San Antonio and Dallas, TX

(Before I start this post I have to dedicate it to my friend Andrea Dell... a few months ago you blogged about your love of bridges and how much you're obsessed with them- After visiting San Antonio- I get it! The bridge pictures are for you!)

This is on the San Antonio Riverwalk- right outside our hotel doors...

another bridge...

and another...

Levi enjoying our walk...

A family of ducks on the river. 

They are so acclimated to people they don't even move when you walk by...

 The Alamo

The Alamo again...

Matt and Levi outside the gates to the grounds at the Alamo...

The Dallas, Texas Temple

The Dallas Temple is beautiful. It is not as big and showy as some temples, but it was very, very pretty. I loved the pinkinsh trees in front. It almost looks more like an over sized Stake Center than a temple. So beautiful, calm and peaceful though. 

We saw trees like the ones in front of the temple all over Texas and I really loved them. Back home all our trees have finished blooming. I was surprised to see them in full bloom this late into July.

Great trip... beautiful towns.

Levi's First Plane Trip

As most of you know, the company Matt works for recently merged with another company based in Northern Dallas. From time to time he has to travel back and forth and it has become more and more frequent since January. At this point in time they have ot said anything about moving there, but the thought lingers in the back of our minds and we wonder if someday they will decide to move us... or not. (Living in limbo isn't much fun- I don't recommend it!)

Anyway, when they called last week and said they were sending him to San Antonio for a few days, Levi and I decided to join him so that I could see Texas myself, since I've never been there. We spent 2 days in San Antonio and then drove to Dallas for another 2 days.

Levi got to go by default since he is too young to leave with Grandma.  

This is a picture of Levi and the plane we flew on. 

He was pretty excited and all things considered, he was a good little passenger.

This is a picture of him crashed after spending an entire day traveling. Wiped out little boy!

Goodbye, Saturn...

Well we finally did it. We traded in the first car we ever bought together as a married couple. It seems crazy to think that Aaron was about a year old when we bought it. Time sure flies. It was starting to need a lot of upkeep and repair and with Matt commuting as much as he does we needed a better car. 

I didn't think I'd care about it to much, but when the time came to hand over the keys I was a little nostalgic. First car... first car we paid off ENTIRELY and owned outright... first babies of ours transported in it... sigh

...

Goodbye green Saturn. You've been a good car. Thanks for all the miles!

We will post pictures of the shiny new car soon! (It needs a bath first- It rained last night!)

Spencer's Blessing/4th of July BBQ

What a great weekend for family! My sweet little nephew Spencer was blessed in church and we had a great celebration afterward! Many, many years ago, my brother Jordan was also blessed on the 4th of July when he was a baby. (Yes, Jordan, I am teasing you about being so old!) It was so nice to be able to be there for this special day!

Spencer

In his blessing outfit...

Proud Daddy...

 

With Grandma J

Jordan and Melanie

 Jason and his littlest cousin Spencer

Dad, Matt and Levi

 Kellie's 4th of July bows

Jeff, Jennifer and Jerri Lynn

Levi and Matt

Aaron being silly

Julie and Kellie

Melanie and her sister Ann Marie

Ann Marie's cute daughter, Natalie

Jessica reading to Kellie and Natalie

Natalie got a bit sleepy...

The Corless Family...

being silly...

really silly!

 The Christiansens... (US!)

An Evening with the Corless Cousins

My sister and her family stopped by on their way to my Mom and Dad's house last night. It was so fun to spend a few hours with them. Here's some highlights...

Levi has a reputation for "being difficult" and typically will only allow Matt, myself and occasionally Grandpa to hold him. It seems like my family has made it their mission to see who can win him over. My brother John succeeded briefly a few weeks ago and my sister Jerri Lynn held the honor last night.
(It doesn't hurt that she "bribed" him with a tub of Red Vines- which he LOVED!)
Whatever works, I guess! :)

 Kellie and Jessica, pool buddies!

 Cute Jennifer!

Caleb and Jason

Aaron and his puppy dog towel. BRRRR it's cold!

Levi and the Monster towel. I think he likes the pool- don't you?

Miss Kellie

Jessica and Kellie

"Queen" Jessica

Visiting the Temple Grounds

Last Saturday was our Primary's Temple Trip. I am so glad we were able to go this year. There were close to 50 Primary aged children and they even had to split our group into 2 separate tours! It is so great to see the enthusiasm of our little ones to be near the temple. I'm sure they feel the calming Spirit and love to be there. I was reminded of almost 11 years ago when Matt and I were married. It was such a special experience to share these sacred grounds with our children. I'm reminded again how very blessed we are.

 

Our little family...

Aaron, Kellie, Julie, and Caleb

Matt and Little Levi

Miss Kellie

Aaron

Julie and Caleb (He's squinting because of the sun...)

My sweet friend Andrea and her son, Zac