The baking bug

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Baking has never been a strong suit. In fact, let's be honest here... the smoke alarm was more like background music to my time in the kitchen. I like to keep it interesting? um, no.

But... that was OLD Julie. I am SO much better now. I was digging through my pantry before I ran to good ole' HEB today and realized that I have a lot of things that I never end up using and inevitably either let collect dust or land in the trash. So, tonight I decided to just get crazy baking and I couldn't be happier with the turnout...and, no . Not one use of the fire extinguisher. Hooray.


My favorite homemade banana muffins. So easy to make!!!

I was on was on such a roll that I decided to throw together three jars of chicken tortilla soup too. Now I have lunch set for a couple days this week. Perhaps I should start to make this a habit.

Molly's Birthday Bonanza

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Can you believe it world? We have one of these now...

This past week we celebrated Miss Molly, Uncle John and all our favorite things about Dallas... well, a good chunk of them. That is a post for another time...

This year we decided to copy my friend, Tiffany's, approach to birthdays and keep it nice and low key for the big 4. We had family members that were just getting back in town, friends with little babies and it was a lot easier to just keep this party nice and small this year... never a nice thing to plan an event that forces everyone you love to hang out in 106+ degree weather for lengths of time. You heard that right. It was hot. But don't you worry... we managed to have a bunch of fun.

Yes, Molly yet again had another party evolving around water as everyone before has... but come on, what else is there to do in August? We avoid chuckie cheese with all our might and bounce town was booked out. We like to swim... and Molly had a way cute new swimsuit too.

This year, we escaped Dallas for a party and headed out to good ole' Richardson. And while I didn't see the pool until a day before the party--- it did not disappoint. Good thing my sister really knows the ins and outs of Richardson!

Aloha, Birthday Party!


When you arrive first it is REALLY hard not to eat all the snacks... Birthday girl was ready to party!

and so was her partner in crime...
All this water to swim in and the kids can't step away from the "Guaca-molly." Such great cousin fun!

We also had the chance to spend the afternoon with the HAPPIEST.BABY.ON.THE.PLANET. I kid you not, this little guy is hilarious and he has some GREAT party tricks.

Birthday cake is SO exciting!!!

So much to wish for in year four.

Personally, I wish for a day where Gabe will actually eat with only utensils. So far, that day has not arrived.

Molly was really into her "mail" this year and wanted to read all the cards. A girl after my own heart.

Who knew that low key meant WAY relaxing?!

And when a birthday princess picks the restaurant, you know that you are in for a GREAT dinner. Tony's, we have missed you!!

Happy Birthday, Molly! You are already off to a great new year!

Happy Birthday, Molly!!

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Oh Molly Girl,

What an adventure this past year has been. It seems like everyday you are discovering some new FABULOUS thing in this world or embodying yet another personality. We have loved all versions of you... even when we were forced to call you Jasmine, Elasti-Girl, Susan, Kim, Karen, Melody, Anastasia... and the many other people you became. You always keep us guessing, Molly.

This year we met Pinkalicious, Fancy Nancy and the gang. They are life long friends for sure. You danced your way into ballet and went to school for the first time. What a year!

I can't wait for all the memories to come in year four. I hear great things about four.

Love you always,
Mommy

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Rockin' River

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Okay, so today we visited the coolest little water park EVER and I am sooo sad that we are just finding it at the end of summer. Boo. This definitely could have been a cousin hot spot for us... oh well, I guess there is always one more reason to visit us next summer.

We went to the Rockin' River in Round Rock, Texas today with some child life specialists, their kids and their friends. It was a big group and really fun to meet new people!

We had a blast...which also meant a TIRED crew for the remainder of the day. Early bedtimes? Nah, that would have just made too much sense.

If you live in the area and haven't been, I think they are open for two more weeks? You should check it out! There is a lazy river...

This superfun water "castle"

And Gabriel's dream slide. He tried really HARD to convince the life guard that he was tall enough to go but it remained a no-go. Whew. Don't think I am ready to be chasing him down giant slides just yet.

And look at miss attitude. This picture posing is getting more and more elaborate by the day.

Such a fun day... and look, you can tell how tired they were. Success by all accounts.

Our FlutterBy

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My family has always held a special place in our hearts for Monarch butterflies and Mockingbirds because in many ways we have always felt like the spirit of our loved ones from the past have chosen to send their spirits to visit us at butterflies and mockingbirds. Okay, I know this seems strange and I am okay with the judgement derived from the previous statement. But the way I look at it is pretty simple... in the career I have chosen, I have witnessed true miracles that were beyond explanation and I have come to accept that there are MANY things in the world that are just unexplainable...especially, in regards of the bridge between life and death. And at the end of the day, this belief that I hold brings me peace and allows me to feel a connected moment with someone I have loved from my past. So, that by itself makes it worth it.

Today, my little family spent the morning at one of our favorite splash parks (Brushy Creek Park). Despite the fact that you are in DIRECT sunlight the entire time you are not in the water, the park continues to be a family favorite. This morning was extra special because we had a nice visit with a "flutterby". This Monarch butterfly would not stop circling our family! Wherever we went on this splash pad, it was there. It was especially taken with Molly... I mean it is her special time of year with a birthday less than 6 days away and all... this butterfly wanted to celebrate Molly for sure. At first Molly was nervous because she kept thinking it was going to bite her.

And then, just like that...it crawled into Kelly's hand.

Molly and Kelly decided it might be a little thirsty so they put it near some water on the ground. Molly thought this was the coolest thing ever.

While Gabriel thought his bucket was the coolest thing ever. They have very different interests, these two.

Very different.
Eventually, "bucket head" started to visit with butterfly too... and managed NOT to step on it. I mean, how tragic would that have been? eek!

Such a great little visit this butterfly had...
spending its time at the splash park with these bucket heads.

As we walked away it flew off to the trees... I guess it had its fill of fun too.

Cousins in Austin!

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I am so so grateful that our schedules have allowed that two weeks has been the longest we have gone without seeing family all summer. It has really helped with this transition to Austin and we have high hopes that we can keep this rhythm :) (Lots of sales on Southwest right now...just sayin' ;)

And while the Rickens and one Nonnie were only here for about 27 hours, we sure did manage to pack a bunch of fun in! We even made it a mini 'beach' reunion...

It seems in the weeks since our last visit to Emma Long, there have been lots of boats come by. It was definitely much dirtier. Perhaps it is also because we have just come from the pristine white sands of Destin. We still had some messy fun though... and stopped by the MUCH cleaner pool on the way home.

I think it is safe to say that these kids had a blast.

I remembered that I had wanted my mom to see the Peacock Preserve at the foot of Mount Bonnell. I love this place so much. Unfortunately, the peacocks were a little hot and while in abundance they didn't open all their feathers---despite our numerous attempts to scare them, flirt with them and pretend we were "Kevin bird". Such a pretty place! Apparently, it is where all the Gabriel's hang out. We met two there.

And what better way to cool off after a fun sun filled weekend than with Amy's. My sister said something about one going up in Dallas maybe? We will definitely be looking into this... if so... hooray for Dallas!!! First Torchy's and now Amy's?!

Can't wait to see you guys in 9 days!

A baby no more

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We have just been soaking up the visits these past couple weeks from people we love so much! My friends, Allison and Lauren, each visited a couple weeks back; Papa, Mama Sue and Aunt Rara popped in while doing college visits (yay!); Nonnie and the Ricken's stayed over this past weekend; and we finally had our visit with our godson, Baby Jude and "Aunt Balissa" during the week.

We feel so loved.

Now, baby Jude. Not going to lie, a HUGE perk to living here is that we can now be so much more active in his little life. Another fact, baby Jude is no longer a baby. In fact... look who is walking now like a big boy!!! (Oh, and Mel...seconds after you left we found that cup---it was under Gabey's bed.)


Of course, this was not our first attempt to see the Figueroa's. In fact, we had made several attempts but each time there were either terrible storms or the dreaded tummy bug stopping our fun. It makes perfect sense that this visit was accompanied by some pretty intense storms too. We 'weathered' it and because I have such a clever husband, we were still able to have some swimming fun...in the garage.

And now our house is actually big enough for multiple tents at once. Whoohoo to that. Jude was more taken with the tv controls though. At least the Mays kept busy with the tents.

Such a great visit with our favorite little man!

I especially love this picture because 1. it completely shows our UGLY yellow tile on the kid's bathtub wall and 2. because of Jude's face. The boys were really having so much fun taking a play bath together while playing dinosaurs. And then Gabey pretended to be a dinosaur and poor Jude was done.

His face says it all: "Mom, get me outta here stat."

Come back and play Figueroa family... and just think, within in the month Uncle Chris can FINALLY come play too!!!