Sunday Best: Brothers editions

I have been leaving Sam at home with Tom on Sundays, but today I decided to bring him with us to church. He looked super handsome.

Jack wore a three-piece suit. I realize it is a bit much for August in Texas,  but Jack dresses himself.  He loves dressing up for church and is usually suited up before breakfast. I don't argue because he looks so handsome in a suit!

Sam the walking man

Ellie and Jack both started walking full-time by 13 months. Sam has been taking a few steps for months now, but he was still mainly a crawler.  I really wanted him to be a walker before Tom and I left for our New Orleans trip because, at 31 pounds, he is too heavy for my mom to carry. Well, it was like Sam knew because he started walking full-time the day we left for our trip.  And a cuter walker you never did see.

NOLA, baby!

Tom and I decided we needed one last hoorah before summer ended and we had to start being responsible adults again. So we took a quick trip to New Orleans and left the kids with family.  When we go to NOLA, we plan everything around the food.  This time, we left with no regrets.  Chargrilled oysters at Acme Oyster House, Ferdi Po'Boys at Mother's, beignets at Cafe du Monde, fried green tomatoes at Daisy Dukes, alligator bites at Oceana, and muffalettas at Napoleon House...they pretty much had to roll me out of New Orleans.

Seriously, though, this trip was just what we needed. I love my alone-time with Tom. I missed my kiddos like crazy, but I had a blast just walking and eating my way through New Orleans with my favorite guy.

Sisters (and mom) trip

Every other year we try to do a sisters and mom weekend (and by weekend, I mean 4 glorious, kid-free days). I am so blessed to have amazing sisters and sister-in-laws.  We all seriously get along so well.  I pretty much just laughed for four days straight. 

This year we went to New Braunfels and stayed in a really nice condo in Gruene.  Gruene is the cutest old German town. We did all sorts of fun things like eating at the oldest bakery in Texas, floating down the Comal river, going to see The Music Man at a quaint playhouse, playing Killer Bunnies, busting a gut over You Tube videos, shopping, late night walks and early morning runs, an animal safari, and, of course, Schlitterbahn. We packed a whole lot of fun into four short days! Here are just a few pics of the insanity:

We even went to church...because we are good girls

Animal Safari

Despite the look on my face, I really did have fun playing Killer Bunnies

I snuck doughnuts, Twizzlers, and Peanut M&Ms in my purse for this show

Excited about Schlitterbahn! Just don't ask Jen how to pronounce it.

Love these girls!

I wonder why I gained 4 pounds on this trip?

Sabrina and I horsin' around

Naegelins Bakery - oldest bakery in Texas

Harry Potter as a talent?

About a month ago, Ellie mentioned to me that she had signed up with a friend and cousin to do Harry Potter in the church talent show.  First of all, I really wanted to avoid the talent show altogether because everyone does it and it lasts forever. Second of all, I was a little concerned about doing Harry Potter as a talent.  When asked, Ellie said they would "throw spells at each other, like the killing spell."  It didn't seem like a talent to me or very church appropriate, but nothing could dissuade Ellie.  Luckily, they finally settled on teaching a Hogwarts' course: Care of Magical Creatures.  It actually was really adorable. And I am pretty sure that they recruited a new generation of Harry Potter lovers.