Bliss for a snip

For about a year my mother and I have been hacking a little bit at Annalee's hair. Every so often people would ask, "did Annalee get a hair cut yet?" I decided it was time to retire my services and take her in for the real deal. I made both of us an appointment at my absolute favorite salon in Austin to visit Kris and Lanie at Bliss. This is my favorite salon for a couple of reasons. First of all the walls are painted with glitter paint. Can you beat that? Never. Second, I love the two gals that cut hair there. So...we made it a family affair. We all got fresh cuts. Well...except Caroline. She participated by viewing the action while strapped in to her car seat.

Here is the great Salon that is tucked in to a funky Austin neighborhood street just north of downtown.
I thought I should post a few before pictures. Annalee had a hard time cooperating. I was just glad she was smiling. I don't know what I was thinking but I made the appointment at the start of nap time. Keeps life interesting.

We started out with Blake holding Annalee and me snapping the moment.

As you can see...it did not last long before Blake and I had to switch places and the cape and shirt came off of Annalee.


I really can't believe how well Annalee did. I was so proud of her.

I was proud of Caroline too. Here she is up on the eye brow waxing table. At the rate her hair is growing...she has a few years before her first snip.

Finished product! A little shy but so cute!

Pretty girl and pretty locks! We all hung out for a while and played in the cute salon with the glitter walls. I had Annalee twirl and showed her herself in the mirror about 100 times. Then I loaded up the girls in the car and met my visiting mother in law in front of the salon. She asked if I kept her first snipped lock...I forgot all about that sweet tradition! The blog update will have to do.

Best Birthday Party Ever

Happy Birthday Sophia! This birthday party was last weekend, and I felt like adding it to the previous October post would not due it justice. It was by far the best birthday party I have ever attended. Sophia's party deserved a post all for it's own. Here's why:

Sophia with her mom Monica and Dad Mario. Great people. We have actually known them for years. The first time I met Monica she was ironing her clothes for sorority rush back when I was a freshmen. She does not look any different than she did back when I first met her. If I did not love her so much I would hate her for that!

So....you know a party is going to be great when you drive up and the line for the pony ride loops around the petting zoo. Precious children all around. Pretty much chaos. Perfect atmosphere for a 3 year old's big day.
Here Annalee is checking out the goats. Goats seem to be an October theme for our family. Blake at this point was scoping out which goat he wanted to let Annalee hold. Unfortunately I am a one woman camera or I would have snapped his face too...but hey, Annalee is the kid. She wins.
I know this girl and can read her mind. At this point she is thinking, "I'm not sure if I am ready to hold a goat."

I love the kid's digital camera in the corner of this picture.
Here's the kid since I accidentally cut him off before. He looks serious.

This is Sophia and her sister Olivia. I love watching these two. Monica does an amazing job of dressing them a like but not identical. I'm taking lots of notes.
Let me just say...we waited in that pony riding line and it was "Space Mountain line" worth it. A nice party guest offered to take pictures for us because right when we got to the front of the line Caroline had to be held and needed her pacifier held in place. Two hand job. It was urgent for her and obviously the guy could see the look of panic on my face when I was afraid I was going to miss out on capturing the Pony ride moment. Thanks nice party guest man!
I can't get enough of these pictures. I go from being obsessed with Annalee's face to being mesmerized by Blake's. How CUTE do they look with that pony!
Here is Blake pointing out me and Caroline.
I'm waving hysterically at this point.



She was so happy till...she had to pass off the pony to the next kid in line. Dropped her weight on to the ground and through a big fit. She loved that pony.
On to the next activity...pumpkin painting.


One of the best things about being a little girl is pigtails.
Annalee took this activity very seriously and her pumpkin turned out amazing. I am a little bias.
Finished product.
Well...I just thought it was finished. Thank goodness for Tide Stain Sticks. She marked up her dress a bit too.
Blake would tell you that one of his favorite parts of the party was the food. 5 corndogs and 2 cupcakes later he told me that he was going on a run later that evening so that he could still look at himself in the mirror tomorrow.
This is what a Texas hay ride looks like. We all loaded up our kids in to a trailer behind a four wheeler.
How do you not love that?
Family shot of the Fuentes family.
Here Mario puts Sophia up on the table right in front of the cake. She looked like a princess up there.

Happy Birthday SOPHIA!!


Believe it or not...the activities did not end. Pinata time.

Thank you Sophia for turning three. Thank you Fuentes family for including us in the celebration!

Precious Moments, Angels and Aggie Football.

It has been such a fun October! Caroline has woken up to the world and loves to smile and watch her big sister dance all around! Despite the occasional slaps and pokes...Annalee is really sweet to her. Since neither Blake nor I had a sister, I love watching their sisterhood develop. In my nightly prayers for them I always pray for their current and future relationship. They are so close in age, which I know will bring challenges but at the same time, a life long play mate. Lucky girls!

I feel like a very fortunate mother because Annalee usually naps 2-3 hours (at least) a day. During this time I have started making it a point to spend at least some of it alone with Caroline. Sometimes she is awake and other times I just hold her while she sleeps. It is nice to have this precious time for just the two of us. The rest of the time...I have made her no promises...Annalee is the cute squeaky wheel and Caroline is destined to the bouncy chair or swing!

Last week during our time together she looked so peaceful, sweet and beautiful to me. Could not help but grab the camera and turn our time together in to a 2 month old photo shoot!

Annalee is up from her nap! She welcomes Caroline with a nice, sweet, strong cheek grab! Better keep saying those prayers!

Sweet sisters...I promise childhood will be fun sharing it together!!

Ok Caroline. Back in the bumbo!

In mid October we all headed to College Station for the Greek Week Reunion and football game. Also...Caroline got to meet her namesake, her maternal Grandmother. It was a bit crazy...since we hosted the Pi Phi tailgate party as well as my best friend Terri (who attended kidless...so fun to be with her).

Here is Dad teaching Annalee to "gig'em". She did not get it at all. I guess gig'em is a pretty strange concept. Her sweet Aunt Sydney gave her her cheer outfit. CUTE.
Here are two of my pledge sisters, Katie and Terri...loved seeing both of them. I got to meet Katie's kind and handsome husband who was experiencing A&M for the first time! I hope you liked it Daniel!
Here Caroline and I are visiting with Ms. Betty Westbrook Trant. She was one of our advisors..and believe it or not...still works with the chapter. She is one of my mentors. This women is in AMAZING shape. I hope I have half the energy that she does when I am her age.
This is my Dad in his A&M golf cart. Cute. I still can't believe he lives on campus! Here is is before the game with his game face is on. Unfortunately the team forgot to wear theirs!
Lots of father, daughter moments during game weekend...Annalee LOVED the football game.

I have to admit...I was VERY proud to see those Pi Phi letters in front of my parent's house on campus. Thanks to all Pi Phi's who came by the house. I loved seeing and meeting everyone.

Me and Caroline Lawrence with Norma Lawrence! It was so special of Grandmother Norma to make the trip. I pray Caroline inherits her wit, beauty, faith in Jesus, and fun personality... right along with her name!

So far having two kids has not felt like double the work...but double the fun! I have to admit, somedays I feel like I change diaper after diaper after diaper...and at the end of most days I feel like a diaper. But, overall they are so much fun to watch, to hold, to love. I can feel the time fly by...there are so many moments during the day when I wish time and space would freeze. For those many moments...I am so grateful.