New baby, old friends, future blessings.

A little over a week ago, we made a trip to Sabetha, KS to meet my newest nephew. So very precious, so very loved, and so very protected by proud big brother.  I just love my brother and his sweet wife, and really love their kids.  Emma was pretty smitten, too.

Last weekend we made a trip to Bartlesville, OK where we met with our dearest friends, Burnadette and Alex, at Brett's parents house.  It's a perfect meeting spot with their drive from Houston, our drive from KC, and helping hands and a swimming pool.  We are so blessed to have such amazing friends.  We were able to meet their baby, Liam, for the first time.  Such a sweetie!

While we were there, we made a trip to the Kiddie Park.  The sweetest small amusement park for kids, ever.  Emma is such a big girl with no fear.  Her little sentences are just precious.  Like, "you ok mommy?" as she touches my cheek.  Or, "Be right back".  I'm glad we got to spoil her with some kiddie fun time.

That's my daredevil in the red cage on top!

My mom also came to visit us at the Gordon's!  Emma thought having both grandma's at once was pretty special ;). 

We came back home Sunday, and then Tuesday I took Em back to Sabetha to help Gina with the kids as she recovered at home.  The kids helped me shop, new momma got to nap, and I loved getting special snuggle time with Colin while everyone slept!

Emma is finally back onto a normal schedule after all of her spoiling and traveling.  This morning we enjoyed a little zoo visit with sweet friends Brooke, Mason, and Crosby while the weather was nice.  The kangaroos stepped a little closer today.

I'm finally beginning to feel energetic again.  This is such a special time for our little family and I'm so grateful that my sweet husband kept encouraging me through everything yucky to prepare my body for more babies. I love getting to watch this belly grow!

Another July blog... late.

I'm not really sure where July went, but I know that we have had fun...

We made a trip to my momma's house a few weeks ago to spend time with them and my grandpa.  The trip was so much more comfortable with the minivan.  For Dallas, at least.  We moved all of the luggage to the captain seats so he could ride in luxury with the back row down.  I guess we kind of thought he deserved it after so many trips upright in a bucket seat.

Emma was able to go to Lego Land with our sweet friend's, the Tiemann's.  They watch her the couple of days I work and they love her like their own.  I'm so grateful that we have such wonderful people who share adventure with her, and pictures with me ;).

My sweet childhood friend, Lindsay, was in town for a day a couple of weeks ago.  Her boys are around Emma's age, so they always have a great time together.  We took them to a restaurant that serves vegetarian, because apparently this baby in my belly has a heart for PETA.  No meat, please.  Our kids took the place by storm... there was water everywhere, crayons all over the place, screaming, and even a little puke incident.  We really know how to make ourselves comfortable.  The rest of the day was spent at Crown Center for the Curious George exhibit, then a nice cookout at our place so the kids could really cut loose.

The rest of the weekend was spent as a family at the farmer's market and at the sweetest little train park.  Retired engineers volunteer to operate the old zoo trains that now run on a new set of rails through a little tunnel and then pass by crossings and lights.  At $0.25 a ride, Emma got to get her train fix with three trips around. All aboard!

Here are a few extra sweet pictures ;)

Big bang.

Or bam.  Or high shrill screams of a mama who wanted to come unglued on someone who sped through a yield sign, and into the side of our car.  That is how our 4th of July began. Luckily, everyone was okay.  Well, except the car.  We had a good run little, Acura.  Emma was a little shook up, but was quickly back to her old self running around the legs of dad while he talked to the police officer. While the damage to the outside was great, we were able to drive off of the scene.  First words as we drove away from our unfortunate incident... "Well, I guess it's time for that minivan", almost in unison.

The rest of our day was great.  We played outside, then headed over to our dear friends house with about four other families of friends for a pretty amazing fireworks display and barbeque.  Emma loved playing with the snap dragons with the bigger girls and following their lead. She talks so well, but caught us all off guard with her, "Drayleigh, watch this!".  Into the evening, my little runner took refuge into my lap for two hours straight.  I don't think I recall her ever sitting still that long.  I kind of loved it :).  She forced her eyes open until the last of the pretty lights died down offering the same enthusiastic ooh and aah and wow.

Over the weekend my brother and his sweet wife came to town to visit.  They helped to keep an eye on Emma while we picked out our new minivan.  We love that they are close enough to visit, but far enough away that we get to keep them overnight ;).  Emma and James had a great time together!  They even snuck into the pool early in the morning with pajamas on.

Brett and I got to go on a date to our favorite patio restaurant last week after our friends kidnapped Emma for an evening of water sprinkler fun.  Besides that, we are just taking things easy and making our frequent stops to the water park to stay cooled off!

 

Have a great week!