4th of July

Collin and I are back from our 5 week adventure to California. So now that means its time to get this blog up to date! First up is a recap of our 4th of July!

The 4th of July is a big holiday for my family. And its always a little hard for me when we can't celebrate with family. So since we couldn't be in Camarillo this year, we did the next best thing and celebrated with many of our friends here in Texas!
In the morning we joined our ward for a pancake breakfast and flag raising. Although Collin and I missed the actual flag raising because he decided he wanted his breakfast then. We had a great time visiting with friends and getting to know some newer families in our ward better. Our friend Becca was able to get these great family photos for us. I love them! They are my new favorites :)

Love that this one looks like we are in a big park when really we are on the front lawn at our church.
Becca has some great Photoshop skills! 

A few days before the 4th Michael and I really didn't have any idea what we were going to do, so we sent out an email to a bunch of friends inviting them to a potluck picnic lunch in the park. We supplied the hot dogs and everyone brought sides and desserts. It turned out to be a big hit! We were so glad that so many people could join us. It truly felt like I was back at home, enjoying my parent's traditional backyard bbq. Sadly no pictures though...we were too busy stuffing our face with yummy hot dogs ;)  

And of course we ended our day with fireworks. We met up with some ward friends again to watch the Fiesta Texas (6 Flags) show from the mall parking lot. Great location, but leaving afterwards was horrendous! But it was worth it. And I was so impressed with Collin- he did great with it being so far past his bedtime and he LOVED the fireworks. He didn't get scared and just seemed in awe during the whole show. It was a special moment to share with him- holding him, with our heads close together and staring up at the beautiful explosions in the sky. I loved it!

Waiting for the fireworks.
We nearly got rained out, but thankfully it cleared up so we could enjoy our show. 

Love this picture and Collin's arm resting on Michael's shoulder 

I love this holiday! I love this wonderful and beautiful country I have the opportunity and privilege to live in. And I love the chance to celebrate it each year with family and friends! 

Oh, and a little Pinterest inspired craft I did to get in the holiday spirit. :) 

Capturing Collin

This was from Collin's 7 month shoot. Now he is nearly 9 months and I still have to take his 8 month pictures!
I also need to upload pictures from my phone. So much to do so little time.

I have tried multiple times to articulate into words what a fun stage Collin is at right now. But nothing I write seems to adequately describe his personality. However, reading this Ensign article tonight helped me realize that it doesn't matter if I record everything perfectly, just that I record something. So here it goes- capturing into words a little snippet of Collin at 8 months old. 

Collin makes me laugh, he makes me cry, sometimes he can be extremely frustrating and Mr. Independent, and other times the only thing he wants in the world is me. He is so smart and constantly amazes me with the things he is discovering and how quickly he can master something new. I think he is going to be a bit more of a risk taker, like his dad, not so timid like me. Which is good. Being timid is not always the best quality, but I know it’s going to make me worry about him a lot over the years. But as much as he loves to explore and get into mischief, he does not like it when I leave his sight! I love his smile. I love to hear him giggle, especially when he is playing with Daddy. I love his quirky little mannerisms. I love to snuggle and sing to him before every nap or bed. I love that he usually quiets down when I pray with him before bed, like he knows that this is not my usual talking. I love his scent- slightly spit up, slightly baby, and a little lavender and chamomile like his lotion, but all Collin. After every nap I go in to get him and wait for the moment that we make eye contact- he gives me the biggest grin and starts moving around with such excitement. I look forward to it every day!  

I love watching his little personality emerge more and more every day and to imagine what he is going to be like when he is older. He seems to have a mix of our personalities- a little bit sensitive and easy going from his dad, and a bit of stubbornness from me (hopefully he’s inherited some better qualities from me too!). But he is also a little bit more extroverted than either of us. Although he always clams up in new situations and takes a little while to warm up. Sometimes his laugh is what reminds me to laugh more. The best days are the ones that we end up having a good 5 minutes of solid belly laughs together.  He finds joy in the simplest things and reminds me to not take life so seriously all the time. He is such a great fit for our family and I can’t wait to see the type of man he will grow up to be. This is making me sad thinking of him as a grown man. I want him to always be my baby. Sometimes I get frustrated that I can’t record every instant of his life, and capture his big personality (that’s how his Auntie Court described it, big. Which I think fits him perfectly). I know that I will forget the little details over the years and that makes me sad, but I also know that someday I will be able to perfectly remember everything. That knowledge gives me faith and helps me remember to live in the moment and to just savor Collin as he is now. I love this happy, chubby, spit-upy little boy. He brings so much joy and greater meaning to our family. I am one blessed momma! 

The Hotel Coon

If you ever find yourself in the area or are looking for an exotic destination vacation come visit The Hotel Coon! Located near the heart of San Antonio, we provide friendly company and excellent accommodations. Guests can enjoy a peaceful slumber in our nautical room featuring a queen size bed and crib (if you decide to bring a wee one along) and access to your own private bathroom. We had several good friends come join us at The Hotel Coon during May. It was so much fun!

First we had Lisa and her husband Stephen for a night over Mother's day weekend. Lisa and I met in our Interior Design class back in 2010, we kept in touch via Facebook, ended up in some other classes together, and eventually planned to have classes together! She also graduated in April, but they are still living in Provo while her husband finishes school. It is sad not living close anymore, but thankfully her family lives in Austin. They came up Friday evening, joined us for dinner, we stayed up way too late playing Ticket to Ride and talking. Then Saturday we hit up the Alamo and Riverwalk and we went to Rozario's for lunch. Michael has been raving about their fajitas- they didn't disappoint! If you come visit we'll take you there! :) Sadly, they had to head back after that, but we sure had a fun less than 24 hours with them! Hopefully we'll get to meet up again when Collin and I travel through Utah this summer.

A pretty bridge along the Riverwalk

Collin loved Lisa...and I think the feeling was mutual ;) This was also Collin's first time in a high chair. 

Collin loved having company in the backseat. 

Sunday the 25th we had a very quick visit (like less than 4 hours) with Michael's best friend/old roommate, Ryan. He had just gotten off a week long cruise and was flying back to Utah via the SA airport. He joined us for Sacrament meeting, had a little time to visit, and then Michael took him to the airport. This visit was way too short, but hopefully he will come back soon! I remembered to snap a picture of they guys, but sadly we didn't get one of him and Collin. Ryan's middle name is Collins, which is how Michael first came up with the name Collin. So naturally we needed a picture of the two Collins together...next time!

Our final visitors for the month were our friends from our summer in St. Louis- The Wheatly's (Josh, Erica, and their little boy Charles). Josh and Michael were both doing internships with cities in the St. Louis area and we all became very good friends. Many of our adventures that summer were done together! We haven't seen them since that summer (2012) so we were really excited to hear they were coming through Texas on their cross country road trip. They arrived Sunday night (25th) and stayed through Wednesday morning. Monday, Memorial Day, was rainy, so our original plans to see some parks and do things outside didn't work out, but it all worked out. After staying up way too late the night before we enjoyed a lazy morning, and then after lunch we headed to Bass Pro Shop for a little indoor entertainment, let Charles get out a little pent up energy and to see the fish and animals they have there. Thankfully by dinner the rain had cleared and we were able to take our picnic dinner to the park. It was great we had the whole park to ourselves, well we did have to share with the mosquitoes :) We enjoyed yummy St Louis style ribs, some of the usual picnic fixin's and this delicious banana pudding (seriously, you have to try it...it's my favorite on the 2nd day).

Visiting the fish at Bass Pro Shop

Playing at the park. Charles loved being spun around by Michael and would get SO dizzy! 

It was past Collin's bedtime and the swings totally relaxed him. I loved the snuggles! 

Thankfully, Tuesday was a fairly clear day so we headed downtown to hit up the Alamo, the historic King William's District, and the less populated stretch of the Riverwalk near there. I love all the historic homes over in that area, one of my favorite places we have discovered downtown. And we ended the day with an exciting game of Ticket to Ride- and for posterity's sake I have to record that I beat Michael by 1 point!! Michael is a pretty competitive game player and I have only beaten him at this game one other time. Needless to say I was feeling pretty proud of myself! Then the next morning they were on the road again. After so much excitement, Collin slept 2 hours in the morning, and 3 hours that afternoon- a sign of a fun filled weekend!

Taking shelter from the rain

Erica, Charles and Collin 

Turns out rainy days are perfect for a shot in front of the Alamo- hardly any tourist to get in your way! 

Feel free to come for a visit, The Hotel Coon is always open! 

Collin's First Tooth

Collins first tooth came through on Cinco de Mayo. It was a very bittersweet moment for me when I discovered it. I was very excited and cheering for him, but I also had tears in my eyes knowing that was the end of his adorable gummy smile. Collin just laughed as I touched his tooth, laughed and cried all at the same time. I am just grateful I was alone so no one had to witness my embarrassing Mommy moment. Michael and I had just been talking the day before that we were going to miss his gummy smile. We could tell that he would probably get a tooth in the near future, I just wasn't prepared for it to be the very next day! 

But as much as I miss his baby smile, I sure think he looks adorable with his little tooth!

Can you spot it?? 

Just 2 weeks later and it's come through lots more! And the one next to it is so close!
Every morning I check to see if it has cut through yet. 

And just for me to remember- teething has been a bit of a struggle, but I wouldn't say it has been terrible. We have had some naps/nights where we have had to give him some Tylenol. But mostly we have just been using teething rings and wet wash cloths for him to gnaw on. Our pediatrician doesn't recommend any numbing stuff since it can numb their throats and be dangerous. We have also had some nights where he has woken up randomly around midnight. But I don't think that was really from teething, but more from us checking on him before going to bed. He did have a week where he was waking up early at like 5:30-6...not sure if that was really teething or just a fluke. Thankfully that week is over! But overall he has been his normal happy, smiley self...with a few bouts of fussiness in there. ;)

Update: His second tooth came through on 5/24 (of course the day after I posted this). He got up from a nap and it wasn't through, and then after a super fussy hour I checked again and there it was! It amazes me how fast it happens! And makes me sad thinking of how much it must hurt :( 

Mother's Day

I had the most wonderful first Mother's Day! (although, Michael and I celebrated Mother's and Father's day before Collin was born) Michael went above and beyond- he really set the bar high for Father's Day. Perhaps that was his strategy all along ;)

I have to start out by saying that Michael did all the menu planning, shopping, cooking and clean-up all on his own! I offered to pick stuff up when I went grocery shopping but he told me not to worry, he had it under control. He went out Saturday afternoon and when he came home he told me I couldn't open the fridge and I was banned from the kitchen while he was cooking. I didn't argue and had fun trying to guess what he was making based on the smells.

I feel like I pretty much ate my way through the day! All but one of the things Michael made was a new recipe, and for the most part they all turned out really tastey. For breakfast he made an arugula and smoked salmon frittata. It turned out great, our only critique is that perhaps the smoked salmon was a little too overpowering in this context. But we will definitely be trying more frittata's in the future! He also made a yummy, frothy mango smoothie. It has a name, but I have forgotten it. Either way it was cool, refreshing, and very delicious. Dinner was such a great surprise and a little walk down memory lane! Michael made St. Louis style ribs with a dry rub- my favorite style of ribs! We both agree that the best ribs we have had were during our summer in St. Louis. We also had an arugula salad and my Grandma's fluffy rolls. And later that night Michael made Strawberry shortcake. And Michael's only mishap of the day- he tried cooking the shortcakes on wax paper instead of parchment. Thankfully I figured out his mistake pretty quickly and the shortcakes were saved! It was sweet, he thought he was being helpful by using up some of the paper in the drawer that we don't use as often, he just didn't know there was a difference between wax and parchment. :)

Breakfast in bed turned into breakfast at the table since Collin wasn't content staying in bed with me for so long.

My mouth is watering just thinking about those ribs. Let's make them again Honey!

I was also spoiled with gifts! Michael brought home a little bouquet of flowers on Saturday. He always tries to get daffodils, since those are my favorite, but they didn't have any so he picked out a yellow bouquet instead. And on Sunday he and Collin gave me a sweet card and a little box with a pretty ring in it. I told Michael that I wanted something a little sentimental to remember this first Mother's Day, and I think he did a really good job! He did say that he tried looking for something with Collin's birthstone, but I guess October isn't the best looking month.

And to top the day off Collin was a great little boy! He let us sleep in until 7! And the whole family got to nap during his morning nap. He was very well behaved during church. And he even took a late afternoon nap when we got home from church, which he rarely does. Plus, he looked extremely adorable in his sailboat romper.

I am so grateful for my happy little boy that has given me the title of Mom! I love his grins, contagious laughter, rolls, slobbery kisses, and cuddles. He brings greater purpose and light into my life! I am so content being a mom, and it brings greater joy and satisfaction than working or going to school ever did. I grateful that Michael works so hard to provide us and so that I can stay home with Collin. I am also grateful for all the women in my family and the wonderful examples they are to me. I was thinking of each one of them over the weekend and the characteristics that I want emulate. I was never really nervous or worried about becoming a mom and I know that that is in part because of the great examples I have had throughout my life. Thank you! And a special thank you to my wonderful mom who has so patiently taught and guided me through life! And thank you to my mother-in-law who raised such a wonderful young man, who is the perfect husband for me, and has become the best daddy to Collin!

 Thank you Michael for making me feel so important and loved! I love you! Now to start planning for Father's Day! ;)

Guerne, TX

San Antonio has a Fiesta celebration every year, we hear its basically an excuse to drink. Events are going on for a couple weeks, but the last Friday of Fiesta can get pretty crazy downtown so Michael got the day off! We decided to escape the crowds and headed about 40 minutes north to explore historic Guerne, TX (which is technically part of New Braunfels now). We went with the Bird's and were all able to squeeze into their mini van for the drive.

Guerne is a little historic town. I always love walking around places like that and walking in and out of the overpriced gift shops ;) Unfortunately, that can be a little tricky with kids and strollers so we only went into a couple, but it was still fun. We also checked out Guerne Hall- the oldest dance hall in Texas. It was such a unique old building and they still have shows there almost every night! Michael and I were thinking it would be fun to go one night...until we saw all the ash trays sitting around. Probably not a very pleasant environment when its crowded, but we loved it when it was empty! Oh, and it was where George Strait performed when he was just getting started with his career!

We ate lunch at the Grist Mill for lunch. Such a cool restaurant! The only way I can think of describing it is it is like you are eating among ruins. We ate outside along the river, and it was still early enough so the weather was perfect. And the food was delicious. If you are in the area I highly suggest you stop by!

We finished off the day with a few hours at the outlets in San Marcos. These outlets are huge- bigger than the Camarillo outlets I'm used to. We barely made a dent in them. But we did find some good finds- clothes for all of us and a very cute Easter basket for Collin (only 4.75 at Pottery Barn!- best find of the day!)

365 Days in Texas

Since I never posted anything about our move to Texas, I thought I would do a little post in honor of being in San Antonio for 1 year. It is really hard to believe that its already been a year! And I am happy to report that this year of living in Texas has been better than I expected. We survived a summer, I loved a snow-free winter, and we enjoyed some perfect, but short-lived, spring days! I really was not looking forward to moving here, and I still don't want to live here forever, but it's a good fit for our family for now.

The morning the guys hit the road in the truck. Becca and I flew the next day. 

We have been fortunate to live in a great ward, and have made lots of great friends! I love going to play groups, girl's nights,and book club. Michael loves his job (despite the long hours) and works with some great people. Collin and I love going downtown and meeting him for lunch and his coworkers love it when the babies come visit :)
We have been able to do some exploring and sight seeing over the last year, and there is still lots that we want to do and see! We have especially loved trying many of the BBQ places. Our favorite so far is the Salt Lick. And I have been pleasantly surprised that there is more to do outdoors in Texas Hill Country than I anticipated.

And despite the distance from our families we have been fortunate to see them multiple times over the last year. And Collin and I are looking forward to our long trip to CA this summer, while Michael is busy working hard to make sure San Antonio stays within budget ;)

My first time in SA, Feb 2013, and the weekend we decided to move here

Same spot October 2013 

All in all Texas has been good to us! Its always interesting to look back over time and see where life takes you. I can honestly say that I never thought it would bring us to Texas!