August 21, 2012- Crew's 3rd Bday

On Crew's real birthday we celebrated with just our family. I took Crew to lunch at Rain Forest Cafe. He loved the animals and rainstorms- we even got to sit right next to the fish tank. He thought it was great that we could watch "Nemo" while we ate!=) Crew was not too sure what to think about the waiters and waitresses singing Happy Birthday to him, haha!

That night we took Crew to Chuck E Cheeses for a night of Pizza, Games, and Fun. Neither Brett nor I had been there since we were kids (back in the Showbiz Pizza days), so we didn't know what to expect. We were very impressed. Crew LOVED the shows, games, putting the tokens in, crawling in the tunnels and slides, and even getting to "buy" something with all his tickets at the end of the night. We topped off the night with a birthday cookie he picked out! I would say it was a fabulous way to celebrate our favorite 3 year old! Love you Crew!=)

Dino Shaped nuggets at Rain Forest Cafe

 

 



You are singing to ME?

The BIG Elephant!

 

 

Watching the show while we ate our pizza.

Crew liked to watch the stage- he was so entertained!

Look at this cute little hand with his token cups...so cute!

Hugs for Barney!

 

A car ride with Chuck E!

Playing some bball with daddy.

 

How about guitar hero!

 

 

Chuck E Cheese even came out for a visit!

 

Wow, 149 tickets! Lets go shopping!

 

 



And for ALL those tickets he picked out a rubber snake and a can of PlayDoh!

Big 3 year old with his bday smiley face cookie!

And we even got a sketch to remember the fun we had!

Celebrating Crew's #3 Birthday with the Families

Crew is THREE! I can't believe it even though I say it over and over! This is such a fun age (I think I say that at every stage, ha!). But no really, he understands what going on, talks non-stop, has fun with everything, and is just such a joy and blessing in our lives. We love you Crew!

In between all the moving and chaos, he got to enjoy several celebrations. We went to Dallas and celebrated with Grancie and the family for a weekend, then we celebrated with Mimi, Papa, Uncle Jeff, and Uncle John in Katy. We celebrated as a family on his real bday, and had a party with all his friends in Austin (pics to follow). WOW , lots of parties! And in between all that we started potty training. And he made it (finally)- we were able to go to school this year too, ha!

Grancie made this adorable birthday sign.

Happy Birthday to CREW!

 

 Cute and very yummy cake- chocolate- Crew's choice!

Daddy, Crew, and Grancie

Yummy! =)

Aunt Julie reading the bday cards.

 

Thanks Aunt Sandy and Uncle David for the Tractor!

And the see saw too!

 

3D Cars 2 book- awesome!=)

Waterballoon fight!

 

And some waterguns too!

Almost got daddy!

 

 

And while we were in Dallas, I suprised my friend Courtney and attended her baby shower. She is having her second baby boy, and her and I's due dates are exactly one week apart. It was a beautiful shower, and we so much fun celebrating Hunter Neal! So excited for these babies to make their arrival!

 

All the pregnant mommies at the shower lined up by due date.

Valerie came in from San Antonio for the weekend.

So wonderful to see her too!=)

 

 

 

And now onto his celebration in Katy. Crew's new "thing" is wanting to know where everyone works and what they do. Uncle John got home from his internship and Crew got ahold of his Chevron hardhat and tshirt. Then papa gave him a Statoil shirt, and Uncle Jeff couldn't be left out, so he got him a Halliburton shirt too. So- Crew wants to wear one of the shirts EVERY SINGLE DAY. Please keep in mind these are adult shirts, so they go down to the floor and look like a dress on him. I've tried the "they are all dirty and in the wash excuse" , but that doesn't work everyday. So yes, we have gotten some funny as looks as he has to wear the shirts to the store, errands, etc.- certain days its just not worth the fight, ha!=) So this particular day, he was stuck on working at Statoil and did not want to take his shirt off! So we celebrated in the Statoil shirt- all bday long!

 

He got his favorite- Chick Fil A for dinner!

He wanted chocolate cake again, so this is a chocolate ice cream cake.

Crew picked out all the "goodies" he wanted on the top.

Don't you just love 3 year olds!

 

Happy Birthday to YOU!

And now- Mimi's newest addition- the signing birthday hat (thanks Hallmark!)

Checking out his new chair!

And truck- and other fun goodies!

And last but not least- Uncle Jeff called a "meeting" and gave Crew a bday card from Statoil, Halliburton, and Chevron- Priceless!

Crew's First Aggie Scrimage

August started and the Aggies had their first scrimmage at Kyle Field. Brett couldn't stand living so close now and not going to see the action... So, he and Crew took a daddy and son roadtrip to College Station to watch the Aggies get ready to take on the SEC this football season.  Sounded like a long hot day, but they both had a ton of fun! And since Crew isn't much for sitting for long periods of time, they started walking around the stadium. Brett said the gate to go down the field was open so Crew just ran down. They spent the rest of their time standing behind the players watching from ground level! As Brett and Crew kept saying, "It was AWESOME!" Crew was a little worn out to meet the players after, but Brett did get him to pose for a few pics before they hit the road. How did he get him to sit still and smile -look real close and you will see he is holding a bag of m&m's in his little hands- I think some bribery was part of this deal, ha!

At least Tech and A&M are not in the same conference anymore- we don't have as much rivalry going on as usual- ha!=) Def ready for some football (and cooler weather) to start!

 

 

12th Man at Kyle Field

 

 

 

 

 

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!

The only pic we could get of Crew and Preston together.

They loved painting!=)

Crew cooking in the diner!

 

 

 Sweet Beckett turned 1! It was so much fun being able to celebrate his big day!

Jessica did an amazing job on his party with the "little man" theme.

Everything was absolutely over the top and soo cute!

These pics are from the photo booth.

(the birthday boy with his mommy and daddy and sister Ardyn)

 

Mustaches and bow ties- so cute!

 

Pin the bow tie on Beckett.

(and look at Ardyn- her dress was made out of one of her daddy's old button down shirts, so cute)

 

All the guests went home with a "tie" shirt as their party favor.

 

Crew loved the Lion King! It was awesome!

Thanks Mimi and Papa for such a special treat!=)

 

And... construction our new Houston house started to move REALLY fast!