Girl-Time!

*MEN* Disclaimer: I promise, this post is not {entirely} about dress-up and shopping.

Before I started my new job at Tesoro (see: Busy Life) I decided to take a few days off and go visit my BFFL Abby, her hubbster and sweet Baby E!  Plus, I had never seen their beautiful house (in the most adorable neighborhood, on the most amazing lot, with lots of lovely tress and tons of space...ahhhhh) or their exciting new life in East Texas and I was so curious!  So I hopped in the car, blasted N*Sync on the radio (don't judge me!) and drove.  And drove.  And drove.  5, er, 6 hours later I arrived in The Cowleys' little East Texas town with half a dozen Shipley's donuts and no phone charger - not that those are really the important details.

Miss these girls!!

So I said it wasn't {entirely} about dress up and shopping, but... After an intense afternoon of shopping at Walmart we did dress E up - or tried to anyways - to take "6 month" photos of her. It didn't work exactly like we hoped, but it was sure entertaining. 

E absolutely ADORES dog Maddie! Maddie isn't sure what to think of E. (PS. They take turns borrowing each other's toys and putting them in their mouths, yum!)

Looks delicious, right?

grown-ups playing washers...

...he kicked my butt...

...and she kicked HIS!

The washers referee.

It was just like old times, except with a sweet little baby tagging along.  I miss being able to hang out with Abbs, play in Walmart, laugh at old yearbook photos, stay up late gossiping, and discuss the important things in life in person, not on the phone.  Thanks Abbs & Bill for opening your home up to me for a few nights!!  And thanks Abby for being the best BFFL ever!

{Note to Abbs: this is the most recent pic I have of us, we'll need to change that. :) }

Barton Branson Vacation (Part Two)

This has been a long time coming! (more on that later)

So on day 3 we headed out to Bass Pro Shop's Big Cedar Lodge. We couldn't check in until late in the afternoon so we spent the morning on a rented pontoon boat - SO much fun!!! Perch and Darrin did a little bit of fishing and everyone took turns tubing, well, almost everyone. :)

Bathing Suit Beauty!

The Barton gang!

The most awesome niece EVER!

beautiful lake views

Uncle Darewin!!

Look out fellow boaters, Ave's driving!

The fish were not exactly big in this lake...

Ready for some tubing fun!!

Even Gigi braved the waters and tubed for a little while!

The rest of our time spent at the lodge was filled with rest and relaxation. We played in the lazy river and the pool that was right outside the building. One particular little princess seemed to REALLY enjoying swimming! :) Even hanging out indoors was a beautiful site.

view from the balcony 

the living room

Sorry, I didn't get any pictures of the water activities. (My camera's not exactly waterproof.)

On the last night we went out to celebrate Gigi's 50th birthday! We surprised her with a zebra and red cake too, yummy!!

When she figured out we were all up to something. 

She even coordinated her glasses, imagine that! :)

Gross. Get a room!

We got some beautiful group and family shots after dinner and then enjoyed a fun game of mini golf in the most uncomfortable heat! :)

Where it all began.

The whole gang! <3

B&A&A

My love!!! <3

The world's happiest grandparents! 

The Barton Ladies 

Our handsome Barton Men

My sweet sister-in-law!!!

The beautiful scenery.

The 18th hole, hahaha!!!

Thanks Bartons for a wonderful family vacation!! :)

Barton Branson Vacation (Part one)

So this trip actually happened in JULY, but oh well! We went on a fabulous week-long respite with the whole Barton gang for some family fun and a celebration of Martha's 50th birthday! (According to Webster.com a respite is "an interval of rest or relief" but I could be using it wrong - it was both, ahhhh!) This getaway was just what the doctor ordered!

Nearly one year -to the date- after moving to San Antonio we were in desperate need of a real vacation and some precious family time. We packed our bags and took a short plane ride, er, tiny horrifying flight, to Branson, Missouri. Seriously, check this airport experience out...

"OK take my picture. We're going to want to document this one!"

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you...the airport!

And the waiting area - which was not air conditioned. It was July, folks. In Texas.

Hangar: But don't worry, our plane was twice the size of these! Ha.

What we thought might actually be the last photo we ever took! hehe

Boarding the fantastically large aircraft which also did not have a working air conditioner. Or overhead storage. Or seats the width of a normal human. 

You get what you pay for. :)

For the first few days we stayed in some pretty sweet loft style condos over a mall (this was SO Martha's pick!) We spent the first evening just us and the Barton parents.

See how awesome? Above we have condo/lofts, below we have shopping! Heaven? I think so! 

gorgeous scenery

Darrin trying desperately to convince Perch that he "needs" this boat!

dinner by the river

the normal couple

and the goofballs :)

Brandon, Allison, and Princess Avaree joined us on day two and the ladies got to have some girl time while the boys went golfing all morning. We all spent the afternoon/evening checking out the sites, riding the "Ducks", playing in Bass Pro Shop and eating. (Most of the pictures were on Allison's camera because hers is actually good, mine's old and struggling. Check out Barton Blessings for 3 posts from this trip!)

Most likely singing "Deep and Wide" to us.

Little Showoff. She was LOVING the attention!

Yup, posing for the camera with the wind in her face. Precious!

Teaching GiGi and G-Pops Pops (he was officially renamed on this trip) how to use the iPad.

On day three we got to the REAL part of our vacation...

Bass Pro Shop's Big Cedar Lodge!

to be continued...