Meeting my little sister!!

First off, I got my hair done! I got blond highlights and plan on going all blond next time I get it done. I really miss being a natural blond but since I colored my hair auburn a few years ago, it has never gone back.

Here is the before and after.

 

Anyways, back to the main reason for this post:

I am a firm believer that if you want someone (especially a child) to like you, you bribe them. So that's what I did with Emmalyn. Toys, clothes, hair bows, bib, and some room decor.

So in June I was super lucky because I got to see a lot of my family. My dad, stepmom, stepbrothers, baby sister, grandmother and her husband all came to Texas. My dad was here for a gaming convention and the family all joined him.

The first day I got to see everyone (minus Dad) at Sea World.

After getting through the gate (very busy day at Sea World) we stopped for a picture. There's me, Lori, Tyler, Logan, and Emmalyn.

First thing we did was rush to the Shamu show. It was really cool. Rob and I came at Christmas time so everything was different than when I went with the family. This gave E and I sometime for a quick photo. Boy did she squeal during the show!!!

 

 

Our day at Sea World didn't last long because it rained like crazy once everyone got there (my grandma and her husband showed up after the show). I did manage to get a few pictures of one little girl.

Modeling her big sissy's sunglasses.

 

The next day, Rob and I drove up to Austin (where everyone was staying) to spend the day with family.

 

Here's Dad playing Flames of War which is a World War II role playing game. He was playing in the national competition. Rob had never been around gaming like this so there was a lot of explaining.

 

 

After spending some time with Dad, most of the family went out to a cave which was pretty cool.

Here we are: Rob, me, Logan, Lori, Emmalyn, and Tyler.

Once we were down in the cave, it got so hot. The humidity was crazy!

 

After hanging out in the cave, we randomly sat in their cafeteria for awhile. It gave E and I some photo time. :)

 

 

E's one and only brother-in-law also got some picture time in with her.

 

 

 

Eventually we left the cave and made it to dinner. We went to this place called Salt Lick and had some great BBQ. Since Rob and I have lived in Texas, we had yet to find any good BBQ. My belief is that in the northern part of Texas is your good BBQ. Down here in San Antonio it's more really good Mexican food.

 

Here's all of us: Doug, Grandma, Logan, Emmalyn, Dad, Tyler, Rob, me, and Lori.

 

As we were getting ready to leave, Lori wanted a group photo. While trying to get all of us together, an employee came out and asked if we wanted a picture around the pit. Some people thought he said pig so all of us were confused. Whatever he said, I was sure it was cooler that just by the side of the building so I said yes and the family followed. Little did we know that he actually meant the pit where they cook all of their yummy, delicious meat. Super nice guy even took the pictures for us.

This is kind of a Baby E recap with us. Top picture is us at dinner and then the two bottom pictures are us at the cave's cafeteria. I strongly believe that that adorable, young couple really need to be blessed with a baby of their own already!! :)

After leaving dinner with the family, we had to stop at Steak n Shake for milkshakes. I have missed them so much in the year we've been in San Antonio because we don't have them.

Can't wait until our next visit with family. It's always a good refresher and recharge to see people that you actually know and people you have missed. :)

Summer fun

We are now 52 days out from our anniversary vacation! I'm very excited to be planning our vacation that we will be taking together to celebrate our one year anniversary. Today I've been looking up clothes to buy for Rob and I (I'm hoping to get him into little bit more stylish spring wear). I'm also looking for a new bathing suit so I can actually feel comfortable at the beach. I found a cute retro one piece that is really cute!

On top of all that I've been looking for hairstyles and make up styles that I could wear when we're down in Corpus Christi. I'm looking for an easy hairdo that I can wear all day, go to the beach, and it still look somewhat decent if we go to dinner or lunch afterwards. Also looking for make up that won't smear or that I can quickly fix when we are going out to eat. Who knew planning a vacation could be so very stressful. :) There's a good possibility that I'm the only one who thinks about all of this.

 

I tried to do a beach wave with my curling rod but it looked too curly. I'll continue with my braid and straightener technique. One main goal was to be able to keep my bangs pinned back but in a much cuter way than what I normally do. As soon as water hits my hair, my bangs begin to curl and look crazy. I twisted them and like how it looks. This way, I can play in the water and not look crazy. Also, keeping my makeup super simple for the beach I feel is important. I don't want to end up looking like Alice Cooper on vacation!

I'm hoping before we go I can color my hair back to blonde (my natural color). This is going to take some talking Rob into. Also I'm hoping Rob and I can go get a pedicure before going so we look awesome in out sandals at the beach. He's never had one and thinks guys don't do it. I think it's a great way to relax. Plus, it'll be something we can do together and will make us feel better.

No matter what I'm looking so forward to vacation to get away from all this hectic stuff that we've had to deal with in the past year of our marriage. And spending time with Rob is always a plus. 52 days can't come quick enough!

Fishtail Braid

For the past few years the fishtail braid has been super popular. I really like to braid my hair but have never tried the fishtail. Well today, I decided I had nothing better to do than try it!!

 

Since it was my first try, I figured pigtails would be the easiest way to go so I could actually see what I was doing. Plus, I love pigtails. And they feel a little more grown up with this fancier braid. I also kept it messier to make it look more fun.

 



 

I think this might become a regular hairstyle for me now. And I really need to trim my bangs again because they are getting too long!

 

It's really simple to do. You just divide the section of hair you want to do into 2 parts (so since I did pigtails, technically mine was in 4 parts). Starting on one side, with section one and two: take one thin chunk of hair from section one and bring it over to section 2. Make sure not to let that piece fall back to section 1. Now take an outside piece from section 2 and bring it over to section 1. Make sure not to let that piece fall back to section 2. Just keep going back and forth until your braid is down the length of your hair. Switch, and do the other side of your head. To make it loose and messy, lightly pull the braid to make it less tight. I read that the smaller sections you use, the fancier it'll look because it'll look more detailed. That takes a lot of time so I did bigger sections.

 

Go try a fishtail braid!!!!