May is for Memories

What in the world have we been up to?

More like what haven't we been up to!

Get ready for photo overload! I know May is a busy month, but this one is unusually busy. We have been making some great memories, and this blog is my way of documenting them.

We're mostly packed. So much so that I had to unpack a box to find a baseball hat. Oops. A good friend asked me if I needed help; when I told her we were fairly set, she laughed and said, "Of course you are, Miss Type A!"

Planning a move seems very much like planning a wedding. You get to a certain point, and then you really can't do any more until the week of. That week will be entirely crazy and mostly stressful, but it will be worth it.

My students are working hard for their upcoming recitals. Since I also teach at a local conservatory, I have two sets of students and two recitals! All my home students are required to be part of an ensemble in the spring. I have two trios and three duet groups this year! This means extra rehearsals and time, but it is so worth it!

Six hands and four paws!

I cooked a meal! (Everybody all together now, "Oooh. Ahhh.")

We went to Outback with Ty's parents this past weekend, and they laughed so hard when I beamed at Ty's leftover box. Doesn't every wife see a leftover box as a "get-out-of-cooking-free" card?
(Oh, that's just me..?)

My mom has been more than happy to feed us on our busy weeknights, since it means we can spend time together. We love them and their food, so it's a win-win for us!

Brooklyn has continued her training! New 5K PR last week: 24:57!

Bath time!

I've had my share of down-time. Fighting some headaches and trying hard to remain cool and collected. Sone and I watched the Bourne Identity - it's a sister tradition in my parents' home. I texted Julia to let her know, and she and Noui (Sone's sis!) started watching the following day.

On a different day I took over my parents' house while everyone was out.

I watched The Great Escape for the first time in years! Now I'm ready for all my other Steve McQueen favorites!

I snagged some time with this young man and his sister. They are growing like weeds!

Please notice he made his "wife" ride in the backseat.

Working on Brook's focus while watching Despicable Me.

Saturday we hit up my favorite redneck attraction: Gatorland! Florida resident admission is $9.99 right now! It was a great excuse to take Isaac and Sone! It may have helped that it was a most gorgeous day! (Can you tell I'm missing Disney?)

World's best grandpa!

I love my family!

Isaac was not too impressed by the fake gators.

The real McCoy! What a beauty!

Aviary

Great show! I'm so glad I wasn't picked to hold a python! Eeeek!

This is my Florida!

Ironically, Isaac's favorite part was feeding the Emu. Mammals. At the reptile park.

Love this girl!

Redneck fun at its finest

Saturday evening we kicked it into gear for a second sister graduation this month! Glenna has always been the best support for her siblings' big events (wedding, graduations, etc, etc.) - it's a youngest thing. This time we got to celebrate with her!

Pre-ceremony

With the grad!

The whole fam-damily, as the Ws like to say! :)

Thanks for all the pics, Mamacita!

All this celebrating is well and good, but it means we have a crazy Weimaraner waiting for us when we arrive home. After attending Glenna's Senior Sunday service, we took Brooklyn to a new dog park. She met the biggest dog ever.

Brutus, the blue Dane.

He's 140 lbs.

Pretty sure he's part horse!

Since we were close by, I was able to spend some time with my Papa. We share a love for music and ice cream, so I brought him some vanilla and sang some hymns on the patio. Knowing it will be a long time before I see him again is a hard reality. Papa and Grams lived in my parents' home (or very close by) for most of my growing up years. It is hard to see him age, but I know he needs love and care now more than ever. He doesn't remember my name, but he does remember we are family. That's good enough for me.

We borrowed some Gables for the evening and enjoyed our long overdue meeting! Some friends will just always be your friends, even when you have long absences. They are like that.

Can you believe that's little Logan?

Finally got to meet sweet baby Levi! I love his smile and bright blue eyes - what a sweetheart.

Oh, and in my spare time, I'm working on my Texas hair...