Because sometimes the best way to remember an event is through the words of a three year old:
Banner: "I going to be in the wedding?" Me: "Yes, buddy. You are going to be the ring bearer." Banner: "The ring bear?" Me: "Ring bearer." Banner: "I ring the bell and become the man?"
Banner: "Yum and CEO are going to get married?" Me: "Yes. Just like mommy and daddy." Banner: "I get married too?" Me: "Maybe one day when you are an adult." Banner: "Mama, I'm already an adult. It's what happens when you no a baby anymore."
Banner: "Charlie go to the wedding?" Me: "No, not Charlie." Banner: "But Charlie my very best friend. We always go to weddings together!" Me: "I think Charlie might miss his mommy." Banner: "No he won't because he will be with me!"
Banner: "What's a tuxedo?" Me: "It's a very nice suit you wear to weddings." Banner: "You mean like a hat, a sweatshirt and a red dress?"
On noticing my manicure I got for the wedding... Banner: "Mama! Your nails! Finally! They so pretty! You look like a girl! Don't you feel better now?"
Text to Claire: "Banner is really excited about meeting your nephew. Keeps referring to him as his new best friend. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that he thinks his name is 'burp'. #notsurehowtofixthis"
This little hunk is going to be in Yum and CEO's wedding in July, and just got measured for his first tux. I realize I'm biased but the following pics are pretty much the cutest thing I've ever seen:
Now if we could only tame that blonde mop on top of his head!
Thanksgiving 2014 followed a similar pattern to last year, except we didn't run the Turkey Trot (I know: lazy a$$es). The day began with lunch at Brook Hollow with Mimi, Bud, Ann and Harriet followed by dinner with Gram, Pop-Pop and Uncle Spencer. Then, still in a turkey coma, we drove to the ranch bright and early Friday morning for Thanksgiving Part III.
Banner insisted on wearing his bike helmet for about 2/3rds of the three hour car ride that morning, because - as he so eloquently put it - "safety first". Eventually, the novelty wore off, though, and the little guy was content to "read" his books for the remainder of the journey. Thank goodness he packed a bunch!
The real reason we got such an early start Friday morning was because we were privy to a secret. Namely, that my brother was (finally!) going to pop the question to his girlfriend, CEO, on top of the peak.
(Spoiler alert: She said "yes!")
Squeeee! Congrats, you two!
The rest of the weekend was filled with family, good food, lots of tractor rides, two glorious trips to Eve's and hikes around the ranch. No wonder it is one of Banner's favorite places. Just looking at the following images makes me relaxed and happy. Nothing beats late fall in the Texas Hill Country. It is a magical place.
Here are some of my favorite pics from the weekend:
It is sort of anticlimactic to discuss what we did on the Fourth, because we did the SAME THING this year that we did in 2012 and 2013. Not that I would change a thing, mind you. I'm a sucker for routine. Plus, it is such a delight watching Banner enjoy the exact same parade and fireworks show that I did at his age.
Sometimes is the simple little things. Probably why the Fourth of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. Just good ole fashion summer fun with friends and family.
Anyway, I won't bore you with too many details. Just a million and a half photographic memories of Banner's third half birthday:
Business as usual...
Waiting for the parade to begin.
Two year olds get a lot of candy tossed their way. Especially
when they have a sassy fifteen month, female sidekick named Eva.
So, yeah. Catching isn't his best skill. But to Banner's credit, he keeps trying.
Because being two means you gotta
pull the Dragon Wagon "myself".
After the parade, we returned home so Banner could open his half birthday presents from Jeep:
He is finally getting the hang of opening presents.
Present time was followed by "quiet time". Little man keeps threatening to drop his nap, but we strictly enforce quiet time because...well, mama and daddy NEED a nap, even if Banner (*thinks* he) doesn't.
We were supposed to meet at my dad's house a little before 5 PM, but were delayed by a stray storm. Lots of thunder and lightening at our house, but NO RAIN. A mile away at my sister's house, though? DOWNPOUR. Abrams and Mockingbird? HAIL. Skillman and Mockingbird? FLOODED STREETS. 75 and Mockingbird? SUNSHINE AND RAINBOWS.
For those of you not familiar with Dallas, I live exactly 6.1 miles from my dad, and four miles from 75 and Mockingbird. So we are talking about a pretty bad a$$ thunderstorm that was less than three miles wide.
Here's a visual (photos taken less than five minutes apart) on Mockingbird:
The weirdest thing is that the storm NEVER crossed 75, and everyone we spoke to that evening was like, "What do you mean it rained today"?
Of course, it would have been a better story if it had actually rained at my house, because I'm all about free water in July.
Anyway, back to the festivities, Banner was a HUGE fan of the band at the club this year. During their break between sets, he even went and found them drinking coffee and sat down like he was one of the guys.
Number ONE fan.
We weren't sure we were going to be able to see the fireworks because
little groupie didn't want to leave the stage and his new buddies.
But after a few rounds of peek-a-boo, and the promise of another band outside (I kid you not, he ended up on stage!), we were successful in getting him outside.
A rare family photo before the fireworks began.
I may love this photo more than THIS ONE taken last year.
