Wordless Wednesdays: Sometimes Big Sisters Make the Best Mommies

Labor Day Weekend & Papa H's Retirement!

Friday was Papa H's last day of work!!!  To celebrate, Chris & Kim flew out to Utah and surprised their father. Don thought he was just meeting Diana after work to play a quick round of golf, but Chris, Kim, and 2 family friends from Idaho were also there to greet him!!! I don't think any of them can even remember the last time they were together, by themselves, as a family of four and I know they've been treasuring every minute.
Chris will return tomorrow night and the girls & I are so ready to see him again. Normally having Chris gone for five days wouldn't be so bad, but I woke up with a fever the morning he left. And b/c it's a holiday weekend, nearly all my NYC friends were out of town, so I've been trying to entertain two rambunctious girls by my sick self.  The girls have been awesome. Yes, there have been tantrums, but they have also been happily playing by themselves for hours while Mommy rests on the couch. And we've also managed to sneak in some fun at a few parks, at the pet store, shopping, and going out to eat. This morning I finally felt better, so we walked across the East River to Randall's Island. I was planning to go all out and have a picnic but b/c of cloudy skies and intermittent rain, I decided to do a quicker trip instead.  We wandered all around the grassy island, looked at some horses, picked flowers, ate snacks, and threw rocks in the river. I only had my phone to take pics, so here are the few that I caught.

I love how Noelle is looking at her beloved sister in this pic

Giggling. Always giggling.

It was a great Labor Day, but we miss our Daddy!!!!!

Fun with Annie!

When we lived in Los Angeles, one of our dearest friends was Annie Nuttall.  She is still in Cali, but she is one of the few friends who has visited us in both Austin and NYC already. It was a quick trip, but oh-so-fun. She plays with the girls like she is one of them and they love her for it. Delilah keeps asking when Miss Annie is coming back b/c she loves her so much. I'm so glad we got to really catch up and I can't wait to see you again, Annie!!!

First Cuts & Lollipops

Since both girls got their first haircuts right around their 2nd birthdays, I just had to post these pics side-by-side. They are so cute!!

Texas 2012! Part III: San Antonio!!

And we finished up our trip in San Antonio.  Cannon & Bryan both have beautiful, large homes there now, so they hosted us as well as all our family that lives in Houston (my sister Jenny & her family, brother Jeff & his, and my parents).  All told, it was 13 adults, 10 kids, and one baby on the way.  Almost the entire trip was spent in one of their two pools, and it was always loud, boisterous, and fun. :) I did get a little sad b/c being split between two houses meant we weren't always together, but it was so nice to be able to spend time with everyone.  Can't wait to come back in December for Bryan & Marra's wedding!!

Noelle & Greyson taking his ride for a spin!

Going for a walk in the neighborhood. :)

Bubble gun!

All the guys by the grill

Matthew & Lauren take their turn

Delilah told us to say 'cheese!'

Red loves taking pics of her sis

Chris helping the kiddos with a puzzle

Noelle taking a swimming break with PopPop

Emerson, Bryan, & Marra hanging out

The kids celebrating the birthday of my sister-in-law, Kelly.  Too cute!

Very intense poker game.

Pool Party at Bryan & Marra's!

Pool Party at Cannon & Amy's!!



It may be crazy when my family gets together, but it's never boring!  So grateful that everyone made the effort to be together and make this trip happen.  Thanks, everyone, for all the wonderful summer memories we made on this trip...we love and miss you so much!!!!!!!!!!!

Texas 2012! Part II: Austin!

Between our families in Dallas & San Antonio, we decided to spend one quick night in Austin with friends.  The Bighams are so near & dear to our hearts and I just knew we couldn't go to Texas without getting a visit in.  Red & Makinley were best friends when we moved away in 2010 and Laura & I are determined to keep them that way!!! :)   Two more girls have been added to the mix (Molly & Noelle) and it just keeps getting more fun.  It seemed like Red & 'kinley had never been apart and Noelle & Molly were eager to keep up with the big girls.  And Laura & I tried to get in as much girl time as possible in less than 24 hrs...oh Laura, I miss you SO MUCH!!!!!



Slumber Party!!!!!

I hate that I don't know when we will see y'all again.  I hope it's very, very soon.  Delilah is convinced that 'kinley is her cousin, and one of her favorite cousins, at that.  Near the end of our Texas trip we were asking her if she could name all her cousins and she said, "Lauren, Taylor, 'kinley, Greyson, and Brenden".  We reminded her that she has many more than that and she said, "I know, but those are my favorites". :)  Thanks for being like family, sweet Bighams...we miss you!

Texas 2012! Part I: Dallas

NYC is beyond fantastic, but we have definitely been missing our family and friends in Texas more than words can say.  So we headed down for an 11 day trip that was way too short.  Our trip started in Dallas, where we stayed at Chris's sister's house.  Grammy Di & Papa H came down from Utah, so all the Huntley/Ernzens were together!  Delilah and Lauren took up right where they left off last year, and Taylor was like a little mommy to Noelle the whole time we were there.  We also had family friends join us from Houston & Austin, and two of my best friends live in the Dallas area, so we were quite busy the whole time we were there.  I love how relaxing it is to hang out with Chris's family; every one is just always having a great time.

Delilah & Lauren playing Uno.  Noelle watching intently!

Indicative of the week: Red with Lauren and Noelle with Taylor

LOTS of dress up time!!

Grammy Di & Papa H doing some stickers with Ellie Bug

How we spent most of our time!!!

Had such a fabulous time.  Such a treat for Grammy Di & Papa H to join us!!  Kim & Ted are always so much fun and it's just such a joy to watch Taylor & Lauren growing up into such smart, athletic, beautiful, interesting girls.  Can't wait to see you all again soon!!!