Beach Fun!

Mike headed to Colorado June 10-18 with the youth group for their summer trip.  That's a long time to be away from Daddy so we decided to head out for some fun of our own.  We went down to Angleton to visit my family and got to go to the beach.  Even better, Aunt Kristi & Uncle Casey, and Uncle Thomas came down to join the fun too.  Noah had a blast and I was thankful to have some extra hands to help entertain him for a while. 



Roarrrr!

One of the perks of teaching at UT is that I get a real summer again!  So Noah and I have been doing lots of random stuff to keep us busy--story time at the library, swim lessons and playing in the pool, play dates, and lots of craft time.  Here's his latest creation.  Roar!!



It's been really great for me to have time off this summer.  Just as I started to get more tired and uncomfortable toward the last months of pregnancy I got a built in break!  I'm still busy preparing for my fall classes (so that I can enjoy time with the baby once she comes rather than cram to get ready for the fall) and am picking up a little part time work here and there, but for the most part I've been able to relax and have extra fun with Noah.  And catch up on all the things around the house that would otherwise never get done.   We prayed about the timing of this pregnancy and I'm so thankful that God had it all under control--His perfect timing!

Easter

 We had 3 Easter Egg hunts this year.  Whew!

First one was at Point of Grace's Spring Festival.  It was fun to have friends Ava and Elle join us this year.  Noah raked in the eggs (and candy) at the PoG hunt. 

The Smiths hosted another egg hunt on the Saturday before Easter in their backyard for some of the neighborhood friends.  This time it was decided to fill the eggs with little toys, stickers, etc rather than candy since the kids would be getting (or had already gotten in Noah's case) so much candy already.  This confused poor Noah.  He barely picked up any eggs because he kept picking them up and then putting them back down when he discovered they didn't have any candy in them.  Oh well.  He still had fun once he got over the lack of candy (he gets that from the Whites!).



He had another one on Easter Sunday at home (though I didn't take any pictures) and dyed eggs that day too.  It was great to have Mike's family worship with us at Point of Grace on Easter morning and then come over for some excellent Rudy's BBQ for lunch after church.  Once we all took a long nap, Noah had his final egg hunt of the season.  

Spring Time

In April we went to a wedding in Kyle.  The reception site was beautiful.  Out in the country with ponds and bridges and just lots of open area to explore.  Since we hadn't taken bluebonnet pictures with Noah yet, we found the one tiny patch that was left and took advantage of it.  And had some fun just snapping some family shots too.  Such handsome boys!!



Memphis

Mike and I were able to get away over spring break for a much needed trip, just the two of us.  We traveled to Memphis (chosen becuase it was still a somewhat reasonable driving distance, somewhere neither of us had been before, and somewhere not likely to be crowded with lots of other spring breakers).  We tried multiple BBQ places, toured Beale street and listened to some live music, did some sightseeing including a riverboat tour of the Mississippi, the Civil Rights museum (also the hotel where MLK Jr. was assasinated) and the Peabody hotel with the famous ducks.

While all of this was extremely fun, I think the best part was just being together--being able to talk with no interuptions, not being on any kind of schedule-free to eat whenever and sleep as late as we wanted.  It was a great time and just what we needed.  A huge thank you to my parents who made this possible by taking care of Noah for the week while we were gone!!


Beale Street

 Yummy Ribs!

 Civil Rights Museum

 View of the city from the Mississippi

Giant Ball

Noah got a giant inflatable ball for his birthday from Aunt Dayna, Uncle Brian, and the cousins.  When I say giant I mean seriously giant.  As in bigger than Noah.  It's made so little kids can get in it and be rolled around.  He loves it.  I think Mike does too.