Memorial Day Weekend 2k16

Hello from the other side.... of summer.  I suppose now that it's nearly O-V-E-R I should get to documenting it, huh?  You know my M.O. when it comes to the summer holidays.  I spend too much time relaxing, gorging and chatting which inevitably leads to horrendous documentation and a random smattering of photos.  I regret to inform you that summer 2016 I did not turn over any new leaves.  Let's get to it, shall we?

Right before the holiday weekend, Conroe and its neighboring suburbs were hit hard with rain.  The lake level got up higher than it's been since my parents have owned their house there and it was breathing down the neck of historic levels.  This was very unfortunate but led to this awesome picture of my Mom rescuing Matt's canoe (kayak?).  I have no doubt she'll be SUPER pumped I put this in.  (Love you, Mom!)

This was the view from my parents' walkway down to the dock on Saturday.  You can tell by all the mud that the water came all the way up to the edge of the walkway.

My tribe*

Cheese?  Nah, I'm good.  Cupcakes?  Gimme, gimme.  That's my GIRL.

Clearly we had offended Emery.  Probably by refusing to let her play on the iPad.  As any good sister would, Brynn supported Emery's cause by laughing.

Probably talking Pawpaw into downloading the YouTube kids app.  These two are trouble.

Brynn's love for da-dawgs knows no bounds.

I hope you all had equally family-, fun-, and food-filled weekends.  The sincerest of thanks to all those who have, do, or will serve.  Nothing would be possible without you!

* The use of this term is in no way meant to imply my agreement to Ryan's self proclaimed Native American heritage.

Easter 2016

This Easter we celebrated the way that we celebrate most holidays.  We started out in Conroe visiting the Boarman bunch and wrapped up our celebrations in the Branch with the Martin clan.  Because you know the drill, I'll spare you a lot of verbiage and skip straight to the pics.  :c)

The girls having a little pre-game pep talk before the Walden Egg Hunt.  As you can see, our hunters were in the zone.

Daddy trying to explain the delicate art of throwing some 'bows when needed.

Clearly a seasoned vet, Em hopped right out into the action as soon as she got the go ahead.  Brynn wasn't quite as snappy.

Aunt JuJu laughing at helping her nieces.

In her element.

Perhaps her wedgie is what was holding Brynn back?

Pick me up, Non.  I'm over this.

Pretty solid haul.

Are we done with the pics?  Kinda need to check out what's in these eggs, y'all.

Notice where Em went when it was time to start ripping into candy?!  Right next to Pawpaw.

Couldn't find Ryan for a bit.  Discovered him outside walking our child in the front yard with a makeshift cooler on top of the stroller.  Back off ladies, he's taken.

The Easter Bunny visited.

My kids are cute.

After a fab time at Camp Conroe, we took the party to Grandma & Pawpaw Martin's house to meet up with Aunt Niffy and Ky.

Peeeeeeeeps.  Making kids bounce off the walls since like 1903.

Checking out their basket loot.

"Boo!  Boooooo" (book) - Brynnie's fav.

Brynn still wasn't totally clear on the objective.  Is it to get eggs or to try to wander down the street?   Who can say, really?

Get da one, Daddy.

Gotta lift with your legs, folks.

This is NOT Kylie's first rodeo, obvi.

Trying to take pictures with small children: a photo essay.  2/3rds of them looking at a camera.  Not necessarily yours, but a camera nonetheless.

3/3rds looking at a camera.  2/3rds looking pleased. 1/3rd on the verge of meltdown.

2/3rds cheesin'.  1/3rd really about to lose it.

1/3rd about to resort to eating elements of nature because that usually ends photoshoots pretty quick.  1/3rd still cheesing.  1/3rd looking like that Sarah McLachlan song should be playing.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket.  'B-Zilla will take them.

Coffee & Hearts

As noted in my previous post, our Valentine's Day didn't necessarily ooze romance, but there was definitely not shortage of love and togetherness.  On Friday afternoon, despite staying home with me in potty training bootcamp all day, Emery and I headed up to school to partake in her class party.

I didn't take too many pictures because I was mainly sitting in awe of how her teachers handle it every day.  I strongly believe the phrase "like herding cats" was born out of a class of toddlers.  They're pretty noisy cats, too.  That being said- they were adorbs handing eachother Valentine's and I'm glad I got the chance to go.

Fast forward to Sunday, which was actually the day of St. Valentine... When the Daddy asked me what I wanted to do, to absolutely no one on the planet's surprise, I said I wanted to get some treats at Starbucks.  So that is precisely what we did.  I'm a simple lady.  

We capped the evening off with a DELICIOUS meal of coconut shrimp prepared by none other than the Daddy.  He put so much thought into selecting a meal and finding a recipe.  If you know Em, you know she's really into shrimp these days (as am I).  It was so adorably touching of him to do that... and they were AH-MAZING.  Muchas gracias to the Prince in these 3 women's lives- we love you more than the Bux!

I hope you all had an equally wonderful day full of the people who make your heart smile.

Hello Father Time(liness)!

Well, well, well.  Look at me posting about an event within 1 month of it's occurrence!  I wouldn't get too amped up- it's happening courtesy of a momentary lull at work before year-end madness begins.  Let's celebrate the small stuff though, huh?

This year we rung in the New Year with a mix of family and friends, similar to the years P.K. (pre kid).  The only difference was that this year you had to elbow your way through crowds of children to get to the bar and the chugging was generally from a sippy cup.  Don't you fret though- it still included some weaponry just to keep things exciting.

Let's walk through how old mature people celebrate, shall we?  This year U of H had a bowl game at 11 am, so Shawna & Austin invited some folks over to watch it at their house.  Noon is the new midnight anyway.  We arrived approximately 1.5 hours late because- well- kids.  Luckily there was still plenty of food, bevs and fun company on hand.  I think that U of H won, but don't quote me on that.  I was busy watching kids in the romper room cheering for Minions.

While Ryan and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, as always, I am firmly convinced that Em had the best time.  From the moment she got in the car when we decided we needed to book it home for plans part 2 at 6 pm until her sleepy eyes closed she kept saying, "I want to do it again!"  I guess Chick Fil A nuggets, her boyfran, and Minions are the recipe for a perfect day in Kid World.  (Thank you for having us!  We love y'all!)

Who gave my kid a red Solo cup?

Don't let the hair fool you.  He's a kid at heart.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this is the best picture in 2015.

Jen was clearly concerned that Brendan was being beat up by tots.

Mama Mel trying to herd the ninjas.

Because we were having way too much fun, we overshot the landing and barely made it home in time to put the dumplings in the crock pot for din.  (Have I ever spoken publicly about my love of crock pots?  I should more often.  Maybe I'll get a tattoo.  Seriously heart those things.)  My parents and brother came over to play with the girls a bit and to watch the clock strike midnight.

We spent a little time chatting.  A little time answering to tiny dictators.  A little time toasting.  A lot of time yawning and encouraging one another to make it to midnight.  And a little time enduring a lesson in butter churning from Ryan (don't ask.)  Overall, it was perfect.  Have I ever mentioned how overwhelmingly grateful I am for my family?  I truly am.  Thank you for coming to play with us Nonnie, Pawpaw & Uncle Matt!

Clothes and animals strewn about on the floor.  Beverage in hand.  This is how we roll in the Martin home.

Evidence that falling asleep during parties is in my DNA.  He did wake up for midnight, don't worry.  (Ignore the remnants of Christmas gifts that were not suitably cleaned up.)

Emery talked Pawpaw into taking her outside to watch our neighbors and their fireworks.

Her interest lasted approximately 7 minutes.

How cute are these two?

The finest in store-purchased cakes for our resident New Years Baby, Pawpaw B!  Happy Birthday, Daddio!

On New Years Day we headed over to Ryan's parents' house to celebrate his Grandpa's birthday (another New Years Baby).  The girls were so excited to get in some QT with cousin Kylie, Aunt Tiffy, Grandma, Great Grandpa Workman & Nancy.  

In fact, Em was having so much fun that we got talked into an impromptu cousin sleepover at Grandma's.  We were, of course, happy to oblige because it takes Em a bit to warm up to people.  Try as he did, it took her nearly the entire time we were there that evening before she would make eye contact with Great Grandpa Workman.  I'm told that evening she was climbing up in his lap- which I know he just ate up with a spoon.  Between that and the cousin time I know she adores so much- it was totally worth the crank-a-platpus that returned to us the next day.  Happy, happy Birthday Great Grandpa Workman!  

I love this picture.  Typically Brynn likes to be off exploring while the bigger girls play but I happened to capture her trying to get in on the action.

Necessitating an outfit change for Em is becoming a staple of a trip to Grandma & Pawpaw's house.

All our girls.  Heaven help us in about 10 years.