Allison's and Aidan's Grandparents Extravaganza

While we went to Montana, the kids went to party it up with some of their grandparents. Some, these kids have seven. Lucky little things.

On June 14th Grandma Renee and Papa Denis came to pick them up. I had a very hard time watching them leave, but after the daily reports I knew they were having a blast. Check this out!

Playing in the dog house

Out on the boat

Train ride, paddle boats, and playing at the park

Driving the tractor. Aidan cannot quit talking about this!

They had a blast in Wimberley! They both have told me so much about their days with Grandma Renee and Papa Denis.

Then, on the 17th they were traded off to Omie and Papa Fred for a week. Allison attended Sea Camp at the Texas State Aquarium all week. She loved it and wants to go back next year. She has told us all about sea life, especially the turtles.

At the sea lab the first day

Aidan was taken to what was essentially I think his heaven would look like. My godparents' house to run the trains in Curt's train room. He even dressed for the part. Omie and Papa Fred said he was wonderful.

They helped make dinner one night and brownies another.

These two had so much fun in their ten days away. We have been told how much they missed us, but it's so nice to know they were so spoiled and cared for. Allison calls it she and Aidan's vacation. So cute! Thanks grandparents!

Montana Trip

Tyler and I had a great time on our anniversary trip to Montana. We flew into Missoula, and that little city is wonderful. It felt like a small version of Austin with much better weather. We spent Wednesday there, and then a few hours before flying out as well. The farmers market was amazing and really busy. There were so many cute shops and restaurants with outdoor seating. I cannot go on enough about the weather. Perfect. We had a couple of rainy, cold days the first part of the week, but afterwards it was gorgeous.

Missoula

We stayed on Rock Creek. We were able to walk down from our cabin to the river and fish.

The cabin

The view from the back deck

Tyler deciding on flies for the next day's fishing

On the first full day we did a float trip down the Blackfoot River, where A River Runs Through It is based. This was by far our best day of fishing. I decided the next time we go I will fish on float trips and by the cabin only. You will learn why in a minute.

Bull Trout

Some fishing down by the river with wine, cheese, and grapes. Tyler calls these our "Come Visit Montana" brochure pictures. We're so cheesy. Blue cheesy.

On Wednesday we drove back from Missoula along Rock Creek Road. Talk about beautiful.

The sky was unbelievable. This was one night when we went out and looked at the stars. We hardly see stars in Houston. Thanks smog.

We had a good trip with minimal arguing. :) We did have one day that can fall under the category of extreme flyfishing. I typed it up on my iPad as soon as we came back to the cabin with Tyler's help. I did not want to forget any of the crazy things that happened. I will work on putting it on here in a few days. If you are in need of a laugh, I will provide you with one at my expense.

I cannot say I am in love with fly fishing, but I did have some fun moments. I am, however, in love with Montana. 

Ten Years

Today is our ten-year wedding anniversary. I decided to go back through my digital pictures and see if I could find one from each year of just Tyler and I. No such luck. Here are a few I did find.

Prom 1994

Check us out! This picture cracks me up. We thought we were such hot stuff.

Mardi Gras - I think around 1998. It was in college.

Our first dance at our wedding - 2002

Pebble Beach - June 2007

Yep, I could not find any from the first five years of marriage.

September 2007

July 2009 - Coldplay Concert

October 2009

August 2010

Right before we moved stomping grapes.

That wine never did survive.

October 2010 - Halloween Party

 December 2011 

Tonight we are heading to dinner at Mark's and tomorrow we fly out very early for our trip to Montana. I am really looking forward to the peace, relaxation, and time with Tyler. He's REALLY looking forward to the fly fishing.

This was my gift to him. He's very hard to buy for, and when I saw this I thought it was unique and inspiring. The artist has a daughter that is blind. She decided to create a set of pieces that spelled out words in braille. This one says "LOVE".

Tyler had my engagement diamond re-set. I wanted it to match my wedding band, but I really liked the pave look around the diamond. What was created was a combination of the two. I could not be happier with it!

These ten years have flown by. There have definitely been ups and downs, but at this point I feel like each year is getting better than the last. Here's to the next ten!

Let the train obsession continue...

What type of mother would I be if I didn't indulge his train obsession? He has worn it for three days straight.

Concan Weekend

This past weekend Christina and I took the kids to Concan. Tyler and I are leaving for Montana on Saturday, and the kids will first go to Grandma Renee and Papa Denis's before heading to Omie and Papa Fred's. So, we went to Concan this weekend to hand off Austin for two weeks. We all had a great time at the river.

Allison fell in love with dominos. This was when she beat Christina.

Aidan being very silly.

The kids each had a fishing pole. Allison spent quite a bit of time casting.

Omie and her river rats

Mommy and her sweeties

Aidan "rescued" Allison from the rapids. It was so cute.

Papa Fred and Allison after roughing the rapids.

 Aidan and Papa Fred 

On our way out of town we stopped for t-shirts. Can you believe there was a train one? Aidan wore it last night and all day today.

No Longer a Kindergartener

Allison cannot quit talking about how she's a first grader now. She's so excited. This was the last day of Kindergarten running off of the bus in the rain with Lauren, her neighbor friend.

Father's Day 2012 - A Little Early

This year we are celebrating Father's Day two weeks early. On the actual date Tyler and I will be in Montana for our 10-year anniversary trip, and the kids will be going from Grandma Renee and Papa Denis's to Omie and Papa Fred's. Next weekend we also won't be with Daddy since the kids and I are headed to Concan to hand off Austin to Omie and Papa Fred.

Tyler is really great about buying himself things he wants when he wants them, all year. I struggled on something fun and silly to get him. He has a serious gummy bear obsession, so when I saw this in a catalog I knew it was the way to go. I wish I could bottle his laughter and "Oh My Gosh!" reaction. It was great!