Family Reunion and Wedding in Lakeland

 Two weekends ago Stephen and I traveled to Lakeland, FL to attend his cousin Ricky's wedding.  The weekend had a little special meaning, though, since it was the first time (ever) that all 12 of Stephen's first cousins were under the same roof.  Family from FL, TX, HI and Honduras came in town for the event, and we had so much fun catching up and goofing around.  Since we all stayed at the same hotel, there was never a dull moment.

The rehearsal dinner night we got gussied up and celebrated the beautiful couple.  We had to take a few family pics, too!

Before attending the rehearsal dinner, the guys were on the prowl for a late night spot to go to afterwards.  We quickly learned that we had one option...the brass tap.  After looking at their website, we realized they boasted having an extensive draft beer menu.  With 12 potential drinkers, they devised a plan for all of the cousins that could attend to head there afterwards, and try and drink one of every beer on tap they offered.  Lofty goal, but one that the group was willing to tackle.

I'm happy to report that all 62 beers on tap were consumed.

The boys went and played golf that morning, headaches and all, and the girls lounged around and shopped.  We met up for lunch and then relaxed in preparation for the wedding.  Their wedding and reception were beautiful, and everyone had a great time!

The "plus 1" picture

All 12 with Grandma

After the wedding, we headed back to the hotel to hang out.  And when I say hang out, I mean take over the lobby at 1am:

So much fun!  Even the bride and groom popped in...poor guys :)

The next day we headed home to our little guy.  It was nice to have a break, but also so nice to snuggle him again.  Until the next reunion...

Knox-isms...from the mouths of toddlers!

We just returned from a little family reunion for a cousins wedding in Florida, and we left the nugget home with Gigi and Papi.  We always miss him when he's not around, but we seemed to really miss him this time.  I think it's the age...he's hilarious.  Not necessarily meaning to be, he just is.  

My friend Mollie posted a while back some things her daughter Claire had said...so I copied.  I keep a running note in my phone, and when he makes a funny comment I jot it down.  Here are some of the recent things that have come out of his mouth:  

Knox: "I feel like Santa."
Me: "Why?"
Knox:  "Because I got sweaty from my food."

Me:  "Knox, stop kicking mommy's seat."
Knox: "No, I'm just exercising." (And then continued to count to 20 reps kicking my seat)

(He couldn't find daddy on the tennis courts, but was still clapping while looking)
Knox: "I'm just cheering for the other mans. Two more!!"

Knox:  (First day of 100 degree weather)  "It's so hot. It's making my eyeballs hurt."

Me: "Knox, do you want toast with jelly for breakfast?" 
Knox:  "No.  Can I just have the jelly?"

With Gigi this weekend (she documents, too)--
Gigi: "Knox I need to run home and get my phone."
Knox: "I have my fast shoes on, I can run."
Gigi: "Oh, I mean I need to go home and get my phone"
Knox: "oh, can I stay in the car?"
Gigi: "I guess. I am just going to get my phone."
Knox: "can I look for stuff?"
Gigi: "what?"
Knox:  "Can I look for stuff in your car?"
Gigi:  "look for stuff?  No."
Knox: "oh!  My Mom says no, too!"

Knox: "Watch this GiGi!  You will laugh!"
GiGi: "I can't. I'm driving."
Knox: "OK, you can just laugh!"

After tripping:
Knox, to me:  "I hurt here, here, here, here and here (pointing all over). You can just go ahead and kiss my whole body."

Knox: (while looking at me in glasses and work out clothes):  "Mommy, you should probably go get dressed."
Me:  "Oh yea, you don't like the way I look?"
Knox:  "Well, you can't go to HEB's (he pluralizes it) like that.  And you look prettier when you have real clothes on."

Knox: (in a public restroom, the lady next to us passed gas)  "Mommy, I think she needs to try to poop, too.  Will she get a toy if she goes poo poo?"

He definitely keeps us on our toes, and we haven't ever had more fun than with him!

Fourth of July 2013

My parents neighborhood has a 4th of July parade every year, including a city Firetruck.  I could probably end this post here, knowing that you all will understand what this meant for Knox:  Mind Blown.

The truck arrived 45 minutes or so earlier than the parade time, so we were able to walk down and catch a peek.

The hose adapter.  It was really heavy, but he managed with a few grunts for emphasis

Daddy let him drive

 

Sitting in the backseat, all buckled in and ready for an adventure

Standing on the front bumper

Wearing Lt. Campbell's helmet

Once the parade was ready for take off, we went back to the house to get a front row seat.

Watching the parade, and waiting on the Firetruck

The only family shot of the day :( 

Once the parade was over, Knox requested a second visit to the Firetruck.  Thankfully, Gigi and Papi obliged.  He came home with a Tiger's Blood sno-cone, so the trip was worth something, right?

We spent the rest of the day soaking up the rays by the pool and eating some yummy BBQ with the family.  A good Rangers win was icing on the cake!

Hope each of you enjoyed your 4th!

House Update...and Official Closing Date

Things here in Austin are plugging along...Knox has adapted so well to "living on the fly" and has really impressed us with how well he does with change.  We're still living with my parents which has been such a blessing, and we're constantly visiting the new house to see what they are working on day-to-day. 

It's a blessing and a curse, being so close to the new house.  In some aspects, it's so cool to see how things take shape and to watch the house near completion.  It's also a curse to see days go by with nothing noticeable happening, or worse to see when things break or feeling as though they've been careless with some aspects of the build.  We're so excited for our house, don't get me wrong, but I think for as Type-A as I am, the builder would prefer if I were out of town :)

I thought I'd give you a picture update of the changes taking shape...mainly cabinets, granite and tile!  Next comes wood floors, carpet in bedrooms and landscaping!  Can't wait...we're officially closing Aug. 7th.  

Cabinets ready for install

And fully installed...

Our cast stone fireplace

Knox's shower tile (without grout--and needing a SERIOUS clean out!)

Granite!!!

Bathroom granite

Backsplash (without grout)

Master shower (without grout)

Exterior Lighting

Now, we're just waiting for inspections, the rest of the flooring and clean up!  We're getting closer :)

And I thought I'd end the post with a few recent pictures of the fam...

Crossing the street with Sully...safety first!

 

Recently at a "fancy" restaurant

 

Family hugs...

And gritted teeth fierce hugs...is there any other way?

Comparisons

We went to Houston this past weekend to celebrate Mimi's birthday (post on that soon), and while we were there we looked through some baby pics of Stephen.  When we would ask Knox who was in the picture, he would say "Me!"

Then, when we got home my Great Aunt Arjorie had sent some pictures of us kids when we were little...which prompted a comparison collage:

There are days I think he's my twin, and then I see pictures of Stephen as a kid and think they are twins.  I guess either way, he's lucky, right?  Ha!

Lately...

We're in a constant "vacation" state, both figuratively and literally.  Since we moved to Austin, we've semi-moved in to my parents, but it still feels like we're just staying for a little while.  And then when we leave town, we really feel out of sorts.  What's home?  Can we handle packing another suitcase?

We're blessed, and we know it...but the blog has been lacking.  Now I get to play catch up!!

Two weekends ago my brother, Jeremy, competed in the CrossFit Regionals competition.  It's a really big deal, and he did amazing! Since it was in San Antonio, we decided to make a weekend of it and take Knox. We'll probably not take him next year (ha!), but we had a great time and took advantage of all that San Antonio has to offer...meaning we ate a lot, took a boat tour and almost got caught in flash flooding.  No big deal.

Parenting Award--9:45pm, McFlurry and a boat ride!

It worked out well!

Knox loved the cafe in the hotel...living the life!

We got home on Sunday evening, and Monday was Memorial Day.  I'm so mad I don't have any pictures...but all 10 adults and 8 grandkids were swimming away from 9:30am-7pm (well, Knox stayed in the hot tub until past 8).  Awesome time with the family, and made us appreciate all the cousins being so close!

We stayed in Austin last week, then hit the road again on Friday morning to visit my sweet Nani in Tulsa.  She has recently moved out of her home and into an Alzheimer's facility, and my dad needed to head up there to close out some things.  Since Stephen hadn't ever been to their place in Owasso, I wanted to tag along.  I'm so glad we went, but Friday night was a terrible evening for OK.  The tornadoes were in full force all over OKC, and were threatening to hit Tulsa as well.  Thankfully, we made it out safely...but let's just say I was a little nervous.  We passed the time playing cards and drinking our courage!

See that radar?  Terrifying!

All terror aside, the next morning we headed over to their old place and were able to snag a few of their old things and keepsakes, and also visit with all of the neighbors (that happen to be family as well!).  Jason, my cousin, and his wife and baby bought Nani and Papa's house, so it will stay in the family.  Isn't that awesome!!  Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of me suffocating their newest addition, Raylan.  Three week old babies might be the most addicting thing ever!!

 The best part of the weekend, though, was loving on Nani!  Alzheimer's is a nasty, nasty disease, and it's heartbreaking to see someone you love having to go through it.  But there are bright spots, too.  We walked in while she was eating, and we said hi but let her finish.

Once she was done, she came over to us and sat down.  We chat for a minute, and then dad asked her if she knew who he was.  She nodded, and said "Michael William."  I know how much it meant to my dad that she remember him, and it made the whole visit worth it.  We noticed she had some soreness in her legs, so we walked to her room and I gave her a pseudo-pedicure while she sad in a reclined chair.  She was so appreciative, and let me know how good it felt numerous times.  She didn't recognize me right away, instead thinking I was my cousin, but later it clicked with her.  I showed her the picture of our family, and she smiled and commented on how beautiful Knox's eyes were.  Not sure why, but that's what did it and I was a mess. After finishing her pedicure, she just sat and relaxed.  Dad went over to her to chat, and she paused, staring intently into his eyes.  Then she delicately caressed his face and said "You're precious."  Again, I lost it...but captured the moment:

  I think this picture will go down as one of my favorite pictures...I just love the moment shared between the two of them.

It was an emotional visit, but I'm so thankful we were able to love on her and visit as long as we did.  She really is such an important part of all of our lives, and it was nice to see her well-taken care of and in a great facility.

We rounded out the trip seeing one of my college besties, Lacie, for breakfast.  She is a news anchor in Tulsa, so she had quite the busy weekend covering all the mayhem.  It's always nice to catch up, especially with those with whom you don't really ever "skip a beat."

While we were in Tulsa, Knox was having a blast in Katy with Mimi and Papa.  They had a packed weekend, involving a Dinosaur exhibit, his first dip in the ocean, a shopping center grand opening, frozen yogurt, parks, swimming in the backyard, playing with daddy's old Lego's and cars, and of course snuggles and movies.  I'm exhausted just typing that, so I'm sure Mimi and Papa are recovering!

So, there's your recap...but I feel like it wouldn't be right without giving you an update on the home!  We now have texture!!