August already?

And a visit from Uncle Tommy!
My brother was in town helping my sister Emily move into her new place where she will start graduate school this fall. Long story short, we made a quick drive up to Austin to see Uncle Tommy and try our luck at Barton Springs. We hadn't seen him since his wedding in April!

Rhett is such a fish- he totally did not mind dipping in the frigid springs. The child has ZERO fear when it comes to water..which makes me nervous. Isn't a little fear healthy? We swing by the pool most days of the week just to get his fix (and give me something to do). As soon as we walk the steps into the pool, he tries to lean out of my grip, and face-plant his head into the water over and over again. Loves it. I just love the 3 hour nap that follows :)
Oh yes, and have I mentioned what a flirt he can be? Rhett, not Tommy. Tommy was just his wing man this trip.
So next to daily visits to the pool, Rhett and I have taken up baking and rocking for our indoor air-conditioned entertainment:

Me- baking
Rhett- rocking.
Another new found passion of his. This was actually MY pint size rocking chair as a kid. I am so glad my mom saved these things for us to pass on.



And I am so glad that it is one more thing that entertains this little squirt inside from the heat!

Why I love living here...

Because on Thursday nights in the summer, you can hear "Luckenbach Texas," or "Waltz Across Texas," playing live in the park while you picnic with some friends, or two step with your honey.



Love it!

I am starting to think he likes the camera...

Rhett used to shy away from the camera, but now realizes how happy it makes Mom if he throws out a smile every time she points that little black box at him. So now the child will stop whatever he's doing and turn on the charm.I think I have created a monster...

On our little truck Santa brought us.

Playing in Dad's father's day gift

Hanging out under the crib?

Visiting with our buddy Henry last week...

It's also very apparant that the boy LOVES people. He will do whatever it takes to catch a smile from a stranger.

Take for example our ER visit a couple of months ago: Rhett rolled off the bed (I know I know I know...) and I took his screaming crying self to the ER for x-rays, just in case ( he ended up spranging his shoulder..all better now- phew!). As we checked in, Rhett stops crying completely- waves his hand to his fellow injured waiting room comrads and sighs "Hhhheeyy." Sure enough, the second we left the waiting room, it was tears again.

Then last weekend we met up with some McAllen family friends in Gruene last weekend for dinner. Rhett was already coming unglued because of the heat and was in the beginning stages of a full blown meltdown-- but would stop crying long enough to lean over to get a kiss from our friend Miss Abigail every few seconds ---and then proceed to cry. What a ham!

The Traveling Trio

This weekend wrapped up our last of our travels for a long time. I love telling people that we have nothing to do and nowhere to be until Christmas! We were in South Carolina for Porter's twin brother, Tyler's, wedding. Despite being "those people" with "that kid" on the plane rides to and from, we had a fabulous time at the wedding and with the family- especially since Rhett got to spend time with relatives and family friends he had never met before- a sweet weekend for everyone!

We celebrated Porter's grandmother's 86th birthday while we were- she was feeding Rhett while we sang to her- a true grandmother!
Rhett's Aunt Lisa was thrilled to finally get to hold the little guy-


The Robinson Children..
Those crazy kids...
It was so neat to finally meet Porter's cousin's daughter Ella-sweet girl.

Porter's parents hosted a wonderful rehersal dinner on the water in Charleston.

Rhett was so tickled to join us at the head table!

Porter's cousin Adam and Grandmother with a tuckered out baby-
We met up with a couple of friends downtown Charleston- including my Clemson Bud Heather who watched Rhett during the wedding reception. Prior to our meeting, Rhett had a little spill- hence the diaper clad baby :)

The wedding turned out wonderfully! My new sister in law Jackie and her family put so many thoughtful and creative touches to it. A Southern wedding through and through complete with...
A tea farm...The sweetest of guests...Seer sucker suits for the men...
A horse drawn carriage for the bride...
A ceremony under an old oak tree...
Reception under a beautiful tent...

And the entertainment headed by a singer by the name of "Johnny Soul." No lie.
And before the night was over, Porter and Tyler took the stage- and the crowd loved it.
It was just like old times!

"We were womb-mates in '79." Apparently that joke never gets old...

Congratulations Jackie and Tyler!

Greenwood Valley Ranch

We spent a long Fourth of July weekend at my good friend's family's ranch in the Hill Country. A lot of the ranch goer's are ol' McALlen folk so it is so fun to catch up on old times. But mostly, I love going there because it reminds me a lot of what is was like to go to camp in the summers..

The long drive through the hill country...
Meeting up with old friends...

Afternoons at the river...


And begrugingly putting on the sunscreen that mom packed...
Lots of lounging around and enjoying eachother's company
Cutting up in the dining hall...
And the night activities...
Some animal spotting...There's even a camp dance...
And the camp crush...
And of course, the ol' cabin and camp-wide picture.

I think Rhett had a better time this year than last year :)
Thanks Jennifer and Tyler for another great weekend!