5 years!!

Photo copyright Mark Umstot Photography

June 3rd Clay and I celebrated our 5th anniversary! Half a decade...it is hard to believe. I feel so blessed to be married to my best friend, one who loves me, challenges me to be a better woman of God, supports me, shows me much grace and can still be goofy with me even after 5 years.

To celebrate, Clay and I went to dinner at Mark's. We had never been but had heard nothing but raves about it. We really enjoyed the atmosphere (the restaurant is an almost century old renovated church) and the food was pretty good too. It was a great way to celebrate our time together!

feelin' hot hot hot

Like everywhere else in Texas, Houston has been so hot. I am not complaining at all really, I love it...I do just pray for a little rain. It is starting to look and almost feel as dry as West Texas.

Anyways, to escape the heat we decided to breakout the baby pool and water table.




Daddy joining in.

And Scout too.


Umm what's up with that Scout? Find your own pool to drink out of.






Silly dog!

splash time

Friday morning Riley and I met up with some of our favorite playmates at a local splash pad. We had never been to this splashpad before and Riley had a great time; we will definitely be going back! We beat the heat and most of the crowd going as early as we did, it worked out great!

Riley looking way too cool!



Sweet, fearless Jay!









I snapped this right as the large bucket of water fell from way above her head...I just knew Riley was going to get knocked down by the water or freak out on me but to my surprise just a few wimpers and a little reassurance from mom and all was good!

colossal catch up part 3

Last month we celebrated my 29th birthday. Woohoo. 29 is so not a big deal to me, neither were 26, 27 or 28. I wonder if 30 will seem like a big deal. Somehow I kindof doubt it. Anyhow, to celebrate Clay and I had a wonderful dinner at Benjy's on Washington. I had never been but it was great food and a neat atmosphere. We really enjoyed our quiet evening just the two of us chatting and laughing. Clay has been really really busy at work and our schedule has just been off so it had been quite awhile since our last date night alone. After dinner, Clay treated me to a movie. Now we hardly ever go to the movies, in fact the last movie we saw just the two of us was Dick and Jane (with Jim Carrey. I don't recommend that movie, its now old, it wasn't good then and probably isn't good now). For my book club, I had just finished reading Water for Elephants so Clay decided we should see the Water for Elephants movie. It was a good movie but to me movies made from books rarely live up to the book itself. It ended up being a late night and it was made possible because of our wonderful babysitter, my sister. Thanks Kristi!!

(Oh and I forgot to mention, I found wrinkles on my birthday. Really, really obvious wrinkles that I probably should have noticed before now. I should not have gone looking for them on my birthday or ever) Haha, anyone care to suggest anti wrinkle creams? :)

We also, just returned from my family reunion. Sadly, I took NO pictures. Boo. We had a good time with lots and lots of my mom's family. All 5 of my aunts and uncles came, as did most of my cousins and their families. It is still crazy to look at my cousins and remember jumping on my grandparents bed and then to see them now with 3 or 4 children of their own.

Of course, I'm sure I have left so much out but for the most part I should be caught up to the first of June. I'm going to try to stay caught up this time!

colossal catchup part 2

Riley loves her Monkey, he is often found right by her side.

We had a fun weekend with Nana and Papa in town. We celebrated my birthday...more on that later.



Stylish little lady :)

colossal catch up part 1

Yellow has recently become an obsession. Riley loves, loves yellow and will ask to wear her yellow shirt anytime she's given a choice and she sees it hanging in the closet.



Sadly Riley's favorite ball popped.



Riley had a cold for at least a week and quickly learned to "Riley do it" "I do it"...blow her nose herself.

Sweet daddy time.

Its a rock Mommy!



Fun with colored bath drops.

Girls Weekend

The end of April and first of May, I headed down to Horseshoe Bay to meet up with some of my college sorority sisters. Paige's parents were so sweet to let us take over their amazing lake house for the weekend! It was such a wonderful, relaxing weekend (my first time away from Riley longer than a night), full of lots of laughing and catching up. Clay did a great job watching Riley while I was gone, even though she was sick the entire time. He handled it like the pro daddy he is and never once complained. He was only a little disappointed because of all the daddy-daughter dates he had to miss out on because she was just feeling too bad.

I didn't take my camera but luckily Paige and Jeni captured some fun moments. Thanks girls!


Allison, Paige, Jenny, Jeni, Dayme, Shannon, and Me




8th floor Chitwood dorms holla :) haha!



So much fun!!! We are hoping to make this trip a tradition :)