Dallas: Gone Fishin'

This past weekend we made it up to Dallas to visit friends and family.  We had an awesome weekend... and it's going to take more than one post to document it all.  I'm starting with Braden's first fishing excursion. 

Our hosts for the weekend were the Maywalds, and in their subdivision is a catch and release fishing pond.  I'll let Braden tell you his side of the story...

Locked and loaded... so Dad now what?

Dad told me now we just wait for the fish to bite...

I'm waiting...

Still waiting. This is a long time for me to wait around.  I'm not sure how I feel about...

Oh wait... I think I got something

Dad had to take over, we might have something big!

Whoa!  That is something really, really big!!!  Look at that tension!

Even Dad needs more help pulling it in (but before you try and take my Dad's man card... he was using a kiddie fishing pole, not really equipped for this kind of catch)

It's a Catfish... a really big one!  Um... I'm not sure I like this.

Dad said I'm supposed to touch it... it's my first fish catch after all.  But I don't think I'm ready.

In fact, I know it... I'm not ready.  Get that thing outta here.  Uncle Chad is not letting me get away without getting a picture with my Dad, but I'm ready to make a run for it.

After that whole Catfish debacle, I got a Perch.  More my style... and size.  I'm willing to touch this one. 

Despite my original hesitance I liked it, and I have been since we got home when we get to go fishing again!

Hacked

In case any of you got that crazy email this morning and wanted to check the blog to see if we were in fact traveling overseas... the answer is no.  My email accounts have been hacked, and my facebook disabled.  I'm looking into it... but in the meantime know...
-  We are not in London
-  We were not mugged by gun point
-  We do not need money wired over to pay for our hotel
-  If you have been victim of this scam and have ideas how to make sure I get everything fixed... feel free to share. It's annoying for me... and more so since I know this is quite harassing for all my friends too!
-  We are doing great in Texas and have lots of fun new posts coming your way because we have been busy, busy! 
Happy Wednesday!

Little Readers

Just practicing my new skill of sitting up and reading a book.

Braden has done awesome with Vivian... he adores her and now I can see her being so excited around him too.  When Braden saw Vivian reading he had to join in on the fun.

Hey brother... what do you have?

Here is the funny thing with these two.  Braden wants to be around her, he wants to tell her everything he's doing and show her all kinds of things... Vivian wants whatever he's got.  He always scoots things just out of her reach.  Everything... a book, a toy, a blanket.

Let's try a different position and start over again.  Just the way Braden likes it... he is talking to her and she isn't going after his book. 

Spoke too soon.  She spotted, she attacked. 

 I'm so excited to see what kind of relationship these two little people will have as they grow up.

A Day in the Life...

We keep busy around here. In fact, this past Saturday when we had rain all day it was the first day in a long time that I hadn't left the house. Between the zoo, rodeo, museums, play dates, swim lessons, working out and preschool in our down time we're out enjoying the weather and playing around by visiting different parks we have in the area (have I mentioned we are in total suburbia and we have loads of playgrounds to choose from). Most of the time I really like being out and about, and enjoy time with other moms and crowds of people... but sometimes I really like when the three of us pack up and spend all day at the park. Braden plays, Vivian relaxes in the fresh air, I can read a book or a magazine... it's on these days I have a few moments to be so grateful that Chad provides me the opportunity to be home with our kids and spend days like this with them.

I love this boy

He's becoming such a little man...

He's a happy kid... with loads of energy.

Chubby baby feet peaking out in the sunlight...

And this little lady... that smile... those cheeks!

I knew I could love two kids... but after loving Braden so much I just didn't know how it could ever be the same? Well, it's not exactly. But it's equal. And they both bring there own special something. The most exciting part is we're just getting to know Miss Vivian.

A rare moment that he's not on the move.

A self-portrait with Big B. It is not a lie that when just heading out on a day like today I wear no make-up and my hair is in a ponytail most of the time.

That hat Braden is wearing... it's Chad's. Yeah, I tightened it up a bit for his head... but do you know Chad? He doesn't have a small noggin himself... and his three year old manages to pull it off. Big Brains for Big B. :)

Later on this same day, after Chad got home from work we had a bit of family fun on the trampoline. I think Chad was inspired by my Facebook post the previous week about me doing toe touches...

He could have at least taken off his work shoes... amateur. :)

Braden getting into it...

I cannot tell you how disappointed I was when I looked back at the picture and realized I had cut off his head. But included it anyway... you know to show off his "toe touch" too, and you can tell he's excited!

To be fair... I let Chad take a photo of me. (Although he did not catch me at the height of the toe touch, I was already on my way down). But no time to do it again... it was time for Momma to make some dinner!

Just a day in the life...