Lake weekend

This summer, we got to enjoy a relaxing weekend once again with our friends the Ridgells at Jamie's parents' lake house. The kids always have a fun time together, and this weekend was no exception. We swam in the lake and at the pool. We jumped off the boat and tried not to think about what was deep below us. We panicked and squealed when we felt something brush our leg while imagining what might be below us, only to discover it was just the strap of the life jacket (okay, I did that). We took turns tubing behind the boat. We cooked and devoured delicious food. We felt baby Austin wiggle inside Jamie's beautiful belly. We forgave the children and put them in front of a movie when they woke up at an ungodly hour the first morning. The guys stayed out late fishing. The girls stayed up late talking. We stayed pretty dirty most of the day. We made more memories with good friends to stock away with the countless ones we've made with them before.

Anniversary Party

My parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this July 6th. My sister Andrea and I wanted to do something special for them, so we planned a surprise party for them at my house. I really can't describe the stress and anxiety over this event, except to say that I'm sure I lost a few years of my life to it. However, the look on their faces when they walked through the door and the continual words of appreciation they've shared with us since, made an early death much easier to bear.

We used their wedding picture for the invitation and sent it to as many old friends and family members as we could track down. Andrea scanned hundreds of old photos and sent them to me to put together a photo book, which included well wishes from loved ones. Ryan used the photos to create a slideshow and put together a little vow renewal ceremony. Andrea and I worked hard to convince our dad that this was the year to get Mom the big diamond ring he's been talking about for years. We ordered a wedding cake and yummy food from Mandola's. Ryan snagged tables and chairs from TDS. Andrea made fans with old photos on them for use during the vow renewal outside. Andrea and I sent at least a million texts to each other, and somehow managed to get along and agree on the decisions that needed to be made for this huge event. More than any of it, I'm probably most proud that at the end of this Andrea and I were both still alive and on speaking terms, dare I say close friends.



We told my parents that we wanted to take them out to a nice dinner that evening, and that they were to meet us at our house. Luckily, the way the sun hits our windows, we could all see out, but they couldn't see us inside. We screamed "Happy Anniversary!" when they walked in, and they were truly surprised. Most of my dad's close family members were there, as well as several friends. Almost everyone drove from out of town, so it was especially touching to my parents.


After all of the greetings, we moved everyone outside, where Ryan led my parents in renewing their vows, while we all looked on. I said a prayer, and Andrea read a scripture. Garrett held my mom's new ring (very carefully, as instructed), and Scout held my mom's bouquet while my dad placed the ring on her finger. It was beautiful.







We moved inside for dinner, which was being delivered and set up at that moment - thanks, Mandola's! The kids hid under the table until they got food, and Scout got a couple of fingers in the cake. Oops!

We played the slideshow after most people had finished eating. I learned a few things from going through all of those old photos of my parents - 1, they did the 70's right; 2, my dad and his two brothers LOVE themselves; and 3, my dad needs to get down on his knees and thank the good Lord everyday that he married my mom (oh, and on that same note, my sister and I get our looks from our mom). There were lots of laughs during the slideshow, but a few tears, as well. Ryan chose some great songs to accompany the photos.




Here are some of the photos we used.

All of my dad's family wanted to share stories from the "old neighborhood". Most of my dad's family lived in the same neighborhood in Victoria, so they like to tell funny and sweet stories of growing up in each other's houses with each other's families. We got it all on video. After the stories, my parents cut the cake and then opened gifts.



The evening couldn't have gone better, and the feeling of having been able to pull it off is indescribable. I'm infinitely grateful to my sister Andrea, who worked tirelessly to make the evening one to be remembered. Ryan was incredibly supportive and dutifully fulfilled all of my requests of him, especially the day of the party. Garrett and Scout were angels during the party, gracious to our guests and performed their ring-bearing and bouquet-holding duties like pros. My aunts and uncles and my mom's friends were incredibly helpful in finding names and addresses for the guest list. But, above all, I am grateful to my parents, who have given my sister and me a priceless gift of a stable home and a strong example of how a loving marriage should look. I'm sure it wasn't always easy, but I never got the sense that they were staying together because of just a commitment to each other or to the Lord, but that they were truly happier together than apart. Happy 40th, Mom and Dad!

The Fourth

The Fourth weekend was a little rainy this year, but we had a great time, as usual. Our neighborhood parade was on Sunday, the 4th, so we weren't able to participate, but, luckily, my parents' new neighborhood held their parade on Saturday. We decorated our wagon, climbed into the fire truck, ate popsicles and got our faces painted. On Sunday, Ryan had to work at Willie's Fourth of July celebration at the Backyard, so I took the kids to dinner and a fireworks show at the outdoor amphitheater at the Hill Country Galleria. The fireworks show was fantastic, but we got an extra treat on the way home. Because our drive home is through the hills, we were able to see at least 10 fireworks shows, including the one downtown. I finally pulled to the shoulder so we could watch them all. Some were hard to spot in the distance, but the thrill of the search and the sense of accomplishment at finding the tiniest sparks of colored light across Austin made our night!