Daddy's Girls

Lilli was one excited little girl when she saw her Daddy for the first time Saturday morning.  She started bouncing on her bed and squealing.  As cute as that was, it was very sweet to watch him too.  He was up before her and had already been in there to try to wake up up 20 minutes before we heard her.  I'm not sure who was more excited.  Saturday was a lazy day.  Other than a quick trip to the grocery store and playing in the backyard for a little bit, we pretty much just played in the living room and watched movies all day.  Lilli was attached to Matt's hip and they both loved every second of it.  Sunday we got up and went to church and then went to the deer camp for the afternoon. First we went for a ride. Of course we had to stop and play in the fields and in deer stands for a bit.  Then we went back to the house for some target practice.  The boys did shoot too but I only got pictures of us girls. It was a really fun day and grea

Sorry about the poor picture quality, should have taken it with my camera instead of the phone.  Matt is coming home tomorrow! Lilli and I have been keeping a "Daddy calendar" while Matt has been away and there is only one more square to go! He doesn't land until 10:00 so we'll mark off one more tomorrow night since she won't see him until Saturday morning.  My calendar is done though! We've both really missed him and I am really looking forward to our family getting to spend the weekend together.  I'm sure there will be more pictures coming.  I hope to get one soon after she sees him for the first time.  If her reaction to realizing there is only one more square is any indication, she is going to be one happy little girl.  He was on the phone as we were marking it off and she started chanting, "Daddy! Daddy..." It was so sweet and I know it made his night.  26 hours and counting for me..... :)

Lilli and I had an extra special day today.  We took a day trip to Alexandria to meet Pops, Nana, and Peggy to go to the Alexandria Zoo.  The weather is so nice right now and I decided to take advantage of it and to fill up one of our lasts days that Matt will be gone.  It was so good to see some family that we hadn't seen in over a month.  I knew Lilli would have fun going with all of us "old" people but I knew she would have A LOT of fun if we brought Sophie along.  Sophie's Mom dropped her off around 7:00 this morning and me and the girls loaded up in the car and headed to Alexandria.  I was surprised by how well they shared toys and played in the car.  Lilli is usually very good about sharing, but only when it's with someone else's toys. HA! We got there about 10:00 and met at my aunt Peggy's house and then headed to the zoo.  I hadn't been to this zoo since Nana and Papa lived there when I was a kid so I didn't really remember it.  For anyo

View of Cancun from off shore Matt is having a blast in Mexico! Fishing, sailing, snorkeling... these are some of his favorite things and I'm so happy they are having good weather and having so much fun.  We definitely are missing him here but it is such a blessing that he gets to spend time with his Dad and brothers every year.  I know they're missing Chad this year but I have a feeling he's enjoying his view too. :) Isn't he just the cutest thing you've ever seen?!

Lilli and I had a very good day today! Our friends, Brian and Rebecca, were so sweet to invite us with them to the Highland Mardi Gras Parade.  We got there about 12:30 and walked to Brian's aunt's house who lives on the parade route.  The parade didn't start until 2:00 so we had time for Lilli and their little girl, Sophie to play for a bit before it started. Right before it started rolling we walked down the street to see the parade.  It was Lilli's first parade ever and she had a blast! She was screaming "throw me something mister" by the time we were 10 minutes in.  She really loved watching all of the floats and having me catch beads for her.  She got a lot for her first time. We got home just a little while ago and this is her now... A big day for a little girl!!

Matt and I are very fortunate to have such a wonderful Mom/Mother-in-law.  She kept Lilli for us for 2 nights so we could have a few days to ourselves before he headed to Mexico to go fishing with Cap'n and Josh.  We took her to Vivian Sunday evening to drop her off and have a little target practice.  When we got home that evening Matt cooked me a delicious meal of bacon wrapped shimp, asparagus and stuffed mushrooms.  It was so nice to have an evening alone at home.  Monday night we went to Superior Grill for our Valentine date night.  Tuesday was actual Valentine's Day and his last night at home before the trip so we stayed home and played with our little girl and made a meal we thought she would really like, homemade pizza.  Tuesday morning we picked Josh up at 9:30 to take them all to the airport.  Lilli and I are both going to miss her Daddy very much but we know he's having a blast.  Here's a pic of Lilli and her Daddy right before he left. And here she is las

I got to meet Austin yesterday!  He is the sweetest little boy and we are so in love already! We drove over to Dallas yesterday morning. Lilli spent the afternoon playing with her cousin Drew at Kelly and Adam's house while Matt and I went to Chad and Rachel's house to see Austin.  We got to stay about 3 hours and it was so nice to just sit there and hold him and get a chance to visit with his Mom and Dad.  They're pros already! Josh and Hailey were there at the same time.  We don't get to spend much time with them while Hailey is in school so it was nice to all be together.  I really can't wait until they are able to make a trip to Shreveport or we can go back to Dallas to see him again.  Lilli is going to love her new cousin so much! Afterwards we went to dinner with Kelly, Adam, Drew, Holman and Brandi.  A day full or family,  My favorite kind! Here's a pic of Lilli and Drew playing while we were gone

He is 8 lb 6 oz and 19 inches! Everyone is doing well.  I know his Uncle Matt was very glad he got to be there today and I am really looking forward to meeting him Saturday.  Congratulations to Chad and Rachel! Welcome to the family Austin!

" Baby Austin" is going to make his arrival today! Chad and Rachel when to the hospital last night when Rachel started having contractions.  They told them they may as well stay because he'd be here soon!  So this morning Matt and Josh left Shreveport at 6:00 so they could be there for his birth.  I SO wanted to go but we couldn't find a sitter last minute (especially when we didn't know exactly when we'd be home) and I couldn't imagine spending the day in a hospital waiting room with a 2 year old.  We decided Matt should go and all 3 of us will go back this weekend to meet him!  Cap'n hopped on a plane from Mexico this morning too and should get there around 2:00.  I will definitely be posting pics as soon as he's here.  Good luck to Mom and Dad and we can't wait to meet our nephew/cousin!