360 or bust...or get some stitches

I'd have to sit and think about it for a bit, but most likely I'd conclude that the best part about living in Corpus Christi is the ability to go on vacation without having to travel more than an hour from your home. A swimmable beach is only about ten minutes from our apartment, although honestly neither Nate or I are huge friends of salt water. Buuut, fortunately for us we have spectacular friends...and, come to find out, they have a spectacular lake house. A lake house! Fresh water! It almost felt like Iowa...

We spent most of the day boating, eating, and meeting some new friends. Karina did have a bit of an accident and ended up needing stitches. :( But don't worry she totally completed her knee boarding 360 beforehand...so all in all it was a successful day. We are so thankful for our friends down here and their awesome families as well.

A couple of weeks ago Nate attended the "Voyage: A Journey Through Our Solar System" ribbon cutting ceremony and family star gazing night. The Voyage project is an educational scale model of our solar system. A one ten billionth scale model in fact. Space is craaaazy huge. During the morning celebration Dr. Jeff Goldstein, Center Director for the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education, lead a group of space enthusiasts (Nate included) down the bay front to each of the scale size planetary models where he explained their size, gravity, etc. in relation to each other using landmarks from around our city. I'm kind of bummed I missed out...Nate's been pretty pumped about space ever since.

Bean also wants to let you know it's hot down here right now. She got way too tired being out in the heat.

Really really tired...but really really cute. :)

The Carlisle lake house :) You'll notice the dock is no longer in the water...

Having so much fun on the boat.

Nate hanging out on the boat.

Cap't Terrel driving while Chase shows off his wake boarding skills.

Pretty lady Karina

So, apparently we're having a drought in Texas...

Karina sliced her foot while out on the boat and had to go get stitches :(

Our new friends Lizzie and John. Nate's fellow Corpus Christi beardmate.

My favorite from the evening.

The view from the house.

Ranger looking studly out on the boat. 

Dr. Goldstein at the Voyage Solar System ribbon cutting


Dr. Goldstein teaching everyone about the solar system.

The first few of the planets. The rest literally take you all the way down the bay.

she's arrived!

As promised here are some pics from Annsley's first 36 hours. :) She's pretty cute and snuggly. This is the best type of new neighbor! A huge congrats to Brooke and Wil!

Annsley MacLaine Spann, born July 9th at 10:51 am

9lbs 2 oz of cuteness!

Mama Brooke looking super cute. :)

Daddy Will who is super excited to be a dad. :)

Me meeting Annsley. :) 

Nate meeting Annsley

not my chair, not my problem...but we do only have one bathroom...sorry

This past week my family (8 of them anyways) came down for a visit. Of course time flew by and the six days were gone before I even knew it...although my gut has not forgotten. :) We eat a lot when we get together. Especially when my mom arrives with a tupperware of scotcheroos. And then makes the best banana bread I've ever had. Mmmm. Ate it so fast I didn't even get a picture of it...

But enough about food. We did more than just stuff our faces...it was actually a pretty relaxing time together. Nothing too caarraazzy (Em and Curty, enter lizard accent here), just lots of youtube, movies, game playing, and some time swimming in the pool and gulf.

Plus it was an excellent few days off work and away from the computer.

We miss you guys! Come visit again soon!

After they left we spent time with Brooke and Wil before baby Annsley's arrival. Buuuuut....as of this morning she's here! And I'm completely excited about my first visit to the hospital to meet her! Pictures coming soon... :)

Mm, yes, breaking out the peace sign.

A delicious family dinner at Carino's. Grace, my mom, and my dad.

Playing some Loaded Questions. Probably the best game ever. Oh, I also got to meet my lil bro's girlfriend, Emily B. (we call her Em B. since my sis is also Emily)

Izzy being super cute...Nate's not bad either. :)

Best 4h of July family picture ever.

Dad skim boarding...?

Em and Curtis with some excellent hair.

Staying a tad cooler in the shade. Gma Jones, me, my dad, my mom, and Grace.

The kiddos.

Swimming in the gulf.

So much good mexican food at La Playa. Mmm.

Cutie patooties, Curtis and my sis Emily.

Me and Brooke (and baby Annsley) at Rudy's.

Mmm BBQ. We eat a lot when my family's in town...

Bean getting so much lovin' from Emily B. and Andrew.

Hanging out with Brooke and Wil one last time before Annsley arrives. Wil's going to be a very serious dad...I can totally tell... :)

Don't look at Nate's cards. He's serious about his Phase 10.

Brooke (and Annsley) playing from the floor. She's going to kill me for this...haha...

Wil was totally the champ.