Halloween!

This year our sweet Gaby was a sweet little Minnie Mouse for Halloween. I still got to pick her costume this year and I guess I picked right because she was very excited about it! We headed out w/Ellington for a neighborhood party.... Here are the girls getting their faces and hands painted and their hair sprayed. And some trick or treating... Gaby was really excited about trick or treating this year. I think she actually got the concept and realized what she needed to do to get the goods. Waiting in anticipation...I love my best friend!! Can we eat the candy yet??? Luckily, for the girls it's still not about quantity just about getting any candy. So there was no need to get an obscene amount of it. For now, it's still just the joy of game- say the magic words and someone will give you a treat. Ahhh, the beauty of untainted innocence. They were so adorable trick or treating. It makes it so much more fun for us adults :)

The Pumpkin Princess

Gaby and her Daddy made a pumpkin princess in preparation for Halloween!

It was much easier (and way less messy!) than carving a pumpkin.

They did a great job!! Don't you think??

Halloween Craftiness

The other day we went to get our "craft" on at Ellington's house. The girls made some Fall doorknob hangers and decorated Halloween cookies. Each activity held their attention for roughly about.....umm.... 5 min and then they just proceeded to play around the house. Oh well, it's the thought that counts, right??

Sometimes it's more fun to eat the sprinkles than to actually put them on a cookie :)

Aren't I cute??

It was nice while it lasted...

Remember the glow I had from this post??

Well, much to the contrary.....

Today for the first time my sweet little angel said-

"I don't like you!!"

*sigh*

Maybe those "emotion" words aren't all they're cracked up to be.

*double sigh*

SeaWorld 2009- The Sequel

Is is possible to get four families together with six kids under the age of 4 on a roadtrip to SeaWorld with no major complications, meltdowns or injuries?? Yes, it is!! And with everyone having a good time?? Yes, it is!!

This past weekend our friends, the Davis and the Bratchers, came in from Dallas and with the Rileys in tow we did just that and had sooo much fun! The weather was picture perfect and with SeaWorld all decked out for Halloween we spent such a lovely day there. We managed to see all the shows we wanted (dolphins, whales, sea lions) and even were lucky enough to catch an Elmo show and ride a couple rollercoasters. The penguins, alligators and horses did not disappoint either.

I'm not sure if you remember that when we went to SeaWorld last spring our little Gaby was a little under the weather. So needless to say, she wasn't too excited about the whole thing. But this time...she LOVED it! She had so much fun taking it all in and running around with her pals.

All in all, it was a such a great way to spend a Saturday with our good friends and their cutie kiddos. I'm already looking forward to getting my season pass for next year :)

Unsolicited

I got my very first unsolicited "I love you, Mommy." yesterday.

Can you see me smiling from ear to ear??

I was amazed at how fantastic that made me feel !!!
Like I haven't been doing all of this for nothing.

Of course, it's not like she never says it.
But it's usually after I've said it first.

This was totally different.

We were just hanging around and I gave her a smooch on the cheek and she just said it.

Life is sweet. And my little Gaby Rose is even sweeter :)

Lulu's Photoshop Skills :)

Tummmble!!

Gig Em, Aggies!

Our good friends, The Rileys, invited us to the A&M game yesterday. Gaby & Tripp! I was so excited to go back to my old stomping grounds. I haven't been back to College Station since 1998. And we got to see the game in style in our own private suite!! Elizabeth gave Gaby a really cool tattoo! Gaby was not too happy about the score! We went out in the stadium to see the famous Fighting Texas Aggie Marching Band... Gaby's friend, Victoria, was there too!! Best ride out of Kyle Field! We even got to hang out w/Uncle Steven, for a little bit! We had a fantastic time watching the Aggies, even though they lost. You can never match the energy and enthusiasm at an Aggie game! Thank you so much, Rileys!!

Scenes from ACL 2009

Gaby's Mini Vaca

Our sweetie is back! And it sounds like she had a great time! Everytime we talked w/ her, she seemed happy and content. (She's actually becoming a great phone talker!) Mimi & Papa loved having Gaby over for a visit and can't wait to do it again. Although, they are a little tired :) Here are the pictures Mimi sent:
With Mia on their stopover in Houston...

Doing puzzles w/Papa...

Breakfast w/her new pumpkin......

Byron and I were both so ready to have our baby back. We missed her so very much!! It's really not the same here w/out our sweet Gaby Rose.

We miss you, cutie!!!

ACL- Here we come!!

I'm sure you've been wondering where I've been? We've had a busy couple weeks. Last week, Gaby and I made a trekk to Houston so I could attend a very thrilling dental CE course. Conscious Sedation- woohoo!! After that we came back home and Mimi came for a visit. We spent three busy and fun days with Mimi here in Austin. Wed afternoon Mimi & Gaby packed up the car and headed to Orange for a little one-on-one Gaby time.

That means Byron and I have been left to our own devices to enjoy the Austin City Limits Music Festival, which is this weekend. We are pretty excited about our mini "stay-cation". Gaby being gone is very weird (and quiet). This is the first time she's left us to do her own thing. It's interesting to only have to worry about ourselves. So far it sounds like she's having a blast and hasn't asked for us. That makes me very proud of her. What a big girl! Byron and I are really looking forward to running around listening to music this weekend and pretending that we are twenty-something again. Thanks, Mimi!!

Glamorous!!

Gaby's Aunt Pauline in St. Louis sent her some fun, pink dress up accessories including the very awesome feather hair clip. Thanks, Pauly!!

Can you tell our little glamour girl looooves to dress up?!?!

Houston Trip

We went to Houston this past weekend. I had a mini reunion w/my some of my high school girlfriends (Great time, girls!) and Byron was on call, so Gaby and I headed to H-town. We had the chance to see Carlos is action. He had a football game and even though we know nothing about the sport we went to watch anyway :). He did really great! He's a defensive linesman something or other for The Packers.

Suddenly he's all grown up and not so much a little kid anymore!?! When did that happen?? Gaby loved watching the game and kept wanting us to point him out.

Tia Chela- #1 Team Mom

Carlos in action...

Gooooooo, Packers!!!

Proud Pita!

Good game!!

On Sunday, Aunt Candie and Uncle Steven had to go to the Texans game for a work thing so Gaby and I were lucky enough to hang out w/ little Mia for the day. That was so much fun!! Those two together are hilarious! They just do their own thing, don't really need much help from anyone and seem to have a blast together. I would just sit back and listen to their conversations and giggle about how simply adorable they are. Even though they don't get together as often as we'd like they start back right where they left off.

A little reading...

CUTIES!!!!

Cocono.

Gaby's first made up word. It's not english and it's not spanish.

What does it mean? We haven't the slightest clue.

But let me tell you, it makes me laugh so much when she says it!

One time, Byron and Gaby were playing around, Gaby suddenly stopped and in a stern voice said "Cocono, Daddy!"
And then Byron said, "I would laugh, but somehow I think that was an insult."

That made me laugh even more :)