14.7.09

4th of July Festivities

For July 4th festivities, Parin and Aunt Emmy wanted to take me somewhere fun, but also somewhere that I could move around that wouldn't have huge crowds. And they wanted me to see fireworks. So... we went to Central Market. And Uncle James once again made the loooong drive over from Dallas to join us. (Thanks Uncle James! We love you!)




So, Central Market. Yes, it's a grocery store. But in Aunt Emmy's words, "It's AMAZING." She's right. It's a very cool market, complete with a cafe and outdoor patio. And the best part - the patio has a playground!!


And yet, it got better than that. Because it was the 4th of July, they also had an outdoor cafe set up. So, the way it worked... You purchased any food and drinks you wanted in the market or cafe. Outside were tables and chairs. Oh, and they had buckets for your drinks with giant tubs of crushed ice. Oh yea - tubs of free crushed ice. My heaven! After nearly half an hour on the playground with Daddy and Parin, I was some sweaty! So Mommy gave me a cup of ice to cool down. And it was great! Nothing gets better than a playground and unlimited ice! Take a scroll through these pictures and you'll find one happy little boy! (Yes, melted ice got my shirt wet. But who cares? I was have a blast!)




Then, as we were leaving Central Market, the fireworks for Downtown Fort Worth were beginning. So we quickly headed over to the TCU Campus where Parin works (and Uncle James' alma mater) to watch from there. I stood with Daddy and Parin. I was in awe!



We had a fabulous weekend in Fort Worth, and look forward to the next time we can go back!

12.7.09

Our Trip to Fort Worth - Visiting Parin & Aunt Emmy

Daddy and Mommy took me to visit Parin and Aunt Emmy in Fort Worth for the 4th of July. We had a great time! It's a nine hour drive, so they decided we'd fly there instead. It worked out well, because Daddy was able to fly out of Dallas/Fort Worth for work that week, and I returned home to Baton Rouge with Mommy.
We flew into DFW on Thurdsay afternoon, and Parin and Aunt Emmy met us at the airport. We went back to their house and I got to stretch my legs, run around, and play with my toys. Traveling is rough on a one year old, you know!


Parin was doing some work on his computer, and I just knew he needed my help. I was happy to lend a hand! I'm sure he really appreciated the delicacy with which I touch they keys!


Later that evening we took a walk along the Trinity River, which runs just behind their neighborhood. It was really hot, even in the evening. So we decided to go for a swim. Their nere very few people at the pool. I'd ever been swimming before, but since both Parin and Aunt Emmy are great swimmers, Mommy felt comfortable taking me. Plus, it gave Parin and Aunt Emmy a chance to be part of a "first" for me; since they live in Texas, they don't get that opportunity too often like all our family members who live so close have the opportunity to do. So Mommy dressed my in my swim gear, and I was ready to go!


I even made sure we had enough towels for all of us.


I put mine around my neck! I thought it would make my look like a total beach hotty! I'm a stud - don't you agree!?

So it was off to the pool. Daddy inflated my floaty for me. Parin, Aunt Emmy, and Daddy got in the pool, and Mommy handed me off to them. It was so much fun! I splashed and splashed and splashed!

It was a bit dark, even though the area was well-lit, so the pictures are kind of blurry because of the camera's auto-shutter settings. But you get the idea...



Shortly after that, it was bathtime, then bedtime. Friday morning we met Mommy's cousin Bridget for brunch. She hadn't seen me since I was a mere month old, so she couldn't believe how much I've grown. We had a great time visiting with her. We hung out at Parin's that afternoon so I could take a good nap. That evening Uncle James came over to visit. We went to a local winery, then back to Parin's and Aunt Emmy's to grill some burgers for dinner.
Saturday we hung around the house most of the day. I'd already had my breakfast, but I saw Parin make a bowl of cereal and got very excited. I love cereal and milk, just like Parin. He was so nice - he let me share with him!
I had fun playing with their dog, Franklin. He's just my size!


I sat with Aunt Emmy to pet him. He loves attention!

I love my Parin!!


Daddy needed to find some new shoes. If you know Daddy, you know he has a big foot, so finding shoes can be difficult. But he found some! Aunt Emmy thought it was funny that his shoes are so big. They come up to her knee! (And I'm sure it's not because she's slightly vertically challenged. No, that can't be it!)



They're a little bit too big for me now, but give me time... I'll grow into them!



The evening of July 4th we had a great time. Again, Uncle James was there, too. But, that's a long story with a lot more pictures, so we'll put that in a seperate post. For now... I'll end with this picture. Parin and Aunt Emmy are big Boston Red Sox fans. When we were in Massachusetts, Grannie and Paw-Paw bought us all Red Sox shirts. So, right before leaving for the airport, we all to a picture together in our shirts. I was getting sleeping (It was nap time!), so I'm rubbing my eyes. Parin says next summer, when the Red Sox play the Rangers in Arlington, he's taking me to a game. He better not forget that promise, 'cause I sure won't!

Daddy's Birthday Dinner #2

On Daddy's birthday (June 29), we went to dinner at T.J. Ribs with Grannie and Paw-Paw. I had a great time. Here are some pictures of me being silly!


What's that, you ask? Why, it's a raw onion. Yep, raw onion!

My favorite!! Corn on the Cob!!!


Daddy got a free dessert because it was his birthday.
It had cherries - I loved them!

My Dream Day!

On Daddy's birthday, Paw-Paw came to town so they could take him out to dinner that night. During the day, while Mommy and Daddy were working, I got to hang out with Grannie and Paw-Paw. And of course we ended up at the mall!
That day turned out to be a kid's day, with free carousel rides for a few hours. I was in heaven! There were lots of charachters from different business, too. I enjoyed seeing them all.

I love riding the carousel!

Mr. Yogurt Cone from Menchie's Frozen Yogurt


Mr. Cow from Chick-fil-A


Mr. Cookie from the Great American Cookie Co.


Mr. Bear from Build-A-Bear Workshop
And me on the carousel again!
I think I rode it EIGHT times that day! I was exhausted!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Daddy came back from work the day after our visit to Jennings. That evening we went to dinner with Aunt Leslie and Uncle Aaron. We had a great time! The next day we had lunch with Grandpa & Gigi, Gram & Papa, Mrs. Kacie & Denver, and Miss Michelle & Mr. Andy to celebrate Daddy's birthday. Mommy invited them all to meet us at Zea's. The food was really yummy! Mommy and I made a cake for Daddy, so we shared that with everyone. Here are some photos from the fun!


Hugs for my cousin, Denver




Me and Denver

Happy Birthday, Daddy!



Helping Mommy cut and serve Daddy's cake

Meeting Mary Grace and Cousins Jena and Jelani's Wedding

Yes, it's been a very long time since you've seen an update. We've been really busy!

The last weekend in June, Mommy and went to Jennings to visit Aunt Danielle and her new baby, Mary Grace. Mary Grace is such a cutie pie! Mommy held her and I couldn't stop giving her sweet kisses and hugs. I wanted her to play with my toys, but she didn't seem interested. I even got to hold her for a minute to take some pictures - I really liked that!

That evening Mommy and I went to our cousins Jena and Jelani's wedding in Scott (near Lafayette). We had a good time, and I got to play with all my cousins. I even danced with them to the music!

There was only one small problem with the whole weekend. Near the end of the wedding, Mommy realized that the camera she'd been using all day had no memory card in it. We were so bummed! So... a whole day of fun, and not a picture to show for it!

(Daddy was still out of town for work that Friday, and didn't get back until the next day.)