Alexa's First Birthday Month!

Rachel and I like to joke about having a birthday month, as opposed to the usual single day. It usually means the birthday person gets their way for a while. Anyhew, these pics are from when Poppa and Mimi had the idea of having April birthdays celebrated at their house. Poppa cooked up some steaks and Mimi baked a yummy potato casserole. One of the guests even made Alexa a cute little cake for her very own. It was a blast! This was the first adult food she had experienced. She was a little shy at first, but she got going with a little help from Momma. Of course the boys very excited to see Alexa, and she was delighted to see them too! There were definitely a few munchkins running around that felt safe by Poppa's side. Alexa got more toys, which you can never have too many of....yeah right. Actually, given her curiosity, a steady flow of new material is always welcome. The night was a huge success!

Alexa's First Road Trip!

(WARNING: Long Post - sorry)

Yes, Alexa had her first road trip! Well, kind of. We didn't go very far, but it was technically her first trip and we drove, so I guess it was in fact her first road trip. The last weekend in March, Cory, Alexa and I drove to Tyler and visited with my good friend Micheal Lavender and his wonderful family. Micheal and I met at Capital One 3 years ago - well, actually, it was Hibernia back then - and we quickly became friends. When we met, I was a credit analyst and he was just promoted to the commercial banking group. He had to travel to Dallas once a week and train in the credit group, which meant we spent a lot of time together. We have the same sense of humor, so needless to say we barely got any work done because we were laughing so hard every time we saw each other. We had so much fun together! Good times! Micheal no longer works for the bank. He works for a local bank in Tyler and is doing extremely well. I'm so happy for him.

Micheal is married to Erin and they have two wonderful little girls, Campbell (4) and Abbie Claire (2). Cory and I actually visited them two years ago a couple of months after Abbie was born. Then Erin and Micheal came and stayed with us a year later (last March). Micheal actually took my pregnancy pictures, which I absolutely love! Makes the pictures even more special.

This last visit was very eventful for the Lavender family. When we arrived, Erin explained how they recently put their house on the market. They were able to get a really good deal on a new construction house through one of their builder friends, which was contingent upon them selling their house. She was, however, really disappointed in the interest, or lack thereof, in their house. Their neighbor that lives in the house right next door showed some interest but a few days before our visit she told them she wasn't interested anymore. She just sold her house and needed to find a new home quickly and they were hoping she would have wanted their house. Anyway, to make a long story short, Saturday morning their neighbor called and told Micheal she wanted the house! They had the contract signed by late afternoon and were planning the closing on both of the houses by the end of the day. They agreed to be out of their house by Wednesday - yes 4 days later! So crazy how everything can change on a dime.

We visited their new house and it's amazing! Erin was showing us around, and she was like "and this is y'all's room..." So cute. We were the last guests to stay in their old house and we hope to be the first ones to stay in their new house sometime this summer. We like to say we were good luck charms for them.

Anyway, sorry again for the long post... Alexa just loved Campbell and Abbie. Campbell really took to her from the beginning - it was so cute. At dinner on Friday, Alexa and Campbell were already hugging each other and holding hands. It was just so cute! I've never seen Alexa take to anyone that well before. She didn't even try to eat her! I called Campbell the little Mama Bear. She was always helping Alexa - whether it was helping her drink, picking up things for her or trying to teach her how to play with something. I loved it! Abbie, I think, just really liked to observe.

They also just got a new puppy, or horse I should say! Her name is Daisy and she's a Great Dane. She was a little intimidating at first, but she was such a sweet heart! Alexa loved her!

Okay, well I'm about to post some pictures - probably too many but I don't care. We absolutely loved our visit and are so looking forward to future visits and watching our girls grow and interact with each other.

Family picture in from the Lavender's old house...
Beautiful Azaleas!!

Campbell & Alexa

That's no Sophie...

Cutest little munchkins...

Micheal & Abbie (didn't get a picture of Erin, don't know why, but will next time)

Well, I guess Alexa did try to eat her...

Where are are your eyes??

Where is your hair??

Where is your tongue??

Two peas in a pod...

Meal time...

You don't want to try my food?

Mama Campbell...

Saturday night we went to the country club for dinner. Micheal's parents watched Campbell and Abbie for the night while Alexa stayed with us. It had been a long day and we had a late start for dinner, but Alexa did so well! She had a great time - we all did.

Morning play time...

No Daisy, you can't go in there and play. You're just too big!

I don't mind the jail. It's where the toys are...

My new friend...

One last shot before we leave...

I think it's time to go home...

Another Family Day

A couple of weeks ago, Cory, Alexa, my mom and I went on our first house hunting adventure. We really want to move to Richardson, so we are keeping our eye out for the "perfect house". We are soon learning (or should I say "re-learning") that there is no such thing. Needless to say, we are definitely enjoying the experience. I won't bore you with the details, but what made it special was the realization that when we do eventually move, we will be able to spend more time with my aunt and uncle. They live in north Richardson and it was really neat only driving roughly 5 minutes to their house after we were done perusing the market. My aunt Ruthie was so excited when we came to visit and it was really great to see Alexa have so much fun with her. We had such a great time. We were also able to visit with my uncle Jim, whom we haven't seen in quite a long time. I very much look forward to spending more time with them. Here's a pic of Alexa with her great aunt Ruthie.

After we visited with my aunt and uncle, we headed over to Maggiano's for Uncle Ron's birthday. Ron is Cory's step-dad Blaine's brother. For those of you who don't know, Blaine is Alexa's B.B. - short for Blainey Boy. He's waaaay too cool to have a "grandpa" name, so we call him BB. We love getting together with his side of the family. Here's the list of attendees: Grammy and BB, Ron and his wife Lynette, Dave (Ron and BB's other brother) and his wife Tammy and last, but certainly not least, Janet - BB, Ron and Dave's mom. We don't get together very often, but that's going to change. We decided that the next get together is going to be at Ron and Lynette's house for a BBQ and pool party - Alexa can't wait. Here are a few pics...

Tammy, Janet, Ron & Lynette

Dave, Tammy and Janet (& half of Ron)

Alexa making Lynette laugh

Giving Ron sugars!

When the baby starts taking her clothes off, it's time to go home...