Summer 2011 Part 2: SUGAR LAND!

Ah, sweet sweet sugar land! I had no idea how much I missed this most wonderful town until I arrived. GOSH, I love this city. The home of mine and Audrey’s closest gal pals. After Will’s ‘stellar’ behavior in Shreveport, my mom suggested I leave him behind in Lake Charles – great idea. I loved the freedom of not having to work around naptime and just having one very low maintenance child, it was a much needed and welcomed break. Did I mention we had a BLAST?!

Since this is the city where we “did life” it was a great feeling to be back and pick up where we left off, even if it was just for 4 days… we made ‘em count!

Audrey with the sweet Reed girls.

I got to meet my friend, Megan’s little boy that was born after we moved.  His name is Will too! LOL, I just noticed he is giving me the finger here. wow.. he must take after his daddy, since his mama would never do that

We brought all the girls to Sweet and Sassy, and got them all matching feathers!

Audrey is the oldest in the bunch - 5 girls under 5 years old!

After the fun at Sweet and Sassy, we took the girls to lunch at Chick-fil-A where they could play and we could chat.

We left lunch and headed north to Katy, TX to play with the Stanfields.   Audrey and Deacon have been friends since Audrey was born.  Kenzie actually used to keep her during the day for me when I was working and daycare proved to be too much of a sick haven for Audrey.  We love this family and have been friends for such a long time.  It was great to see Kenzie, Deacon, Faith Clare and baby Scout!  We left the Stanfields and headed back to Sugar Land to get ready for a girls night at a Mexican Restaurant.. yum!  Audrey stayed at the Reed’s house and played while Grant babysat. (THANK YOU Grant!).  The next morning we loaded up the girls and Stephanie and I headed for the Circus!  We were all SOOOOO TIRED since we kept staying up late girl talking… no rest for the weary! We packed something in every minute we were there.

We decided to leave the circus during intermission so the girls could eat and rest before the neighborhood party that evening… Audrey and I squeezed in a little shopping before our naps.  We both napped great and I literally woke her up 5 minutes before we walked out the door.

^^The best neighbors in the world!  I stayed at Stephanie’s house who is sitting next to me in the black dress^^  Ironically, Stephanie is from Iowa, LA (just outside of our hometown – Lake Charles.. must be why we get along so well: we are both Cajun girls at heart who absolutely love Sugar Land, TX.  ALL of these girls are so wonderful and I have special friendships with each of them.

The hostess with the mostess!! Kimberly hosted the “Neighborhood Happy Hour” at her house (which lasted until midnight – Audrey stayed awake the entire time!).  I appreciate her offering her home, since she is preggers with her FOURTH baby.  Her oldest is Audrey’s age.  She has a lot going on to say the least!

During the party, they asked everyone to come inside – I got nervous since I wasn’t sure what they were up to – but much to my surprise (and Audrey’s) they threw a mini (early) surprise party for her!  They had a birthday cake, a cute cute card and the most beautiful James Avery charm bracelet with 5 charms!!!!  I TOTALLY cried.   I had been so sad about her possibly feeling slided for her birthday this year… even thought it was awesome that we were going to be in Lake Charles for her actual birthday, she is at the age where she wants a fun friend party.  How great was it that she was able to celebrate with all of her old friends from Sugar Land!  I thought it was extremely thoughtful and proved again, that we have the most amazing friends. 

Me and my Audrey-Lou

Her precious charm bracelet ^^

So Proud! She played with that card for dayyyys afterwards.  It was one of those cards that had a song playing when you opened it.  She would sing along with Rapunzel.

between all of our families, we have 20 kids and one in the oven (Kimberly’s).

Cracking up with my girls

Laughing now remembering the night.  Loved being with them since I realized I had not had any time with girlfriends in 6 months.  It was so much FUN.

When we got back we headed straight for Choza del Rio – My parent’s camp – My cousin, Byron and his wife and kids were coming to visit! Audrey missed her brother and will missed his “sissy!” (that is what he affectionately calls her all.day.long)

Will loves to ride the jet ski.  He calls it a “boat” – My mom was driving him and Allie (Byron’s daughter).  I wish I would have genetically inherited those legs.  grrr. ah, oh well. everyone has a selling point, and well, my legs ain’t it!

My dad, “Cappy” (short for Captain)….well, that is what his ‘grandpa’ name WAS.  Will decided this trip that his name is now Paw Paw… which I love, since my grandpa’s (dad’s dad) name was Paw Paw and he sadly passed away last year.

Sweet Brennan! Such a great kid!

and so is Allie! She and Audrey had lots of fun together while Brennan learned how to ski!

Audrey loves the river and somehow has the energy to play, swim, tube, boat allll day long (she gets it from her Mere - my mom).  I love that you can see her ‘feathers’ in this picture.

He entertained himself by putting ice cubes in beer bottles. ha. I have a feeling this won’t be the last time we catch him dabbling in an ice chest for beer. such the wild little man. {Sigh}

and there’s the attitude. He would yell “HOME” when he was done being on the boat.  Both the kids love the water and did so well on boat / waverunner all summer long.