girl's day & a good-bye party

I don't know about y'all, but I had the BEST weekend! I'm kinda sad it's already over.

My dad was visited us part of the week last week, and of course, we loved it! We spent a lot of time at the little water park while he was here, and Jaqs even got to share a little ice cream with G-Pop. What are grandparents for, right? ;)

We had a cook-out with friends Friday night, and it was such a blast. All the kids ran around and played well together while the adults hung out & snuggled the newest baby in our crew. We had so much fun that we ended up being there until 10 p.m. which is like an ALL-NIGHT RAGER (or something) when you have toddlers. I have no idea how Jaqs played happily that late, but she did! Yay!

Jaqs & Tatum...these 2 will be besties! They have no choice!

On Saturday, I had an ALL-DAY girl's day with one of my best friends, Cassi. We had originally planned on going to float the river with some other girls, but our plans fell through, so we decided to have a day full of doing whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted! It was awesome.

We started our morning off at our favorite brunch place with another friend, then we moved on to pedicures. We decided to get real crazy after that and head down the road to Waco for some better shopping and Pei Wei. Of course, we're the wives of coaches, so we had to stock our kids up on some new football gear! Yes, I definitely dress my little girl in "boys" football gear...she rocks it and makes her daddy proud ;)

 We ended our epic girl's day by sneaking wine into the movie theatre to go with our mini Reese's and popcorn (which is the best combo ever, btw) like a couple of broke college kids. We saw The Heat and laughed the WHOLE movie. It was one of the most hilarious movies I've seen in a looong time. It is a little vulgar at times, but the Sandra Bullock + Melissa McCarthy combo is hard to beat! Definitely recommend. 

So thankful for one last "me" day before the grind of football season begins, and of course, our solo mom duties this week while the guys are away at coaching "school."

Yesterday I decided to hit the road to Abilene with my pea to see my Gram one last time before she heads back to Idaho this week. She's been staying with my parents since April, so we had a small "see ya later" party for her before she goes. I'm so glad that Jaqs has had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with her Great-Grandma in the last few months...it's definitely very special to see them together, and I know my Gram has loved every minute.

Happy Monday, friends! Hope you have a wonderful week!

a luau, a surprise & a shower

This was our first 'official' summer weekend, and I'd say we started it off right!

On Friday afternoon when Rob got home, I went to help my friend, Cassi, set up for a surprise party for her daughter and a few of her closest friends. The occasion? Elementary graduation! It was a luau theme, and we all had a blast a the party. Jaqs loooved "swimming" in the pool and wishing she could play with the big girls!

 Rob had 7 on 7 all day Saturday, so Jaqs and I just did some chores around the house and ventured out for a little shopping that afternoon. That evening we had yet another surprise party, but this time it was FOR Cassi! Her birthday was last Thursday, so her hubby had some of her friends come in from out of town, and we all met up for a night of fun at a really cool restaurant outside of town. I think we beat her at her own game ;)

The restaurant also has an outdoor stage with a big dance floor with tables all around and plenty to keep kids entertained. There was live music, and it was just a really fun night with great friends! We enjoyed every minute of it. Well, except for the part where a guy started choking/seizing/we don't know for sure what at the table next to us. That was scary, but he ended up being fine.

my love.

the whole group

some of the girlies

On Sunday afternoon, my friend, Vanessa (the other one in black above ;)), had her FINAL baby shower before their daughter makes her grand entrance. I went to that while Jaqs napped then hung out with her favorite guy. We had a cook-out with friends later that evening and ended up at a block party where a little old lady was feeding Jaqs cream puffs. That was....interesting, but what am I supposed to do?! I wasn't going to tell her to stop because 1. I don't want to be rude. 2. She thanked us later for "letting her love on our baby!" :) Very sweet.

This doesn't really have much to do with anything, but Jaqs has been so determined to get her shoes on lately, and it's just so precious. She sat on our bed working on this for at least 20 minutes yesterday afternoon. She was concentrating to hard, and she was not giving up on it! Sweetie pie.

I guess it's technically summer vacation for the hubs, but he's working all morning and has football tonight, so it doesn't quite feel like it yet! It will be nice to have him home in the afternoons the rest of this week though!

Hope you lovelies had a great weekend, too!

{almost} perfect day

This was one of those days I envisioned when I thought about being a SAHM when I was pregnant. Of course, I {kind of} knew that every day wouldn't go smoothly or be completely enjoyable, but I also knew there would be days like this where everything is HAPPY!

Jaqs started the day off right by sleeping in until 10 a.m. (after going to bed at 7:30 the night before), so she was HAPPY, HAPPY when she woke up! I had the chance to get some things done before she was up like get ready, do my quiet time, & drink coffee (very important!).

Since J is normally morning-napping when Rob has his off period, we don't get to go see him at work very often, but we did today! It worked out perfectly because it would be their only chance to see each other since he had a meet that night.

My friend Cassi & her sister happened to be working out when we went to school to visit, so once we were all done there, Jaqs and I got to have a spontaneous lunch and park date with them, too! It was 75 & sunny...PERFECT park day!

 We had so much fun enjoying the day with our besties! Jaqs is pretty enamored with Tate, so swinging next to him was BIG fun for her! ;) She crashed as soon as I strapped her in her car-seat. Sweet baby girl. Playing is hard work!

After J's nap, we got out for our run and ended up back at the park by our house...just swinging! Anything that is fun for her is fun for me. There is nothing better than listening to her giggle and seeing her smile. I'm incredibly thankful for the gift that she is! She makes the most simple days the best ones of my life.

I love you to the moon and back, pea! 

So grateful I get to spend these days with my girl.

Carroll Christmas Party!

Our friends, Jerrod & Julie, hosted their 2nd annual Christmas party on the Sunday before Christmas. We were just told to wear our 'festive' clothes, and clearly, Rob and I have different views on that ;) Kidding, he rocked that 90s cowboy shirt!

yo y mi vaquero

It was a fun night spent with great, and well-dressed friends! 

rewind it back

It's safe to say the last week or so has just slipped away from me. There hasn't been a ton going on or anything...just enough to keep me away from my computer/blogging! It was a nice little break, but I've got life to document here, people :)

Last-last Monday (Columbus Day) Jaqs and I went back to Abilene to spend a few days at my parents' house and to visit our family/friends there! It's always fun to go home, and this trip was no different. Our days there are always full of activity, and the time just flies right on by. Let's do a little picture rewind, shall we?

The Pea was a sweet little traveling girl, and lucky for her, she had Grammie for entertainment in the back seat!

don't let her fool ya, this lasted about 30 miles ;)

Our first stop was to see Rob's grandparents. They hadn't seen their great-grand-girl since the beginning of August, so they were so happy to love on her. Warms my heart.

 There was a cold snap while we were there, so we had to break out some jackets! Don't you worry, it's back in the 80s now....ugh, COME ON Texas, get the FALL memo already!

brrrr mama!

We also visited Grandma G (Rob's mom) and had a good time catching up a bit!

My mom sent me to have a night with my girls while she sat at home with the sleeping babe one night. Anna and I had dinner with our friends Ashley and Emily and had so much fun that we decided to continue the night and met up with Julie! I had a blast hanging out with my long-time girlfriends :)

julie-muah-anna

I got my hur did. I'm pretty sure this is the darkest it has ever been, and I'm digging it!

Jaqsy girl got a few snuggles in with my mom's bestie...

 Then snuggled with her cheer girl on the way to dinner!

stinkin' precious, right?!

Grammie took her girls on a dinner date since we were without all the men in our life! Then we went shopping and got Jaqs the most adorable ballet flats I've ever laid eyes on.

big, puffy heart my big girl!

 I was supposed to leave Jaqs with my mom on Friday and come home to go to Rob's game, then we were going to meet up halfway on Saturday to make the baby exchange. Well, when it came right down to it, I just didn't wanna! I haven't spent a night away from her yet, and even though I know she'd be perfectly PERFECT with  Grammie, I'd be too sad. One of these days. 

So instead that meant I had to make the 3-hour trek back home ALONE with J. I was nervous about it because she doesn't go right to sleep in the car like she did when she was a newborn. We got up early (like 5:30 a.m.) and drove back then, and it worked out perfectly. Baby slept all but about 30 minutes...yeehaw!

Jaqs was SO EXCITED to see her daddy when he got off work that afternoon. He was equally excited to see her, of course :) And me, I guess? HA!

 She is always stroking his face, and it seriously gives me the fuzzies. She adores him, and I know they'll always have a special bond. I love that! 

 On Sunday morning we had a family photo shoot that my smiley baby was, of course, STONE-FACED for. Ah. Such a stinker! Guess I'll forgive her ;)

Monday we had our official 6 month check-up with one oral vaccination and FOUR shots. Ugh, they break my heart every time, and they only get worse as she gets older! Now the nurse makes ME hold down her arms. Come on! Turn me into the bad guy, why don't ya? Jaqs never has real tears, but she did on Monday. Her little face was the most pathetic thing I've ever seen! 

After the torture was done, we came home and snuggled on the couch after having some lunch. She NEVER (and I mean never) will snuggle/sleep on me anymore, but she napped on me for TWO hours. I was in heaven. The thought of putting her down in her bed didn't even cross my mind...I soaked her up and kissed her probably 162 times :)

snuggles & princess bandaids: the silver lining to shots

 My tough girl was back to her happy self (with no fever!) when she woke up!

Praise God!

frighteningly cute

Jaqs' official 6 month stats are: 16 lbs, 1 oz & 26 inches long--45% for both.

I think that pretty much catches me up to the present!

20 bonus points for you if you made it all the way to the end :)

bye week

This last week was our bye week, so we didn't have a game Friday night. Rob was originally supposed to scout, but we found out that day that he didn't have to which meant we got to have a family night ON A FRIDAY in the FALL! It was so nice to have some uninterrupted time with our favorite guy :)

don't they look so excited to be together? love them.
 We didn't do anything truly noteworthy, just dinner and some shopping. It was a treat just to be together, really. We stopped in at Old Navy, and Jaqsy girl was loving the Old Navy mannequins. She was talking and smiling so big at them...too funny!

social girl

Rob also had off Saturday, so our friends from home, Jerrod & Julie, came to see us! We always have a good time with them, and this weekend didn't disappoint :) We had lunch when they got here, hung out, played games, and just got caught up with each other. It was so fun to have them come stay with us again! Thanks Carroll's for making the trek to Temple! Can't wait to do it again!

is the outfit julie got jaqs not ADORABLE?! love.

We also celebrated an awesome 11 year old this weekend. Lyssa is my friend, Cassi's, daughter, and she had a paint party with her girlfriends! How great of an idea is that?

 Roxanne did a guided paint with the girls, and their canvases turned out SO CUTE. Each of them were unique and beautiful. Us big girls are thinking we need to do this now too :)

How blessed are Cassi and I? Just look at these gorgeous girls...

puts a smile on my face to see Lys loving on J

I'm so thankful for the renewed spirit that a bye week brings! It was wonderful to have some extra time with Rob, and now we're ready to start district this week! 

summer fun photo dump

Our summer is off to a great start!

Our family of three has spent lots of quality time together, and that's been so awesome!

We've also spent many-a-evening with our fun friends :)

Jaqs was introduced to her newest friend, Kersee...

 Her parents were in Abilene with us, went to another school last year in East Texas, and now they're here in Temple! We're all so happy they're here!

We celebrated my sweet friend, Cassi's, birthday!

love these ladies!

Jaqs got some lovin' at the birthday party too...

We've spent several lazy mornings, just cuddling...

thanks rob for this one ;)

Jaqs has logged lots of hours playing with daddy! 

 Isn't that 'Jaqs' onesie adorable?! My precious friend, Mateya, sent it to us! Love it.

Watching mama get ready to go out to dinner with friends!

 With all this summer fun, I have to say my favorite part is just having Rob here in the morning when Jaqs wakes up. She is SO happy in the mornings, and we just soak up those big, open mouth smiles and her excited shrieks. Life is pretty sweet.

These pictures make me laugh...looks like she's striking a pose!

Hope you're enjoying some summer fun, too!