Ryan & Kim's wedding (kid free!!!)

Ryan and Kim

Doug, Mike, Ryan, Kim and Ryan's sister, Jennifer .  We are missing Kristin in this photo!!

Mike's oldest childhood friend got married in Philly last weekend. We were lucky to have my Mom, my sister & my Mom's BFF to watch the kiddos so we could go to the wedding kid free!! It was really wonderful to be kids free!!! It was a wonderful 4 days of sleeping in, staying out late, and even taking naps!!! Mike & I left Thursday morning with the kiddos in the care of my dear sister, we arrived in Philly & took a taxi to the hotel. We relaxed then headed out to eat. We ended up eating at the oldest bar in Philly, but the food was awful!!! And it was really loud! I felt so old & stupid yelling at Mike just to talk to him! Mike & I just couldn't believe that in our 20's that's how we used to have a good time!! We were lucky to catch some drinks with the bride & groom later that night. Friday we, well I slept-ALOT! I think I took 2 naps!!! In between my naps we walked around with Ryan, the groom & had lunch. Mike headed to the wedding rehearsal & I hung out with his parents & brother. Mike gave a nice speech to the bride & groom at the really nice rehearsal dinner. Saturday I would have loved to lay in bed all day-but I ended up walking around Philly with Mike's family, and then took a nap before the wedding. The wedding was beautiful & we had a great time! The reception had a photo booth that was lots of fun.
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> Sunday was low key, just hanging out with Mike's parents & then we headed to the airport. I was sad that we got in to late to see our little ones.
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> A big thanks goes out to my mom, sister & Mrs Boland for watching our kiddos! It was a much needed weekend away before we headed to California!!

Capitol of Texas Zoo

On Wednesday before Mike and I left for our trip to Philly, I took the kiddos to the Capitol of Texas Zoo.  Kate seemed more interested in playing in the dirt than she did looking at the animals.  But she did enjoy looking at the peacocks that were just walking around.  I really don't think her energy level was back to top condition after last week being sick all week, because she kept wanting me to carry her.  Poor thing.  I really didn't think she enjoyed it until that night at dinner and I asked her to tell Mike all the animals she saw at the zoo and to my surprise she started to name off animals that we had seen!  She really amazes me sometimes.  Alex loves being outside so he was great!

Happy Easter

From the Abernethy house!!

Unfortunately we will not have any cute pictures with the Easter Bunny, or at an Easter Egg hurt with the kids this year. We are still battling the stomach bug here!! After months of not going out to dinner as a family, we decided since Kate had not thrown up since Wednesday night & I was feeling better, we would give it a try on Friday night. So we walk into Red Robin & Kate is excited & happy to be there & then . . .

She threw up everywhere!!!

It was awful!! The staff was great about it & Mike ended up taking her home & Alex & I stayed to have dinner with my friend Stephanie. I had given her milk & I think that's why she threw up. She was singing & dancing when Mike got her home!

Then Saturday Mike woke up throwing up!!!! He felt bad ALL day!!

Today I think we are all feeling OK, but we didn't want to share our germs with anyone so we stayed home, instead of going over to my sisters.

The Easter bunny did still visit us & Kate loved her goodies. She carried around her ladybug Easter basket ALL day!

So here is hoping next year we are well for Easter & can enjoy it!

Bird's nest

A few years ago, maybe in 2006 or 2007 we planted 3 trees in our backyard. They have grown a ton & we now have our first birds nest with an egg in it!! So exciting! I hope it hatches before we leave for our trip!

Alex's eye duct

Since birth Alex's right eye duct has been clogged. Kate & even Mike had this also but their ducts cleared up on their own. I tried breast milk & even antibiotic drops many times with Alex & it would go away & then come right back. So yesterday Alex & I headed over to see a pediatric eye doctor to have his eye duct probed. I was SUPER nervous!! Especially since I couldn't be in the room while they did the procedure. But luckily it only lasted a few minutes & he wasn't even crying when they brought him out to me. The dr said his eye duct was clogged really bad!! Alex looked so funny with his eyes dilated!! The dr said that by next week his right eye should be as good as his left! After 7 months Alex will finally be able to wake up & be able to open both his eyes!!!!

Home ALL week

Well, remember me saying that while in Houston, one of my friend's twins, Jake, was throwing up? Well I woke up Monday morning to find Kate throwing up. Poor thing. She threw up most of the morning so we just cuddled on the couch & watched movies all day. She didn't want to eat & drank very little. She threw up once before bed & then slept all night & then seemed a little better on Tuesday. We played outside & she ate some PB crackers & strawberries & didn't throw up again until I gave her some cantaloupe (my bad!!). Wednesday she just laid on the couch ALL day. She looked so sad!! Yesterday & today she seems a little better but she kepts saying "my tummy hurts." She still isn't eating well, but I think she is getting better. Mike & Alex seem fine, but as Kate says "my tummy hurts."

Alex feeding himself, April 2011

Austin zoo, April 2011

Kate painting, April 2011

Houston Trip

My friend Becca from college and her little girl who is 4 months old and my kiddos made a trip to Houston and back yesterday. We were traveling to see our other college friends, Merchie, her twins and 3 yr old and Abbie. We had a smooth ride to Houston, but when we arrived, one of Merchie's twin, Jake, had just started to throw up! Poor thing! So it was a bit crazy, but it was nice to see everyone! Noah and Kate had a rough start of playing together, but by the time we were going to leave they were best buds. Alex and Kylee had a great time looking, smiling and grabbing at each other! We left Austin at 9 in the morning and we got home around 8pm. It was a long day, but worth it to see great friends! Merchie--thanks for hosting us and I hope Jake is feeling better! Abbie & Becca it was so great to hang out with you girls! Now to plan our next trip to Houston . . .

Bluebonnets 2011

This is our attempt to take pictures in the bluebonnets on Thursday. Kate wanted nothing to do with it and Alex did ok. I guess better luck next year??

Kate and "ice tube"

Kate has never been big on sweets. It wasn't until only recently that she ate some cake. BUT she has found a love for ice cream or "ice tube" as she calls it!

Alex is pulling up on . . . .

EVERYTHING!!

Alex is at that stage where he will try to pull up to stand using anything!! Here he is using poor Sammy to stand up!

Austin Zoo

On Monday we headed out to the Austin Zoo. It was a beautiful day and we were joined by friends. Kate enjoyed feeding the deer, sheep and goats. She also enjoyed chasing & petting some cats. She loved chasing and talking with the roosters! Our friends rode the train, but after what happened at Zilker Park Train, I was not going to try that again! Alex had a great time looking at the animals, he really loves being outside. We had lunch at the zoo (and shared our lunch with peacocks) and then walked around the zoo again! I love that this zoo is small enough for Kate to walk around and we can see everything in one morning! Plus there is a lot of shade! The only bummer was that in the petting zoo, one of the sheep head butted Kate! It scared her, but she was fine! It was a great morning, followed by both kiddos taking a long afternoon nap!

Kate painting

Last Sunday, Kate made her very first painting! Mike took her in the garage with the floor covered and let her out it! Mike would put some paint on the canvas or on her hand and then she would spread it on/all over the canvas! She had alot of fun and we think it turned out great!

Alex at 7 months

Alex snorting, April 2011

Alex and Reese, April 2011

Kate might look like . . . . .

ME???

Lately people have been saying that Kate is starting to look like me. I think it is more that she does the same facial expressions as me and well sounds all southern like me, but then I found this picture of myself and, well, maybe?? Here she is at the same age as I am in this picture.





I look at that picture of myself and think, really is that me?

My cousin is having a BABY!!

So my cousin Jenn is having a baby in July! I found this picture of us when we were little and I can't wait to take a picture of her little girl and Kate. They will be about the same age apart that Jenn and I are! So exciting!!

Alex's 6 month photos from JCPenney's