Football Weekend

Remember last year when {most} of Michael's family got together in WI for a BYU game? And how they decided to make it a tradition?

Lucky for us BYU was playing UT (University of Texas) in Austin.  It was a quick filled weekend. 

They got in late Thursday night so the plans started Friday morning. We headed downtown to that iconic landmark- the Alamo. There were a surprising amount of other BYU fans for the game weekend.

We also went on a boat tour. Selfies are more entertaining to toddlers than the history of our city. Sometimes I agree :)

We then headed up to the temple as a family.  We were able to do the temple work for Michael's Grandmother that passed away last year.  It was really great experience.  We were feeling great, on this spiritual high and then we walked outside to a block party. It was so strange.  A business across the street was blasting music. It was so weird. We managed to snap a few pictures before busting a groove.

Saturday morning we slowly made our way up to Austin for the game. A quick stop by the Weinerschnitzel.  All those Allsops surrounded by a couple chili cheese dogs.  I was happy to stay in the car with the sleeping toddler.

She woke up down the road at the world's largest gas station "Buc-cee's" They make their own root beer and its delish.  It really is huge and they have lots of unique things.  I've read many a blog post dedicated to Buc-Cee's alone. Not sure I could do it justice. Rylee's posing here kills me.

We made it to Austin and again met up with the rest of the BYU fans at the State Capital.

 

It had been a few minutes since we'd eaten so it was time for Torchy's Tacos. We tried this place a few months back and really liked it. We also hit up Gourdough's Doughnuts. The wait is (thankfully) much shorter during the day. Gotta love a specialty doughnut :)

This is where we parted ways and the boys made their way to the stadium for the game. I'll have to see if I can grab pictures from Michael's phone of the game.  He had a great time - even better they won :)

Rylee turns 4!

We were so happy Grandma and Grandpa stayed long enough to celebrate Rylee's birthday!

 

Here's the traditional door décor.  Rylee woke up in the middle of the night to use the restroom and through sleepy eyes immediately noticed the heart balloon.

 We invited a few friends over for a little carnival. The invitations were the best part. . . . maybe I'll see if I can upload a picture of them. They looked like a ticket.  They were really fun to make.

The girls tested a few games before our guests arrived. Apparently not all ducks are created equal.  I was really annoyed these didn't float upright, maybe next time I'll read the description better. I was a nice enough day, a little humid but we were able to play outside for most of the time.

 Rylee's castle cake! It was very simple but really fun to make!

 Its can be very hard to watch someone else celebrate a birthday.  Here's miss cranky-pants playing on my phone.

 Rylee got her own doll nap-mat! She was thrilled.

 watching the cake bake.

 Rylee was a little under the weather but we pushed through it and partied anyway.

 The kids played games to earn tickets to buy prizes.

 the spinning wheel was a big hit.

 as were the crayon rolls

 We ate lunch, opened a few presents and just played together.

Later that evening she got to open the rest of her presents and eat cake (we just did mini cupcakes with her friends)

 who needs a spoon anyway?

I also made her a doll carrier.

 

Happy Birthday sweet girl! You are so special to us and a joy to be around. We love you immensely!

Grandma and Gramma

My parents came to visit for a week. The kids were very excited, well, mostly Rylee was very excited.  They hadn't even gotten here yet and she was very worried about them needing to leave.  A few days before they arrived Rylee made several piles of books and proudly announced that "these are the books Grandpa would read when he gets here on Tuesday".  :)

 

 

And, reading is pretty much what they did all week. That and eat blue bell ice cream, and just spending time with each other. It was lovely. I got a little bit of a break and they got to see some Grandaughters in their own element.

 

I had to laugh- you see, these girls don't get to see their grandparents very often and having two sets of Grandparents can sometimes be confusing, even when they're called different names.  Sometimes I do better than others at showing them pictures. Several times a day My Dad would point to himself and say "who's this?" Kelsey would then proudly announce "shirt!" "No, who's in the shirt?" Rylee then would pipe in "belly!" "No, WHO is in the shirt?" blank stares. . . . . . . .

Rylee "Grandpa?"

 

every time.

 

Those literal little things.

 

Kelsey did eventually start calling him Gramma though. The whole ma and pa thing just didn't ever click. He didn't seem to mind, and answer to pretty much anything, and she loved him no matter what she called him - he was the one handing out chocolate, ice cream and croutons.. . . yes croutons. go figure.

 

Sweet little spunky Kelsey.  My parents visited and that meant one of the suitcases was full of hand-me-downs from cousins.  Oh how we LOVE those! Yes, most of clothes are more Rylee's size in next little bit, but because she didn't immediately put the tinkerbell pajamas on Kelsey thought she should.  And she wore them ALL. DAY. and didn't seem to mind they weren't quite long in the arms.

 

Mom and I went to the local institute class and as soon as we walked in there was a very adamant and sarcastic "can't tell you two are related!" comment and lots more serious "you look so much alike" "like twins".  Mom tried to talk to Dad about it and he wouldn't give a serious answers.

 

Then at church on Sunday Mom went to RS while I was in nursery.  A friend told me later how she wondered who the 'new sister' was . . . . and then she turned and showed her face and knew exactly who she was visiting. haha!

 

Apparently we talk the same, have similar hand gestures.  I'm pretty sure I can out laugh my Mother but if that's what I have to look forward to I'm all in. My Mom is great. I have my Dad to thank for the thick abundance of hair but apparently not my appearance :) I love them both dearly. 

 

It may not have been the most exciting trip but we absolutely loved having you and it was so great to relax a little and for the girls to be around their grandparents.

 

The day after they left Rylee announced "Mom! We forgot to go to the beach with Grandma and Grandpa!" All in due time dear, and wrong set of Grandparents haha!