first bite of food

Bella had her first encounter with "real food" this past week. We feed her cereal for the first time.She did not like it that much, and yes I did manage to get some to actually go in to her mouth. - 5 1/2 months old

Num Num

All I can say is (in the words of our 20-month old) num, num.

Ben and I were treated last week to an amazing date night courtesy of the Jarzabeck's, J.J. and Aimee. Aimee invited Ben and I to the mock service (night before the grand opening to make sure everything is running smoothly) dinner. We were told to order anything we wanted on the menu, and truth be told- we ordered WHATEVER we wanted off the menu, a lot more than we would normally and a lot better too!

We started off with the lump crab cakes, OK these were not your ordinary crab cakes, they were huge and covered with a Tomatillo-Serrano Salsa and Jicama Tortilla Slaw (cost - $14). Then Ben ordered the Sink Salad (Greek salad- $10) and I ordered the Jasper's Greens Salad with bleu cheese and caramelized pecans ($9). Then, for the main dish Ben ordered the Pan Seared Salmon, Grilled Asparagus and Mascarpone Polenta ($22) and I got the Hickory Grilled Black Angus Filet with Portobello Whippers and Red Wine Butter, something I have always wanted to try ($37). We also tried the Gouda Mac and Cheese and aged Ham ($8). For dessert, Ben had the Butterfinger Creme Brulee and I had the Cherry Limeade Pie - voted the best dessert in Dallas, and now sure to be the best dessert in Austin. Oh my goodness-great recommendation, Aimee! This food was amazing, I included the prices, so you did not just decide to pop in for a casual dinner. For us this is in one of those "special anniversary" dinners or "Honey, my great-grandmother left us an inheritance " dinner. The lunch menu prices were more reasonable for us the common folk- just make sure you get the Cherry Limeade pie.

All of this was a gift to Ben and I, Jasper's sent out invites to a select number of people and Aimee and J.J. invited Ben and I. We had an absolute awesome time, we relaxed (the girls were with "their" Marcus and Anna, being tortured by Tech paraphernalia.), ate one of the best meals of our lives, did I mention the Nectarine Jasmine Black Tea, oh my goodness - Aimee, please sneak me a tea bag!?, and absolutely enjoyed ourselves - like we used to when we both had paying jobs. Thank you Aimee, J.J., waitstaff, Marcus and Anna for an amazing date night. It was an absolute blessing, that we will remember for a long time! (total bill - $116, knowing J.J. and Aimee = priceless, for some things there Master card, for other's, there's great friends.) We love you guys and cannot wait to see James Bradley!

photographer's kids

Why is it that I have awesome photos of everyone else's children, but mine does not want to cooperate for photo shoots??? We tried to take famliy photos in the bluebonnets a couple of weeks ago and Landry did not want to cooperate (Mimi was there and she was afraid Mimi was leaving her). So we tried again this weekend, just Mommy, Daddy and Bella, still she cried, no screamed and refused to have her picture taken. I got some great ones of her walking in the bluebonnets(with her tongue sticking out--just like her Mom when she is concentrating - thus the reason I am always searching for chapstick) , but no portrait type Easter photos to make wallet prints out of. So now all of you who used to recieve wallets every single holiday knows, I have TRIED to take photos of my girls, I promise, they just do not turn out like they did a year ago, they all have snot bubbles in them now!

#1 in the State of Texas

Congratulations PawPaw!

My Dad competed this weekend in the Texas State Knife and Tomahawk Championship (the reason we held off on Bella's dedication). He won both the knife and hawk competetions and aggregate score! Way to go Dad! We are very proud! Good luck next week in Nationals!

Happy Easter!

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8

Happy Good Friday

"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:39-43

Bella's Blues

Addicted

Ok, I am totally addicted to this blogging thing. I know I said I would update it weekly and I cannot stop. Maybe it is b/c I love to show off my beautiful daughters, I don't know, but I cannot get enough! I love reading my friend's blogs and I love sharing how much I love my family!

Here are some pics I took yesterday on the girl's new playscape. I know Landry is the only one who can use it, but Bella is loving her swing more now, b/c Landry leaves her alone and lets her swing in peace.

Family Day to San Antonio Zoo

We took the girls to the zoo a couple of weeks ago for our family day! We had an absolute blast and already are talking about going again. Landry LOVED the animals! Bella loved the nap. Landry's favorite animals were the monkeys, they were so noisy and moved often, so they kept her attention. She usually enjoys watching birds, but when Daddy took her into the bird cage to feed them, she flipped out. She enjoyed the baby ducks, bears and the "meows." I highly recommend going to the zoo if you get the chance, and go soon! The weather was awesome, the bears were playful, having just come out of hibernation and I even got to pet a rhino. I had no idea a rhino would let you pet them, but it was soo cool!

Landry and the turtles

Landry pretending to be a turtle. These massive creatures live to be over a hundred years old, it is amazing to think my grandchildren could come visit the zoo and see these beautiful animals.

my little monkey

Landry's favorite animal at the zoo was the monkey, I think it is very fitting that one of her favorite foods is bananas.

petting a rhino

My brother loves rhinos and even collects them. I almost felt bad knowing I was getting to pet a rhino and he never has.