The Napier News: Our Summer Trip to Texas

Nothin' says Texas like a good ol' cowgirl hat!

Our summer trip to Texas was a little different this year. Ayla was a few days away from turning one, and her Texas family threw her a Texas sized birthday party. Most of Brett's family was there, including his Uncles, Phillip and Eddie, his Aunt Chris, his great Aunt Rosemand, and his second cousin Tracy. We haven't seen most of them since the fall after we got married, so it was a very nice occasion to get together again. Through the week we took it pretty easy at Brett's parent's house,we got to swim at Pam and Jeff's, and we had good visiting time with family. We'd seen Hollie and Stephen the week before, but we did get to see them one of the days we were there. I met Hollie and Shelley for breakfast one morning, and I ended up spending the day at Hollie's. All in all... it was a nice trip back to Brett's "homeland" or "God's Country" as he calls it. Even though we don't live there anymore, I know Texas will always hold a special place in Brett's heart and in our lives. We're also going to make sure Ayla feels it too! :+]

This is the cowboy/girl hat Oma got for Ayla. Notice I'm holding her hands... had I let go, that hat would have been off in a second.

On our way... we detoured and stopped to see the Norwoods, who live in East Texas. We've not seen them in two years, so it was nice to stop for the short visit. Here Natalie and Ayla are taking a bath together. Natalie is full of energy and talks a mile a minute. She was so cute with Ayla. She is at that age where she asks "why" all the time. It's funny to imagine Ayla at that stage, but hard to believe it will be here before I know it.

Here is the picture I sent for her first birthday party in Florida, the one we had on the day of her actual birthday. I took her outside the following morning in hopes that she'd do just what she's doing, pointing to something, which looks like she's holding up the number 1. The sun was in her eyes, and she's squinting, but it was the best shot of her doing this that I could get. You can see Danny and Laurel's beautiful property back behind Ayla. They have a beautiful house with LOTS of gorgeous acreage.

She wasn't so sure about that grass she was sitting on. It was still a bit damp, and she'd give me these faces. She's pretty expressive.

Here one of those faces!

Here we are at Oma and G'pa's. We got there that evening, and although they wanted to grab Ayla and give her lots of hugs, they let her get use to them and their house. :+}

Here's the "O" face she gives. It's a combination of concerned and surprised.

Ayla and Mommy... I didn't necessarily plano on matching her so well this day, but we did.

She loves those books! I hope this continues to be a trait of hers!

Ayla and Jaycee ray. We went swimming at Pam and Jeff's house one day.

Ayla was pretty interested in the goggles Jaycee and Garrett had on the edge of the pool. I tried to show her what they were for, and I think she enjoyed the way they changed the way things looked to her. It didn't last long though... notice I'm holding her hand, which is keeping her from pulling it off her head. Oh the things parents do for the sake of a picture!

Ayla enjoyed this floaty. Pam and Jeff had this already, and Ayla liked it so much that they got her one for her birthday! We really appreciate that, and it will get lots of good use in our pool here!

This is Pebbles, Pam's dog, the surfing dog! She's pretty good I think. :+}

Ayla, drinking a Capri Sun!

Jaycee and Pam, Brett's sister.

Ayla and her Miss Texas onsy. Aimee Farley got this for her, and it was so cute on her, especially with those adorable blue jean shorts!
One day we went to see Oma at work. There are these beautiful marble steps leading up to her office area, so we stopped for a picture.

Ayla and Daddy

Mommy, Ayla, and Daddy

Ayla and Maddy

Ayla, sitting in front of her birthday presents. I'm not sure she knew what to think.

Ayla getting her birthday baby doll from Pam, Jeff, Garrett, and Jaycee. She loves this baby, and it has been a hit since the moment she got it in her hands. We call her "baby," but my dad calls her "baby Suzie". :+} The other morning she was on the floor and I looked down and the babies mouth and eyes were filled with milk from Ayla trying to feed her bottle to the baby. She is very nurturing and loves to hug and rock her baby. Sometimes she'll hold her and say "Ahhhhh," which is exactly what I say. It's pretty cute!