We are alive.

Contrary to all major media outlets, we are not dead, m.i.a., or abducted by aliens.  As you probably know, we sold our house.  It was a really quick and painless process and our buyer wanted to move quickly so as of 10/26, we are no longer homeowners.  We are leasing it back for a month, but have to be completely out by 11/26.  Do the math - we are under the gun for sure!!  Needless to say, we've been up to our eyeballs searching for our next housing option.  We looked at 49 houses.  Travis was such a trooper, and we have such an amazing realtor that we love like family that wags Travis around and prayed with us before our searches.  After looking at that many houses, we have ultimately decided to build in central Arlington which means we will move into an apartment for the next 6-7 months and then hopefully into our new house late next Spring.  We are super excited about the end result, but a little nervous about the process and adapting to apartment life.  We know that it will all be great, and we are so blessed to be able to take this leap!!

Here are a few pictures from this weekend!!

This cooler weather = socks!  So cute.

T enjoyed playing in Lovey's Jello Frankensteins, but eating them, not so much.

Pineapple - yummo!

A little "bare" back riding with Dada and his blankie.

Helping Lovey pack the china cabinets.  Such a great helper.

Travis trying out his new squeaker shoes...  He's got this walking business down.

Xoxo,
Gara



Go Rangers Go!

My aggies stink.  My red raiders are no good.  My cowboys are the worst yet.  Thanks goodness I have my rangers.

Xoxo,
Travis

10-10-10

On 10-10-10, Adriana (and her girls) officially joined our family.  It was a lovely and sweet ceremony at the Flamingo hotel in Las Vegas.  We are so glad that we were there to share in their special day, but so glad to get home too!  Especially since also on 10-10-10, Travis took 6 steps between Pepper and Grandpa, and we missed it!!  I've seen him take 9 in a row now so watch out world!

Welcome to the family, Nana, Hope, Samantha, and the rest of your fam!!

Xoxo,
Gara

I'm 13 Months Old!!

Sorry this is a little late, but I've been so busy learning and exploring that I just haven't had time to crawl up in mommy's lap and type.  Plus, I sort of like to just bang the keyboard now so she has lots of editing to do.  :)

I'm wearing 12-18 month clothes, size 3 diapers, and still wearing my size 4 Huggies nighttime diapers at night.  In my crib, I have my blue blankie, two lovies, two babies, one glow worm, and one seahorse.  What can I say, I'm a sensitive dude.  I really love soft blankets.  I like to throw myself down on them and just rub my whole face and body on it.  It is actually very cute!  Lovey taught me to love on my baby, and I can hold him up by my face, sway, and say "oh-oh-oh."  It is a super precious party trick if I do say so myself.

 

I could live off grilled cheese, quesadillas, fruit, and graham crackers.  Occasionally mama sneaks in some veggies or ravioli (see awesome pics below), but for someone who couldn't eat dairy for a whole year, I sure am making up for lost time.  I'm totally on whole milk, and I love it.  I love ice cream, banana milk shakes, and did I say, ice cream!!  Mama is trying to teach me the sign for more, but I've already decided that pointing and grunting gets me the same result.  Speaking of pointing, I point to everything .... lights, fans, vents, fans, handles, fans, etc.

 

Mama has been working on letting me feed myself with a spoon.  I hardly make any mess.  I really like it when she puts my yogurt in the freezer ... sort of reminds me of ICE CREAM!

 

At Kohl's the other day, I talked Grandpa into buying me a big green Grinch.  I can go get him when you ask where Grinch is, and I sometimes put him on my lion to go for a ride.  I really like to put stuff in and take stuff out these days.  I like to put all my grilled cheese bites in the cup holder on my tray and then pull them out one at a time.  I like to load and unload my tub animals into the trash can in the bathroom.  I like to hold two of my farm animals (that Aunt Sonnet got me for my bday) when I'm trying to walk with my lion.  This makes things difficult so now I can just load them in my backpack and off we go!  I'm pretty good at identifying duck, monkey, and cow and occasionally, sheep or pig.  I like to play with the phone and have recently figured out that it goes up by my head.  I pick it up and just start talking.  Sometimes dada is on the other end.  So weird!!

Mama and Dada are in Vegas for Nana and Papaw's wedding so I've got Lovey, Pop, Grandpa, Uncle Mickey, and Pepper all to myself.  :)

 

Hoping mama and dada win big in Vegas,

Travis

It's My Birthday!!!

I've always been one to celebrate my entire birthday month, and this year (being the big 3-0) was no different.  On Thursday night, I had drinks and dinner with about 14 of my best girl friends.  I don't think I've ever had a time in my life where I've been more surrounded by awesome women that I love and that love me.  God has so blessed me in this area!!  I've got lots of mommy friends, friends that are about to be mommies, married friends and friends that are awesome and single.  I love having all of these life phases together at one time!  It's fun to remember when and to dream and to offer advice and seek advice all at the same time!!

These are cake balls from Joyous Creations.  This was my first cake ball experience and let me tell you, I have been missing out!!  Joyce & Krista make some delectable treats and these do not disappoint.  I seriously recommend getting at least 3 or 4 per person and at least a dozen for the birthday boy/girl.  Just sayin.  :)

We took this pic after Rachel & Amanda left so I'm just dropping in their attorney headshots for fun.  Yep, I ventured into some commerical work!  Love you girls!!

On Saturday, we celebrated with a family luncheon at Olen Jack's Grille. Yum Yum!  Travis loved the concrete statues outside!

Can I get a TOUCHDOWN???

Why yes I do have four teeth now - thanks for noticing... :)

A super special thank you to everyone who sent me e-mails, facebok messages, called, or helped me celebrate my birthday weekend!  Love you all.  If you were not able to party with me so far, we still have lots of time left in October!  :)

Xoxo,

Gara

Travis's First Trip to the State Fair

We started off my birthday week festivities with a family trip to the State Fair of Texas.  Grandpa, Uncle Mickey, Pepper, Brandon, Travis and I all went together.  Nana and Papaw joined us after lunch, and we even got to visit with Uncle Blake and Aunt Kimmie.  We started off at the petting zoo.  We were all big fans, and I'm pretty sure I'd like to start my own herd of Pygmy Goats.

Up next was lunch!

Corn dogs for everyone!

Travis licked it clean (well, maybe not, but he did like chewing on the stick).

Our family doesn't go the fair for the rides, the carnies, etc.  We go for the food.  We started off with the Fried Frito Pie (missed a pic of it).  Pretty yummy.  We then had the Fried Margarita.  Weird weird weird.  Imagine a funnel cake with a margarita poured over it and topped with whipped cream.  We ate it, but we weren't looking for another.

We spent most of our time in the A/C.  Here we had a Fried Club Salad.  Probably the surprise hit of the day.  Yummy!!  Too busy eating it to take a  picture of it I suppose.

We had the Fried Chocolate for our mid-meal dessert.  This was a candy bar stuffed in a brownie and then battered in chocolate cake batter and then, you guessed it, fried!!  Actually, quite tasty!!  We finished up our fun day of food with Ruth's Tamales and Jack's Fries.  An excellent combo!

Ready for more fun!!  Can't you tell???  :)

Nana is a trooper!

Aww, the beautiful family shot that you get when a stranger asks if you'd like to be in the picture and of course you say yes knowing that the picture will likely not be frame-worthy.  Just adds to the experience.

Travis enjoying a little playtime in Uncle Blake's facial hair.

Admiring Kimmie's necklace.

My sweet little family!!!

Xoxo,

Gara