Virginia is for Lovers

Although we arrived in Baltimore, rented a car with Connecticut plates and departed from Washington, D.C., Virginia was actually our destination. The state slogan "Virginia is for Lovers" was very fitting since we were in town for a wedding and well, "love is all you need"!

Here's a glimpse of the beautiful wedding festivities that we were so lucky to witness.

Congratulations Dan & Caroline!

*Side note with some honesty: I was a bit skeptical of Virginia wineries (being that I'm a California wine snob and all), but the vineyard was gorgeous and the wine was mighty tasty!

Highlights:
A family that dances together, stays together. Bottom line.
Team Benton Rally's!
Did you really work at White Castle?
We look like a boy  band.
The band didn't know Sweet Caroline. What band doesn't know that song?
So, I hear that my daughter did a headstand in a bar?!
Oh I know, let's leapfrog!
Uncle Jack, what time did you get in last night? -- It was the middle of the night, about 8:30.
Don't worry, I had the boys finding all of their light sabers when I left.
Is it pronounced Staanton or Staunton? -- Well if the English guy even says it like a redneck, we must be ok.
We're from Alabama, we know gravel roads!
Tim, give a speech! -- How's everyone doin'? Have you seen my cute baby? Here's to Dan & Caroline.
A guy walks into a bar and asks for a glass of milk...sounds like the beginning to a joke doesn't it?
"What's a ham steak?"-- "Oh it's a good size ham steak." (Note to safe ham steak = slice of ham.)
When did Tim get so smooth? I had no idea he had those kinds of moves. It's you isn't it.
Thank you so much for teaching me how to 'wobble'. I've been wanting to learn that one for forever!
No more creepy, random diners. -- I thought it would be authentic, I didn't know it would smell like feet.

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Thanks for the fun and the hospitality Virginia!
We had a ball...but I gotta say, I love Austin...it's good to be home.

'Round Here

Phew.
There's been a lot on the to-do list around here lately.

1.  Celebrating Father's Day

2.  Buying fancy new swim shoes

3.  Traveling.

4.  Taking Brides out on the town!

5.  Antique shopping

6.  Showing off some Texas swagga'

7.  Playing in a vineyard -- even though someone is under age!

8.  Finding sleep where we can.

9. Playing with family

10. Pig faces in the window













11. The charm of a small town

12.  Brotherly Love!

13.  Being reminded that dance can be the purest form of happiness & joy. Music can move the soul.

14.  Late night selfies...and a very sleepy little man.

Back to Bootcamp...or trying

Before I was expecting I was finding a new desire for fitness in a local bootcamp. What's the phrase, "it hurts so good"? Once I found out there was a life growing inside of me though, I put the intensity of that style of fitness on hold. Sure, the doctor's say that if you're already doing specific activities to just modify what you're used to and do what you can. I didn't want to chance anything though, and I was afraid that I wouldn't know my limits or how to adjust to my new found round-ness.

While pregnant, I did my own routine as I could. I walked a lot and sat on the sidelines cheering Tim on as he moved forward with his own love for competition and fitness.

Then, after Cameron was born and the doctor gave me the ok to working out again, I decided to start slowly back into that life.  I knew that I wasn't ready to jump back into bootcamp, but needed to work my way there. I joined a gym, we ran some local 5K races and Tim and I helped each other so that we could both have the time that we needed to take care of our bodies.

After Cameron turned 1, I decided it was time. I had done what I could manage on my own, and I was happy with where I was, but I was ready to get back into bootcamp. with or without the burpees that I despise so much.  (The hidden jiggly bits that are overstaying their welcome need a good kick in the pants.)  So, as of June 1st, I've canceled the gym membership and signed back up for bootcamp. I will always hate burpees, but it all really does hurt so good! :)  I'll never be a body builder, or a twig for that matter, but it's nice to exert some energy, clear my head and to be back at it!

Last week my Coach did some body comps on me - it's never fun, but it's nice to see where you are too. I had mentioned to her that I'm stronger on my left side because that's where I always carry Cameron.  After carrying him for a long time, I sometimes find myself stretching at night because my body has gotten unbalanced. As my Coach was doing my body comps she started laughing when my measurements on my left side were significantly different. There's a little proof in this picture taken by my Sister at the zoo a couple weeks ago -- yup, there he is on the left!

Sure, with everything going on there are times that I feel like I'm running on empty.  Getting up at 5:00am to go work out really stinks, but I get to see the sunrise as I breathe deeply through a run or a WOD and I'm still able to take advantage of whatever time I can get with Cameron. I appreciate my time and how we choose to coordinate and organize our life; it's all a constant work in progress. Whether bootcamp is for fitness, or just life in general -- as long as we're finding some way to maintain the simple aspects that continue to make us grow that's what matters right?

Hmm. Did I just throw out the roots of our family motto? Yup, it sneaks up on you sometimes.

Back to College. My Sister. The Zoo

Cameron and I went on a road trip to visit my sister Sarah this weekend. Sure the road trip wasn't full of bumpin' music that my road trips used to be filled with, but we made the best of it by using our shuffle option!

Sarah's cute college town is just what you would expect of a Texas college town! It's got the charm, the spirit and the class that makes you wish you were back in college!  I was hoping that our trip there would have included a baseball game, but we weren't able to coordinate a visit until after baseball season was already over. Spring is busy!

Saturday morning we went off for an adventure to the zoo and had a much better experience this go-round! 

Cameron loved watching all of the people and the animals. or maybe the people that acted like animals and the animals that acted like people. :) I was bummed that he fell asleep just when we found the penguins, the carousel and the train ride. We decided it was ok though, because there would be new things to experience the next time we went! I know he'll love the train. 

Cameron loved the hippos and the elephants. He talked to them in his own language and I'm pretty sure he was expecting a response. Sadly, he didn't get one.

Fishing.

The quality time with my sister and the extra loves she gave Cameron as he climbed her stairs over and over again. and again. and again. was perfect! (Not to mention Cameron's extra long nap while we girl'd it up by the pool!)

Sunning.

 There's a new chapter just beginning for her and I love seeing her grow into her own shoes.  I must have said it over 12 times this weekend, "you got this!"...but she really does.  It's nice to know that eventually we can all feel like we are where we're meant to be.  Thanks for a great weekend Sarah! We love you and we're so glad that you and Lexie will be road-trippin-close so that we can come visit when we need a good Sister-fix! 

PS - I looked at this picture and instantly thought, WOW - we're definitely sisters!

The hair, the sunglasses...oh ya, and that neck. :)