Happy Summer, Friends!

WOW! Its been quite a while since I've updated this thing. Honestly, I just felt like there wasn't much to tell and I was just enjoying see all the fun going on in everyone else's lives throughout this year. We have had quite a busy summer so I thought that it might be time to update everyone on what has been going on down in our neck of the woods. 

We headed out to California, for what was known to be an amazing trip and I couldn't wait to finally see where all the "TOMS Magic" happens. We had a full week of fun with the entire TOMS Crew which included a "Sunset Cruise" into the marina and tons of fun and dancing...ALL NIGHT LONG. :) Such a great time! Unfortunately, one essential piece of the puzzle was missing--Pete wasn't able to make it down to the Sales Summit, but we were sure missing and celebrating him the entire time! We were all just so glad that he was healing and do so much better! 

I got back late the Friday  night before the shower from the Sales Meeting. Ashley and I had planned the baby shower for months, so we had all the bases covered! Devon and Cody were showered with so much love and they got all sorts of goodies for Sassy! Now, the only part about getting to mess with all the goodies meant we had to be patient and just wait for another month until Sass made her debut into the world....man, July 18th seemed like a lifetime away! 

After all the baby fun, North Carolina came to Texas! Uncle Jeff and Liz came down to celebrate the 4th of July, and get a little fun in the sun and shopping done! We had a blast, we taught Elizabeth how to two step, shopped until we dropped and got a ton of much needed pool time in! It was a treat that they came so early in the summer this year because there was still a bit of crawfish around town. We had it 2 of the nights that they were here and we were still craving more when we left! We sure love our crawfish! 

Meanwhile, my Dad's side of the family had planned to Meet in The Myrtle....

We used to go to Myrtle Beach every year with all of our Cousins, Aunts & Uncles and of course Nana and Pap! They would spoil us rotten, and we would have the best time ever just doing nothing at the beach! This year, since Nana and Pap were well enough to get back to the tradition of the beach we all wanted to make sure the trip happened and that it was the best trip ever! We had such a blast and had so much fun just relaxing and catching up with the family! Probably the best trip ever...

Myrtle Beach, SC 2011

 Cabe and I on the beach! 

 Pap, Nana, Jules & Cabe

 Cabe & Pap at the Pelican's Game 

When we got back from the beach, it was 2 days until Cassidy's due date! We were so excited and began to tie up a few loose ends! Ashley and I were completely out of control, but loved every minute of spoiling her from the minute we found out she was a girl! Now that she is here, we are still out of control and can't wait for all the fun in the years to come! 

How could you not love this little face?!

Sweet Big Brother Dylan with his "Baby Sister"!

This is the latest and greatest when it comes to what has been going on with us. Needless to say, we haven't had much down time and thats the way we love it! We are looking forward to moving Cabe to College Station in the next month or so and then a trip to North Carolina over the Labor Day weekend! 

Until next time....take care everyone! 

Jules

Happy Fall...Almost!

So I hadn't had a chance to update the blog in a while, and while I had some time I figured that might be something productive to do. Smiles!  A lot has been going on this summer and we have all just been on the go all the darn time. It seems like something is always going on whether its with work, friends or family. There is never any time for down-time anymore. Or so it seems....


Nothing too exciting has been going on recently. I turned the big 2-5 on August 18th and had a great celebration with friends and family. I am so lucky to have so many people who care about me in my life, and they all made my day extra special. We had a fabulous dinner at Fleming's, and if you've never had their chocolate lava cake its almost worth just going in for a glass of wine and dessert! 


Other than it being hotter than h-e-double hockey sticks outside, we've had some great pool weather lately. Its been nice to enjoy that when we can this summer. 


On another note...
Work has been nothing short of amazing lately. I am so lucky to be working with such a creative and wonderful group of people. TOMS Shoes is really an amazing cause and I'm thrilled that I get to be apart of getting kiddos shoes on their feet! We are about to place our 1Millionth Pair of shoes on a children's feet this fall, and we couldn't be more excited to celebrate with everyone who supports the One for One Movement. If you aren't aware of what this means, you should definitely check out the TOMS website. www.TOMS.com We try to make a difference in the lives of children everyday, and with everyones support and help this is becoming more of a reality with each pair of shoes that is purchased. So neat! 


Well, thats all I have for now. I also just wanted to say Congratulations to The Johnson Family who just welcomed sweet Ainsley Grace into the world on Monday morning. She is precious, and we are so happy for you two! 


Have a great week everyone! 

Happy Summer!

Well, I've been slacking a bit on this whole blogging thing lately...we have just had a lot going on here the past few months. (Story of our lives!)

Let's see...here's a little bit of what has been going on...

January:
I went back to school, Cabe went back to school...oh and I started a new job working for TOM Shoes! Such a blessing and I learn so many new things everyday!

February:
Can't really remember a whole lot of what went on this month...getting adjusted to a new schedule and workload with school and work made that all a big blur!

March:
Mom visited North Carolina, and I kept on keeping on with school and work. Papa Cabe was having a tough time starting this month and Mom was lucky to get to see him over the course of the next couple of months.

April:
We celebrated Ash's 25th Birthday! Cabe and I also went up to visit Nana and Pap in PA! We had a blast, Cabe went up the week before me and I waited and went with Aunt Nancy. Never a dull moment I tell ya!

May:
This was a tough month, and I'm sure glad its over. It was a year ago this month that Dad passed away. Not only was it the anniversary of that, we lost the best Pappaw ever. We look at it that we have the best guardian angels now, even though we are a little jealous that Dochie and Pappaw are back together...we know its where he needs to be and he's now feeling better than ever! Bittersweet for sure.

June:
This has been another crazy month. Father's Day is always tough, especially this year. It was Mom's first year without her Dad, and it kind of came too soon after all that happened only a couple weeks ago. It was a rough weekend, but like I said before we realize that we couldn't ask for better people to always be looking over us.

There is nothing else to really report right now. I am trying to get a free weekend to visit the cousins and family in Dallas and then head back up to NC again here sometime soon too!

Thanks to everyone who has been nothing short of supportive over the past couple of months. Its tough to live by yourself, and I only did it for a little over a month! (Mom was in NC a majority of April & May to help take care of Pappaw) It seemed like the minute Mom left the house fell apart, but I don't want to even go there!

Here's to having a FABULOUS Summer with lots of laughs!

Hello 2010!

Happy New Year!

So its been a while since I've posted anything, but we have just been so busy these past couple of months. I've hardly  been at home at all. Not that I'm complaining!

Just a quick recap of our holidays to catch everyone up to speed...

For Thanksgiving this year we celebrated in College Station at my brothers house! It sure was different, but we had a great time having the traditional dinner and then heading to the A&M vs. Texas game. It was a fun game to watch this year because the Aggies actually showed up to play! Imagine that! Just kidding! The game was a blast, although a little cold. However, we weren't so lucky during the drive back home. We were rear ended by an idiot who wasn't paying attention. After a quick trip to the ER, we were headed back to Houston at 4am. Nice.

The weekend after Thanksgiving, me and Ashley were in a friends wedding in Houston. Congrats again Dan and April! We had a blast, and we felt so special to be able to share in their special day!

After Thanksgiving, it was on to finish school. FINALS STINK! I came out OK though, and made 2 A's and 1 "B". I was a little upset given the fact that my "B" was ONE point away from an "A" and my teacher wouldn't give it to me. UGH! Better luck next semester I guess!

This year we spend Christmas in the Mountains of North Carolina! What a treat that was, we got to have a white Christmas! It was great to spend low key time, and get some much needed rest with our fabulous family. Cabe and I spent a lot of time at the lake with Uncle Jeff catching up on our movies. Time well spent. Can't wait to go back up this summer for a little lake action!

We were home 3 short days and then turned around and left for NEW YORK CITY!!! For New Years this year we went to the city that never sleeps to ring in 2010! We celebrated at the Hewitt office in Times Square and it was a blast to see the ball drop from the warm office, rather then standing on the street outside! We got lucky! I loved NYC, but after a few days there I realized that I am not a "city girl". I was ready to come back to Texas and a little bit of warmer weather!

So far 2010 has been nothing short of fabulous! I am starting school on the 19th of January and gearing up to be finished with school forever here pretty soon! Can't wait! Since I could only get my classes on Mon/Wed/Fri, I can't babysit for the Cole Family anymore. I have been with them for 2 years and have seen these kiddos grow up! Bittersweet for sure. I guess we all have to move on at some point though. I do get to start a new job and adventure with TOMS Shoes, Inc. I get to make my own schedule which works fabulous since I will be in school and I get to work for the coolest boss lady ever, Jillian! I can't wait to see what this year has in store for me. Great things to come I'm sure!

I just wanted to give a quick update on what has been going on these past couple of months around our neck of the woods. I'm sure we will have so much to be thankful for in 2010, here's to a new year and new beginnings!

Love to all!

Jules

Time sure does fly!

Wow! Time sure has been just flying lately. I can't believe we are only a week away from Thanksgiving. So many great things to celebrate this year, and I can't wait for all of the holiday festivities to begin!

Sweet Bandit baby was being so cute this morning, and since he's getting into the Christmas spirit already I couldn't resist putting up a new picture of him playing with "Santa".

This past weekend we spent in Dallas hanging out with The French's and Nini & Uncle Phil. We had a blast just hanging out and getting in a little tourist action in the Cowboys new stadium in Arlington. We were having fun, and needless to say we look to be the biggest Cowboy fans in Dallas. (J/K TEXANS & STEELERS ALL THE WAY!!!) We had a great time, and are actually headed back to Dallas this weekend to attend a couples shower for the newlyweds hosted by Aunt Julie and Uncle Steve. I just love spending time up there, although I'm not ready to move there yet. Sorry Abbs!

Headed out to celebrate Katie's Birthday in Grapevine!

This is just a random picture from last weeks visit to College Station to see Caber! I'm so excited to spend time with him again over Thanksgiving break! Yay!

Keep in mind all that you're thankful for this season and hang in there....Thanksgiving break in 5 Days!

-Jules

What the holidays REALLY mean...

So I was babysitting last Friday afternoon, and we were reading this book about what the holidays really mean. The book sure was focused on all the formalities of Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it made my mind wander elsewhere.

Thanksgiving to me and my family is all about being together. We used to have the best time all crowding into our tiny little house on Morning Forest Ct. We would all be outside playing football in the street or basketball in the driveway. It would be a challenge for me, Abby and Cabe to get someone "older" to come out and play H-O-R-S-E with us. I remember everyone crowding in the garage and just talking about all the times they used to share when they were little, or doing their best "Cousin Eddie" impression. All the adults always sat at the big dining room table, while the kids (Me, Cabe and Abby) would always sit at the little blue fisher price table in the living room. Mom would even set place mats and the little pilgrim and turkey candles in the middle so that we wouldn't feel left out. After we would all eat until we were sure to pop, we would pop Uncle Phil's apple pie into the oven and all make pallets on the floor or pile onto the couches and watch National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. It basically described our family, and we each took on our own character. I was Audrey, Cabe was Rusty, Dad was Clark....Uncle Eddie was Cameron....etc. Those times were priceless, and I miss them so much. Although things will never be that way again, we are so blessed to be able to still get together and be thankful for all the wonderful things that we have in our lives today. I can't wait to start new traditions this year by moving Thanksgiving dinner to College Station, and heading out to witness the Ags BTHO Texas!

Make sure you tell everyone how much you love them everyday, and be thankful for all the wonderful memories you have to look back on. We are all getting older and starting our own traditions...can you imagine what it will be like 5 years from now? Crazy!

Oh, and please keep Nini in your thoughts and prayers over the next few months. She is one of a kind and like another Momma to me and needs all the healing and positive vibes sent her way! We ♥ You!

Have a fabulous week everyone! Can't wait to see the family in Dallas this weekend!

-Jules

Happy Birthday Caber!

HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY CABER!!!!
Hope you have the best day today, and I hope that this year holds exciting things for you. You will be great, I just know it! We love you so much and are so proud of you. Remember to do great things for others, and great things will happen for you. Love you all the way to the man in the moon!

(I know he sure does love you, too!)

October 19, 1989
Irving, Texas

Wow, I can't believe that my little brother turned 20 today. We are all just getting so old! We had the chance to celebrate many things this past weekend with all of our family in Dallas. On Saturday morning we had a wedding shower for the Newlyweds, and that evening we had a big reception at Grandad Marvins house in Irving. We are so blessed to have gained so many great new family members, and I'm not sure what we have done without them in our lives all these years!

Here are a few pictures from the shower... I wish I had more pictures from the party, but those haven't been sent yet! All I know is we had a great time! Aww Ding ol Dang Man!!! Hahaha! Can't wait for the many other fun times to come!

Hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful Fall weather. Have a great week!

-Julia-