Steve, Stephanie, & Little P: (clap clap clap clap) Deep In The Heart Of Texas!

A couple weeks ago, Steve finished the first quarter of his 3rd year. More than halfway done baby!

The night before his last final, it was 11:30pm and I had just climbed into bed while he was at a friend's house studying. I'm on my phone flipping through instagram when I hear and feel and hear this HUGE jolt! At first I thought the upstairs neighbors had dropped a piano or something and I instantly got annoyed (they've been known to have crazy dance parties and yelling matches at 3am), but then the loud jolting and rumbling continued. Wah this was an earthquake!!! I froze and my heart was pounding a million beats a minute. I couldn't even think straight! I don't think I've ever been that scared in my life before. It lasted realistically 5-10 seconds, but felt like forever. As soon as it stopped, my mind began racing and my thoughts immediately shifted toward Parker, did I need to run over and check on him? Nah, he was fine. So I texted Steve to see if he felt it and make sure he was alive. My hands were shaking so badly I could barely get the text out. I honestly don't know why I was that scared, I think because it was such a shock and I didn't know if it was going to stop or get worse or what. Geez.

So the next morning, Steve's gone taking his final, I'm sitting on the couch while Parker is napping (again. He missed both of them!), and I start to hear and feel a rumble. Are you kidding me? Another one? This one wasn't as scary because it started as a slow rumble and lasted about the same timeframe, but STILL. We were ready to GET. OUT. Apparently they were 4.5s I think. I can't imagine a 10.

So a couple hours later, we hopped on a plane to earthquake-free Texas. We were both nervous because Parker was finally sick for the first time ever! He got pink eye and some congestion 5 days prior, so we took him into the clinic and got some (expired. thanks doc.) eye drops. It did start to clear up, so we were hoping for the best. His molars were also coming in, so you betcha he had Motrin in his system at all times for the flight. He was pretty tired (without benadryl this time!) so a little "Twinkle, Twinkle", "I'm a Child of God", and endless rocking,

I got a beautiful sleeping baby! Yay!

Oh but then the stupid captain decided to come on 20 minutes later and announce what the weather was in Texas.

Really? Do we care what the weather is in Texas? Do any of us have the opportunity to go back home and change what we packed incase we didn't already know it was going to be HOT in Texas?

No, I didn't think so. So keep your weather forecasting to yourself and stop waking up my kid.

Sheesh.

Sighhh.....with a little more Twinkle, Twinkle, rockage, and blanket hiding all distractions, I got him back to sleep. We got off the plane to see my parents and brother, then home to see my sister! It was great seeing them, and we stayed up pretty late chatting and catching up. And eating Bluebell. Duh.

The next day we met everyone else up at the mall and had some family photos taken.

With three babies.

HA!

Did I mention he was sick and had his molars coming in all week? He smiled maybe 3 times all week.

So Parker would start crying, which made the other babies cry, which made us mommas want to cry :)

It was an adventure, but we managed to get 12/14ths of a good picture. They're going to swap me and Parker of one picture into another picture where everyone else looked good except Parker.

Phew glad that's over for a while! We got some Taco Bueno, packed up, and headed out to our friend's beautiful lake house for a couple of days.

We got there, picked rooms, unpacked the food, and hopped out onto the boat for a little sunset action.

Meet my beautiful niece, Savannah, and adorable nephew, Grant, both 5 months younger than Parker. Savannah's crawling and pulling-up is way more advanced than Parker's (and her kissable cheeks!), and Grant's little smile just melts your heart.

Can't you just see the sick in Parker's eyes? Poor little guy. He was miserable.

We grilled some burgers and sat around talking, eating yummy food, and playing games.

The next morning the cousins played while Steve and I rode some electric scooters over to check out the pool and a second little lake and paddleboating area while Grandma watched the bebes.

Came back, ate a quick lunch and went back onto the lake.

Uncle Aaron scaring Parker

We parked the boat out in the middle of the lake and did backflips off the boat, the water was the PERFECT temperature. I felt like such a kid again! We all decided that we're going to go in on a lake house when we're all grown-up.

The first time we took Parker out onto the boat, he hated it. With a capital HATE. The wind, the abrupt starts for the wake boarding/skiing, and again, did I mention he was sick and had his molars coming in? Ugh poor guy was a wreck all week.

Bottom picture is my brother, Chris, my other brother Michael, and my mini-me sister, Kayla.

This one of Parker sums up the week quite well. Parker screaming and the two other little ones looking at him concerned and confused??

Me and my love paddle boating (by ourselves! Bliss!), my sister, Janene and I with our dranky dranks, some crazy tubing, and the most amazing sunrise. Seriously in love with this little break from reality.

Last day we took all the babes out, and they all did great! I love all of these little people!

Grandpa and the little guy

Grandma's cookies to keep the little guy happy

Oh yes.

So Steve's been trying to eat super healthy and was working out and running until he injured his knee a while ago, then messed up his toe (again) playing tennis. He's been trying to get down to 3% body fat, and he's at 3.5%. How do we know this you ask? He has calipers. Like the old-school kind. He makes me measure his fat once a week.

For FHE.

OK JK, not for FHE.

I'm just ready for him to reach his goal so we can eat doughnuts in peace again.

We loooooove doughnuts all up in here.

He bought a Blendtec today for super cheap. He said today is the 4th best day of his life, only to be preceded by our wedding day, Parker's birthday, and attending the Federer-Nadal match. Of course.

I'll have to let you know when we get a 5th best day of his life.

My beautiful sisters. Can't wait to be back in Texas with them.

Some of my cousins that live in the area came over for some dinner, I got to meet Jordan's wife, Lexi for the first time, and we also got to meet Chris' girlfriend, Katie. Loved both girls, and meeting Kylie's little guy, Preston. Crazy I'd never seen him in person yet! Cute kid.

Sean and Becky, love you guys...we'll have to drool over your new pad next time.

I think Spencer and Britt were putting Grant down...

Somebody found a bowl of cherries on the counter

This is somewhat out of order, but the stroller picture is at the airport, 6 am. Mr. Tired Eyes.

Our last day, I left Parker at home with my mom (he was napping ridiculous amounts, and that's all he wanted to do) while us kids went out to eat at this Thai place, then did some shopping, then got some Bahama Bucks. What is Bahama Bucks. Only the best thing on the planet in 106 degree weather! Sno cones with Bluebell Homemade Vanilla ice cream.

And adorable little umbrellas to boot!

I love it when people think to make things cute.

My brother Michael has these glow-things he does light shows with. He busted one out for Parker, and he loved it. He kept trying to eat it or stick it in Michael's mouth. Best Uncle of the Day award.

Spencer and Aaron's dental school classes had started up again that day, so they couldn't miss.