Thursday, March 22, 2012

My First Road Trip!!




Well, after weeks of sitting on the fence on whether to take Weston on a trip, we decided to fall on the ROAD TRIP side! Wes had planned to run Cutter in the Central Arkansas dog trial that Mark Miles was hosting, however, she came into heat 2 days prior to our trip! BUT...Mom and Rachel had planned to bring Grandaddy to Arkansas to meet Weston for the first time! This was SO worth a 7 hour drive with an infant!


and we're off...to a good start...Weston was asleep within 5 minutes of driving!


Wes took off work a little early on Thursday, March 15th, and we were on I-35 by 4:00pm! I nursed Weston right before strapping him in is carseat and we made it south of Texarkana before our 1st stop...not bad! Little did we know our next stop wouldn't be until we reached Mark and Roxanne's house at 11:00pm! I had been very nervous about this experience, but much to my surprise it was way better than expected! Weston did great! He wasn't even fussy despite being in his carseat for 4 hours at a time! I will say that poor boy was sucking on his fists before that 11:00pm arrival!

Wes and Roxanne set up the Pack N Play while I fed Weston! Let me just say, this was hysterical to watch! We hadn't ever set up the Pack N Play before and Wes doesn't do well with putting things together! Not to mention, tthey were trying to be quiet because Mark was already sleeping. I had the lights dim for Weston and Roxanne couldn't see to read the directions and of course Wes wouldn't read them, apparently when men read directions it hurts their manhood! SO, I ended up reading the directions as I watched them put it together! =) They did get it assembled though!

Friday Wes woke up early and went to help Mark shoot birds at the trial, Roxanne went to work, and Weston and I slept in and relaxed! Meanwhile, Mom, Rachel, and Grandad were heading our direction!! Roxanne came home around lunchtime and she and I went to lunch at a cute coffee house called, Midnight Owl. Weston did well right up until my last bite...then he came unglued! He went to hollaring! I calmed him down by walking into a cute children's shop and picking him out an Easter outfit! Roxanne left to show a house and Weston and I returned home to wait for Great-Grandad!
5:00pm they arrived and Weston and I headed over to the La Quinta to greet them!! He was SO excited to see his Nonnie, his Aunt Rachel, and meet his Great Grandad for the first time!





Such a Treasured time!


It was bitter sweet without having my Nanny sitting beside Grandad, but I know she's sitting beside our Savior and smiling down!!





I shed a few tears, okay, more than a few, as I thanked God for this opportunity! I will never forget that special day! I'm thankful that Grandad was able to make the drive and that Mom and Rachel were willing to bring him! We LOVE you Grandad and are SO thankful for you!

Here are some more pictures from our stay in Searcy, Arkansas...
Aunt Rachel rocking me to sleep!





Weston sharing his beautiful grin with Nonnie and Great-Grandaddy!

I love my Aunt Rachel!


LOVE my Great Grandaddy!




After Mom, Rachel, and Grandaddy left, Weston spent some time with his GieGie and his Bob!!

Sitting outside rocking with my Giegie!


LOVE being in my daddy's big strong arms!







Celebrations!!

Being the school teacher that I am...I've been working on Weston's penmanship! I'd say he's progressing rather well! Here are some cards he's made for our friends with Feb/March birthdays!
Happy Birthday Aunt Morgan! February 27th!
Happy Birthday to Aunt Jenny too, Feb. 18th!







 Happy Valentine's Day! February 14th!
Pate Charles Holloway!


Happy Birthday Cousin Pate!! March 5th!!

Happy Birthday Katie!! March 12th!!




 Happy Birthday Uncle David! March 22nd!

Homestead Heritage

I've always read about and heard great things about Homestead Heritage, and we finally tried it for ourselves on Saturday, March 8th!

Homestead Heritage is a 510 acre homesteading village. This little village is full of craftsmen who love what they do! There is a delicious Cafe located on the grounds (which is the real inspiration behind wanting to go). There is a Barn that was built by Dutch settlers in Northern New Jersey during the early 1800's, that has since been restored and houses lots of goodies- from furniture to natural soaps that have all been handcrafted by the gifted workers at the Homestead. They also have a woodworking barn, a potters barn, a blacksmith barn, and my favorite-a Gristmill. They still utilize the gristmill that is powered by water to make all their wheat for the Cafe!

The Cafe is adorable, not to mention divine! All their products come from locally sourced ingredients! They have grass fed beef, sandwiches, soups, and delicious desserts! Wes enjoyed a Reuben sandwich with a side of chips and guacamole! I enjoyed a natural turkey wrap with fresh fruit! Then we both just HAD to try their homemade ice cream in a homemade waffle cone. Wes chose maple pecan and I chose sorgum pecan...can we say GOOD!!!

We've decided to make this a Saturday morning/afternoon tradition!




Daddy enjoyed watching the blacksmith!


Such a fun experience!

Starting Early

Now that the weather is warming up, daddy has been itching to swing those clubs!! Weston and I decided to join him as he gives VJ lessons and then practices his own game! We've gone to CottonWood Creek and Twin Rivers. Weston and I prefer Twin Rivers so we can take breaks in the clubhouse!

Weston enjoyed meeting some of the Baylor golfers, Lorenzo was his favorite, he likes his accent! Weston watched daddy practice and is taking notes for when he holds a club for the first time!

Our first trip I even had a putt contest with Wes as Weston napped!
Our second trip I helped daddy change out all his grips on his clubs while sweet Weston slept!

I love spending time with my two favorite boys!



Good hit, Daddy!!

A Walk at Lake Waco...

Sweet Kaylee saying "hi" to her buddy!
Weston and I loaded up the stroller and went on his first walk at Lake Waco Dam! Katie and Abbie and Jenna and Kaylee accompanied us there! We parked by the airport and walked for a good hour! I enjoyed some adult time and the kiddos all did great in their strollers! I think Weston enjoyed the fresh air, sunshine, and just the beauty of being outdoors! If he's anything like his mom and dad, he'll love to be outside! He looks forward to more walks in the future!
Ok, so maybe momma had more fun than you did!!

Practically Pikasso

Weston and I made his 1st official outing...yes...just the two of us! We joined Becky and her adorable daughter, Audrey Claire, at Practically Pikasso! Weston painted a mug for his daddy! Wes always said he'd start drinking coffee when he became a dad...well, now's the time!! It was also incentive for me to get a new coffee pot! I knew if Wes would start drinking coffee he'd want the latest and greatest coffee pot, and not our 1985 model! While it was thoughtful of Weston to paint the mug, mommy had a little to do with it too! =)

Weston slept through most of his painting experience, but he did great when the painting part came! Such a little champ! He didn't pay much attention to that cute Audrey Claire, but there will be more play dates to come!
I must say, Audrey did really well too! She painted a vase for her grandmother!


Whew! Painting is hard work!
Sweet little toes!!


Before...

After!!

Daddy loved the mug, and guess who has a new Cuisinart coffee maker!!??