Splashing Around

We visited a splash pad for the first time with Gabi. Even though she was totally shivering 10 minutes into it, she LOVED it for the whole first 10 minutes and braved the cold water like a champ! (You may also notice more pictures with Daddy than Mommy. Daddy may have braved the cold water like a champ too while Mommy preferred the photographer's job...)

D.C. Weekend

Aunt Sharon and Uncle Dennis chose to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary with a 2nd wedding and vow renewal which gave me and Gabi a great excuse to visit family in D.C. We didn't capture too many pictures from the weekend, but we had a wonderful time seeing a great-grandmother, grandparents, an aunt, great-uncles and great-aunts, cousins (both big and small), and even a great-great uncle and aunt!

lounging around with Gigi

Thank you to cousin Mark for capturing and sharing the following pictures from our afternoon get-together!

Gabi, Mommy, and cousin Mark

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Grover, the dog, was quite friendly!

Gabi shares a puppy snuggle with Aunt Sharon.

hanging out with cousin Zack

manipulating another victim into handing over a cell phone

Looking through picture albums with Uncle Dennis and Zayde.

For your pleasure:

Erica's Birthday Weekend

Erica came down to Austin for a fun-filled Girls' Weekend to celebrate her THIRTIETH Birthday!!! Her mom and sister joined us also, and we had a great time. Happy Birthday, Erica!!!

Seeing as though much of the weekend revolved around delicious food, we started it out right by baking a couple of Erica's favorites, which she doesn't get anywhere else but from my kitchen.

Erica was SO excited to be back in Texas, seeing a huge plant of cacti right across the street from our house.

On Friday night, Jon takes Gabi so I can enjoy a night out on the town with the big girls. We head to downtown Austin to enjoy Sandra Bullock's restaurant and then to a roof-top bar to enjoy Austin's Friday night people watching.

Me and the Birthday Girl

Clearly one of our better angles...

We were also celebrating Erica's sister, Whitney who had a birthday earlier in the month. Happy Birthday, ladies!!!

Me, Erica, mom Michelle aka "Mimi", and sister Whitney

Obviously, something was HILARIOUS!

At super yummy brunch the next morning:


On Saturday night, the family goes to a lovely Mexican restaurant and then the girls head to a neat venue with live funky music to listen to.

Don't worry, that's a faux-rita for me!

Are you noticing a weekend theme? Super yummy Austin food! We head to Gourdough's Donuts for the most delish and unique (and not-so healthy) donuts.

On our last morning together, Aunt Erica captures a great selfie with Gabi.

On our way to the airport, we must have one last food splurge to end the weekend right with McDonald's vanilla cones, a sad yet delicious tradition with the 2 of us!