Ranger game

Maine 2

Here are a couple more Maine pics...

Maine

Ok, so as part of our vacation we rented a car and drove out to the country side of New England and the beaches..... it is sooo beautiful up there. The little towns were so quaint and all the cottage style houses are straight off the cover of a magazine. It was a little chilly.... as it should be in late September =) and the breeze off the ocean was incredibly refreshing. I think Jimmy and I have found our new vacation spot! We were smitten! It's no wonder this is where the Bush's and Kennedys go to unwind!

Boston

Here are some pics of our trip to Boston... as always it was fantastic!

Sweeping the leaves...

My mom and dad live in Colleyville on a gorgeous wooded lot and although the weather is still VERY summery, the leaves are beginning to fall. Last week we had a beautiful day that the high temp was about 80. Anna and I went to mom's and mom and I sat outside while Anna played in the front part of the yard. She LOVES to sweep. So, I got this pic of her sweeping the leaves..... I hope she still loves to sweep when she is older... cause I hate it! =)

Uncle John in town

This past weekend my little brother was in town from Orlando. He was the best man in a wedding for a friend he has known since he was in 4th grade! We had the best time seeing Uncle John and spending a little time with him before and after the festivities. I took the sweetest picture of Anna snuggling with Uncle John on the couch while he was working on his computer.... I wish they had more of these moments together but I am grateful for the time they do have! I miss my brother a lot!

Boston, hubby and spa....

Ok, so this Wed. we leave for vacation to my favorite city ever, Boston!! Some people love the beach, some people love the mountains, BUT Jimmy and I love the city!! We like to get out of the suburbs and relax in the big city!! Not just any big city but particularly Boston. This will be our first time to take Anna with us so we are thrilled to show her this place we love so much. She got a book for her birthday last yeart called Good Night Boston (thank you Nana and Pop!!) that shows all the sights and landmarks in Boston. She loves that book and now she has been looking at it with tons of anticipation knowing she will be seeing those sites herself very soon. I think she is most excited about the "huge" park and the subway!

We are also taking a little side jaunt through New England to Kennebunkport and Portsmouth. We hope to see some beautiful changing leaves, something we don't get much of here in good old Texas! =) Plus, Anna loves the beach so as both of these towns are coastal that should add that much more fun to the trip for her!!

Anyway, so as a wonderful surprise, my precious hubby gave me an afternoon at the spa this past Saturday in preparation for the trip. I got an incredible facial and pedicure, which are both wonderful for any woman much less a pregnant one!! =) He always thinks of these sweet things to do for me.... and goes the extra mile to make sure I feel treasured and loved. He even took Anna for a special daddy daughter date while I was there. They had sushi for lunch (don't worry she gets veggie sushi and she loves it, were not forcing this stuff on her) and then they went to the park and fed the ducks and played on the playground.

What a nice day for me, reliaxing at the spa taking care of me AND knowing my sweet girl is getting to do something she loves, like hang out with her daddy and go to the park! Score one for my hubby!! He's amazing!!

All in all it was a fabulous weekend and I can't wait for Boston!

Here are some pics from Boston, the first is when Jimmy and I were there last year obviously at Fenway, the second one is from our first trip there together when I was pregnant with Anna.

Sunday

Sunday was such a fun relaxing day. We took Anna to the park in the morning and played in the sandbox, playground and walked on the trail. She saw saw some butterflies, birds and squirrels... which just thrilled her. She also saw a "big machine" which she used to call "big chines". Now she says it correctly and it makes Jimmy and I nearly tear up at the fact that she hardly uses any baby wording for anything anymore. By the way, a "big machine" is any huge yellow piece of ground/earth moving equipment. She loves them and has since she was very little. We got her picture on the tire of one and she was very proud!

I am continually amazed at how happy my daughter is. How the very smallest things in life give her such joy. Just seeing that uninhibited excitement brings Jimmy and I both so much happiness and makes us remember what is really important in life. Children truly are such a blessing and I pray that the Lord continues to bless our lives with them. (Ps. 127:3-5)

Favorite pics from this week

Here are my favorite pics from this week... the first set being Anna with her ballet outfit and winter hat on. She told me she was "cathead ballerina" (the cat ears on the hat I supposed). The next set are her swimming at mom and dads today... I took these because I am fairly certain that our time of swimming for this summer is coming to a close. Probably only a few more weeks so I wanted to get some pics in before I forgot! She loves the water, although she is not nearly as crazy about it as I am!!

Football....finally

After 7 long months since the Superbowl it is finally football season again! I LOVE this time of year. Granted my priorities have GREATLY changed since Dec. 9, 2004 when my precious girl came into my life but I still catch the games when I can and LOVE the fact that my hubby is a even bigger fan than me! Watching sports has been a special part of our lives together and esp. watching football ever since we first met. We play 2 fantasy leagues together and it makes for the best fall fun ever! I guess it is our guilty pleasure.

Now if I could just get the weather to change and feel a little cool in the air it would be that much better!

Oh and of course, GO COWBOYS!!!!

(here is a pic of us after we went to the Cowboy game for my bday last year)

Special time with friends

Last night one of our long time family friends was in town and came over for dinner. We have known Mike and his wife Gayle for 25+ years. They lived here in this area for a while but now live in Atlanta with their 2 sons. Mike was recently on a mission trip to Cuba and was able to tell us all about that, which was incredibly interesting. It was a great evening!

Holiday with friends

Yesterday we we spent the afternoon with our good friends Tom and Mary and their sweet baby Charlie. Tom and Jimmy went to high school together and are still very good friends, so we like to try and get together when schedules allow! We had a fabulous lunch and the kids played in the gorgeous backyard! Tom and Mary have the most precious little boy who Anna just adores. Here are some pics.