Get Your Fill!

We're entering the "15 days until move" tomorrow and as such will be super busy with cleaning and packing, and then unpacking. I'm not sure the next time I'll be able to blog, so here is a conglomeration of pictures and stories. Afterall I have hardly posted anything about us in months!

Who's Your Daddy?Everyone has been saying how much Cameron looks like Tyler. This picture shows it! Not to mention it's so adorable.

Speaking of Daddy, here is a picture of them on Fathers Day. Tyler unfortunately had to work that Sunday but we gave him his presents (his degree and IFMA certificate in nice new frames for work and some slick slacks, also for work) and his PB mud pie when he got home. The next night I made him a delicious grilled ribs dinner. He says I did an awesome job and was hot and in love the way men are when their women make good food. It was no big secret: just have a good rub on hand and wake up from nap every 30 minutes to flip the ribs.

Goodbye Hair
I finally did it on Saturday and it's so nice to have the change! I have to say all the attention it got at church the next day made me uncomfortable. What do I expect when I cut off over a foot of hair with no warning to anyone? I did go in again tonight to have my hairdresser thin out certain areas so it is less of a "bob"(like in this pic) and more of a saucy A-line. I really like it now and you'll see pics in the future, I'm sure. And yes, I was able to donate my ponytail. :)

Cameron Capers
Cameron is keeping us on our toes now more than ever. (Above he's wearing a Chick Fil-A cow hat.) He's making it a goal to see how many time outs he have in a day. I officially decided that if I don't want a brat for a child and don't want to be constantly disrespected as a mother that I need to get tough. Therefore I have abandoned some of the sweet, try-and-reason talk (that must work with some kids) and adopted more of our parents' methods of spanks, time outs, and scolding. Honestly, it's the only thing that gets this child's attention. But other than the terrible-twos taking their toll, he is so smart and so hilarious and just as active as ever. He knows all his letters and their matching sounds, can count perfectly to 10, knows his shapes and is working on his colors (we wonder sometimes if he's color blind), and finally has a large enough vocab of words, although still no real sentences.
He also still really loves books. Here is he sleeping on the plane home from Amy's graduation snuggled up to a favorite book.
He's also recently discovered his new favorite toy: the computer. So wise mommy keeps the laptop out of sight and only lets him play (and when I say play, I mean he watches us play and points us where to go) an hour a day. Another smart tactic of mine, I only take him to pbskids.org and starfall.com where the games are educational. (He has actually learned a TON from them!) He is actually even a little bored of those sites now and asks for the computer much less. He doesn't need to know now how vast and entertaining the internet really is. ;)

Happy Four Years to Us
Tyler and I spent our four year anniversary in a hotel bed sleeping naked. Unfortunately that is because we were stranded in Denver (on our way home for Amy's graduation) without our luggage and had to wash our underwear in the sink. And Cameron was there. It was anything but romantic. So later we made sure to get a sitter, dress up, and go to a super fancy restaurant in a historic, fancy hotel downtown. When it was built it was boasted to be the most luxurious hotel west of St. Louis.
We each got a three course meal and had such a blast chatting without Cameron and being treated like we were rich. ;) But best of all is that we're both still so in love. It's true what they say, and I love Tyler more each year we're together.

I mean, who wouldn't love a man that makes you laugh all the time and makes you cards like this on Mothers Day? Keep your romance and roses, I decided that humor is an extremely desirable trait in a husband since it makes the often harsh journey of life bearable and even enjoyable (Single ladies, take notes.)

Getting to know You
There has been a brief halt to our city exploring adventures, first when I got super sick in my first trimester and now followed by the scorching heat and being forced indoors, but we have still been able to get to know our new city and love it! First of all, the food is to die for and there is so much of it everywhere! I want to try every other restaurant I see. I could eat out every day and go hundreds of days before needing to repeat. This city loves their food.
This picture is all the way back in March. There is so much vegetation here and it's so green! Not all of Texas is yellow and dusty. And this city really appreciates nature and has tons of public green spaces and parks. And trees. You would have no idea, but this walkway runs right along a major road down town. If you couldn't hear the cars nearby, you'd think you were in the wilderness. Beautiful!
Not all of Texas is dry either. We've had tons and tons of rain this spring. I've only seen it rain harder in Alabama.
The city also loves its music, especially its live music. Tyler and I went to an Owl City concert here at one of the many small outdoor venues. Funny story, before the concert started we walked five blocks to a gas station mini mart (the closest thing with snack food, all around were trendy bars and restaurants) and got me some ice cream so I didn't toss my pregnant cookies during the show.
This city also loves their parties/events and festivals. There is no shortage of things to do. There is always something going on and the events are always well attended. I think it plays a big role in the strong (and famous) sense of community here. This is a festival downtown one Saturday in May, one of the first weekends I felt up to going out.

Tyler had to experience one of the famous roasted turkey legs. Huge! No, he didn't finish it.

So have I convinced you all yet that this is the place to be?