OMG a new HEB!!!

Seriously, this is all the rage in town right now. Although I can't be too snarky about it because we did load up and head over to the Grand Opening. But in all fairness, it was in support of my fab cousin who runs the Cooking Connection there. We love our Aunt Rae!
The store was - a big grocery store. I'll probably go at some point today if I can find the strength to put on big girl clothes. My jammies are just so comfy. Now that it is a little cooler, I can wear my comfy long pants again, and it's like coming home. I never want to change! I'm slowly assembling my list. Someday I'll make it there. Really I'm hungry, and hoping they'll have samples out, and Rachel told me they'll have steak and bar-b-q beans at her stand, so I may hit it up soon...
Any-who-
Right after Laney was born we had a photographer over to do some pics for us. Something I haven't done with the other two, I am working opposite of what they usually say, no professional pics of #1, but great ones of #3! The few she's posted on her blog are fabulous, and I am so excited to see the rest! You can see us here: http://butterflychaserphotography.blogspot.com/2010/09/laney.html

Kyle went to his first ever football game recently, or "Doot-Dall Dame" since everything he says starts with a "D"


OBVIOUSLY Daddy dressed him to go: Considering whether to go near Reveille


with Mimi and Jackie Sherril


And speaking of firsts, Ella had her first real soccer GAME! ! She's done soccer before, but never in a league where they have actual games. So this was new and super exciting. Guess who the coach was?


Ella and Coach Daddy


Kyle showing his excitement


Ella, the tiniest player EVER. I swear she is only 5. And a half.

And we went to a wedding in Huntsville, which was one of the few I've actually taken the chirruns' to. They had a ball. Well, Laney just slept, see Exibit A:


Ella ran the show, orbiting the venue and following her daddy around (who was a groomsmen)


And Kyle got the chance to shamelessly love on his main squeeze Della. Poor Della held him up and danced with him at least 100 times.

Mega Post, formerly known as: Butterfly Garden Gameday

Well, the Aggies are off and running this season, very exciting- I love how the whole town starts to buzz on gameday. I like it even more when I actually get to leave the house, but that's okay, I'm not bitter. While a small posse collected and shipped out from our house yesterday, destination: Kyle Field, the kids and I got ready for more of the same. We watched a movie, painted our toenails (Kyle excluded), went for a walk and bike ride, and finally planted some plants for the "butterfly garden."


Ella the shopper, after buying "Butterfly Plants" with Mimi

Just so you know, Ella only fell off her bike a couple times, but managed to land in the grass, which Kyle thought was awesome and proceeded to fling himself into the grass every few steps until mommy told him he could either fall down in the grass OR hold mommy's hand, but not both. I'm so happy to report he chose to hold my hand. I love his squishy little sweatty hands. So sweet.

So I realize (or rather have been told) that I am leaving out a huge chunk of familial activity. Basically the last year. There's just no way that I can go back, but I'll give you some of the recents!
About a month and a half ago (or so) Josh and I went to Minnesota for a wedding of some friends. This is essentially the last of the weddings from this particular group of friends. Josh has been tight with them since tee-ball, and somehow they've all managed to stay close, and we do a few get-togethers each year, generally centered on eating outdoors, beanbag tournaments and drinking copious amounts in an effort to forget we are all 30 years old. Well, not me, I'm the young one.

Anyhow, long story short, we went to St. Paul Minnesota and stayed for 5 days. It was - well, eerie to be honest. We didn't really have much to do so we basically bummed around and haunted the same bar called Bulldogs- but we preferred to call it "Mad Dog 20/20's" because we are mature like that- and ate. The boys had a few things to keep them busy, getting tuxes, playing golf, etc, and Della and I hung out at the Hilton Garden Inn, drove around, got pedicures at the worlds most ghetto nail shop by these hilarious ladies. We had an enjoyable time, and basically our itinerary was "1. show up at rehearsal dinner, 2. go to wedding."

Anyhow, the wedding was quite nice and the reception was beautiful. despite some hicks making the DJ play In Spite of Ourselves. Okay, it was us. But we really love to dance to that at weddings! Here are some fun pics from the patio at the reception.


Della and I


Josh and I (and Laney)


Boys Being Boys


Pulled it Together

Before the wedding, we had gone to the Woodlands Resort for our annual summertime trip. We love that place, it is so close and easy and a great vacation. We went this year and met Josh's entire extended family for a reunion they put together every other year. It was a lot of fun to see everyone.



And of course Laney, our sweet little pink piggie. She's so great and easy, just eats and hags out, sleeps and eats. The kids are as in love with her as we are, and I can't imagine we hadn't planned on having a third-



We Gals


Just the Three of Us

Laney Bug

She's here! And we are so excited.



Ella Bean also started kindergarten a couple days after Laney was born, so things have been very exciting for everyone. It was okay, though, because I was able to go to Meet the Teacher Night, (and orientation, which was not at ALL enjoyable- picture a 9 month pregnant lady sitting on a 10 inch diameter cafeteria stool for an hour and a half) Anyhow- she loves her new school and her teacher has been fantastic. I am just so so glad there are girls in her class! I may be sexist, but after spending her last month at church school with just she and 4 boys in a class together, her behavior has definitely changed, for the worse.

Here's Ella trying to lift her bag 'o school supplies, it was quite the show...





And here are she and daddy on their way to the first day!



Here's Kyle reveling in the knowledge that Ella had to go to school and he didn't. About 5 minutes later he started asking "Where'd Ella go?" and didn't stop until she came back from school HOURS later.