San Antonio

We got the chance to spend last week in San Antonio, to see my little brother graduate from Lackland Air Force Base basic training. It was a really incredible experience. I can't believe he's all grown up and joining the military. He's changed a lot. It's all "thank you sir" and "yes ma'am". He actually has some manners now. It's quite amazing. We spent the majority of our time at the base. They only had certain times they were allowed to leave. When we first got there we watched the last Airmans Run. We hadn't seen him since his head had been shaved so they all looked the same. It was hard spotting which one was ours. Ours is the bald one in the red shirt. :)

The coin ceremony was really cool. Me and Mom were all crying like the little girls we are. He just looked so handsome in his blues.

The actual graduation ceremony was incredible. It's like you instantly become more patriotic when someone you love is in the military. It's just a rule.

I'm so proud of Nick for what he's accomplished. It is literally Hell there. There's no way I could do it. There is a rule for everything. We were walking through a store on the base and Nick got yelled at for having his hand in his pocket while walking.

They had to run and train in 105 degree weather with pounds of clothing and equipment on. I honestly didn't think my little bro had it in him. He's a man now. He went through a lot. I'm so grateful to all of those men and women that serve our country.

We also got to have a little fun while we were in the great state of Texas. We frequented the River Walk and ate at the BEST mexican restaurant two times. If you ever get the chance to go to San Antonio eat at Casa Rio on the river walk. It's delicious!

The pigeons like it too. They're ready to swarm your table the instant you get up.

We also went to Sea World. I think San Antonio Sea World is better than San Diego. They have big rides and a waterpark.

Don't judge me. It was 105 degrees with 84% humidity. Honestly, it's lucky that I'm not standing here butt naked. I can't believe how pregnant I look in that picture.

We visited the Alamo too. It was interesting to find out that Davey Crockett died there. I love visiting historic sites like that.

Thanks for the fun trip. We had a lot of good laughs. We sure love ya Nick, and are so proud of you!

It's coming along.

I wish I could say that it was almost done, but I still have the quilt, and that might be the hardest part. Let's just say if this baby comes out as a boy then I sure hope he likes pink!!

To Hannah...With Love

I'm glad we both survived this shoot. I was completely expecting Ashish to come home and have both of us be passed out on the floor. But we made it, and the result was the proudest photography moment I've had so far.

You're absolutely beautiful.



And I'm not just talking about on the outside.


I hope he comes soon. I can't wait to meet him.

Pretty sure half the pictures I took were of Ashish kissing your stomach. And each one just got funnier and funnier. I thought I'd spare him of having that posted online.





I appreciate your friendship.

Good luck with your family of four. You're a wonderful mother.

Whole lotta partyin goin on...

Spent the weekend with my mom who came in from Vegas. Darin was out hunting, so it was especially nice to have someone else in the house. We did a whole bunch of this....89 quarts and 26 pints.

Ya, it was insane. We pretty much bottled tomatos for a day straight. I must say though, I felt very accomplished when I was finished.

And then we spent Sunday afternoon celebrating my niece Alyssa's 7th birthday. We hula hooped it up. My mom was inside screaming the whole time that I shouldn't be doing it, but it was so fun. It made me feel like a kid again. We had a bouncer. I passed on this one. Wouldn't want to bounce my babe out too soon.
We opened presents. Gotta love the age where they open their presents (3 of which are the exact same thing) and the others the either already have or aren't too thrilled about getting. But the ones they are happy about, man does the face show it.
She got three of these barbie outfits. This was the first one she opened. Obviously ecstatic. The second one she opened was mine. Excitement until she realized she had already opened the same thing. "I already got this" And I said "I know, duh, I got it so your barbies could be twins." She was pretty much just pissed off by the time she opened the third one. But don't worry, at the end of presents she said to mom, "We're going to take back one, but I want to keep Jessies so my barbies can be twins." Haha. Sucker. Then we enjoyed cake.
Well....some of us enjoyed cake until Shaeley shoved cake in Alyssas face. She didn't like that too much. That is until Shaeley let her shove cake in her face next.
Then she was all about it. She was practically begging people to shove cake in her face.
Man, I love my family.