Tuesday, July 31, 2012

New Orleans, Austin and More









Stella did awesome at her one year check up--no tears except for  a quick second when they stuck her with shots, but who can blame her?!   Our little princess now weighs 17.38 lbs (14.61 percentile), she's 28.8 inches long (36.56 percentile), and her head circumference is 17 inches (10.41 percentile).
So yes, she's our little doll :)  Although I don't quite understand how one who eats like she does can be that tiny!  She is not walking yet, but she is a talking machine!  And she understands everything, I swear!  This little thing is an angel with attitude, and I love it (most of the time :))!  Here she is, as happy as can be, at the doctor's office getting her check up.
















Sam bug did so well too, patiently waiting on his sister....with the help of a lollipop :)


Aww, her very last picture with "the sign".  Look at my big girl!


Since Sara was still visiting from Italy, Mom and I decided to take her to New Orleans and Austin so she could see a couple of different cities.  We made it a girls trip to New Orleans, Mom, Sara, Hedy, and me.  We only stayed one night, but we had such a great time (minus the 12 hours it took to get home the next day, but we won't get into that!).  Of course Hedy (Miss Photographer) had the idea for us to take a picture in front of this door, and it turned out so cool!  Just a random building in the streets of New Orleans...



And who can do New Orleans without a stop (or two) at Cafe Du Monde!  I LOVE this place.




We decided to do a Garden District tour while we were there, and my Mom (or "Red" as our tour guide playfully nicknamed her :) ) somehow ended up sitting next to the driver with a whip in her hand.  Only my mom... :)


At the cemetery


Next stop...Austin!  This trip, we took the kids and hubby with us.  We did downtown Austin for a few hours (the Capitol, 6th street, etc.), but spent the rest of the weekend at Margaret and Sam's house.

The Capitol, so beautiful...


Papaw and Sam bug riding Cheyenne


Sara riding Cheyenne, and Jake following behind





SW's favorite, the cows :)


Our little family :)


Papaw and SW riding on the mule



Todd and Stella (it was hot out, so I took off Stella's PJs so she could cool off...in case you were wondering :) )



My little peanut


Sara had never shot a gun before, so Justin taught her how to use the shotgun and pistol.  She preferred the shotgun, and she was a natural.  She hit more clay pigeons than the guys did!



Papaw and the kiddos


Such a fun month!

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Dallas Aquarium

While Nonna and Sara were in town, we decided to take the kids to the Dallas Aquarium.  It was neat, minus the large crowd of people, and I think Sam really enjoyed it. 




Sweet Sam bug was excited about seeing all the fish, alligators, birds, turtles and everything else!


Scary alligator


Sam and Sara checking out the alligator


Stella eating a snack and making her "I'm so sweet" face.  We know better Stella bella :)


Flying monkey...not sure what it was really called.


Sting ray



And of course, we couldn't skip Nemo! :)


Weirdest looking crab I've ever seen


Looking into the tank...there were lots of fish, sting rays and sharks.


I would definitely take the kids back there, but not during the summer when school is out.  It was a bit too crowded.  Maybe we'll go back in the Spring....

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Stella's 1st Birthday!

My baby girl is one, my how time flies!!  Here she is all dressed and ready for her party!




Our sweet friend, Tony, volunteered to make Stella's birthday cake--and he did an amazing job.  Looked and tasted great!






My cousin, Sara, was here visiting from Italy.  It was so nice having her here, especially for Stella's first birthday.  It was her first time meeting the kids, and they really got attached to her by the time she left :(


Nonno and Sara


Birthday girl having a snack...


Justin and Anthony in the kitchen...not sure what they're up to.


Wish this picture didn't turn out blurry (and wish Stella was looking).  Nonna, me and Stella.



Papaw and Stella bella


Baby girl with her Nonno and Papaw


Sweet family...Alex, Dianna and Mason


Rhett loved this car, so he decided he could grab a snack and eat it while driving :)


Jason and Charlotte :)


Aww, I love this picture of Todd and Sam bug!


April and Sara


Mike with two beautiful girls, Gia and Gianna


Jess and Dustin


Getting ready to light candle and sing happy birthday!


Oh, is everyone singing for me? :)


I think I like all this attention...
Happy Birthday Miss Stella Bella!  You are SO very loved.