Elephants Come to Town

Last week, we went with PatPat and PawPaw to see the elephants and clowns from the Barnum and Bailey Circus.

Waiting for the elephants

Elephant food

Here they are!

Thanks PatPat and PawPaw for letting us know they were coming

and sharing in the experience.

Mane Madness

(No brush or comb was used to create this look.... just good ol' fashioned sleeping)

Jerry World

On Sunday, the Cowboys Stadium hosted an "Open House".

We rushed over after church to go check it out.

Largest HD Screen in the world!








Tom and Henry had to check out the comfy seats.

Henry leading the way

View from the top

(Climbed what felt like a million stairs....Tom carried the stroller... I had Henry and the diaper bag... I think I chose wrong... I almost died.)

I'm told that all these panels can open for an "open-air" feeling.

I'm glad we went... Will probably never be able to afford to go any other time!
The best part of the visit was that there was a golf cart that took us back to our car... I felt very special.

Whew!

This Saturday was a busy one!

Henry and I (Tom had to work) started out by going

to our friend's, Selah's, 3rd Birthday "Par-tea".

I left my camera in the car, so here is the cute invite to her party

hanging on my fridge.

We had a fun time, but we couldn't stay long...

We had to zoom off to Mike's Graduation Party.

He just graduated from SMU with his MBA, and his wife, Kristen, and baby girl, Ava, threw him a celebration party.

I know Kristen is so proud of her husband!
Congrats, Mike!



Rocky and Amy left Brinley home with Grandma = smart parents!
Even though I'm sure they missed their little one, they were able to have a relaxing time.



Henry had a great time swimming, eating, and playing with some new friends.
(Somehow we forgot to take a pic of all the kiddos!)


After Mike's party, we headed home.
Henry began his afternoon nap (we're trying to transition to one nap) in the car.



As soon as Henry woke up (don't worry, I did take him out of the car and he finished his nap in the comfort of his room), we zoomed over to Michael's 1st birthday party.

Henry enjoyed playing dominoes with the birthday boy.


THANK GOODNESS Tom came over as soon as he got off work.
Henry was glad to see his daddy and I was able to take a breather.

Tom and Jordan, high school buds, with their happy sons.

Desarae and Michael

That evening, Walter and Megan, came over to our house to say their "good-byes"

(or as we like to say "see you soons").

We will miss them so much, but we look forward to seeing what God has in store for them as they began their new lives in Charlotte.

(pic from Megan's birthday 2 years ago)

It was a crazy, busy day, but it was so fun spending it with so many wonderful people!

Time with Two Sweet Girls

Last week we had a fun visit with Amy and her sweet little one, Brinely.

Henry loved being around Miss Brinley.

Then on Saturday, Henry and I were off to our friend's, Audrey's, first birthday party.

Here are the Barkers

Audrey had such a great time at her Alice in Wonderland "un-birthday" party.

Audrey got an awesome play kitchen for her birthday. Henry and Thomas had a great time playing with all the accessories.

Megan's Shower

On Saturday, we got to celebrate the pregnancy of my sister-in -law, Megan. (She is married to Tom's brother, Walter)

Their baby, Jackson Barnard Louis, is due the end of October.

It was such a special shower for such a special friend.

We found some bible verses that pertained to being a mom, children, and encouragement, and put them in an album. To start the shower, we had the 2 moms and 2 grandmothers each read a verse to Megan. Then during the shower, guests wrote their own words of encouragement to add to the album.

Decorations


This was my first attempt working with fondant.
And if it hadn't been for Kate (who made me stick my arms (up to my elbows) under the cake with her), it would have been on cardboard, not the fancy platter... there was much stress in doing that.


Cute, cute party favors.

I have to give a shout out to Mary Pat for this great idea.
We printed out cards with Jackson's initials, due date, and a bible verse and inserted them into magnetic frames.
The guests were instructed to take one to put on their refrigerator as a reminder to pray for Megan, Jackson, and Walter.





These flowers were "embellished" with notes from Walter to Megan saying why he thinks she will be a great mom, and then we also put baby pics of Walter into the flowers.







The yummy food



Megan's nieces from both sides of the

family (sans Isabelle, who was not able to make it)

Megan opening the hostess gift... her travel system

Checking out her sweet notes from her husband

The Hostesses

L-R, Alex, Kate, Jennifer, Megan, Michelle, Meredith,

Me, Mary Pat

Our family

We are so excited for Megan and Walter! They are going to be wonderful parents to Baby Jackson!

A Cool Thursday

Earlier this month (like, way earlier- July 9th), Tom and I went to the Dallas Arboretum to celebrate our 6th anniversary (June 28th). The Arboretum has an event called "Cool Thursdays" where people can bring their dinners and enjoy music every Thursday during the summer into the fall.

We stopped off at Eatzi's in Dallas and got some delicious dinner to take with us.

I love me some Billy Joel, and we got to see a Billy Joel "tribute" band.

The happy couple
Thanks Tom for taking me and thanks Kate and Brent for watching Henry!

Wild Weekend!

On Saturday, Henry and I went to Shreveport for a long weekend.

We had many things on our itinerary, but first we stopped by my sister's house to say hello and for Henry to take a nap.

Henry, still in his PJ top, and Madeline, in who knows what, taking a spin around the yard.

Later that day, we went to Thomas' 1st Birthday Party.
Thomas- such a handsome boy!
He had such a ball at his birthday party!

The Blancher Family


There was a "ball" theme.
And what's a ball theme without SnoBalls ?!?
Henry loved them and gave himself a lemon-lime mustache.


Our friends, the Barkers


Henry had a great time jumping in the bounce house.

Looks like Henry and Audrey were on a date.

Maybe one day he'll play....

Going down the slide

All the kiddos

So, don't let these pics of Henry smiling fool you. He was actually a mess at the party (nap at my sister's didn't go so well). After everyone left, I gave him a bath and put him down... and had a relaxing time visiting with Kristen and her family.

The party was a success!

Great job, Kristen and Adam!



On Sunday, we went to church with my sister, her family, and my mom.

That afternoon, Elizabeth's small group came over, and we enjoyed hamburgers, more sno-cones, and more bounce house fun. (no pics)

Sweet little Sarah Grace






Sunday night, Sarah, Leif, and Baby Liam came into town.

(They are moving from DC to Austin)

Precious Little Liam

Monday morning, Henry got to meet his cousin.




Monday night, Sarah, Elizabeth and Chris, and I (with our kiddos) brought dinner over to our grandmother's house.

G-Mom holding Liam and Henry trying to show her his truck.

Madeline likes to be "motherly" to Henry

Elizabeth and Sarah Grace

Newborn cousins- 5 weeks apart- same size

(Liam on left, Sarah Grace on right)

While Liam and Sarah Grace were laying there peacefully, we tried to get a Lagersen cousin picture. Poor Liam- at least you can see his sweet feet!

Attempt #2- Henry kept trying to poke Liam's eyes out.

He needs to get over that by January!

And on Tuesday we headed back home... exhausted!