HAPPY TWO YEARS BABY GIRL!

So I know there has been a post overload lately but so much is going on that I just can't help myself. For instance this last week was Kaysia Mae's 2nd Birthday! I can hardly believe it was TWO whole years ago my sweet baby girl was born! Some days it seems like yesterday others a lifetime! I can't imagine my world without her in it and even though there are days I want to run screaming into the night the majority of the time she brings so much joy into our lives that it erases all else. We had a rough start her and I...and when I think back to how dark those days were and how different things are now I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father that we made it through and are that much better because of it all! I read a few days ago that toddlers are a constant display of explosive emotion! Whether its happy or sad everything is in the moment and right at the surface. I don't love that about Kaysia at the grocery store when she is throwing a huge tantrum...but I DO love it when it involves big hugs and kisses. Big smiles and shouts of joy. Like when I tell her we are going swimming and she throws her hands up in the air and yells "YAY YAY YAY!!" Or in the morning when I hear her yelling "Momma where are you?" and as soon as I open the door she throws her arms open and says "Momma Coming, Momma Coming!" and hugs me so tight it makes my heart burst!
I truly love her so much and I feel so incredibly blessed that Heavenly Father would trust such a special spirit with someone like me. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my little Weez! I love you more! :)

San Antonio

Well we officially went on our FIRST family vacation this last weekend! Yes our first...as in no parents or anything...we are so grown up! :) No but seriously it was the first time we have gone anywhere with just our little family and we had so much FUN! We left the morning of Kaysia's birthday (the 2nd) and we spent the afternoon shopping in San Marcos at Prime Outlets...rated #2 best shopping in the world by the women on "The View". It was extremely hot but the stores were gorgeous and the prices were not too shabby so we were able to splurge a bit and buy each of us some new shirts. Then we continued on to San Antonio and checked into our hotel.
My parents so generously allowed us to use some Marriott points and so we were able to stay at the Townplace Suites. We took enough food to eat most of our meals there since it had a full kitchen-which turned out to be so great since our budget is tight these days! And I just have to say for the record that Kaysia slept like an angel both nights. We were VERY worried about how she was going to sleep in the same room with us but each night after I laid her in the playpen she would simply say "Momma?" and once I told her I was there she would lay down and go to sleep! It was amazing! A huge milestone for us!
Anyway, the next day we went down to the Riverwalk and Market Square and after a LOT of walking and sweating we finally rode the bus back to our car which turned out to be the highlight for Kaysia. She was not happy when we had to get off! We spent the rest of the evening swimming and enjoyed a nice steak dinner at a place called Canyon Cafe near our hotel.
Originally we had planned to go see the Alamo but because of the holiday weekend and the large crowds we decided to just head home Saturday morning! With it only being 2 1/2 hrs away it really was not a bad drive at all and we were able to do so much! Thanks again Mom and Dad for hooking us up we owe you big time! Here are a few pictures from our trip...and no I did not get any of the hotel which I am mad about but what can ya do?

Bear With Me...Picture Mania!

I FINALLY GOT A CAMERA CORD! YAY! I know you all have just been DYING to see the gazillion pictures we have taken the past 6 weeks since arriving in Houston. So instead of taking a nap while I am free from the terrorizer I thought I would do a few posts! :) I just have to say too that we are really enjoying our time here. Not so much the 104 not-including-humidity degree weather but the overall experience itself. We have seen and done a lot of fun things and have eaten some really delicious food. But best of all we have been able to spend more time with Daddy who luckily does not have to spend all his spare time at night and on weekends studying! Hallelujiah!
For documenting sake I also have to say that Kaysia has grown up a lot these past few weeks and is learning new things all the time. She can finally sing the ABC's and does a pretty good job staying on tune :) She swims all over the pool with her little floaties on just singing all the different songs that her movies (and me :)) have so graciously taught her. She makes us laugh all the time with her constant talking that still makes very little sense and at the end of the day (even the bad ones) I find that I can't wait to see her again in the morning! She loves or rather is obsessed with animals...specifically dolphins and her lambie...eats popcorn chicken, carrots/ranch, and salsa like they are going out of style and begs for cookies constantly hoping that I will give in and feed them to her all day long. Which I don't...so don't worry. My absolute favorite thing is to see her clonking around with my shoes on...in her diaper (because of course she learned how to take her clothes off) pushing her empty stroller-holding all her fav toys-singing at the top of her lungs "I am a Child of God". That my friends is the reason I get up in the morning. That and egg salad sandwiches that I just found out are really delightful. Anyway, enough talking...enjoy the pictures!

I got out of the shower and couldn't find Kaysia anywhere. I had stopped to get a drink and heard a little voice quietly saying "Momma coming". I opened the cupboard to find her hiding there. I laughed so hard I cried!

She insists on wearing them daily

Swimming with Daddy...her absolute fav!

Always wearing the goggles...I hope they aren't a security blanket she refuses to go to Kindergarten without! Then again it could be a new fashion statement!

I found her like this...

Our favorite place. It has a covered play area AND a splash park! Two must haves here!

Kemah Boardwalk

Here are some pictures of us at a place called Kemah. We had a ton of fun riding the rides, walking the boardwalk and of course SWEATING more than the average human does in their lifetime! But hey it was all part of the experience. An hour drive from our apartment and we were looking out on the ocean...just glad to be together! It was a really awesome place and maybe someday when it isn't so hot we will go back there and spend a bit more time enjoying the sites and culture of the Kemah Boardwalk.

Some of the rides were free for 2 and under so we took advantage...i think I may have enjoyed it more than she did! i love a good thriller!

Kaysia's first time seeing the ocean!

Playing in the water fountains!

Endless Pictures

A trip to Katy Mills Mall...Kaysia couldn't be pulled away from the animals outside the Rain Forest Cafe so we decided to eat there...Great place...terrible food (and pricing) Oh well live and learn.

A little modeling to show off some cute new clothes! Thanks again Nana!

It was love at first sight.

Enjoying breakfast at her new table with all her "friends"

Ignore the fleece Christmas pjs...it gets cold in our house at night!

Does this remind you of something Meags...??

She loves to lay out with her floaties and marshmellow swimsuit on!

We were so grateful Gma and Gpa helped us move down! They really are the best ever!

At Last...

Okay so I don't have much time but I just wanted to let you all know that we made it to Houston safely and we are already LOVING it! Our apartment is very NICE and neat and looks right out onto the pool and the gorgeous trees and walking path that weave around the complex! We got VERY lucky and feel so blessed to be able to be in such a beautiful place surrounded by so much to do! We DON'T have internet though so unfortunately I won't be able to blog any pictures until we get back in August but I may write a few clips every now and then to let you all know whats going on and to keep a record of our time here so I don't forget!

I just have to say too that Kaysia is already a pro swimmer. Our first day here we stuck some floaties and a life jacket type swimsuit thing on her and after only a few minutes she was rearing to go all by herself and loves to just paddle around the pool! She really is so brave and we are incredibly happy that she likes to swim so much because I am pretty sure that is all we will be doing most days!

Anyway, hope you are all happy and well and that you have a TON of fun this summer! I feel like we are on a 3 MONTH vacation and it feels SO great to just be able to relax and soak up the Houston experience! So until next time...Chow!

what happens at Maugas...

...happens to be just the way we like her! :)