Project Life 2011: Week 8 & 9

Miss Valerie has been slowly starting to show an interest in potty training. Today she dragged her little potty to a spot right in front of the tv and declared to me that she was ready to sit on the "pot". Almanzo was jealous of the special attention she was getting and decided he wanted a turn too...except he wasn't ready to wait for her to get OFF the potty for his turn.




Almanzo loves to clap his hands whenever he hears the theme song for his favorite tv show, Backyardigans. It is the cutest sight to see!




We arrived in Texas (after a long flight with two squirmy and tired toddlers and two parents getting over a nasty cold) just in time for me to go to Cherylyn's bachelorette party. We had dinner at a restaurant on the riverwalk in San Antonio and it was so fun getting to know some of her friends.




Today we drove to a real live Texas ranch so Ted and Dave could pre-ride the race course for tomorrow's race. While they pre-rode, the kids and I soaked up all the sunshine we could. It was SO good to be outside wearing t-shirts and sandals in February.




Today was the long awaited re-match of the brothers. After the second lap, Dave's bike broke, so he had to pull out of the race. Ted was still getting over a cold, but he was determined to finish the race...and finish he did. It wasn't quite the outcome we had hoped for, but it was still fun to experience a Texas mountain bike race on a beautiful sunny day and for Ted and Dave to race together again.




The guys were off at Dave's bachelor party, so Cherylyn came over with her nephew to visit for a while. Almanzo quickly became her buddy, running back and forth giggling whenever she would look at him and smile.

It's been a while since we had an opportunity to have a family photo taken, so, on our trip to the zoo today, I asked Dave to take a photo of us.




Despite our little man being sick with the flu, Ted & I were able to enjoy a fun date night with David & Cherylyn before they became husband and wife. I wish we lived closer so we could do this more often!




After a fun time getting a manicure and pedicure with Cherylyn and her bridesmaids, we met the rest of Ted's sisters, mom, and cousin for lunch at a Mexican restaurant near the riverwalk in San Antonio for a little bridal shower luncheon. It was so much fun spending time with all my sisters-in-"love"!




Today was the rehearsal for David & Cherylyn's wedding. They decided to have their wedding ceremony in the front yard of David's home. They both did a wonderful job making everything look beautiful for their wedding day and it was a blessing to be able to take part in their wedding.




Today was David & Cherylyn's wedding day, the day they had hoped and planned for five months ago when David asked Cherylyn to be his wife. The day didn't go as well for our family as we had hoped when Valerie woke up in the early morning puking, but, thankfully, she was well enough for pictures and for the ceremony. She was the cutest little flower girl and almost stole the show, but the real beauty of the day was in watching David & Cherylyn begin their new life together. Congratulations David & Cherylyn!




Today was a rough day for our little family once again, but the highlight of our day was a visit from Ted's brother and his new bride and seeing how happy they were. We were able to visit a little bit and give them their wedding gift from us before they headed off to their honeymoon in Hawaii.




Today was the longest day ever. Traveling with two toddlers when one is still recovering from a nasty flu bug is not something I ever want to do again. But there was one little glimmer of joy today while waiting for our connecting flight and seeing our two little ones faces light up as they looked out the window at all the planes getting ready to take off. I'm so glad I captured this happy moment.




This photo will have to suffice for two days worth of photos, because I was too exhausted to do much of anything after our Texas adventure. Our whole house looked like this for most of our first week home. Seriously, vacation when you are a mom of two toddlers is more work than vacation...SO exhausting!