I probably should have worked on this post much earlier in the evening.....(clearly because I didn't post it until Saturday morning! HA!)
Daniel and I often say most people do not take
advantage of what a city really has to offer when they live in it. We are guilty of this especially when we lived in Austin...however, if traveling full time has taught us anything, take advantage of your time and explore. Going to see the bats in downtown Austin was something I always wanted to do. But with grad school, Daniel's school, our work schedules, wedding planning, and moving it just never happened. I have always kinda been a little sad about it, so much that every time we are in Austin I mention that we should try and go. Well after Wyatt's party we were talking to Victoria and Luther and telling them about the bats..so we decided to go! I was even more excited because I had been wanting to take Wyatt to Town Lake. We spent a lot of time on the trails (almost daily) running, taking Chance to play in the water, and going to Zilker Park for concerts. It is a place I have always loved in Austin as it really has the Keep in Weird feel! It is a gem in downtown that doesn't feel like downtown!
We got to the trails a few minutes early so we were able to walk around a bit and show them the area and it what it has to offer. They thought it was so neat..amazing walking trails in the city that are actually used! We sat among the masses and watched the bats come out from under the bridge. "One of the most amazing sights in Austin takes place every evening from March to early November, when 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from their roosts under the Congress Avenue Bridge." I could not believe how many people were downtown to watch and apparently it is like that every night. We told my parents the next time we are all in town..we are 
going to see the bats!
going to see the bats!
We had a fun Sunday visiting with the Shellenberger's, my parents, and Ben's family. I am so glad we had a little time before we had to head home so the boys could see each other. Mostly both boys took naps...but we had the best of intentions. I got to hold Matthew for the first time and he is a cutie! My mom came back to Willis with us, so she could keep Wyatt while I went to a reunion. Thank you so much mama!!
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| On the way back we stopped and Wyatt thought it was so funny that he could stand in his seat! |
Wyatt had his one year appointment on Monday morning. I was excited because I always feel good when we leave the doctor with a good bill of health, a pat on the back, and a keep doing what you are doing. Essentially I have concluded many parents are faking it until they make it! HA! Just kidding..kinda! I always feel reconfirmed on the milestones, growth charts, etc. He had to get a shot and his Nannie cried. I felt bad for her as I don't think she expected for him to get upset. I have taken him to every appointment so I knew what to expect. Crying for about 10 seconds and hurt feelings after. What I wasn't expecting was for the shot reaction happen immediately. We didn't have the 10 day wait. He was teething, a rash developed, and he was CRANKY! It was probably best we were with my mom..he was a cuddle bug for her! Anyway, the doctor gave us a good report and he is right on track.
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| Playing with his Clicky Clack from Ben and Ann |
We drove to Dallas on Tuesday to stay with my grandmother and Uncle for a few days. She had so much fun playing with Wyatt and her sweet neighbors even got in some play time. He learned..well mastered her steps and hasn't stopped climbing ours since. She has a sunken living room and he thought it was fantastic to crawl up through the dining room, around through the kitchen, back down the entryway, down the steps into the dining room, and the back up the other steps to repeat. 
I swear he may have worn a path into her carpet! :) The kiddo is a crawling explorer when we go visit someone. He doesn't have the space at "home" so it keeps him occupied when we go somewhere. He is so close to walking, will let go and stand, has taken one or two small tiny steps while standing, but hasn't just let go and taken off solo yet! It is only a matter of time! (I am sure it has something to do with our small space..everything is in reach.) HA!
I swear he may have worn a path into her carpet! :) The kiddo is a crawling explorer when we go visit someone. He doesn't have the space at "home" so it keeps him occupied when we go somewhere. He is so close to walking, will let go and stand, has taken one or two small tiny steps while standing, but hasn't just let go and taken off solo yet! It is only a matter of time! (I am sure it has something to do with our small space..everything is in reach.) HA! 
My mom and I did a little shopping, ran errands, I had a neurologist
appointment, and we attended the Chiluly Festival at the Dallas Arboretum. We went at night based on the fact
I had an appointment that day, we could go to dinner, and we had
the best of both world seeing the exhibit in the daylight and illuminated. We had a blast..but it was H.O.T! My poor uncle wasn't feeling well from his treatment earlier in the day however, he was a trooper. The festival is of amazing huge blown glass sculptures that are stunning and full of color! I definitely recommend this
exhibit if you are in the area! It runs until Nov and I want to go back and take Daniel. The Arboretum is beautiful on its own but this added a whole new appeal and I know we
will be back!
We ended up
staying an extra night in Dallas and left on Friday morning. My dad
drove up from Austin as he didn't want to be left out of Wyatt's first weekend at Nannie and PaPa's house without parents. (This day was something we had talked about even before we had kids. My parents had so many fun things planned, seeing all the animals, playing with bubbles, going on walks, etc) We switched Wyatt over in Van Buren and they headed on to my parents and I hurried up to Fayetteville! This was a weekend I had been looking forward to for over a year! We were living in Oregon when the committee started planning the reunion and I remember thinking I can't believe I will have a kid (much less a one year old) when it rolls around! I remember Daniel saying regardless of where we were living I would be going. He said "this was a much needed and well deserved girls weekend!" He was so right! :) It just worked out that most of us have kiddos around the same age, are all in the same season of life, and it was just nice to hear others stories, thoughts, and ideas.
I got to town just in time to meet the girls at the KD house. Cassie, Shannon and
I shared a room Friday night and Christie came up on Saturday. It was just like old times. Cassie and I always
roomed together and really Shannon should have lived with us..so
we just did what seemed natural. Roomies! Staying in the house, using communal bathrooms, dining, living quarters, etc...kinda didn't seem
that far removed from my current style of life. We use all of those depending upon the park we are staying. I do not however, miss the beds in the house...not so much then and really not so much now! I was going be on the top bunk so we pulled my mattress onto the floor. Actually I don't' even remember seeing a ladder in the room we stayed in. Anyway, the weekend was fantastic and I
loved getting to have some time with my girls. Obviously I don't see my friends often and really cherish our time together when I do. I
loved seeing everyone and catching up with some people for the first time since graduation!
It did come up a few times even though some of us that don't see each other often, we feel like we do because of blogs and Facebook. I certainly agree!
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| 404 West Maple |
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The house looks fantastic!
Burroughs, Shani, Me
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| Group Shot 94-98 |
Me, Misty, Cass, Christie
Friday night we had dinner and dancing to Leah and the Mojo Doctors on Dickson. I am pretty sure everyone had a great time as we may have stayed out pretty late! Saturday we had a leisurely breakfast of donuts, lunch with our pledge class..although a few of us (Cass, Christie, and I) may have attended lunch with the class of 98, and did a little shopping before a much needed nap! Let me say that nap was fantastic! I started a new migraine medicine, felt a little off, and a nap did the trick. I woke up ready to have more fun. That night we had a dinner, slideshow and update on the house happenings. It was great! We may have blessed Dickson with our presence again that night..but certainly couldn't hang like the college days..No really we couldn't! I did however, find the bar Shotz with ice shot glasses to be an interesting concept and wondered how I was able to keep up with school, training, traveling, as well as, a social life in school. It also became completely apparent and I hate to admit sadly that mama can't hang anymore..(at least at a certain pace)! :) I couldn't sleep that night and had a nice chat while watching the Olympics with Rachel..as we always somehow seem to do! (Rachel- As always had a nice time catching up with you!)
Sunday we attempted to sleep in (not successfully) and then had a brunch by same cooks from when we lived in the house. It was so nice to see those ladies and hear about their lives.After brunch, we explored the house, all the changes, and I even discovered something I had completely forgotten!! HA! So much has changed in the appearance..yet my memories, the smells, creaks, etc are all still the same! It is hard for me to believe I graduated in 2001 because it does not seem like that long ago!
I learned a lot that weekend about some significant events in others lives. It really made me reflect on the fact that my life is really great. Don't get me wrong...I was thankful before this weekend and people go through tough times, I know this however, if you really step back and look someone is almost always going through something much tougher than you. This is not to say I am going through anything..it just made me so much more appreciative . I also realized how much I love and hold these ladies close to my heart. I wish nothing but pure happiness, joy, and success for them! It felt like (as it always does with great friends) that it was just yesterday we were going from room to room, getting ready for a function, and up way to late studying in the dining room! Anyway it was great weekend and I was exhausted by the end! I enjoyed seeing each and every one of you! Love you ladies more than you know!!!
I drove out to Andrea's after I left the KD house to visit before I headed to Ozark. I felt so bad because by that point I was exhausted and not feeling great. I know she thought I was crazy. Regardless she is an amazing friend and I enjoyed visiting with her. (You know one of those besties I just mentioned that you pick up from where you left of..yep that is her!) I didn't take a picture but she did, so lets just pretend its on the blog right here....................... (I feel it is kind of her fault I am bad blogger here!) HA! Love you Andrea!
I was right..when I got home sick girl! I am pretty sure I got something from Wyatt. This wasn't the first time, but it certainly wasn't fun. I am so glad I was at my parents. I was able to see the McMillian family before I started feeling like death and again before I left. I adore them and they love my little guy. I kept my distance as Granny was in town and Connie just had a hip replacement. I didn't want either one of them to get sick at all! We had a fun pizza night and Wyatt enjoyed exploring, playing with the cats, and a new fun toy from Maye!Again bad blogger..no pics
The same weekend I was at the reunion Daniel went to an Astros game with our nephews Gage and Chase. They went for Gage's 10th birthday! Daniel said they had a great time. We gave the boys Astros shirts for their birthday and they loved them. Daniel had a great time at the game and made some special memories. I know he is looking forward to times like these with Wyatt has he gets a little older.
Wyatt had a fantastic time at Nannie and PaPa's house ..pretty sure the pictures show it! He explored, they blew bubbles in the house, he had a Popsicle, took a bath in the sink, saw the chickens, played with the hunting dogs, met neighbor cows, went on lots of walks in the country, played with KoKo, had lots of yummy food, got several new outfits, watched tv with PaPa, and just played and played.
Reunion of two best friends!
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| I love my life-jacket! |
12 month pictures!
Before we left Daniel and I made plans to take Wyatt to
another Astros Friday night game.
My mom just happened to find
Wyatt an Astros jersey for the game! 
(Side note to say the Monkey pictured has become a favorite! He is typically kept in bed and anytime Wyatt lays down he is holding Monkey. If he stands up in bed he picks up monkey! So cute!) Daniel was supposed to have the day off however, while I was in AR we found out his contract was to be ended early. So..we just deiced to play all of it by ear and if he got off early we would go to the game and if not then oh well. As a result, we didn't have tickets in advance and ended up finding amazing tickets when we got to the stadium. Daniel was a happy boy!
(Side note to say the Monkey pictured has become a favorite! He is typically kept in bed and anytime Wyatt lays down he is holding Monkey. If he stands up in bed he picks up monkey! So cute!) Daniel was supposed to have the day off however, while I was in AR we found out his contract was to be ended early. So..we just deiced to play all of it by ear and if he got off early we would go to the game and if not then oh well. As a result, we didn't have tickets in advance and ended up finding amazing tickets when we got to the stadium. Daniel was a happy boy! 
The game was great. The Astros won...a first in many games. Daniel was adorable and surprised Wyatt with a custom jersey with his name and birth month as the number (but he got a 6 instead of 7) HA! Regardless it is so cute and I can't wait to see him wear it.
That same weekend (Aug 12) we didn't do much else besides play outside and hang at the pool. We had plans to go to another outside event..but it was too hot for Wyatt. Daniel worked on a project and we met a few other couples vacationing at the lake. The next week was fun because it rained and rained and we still have a major leak inside. (Sarcasm??) I am completely over that drama and am so ready to be done with this RV repair company. We have been dealing with them for well over 7 months on a small leak..which they have made into something that makes it rain (I mean literally rain) inside! Yep it is fantastic!
We met another family Jeff and Gretchen in the park. They come up from Houston on the weekends to relax and play on the lake. They are so incredibly nice and are the kind of people that you feel like you have known for a long time. They have four kids, so the lake is a perfect weekend destination. Jeff actually worked on Daniel's truck for us one night last week. So nice!! We went down to their house, ordered pizza, and just visited. Daniel has been busy working on a huge project for school and I have been spending a lot of time helping him gather pictures for a website. So far so good and he is almost done! We also can't believe our cutie turned 13 months! He is still absolutely in love with his wagon and kick his legs with excitement anytime we say "wagon ride!"
Last weekend Daniel's mom and sister made plans to visit and surprise Daniel on Saturday. I was sure he knew as I kept things completely picked up and made sure he had his school stuff done. He was completely surprised. We visited, swam, and had a late lunch at Chuy's. We had a great time and am pretty sure they enjoyed time with us. I am so glad they came down to see us before left the area! The boys had a lot of fun playing together! Daniel's mom spent Saturday night and watched Wyatt so we could go out for a few hours with Gretchen and Jeff. It was so nice to get out, listen to local music, spend time together, and laugh about nothing!
Daniel and I thought it was our first date night since New Years. I was corrected though (by Andrea) that my parents came up and kept the kiddos when we were in NWA in April so we could have a date night..HA! I know spoiled..get to have lots of dates! :) Just kidding Andrea...but I can't believe neither one of us thought about that night because we had a blast with you guys!
Pool time!
Wyatt definitely likes watching older kids! I was afraid at any moment he might try to take of swimming. He has before!
Gretchen and Jeff- We are going to miss you guys! You are a hoot!! Thank you Mary for staying with Wyatt! We really appreciated it and enjoyed seeing you! Melissa and boys..it was great to see you guys and are so glad finally got to see our "house."
As I previously mentioned, today was Daniel's last day at this rotation. He really enjoyed this assignment and everyone he worked with. I know they got attached to him and I think he was getting attached. :) They had a very nice lunch on Wednesday to say goodbye. Employees from both locations came and it is always nice to hear stories about how much the patients love working with him. They all really want us to come back and who knows what the future holds. We aren't against it. (Andrea..I didn't say we were moving here permanently) Anyway, we are moving tomorrow and as of today have a contract!!!! Whooo Hooo! We were getting a little worried, but now all is good! We are off to East TX tomorrow. Well..that is after the RV repairmen "fix" the issues!
Well that catches you up with us! How are things going with you?
Melissa
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