelier---later to be turned into a mobile for Brooks's crib

Beautiful table!

Round Top!!

Well, one of the highlights of my year has come and gone----and it went by so fast!
Every spring my parents and I take a trip to Round Top Antiques Fair down in little (and I mean little) Round Top, TX. We stay at a Bed and Breakfast just a few miles away. This year my friend, Emily from McKinney, came too! We had too much fun looking for "treasures" as we call them ("One man's trash is another man's treasure!"). It was also so refreshing to just talk to an old friend uninterrupted for a whole weekend! (But we had to admit, we were missing our kiddos a bunch!) :)

Here we are taking a pit stop from our miles and miles of walking. Take a look at all the fun goodies behind us... Make you want to make a trip next year???

At the B&B...

Ok, disregard the not so flattering picture of prego, and please notice the beautiful setting! It's part of why we love where we stay so much.

Since everyone wonders what I get while I'm there, here's a little taste...
I found this beautimous (well I think so) gold tolle tray. Made for a nice little grouping in my dining room...

An adorable child's chalkboard that I just had to have for the playroom...(not sure where it's permanent spot will be just yet)

This pic is supposed to be horizontal, but Blogger wins sometimes, alas---these are my two baby tolle trays that I'm putting side by side in my kitchen (haven't hung them yet, but I have just the tiny niche above my oven)

This guy might end up getting a fresh spray paint job, but for now he's keeping his original "do" and sitting on my kitchen desk. I have been searching for just the perfect long kleenex holder. (Random---but I go through ALOT of kleenexes---Jurgensen trait!) Again---meant for this one to be horizontal.

So not all of what I find is old...Here are a few necklaces that I put together. This girl had the coolest booth with hundreds of little pendants and chains/strings to choose from. Don't you love finding unique jewelry???

Lastly, a girly pearl necklace to update my wardrobe a little. This one came from a great booth called "Southern Charm". Well, of course!


Until next year, my beloved Round Top!

Twinsies

Last night we went out to eat with the fam, and Julia got out just as we drove up next to J&J's car. Well, lo and behold we were wearing the exact same outfit---except for a few minor details like the color of the shirt (although it came from the same place) and black pants instead of a black skirt (which yes, I do own the exact same one from the same place and I even debated wearing it last night!).

Hilarious! So, we did get a few stares from people in the restaurant. I can just imagine what was going through their minds----"oh, look, those pregnant friends dressed alike to go out to eat". Or--"oh, not many places to shop for maternity wear in Waco". or "hmmm---I wonder if they work at the same place".

Or----the best REAL comment we got from our waitress before we left----"DID Y'ALL GET YOUR PICTURES TAKEN TODAY?"---to which I had to bite my tongue to keep from busting out laughing imagining us taking quazzi senior picture-esque posed pictures savoring our delightful pregnancies.
HA!

So here's what we looked like. Nice. Wonder if we'll do that again?

Happy Birthday, Gigi!

This past weekend, Gigi, (my mom) celebrated her birthday on the 29th of March. We all went out to celebrate and had a loud and never a dull moment time as usual! :)

AM and Gigi. I'm so thankful for my mom! She is such a good role model for me and always has been. She is (as many of you know) the ultimate homemaker extraordinaire (exceptional cook----I've got a lot to learn!), one of the most thoughtful people I know, and always serves our family day in and day out. She is also such a wonderful grandmother to AnnMarie. I already look forward to being one because of her! I just hope I can continue following in her footsteps!!


Mom's cake----this prego has got to stop enjoying the sweets! ;)