Thirty-Three

I turned 33 this year and totally feel like it's the new 22, amiright? 

But seriously, I can't believe I'm 33. 

In 5 seconds I will be 40 and woah. 

Not that I mind birthdays at all, they just seem to come quicker and I can't explain how that happens.

Every year the first week of August there is a two-day tax training I have to do for work that, a lot of the time, falls on my birthday. So this year I was sitting in an 8 hour tax class on my actual birthday. I was a little bummed about it that morning but knew I was going to have a family dinner to look forward to that night. 

However, much to my surprise, my best friends busted into my house while I was gone and gave it the best party makeover ever! I don't know how they did it all but they blew up balloons, hung streamers and bunting, a piñata, made a cake with 33 candles and left me a handful of the cutest Celebrate Always shirts. I was shocked when I walked in and my kids yelled surprise! 

It was the Best Day Ever! 

 

The only thing that could have been better was if I got to spend the day with them too. But, I am glad my kids got to play with their kids and pretty much had the best day of their lives. 

We went straight to family dinner with my family for a birthday celebration that night. I am so thankful everyone could make it happen after their work days!

That weekend we went to the lake with both sets of grandparents and Mendy and Alex. We had a little celebration and enjoyed the cake and piñata!

The rest of the weekend was fun and relaxing and just the best time. Mendy and Kinley set up a nail spa that we all enjoyed.  

Nothing says fancy like your feet soaking in a pot from the kitchen. 

 

This kid is too cool.

 

Mendy and Alex had to leave one night early so they put Kinley "in charge" of Brinkley for the day and night. She took her job seriously and slept all night with her and held her in the car on the way home. She earned $1 for her excellent dog-sitting skills. 

The next week I got to have another birthday celebration with Kristen, Jeff, Bob and Allison. I am SO glad that we all live close and we can meet up for parents night out dinners as much as we want! 

This time we went to Esparza's off of Main Street in Grapevine. 

 Selfies when its dark outside are just not the best quality. 

 I am so not high tech. Bummer. 

 

Handsome hubbies

   

Apparently this is the worlds largest wind chime...what!? Now don't all rush at once to go see this!

 

It was a great birthday and I am excited for what 33 will bring! 

Dylan - 11 months

Dylan, you are rocking and rolling this month. You are getting things down! 

You are furniture cruising like a champ and standing on your own for a few seconds at a time. We can't leave you alone for a second or you will crawl on top of something or let go of what you are holding on to and crash your head into it. 

This black eye happened after you let go of holding on to the metal bunk beds at the lakehouse.  You are tough!

You are eating everything we put in front of you and you HAVE to be gaining weight. Our daily goal is for you to be drinking 3 six ounce bottles a day and nursing morning and night. But milk is still not your favorite and you much prefer table food. 

 I love my breakfasts in the morning with all three of you to myself. Such a good way to start my day.

   

Watch your food when it's Dylan height because he might steal it. 

You are babbling up a storm! You say mama, dada, uh oh, and "that" when you point at things. 

You love to wave bye-bye when you sit down and crawl away. You move a little and then stop and wave and keep going. It's so cute. 

 We did the Harkins Movie passes again this summer and the beginning of the summer was easy and you sat in my lap the whole movie but toward the end of the summer we had to sit front row so you could have plenty of crawl space to crawl-stop-wave. 

 You were all over those nasty floors.  

You still love your brother and sister. They walk with you and carry you constantly. Sometimes you are ok with it and sometimes you just want to do it yourself. 

But there is no one that can make you smile and laugh like they can. 

We left you for the first time overnight this month to go to the lake for cousins weekend and you did great for Pops and Gram! 

You are sleeping pretty good; normally going to bed at 8:00 and wake up once a night around 3:30 or 4:00 and then back to sleep until 6:45 or 7. Exactly the same as Kinley and Ty. We are almost to the year mark where I am hoping, like them, you will magically start sleeping all night. If we are ever all up before you in the morning, it is our favorite thing to all come in to get you and Kinley and Ty crawl in the crib with you. 

 

We are slowly transitioning you to one nap for the school year and you are pretty ready for it but, this month you liked morning naps in the swing while I was getting ready and an afternoon nap in your bed. All three of my kids used a swing for a full year. It has been my saving grace when I need a shower. 

 I will miss the days without a swing in my bathroom.

You are just the happiest and most content baby. Your personality is so sweet and fun and easy going. Such a 3rd child. You are independent and like to do things yourself if you can but you also love your momma. You are busy, busy, busy and possibly the squirmiest baby ever. You just want to be moving. 

You are into everything and it keeps me on my toes. 

I am so thankful for the joy you bring to our lives baby boy. I can't believe you are almost a year old! This time has flown by but I want to take it all in as it goes so quickly. Thank you for rolling with the punches and craziness of our life. 

You handle it well and make it that much more special. 

I love you Dylan Lee. 

Visiting Momma Gay & Pepa

We had a fun impromptu visit to Momma Gay and Pepa's in July.  

Mom takes the kids over there on days I work sometimes but, I was excited to get to go too this time.  I love getting pictures with them and all my kids.  

Always good for the memory books :)

Detective Ty in this one...

   

So thankful to have Momma Gay and Pepa so close and that they get a chance to know all my kids.

 It is such a blessing!

More July

Catching up on a little July activities: 

Birthday celebrations - 

 Macy and Katelyn turned 4

Uncle Matt Matt turned 27

   

Uncle Alex turned 29 - 

yes, Dylan is toppless and Ty is laying in my lap during dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings. 

 We are so classy. 

 

Cow Appreciation Day - 

Thank goodness for shirts already made from last year! 

We had the best visits from some Fogles! 

Jen, Eden, Jack and Owen came in town and we spent some good time with them. Kinley got to have a sleepover with Eden while Ty was recovering from surgery and they were in heaven.

  

Mindy and Maverick Fogle also came over while they were visiting Texas.  We miss them SO much and just beg them to move back. 

These boys could be best friends! 

 

 Swimming at the Nordells 

Singing at Compass during the movie series with Ali on Big Hero 6 week...posing with Baymax.
 
CHHS girls dinner! We try to plan these but they rarely happen. This was a fun night at LaHa celebrating Sarah and sweet baby to be Jensen!

Compass Family VBS - Superhero theme!