The Carsons: July 2012

July started out with a 4th of July celebration at Grancie's. Brett had a little time off before he started his new job, so we spent a few days out at the "Ridge" in Dallas. Crew couldn't get enough of riding on the tractor, the golf cart, fishing with his dad, and just hanging out with everyone. It was so great to spend time with family and enjoy the holiday! We also made a trip to Dallas Aquarium, what a neat place! My cousin Mike and his wife Whitney, welcomed a sweet baby girl- Kennedy Gracyn. We drove to Plano for the day and got to meet her too- what a treat! =)

Crew's favorite- a ride on Grancie's tractor!

And Bella likes to follow them the whole ride!

Fishing in the pond with daddy and Bella.

Brett waiting for the fish to bite...

Adorable 4th of July table. Good job Grancie! =)

So cute and festive!

I have to thank Pinterest for this inspiration-

the chocolate dipped strawberries actually turned out cute (and tasted yummy too)!

A ride on the golf cart with daddy and Aunt Julie!

Aunt Sandy and Grancie

Such a good picture- Uncle David and Aunt Sandy

Crew and Aunt Julie

Grancie, Uncle Jim, Grandma, Brett, Me,

Crew, Uncle David and Aunt Sandy

(thanks Aunt Julie for taking the pic...sorry)

Happy 4th of July!

God Bless America!

Cheese!

Silly Crew- he was all done with pictures, ha!

Kisses from Gigi!

Aunt Sandy showed Crew how the top went down on her convertible.

Crew has not stopped talking about "Aunt Sandy's Black Racecar" since then!

We hear about EVERYday, ha!

Grancie found some of Brett's old toys and Crew LOVED them!

Trip to the Dallas Aquarium.

Look at all the fish!

And check out this big shark!

Whitney and adorable Kennedy Gracyn!

The next weekend I traveled back to Austin for a girls weekend. Me and three of my good friends and sorority sisters from college had planned a girls trip a few months back. The best part of the whole weekend was just getting to catch up with everyone and enjoy some relaxing girl time! We stayed at Barton Creek Resort, went shopping, got pedicures, ate lots of good food, and stayed up late talking... Pure bliss! What a wonderful blessing it is to have such amazing friends.

Love you Ashley, Courtney, and Valerie!

Beautiful Barton Creek

Pedicure time!

All ready for dinner!

Me, Ashley, Courtney, and Valerie.

Courtney and I's duedates are exactly one week apart.

(although I am 3 times bigger than her- ha!)

Hunter Neal is due Oct 11 and Cambrie Grace is due Oct 18.

Valerie and Ashley

Beautiful view from our dinner at Steiner Ranch Steakhouse.

(oh how I miss Austin already....)

The girls at Steiner Ranch Steakhouse.

** I had to add in this picture- this was from our last girls weekend trip in 2008**

We only wish Lindsay could have been here to celebrate this year with us too.

We kept talking about how important it is to cherish the friendships you have.
Lindsay, we were blessed to have a friend like you and miss you everyday.

Once we got back to Houston we enjoyed an outing with Preston and Amy at the Children's Museum, celebrated Beckett's 1st birthday, and took Crew to his first musical- The Lion King. To top it all off, we decided to build a new house- so, we spent time selecting all the finishes and getting things organized. It was a spec house, but when we found it the only thing done was the foundation, so we got to pick out everything except for exterior brick and stone. But- since this is our 3rd house to build, I would say we are pretty much pros, so don't mess with the Carsons, ha!=) No really, this better be the last one for a LONG time!