Sadie's First Strawberry Picking at Froberg's

This year we had a wonderful experience with our first visit to Froberg's farm and farmer's market! They have strawberry-picking every year and it is a toddler's fun land to go and explore the grounds! Su Su came with us for the fun and we were ready for the mud! Sadie wore her yellow Curious George rain boots and I wore my blue and pink polka dot rain boots. We were thrilled at our choice to dress appropriately as the rain made the earth quite wet this visit!

For a small fee you can purchase a Froberg's bucket to carry your strawberries. We purchased two and quickly began our picking! Sadie loved walking up and down each pathway and was thrilled to see one of her favorite fruits growing from the ground. Su Su and Sadie gently stacked the fruit one on top of another as they made their way around the farm. I couldn't believe how huge the grounds were - I forget that we are truly in the country when we travel to Alvin!

After picking our strawberries, we went inside to buy some more vegetables, fruit, and little buttermilk pies for Jerry and James. It was a fun visit and we cannot wait to go back next season to have lunch during our visit and take advantage of the fun playground area as well! How cool to have this just 20 minutes away from our house!

Daddy Gets Baptized!

James has had a relationship with Christ since he was a child, but this day was still very special for him, as he had never before been baptized by immersion. Growing up in the Methodist denomination, James' relationship with Christ was nurtured and fostered as he learned to serve others as Christ would. Through UM Army and Young Life, James walked with Christ from an early age. However, when we decided to start attending a Baptist church, he decided to get baptized so he could become a member and lead Sadie by example of Believer's baptism when she is old enough to accept Christ on her own.

 Making the day extra special, my Dad came to UBC for the day to perform the baptism himself. How cool that my Dad not only was able to baptize me as a little girl, but then later baptize my husband. Mommies all over would swoon at the thought of this cool experience for their little girls! Anyway, James and Dad did great!

 Making it special for James, Jerry and Susan came to support him and see him get "dunked." We were so proud and, although we would have loved for Sadie to watch, we figured seeing Granddaddy and Daddy up in the baptismal may have been too much to take and prompted loud shouts upward of "LOOOK! GRANDDADDY! HIIIII DADDY!" So we had her join us afterward to celebrate. Uncle Austin and Great Granny also joined in the fun and came to see James.

 We couldn't help but take a few celebratory pictures before leaving the church. Everyone looked so nice!

 We headed to Angelo's Italian Restaurant for lunch, and enjoyed noodles, salad, and a buffet of desserts. Nothing like celebrating with a little food! Sadie was happy everyone was together and we enjoyed visiting and celebrating with James on his special day.

 The day also happened to coincide with Paw Paw's 84th birthday, so we decided to go by to visit them while in the area. The guys (plus Sadie) enjoyed going in the backyard to take a look at Paw Paw's many plants and trees, while I stayed inside finding hilarious pictures from years gone by and enjoyed showing many to Austin - being a good sister by pointing out how silly he looked. OK, how silly we both looked. I'm pretty sure one picture was of us sitting on the greenbelt selling our "treasures" or junk to others, for a small profit. Dad had even made us signs and business cards I'm sure - always encouraging the spirit of entrepreneurship.

 Sadie probably most enjoyed helping Paw Paw blow out his candles and sitting with Great at the table for some cake. She then hopped up in Mimi's chair with her and enjoyed cozying up to her. Mimi always loves Sadie's presence, and although Alzheimer's has robbed her of much of her health, Sadie seems to be one of the only people who can ALWAYS lift her mood and bring her into the present moment with a smile on her face. What a fun day with family to celebrate Daddy's baptism and Paw Paw's birthday.

First 4D Movie!: Wizard of Oz!

Moody Gardens has several great attractions that draw endless tourists onto Galveston Island, but Sadie's biggest event was Wizard of Oz 4D! Smelling real poppies, feeling like you are in a real tornado, and feeling the spray as the Wicked Witch is melted by Dorothy are just a few of her favorite moments in the 12 minute synopsis of the film. Sadie was really excited about the glasses too - which didn't quite fit her head, but she worked really hard to keep them up and even smiled for the camera with Daddy who had matching ones too! We love Moody Gardens!

We also obviously love the gift shop...and butterflies. :)

Austin and Katie See Our New House

After moving to our wonderful new home in Friendswood, we were thrilled to have Uncle Austin and Aunt Katie come over to see the house. We celebrated their first visit by playing in the backyard and walking around picking loquats from our tree. Uncle Austin was so brave, he just ate the fruit right off the tree! We decided to follow suit and they were delicious! Kate and Mia had a blast as well hanging out in the backyard and running around our big backyard.

Sadie had a blast too since Granddaddy and Gammy pulled out the wheelbarrow and she was able to ride around enjoying playing with her family in her brand new open space of fun.

One of Sadie's favorite activities was playing with chalk. Kate even sat still for Sadie to draw around her "hands." Sadie loves for us to draw her hands, and so she was so happy to do the same for Kate. Afterwards, Sadie went inside and used Gammy's camera to take some pictures all by herself! The one she shot of Katie was extra-awesome! Good eye, Sadie! Then, Sadie and Granddaddy enjoyed some coffee at the table together. Our first of many fun times together at the new home.

Galveston Girls' Weekend!

Sometimes you just need to get away. That is exactly what Mom had in mind when she decided we should hit the island for a girls' getaway weekend during spring break. I was thrilled! After a flurry of activity starting with a gall bladder removal and ending with a giant move to a new home, I was pooped! Mom found a great deal on a beautiful room at the historic Hotel Galvez right across from the seawall. I love this hotel; it feels like you stepped back in time - reminds me of a favorite movie growing up, Somewhere In Time. I could almost here the title track playing in my mind as we walked in the doors. After settling in, our first round of business was to retrieve coffee from our favorite island local coffee shop, Mod Coffee. Mom and I both love ordering the "Holly," named after the owner's wife. It has cinnamon, toffee nut syrup, and vanilla. Not a bad way to start our girly adventure.

At the beginning of the trip, I spied a beautiful green settee in the antique shop around the corner, La Masion De Rouge. Priced quite reasonably (even came down a bit after offering lower), I fell in love! It perfectly matched the paint samples I brought from home. This green looked tailor-made for our new bedroom!

Antiquing was probably our favorite thing of the weekend. this was the first trip I had been away from Sadie for more than a night, save my gall bladder removal, so Mom and I thought we should do all the things that may not be ideal on a normal trip with a toddler. We figured looking at antique wares would be right at the top of our list of things to do. We were given a map at one antique store of all the various locations you could shop on the island. We are talking about 20 shops! We narrowed down the list to about 13 that looked absolutely perfect and set out to try and see them all! So much fun! My other big purchase was a Lane cedar chest for Sadie's room. I always liked the idea of Sadie being able to have a "Hope Chest" or special place for her to store her most favorite items. This beautiful chest was practically given to me at about $50! I was thrilled the owner was just looking to make some space! Antique score!

Adding to the fun, we called my dear friend, Katie Leestma, and asked her to join us on Saturday. We tempted her with the invite to stay in our room and enjoy the shopping and hot tub later that evening. Mom, Katie, and I had so much fun running up and down the strand. Probably the funniest event from the weekend, however, was in the shop on the strand that sells the frozen margaritas. I was looking for a great straw fedora (my personal hat of choice) and Katie was about to head to the Bahamas with her family, so she thought to find a great hat to shade her lovely face while on the boat. We were cracking ourselves up trying on all the variations of hats, some meant for our face shape, some definitely mean for someone else. We decided to take a quick potty break before heading to our next spot and while my mom was waiting in line, she was watching us and laughing. A lady standing next to her, and about my mom's age, looked lovingly at us and said, "How cute! Just being teenage girls!" My mom couldn't contain her laughter. She gently explained, "Oh. Actually they are both 30 years old." The lady just blinked back surprised and giggled. Best compliment ever? We were seriously mistaken for teenage friends. LOVE IT. Perhaps we should have definitely bought those two hats. They apparently take decades off your face.

One of the cool places we found was a backyard garden behind a tiny antique shop. So beautiful. We were pleased to take a few pictures in front of all the foliage.

When I look at these pictures, it just warms my heart. I met Katie when we were in 7th grade. How is it that God is so good that He could bring us back into each other's lives. She has such an amazing personality, spirit, and love for the Lord, and my Mom and I loved every minute hanging out with this awesome woman.

OK, the Mod coffee got a little out of hand. We had it every day. Twice on Saturday. That's how you are supposed to drink coffee, right?

Our favorite spot to sit was outside under the gorgeous pergola  Vines growing all around, it makes me long for island coffee once I'm back in the F-wood.

Mom's favorite find was a beautiful screen to be placed in some room in the house to add style and flair. Painted with little delicate flowers, it was just Mom's style. She didn't buy it, but we faked her out and secretly called Dad and he ended up buying it for her and surprising her on Mother's Day! What an awesome memento from a great weekend!

We cracked up because when we were leaving, this is what Mom's car looked like. We figured once you have no more seating in your car, you have bought enough.

Upon returning home, we gave Sadie her presents from the weekend. I bought her a little collapsible water bottle like mine. She was very excited as you can see by her face. Please excuse the toilet in the background. Ha!

We also found an amazing little gift for the three of us. Katie, Mom and I each bought a pendant (OK, Mom and I bought earrings, then split them) made from real butterfly wings! They were so beautiful and such a cool way to commemorate a special weekend together. When I look at the wing, I am reminded of our close bond and the fact that I not only have a selfless and loving Mom, but friends who follow suit as well. I'm one blessed lady.