Ladybugs & Stinkbugs

Our trip took a lot longer than we expected because of some bad weather and traffic, so by the time we got there, it was night. It didn't matter to me, though - I wanted to get to the beach! Since we were starving, we got Pappa Johns, and took it to the beach to eat it! We TRIED to get in the water, but it was coooooold, so we just relaxed and listened to the waves.



Don't know how well you can see, but this is the beach at night!

The next day we got up early and made it to the beach around 9:30am. We didn't leave til almost 5! It was wonderful, and very relaxing, though I did get a little sunburned. It was worth it, though!

The view from "our spot"

My crocheting work in the car


Mobile sky-line

Jeremy & I celebrated our 10th annivesary in Navarre, FL last weekend. We had an amazing time - we got four days of all-grown-up conversation (except, of course, for talking with the kids on the phone, and getting an abundance of text messages from my 8-year-old). It was very relaxing, and, though we were very glad to get home to babies, it was a wonderful, perfect vacation.

Here are some photos of all the places we ate!
(More pictures to come)

Mesquite Charlies:

Saturday morning, we got up relatively early (for a Saturday), and headed out of the hotel. We walked to the football stadium, and got there about 1 1/2 hours early. As we were walking, it was hilarious - all of these people started POURING out of the parking garages on every side of the street - and at least 90% of them had on burnt orange. They were all kinds of people parked with tents set up and BBQ pits, other foods & drinks, and all kinds of stuff.

We got to the ball park, bought some food, and then bought presents for the kids. Then we walked up...and up...and up...seriously - we went up to almost the HIGHEST story - we couldn't have gotten much further up. We could see great, even though we were far away, and it really was awesome. I actually got to SEE the marching band's half-time show (which they NEVER show) on TV, and that was my favorite part. =)

It really was a neat day. Jeremy's phone died, so I only have these two pictures of the actual game:

From our Seats:


It's Me!



It's been a long time since I've just gone (as a grown-up) somewhere just to HAVE FUN. It really was a neat couple of days!


Remember, you can see all the pictures here, and my post from yesterday here.

Jeremy & took a trip this past weekend - a getaway for JUST THE TWO OF US. It was exactly what we needed. It has been exactly ONE YEAR since I have slept all the way through the night (thanks, Jakey), and it was really nice to be able to relax for a couple of days without anyone needing anything from me.

We dropped the kids off at Jeremy's parents at around noon on Friday. I just want to send out a public THANK YOU to Danny & Donna for watching the kids overnight. What a treat! The kids were as happy as larks to stay with Ma and Pa - even Jacob. I'd never left him before overnight, so that was pretty hard. But when we got on the road...and the van was completely quiet...it was a very peaceful, albeit surreal, feeling! (You never truly appreciate quiet until you have four children - and their friends - singing as loudly as possible on the way to church.)

So we got in to Austin at a pretty decent time, checked into the hotel, and then left to find something to eat. We drove about two blocks and realized there would be NOWHERE to park (without paying), so we went BACK to the hotel, dropped the van off, and walked back to 6th St. (aka Party City) to eat. Jeremy treated me to a VERY fancy dinner (best steak I ever had), and then we walked around town for a while. On our way back to the hotel, we passed the Capitol building, and went in. It was awesome!

Jeremy on the hill:



Beautiful view:


From the bottom, looking up at the dome on the inside:


More pictures here

We ended up getting back to the hotel around 10pm, and went to sleep!! (Early night...slept the WHOLE NIGHT LONG...it was a miracle!)

The next day was UT vs. Baylor - more about that later!!!

Week before last we visited Illinois for a week. We were taking my nephew and niece home (they spent about a month with us), and got to visit my sister and see their new house. A couple of moments from that trip:

Dad watched the baby while I took the older ones swimming. Here's what we saw when we got back:


Andrew just LOVED Leanne and Jerry, both. And, of course, "TJ" and Brandon.


Everytime we got finished swimming or playing at the park, the kids wanted snow cones - picking out their favorite flavor was the highlight of the trip!



It was really a joy to be able to visit and take a break for a few days. And then, as soon as we got home, our A/C broke, so we got another "mini-vacation" at Ma's & Pa's house! =) Fun times.