birthday boots - a trend

So yesterday was my birthday- I had a great day. We went to the pool in the morning (where my friend brought cookies :) Then Michael came home early so we could go pick me out a pair of boots. Its becoming a birthday trend and I like it. We even tried a pair on Rylee though she won't get 'real' boots until she can stay in one size for at least a year - Target will have to do for now. It took me a while to decide, but I love them! Michael was kindof in a rush to get back to the house, which I thought was a little strange, but didn't think too much of it.

We started working on dinner and there was a knock at the door, the little sneek surprised me with guests over for dinner. It was pretty funny. We ate dinner and chatted, then it was time for the rest of the gifts.Here is the pile of presents: yes they are wrapped in towels, a swim suit, a showercap and bath pillow. We had a good laugh, apparently the presents were 'hidden' in the bathroom/closet and there was no way getting to the actual wrapping paper in time. OR he's thinking about the environment and didn't want to 'waste' paper. OR he was tired. maybe all of the above. :)

The gifts consisted of various entertainment items: a movie, cd, book, computer case, candy/treats. It doesn't get much better than that!
Someone can reach on top of the table:

"ooh, cupcakes after breakfast! Thanks for being born Mom, and having an abundance of sweets today"

Though I am currently questioning if she is in fact my daughter. My friend brought a delicious key lime pie for dessert and Rylee half spit-up/half threw-up her bite. unacceptable.

no work, all play

Its lovely having a husband who works for a company whose headquarters are in a state other than the one you currenlty live in. If we lived in Utah we wouldn't dare venture to a public place on Pioneer Day. Since Michael had Monday off we decided to take advantage of it NOT being a weekend and headed back to Garner State Park for the day. It was fabulous.

We left a little late in morning so Rylee would nap in the car earlier than she normally does. mission accomplished. We played in the water, had a picnic, played in the water again, and came home. We even stopped for dinner in a small town on the way home - our 1st choice unfortunatley is closed on Monday's. boo!

Rylee was in heaven and didn't even mind walking around exploring while we played a couple card games. I'm glad she is comfortable in the water but it wasn't even a couple weeks ago Michael commented maybe she's TOO comfortable and will try to do things she shouldn't. . . . . well she would have walked right off the ledge into the water had Michael not been there. My little fishy!!
and this is what happens when you forget to pack an extra swim diaper and decide to use a regular one: serious badonka-donk!! It was nightmare to clean up in case you were wondering . . . . we should have taken our chances that she wouldn't poop twice in 2 hours and gone diaperless - live and learn.

When we got back in the river after lunch we decided to head up stream to a part of the river we hadn't explored before. . . . a few minutes later I look up and see someone standing at the top of a tree, ready to jump, sure enough he did! It was so scary yet really cool to watch. We got a little closer and just watched people jump for at least a 30 minutes. Back flips and all. Michael said they were jumping from at least three stories, and the water isn't all that deep. It was fun to watch the crazies - lots of girls even did it too! I commented that if a certain brother-in-law were there he'd be tree-jumping with the rest of them. . . . .

We're going to try to camp there again in the fall when it cools down a bit. Seriously, Garner is our new favorite.

I might add, it was a little difficult getting motiviated to get any work done today. . . is it Friday yet?

Friday Favorite: BABIES!

My favorite thing today is babies. Namely brand spankin new babies. My sister is currently in labor as I type. . . . its all I can do to not head straight to the airport put a completely overpriced ticket on the credit card so I can be at the hospital in 4 hours. . . alas, I hope all goes well for her and her little family sans me. (this is Rylee only hours old)

My only other request is that her baby not grow an OUNCE until I can get there, (ok, maybe an once but that's it!!) I can't wait to find out if its a boy or girl, see its sweet face, smell that sweet baby's breath and smother those cheeks with Auntie kisses. . . . be patient my loves I'm comin soon enough!!!

Rain!

We got a few minutes of very welcomed rain this afternoon. This is only the 3rd time we've had any substantial amount of rain since Christmas. So we had to go sit on the back steps taking it all in. Although I'm pretty sure Rylee just thinks it was a giant sprinkler.Doesn't rain just make you want to stick your arms out and dance around? I didn't want to get completely soaked, but Rylee did it enough for the both of us.

She was pretty upset when I made her come inside. Like arched back, crying mess. We hope the rain doesn't stay away for too long.

Friday Favorite: 5 Years

My favorite thing today is that it's our anniversary!! Five years ago today I became an Allsop. The weather is all to similar to that fabulous summer day 5 years ago. HOT!! like 110 hot. {I think that was some kind of record for Utah} but at least it wasn't raining :) we had a lot of outdoor plans. . . . and it was beautiful.
Not every day of our marriage has been perfect, but I've been grateful every day he chose me. The reasons I love him multiply every day, and I'd marry him again and again a million times over. I love you Michael.

Friday Favorite: Getting Bigger

We are excited to announce that the family {and my belly} is getting bigger! Yep, I'm pregnant! While this is exciting news and we are thrilled for our family to be growing, I would be MORE excited if I didn't wish I were dead - you know. all. day. long. I like to think I put up a good front, but Michael may disagree.


I'm due 1/11/12 {though we'll most likely schedule surgery around 1/4} putting me about 13 weeks along. Our little crazies will be 22 months apart.


If its not nausea (which it ALWAYS is), then I've fallen asleep because I simply CAN NOT keep my eyes open. I actually don't like to take naps but I really can not make it through the day with out one. For Real. I get mean.


The plan is to have another 'surprise'. Another girl would be awesome (hello, sisters!!), but having a boy would sure take the "one-of-each" pressure off for later and would be equally fantastic. Michael totally thinks its a girl, tho. Seriously people, the surprise it what keeps me going.

The Greatest Show on Earth

Since there was a firework ban I thought the best place to at least see some pyro-technics on the 4th would be the circus. Who would have thought that both Michael and Rylee would share their "first" circus experience? I finally understood why it took so much convincing to get him to agree to take us- he'd never been!

But here they are eagerly watching the show: I must say I was excited enough for the three of us. . . . . it didn't quite meet up to my memories and expectations but we had a good time none-the-less. There was quite alot of 'side-show' entertainment, and half way through I leaned to Michael and said its just like watching America's Got Talent. The arena was small, we had great seats and we didn't have to take Rylee out - which makes it a success in my book.

My favorites were, as expected, the elephants!! Followed by the flying trapeeze. I let Michael in on a little secret, I totally wanted to join the circus as a child and ride on an elephant or as a flying trapeeze woman - too bad I'm American and didn't stand a chance.

Our other favorites were 7 motorcyclists riding around in a tiny sphere, and the contortionists.

Rylee's favorite was the popcorn (she literally ate her weight) and the pirate dancers. I think she may have paid better attention if the lights hadn't been so low, or no empty chair next to us to atempt to climb on, or if no one was sitting behind us.

She had a hay-day with the whole box of snacks and once she'd had her fill of popcorn, she started feeding it to us (without taking her eyes off the stage) it was pretty comical.

We met up with a few friends after the show and broke the law by lighting sparklers. Don't tell- k? Rylee was ticked I didn't let her touch it {crazy girl} .

And that sums up our holiday weekend.

Sporting the Red, White and Blue

I often say having a child is like playing Barbies for adults. . . . . and yall know how I LOVE to play Barbies ~ only real-life barbies are even better.

We had a couple photo shoots this weekend to document our Patriotic Princess. I just couldn't narrow the choices any further.

{Funny, I bought this dress for her for Christmas last year, not even thinking about July. At the time I was actually a little sad it didn't come in a smaller size but I loved it so I got it anyway ~ now I'm actually glad because she looked adorable in it on Sunday and I think she'll be able to wear it longer now anyway.} The other outfit is on loan, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to sport some {additional} red, white and blue.

Hooray for Freedom!!

and I hope you all had a Happy 4th!

Friday Favorite: Family

I'm going to start my Friday Favorite by first complaining. . . . . .
Don't get me wrong, I love living in San Antonio. Many great things have come to our lives while we've lived here and I do believe this is where we are 'supossed' to be. But sometimes living 1400 miles away from family is rough.

I do ok most of the time but weekends such as this when EVERYONE is together, except. us. are just plain HARD :( boo. There's all sorts of celebrating going on this weekend (one nephew being baptized, another getting his eagle, giant cousin sleepovers, movies, fireworks. . . . ) and we're missing out on all of it, even the fireworks (county-wide firework ban because of the drought. . . . double boo). You know how we love to party and we're completely missing it!!

It wouldn't be so hard if my family wasn't completely AWESOME.
My Mom and Dad:

and seriously, my siblings are some of my best friends.

This is one of my favorite pictures. ever.I love all of them, and I'm sure we'll be chatting all weekend, filling me in on who is the "fill-in" for most competative gamer, how many rows of corn you had to weed (or peas picked, beans snapped), who cries because they were last to the breakfast table and had to share a stool, and who in the world will do Melissa's hair??

So, even though we're not there, know we love you and you are all my favorite.

XOXO

-Trish