seriously....this is my life

photos from the weekend

To see more photos and stories from the weekend visit Kelly's blog

What a great weekend we had at our house.  Kelly brought X and E for a visit this past weekend.  I had planned on driving to visit with them, but after a long week for her husband Ryan she felt it would be better to  bring her kids here and leave him with a quiet house! 

We went out for breakfast on Saturday morning at Mimi's Cafe, went to my Aunt and Uncle's pool so the kids could "swim", went to church Saturday night and then out to dinner with some of Kelly and Ryan's friends from when they used to live here.  (Brian and I now go to the church that Kelly and Ryan went to when they lived here years ago).  We were going to make PW homemade doughnuts, but Kelly and I were both too tired Saturday night to make the dough...plus it's just too easy to go buy doughnuts, a treat for al of us!

I loved watching X and E play with Karsten.  We call them cousins because Kelly and I are like sisters. 

putting a puzzle together

X and E looking for turtles at our neighborhood pond

E sharing his train tracks with Karsten

and Karsten doing a taste test of the train tracks.

and a random bathtime photo

Karsten's Birthday--Family Photos

My cousin Chelsea came over a bit early so that she could take some family photos for me.  I enjoy being behind the camera most of the time, but there are times when I want family photos.  Remember, in October when we went to Colorado, my friend Carrie took family photos of us in Garden of the Gods.  With Karsten growing so quickly, I would like to do this every year, around his birthday and then around his adoption anniversary. 

I mean seriously...look at how much he has changed!!!! Poor baby, he lost a lot of hair...Thankfully, it's all grown back!

So Chelsea took over 150 photos in just a few minutes...these are my faves!!!  Please don't think I'm vain...in fact I hate the way this dress looks on me, I have a double chin in most photos,  and you can tell by my hair that it was windy.  I just love my little family so much and I'm so proud of us!

 

Karsten's Birthday--Give me Cake!

Instead of having a birthday cake, I chose to get cupcakes from Crave and then my Mom made an angel food strawberry dessert (which sadly, I didn't take a photo of)

This boy didn't even know what yumminess was in store for him, but he sure was excited!!  The photos are a bit blurred because he was moving so much...but I still adore these photos of my happy boy!

I mean really excited---I laugh everytime I see this photo!!!

And then he calmed down and became introspective..."What does all this mean?"  He wondered.

Hello???  Where's my cake??

Mommy...what's that? Can I have it?

It's my birthday and I'm not getting my way!!!! 

The first thing he did was take off the "button" that said Happy Birthday! 

and he ate it!

and then Momma and Daddy gave him kisses

Yes, I completely forgot about his birthday hat until the end, but it made for some cute photos of the messy birthday boy!

 

Karsten's Birthday--Party Time

We had such a great 1st birthday for Karsten.  Lots of family, food, and fellowship.  The smartest decision I made was to have the food catered and delivered by Lupe Tortilla; beef and chicken fajitas, flour tortillas, salsa, pico, charro beans, rice, refried beans, etc.  I also made Sangria and we had beer for the guys.

My super sweet cousin Chelsea took charge of my camera for the entire party so that I could be in photos and not be worried about taking photos.  I completely trust her with my camera, she's the one who took these photos 2 years ago.  I knew she would capture everything I wanted to be captured and more!  Thanks Chels!

Although I hadn't planned on having much of the party outside, that is where we ended up spending the most time.  The weather was perfect.  We put a quilt on the grass for family and others stood around and talked. 

Jessica and Colton

Having dinner before the party

Sisters---my Mom, Aunt Connie, and Aunt Molly

Colton loved Karsten's walker

Jessica and Barry

love this photo

Karsten had just discovered his nostrils the week of his birthday...yes, this momma is so proud that he is slightly obsessed with sticking his finger up his nose! 

Shanda, Chris and Braedon

gift time...he loves his puppy that Kelly and her family sent him

Shanda, aren't you so proud?

Kate and Emma---adorable photo!

from Kiki and Grandpa---a Cardinal jersey :)

sitting on the lawn in our backyard...Emma must have been getting up while the photo was taken

Colton (7 months) and Karsten (1 year) visiting together

my cutie cousins...Chelsea, Suzy, and Jessica.  Colton is Suzy's son.

I have more photos of K eating his birthday cupcake coming tomorrow!!! 

an overdue visit with the Lenehans

We live in the same city as Brian's Aunt Gail and Uncle Jim, yet sadly, we don't see them nearly often enough.  I think both parties have resolved that we MUST get together more often.  I remember the first time I met Aunt Gail and Uncle Jim early in my relationship with Brian.  I immediately loved them and I think the feeling was mutual :)  Now, we have a little boy that they adore so very much.  Since both sets of Karsten's Grandparents live out of state Brian and I realize how important it is for us to see Aunt Gail and Uncle Jim at least every couple of months. 

Usually we go to see them (they live about 50 minutes away), but this time they came to see us!  I love hosting people and I took special care to make a yummy meal and set the table to reflect the season.  All of these recipes will be on the blog this week.  I woke early and made a quick trip to the Bayou City Farmer's Market in order to get fresh beets and flowers. I made Roasted Beets with an Orange Vinaigrette, Fresh Mozarella Salad with Avocado, Roasted Corn, and Grape Tomatoes, Greek Orzo Salad, and Chicken Salad Sandwiches.  I also made a yummy, but strong, Sangria. 

Karsten napped through our lunch which allowed for adult conversation.  Once he was up we fed him lunch and then went for a little walk in our neighborhood. 

love this photo!

Thanks for a great day Aunt Gail and Uncle Jim...we'll see you in a few weeks for the Texas Bluebonnet Festival!

photos from the week

many of these photos will end up in my Project Life album, but I thought they deserved to be shown clearly here...

On Tuesday night, Mom and I went to see Beth Moore teach on Deuteronomy "Law of Love" Bible Study that she is writing

We met Aunt Connie for lunch at Le Madeleine on Wed

Love my Keurig

Valentine Banner

the day after I colored my own hair....so easy and it worked pretty well...next time I will leave the color on a bit longer because those gray hairs are resistant!!!  I love this jacket...got it at Eddie Bauer years ago

Cultivating Karsten's curiosity of outside.  I absolutely love this photo...thanks Mom for capturing this moment

On Thursday Mom, Karsten, and I went to New Braunfels to have our eyes checked by Dr. Jessica Tompkins (my adorable cousin and Karsten's Godmother).  We had such a wonderful time with her and I plan on going back to see her soon without Karsten. 

Dr. Tompkins, in action

We went to Gruene (actually Jessica works in Gruene) for dinner at the Grist Mill

the next morning Mom, K, and I went to the Outlet Mall for a few hours...I bought Karsten a bunch of Spring clothes and then we met Jessica to have Mom try on glasses.  Karsten also tried on a few frames...

too big

and not that I ever want him to need glasses at a young age...he did look darling in these

Christmas 2011

This Christmas we chose to stay in Texas so that we wouldn't have to fight crowds, long lines, delays, and germs found in every airport.  My parents and brother were nice enough to fight crowds, long lines, delays, and germs so that they could spend Christmas with us. 

It was a very special Christmas because of this little guy. 

Here are some of my favorite photos from Christmas weekend (I chose not to edit any of these to save some time)

a particular someone was the center of attention

 

my Christmas gift---project life

He's not ready for his rocking giraffe, but I found it on Zulily and couldn't pass it up!

HIs zany zoo is from Kiki and Grandpa (my parents)

my cousin Jessica and her cutie boyfriend, Barry

Sisters

kate and emma (sneak peek)

My Birthday

Last year I spent my birthday in NYC with Kelly.  It was a birthday to remember...NYC charmed me and I hope to return someday soon.  This year was just as special though, for a different reason.  I really hoped and prayed that we would adopt before I turned 36 and we did.  Spending my birthday with Karsten was fantastic.  It's been a few weeks since my birthday, but I have some photos I want to share. 

For lunch Brian, Karsten, my Mom, and I went to the Four Seasons in downtown St. Louis.  Their restaurant is on the 8th floor and overlooks the Gateway Arch.  The fact that it was a lovely day with beautiful weather made it even more perfect. 

It was a bit bright for Karsten and I didn't have his sunglasses...he's still cute though!

The iced tea came with a small carafe of simple syrup....Loved this!

 

I like the old and new in this photo....the new modern glass building with the old factory on the banks of the Mississippi

reflection photo

Brian's sliders

My BLT

The perfect ending to a wonderful lunch

 

family and friends in IL

I have quite a few posts related to our trip to the Midwest.  Today's post will be of all the family and friends that we spent time with.  **Mom, how did I not take a photo of you and Karsten? That makes me sad, we will get some in September!**

Karsten's Great Grandma and Grandpa holding him for the first time!  These are his only two living Great Grandparent's. 

4 Generations- Great Grandpa, Grandpa, Myself, and Karsten

I don't think this counts as 4 generations since Karsten is mine, but here are my Grandpa, Dad, Brother, and Karsten

Uncle Travis and Karsten

My Dad and Karsten

Miss Judy

Some more of the Great Grandparents

the cat that has adopted my parents...when he's on the deck they call him "deck kitty" and when he's on the porch they call him "porch kitty!"  Brian renamed him Basal...

Karsten's first (and last) time on a Harley....

My dear friend Julie's mom...Julie has moved to CA, but her mom came to meet and snuggle Karsten.  Jules this photo is supposed to make you envious according to your mom!

My brother's childhood friend Jason, who grew up down the street from us and has a 4 year old, which is just weird! 

College Friends---my dear friend Becky, the red head, set up a BBQ with some college friends so they could meet Karsten....it was so fun to see everyone and all of their kids.  I'm clearly behind on the child thing, but that's fine with me...I have lots of people to advise me now! 

Becky and two of her daughters, Addie and Emma

Dawn and her eldest son, Grant, who was so great with Karsten!

Emma and Karsten, isn't she a doll!

Becky, Dawn, Jill and I....Weeza, we missed you!

All the parents (who used to be young college students together) and they're kids....actually, Brian wasn't a college student with us...but you get the idea!

 

Just the kids...being silly!  Thanks Grant, for holding Karsten! 

Meet the Baby Shower and my Mom's house

My childhood friend Hannah and her Mom and daughter, Lew.  I did a radio interview with her Mom a few years ago

My friend Cindy, who I went to college with and who lives in Nashville, and her new son, Zeke who was born on May 31st.  We are both new moms with boys...so much fun!  The difference between a 1 month old and an almost 3 month old is so huge!

Hope you enjoyed the photos...another post coming tomorrow!