Easter '09

The holidays are so much more fun when you have little ones to celebrate with! At this age, Danelle knows enough to get excited but we can still keep things pretty simple which I love!
Friday we had an Easter Egg hunt with the other kids her age. She grabbed a few eggs and then was done.
Saturday our city had a bunch of activities- her favorite was the petting zoo.


Then we headed over to our neighborhood party and ate, played in the bounce house and hung out with friends.
She looked so adorable in her Easter dress- I'm pretty sure she wouldn't have left a hat on, but maybe next year. I love how cute her cousin Ava looks in her her "southern bell" hat and gloves!She was excited about her treats- all of which were given to her by grandparents and cute neighbors! It makes it so much easier on me!A family photo!She kept worrying that I was going to take away her treats... I think she felt it was too good to be true. And in truth they "disappeared" by the next morning, so I guess it was.
Coming soon... Blue Bonnet & Wild Flower pictures!!!!

My Dream Vacation!

Our trip was UH-mazing! Thank you Lane's work for sending us on yet another wonderful (adults only) vacation! I'll try and keep the details short and sweet as to not bore all 3 of our blog readers...

Our trip was to here in the Mayan Riviera in Mexico (it's south of Cancun on the Caribbean Sea). We pretty much did nothing but relax on this trip, and did one sightseeing trip to visit Tulum, one of the Mayan ruins. It sits overlooking the ocean and is breathtaking!
(this one below is off of google images to give you a better idea)
This is a picture I took from down on the beach looking up at one of the temples.

When I say the beaches there were gorgeous, this is what I'm talking about! Screen saver worthy! Lane and I had a blast swimming in the ocean here!
These are some of Lane's work friends that we had dinner with a couple different nights! Such cool people to hang out with.Our daily schedule would go a little like this:

• Wake up to the sound of the ocean waves
• yoga (yes Lane did it with me :)
• room service breakfast
• lay by pool/beach
• golfing for Lane, massage/spa for Elise
• more beach
• more food
• and so on... you get the picture!

Ok, no more bragging.... I took soooo many pictures, so family that want to see more let me know!!

The Alamo, Rodeo and Sara Bareilles

Lane's brother John was in San Antonio for work so we got to hang out with him and visit the Alamo- this time actually getting to walk through it.
A few days later we hit the Rodeo and Fair. Danelle loved all the animals, especially the ones she could touch.
(Danelle at the pig races)
The rodeo was a favorite of Lane's-I'm sure it brought back old memories of his rodeo days! (After watching- I still can't believe he did bareback riding!!!)
She preferred the rodeo clown from a distance... similar to this past photo.
And last but not least, our sweet little trooper stayed out with us until way past her bedtime just so we could hear this girl in concert! (also love this song)
Good times in Texas!

Ways to keep busy

I haven't put any video up of Danelle lately- mostly because I never have the camera out and ready when she is doing something cute, and when I do pull it out she stops and tries to grab the camera-which she does in the first video (a very common occurrence among kids I'm sure).

But for those of you who don't get to see Danelle day to day are are some random clips of her...(well 1 for now, it takes FOREVER for mine toupload)

Lane's Birthday!

Lane's Birthday was last week and we had a lot of fun spending the day together! Danelle was so excited about all the balloons and spring has started here in Texas so we had a nice picnic lunch.
(She loves to walk in grown up shoes)

Pedernales Falls Camping Trip

Now honestly, who goes camping in February!?

We took a little trip with some friends of ours the Bedwell's to a camping spot at Pedernales Falls State Park.

Obviously you can tell from the pictures that the water level wasn't very high- being winter and all, but it was still really pretty there.
And props to LaNan for camping while being several months pregnant!!!Danelle did awesome camping! She LOVES being outdoors these days and was perfectly fine sleeping outside (in a tent). She must get this from her Dad or something :)

Just the 8 of us...

We've had some visitors staying with us the last while- the Waite's that Lane knew from over in Saudi. (They have twin girls about Danelle's age and a 4 year old)

We got to tour the University of Texas campus (Bryan is a HUGE UT fan to say the least) He almost has Lane considering a MBA there...

The girls liked coming up to Lane's (almost done) office doors and hanging out. Well, Danelle not so much... she does still have her cute leggies though!

On our tour of campus...




Valentine's Day Danelle got a cute new dress and chocolates! (thank you for sending that!)And then later that night a candlelit romantic BBQ with a big ol' group of Lane and Bryan's buddies! 8 adults and 4 kids! Danelle sure looked cute in her heart sweater!!!

Hood Rat

Child Proof

Really now..... Who taught my 13 month old to climb stoves?
Are 1 year old babies supposed to be able to do pull ups? I know I can't.

Luckily I had just removed the knobs. That's my girl. Always taking time out of her busy mischievous work for a photo op.

Padre Island

This week we decided to take a trip down to the beach. It's only about a 3 hour drive to get to Corpus Christi and Padre Island, definitely worth it when you need a little break from the "winter weather" ;) We did a visit to the aquarium while there too and Danelle loved it and the weather was perfect. She just might be ready for Sea World in San Antonio...
Checking out our room with a view.This one is for cousin Dietrich, the Pirate fan. (This was actually a replica of the Nina, one of Christopher Columbus' ships- a lot smaller than you imagined huh!)
On our way to dinner at Landry's- such good seafood! Danelle liked walking "the planks".
Playing at the pool.
The aquarium was right on the water so it had a gorgeous view.
Danelle's favorite was the dolphin show.
Somehow I came up with a shot that looks like Danelle is getting a dolphin kiss ;) down in the underwater viewing room.

Danelle "FEEDING" the very large fish.
She didn't like the sand at first- this was her first time at the beach after all.
Then Lane persuaded her to check out the water...
And then she was off exploring all on her own. She loved the beach, and so did we! Not bad for the gulf of Mexico I must say!