Hiking Trips March 27 & 28

The weather has been nice for the most part. Since Josh doesn't have classes on Fridays we ventured out and went to Robert Treman State Park. Unfortunately by the time we got there we only had time to do a diaper change! At least we got to enjoy the beautiful view and be outdoors:) Yes, the diaper change required a wardrobe change as well:)

The next day was even warmer. We planned better this time and went to Buttermilk Falls State Park and did the 3/4 mile Rim Hike. I'm definitely out of shape! The hike had my heart pumping (it was pretty uphill, but still!) Lilly Anna was definitely the youngest and cutest hiker on the trail! She turned a few heads and put smiles on everyone's faces! We're so looking forward to this summer. We want to take advantage of living in such a beautiful place that we've made a pact to hike at least every other day. We'll see! With all the state parks and hiking trails just minutes from our house, we'd be crazy not to!

5 Months!

Lilly Anna turned 5 months old on March 21st. I know it's a cliche, but time really does fly! It seems like yesterday she just sat in the Boppy seat and slept all day. Now she's so much fun - she grabs at everything (just ask the teenage girl in the ice cream line the other day - she had her ponytail pulled by Lilly Anna! Oops!) She giggles like crazy, smiles constantly and squeals! Oh, it's the best! Her latest trick is rolling over from her back to her tummy. She's finally perfected it and is now comfortable sleeping on her stomach. She's pretty much sitting up on her own. We love her so much and look forward to all the next month brings!

Family Fun in Fort Worth (March 19 - 22)

Josh and I are so thankful our families are only 45 minutes apart! We headed west to Fort Worth to visit my family. On Thursday my brother Brad, his wife Ashley and almost 2 year old son Drew came over to my grandmother's house before we went to dinner at Mi Cocina!Friday was another gorgeous day so we ventured out and did a quick tour of TCU's campus. You would not believe all the new buildings and facilities! It's a different campus since I left 8 years ago!
Josh and I went on a date that night to Prima's, one of our old favorite restaurants, while my mom watched LA for us. We had a great time and even had dessert at a fun restaurant because my mom was able to put LA back to sleep after she woke up! Great job, mom (a.k.a. Grammy)Saturday was a fun day. Josh played golf with his buddies while LA and I went shopping with my mom. That afternoon we met my dad and stepmother for coffee. That evening we had a delicious lasagna dinner with my grandmother at my mom's house.Sunday was a very special day. Lilly Anna was dedicated at the church where I grew up and was dedicated 30 years ago! Over twenty family members and friends came to share the day with us. A beautiful handmade blanket was given in honor of Lilly Anna by the church's Prayer Shawl Ministry. It was the first blanket given to a child. What a special gift!

The celebration continued at Joe T's. The day was absolutely perfect! What fun!

Fun Times in Dallas (March 16 - 18)

We had several fun filled days in Dallas. Monday, March 16 consisted of a playdate with Josh's sister and our niece and nephew. Our niece Halle is 2 1/2 years old and ADORES Lilly Anna! It's so sweet to see Halle be so gentle with her. LA loves her big cousin, too! Cason just turned 1 and is a handful! He's a real Momma's boy! He's also very sweet just like his big sister.
Tuesday, March 17 was the most gorgeous day! My two friends named Emily and their children (Travis - 1, twins Kate and Jack- 2 months) and a few other moms and kids met at the park for a playdate. Our family doubled the size of the group - Heather, Halle, Cason, Grandmommy, Josh, and his cousin Lauren also went. We had the best time! We brought a picnic lunch and chased the babies around. What fun! LA did a mid-playdate wardrobe change because we were worried she would get too much sun...

We then met my friend Meredith and her 21 month old son Peyton at the neighborhood playground after LA's afternoon nap.

Then Josh and I had a fun date night with our friends - Mary Marshall & Ryan Martinez, Megan & Travis Stein, Meredith & Marshall Yates and Emily & Reid Wakefield at Hattie's. Grandmommy (Josh's mom) did an excellent job watching Lilly Anna! Thank you so much for watching her so we could catch up with our dear friends!!

Wednesday, March 18 was also beautiful. Our dear old friends Kassie and Justin (a.k.a. Wattie) Watson drove from Texarkana to see us and meet Lilly Anna. They have two precious boys - Carter 5 and Cole 3. We went back to the same park and watched the boys play. Wattie and Josh were college roommates and played football together at Austin College. He and Kassie are two of the nicest people on earth! They also have the most amazing Texas accents (next to their son Carter!)

My friend Tina stopped by for a quick visit and cuddle time with LA!
Then Thursday we left for a few nights in Fort Worth. On the way we stopped by to see our friends Ryan and Mary Marshall. They both work for Southwest Airlines so we stopped by their office. LA got a picture with them and Herb, the founder of SWA.Here are a couple of fun pics of LA with her Grandmommy and Granddaddy!

Congrats, Mrs. Pitman!

My best friend Courtney got married this past weekend in San Antonio. I was honored to serve as her Matron of Honor. Josh, Lilly Anna and I flew in to DFW late Thursday night and spent the night at his parent's house. We got up the next morning and drove down to San Antonio with my mom and grandmother (it was supposed to be a 4 hour drive, but it ended up taking us 6 1/2 hours!) We stayed at the Sheraton Gunter which was wonderful! It's a 100 year old historic hotel with nice large rooms. The wedding was in the same block as the hotel and the reception was at the Gunter. My mom and grandmother kept Lilly Anna Friday night while Josh and I attended the rehearsal dinner at Pat O'Brien's. Poor Lilly Anna was so exhausted! Luckily she stayed asleep while we were gone. The wedding was beautiful - Courtney was the most gorgeous bride! Jimmy and Courtney were so happy. They are definitely a match made in heaven! I proudly showed Lilly Anna off at the reception - look at how cute she was in her dress!

I (heart) NY

We went to the city to go neighborhood shopping. Our friends let us stay in their Upper West Side apartment which was so incredibly nice! My cousins Anna and Laura, who live in the city, came up to see us. Anna got to help us give Lilly Anna her bath. After Lilly Anna went to bed we ordered take-out from a great little Italian restaurant named Celeste! It was delicious and cheap! We enjoyed fine wine and great conversation. The trip was great because we now know the areas in which we would like to live. We're going to concentrate in the Upper West Side (UWS) and certain parts of Park Slope, Brooklyn! We'll see. Can't believe we're going to live in the BIG city! We'll make space for visitors!

Aunt Anna and bathing beauty Lilly Anna














Lilly Anna having fun with Aunt Laura














Dirty diaper change in the car! Fun!














This breastfed baby definitely STINKS!



















Having a ball strolling the streets of NYC















We're going to have to buy LA a pet fish from the neighborhood pet store