Went to the Big "D"...and I Mean Dallas...

Ahh...be still my heart. This past weekend I was in Dallas with my sister and her family--to include the CUTEST little baby girl ever! I loved every second of my weekend--the Texas margaritas, the laughing with my sister and just sitting around talking. My sister is my best friend {although when we were kids...um...I never would have thought that, haha!}. I love her and seriously wish we all lived closer. 

Here are a few of my favorite pictures of the weekend...I love these pictures!

And, Kristi, we had so much fun with you!!

Cuteness Times Two...

An Amazing Weekend...

Isabella with her big sister (Leo's older daughter) and cousin

Such a happy little girl!

Her cousin, Mateo, JUST dumped water on her...can you tell she didn't like it? Ha!

Isabella and Mateo

The one I would do anything for...I love her so much

This past weekend was amazing! Some of Leo's family came and stayed with us...some of which was part of a grand scheme to surprise me...(which they did--more on that later).

We went out to a nice dinner, hung around together, went to the park and let the kids swim in the backyard. It was fun, relaxing and I didn't feel left out of anything (which is really nice--I feel left out of so much at this stage of my pregnancy...).

On Saturday Leo rushed me out of the house. We went and saw The Hangover...hilarious! Seriously one of the funniest movies that I've seen in a looong time! I was laughing so hard I started having strong contractions--haha!

It was our first date since Isabella was born. Almost 2 years...wow. We were definitely in need of a date--we even sat in the back row! But only because all of the other good seats were taken...seriously!

After the movie Leo told me his sister had called him (she was at home with Bella and everyone else) and that Isabella was crying and missing us. It broke my heart! So we rushed home where I saw a lot of unfamiliar cars in our driveway...and when I asked Leo what was going on all he told me was that it was all for me...from the people who love me.

Of course I started crying! Crazy pregnant hormones. But they were tears of happiness. I walked in and was greeted with pink and green baby decorations, family members, co-workers of Leo's and lots of hugs. Isabella came running out wearing her Big Sister t-shirt and gave me a huge hug. It was amazing. I think sometimes I just feel so alone down here and to see that this was done for me...I was floored. We had such a nice time and I can't believe that this was all done for me.

Leo's daughter, Ashley, is staying with us until after Madelyn is born. She is such a sweetheart (almost 12 years old! Wow!) and we absolutely adore her. Isabella loves having Ashley around and it melts my heart to see how Isabella looks up to her. I'm really hoping to get some cute sister pictures taken before Madelyn arrives...and after she arrives!

A Fun (Sorta Kinda) Day at the Park

Today I decided to take Isabella to the park.

It's gorgeous out. No clouds, light breeze, didn't get above 75 degrees.

In other words, the weather. was. perfect.

"Perfect Park Day" was declared.

Shoes on. Sippy cup full of ice water. Camera in my hand.

I just knew fun would be taken to a whole 'nother level.

But Isabella did not.

She pouted.

She screamed.

She tried to even force out tears. But due to the real lack of any problem all that came out was a "cowardly lion" type of voice...very strange, very funny.

Threw a few tantrums.

And by few I mean at least three. Three is where I draw the line. I start to lose count and before you know it we are packed up in the car on the way home.

I thought she would have fun. She had a temperature yesterday and took a three hour nap this morning.

Maybe the three hour nap should have been my clue that the park was just not going to be a fun time...

I did, however, manage to get a few pictures.

The good and the bad.

PS--please don't tell her I posted the tantrum ones. She wants everyone to think of her as a darling, sweet, non-fit-throwing one year old. Ahem. I think we all know by now that she has her, um, moments....although she is one of the cutest tantrum throwers. Ever.

Push Me High...High Into the Sky

Don't you love summer mornings that just scream out, "Come outside! Come see what I have to offer! I promise you won't be disappointed!"

This morning we did exactly that.

We went on an adventure.

Nothing that required a lot of gas or money.

Nothing out of the ordinary.

We went to the park.

And not just any park. The new park. The new park that is right down the street from us.

I keep asking myself, how did we get so lucky to get this fabulous park so close, so new, so perfect?

It will be perfect for birthday parties.

Perfect for momma's needing to have a fun, cheap activity to entertain their nearly-one-year-old 10 month old little girl.

We packed up our puppy and headed out. (Keep in mind we're driving due to heat, humidity, 2 children and a puppy--I wasn't about to tackle that good time on my own without any help from Leo).

When we got there we were the only ones around. I don't think many people realize that this new treasure is open.

It was a morning well spent, my friends.

Isabella was swinging high into the sky, letting me know when she was not getting pushed high enough.

Her step-sister was playing, running and sliding down slides with Daisy.

I took a lot of fun pictures, because after all, that's what us momma's do best right? This momma also pushed her little girl higher and higher into the sky, bounced her on her first pelican bouncer and took that same little one on her first spiral slide ride.

It was the best hour I have spent in a long time.

Sometimes all I need to see is my little one laughing, giggling and having the time of her life.

That is what this momma lives for.