the big D

Rhone and I weren't even home for a week from Idaho before we left for another trip. Last weekend we had the chance to meet up with Ben's parents and sister in Dallas. The drive turned out to be a little longer than we thought (especially because of traffic), but it was definitely worth the trip to see family. We stayed at a fun, modern hotel called "aloft" we really liked it (thank you hotels.com) and we visited a few sites around town. Without further ado here are the pictures.

Sandy and me sampling the fresh produce at the Dallas farmers market (Ben is opposed to free samples for sanitary reasons- but he sure did miss out)

We ate lunch at Chipotle, so here's Grandmommy and our little Rhoneburrito in the delivery scooter.

Saturday afternoon we visited the Nasher Sculpture Center. Some of the pieces were really cool and well others just weren't my taste. Rhone has officially seen (0k rolled past) a Picasso.

Here we are in front of one of the fountains in the garden area

This is one of my favorite sculptures from the center. It is titled Pregnant Woman (La femme enceinte) by Pablo Picasso. He was hoping it would inspire his lady to have another child with him. It didn't work though. It made me glad that Rhone was in the stroller and no longer in my tummy.

Ben and Gabi

Rhone with Grandad and Grandmommy

We are so blessed that Rhone puts up with all of our traveling. The only thing he doesn't like is being in his car seat for too long. He seems to enjoy that he gets a whole queen bed to himself at the hotels and the extra love and attention from family. He also seemed to like his first swimming adventure. Thanks for being such a trooper Rhone!

Rhone just before we hit the pool, we wanted to get one smiling picture of him in his suit.

Since it wasn't a very warm day or pool, we expected Rhone to get a little wet and then cry and he'd be done with swimming, but he was a good sport. He splashed and kicked and even spent a little time on his tummy. He never cried or fussed. Oh and you can see all those cute rolls with his shirt off.

because it's earth day...

and once upon a time I was a soil scientist.

flyin' home with Rhone

I love Idaho and I love that when I meet people I can proudly say that's where I grew up. It makes me sad to think that when people ask Rhone where he's from he'll say that he moved around as an Air Force brat and doesn't really have a hometown. So I'm trying to take all the chances I can to help Idaho feel like home for Rhone (since that is his state of legal residence). It was an eventful trip and it was tough to choose pictures but here are a few (ok more than a few).

THE FLIGHTS- The flight to Salt Lake went well. The man who was supposed to sit next to us, took one look our way and said he'd see if there was another available seat. He never came back, so I guess he found one. I was grateful because Rhone needed an emergency diaper change mid flight so I was able to use the seat next to me. Rhone had one monster diaper before the flight back to San Antonio, so there I was frantically changing Rhone and all of his clothes as they were announcing final boarding call for the flight. We made it though. Then we ended up leaving 40 mins late because they had put too much fuel on the plane and we were over weight. (When I told Ben why we were late he said in a disgruntled kind of way, "that's just poor mission planning." He's turned into quite the pilot ;) Rhone played the 40 mins we were on the ground and he couldn't figure out why the man sitting next to us was sleeping and not paying attention to him. He was great except for the last 20 mins of the flight when he decided dropping atlitude hurt his ears and that he was hungry. So Rhone cried and yelled as loud as he could. Everyone was very understanding, especially since we should have been on the ground by then. Thanks for all the flying tips you guys gave!

Rhone all strapped on at the San Antonio Airport. I just had him the diaper bag which worked out really well.

EASTER- My mom was all prepared for Rhone for Easter. She got stuff to fill his basket and even a cute little outfit (Ben would say that boys don't wear outfits, they wear clothes), a toy, books and treats (well I ate those) for him. We colored Easter eggs and visited my Dad's family on Saturday. On Sudany we went to my mom's family's big Easter egg hunt and lunch.

I love that the carrot basket is bigger than Rhone.

Rhone was loved, held, and even poked while at the center of attention. He actually got a little overwhelmed with all the motion.

HUNTING WITH ACE- Of course I wouldn't neglect Ace or the chance to be outside while I was home. Ace has such a wild personaltity. He LOVES, LOVES, LOVES birds and even does a fairly good job at retreiving them. My dad was generous and kept a few birds over the winter so we could get in some good training sessions.

My chuckar looks awefully small compared to the huge Reeves pheasant Brock shot.

My last night home we snuck in one more trip with Ace. Notice the snow in the background, we even got an inch or so in the valley while I was home.

Of course we wouldn't leave Ace out

EVERYTHING ELSE- Rhone and Alli got the chance to meet up again. She is just a week younger than Rhone. I didn't realize how big Rhone is until I saw him next to a normal 3 month old. Alli is as cute as can be and is so girlie and Rhone- he's just the opposite. Thanks to everyone who went out of their way to see us and make our trip home so fun, especially to Nana and Papa for starting their collection of baby gear!

Alli and Rhone showing some skin (please excuse Rhone's spit up, manners are not his thing)

Rhone and Nana


Rhone enjoying his new toy at Nana's next time we're there he should be cruising around the house.

recent adventures

Here are a few pictures from some of our recent happenings around San Antonio. First are 2 sewing projects that I completed. A little texure blanket for Rhone. It actually does keep him entertained for a while. The other day I got out of the shower to see him wearing it like a bracelet. The other sewing project is burp clothes for baby gifts.


We also attended the Poteet Strawberry festival. We were imaginging a fun arts and craft festival, which wasn't exactly what it was, but it sure was an experience and we're glad we didn't miss out on the rodeo, strawberry shortcake and icecream. It was so hot that day that little Rhone hardly played, he just sat in his stroller slathered in sunscreen.

In front of the big strawberry

Rhone at the live concert. He slept through most of it, thanks to his handy-dandy ear plugs. The artist was Mark Chesnutt- think classic country songs like Bubba Shot the Juke Box and My old flames have new names. It's the kind of music you would expect to find in Texas.

Right now it is Fiesta in San Antonio so there are paradaes and events going on for 2 weeks. Fort Sam Houston had a Fiesta and Fireworks event. We got there with perfect timing we walked around and saw some of the displays and then got some kettle corn for the fireworks. We decided to watch them from the truck so that we could get out of traffic faster. It worked out perfect because it got us even closer to the firewroks and we hardly hit any traffict leaving the post. Rhone even watched some of them.

Ben and Rhone in front of an Army Rocket launcher

Watching the fireworks on the hood of the truck

3 months and counting

We've made it 3 months with our little guy. I can't say we loved every minute of it, but we sure do love every ounce of him. He is getting close to the 20 lb mark these days. He loves standing up, especially while admiring himself in the mirror. He has been in the states of:
Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Iowa, Texas, Missouri, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho.

He just had his first plane ride too. He did surprisingly well, which I am so grateful for. He likes to talk, talk, talk, and play with a few of his toys. He has lots of nicknames these days too. Some of them are Rhonebert, Rice-a-Rhoni, Rhoni, Rhonster, Rhone Burrito, and my brother recently added Tank to the list. Well here's a few pictures of our little man.

Yep, those are some adorable legs

Learning to like tummy time

Just hanging out with uncle Brock