Ce-le-brate Good Times! Come On! Let's Celebrate!

Goodness, gravy, guacamole!! We have had quite a week! Mommy and I just returned home late yesterday evening after an exciting five days of celebrating various occasions with our friends and family! My typical 'what a weekend' exclamation won't even come close to covering it... 

First up was San Antonio! Mommy, Daddy, the pups, and I all headed to KK and Albi's house Saturday morning. Mommy and Daddy were planning on spending the evening out celebrating their 5 year wedding anniversary... cheers to them, huh?! Im-press-ive! Anyway... SO KK and Albi (and Uncle Josh and Auntie Em) were in charge of me... AND much to everyone's surprise I gave them a run for their money! Finally, after about 45 minutes of me TELLING them I needed to go to bed and get some rest for my impending road trip they listened and PUT ME TO BED... Praise Jesus! Sorry I had to get testy with you guys... but a man needs his sleep!!

Mommy and Daddy seemed to have a good time drinking margs and eating yummy food! They even took a trip to the hot tub when they got home. They told me they didn't have near as much fun without me there, but I know better... they had fun! I, on the other hand... oh wait, I already told you that story... 

So that was celebration #1... a picture of Mommy and Daddy before their hott date is down below...

Celebration #2... New Toys!!! KK and Albi bought me the coolest new toys for their house... Albi, KK, and I played with them for a good portion of our afternoon! 

This is the NEW expression I learned from my Daddy! He looks at me like this about 10 times a day and so now I look at my Mommy like this about 25 times a day... she says it's bad for her mommy ego!
Celebration #1... what hip parents I have!!

Celebration #3... HAPPY BIRTHDAY KK!! On Sunday, the Evans-extended fam celebrated KK's 40th Birthday! :) She's one young grandma huh?! We went to one of our favorite SA hot spots and had a special room just for us to celebrate! Mommy insisted on getting a picture... and so she did!

Next up... Abilene, TX!! Way out West where the tumbleweeds tumble and where the wind always blows and where Mommy and KK always have good hair days! We went to Abilene to participate in several celebrations...

1st up... Cousin Cy! I finally got to meet the little dude! He was the cutest thing I've ever seen... He and I are going to be great buddies. He's going to teach me all sorts of things and me, him! Mommy was super excited about snuggling with Cy... and he is quite snuggable!

 
Most of our extended family was in town to celebrate one of my favorite cousin's arrival back in Texas. Welcome Back Michelle! She and her husband Kaleb have been in Nashville, TN for the past few years and finally made it back to Texas and will be living in Abilene! She's only a few hours away now... phew!

The next celebration was kind of impromptu... my cousin Kyle LOVES babies... especially ones named Caden and Cy. He had been talking a pretty big game before Cy and I came into town... "I am NOT going to touch those babies..." BUT guess what? He did! And I think he even liked it! We made a baby believer out of him!

We're buds... check out his mom, my sweet Aunt Martha expressing her excitement that things were going so well between the babies and Kyle!

Next up on the celebration countdown was ANOTHER birthday celebration for KK and one for Shannon too! Shannon, aside from Kyle, is one of my favorite cousins. Every time I look at her I cannot help but smile... She turned 20 this year and just 20 less than KK!

Last up on our list of Abilene celebrations was, "THERE IS A POOL IN THE BACK YARD??!!" Oh my, oh my... I couldn't believe it. It was music to my ears... and better yet, no goofy hat! No bathing suit! No rash guard! No sunscreen even. (Note: It was before 9am and cloudy... don't call the bad mommy police!) 

KK thought I'd just enjoy sticking my feet in the water... hmph! She obviously forgot that I am part fish... so she undid my onesie first! Then Mommy said just go ahead and take it off... the diaper! And then I eventually got to shed my shirt too, when mommy decided to join me in the pool... mommy didn't put on her suit either... but I was the only one in the buff, don't you worry!

There were lots of cool hot pink flower petals all over the ground... they looked so yummy and fresh that I decided it would be a good idea to give them a quick taste. Mommy and KK didn't let me get any down... but I sure tried! Maybe next time!

And this alone is worthy of it's very OWN celebration... I learned something new! Mommy always lets me jump off the side of the pool, but usually she buffers the splash, but this time she decided it was time I toughen up and get a little bit of water in my face... The first few times were SO fun, but I am not a huge fan of water in my mouth or my eyes for that matter, so after the first couple of times I learned to do this...

I did it nice and EARLY just to be sure I was ready for the ultimate splashdown! One, two, three...we're in the air... eyes closed, mouth shut tight... SPLASH!!! Yay, Caden!! 

While we were in Abilene we did partake in a few additional celebrations. My cousin Shannon had her first jewelry party as a sales rep for Stella & Dot... if you are interested in her stuff, let me know... Mommy says it is really cute! We also celebrated my birth (6 months later) with one of KK's friends from high school. AND we went to lunch with my Uncle Roger and Aunt Kay. They let me "crawl" all over their floor and hang out on their couch! My Uncle Roger even showed me a historic picture of his little league baseball team! Thanks again for lunch Roger and Kay... it was YUMMO!!

After a long day of travel with KK Andretti we were glad to make it home safe and sound! I am so thankful to have been a part of SO many celebrations over the past week...thank you Mommy, Daddy, KK,  Albi,  Auntie Em, Uncle Josh, Great Gram, Aunt Terry, Cousin Boozy, Cousin Cy, Cousin Michelle, Cousin Kaleb, Cousin Shannon, Uncle Dee, Aunt Martha, Cousin Chatty, Cousin Clay, Cousin Kyle, Aunt Kay, Uncle Roger for celebrating with me!!

Hope everyone is having a great week! I'm out blog world!

The Way We Were...

...is pretty similar to the way we still are... don't you think?! Minus those youthful cheeks and unlined smiles and eyes, of course. Five years is bound to show up in some form of aging... it's the natural progression of things. But crow's feet and smiles lines aren't the only things we've added since July 24, 2004... we've accomplished a lot in five years of marriage and we've surpassed some major milestones...

• First jobs...second... and third jobs too.
  
• Changing careers... once each and back again for me.
  
• Two sibling weddings.
  
• Taking our first of many leaps of faith, moving to a new city.
  
• Buying our first home.
  
• Buying our first car... and second.
  
• Our first pet... 
  
• Surviving (barely) our first illnesses as a married couple...the flu!
• Joining our first church as a married couple... and second.
  
• Hosting our first family holiday... and second.
  
• Going on our first family vacation... South Padre...and second... a cruise.
  
• Surviving our first SERIOUS financial struggle... and continuing to persevere.
  
• Our first child... from conception to birth... and now raising a 6 month old.
  
• Dedicating ourselves to shepherding Caden's heart to loving Jesus.
  
• Experiencing what for better and for worse really means.
  
• And now...celebrating our first FIVE years of marriage.
  

So I guess when we really put pencil to paper or fingers to keyboard in this case, the way we were really isn't close to the way we are. But let us not forget that the way we are is not the way we will be... when our work is complete. What will we look like then? What will our list of bullet points say about our lives... what will Justin and I's marriage have brought to the world?

Only time will tell...

Happy Anniversary Justin!  Thanks for being my best friend!

I love you!

Cade-Man Goes to the Beach!

Well, the rumor's true... I'm back! Back from the beach! Whew... what a trip, what a trip! Before I get much further let me just go ahead and put it out there... I have LOTS of pictures to show you from my first trip to the beach, and believe it or not, the hundreds of pictures below aren't even close to ALL of them! That Mommy and her new best friend, I mean camera, are something else!

Oh, and silly me! Before I told you about the pictures my 'first thing's first' should have been... THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU Nana and Paps for taking me and the rentals to the beach! As you know this was my first trip and I can say with absolute certainty that I plan on going back every year... if I have to beg on the street corner or hitchhike through the Hill Country...I'll do it! I will! I love the beach, but I love you two more! Thanks for a GREAT trip!

Alright, now for a little recap of our beach vaca... 

Port Aransas was our destination, but in order to get there we had MUCH to do! Mommy managed to pack the three of us schmoes in one suitcase and this was necessary because Mommy and Daddy decided to pack up my entire playroom into the back of the car! My exer-saucer, my walker, my activity mat, my high chair, my BOB, my humidifier, my sound machine, my gallon size bags of baby food, my toys, my books... etc. etc. Hillbillies from the Hill Country we were... truckin' down to the coast!

When we FINALLY arrived... I'm not so much into LONG car rides these days... BORING... what's a guy to do... sleep? Play with Mr. Duckie... sleep...talk...drop my passy so Mommy can pop over the seat and find it...sleep... 

Oh yah... so when we FINALLY arrived in Port A we went straight to the pink, lilac, plum (we could never quite pinpoint the color) beach house, our plush accommodations for the week. Mommy, Daddy and I found the best room in the house (one farthest from the center of the action so I could get my beauty rest at night) and set up shop!

Then we were left to wait on the Houstonians to get there... my Aunt Cori and Uncle Tag. Once they were there the party could begin... and boy did it! We had a delicious steak dinner to kick off our first night in Port A. 

As most beach trips usually do, our trip included LOTS of time at the beach. So without further adieu... the photos that you've all been waiting for... my back to the beach debut!

Mommy and I maintained a pretty normal schedule while we were gone. I'm a pretty scheduled dude (like my Daddy) so it was important for me to stick as close to it as possible... we're all in better moods when I do that. So the typical day at the beach went like this. Up at the crack of dawn, went to the beach (the first morning but not others) then ate, played and took my morning nap. When I woke up I ate my lunch, got on my SPF and suit and headed to beach. Thank goodness for the Baby Bjorn, because the walk was a little far for my "barely scooting bear crawl." After the beach it was time for my afternoon nap and then by the time I woke up it was time for dinner and play time with the rest of the gang after they returned from their day at the beach! I was early to bed each night because I learned that being a beach bum was HARD work! Hard work? Vacation is not supposed to be work... it is supposed to be relaxing, you say? Oh no... not Vacation Caden-ized!! Check me out...

Some like to sit and watch the surf roll by... I prefer to dive in feet first and let the rhythm of the ocean move me... up, down, left, right, backwards, forwards... whatever way the wave decided to throw me, I was ready for it... special thanks to Daddy's awesome fingers who supported me in the sinking sand of the ocean!

Most nights we stayed in and cooked at the house but one night...oh that one incredible night... we went to Snoopy's! YUMMO! I cannot wait until next year when I can skip the peas and carrots and go straight for the fried shrimp and french fries... I can taste them now... okay so maybe not taste them, but I can imagine what they would taste like, okay?!

Yesterday was my last and BEST day yet at the beach. We had the MOST fun splashin' in the waves. Mommy and Daddy weren't too sure what I would think of the ocean... but I think I affirmed the idea that I, in fact, AM a water baby... ALL kinds... bath water, pool water, salt water... I love it... and in August I'll get to try out lake water too...and if it's made of the same stuff all the other water is then it too will go on the list of favs!

I decided that while standing in the surf was great and grand, I would never meet my California Surfin' Dreams without a little practice... Jump, jump, jump... jumpin' over those waves!

Mommy let me take my goofy, I mean super cool, hat off so I could feel the ocean breeze rustle my untamed mane! What a rush! 

"LOOK, here it comes Daddy... get ready!! One, two...JUMP!"

"YAY, we did it!!"

Again, again... Let's go again! I couldn't get enough!! Don't stop till you get enough! Don't stop!

A little break is never a bad idea for a surfer dude... and yes even surfer dudes have time for their Daddy's!

Break's over... back at it... so we went from standing, to jumping... and then we brought the board out... the boogie board. And if you can believe it, it is exactly the same board that my daddy used when he was a little boy... Nana and Paps are the greatest of the Rat Pack... I mean Pack Rats! :)

Sing along now...

Everybody's goin' surfin'....

Surfin'....
U-S-A....
After showin' the Big Kahuna a thing or two I signed a few autographs and took some pictures with my fans...

First up...Aunt Cori...

Nana...
Paps...
Uncle Tag...
Mommy and Daddy... 
After a few long days at the beach... sunburns in tow... we dressed in our finest white beach attire and headed back to the beach for a family photo shoot. Mommy and I decided it would be best not to include our BIG family pictures just in case they show up on a Christmas card this year... we don't want to spoil anyone's goods, so here are a few just from our family!

Now, we're back at home... home is always a good place to be, but we will miss the beach. I've got lots of learning to do before next year's trip (hint, hint Nana and Paps)... mental surfing I call it!

Thanks again Nana and Paps for a GREAT vacation! We love you!

Goodnight! Beach Dreams!

SIX NEW POSTS BELOW

Me and My Aunt Rach

Okay so here's the deal... the pictures below are of a very special person... my Aunt Rach! She's not technically my aunt but that's just a matter of genetics, in my heart she's a member of my family! Rach and Mommy and Daddy took their journey into a new city (Austin) together, at the same time. Rach and Mommy knew each other in middle school when they both lived in Tulsa, OK, and reconnected four years ago at a mutual friend's wedding and since then they've been the best buds! Rach has spent many a time with Mommy and Daddy... getting to see their very best and at times their worst:

Daddy's worst: Screaming at the TV watching the Mavs in the playoffs!

Mommy's worst: Seeing Mommy on the dreaded Tuesday's of pregnancy... when Mommy cried ALL DAY long! And she had thrush to go it on this particular Tuesday when she opened the door to Rachel in tears!

Poor Aunt Rach, she's had to endure a lot. She was even there, in the hospital when I had to go under the lights... she saw Mommy cry again then too! And when I came home from the hospital Aunt Rach was there with a yummy Spinach Manicotti and a warm pair of hands to help with little 'ol me!

And my Aunt Rach came to see me a lot... almost every other week...because up until recently she worked in Georgetown so she could stop by on her way home. 

And after all of this... all of this time with Aunt Rach, all the times she has come to visit me... NEVER once did we have a picture together... until...

TODAY!! She came over to celebrate her summer vacation with Mommy and me. She came over for lunch and then stayed to play... 

Mommy almost forgot to snap a pic, and I was getting really upset because I thought it was going to be another opportunity lost... so I let her have it... "MOMMY," I said... "Get that camera and get to snappin'!"

And so... she did!

Thanks for always making time for me Aunt Rach and Mommy and Daddy too! We love you very very much! 

Oh and DO NOT get any ideas boys... she may be single now, but not for long... I'm growin' up fast... and then she's all mine! :)