It's Wedding Season

Yes, we still have friends getting married, left and right.  Our season started in March with Lindsey's Whimsy's shabby chic affair outside of Brenham.  She didn't leave a shabby chic detail undone--what a a beautiful day it was to celebrate a beautiful couple.  I especially loved these adorable antique hankies that were present before being seated for the ceremony. 

It's definitely the details that set apart one affair from another, and not to mention, it's the perfect way to make it personal and the all about the bride and groom's own style.

and Reese loved these adorable pinwheels

Then we move on to the first part of April for Matt and Linda's affair.  JP and Matt grew up together and JP was a groomsman, so we had the privilege of celebrating all weekend in Houston.

 

Linda is Vietnamese, and they did such a beautiful job of including the Vietnamese tea ceremony as part of the day.  It was a long day with the tea ceremony at 10 am, ceremony at 1:30 and reception (complete with an 8-course meal) later that evening.  And boy was it yummy!

And how cool to learn about and celebrate a new tradition (to me anyway)!

This past weekend we celebrated the engagement of some family friends, Weston Blackie and his fiance Natalia.  It was refreshing to not travel for this one, as the MOG has a place overlooking Lake Travis, where the soiree was held.  And a soiree it was!

Because the couple will be getting married with just family and a few friends in Aspen in September, this was a chance to celebrate with all the hoop-la.  Complete with the Newsboyz, a jazz band on the porch, fireworks, Santa Margherita, and divine noshes, the evening was absolutely delightful.  And of course, the views (that I've shared before), were out of this world, and luckily with a bit more water in the lake.

We've got quite a few more friends tying the not in the next couple of months, unfortunately some we aren't going to make because they are far away destinations like Jamaica and Playa del Carmen (and with not working for the past 6 months, that's just not in the budget).  So, for now, we'll try and rest so we can bring our A-game for the next one.  Ciao!

The Zoo

Reese and I have been trying to do whatever we can to get out and enjoy this beautiful weather we've been blessed with lately.  So we got together with Baby Neuhaus, and headed to the Austin Zoo.

I honestly wasn't expecting too much, considering most people aren't even aware that Austin has a zoo, and actually it's darn near to Dripping Springs.  JP even joked before we went, "oh, ya'll are going to see some goats, cows and birds today?".  But, all the same, I knew it would entertain Miss Reese.  Of course, it's nothing like a big city zoo, and definitely not like the San Diego zoo, which I hear is the ultimate, but did provide some entertainment looking at common and not-so-common creatures.

We saw monkey's, tigers, peacocks, jaguars, wolves, parrots, cheetahs, goats, pigs, deer, chickens, and more.  I was especially impressed with the tigers.  I think the zoo has about 5 total and we had the pleasure of witnessing a little tiff between two of them.  I say "a little tiff", but I sure wouldn't want to be involved in it.  They were scratching at each other, roaring and pushing each other down.  And I forget what large animals they are.  I don't think Reese even blinked, but Lindsey and I were quite entertained.

So, anyway, not really an "above and beyond" zoo, but definitely a place I will take her back to.  Oh, and I forgot to mention, given the fact that it is a bit out of town, some of the views of the hill country are absolutely amazing!

And, of course, while we waited to ride the train, the girls were entertained best by playing in the dirt and picking up leaves and rocks.  It's keeping them out of Reese's mouth that is the challenging part for me!

Happy 1st Birthday to Our Sweet Little Monkey

Wow!  What a glorious, magical, amazing and beautiful year it has been.  I can hardly believe the 1st year landmark has already come and gone.  We have been so blessed this year to have our sweet little lady in our lives and we thank the Lord everyday for what a blessing she has been!

Of course, we had to commemorate the joyous occasion with a par-tay, and what a glorious, magical, amazing and beautiful day it was.  Since Reese's birthday landed on a Saturday this year, the actual day was the perfect day to celebrate with our family and friends.  And, thank goodness for the beautiful weather we had so that we could enjoy being outside--otherwise we probably would have been a bit cramped in the house. 

I enjoyed every minute of planning this soiree and I was just thrilled with the way everything turned out, so of course, I'm going to have to share some of the details.

These adorable invites were an inspired by a design I found online, but I'm totally into doing my own invites because I can do them exactly how I want them and a lot cheaper!  So, with a little help from JP, Snapio (and Illustrator, of course!), the end result couldn't have been cuter!

You are probably starting to see a trend here of all things pink (and green).  I just think gerbera daisies are the perfect fresh flower for a little girl's day.  And I was able to reuse the paper lanterns from our wedding to add a little flare.

I decided to go with cupcakes rather than a cake, because they are just too easy to deal with, and you can't beat the tasty ones SAMs makes.  Then I went one more step and ordered these ADORABLE toppers from threekidspartyshop on Etsy.  I have to say, I'm a bit obsessed with Etsy right now and it was the perfect go-to spot to put some personalized touches on this party.

Of course, the birthday girl had to have her own little smash cake too, and she loved every minute of it (pics and video to come).  Threekidspartyshop did this topper too, and it was just perfect!

And, if you're a Parker grandkid, you're sure to have the cutest, and tastiest cookies at your party too!  My MIL (Grammy) is so stinkin' talented and creative and everyone went home with one of these adorable monkey cookies.

And here is a glimpse of the birthday girl in her party frocks.  Again, all ordered from Etsy.  MaddieBugBaby did her adorable shirt (which we plan to wear all year!) and her pettiskirt came from TwoAngelsBoutique.  If you're in to pettiskirts, they have EVERY color you can think of at really reasonable prices.
 

Family Photo Shoot

My main goal in scheduling a family photo shoot was to get a good shot of the three of us for our Christmas card this year.  I achieved my goal, but was a bit disappointed in the print job I had done as the picture looked like there was a major shadow cast on it.  But, I was not about to go through a re-print, as I just wanted to get them out, so if you recieved one, this is how the picture was supposed to look.

We had a fabulous time posing for these pictures with Meredith from Meredith Greager Photography.  It was the first part of November (just after daylight savings time) and we chose to do them behind the Four Seasons next to Lady Bird Lake here in Austin.  I have to say, the setting was superb...it's beautiful back there!  Here are some of our favorites.

Trick or Treat

I hope all of our future Halloween's are as wonderful and smooth as Reese's first one.  She was the cutest little duck I've ever seen and never once tried to take off her (duck) hat.  She embraced everything the day had to offer, including hanging with great friends, enjoying some good grub and trick or treating with Elle Ehlert the Owl.  So I guess next year I can expect a constant bugging to eat more candy.

Super Caroline, Reese the Duck, Elle (not in costume yet), and Eli the pumpkin

Shelley is quite a kid at heart.  Tons-o-fun was had in the cozy coupe!

now in costume

starting the trick or treat trek in the wagon

Saturday Night Lights

Well, we all know Texas isn't having their best season, but that doesn't keep us from enjoying a beautiful Saturday at DKR.  We are finally beginning to see hints of fall, which makes tailgating and watching the game that much more enjoyable.

Happy Fall, Ya'll!

So, it's fall, even though the weather here in Texas doesn't really show it.  Hopefully things will be cooling off soon!  Even with the warm weather, it's still pumpkin season!  Our church has quite a nice little pumpkin patch set up, so I decided to take Reese and introduce her to all of the orange goodness (and make it a photo opp, of course).  Our friends Lindsey and Caroline joined us and the girls seemed to be more interested in the hay, grass and eating dirt than they were in the pumpkins.

Reese also had a little fall off the bale of hay I had her propped up on, but of course she survived and I'm sure there will be many more. 

I guess the morning light is to blame for so many of the AMAZING shots I got.  It was impossible to wittle my favorites down to just a couple, so I'm posting several.

Happy Fall, Ya'll!

Born to Be

...a college football fan!  And I keep it general here, because as most of you well know, JP and I went to two different Texas schools.  Of course, Reese (just like her mama) will wear her UT best almost every weekend as we head south to tailgate and cheer the Longhorns to victory.  But, she also owns several ADORABLE Texas Tech frocks too in which I heart dressing her up in.  I guess I pass along my thinking to her in that she can cheer for Texas every weekend they aren't playing the Scarlet & Black, which in case you didn't know, is this upcoming weekend.  So, how does Reese show her loyalty in her frocks during this game? .......she doesn't.  Well, she doesn't pick one over the other.  She will be wearing a couture (designed by me, constructed by Honey) house divided dress.  Of course, we are headed to Lubbock, so throughout the weekend I have other Tech choices for her.  I mean, I only get to go to Lubbock every other year, so I've got to rally while I'm there.

even Aggies give cute gifts like this...thanks Melissa...we love it!

But, this past weekend was the first home game in Austin, and Reese joined in the traditions and fun just fine.  JP headed down to tailgate at his usual early time, while Reese and I came a little later.  She really was such a champ!  We stayed in our seats til halftime and then joined Shell up in the Club for some AC and grub.  Can I tell you what a difference the AC makes?

trying to stay cool with a cold water bottle and a fan

The National Anthem with Daddy

Thanks for bringing me to the club, Aunt Shelley!

So anyway, we had a great first game experience...and here is Reese in true tailgate fashion...filling her belly before the game.  Here's to many more!

(Like a Little Fish) IN A BIG POND

We headed out to Lake Travis on Sunday during Labor Day weekend to join the Knippa clan at the McCreery's lake house.  What a wonderful day it was enjoying each other's company, the beautiful weather (yes, it was a few degrees cooler than the scorching temps we'd been having), boats, jet ski's and good food!

I have to be honest, when Margie called to invite us out, I had a bit of apprehension with the idea of taking Reese on a boat.  I think it really all stems from the car seat advocate in me that preaches the importance of correct use of child safety seats, and the fact that we buckle our little ones up oh-so-tight to ride in the car, but casually just hop on a boat with them that is completely open and roaring down the middle of a busy lake.  Well, I got over my apprehension real quick, went and purchased an infant life vest, and went for it!

Boy, am I glad we did, because Reese loved every minute of the lake and all it had to offer!  She loved floating next to the dock, riding on the boat, and floating in the cove at Cow Creek.  I wish I had pictures of her at Cow Creek, but I was too much of a scaredy cat to take my camera on the boat and it end up at the bottom of the lake or water damaged.  She just floated around in her life vest kicking her feet like she knew exactly what to do--maybe those swim lessons taught her more than I thought!

It was so cute, as we were loading up, one of our little cousins asked "is Reese a lake rat?".  I got such a kick out of that and though she hasn't even had a chance to be a lake rat, since this was her first trip, she could just turn into one (especially since her 'rents love it so much too!)

Here are a few pics floating next to the dock.  Thanks again to the McCreery's for having us out...soooo fun!