Schwab Trip 2012

Well every year I look forward to the Schwab Conference Cary attends because it is usually the only trip the two of us take alone. Also it is somewhere different each year so we do not even have to decide where to go. This year they held the conference in Chicago. Cary had been there before but I had not so it was a whole new experience for me. We flew out on Saturday and checked into the Hard Rock Hotel which was very close to the Magnificent Mile (aka lots of shopping). Of course, the first thing on our list was to find some authentic deep dish Chicago pizza. We found Giordano's within walking distance from our hotel and it was delicious.

 I am so thankful we cannot get pizza like this in Abilene thought because I would be there everyday. I don't think that would be good for the diet.

 Looking toward the Magnificent Mile from our hotel.

On Sunday afternoon we took a stroll around the Lincoln Park Zoo which has free admission every day. It is a really neat old zoo that is in great condition. It was nice just to walk around and explore the area a little bit.

On Sunday Cary surprised me with tickets to the "I Love Lucy" musical that was being performed. It was so good. We ended up sitting next to the nicest lady from Albuquerque, NM who was adorable. Afterwards we went to a supposedly great Chicago steakhouse. Well it was okay but I definitely think Perini Steakhouse in Abilene serves a better steak and definitely at a better price. I learned from this restaurant that they like to pack a lot of people in a very small area too.

On Monday we headed to the Field Museum. Cary thought it would be a good idea to walk since it did not look too far. Well it ended up being pretty far especially when it was so cold and windy. The museum itself was incredible. There were too many exhibits to even name, which is why we spent almost four hours taking it all in.

At least on our way to the museum we got to take in a lot of sights like the famous "bean".

 On Tuesday we went shopping before Cary had to go to start the Schwab Conference he was actually there for. Since I was missing my friends I had to get a picture of me with the Lego "Friends" statue in the Lego store. We also managed to make it to the American Girl store and Macy's. This was the activity(Shopping) I enjoyed the next few days during the time Cary was in the seminars. The main shopping area was decorated for Christmas while we were there so it was neat to see the daily progress as the transformation took place. I have to say of all the places the cafe at Neimans made this girl very happy at lunch time as a break from the shopping.  During the evenings we went to dinners with different companies who he does business with and luckily over the years they have become friends of mine too. Who can complain about nice restaurants and free meals, right?

After I got my husband back we spent a day at the SHED Aquarium which was amazing! It was so interesting to see so many creatures up close. I cannot wait to take our girls there someday.

A picture Cary took at the observation deck of the Field Museum, I think.

 Our last night in Chicago we went to The Capital Grill which is one of our old favorites from our time in Dallas. The food was much better than the first steakhouse we went to and our waiter even gave us a free appetizer. when we go back they will definitely be seeing us again. Thank you Chicago for a great week! We look forward to coming back again one day.

Girls' Weekend

The first weekend in November I had the privilege of getting out of town with some of my dearest friends. We went to Gruene and managed to get some shopping done in San Marcos too. I would say the trip was a huge success. I had always heard about Gruene but never actually been there. What a fun place! We enjoyed a delicious meal at the Gristmill and even heard some great music outside of Gruene Hall. I cannot wait to go back. We may need to take a trailer to hold all our bargains next time.

 My precious friends...

Lori, Megan, Erin, Me, Kelly, Amy, and Amber

Halloween 2012

Here are my two favorite girls on Halloween this year. Poor Kaylee was recovering from the flu so she got to stay home with me while her sister trick or treated with friends. Do not feel too bad for Kaylee though. I went and bought all her favorite candy and two of her sweet friends brought her by a special treat too. She also enjoyed seeing all the little kids in costumes that came to the door for candy. although it was not the best Halloween it was definitely not the worst either. Happy Belated Halloween everyone!

ACU Homecoming 2012

We were so excited around our house when the weekend of ACU Homecoming came this year because it meant we would get to spend some time with some of our very best friends. They are those friends that when you see them it is like no time has passed at all and you pick right back up where you left off. Our children love each other and are the same ages which makes it nice. It was a wonderful weekend and I cannot wait to do it again very soon. We miss them so much!

 Trinity, Kaylee, Trenton, and Campbell

Mark, Stephanie (aka Honey), Me, and Cary

Corn Maize

 On our way home from the wedding we took a detour through Lubbock and went to a corn maize I had read about online. It was something we do not have in Abilene and looked like a lot of fun. The picture above is of the maize design we actually walked through. I was so thankful for my husband and the way he can read a map that day because we did not make but two wrong turns and were able to correct them without much time wasted. I do not know how someone would begin to come up with these designs in the first place. I figured out very quickly I had the wrong type of shoes on, not to self wear tennis shoes next time.

 Here we are at the end of the maize. Notice Kaylee has her shoes off, again a lesson learned in proper shoes for corn maizes. They were so excited when we finished the maize though.

 I always love a good picture of the girls walking holding hands. This is the image of love I try to remember on the days they are yelling at each other.

 Kaylee and Campbell had a lot of fun putting their heads through the different cut outs.

 Campbell on the barrel train while Kaylee was shooting corn out of a air gun.

 We also got to go on a hayride through a pumpkin patch and actually pick our own pumpkins off the vine. They had white pumpkins, orange pumpkins, gourds, and various other types of pumpkins. It was so much fun. There was also a horse ride, smaller maize, and petting zoo to enjoy.

Our family in the pumpkin patch. What a great day! I am so glad that we stopped and enjoyed some family fun on the way home.

Family Wedding in Brownfield

 Well this past weekend was so much fun! We had the honor of attending and participating in Cary's cousin, Samantha's wedding in Brownfield, TX. It was so great to spend a few days with family and Campbell even got to be a flower girl for the first time ever along with her cousin, Chenna. They had the best time running and playing in those dresses, as well as walking down the aisle perfectly.

 Here is Kaylee before the wedding with her Aunt Rae-Rae who was a bridesmaid. Don't they both look great?

This picture is of me with one of my favorite women, Cary's Grandmother, Betty.

The weekend was filled with lots of love and laughter. It is always so wonderful to go to a wedding and relive the the day we took our vows. Praying Nick and Samantha have a lifetime of joy and love ahead of them. 

Wylie Homecoming 2012

Now that Kaylee is in 5th grade I found out Homecoming takes on a whole new importance in the form of a mum. Of course, I did not know this until the day before so I had to give myself a crash course in mum making. Never having done that before I think I did an okay job. I thought the boys gave the mums but evidently if there is no boyfriend (which I am glad we do not have one yet since we are just in 5th grade) the Mom gets to buy it, make it. Most of Kaylee's friends do not have or want boyfriends so that lead to a lot of crafty Moms. Here is the photo evidence to prove my craftiness.

I love these two girls and the friendship that they have had for several years now.

ACU Football

Now that school has started you will find us at football games on the weekends. One of our good friends is the new head coach at ACU and we are so excited for him and his precious family. Of course, we have several other friends connected with ACU football we are always excited to support too. Here are some of our favorite photos cheering on the Wildcats.

 Campbell with Mallory

 Kelly, Me, and Megan

Kaylee with Anna

Friends are a Blessing

The rest of the summer was filled with a lot of fun times with friends. Our whole family is richly blessed by the friends in our daily life. Moving here was so hard for me 7 years ago but the Lord has revealed many reasons for this path and I trust His way is always the right one. I have seen it revealed in these faces along with many more.

.Love these girls! 

 These too!

 Campbell having fun at the pool.

 Snocones made the list many days this summer. What else are you going to eat when it is 100+ degree.

A little Labor day attire.

First Day of School 2012

I cannot believe it but another school year has begun around our house. I decided to take pictures at Meet the Teacher this year so we would not be rushed on the first day of school and it worked out great! Once again I feel at ease with the teachers the Lord placed with our girls. We continue to be richly blessed at Wylie.

 Campbell with Mrs. C

 Kaylee with Mrs. B

 and another Mrs. B

 Kaylee and Cary at our usual IHop for breakfast on the first day of school...

 I love this family tradition.

 Our big 2nd grader and 5th grader. How did that happen?

A little after school yogurt with friends after the first day. I promise Campbell was there too but somehow she missed the photo op. Both girls reported the first day a success and so did Mom. Praying the year ahead is filled with fun, knowledge, friends, laughter, and many blessings mixed in.

Family Vacation Grapevine Style

The end of July brought a fun time for us, it was finally family vacation time. This was our year to stay lose to home so we went to Grapevine and stayed in the Great Wolf Lodge for a few days. It was so much fun. We kicked off the trip by going to the Rainforest Cafe for lunch then experiencing Legoland. Once we were done with all the activities at Legoland we went to check into our suite at the Lodge and got our first view of the waterpark. Just being at an indoor waterpark and not having to apply sunscreen on everyone was a treat. I had purchased the Paw Pass for the girls and let me just say it was worth every penny and filled with activities for them to participate in. The girls had their own sleeping area in a cabin in the room which was fantastic! They were so tired at the end of the day from the waterpark that they did not even feel like arguing. Bonus!

On Saturday night Campbell and I got some one on one time together. We ate at one of the restaurants in the Lodge, went to story time, and she colored a pillow case at the art zone before heading back to our room to watch the olympics.



















While we were having our fun, Kaylee and Cary were celebrating at the Rangers game. I am not sure who enjoyed the evening more...















On Sunday we packed up and headed over to the Aquarium and Bass Pro Shops before heading back to Abilene. The girls even found a boat they tried to talk their Dad into buying. It was a fun few days and we all look forward to going back sometime soon. I love watching my girls experience new things and the thrill in their eyes. Till next summer I suppose...

Matagorda Fun!!

 Well, the first week of July my parents took the girls for a trip to Matagorda, TX to visit my Uncle Don, Aunt Trudy, and cousin Duncan. Kaylee had been wanting to go fishing with her great uncle who is a professional guide and definitely the best around. If you want to catch some fish and have a great time with a wonderful man look up my uncle, Capt. Don Wood. As you can see in the pictures below, Kaylee could not stop smiling. I am so blessed to have an Uncle who would take the time to teach her how to fish properly and show her how to have fun doing it. She cannot wait to go back next year. I hope that he realized he was starting a tradition for her. Thank you, Uncle Don!

Papa, Kaylee, & Great Uncle Don

 Kaylee with one of her many fish she caught that day.

 Kaylee and Duncan lining up the fish. Kaylee loves spending time with Duncan because he always makes her laugh. I love that.

 Kaylee with two of her fish.

You need not worry, while Kaylee hit the open water, Campbell was getting her beauty sleep before a day of pampering. She got to spend the day with Nana and Aunt Trudy getting a manicure, pedicure, and picking their lunch spot for the day. Aunt Trudy managed to spoil Campbell really well and make her feel special. If you have ever met my precious aunt then you know that she is one of the best around about making someone feel loved and special. Thank you Aunt Trudy for all the fun Campbell had with you. She wants to repeat the whole day again next year too.

After all the fun in Matagorda, my parents found the energy to stop in Brenham and take the girls on a tour of the Blue Bell factory which they both loved! Thank you Papa and Nana for making the week so much fun and giving us parents some time alone.