Houston in Quick Review

And so we were in Houston a few weeks ago, and I miss it very much. Not the searing heat mind you, but the company. We stayed with our good friends Raymond and Gelareh, and enjoyed our time with the "Group" from WVU Engineering. The food was amazing (Gelareh's stuffed shells actually caused me to unbutton my pants under the dinner table so I could fit one more bite in), and the conversations were even better. To top it off, Gelareh made Austin a University of Texas blanket with material we found at a HUGE fabric store. Pictures will follow once football season kicks off and he is snuggled under his Bevo Blanket during a game. It was pretty hard to leave Austin behind, but he was in great hands with the Grandmothers. And it was MUCH needed grown up time for me! We are going to have to make this group gathering an annual thing...

And now, few pictures from our trip (perhaps the only "appropriate" ones?).

The ladies at a WVU Alumni event. There are a LOT of Mountaineers in Houston.

A red velvet cupcake from a very cool cupcake shop in Houston. Love at first bite.

The gentlemen stopping their pool play for a quick photo.

Grandmothers On Parade

Since Chris and had I decided to visit friends in Houston for a long weekend, our sweet, loving, generous, (insert more nice things here) mothers came to New York to babysit. Even better, Chris' Nana Frances came as well to supervise. My sister in- law was here too, but she bailed on them the day before we left. Somehow I think she knew what was in store...

The good news? When we returned, I got the impression that they may be willing to do it again someday! Hooray! But seriously, it was so nice to not have to worry about my little guy. What better hands to leave him in than women from our tribe?

Addressing the putt.

Bananas. Sigh.

Austin getting crazy with Great Nana Frances

Trying to chew his way out.

Being cute for Gramie Cindy after his nap.

Swinging and looking suspicious.

Stroller walkin' with Mommy and Gramie Cindy.

Hiking with Daddy, Nana Ellen, and Auntie Katy

Austin's new ride. He is picking you up at 7:00.

Adirondacks

As part of our whirlwind summer of fun 2009 we three Taylors set off to the Lake George area of the Adirondacks with some visiting family (Nana Ellen, Nana Frances, Auntie Katy, Gramie Cindy, and a partridge in a pear tree named Steve). Unfortunately it ended up being a very rainy day (what is this? Oregon?) but we salvaged what we could of the trip. We stopped at a small park on the lake and wandered around the small village area, visited a church which had been converted into a museum, and ate at a local brew pub.

I once again lost my parent of the year award by purchasing Austin a small banana shaped plastic candy container which contained POWDERED banana candy and apparently had an easily removable top. About 15 miles from the store my mom noticed that he was covered in yellow powder. And unlike most children which would have relished the idea of being sugar coated, he freaked. Apparently he enjoys making messes, but does not enjoy sitting in them. Duly noted.

Chris and Austin enjoying the local museum. Notice Austin's "boy in the bubble" rain cover.

President Roosevelt visited the Adirondacks!

Auntie Katy and Nana Ellen drying off on the museum.

Gramie Cindy braving the wet.

Lake George. It's like the Jersey shore, but for New Yorkers. And less dirty...

Busy as Bees

Things these last two weeks have been CRAZY! We had visitors, a trip to the Adirondacks, and our first trip sans baby to Houston. It will take me a bit to compile all of the excitement into one blog. So to keep you happy for a while, here is a photo of Austin the morning we left for our trip. Absolute cuteness.