Stay-cation #1

Well, having a baby certainly has it perks, perks like getting so much time off from work that we don't know what to do with it all! Because we had Kinley, Matt's job gives him 2 weeks of paternity time off AS WELL as his usual 2 weeks vacation. Matt only took one week off when Kins was born and then my mom came out for the 2nd week. So we have used his second week of paternity time for some extra long weekends. Our first one we've used was this past Friday, Monday and Tuesday. Our original plan was to go away to the coast or something, but after we bought our plane tickets home for Thanksgiving, we decided to do something a little more low key. So we had a staycation!

Friday started off with a date with just Matt and I. We usually still have date night every week, but lately we've had a plus one with Kinley. Some of our friends were so kind and watched her for us so we could have some time alone. We went our for Sushi (YUM!!!!) and then walked around Hobby Lobby to look for frames and get ideas for some upcoming projects. It wasn't anything super elaborate, but it was exactly what I needed. Time with my wonderful husband just talking and laughing and not having to worry about diapers or nursing.

Saturday wasn't really too much fun, we did some things around the house and started a little fall cleaning. I don't think Matt feels the same way, but I love clearing things out and making space. I have vowed since I moved out on my own that I will never be a pack rat, too much clutter makes me tense and somewhat claustrophobic. I think I drive Matt crazy when I feel the need to purge some things and I'll admit sometimes it's hard to make myself do it, but I love the feeling afterward!

On Monday we slept in (as much as you can with a 4 month old) and Matt got a little studying in and in the afternoon we headed to Fort Worth to the Botanical Gardens. Matt was able to go when his family was out here for Kinley's baby blessing, but I was not able to go, so we took a family trip. I'll be honest, I thought it was going to be boring at first, but I really enjoyed it, aside from it being muggy. It was so beautiful seeing all the different trees and flowers and Kinley was such a trooper, we got some great pictures of her!





Tuesday we took off for Granbury. Granbury is a little town with a lot of character. We stopped for lunch when we got there at a little place called the Firehouse Cafe. It wasn't bad, but Matt quickly noticed that we were the youngest people in there by a good 30 years! I liked the atmosphere though, it seemed like all the customers were regulars and their servers were happy to see them. Matt and I joked that we had better high tail it out of there before the "people who usually sit in our booth" show up. ha! Granbury has a little town square with lots of fun and funky shops AND my favorite part is that the town sits right on a lake. Some years ago the city decided to import sand from South Padre Island and made a little beach! The water was low, but I loved having my toes in the sand again and walking down to the water!  The water was extra refreshing on my feet because the sand was SO HOT!! We had a blast with Kinley, as well, putting her little feet in the water. We think she enjoyed it... we know she didn't hate it so that is a win in our book. After that we decided to head home. Kinley napped the whole way which equaled happy parents.

Our staycation was just what we needed a little time together with some mini getaways. Kinley was awesome the whole time! I love that, for the most part, we can take her wherever we want and she is happy to be along for the ride. We love our little roadtrip partner! We have another "staycation" coming up in October, so I am working out the plans for that one! =)

Until next time!

at the Botanical Gardens

We saw lots of turtles

she was always camera shy when I held her!

she loved the aquarium!

trying some cornbread

not quite sure

4 Months

Dear Kinley,

Four months have come and gone! Last month was a big one! You went on your first big vacation! You flew on a plane a total of four times, you took a couple road trips, went on a boat and met lots of new family members and some of mommy and daddy's friends, and you were such a trooper through it all! You also started sleeping through the night, which mommy and daddy are quite thankful for. This month we have also moved you out of our room into your own room! You've only slept there for one night, but you did great! It's so fun to see you in the room that mommy put so much thought and effort into. I can't wait to see what it looks like with the crib in there, which we are getting for you in a week! Other than that things are same old same old. You are still mastering rolling over. You don't like to do it in front of Mom, but you have no problems for Dad. You are getting more comfortable with tummy time and have started grabbing for things. I think you are starting to teethe, but I never can tell. Dad and I are starting to make you laugh more often, and people always comment on how much you smile! You are going to be one happy girl, I know it. You have so many friends and people that adore you, I probably say that all the time, but it is true. You are still a little one, but I have a feeling you will always be petite, you get it from your mom's side, don't worry. We are still in 3 month clothes. The 3-6 range is still quite big, but hopefully soon you'll grow into them. Don't worry though, you have PLENTY of clothes, Mom and Dad definitely did not get a shortage there. Mommy can't get you into everything we have for you before you grow out of them! Hopefully you'll enjoy it now, I can't say that your wardrobe will always be that extensive! Oh my little Kinley, my love for you grows every day! You have turned your mother into an even bigger softy then she already was. You have been such a blessing to your dad's and I's lives and you will always continue to be. We love you so dearly. We can't wait to see what you have in store for us next month!

Love, Mom

Summer Vacation

We are back from our fantastic vacation in Utah and now just trying to return to normalcy. We had an amazing time seeing our friends and family. The week went by way too fast for both Matt and I's taste. Here is a quick recap of what we did!

We flew into Salt Lake City Saturday night. Kinley did awesome on the plane ride. She took little cat naps here and there and when she was awake she was smiling and looking around at all the new sites. When we arrived in Salt Lake the airline we flew left our bag in Phoenix, where our layover was, and said they would expedite it to Matt's parents house late that evening or early Sunday morning. Kind of a drag seeing as how it had EVERYTHING (besides our electronics) in it. Our clothes, tooth brushes, pajamas, everything! We did survive, however, and it did come early Sunday morning as promised.

After church on Sunday we rounded up our things and took off to Flaming Gorge for two days. It was beautiful! The water was gorgeous and flat, perfect for skiing. and the mountains surrounding all the water were breathtaking. I wish I could have gotten more pictures, but I was on baby duty for most of the time on the boat. I didn't mind though, and it will be all the more reason for us to go back so I can capture the amazing scenery.

Wednesday came and Matt, Kinley and I took off for a quick trip into Provo to see one of Matt's friends from high school. It was so great to catch up with Zack and Chelsey over lunch, and I really liked where his wife chose for us to eat. It's a restaurant called Guru's. It has a little bit of everything there. If you are in the area, I recommend it. It was also our nephew, Sawyer's, first birthday party! My sister-in-law did amazing at the decorations, cute and simple. It was a baseball theme with hotdogs and cupcakes. It was perfect and Sawyer seemed pleased. =) I can't believe a year has gone by since that little guy was born! We love you to death Sawyer!

Thursday, we woke up early and headed off to Logan, where both Matt and I went to school. I don't know what it is, but every time I come out of the canyon and look down into Cache Valley, my heart just smiles, I love that view. It never gets old to me. Before we got into the valley we stopped in Brigham City to see my great aunt and uncle. I wanted to see them so badly and meet Kinley. I'm so glad I got the chance to visit with them. We had a quick lunch with one of my favorite friends, Amber, and then I had a dentist appointment. I know what you are thinking, "who has a dentist appointment while they are on vacation?" THIS GIRL! Also, my dentist in Logan was also my old boss and for a girl without dental insurance, his prices are so much better than in Texas. So I got my cavity taken care of (which Matt thought was all in my head, by the way ;-) ) and then we walked around USU's campus for a bit. It felt so good to be back to where we started. Kinley loved it! At one point we stopped and set a blanket out on Old Main Hill and just relaxed for a bit. Kinley was laughing and smiling the whole time. I told Matt it was a sign that she already loved the campus and would be going there when she is old enough. Let the parent/alumni pressuring begin! After that we met up with some of Matt's old roommates and another of my favorite friends, Ashlee, for dinner at good 'ol Angie's. You can't go wrong with a diner like Angie's. Everything is great and it was so cute to see the two single guys take to Kinley and Layla (Kraig and Bridgette's baby) so quickly. They will make great fathers one day I am sure! We couldn't leave Logan without having Aggie Ice Cream, so that was the last item on our Logan agenda. It was fun to drive around our old stomping grounds and see how much as changed. We miss Logan dearly. It will always have a special place in our hearts and we love the people we have been privileged to meet there over the years.

Friday, I wanted to keep as kind of a low key day since Kinley spent so much time in the car the day before and the whole trip itself was busy busy busy! We drove into Salt Lake to see my dear dear friend Kelli, and her son that I have been so excited to meet! It was so nice and relaxing to just sit and visit and watch her little boy play and interact with us. And to watch Kelli with him was a special treat. I hope I can be as good a mom as her! Seeing them both was such a special treat and made our trip complete. That night we had a family party at Matt's aunt and uncles house. Their oldest son got married the week before and they were having an open house on Saturday. Matt and I felt terrible that we weren't able to make it (by oh, just  a few hours...) Our flight back to Texas left Saturday afternoon! We tried so hard to change it, but it would have cost an arm and a leg to do so and Matt and I don't have any extras at the moment... so Matt's aunt put together a little family get together so that we would be able to see the happy couple and they could meet Kinley before we left. =)

Our vacation was wonderful! It was so great to get away. So many new memories made. Matt and I talked a lot about the time we spent in Utah before we moved to Texas. We both have very fond memories of Logan, both when we were single and married. Logan and Utah, in general, will always have a soft spot in our hearts. It's where a lot of BOTH of our families are, where we went to school, where we made some amazing friendships, where we met each other and where we got married. There were a few time during that week that I told Matt that I wanted to move back and he just replied with his sweet knowing smile. He puts up with so much of me. Ha!

 I had a bit of a breakthrough though... It wasn't until Saturday morning and our flight back to Texas that I really came to terms with the fact that we are where we are, and we are suppose to be here right now. Even though Texas isn't my favorite place, this is where we are suppose to be. I can accept that now and hopefully our families, (especially mine) can accept it too. Again, we had so much fun, and we can't wait for our next trip... Thanksgiving in Caliornia!!


Let the pictures begin! =)

Kinley in her lifejacket. How can you not smile at this picture?

we saw some wildlife!

Sarah on the wakeboard! She was a champ!

My husband so impressive

ready to jump..

I couldn't get a good shot of him in the air. but he's awesome!

David under the cover

She did so great on the boat

Hey mom!

sister-in-laws/lake hair! lol

Sawyer and David on the tube

Kinley was thinking of trying the tube...

She was kind of groggy... so she didn't totally love it.

She warmed up to it!

Sawyer in his almost birthday suit.

Kinley meeting Great Grandma Glenn

Birthday boy

Happy birthday Sawyer!

Great Grandpa Glenn

pajama buddies!

Kelli, Luke and Kinley

Best friends and their babes

Saywer and Kinley on Grandpa's plane

"these pilots just get younger and younger."

"My head is kind of heavy guys!"

Vacation Yays and Woes

We are about to embark on our first vacation with a little one! Needless to say... I'm kind of intimidated, no... VERY intimidated. Once the realization set in that our trip is coming up in less than 2 weeks, I've been thinking about anything and everything for this trip. What to pack, what to leave behind, what baby will and won't need, if I'm going to eat my in-laws out of house and home, (I'm nursing and I snack... a lot) if I should buy my own snacks, should I bring diapers or buy diapers there, to bring the pump or not bring the pump, if this trip is going be amazing or if we're going to traumatize our daughter forever, you know, just little things...

In all seriousness though, we are thrilled to be taking this vacation. We haven't been back to Utah since the move to Texas. There are a lot of things we miss about good 'ol 45. Our families, first and foremost. Our dear friends we met in our college days, the MOUNTAINS, drier climate, fry sauce... you get the idea. ;-) Our trip will begin with camping and some much needed BOATING for Matt and I in Flaming Gorge. After a few days we'll head back to the in-laws and celebrate our nephew's 1ST BIRTHDAY and continue to visit with friends and family. Matt and I are also making a little getaway up to Logan for a day, where we went to school and fell in love (insert sappy "awws" here please). This is going to be a pretty jam packed trip. I hope our little Kins will survive! I, for one am really excited! I've never been to Flaming Gorge, but from the pictures and other peoples accounts, it looks and sounds amazing! I can't wait to share all the pictures and details!

Heber City, Utah

Logan, Utah

**If anyone wants to share any advice on what and what not to pack, or things to do in Flaming Gorge, if you've ever been, please leave a comment! Any extra tips would be greatly appreciated for this first time traveling mom. =)