August 15th

 

Some things hold a specific memory, a particular place and time that will remind you of the journey you are on. They are simple trees. But we got married by these trees, we said our vows under their branches, we prayed by these trees as the late summer sun filtered through their leaves. And we have returned every year to remind ourselves of where we have been and where we are now. And what is now? It was just the two of us then. Then two puppies in the span of three years. And now in our fifth year? One precious baby on the way.

What’s Going On

What the heck is going on around here?! We have a baby on the way. which is amazing and scary and still very new to us. So, these photos are what has been going on – and in no way are strictly a highlight reel. Things have been “real” real around here in our world. Stresses beyond belief, so it’s as if it has been a very long, not so very hot summer. We are struggling in finding a place to live (again), not getting to hang out by the beach, BUT conversely getting ready for our Disney World (again) trip with our family, feeling the baby moving around in there, lots of the (pregnancy) moody blues, as much pool time as possible, and dreaming of winter. We want winter to come as soon as possible.

Oh, and a few baby bump pics, because, well ya know…

Oh Hey There

Coming Soon!!

A huge thank you to our friends at –

New Orleans Weekend

 

Disneyland

Spring has been desperately trying to be sprung after a long winter, so for my mom’s birthday we happily flew with her to Cali, Cali, Cali. To where else? Disneyland! The original. It’s been a dream for us to go.

And it’s so different from what we are oh so familiar with at Walt Disney World! You might even call it slightly quaint? The scale is different, but it has a charm all it’s own. We stayed at the original Disneyland Hotel, which was super nice and had touches of the glamor of classic Disney. Very cool, with a retro vibe – something we can get behind!

We got to do character dining at our hotel at Goofy’s Kitchen to kick things off, which was as fun as ever…even if the lighting wasn’t so conducive to all the pictures we took with the likes of Aladdin and Jasmine, Chip and Dale, and of course Goofy.

And a sleep later, and we were walking where Walt walked. I think all of us had no idea what to expect – but the coolest thing that stuck out to us was how much Walt’s stamp was all over the park. His apartment over the fire station, the bench that inspired the whole idea, and so many cool things. It was a really fun day of rides new and familiar, Jolly Holiday Bakery and many other treats, exploring a new park (to us) and most of all – a search for the elusive Dumbo popcorn container!

And to meet Mickey in his sorcerer’s robes to cap a magical day? We knew for sure that it was going be a good birthday for Mom!

Next up? California Adventure and perfect west coast weather!

Day Date

It seems like we were stuck in our house for a good long year after Clio had his neuter surgery. But luckily my baby brother came to stay with us for a week, along with my childhood puppy-turned-ladybird Bailey. So, it was an overly full house but a blessing to be with a little slice of family. But Clio is a fast healer and so we decided we needed a day out! We hit up the Crow Collection of Asian Art and the DMA in Dallas and generally had a relaxing day. But not to rest on our laurels, we are also planning for a vacation because for the first time in a long time we haven’t traveled for a good 8 months. And that will not stand!

Something Like This

Young Folks

Christmas Time is Here

Where are you, Christmas? You came and went too soon, and we are a week into the new year. But it was still the most wonderful time of the year. Admittedly, it took both of us some extra time to fully embrace the holiday spirit but all it takes is walking into the family house and having it full of family and dogs and Mom’s decorations and treats to make things perfect. We were really blessed to have a week out of town, full of family time and we were spoiled. The boys, Emory and Clio, were spoiled beyond beyond. It was ridiculous. Between certain packages of gifts arriving from wonderful, amazing friends all over to Nancy Elizabeth Brooks – aka Nani-Claus – it was a good time. But the New Year came, and our family made it back here with us just in time to ring in the New Year with food and drink and a hope for the whole of 2014.

Walt Disney World