Abby's Balloons

Earlier this month Abby started drawing balloons. Here is her first official balloon drawing.

Our First Family Vacation

This weekend the three of us took a little road trip to Port Aransas. We had an amazing time just swimming in the pool, sitting in the hot tub, playing on the beach and splashing around in the ocean. We also ate some delicious sea food. Abby's favorite thing was swimming in the pool - each morning Matthew and I woke up to, "Let's hit the pool!" She would have stayed in the pool all day if we would have let her. On Saturday we visited "Sand Fest," which is a festival on the beach where thousands of people come to see the most incredible sand castles. Here are some pictures from our first family vacation!

In the hot tub.

Trying to take a cute/creative picture.

On the beach.

Bathing beauty getting a little sun.

Abby's ABCs

We had just returned from a walk (hence the sunglasses) and Abby decided to perform for the camera, which is quite a rarity. She said her ABCs for the first time unassisted yesterday.

This Week...

Hey Everyone! Just wanted to update our blog on the happenings of this week. We had a great weekend - the three of us had a blast at Sea World. It was bigger than we thought so we are thankful that we bought season passes because it will take several trips to see it all. I know several of you are planning a trip to Sea World so here are a few tips to pass on...
- You can watch Shamu on the computer at http://www.shamu.com/ in preparation for your trip. So fun!
- It's expensive so if you think you'll be going more than once buy a season pass or two-day ticket. The gifts in the shops are not too expensive - of course Abby had to have her own stuffed Shamu and we were happy to see the price tag said $10 instead of $30!
- The sign says you can't bring outside food, but we did and they even checked our bag, saw it and didn't say anything. I'm sure if you tried to enter with bags of food from McDonald's they would say something but I guess they didn't care about a couple PB&J sandwiches...they know you'll be suckered into buying more food anyway.
- They have a waterpark geared toward little children so bring swimsuits.

Other stuff...
We think we've found a church that we'll be attending while we are here in SA - such a praise! Abby loved her class and asked to go back on Monday. We are planning to venture downtown to the Market this weekend which should be fun and then next week Abby and I are flying to Dallas for a few days. We hope you are all doing well!

Abby & Daddy at Sea World
Mommy & Abby petting the Clydesdale...I know it's Sea World but it's an Anheuser-Busch park so there was a barn with Clydesdales.
Clydesdales are huge...and a little scarry for littles!
Abby watching "Telling the Truth" a Seasame Street DVD starring Dennis Quaid as Tele Monster's uncle. The name of Dennis' character is Uncle Tommy and Abby keeps referring to the DVD as "Uncle Tommy" and has asked to watch it many times this past week. Matthew and I joke she has a crush on Dennis Quaid!
Abby watching "Uncle Tommy" very intently.

So Blessed

Lately we've been reminded in a million little ways how blessed we are to have Abby. God gave us a sweet-spirited, compassionate, kind and joyful little girl and we are so thankful. Matthew and I went to sleep last night talking about how we love Abby so much it feels like our hearts could burst. She is truly a gift...every good and perfect gift is from above.
These are a few pictures from the last week. We are off to Sea World today so hopefully we'll get some great pictures to share with you all. Thank you all for taking the time to look at our blog. We love all our friends and family so much!

Abby dancing in the street (well, sidewalk) in Louisville, Kentucky. My mom "Hootsie", Becki, Abram, Andi "Wella" Haynes, and I took a little trip to Louisville this past week. It was a blast and the kids did wonderfully.
Abby and Hootsie. Abby recently changed my mom's name from WeWe (Abby came up with this pronunciation herself of course) to Hootsie.
Our little artist. One of Matthew's co-workers got these paint pens for Abby and she loves them!
I think she's actually looking at the camera.

Bye! We're off to see Shamu!

Happy Easter!

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Mark 10:45

We hope you all had a wonderful Easter!

Abby & Abram in the sandbox

Abby & Auntie showing off Easter candy - this is the only way we could get a smile out of Abby!

Hunting for eggs

Getting a little help from Pop (note the golf club)

Getting a little help from BaBaw

Spring Break!

So it's been since grad school that we've really experienced spring break. This year though we really did get to have a spring break - everyone came to us. For the past week and a half we've had family and friends stay with us in San Antonio. It's been a blast. (Note all the zoo pics...we went to the zoo four times in a week...good thing it's a great zoo!)

Abby and her little buddy Ben

Mommy, Abby & Daddy riding the train at the zoo

Abram & Abby at the zoo

Abram, Auntie, Abby & Mommy riding the train

Aunt Mindy, Abby & Aunt Kristine

Emma Kate & Abby eating popsicles in the bath