The girls and I spent three weeks down in Texas for the annual Hall Family Reunion and boy did we have a great time swimming in the pool, feasting on s'mores, playing dominoes late into the night, laughing with cousins and celebrating some very special birthdays!
Now..."Part 1" you may ask? I am only able to post the pictures Jason and I took with our camera. But I've been promised a disc of my sister's photos as well as a copy of all our family portraits. Yup...that's right - family portraits; 9 adults, 1 six year old, 2 four year olds, 3 two year olds and 1 nine month old. No - we're not crazy. Just sentimental.
Within a few short minutes of getting to PoppieGa's house Evelyn was stripped down, stuffed into her swimsuit and then thrown into the pool. It was an awesome way to end a 10 hour day in the car!
Aurelia was not one to be left out - this little baby LOVES LOVES LOVES the pool.
And I LOVE LOVE LOVE this little baby.
Both the girls had so much fun swimming in the pool - if only we had one in our own backyard to combat this ridiculous heat index of 108 degrees. I mean really...is this seriously necessary???
Poppie got in on the action too!
EVERYONE had a great time.
After a bit in the pool our little Picasos got busy creating the most fabulous drawings.
After a long, busy, fun-filled day in the pool there's nothing like a homemade lemonade popsicle to cool things off a bit.
Mmmm....Bubs certainly enjoyed his. This kid could sell a million of these with his enthusiasm.
Back on the deck my little baby exhausted from all her fun snuggled up to her mommy and took a little nigh' nigh.'
What? You want a better picture?
Closer now? You got it!
Look at those precious little baby cheeks and pink baby lips. Oh I could just kiss them all day!!
Evelyn ADORED her main man, Bubs! Every chance she got she'd climb up into his lap and Bubs was more than willing to accommodate. He loved his little Evelyn too.
We had the bright idea of spreading the love to include Aurelia and I'm not sure Evelyn knew what to think at first...
...but she eventually realized Bub's love was a river and not a pie - there was enough love to go around for everyone. Yeah Baby Yeah!
Claire thought it was all pretty fantastic too!
Back in the pool...Ga prepared a special treat of strawberries and blueberries for Evelyn - one of her favorite treats!
"Thanks Ga! You're the best and you spoil me rotten!"
"Now give me a kiss!"
My Aunt Gail and Uncle Dave even made the trip out from California for a long weekend. Evelyn and Aunt Gail became
fast friends!
And now a little photo spread of my youngest.
Heeeeeeey there.
A few more pictures of her sleeping like, well...a baby.
She was watching baseball with Poppie and the excitement proved to be too much.
Nothing like the image of a sleeping babe to warm the soul.
Wasn't that lovely? What a little tasty little treat.
We celebrated Evelyn's birthday not once, but twice while we were there since Jason couldn't be there on the actual day. Daddy did, however, send the birthday girl a very special surprise on her very special day.
Birthday hugs for the birthday girl. Two peas in a pod these two.
All the boys gathered around and helped Evelyn open up a special gift from Aunt Allison and Uncle Bill.
THEN...cupcake "ice-cream" cones for everyone!
DELISH!
I was a little concerned Aurelia might feel left out since she didn't get a cone...but she was having a great time with her new best friend, Aunt Allison.
Well - she was left out of the cupcake cones but made up for it the next morning with some of Poppie's flap jacks!
Boy did she ever.
THEN - back into the pool!
Evelyn was thrilled to see Andrew and couldn't get close enough. Well she did get close enough to knock her sunglasses around a bit. That's what happens when you give kisses in the pool.
Mr. Jack Martin aka Jack the Fish.
Annie and her bubbly Bubs.
We had to take a quick s'mores break - and believe me, it was quick. Those kids
inhaled those suckers!
Check this diva out.
Ahhh...old people kissing.
***WARNING***This is a little graphic.
Just kidding Mom and Dad!
I LOVE it that you're still hot for one another after all these years.
OK...here's some unbelievable cuteness. I'm not sure you can handle it...but here you go.
LOVE him - LOVE her - LOVE LOVE LOVE them together!
"What??? You want to take my picture? Well....alright then."
Ga has a wonderful garden where she grows onions, potatoes, green beans, tomatoes and other deliciousness. All the grandkids LOVED the garden. You could always find a little one digging around in there on the hunt for some tasty treasure.
Da boys.
Da girls.
Da man. More precisely MY man.
Anne's man.
And this is a closer look at Anne's man's snack.
A stick bug.
When Jason came back we threw
another birthday party! This time it was for Evelyn AND her Uncle Tom! She and Ga got busy in the kitchen making icing for the cake!
Didn't it turn out cute?
But not as cute as this...
...or this kiddo excited for some of that cake!
Alright...not as cute as this sweetheart either.
Group shot! Evelyn was sportin' her aunt's sunglasses. And yes, I dressed my girls in the same swimsuit...and yes, I realize they aren't twins. That little fact hasn't stopped me in the past and let's be honest - it won't stop me in the future.
Uncle Robin and Aunt Jeri came out to help celebrate too!
"CHEESE!!!"
Another photo-obsessed individual...can't wait to see all those pictures!
Evelyn got a little help from "Kacky" opening up one of her birthday presents.
And then Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum came over to further assist. Talk about two peas in a pod - Andrew and Trent luuuuuuuuve eachother. It's so fun to watch all the cousins together...I hate that this only happens once a year. Ahhh...I digress.
It happened to be one VERY large inflatable ladybug for our little lady from her Ga.
"THANKS GA!"
This is a great example of how excited I am to get my sister's pictures! The boys were posing for her camera and let me tell you....it's a pretty precious photo of these two. But you don't have to take my word for it - I'll post is later. :)
Beef jerky baby! Happy Birthday Tom!
How adorable is this???
Me and my "I can't believe she's already two" 2 year old. Happy Birthday sweet Evelyn!
I love this festive kid!
Again...probably a better picture from Anne's point of view - but sadly this was the only one I had of me and my brother. Love you, Tom.
WHEW!!! That was our three week summer trip to Texas in a nut-shell.
More to come...if you dare.
Peek-a-boo!
Look at these ham hocks!
"You talkin' bout me?"
Evelyn made sure Ree Ree got her bottle. Hydration is key people.
Except she was having a little trouble drinking it while sitting up.
"A little help Mommy?"
This worked much better.
While drinking her bottle she kept one eye on sister...
...who was busy at the water table and who kind enough to let Truman wet his whistle.
Ree Ree...always watching...
Meanwhile Daddy was hard at work inflating the water pad.
Someone was excited!
"Good job Daddy! Looking good from up here!"
Still drinking...but almost done.
The water pad was ready and Evelyn was thirsty!
So was Tru-baby.
All together now!
I love it when all the kids get along.
This kid, on the other hand...likes to cause trouble. See that devilish grin?
Yup...squirting water at me...but more importantly - at my precious camera! Boys.
My other boy - the well behaved one - was having a blast.
So was this little girl.
Evelyn dominated the whale slide!
Head first! What a dare devil!
Splash!
In the end I couldn't resist the lure of the sweet, delicious hose water nor could I be bothered with changing into a bathing suit.
It felt wonderful and Aurelia thought it tasted pretty good too.
