A&M vs. t.u. Thanksgiving

We celebrated Thanksgiving this year in Austin. We watched the Corps of Cadets march down Congress from the balcony of the Stephen F. Austin Hotel...after a delicious turkey lunch!

My parent's attended the Thanksgiving event with us. We were all geared up for an Aggie win to finish off the surprisingly fantastic football season.

Caroline spent the whole morning with Blake surfing the crowd, cooing and smiling at anyone who was willing to look at her.
Annalee spent the entire event EVERYWHERE. Since Blake had Caroline I had the hornet. What a work out.
Check out this cow. Beautiful. Hard to not love the longhorn. Fun to look at, even better to beat them at football.
Dad and Blake started at the bar. Apparently the Bloody Mary's were delicious. I would not know because I got hooked on the mimosas. They Were Lovely.
Mom and Cathy...both in their Maroon.
Aren't these boots amazing? They are worn by Aunt Sydney. WAAAAAY cute.
Here is Aunt Sydney loving on Caroline. Caroline is going to really love playing with her when she is older. She spoils Annalee like CRAZY. I hope every little girl gets someone like Aunt Sydney to love them.

The hotel was decorated with Maroon, Orange and White balloons. We only let Annalee play with the Maroon ones.


Here is Annalee with her Nini...can you tell she loves her???
Annalee was quite the character at the event. In fact. She was so busy. I remember nothing. Missed the parade...practically missed lunch...and did not have one complete conversation. I was also sweating from head to toe. Happy Thanksgiving.

Caroline assumed her normal position with Blake. The event did not disturb her morning nap. However, once the band arrived. She was wide eyed and all ears.
The band marched by and stopped in front of the hotel on a side street and played while the corps marched by. It was a pretty incredible view. We were really proud to be Aggies in Austin.


My sweet, concerned husband refused to let his little girls ear's be damaged by the BQs.

Quick family shot during the parade. Annalee was just about to lose it at this point.

Annalee loved the band. She yelled at the drums and the base horns. She screamed out at the horses from the calvary. She gave the parade a big thumbs up.
She was tired though. The parade cut a bit in to her nap time. I love this pouty shot of Annalee with Caroline in the back ground. This was another one of those days...so happy to have these two sisters to share A&M with!
Here I am with Nini. She was so gracious to overlook how sweaty I was. It was rumored that Austin was going to get cool on Thanksgiving Day...so the entire city dressed for snow. Turns out the cool front hit a little later than we all thought. So we all baked for a while. Annalee held on till the parking lot and totally broke down as Blake strapped her in to the car seat. Snot and tears were smeared all over her seat and the car window. An Aggie parade takes a lot out of little girls.
At the end of the holiday we headed to Round Rock to see Mimi, Grammie and Papa at Uncle Brad and Aunt Shea's house. We got to eat (again) and watch a little football. It was so fun to be with both families during the holiday week.
Caroline was very spoiled during this visit. When she wasn't in Mimi's arms she was dancing with Papa or laughing with Grammie.
I had to end with this. I was frantically calling Graham to smile while standing next to Mimi and the cute little man charged me with a kiss!! How can you not attempt to capture such a moment! I am so thankful.

Sweet Victory

In a last minute decision we decided to head to College Station for the Nebraska vs. TAMU game. It was one of the best decisions we have ever made.

Annalee did not make it for the game. But, she gave 110% at the tailgate.
Nandu joined us for the weekend. He stopped in College Station for the festivities on his way to Temple, Texas where he accepted an Engineering position at McLane Industries.
Rah. Rah.
My eyes are doing something weird here...but this is a shot of me and Annalee in motion. I think she stepped in chewing gum. Gross.
We won that game. It was unbelievable. I was so glad I got a babysitter and sat with Blake and my Mom. I was so glad we came. I was so glad to be wearing an Aggie ring.
One of the best celebrations I have ever seen on Kyle field. The towels were flying through the air like white butterflies. It was really beautiful. I felt like the Aggies were back. The sleeping giant is up.

GREAT WEEKEND. Gig'em.

Viva Las Vegas!!

Before you think I am too crazy...there was a good reason I drug my 20 month old and 3 month old to Las Vegas. My Grandmother Norma turned 80 this year. 80 is worthy of Vegas. Amen.

I had to get a shot of Caroline's first plane ride. She was a complete Angel. Actually both she and Annalee did beautifully. My Dad was covered in Sesame Street stickers, and Blake and I each had at least 3 cocktails on the plane. Why is the plane ride to Vegas usually one of the best parts of the trip? Thankfully my mother was under control. The fun began very early.
We met my Grandmother and Aunt Leah in the Vegas airport and all loaded up a Limo to take us to The Golden Nugget. As soon as we landed Blake and Dad's eyes began to dance. They fell in to a Vegas trance that they did not snap out of until we boarded the plane to go home.
Here Norma, Mom and Aunt Leah are loading the Limo.
THE BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!
This is the ceiling of The Golden Nugget. I would love for this to be on the ceiling of my living room. A little much, you say? Beautiful.
This was Caroline's position all weekend long. She went everywhere in her sling with Blake. Some of the places I was not crazy about. As you see below...at many times during the weekend, Caroline was bellied up to the bar. What happens in Vegas....
This was our first night, and Annalee and Betsy were so tired. Vegas is slightly overstimulating. I loved watching these two play together. Betsy taught Annalee so many new tricks.
Here is the picture I was cringing about earlier! Uncle Bruce, Robert, BooBoo, Blake and Caroline.
Cute cousins in the Double.
Aunt Patti and Uncle Bruce meet Caroline for the first time!
I think we were headed back to the room at this point. The girls got sooooo sleepy.
Needless to say, a lot of our time was spent in the rooms. Mom and Dad had this great room with a sectional couch. Perfect for play. Betsy taught Blake how to play Memory with Princess cards. One day Annalee will thank her for breaking him in.
Betsy is the star of this post. She was the mommy's helper all weekend. She was so sweet to Annalee and Caroline. They are very lucky to have such a loving cousin. I could not get enough shots of her loving on Caroline.
I can't wait to get these two together again...they are both changing so fast...
Sweet.
I think Anna was the star cousin. Betsy and Annalee were obsessed with their "Aunt Anna". She was the biggest help and I think had the best style Vegas had to offer.
We took the girls to the Rainforest Cafe. The fish were a hit!
Group shot before the big Birthday Dinner at Vic & Anthony. YUM.

Anna helping with Caroline at dinner. She was really good. Slight meltdown at the end, but overall good. Annalee made it through the drink order, then she and Blake headed up to the room for room service. Steakhouse must not be her thing.
Betsy and Heather. This was right before Betsy laid her head down on Heather's lap and missed out on dessert. Vegas wore us all out.
Blake hates this photo...actually begged me to delete it. But...I had to share how Caroline took her naps throughout the weekend.
Another Anna shot...this time with the Hornet.
One of my favorite times of the weekend was sitting with the family for breakfast. The previous night's events were always shared and lots of deep conversation about war, peace, and Nancy Pelosi.
Betsy has really improved her "posing for pictures" skill. I wish she would spread the love with Annalee.
The girls spent most of their time in Vegas changing their dolls, babies and cookie monster's diapers. This NEVER got old.
Another perfect pose.
So many dirty diapers!! I can relate. I can relate.

As you can tell by the dark circles and pale facial features. Annalee found it very difficult to take naps and sleep through the night in Vegas. This is why I am not pictured.
Cousins....

How adorable is that. I must get some metalic tights.
This is one of my favorite pictures on the post. I am going to have it made in to a print and put it somewhere in my house or office...I can look at it for long periods of time...and it makes smile.


Granddaughters.
I put a lot of these shots in. At least one of the girls looks camera worthy in each picture...but never in the same one. So...I just went a little download crazy.





Caroline is done.

My girls! Say goodbye to Vegas. I will never be going again with you until you are 21. So I hope you enjoyed.
Thanks Mom and Dad for the trip. And...to my Grandmother Norma. Happy 80th. I love you.