Fun at Fiesta Texas

I took Miranda to Fiesta Texas for a last hoorah before school started. It was just the two of us. We rode the train and a couple non-intense rides. We played for a long time in the water park. It was just a fun time with just the two of us. I just loved it!

Here is Miranda as Robin's sidekick.

Here we both are with Marvin the Martian and Miranda's favorite: TAZ! We had a great time.

Me and Leanne

Here is my best friend/sister-in-law, Leanne. I just loved this picture. This was taken the morning of my nephew's baptism. We have been best friends for over 15 years. I miss her.

My little artists

Early this summer we went to my brother Phil's house in Springville, UT. One day while we were there, all the kiddos wanted to paint. Here is Miranda and Bella making their masterpieces.

Our anniversary to Austin

For our 13th anniversary we went to Austin for a couple nights. We had a lot of fun. This was the view from our hotel room. We were overlooking the Colorado River at Congress Bridge. This is the infamous "Bat Bridge" of South Texas. Every night millions of bats fly around under the bridge. It is beautiful and freaky all at the same time. Pretty view, huh?

Austin has an art initiative where (I think) UT and Gibson guitars donated a bunch of these 10 ft. guitars and then local artists were asked to paint them. They are located all around the downtown area. We had fun looking for them and truly being tourists.

Biggest guitar he's ever played! :)

This was my favorite.


After we went and watched the bats, we took a romantic horse-drawn carriage around downtown. It was really fun. I hadn't done that in years.

We also went to the capital building. This is such a cool photo.

And of course, we had to attend a concert while we were there. We went to see Rufus Wainwright. He is a folk-y kind a singer. He was really good. The only problem was that is was outdoors and we were crammed in like sardines. Great music, though.

Our new addition

OK!! Where do I start? This is what my husband brought home on Saturday!!!!!!! What am I suppose to do with a snake that he put in a cage next to my bed?!
Well, this is ISIS (pronounced like /eye-sis/) which is actually the Egyptian Goddess of Fertility (did I mention that Rick wants another baby? Maybe the snake's name is a tad bit subliminal). Isis is defined as Queen of the Throne. Like we don't have enough queens in this house already!


She is a ball python. So, most of the time during the day this is what she looks like. She just crawls up into a ball under her log. At least she is easy to care for.

Bella likes to stand and look at her. She kept giving her cage a kiss.

Flower Girl

My niece Samantha got married last weekend. Bella was her flower girl. From what I have been told, Bella was not very excited, and it was dang hot. Here are her big beautiful blue eyes!

She had her hairpiece in for a total of maybe five seconds. The photographer was pretty darn quick. This is about the only shot of her with it on.

In true "Ricky Fashion" (just kidding) she was a total Diva! She didn't just walk down the aisle, she bolted! Not one single flower made it onto the ground, until the very end when she just dumped the whole basket! She is so silly!

Summer fun

Here is our Bella after she has gotten into Aunt Susy's makeup....which is something that she LOVES to do on a daily basis!

Spencer (my nephew visiting from UT) and Bella dressed alike in their Spurs attire and silly mustaces!

OK..we were at SeaWorld and Bella was looking into the fishtank....I caught the photo at exactly the right time. I swear it looks like she is in the tank or it is flying in front of her face. Crazy!

Summers at SeaWorld....a yearly event. Here is the crew this year...(back row: Ben, Kezia, me, Miranda, Nicole...front row: Katie, Bella, and Spencer)

Lazy days at my house..Miranda, Kezia, Nicole, Katie and Spencer almost falling off the couch.

My Ricky

Ricky is my Hunny Bunny Wunny Cunny Sunny Dunny Lunny. That is my nickname for him. Kind of long, I know, but it just works. Rick and I have been married for 13 years (on Aug. 9th). He is a very talented artist. For his 8-5 job, he runs the art department at an apparel printing company. For his other job, freelance, he is a very creative graphic designer. He can do just about anything. He's a singer, songwriter, painter, and fabulous daddy. His girls just love him to death.
Aren't we too cute together?

Classic Ricky!

Miranda is definitely a "daddy's girl".

Isabella

Isabella (Bella is what we usually call her) is a goofy, beautiful, curly-haired two year old. I personally think that the curlier the hair, the zanier the personality. This girl keeps all of our household (whether is it just us, or a house full of guests) rolling with laughter. She is so funny. She loves to sing and dance. She likes to tell you how SHE thinks that YOU should be doing things.
She is definitely a "momma's girl" and I love that!!!

Bella and Aunt Susy call this her "grandma pose" because we have a picture of Rick's mom with her posing like this. Too Cute!

Bella Potter...she found her cousin's Harry Potter glasses and she wouldn't take them off.

Miranda

Miranda is our first daughter. She is 8 1/2 years old. She is absolutely beautiful and spunky. She makes us laugh. This little girl has a heart of gold, but can throw daggers at the same time. She is super sensitive and super protective about Bella. Bella can do no wrong as far as Miranda is concerned. When Miranda is cracking up laughing, it is usually because Bella is being goofy. Miranda is getting ready to start the third grade. She is a very intelligent young lady. We are amazed at her sometimes. She is a great reader.
There are two things that Miranda cannot do without at this stage in her life. They are her silky blanket and her thumb. Two habits that will be just about impossible for her to break. She will be the one that on her wedding night, she will pack her pink (probably gray by then) blanky.
I love this little lady. She is so much fun and so full of love. Even at 8, she is still a cuddly little baby in my eyes. She loves hugs and kisses and I love to give them. We are truly blessed.

The most beautiful smile in all the world.

Miranda and Bella are the best of sisters. Here they were watching "Happy Feet" on my bed. Sweet girls.