SeaWorld 2010

Michelle is an avid scuba diver and ocean lover. So during her visit to Austin, she really wanted to make a trip to SeaWorld to visit Shamu and friends. We were more than happy to oblige since we hadn't made it to SeaWorld yet this year. The kids were super excited to go too, since they hadn't been in many, many years. So after a breakfast taco run (Torchy's Tacos-yummmy!!!) , we headed to San Antonio and enjoyed SeaWorld in the fall where the crowds are minimal and the weather is fantastic!

We got to feed the dolphins this time!!!

So Suzy (in the turquoise t-shirt) thought it would be a cool idea to stand front and center in the "Splash Zone" to see if she would get wet. She learned very quickly that it should be renamed the "Drenched Zone"- hahahaha!!!! That was too hilarious!!! Pretty cool shot, huh? Just a little dark though.... We all had alot of fun!! Thanks for the great idea, Michelle :)

"Aunt" Michelle & HBBC

Gaby's "Aunt" Michelle and husband, Craig, came to visit from St. Louis this past weekend. We haven't seen them since their wedding last April so we were very excited to have them come to Austin. In order to be able to run around without worrying about Gaby all weekend we enlisted the help of "Houston's Best Babysitting Crew"- AKA Lulu, Carlos and Suzy :)
We got to go out Friday night with some friends, hung around and watched football Saturday night and had a great weekend eating out and enjoying the wonderful weather we are having right now.

Byron & Gaby's Orange Tree

Most of ya'll probably don't know this, but Byron likes gardening. He has a pretty good green thumb and enjoys taking care of his plants. He has had a couple of lime trees that do very well on our little deck and last spring he decided to try out an orange tree. So he planted it and he and Gaby have cared for it all spring and summer as we have watched 5 oranges grow from the tiniest little buds. Gaby has helped her dad all along with the watering of the little tree and has always been anticipating the day they would get to pick the oranges. Well.....this week the time finally came. The oranges were ripe!!! There was much excitement as they harvested the crop :) My proud little farmers ;-)

BTW, the oranges are super tasty!!

Halloween 2010

We had such fun Halloween! Byron was on call so Gaby and I were on our own during the day. We headed to Howl-oween at Central Market. It was a fun outdoor festival where we got to have a nice lunch and enjoy the amazing weather we had. Being dog friendly we decided to take our sweet little Rosko for an adventure. Isn't he the cutest little bee?? Gaby had a blast in the bounce house... And did some cool crafts... Later in the day the three of us went to Gaby's ballet friend's, Hampton's, house for a pre-party before trick or treating. They were both Snow White... Gaby and pals- Reese, Elle and Ellington. Ready to get some candy... Trick-or-Treat!!! Eeeeek!!! A scary spider!!!! Gaby had a great time this year and really got the hang of trick or treating. Good times! :)

A Halloween Masterpiece

Sammy's House Costume Ball

For the past several months I have been involved with the fundraising committee for a local non-profit called, Sammy's House. Sammy's House is a day care for developmentally challenged and/or medically fragile children. A place like this is very hard to find for families that need extra special care for their little ones and who absolutely need to be able to work to pay off mountains of medical bills.

When I heard back in January that they needed a good team to put together a successful fundraiser I jumped in whole-heartedly not really knowing what I was getting myself into. Turns out putting together a charity ball with a silent and live auction (which is what I was in charge of) is a whole bunch of work! Pediatric Cardiology of Austin (Byron and his partners) became the presenting sponsors for this event and Byron and I invited our closest friends to join us for a fun night and a good cause. The party was such a success and we raised more than double the amount of money that they usually raise! There were definite learning pains, but I am so happy we did well and am super confident the following years will be better and better.

Byron was Ricky Bobby from Talledega Nights and I was The Tooth Fairy (Dorky? Yes. But it's the best I could come up with!)

Thanks to our awesome friends who helped us have a great night!!!

The Sanchez', The Rileys', The Rodriguez', The Dallas' and The Marascios' (not pictured)

Pumpkin Patch 2010

Today, we made our annual trekk to Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls to check out the pumpkin patch. Now, I think we usually go later in the season but this was really the only free weekend we could squeeze it in and we learned a very important lesson today. That lesson is that if you hit the pumpkin patch before Halloween you will be there with about 2000 other people. It was crazy packed!! We usually go out there for a quiet, peaceful little family outing and, of course, fun photo op but today it felt like utter chaos and translated to loooooong lines for every. little. thing.

We still enjoyed ourselves and took some cute pictures, but we certainly did not dawdle around or feel peaceful when we left. Lesson learned. Anyhoo, enjoy the pics....

Sweet Snow White :)

We had Gaby's tooth fixed just in time for some Halloween costume pictures. Since we are in the throws of being a 3 yr old, you can imagine there was only one way to go for a Halloween costume this year...........a Disney princess, of course! What a lovely Snow White :)

All Better!!

Today, we went to my office to see if Miss Gaby would cooperate to fix her tooth. And would you believe it? She was a total angel!! She did AMAZING while I bonded her tooth. I think she understood that this HAD to be done and she was so anxious to get her tooth fixed that she sat perfectly still and let me do my thing. Headphones and Dora on TV didn't hurt either ;-)

Back to normal!!

I am so very proud of my sweet girl and you can tell she is also very proud of herself.

Way to go, kiddo :) !!!

A Dentist's Worst Nightmare...

My beautiful, sweet daughter fell down today and chipped one of her front teeth. That's such a bummer. Poor thing was pretty traumatized when it happened. I think I've always impressed on her how careful you have to be with your front teeth that she pretty much thought it was the end of the world. I had to reassure her that "Mom is a tooth doctor and will fix it for her". Except that a couple of months ago when I took her in for her first visit, she would barely let me take an xray, much less clean her teeth. So we'll see how it goes tomorrow. Hopefully, she will be a tough cookie and let me do what I have to do. I'll keep ya posted. And of course, I had to take pictures of this very important moment in her young life... That's one sad little girl :(

BFFs :)

Gaby & Ellie fooling around!

Kiddie Acres

Gaby's friend, Maddie, had her 4th birthday party at Kiddie Acres a little while ago. We've been invited there before but have never been able to make it until this time. It's this cute little amusement park for the 7 and under crowd. It's pretty basic and a little rundown but a total blast for the kiddos. Gaby had such a good time riding all the rides. There was even a pony! It was alot of fun :)