Saratoga, NY Trip

Eric has wanted to take me to Saratoga since we met. Horse racing is one of his favorite things, so he's been tucking money away for a while to plan this trip. I had no idea how beautiful this area would be. This has been a very hot summer, so high 70's and mid 80's with low humidity was awesome! The horses were gorgeous and we had a blast!

This place was so fun...I loved the red and white everywhere!

Loved the picnic family atmosphere!

This band played everyday...so fun! Eric said they've been here for years!

Here are all the silks hanging ready for the jockey's.

This is what we would do...Here we are studying our daily racing forms....

The bugler making the call to post...

Here they come to post...

...and we would go over and watch them walk in to see how they looked.

My favorite jockey Calvin Borel!

Eric and I would watch the horses come in...then either go inside the clubhouse to see the race on the big screen...or

go up top and watch!

Gorgeous view from up here!

...or go down to the track to watch!

Here we were the day of the Traver's Race! We went hat shopping in downtown Saratoga for my Traver's race hat...that was so fun.

Eric was in hog heaven!!

Calvin again

Hats.... Hats.... and more Hats!! So fun!!

Laura & Jennifer's Baby Showers

August 21st

We had a shower marathon weekend for our great friends Laura & Lee and Jennifer & Reggie!

The girls are about a month apart, so it is exciting! Eli and I are counting the days down until all the babies get here!

Reggie and Jennifer opening up gifts!

Uncle Jonathan reading to Eli! I just love this picture!

Lee and Laura opening up gifts for baby Ryan! We just can't wait to meet him!

Reggie and Jennifer are awaiting identical twin girls! We are still waiting on the names....they've come up with some good ones.

Jonathan has a friend who makes cakes and this cake turned out amazing!! Not only was it gorgeous, but it was so delicious!

Aunt Aunnie soaking up some sweet cuddles from Eli...who woke up from his nap to a house full of people. He was taking a minute to warm up to the group.

Eli and His Mommy! Thank you to Homer for taking this picture. There are very few pictures of me and the little man.

I look like an amazon woman next to these 3!

Much better with Jonathan in this one!

Moving Julian into USC, Columbia

Eli helping his Big Brother with his boxes!

August 14th

USC

Move in day to college! Eli stayed with G-ma & G-daddy while we took Julian to Columbia, SC for his next chapter in life.....College!

I failed at taking many pictures on this day too...I think I was just to caught up in the day. Moving in went really good, leaving was hard, but coming home to no Julian was WAY hard!!! I don't think Eric and I realized how hard it would be. Life is very different around here without "The Boy"! We miss him a lot, but he seems to be making the adjustment to college life with no problem! We are so proud of him!!

Weekend with the Cousins!!!!

August 6th

Jake and Sam come for the weekend! I did not do a very good job of taking pictures while they were here but here are a few cute ones!

Eli sure loves his cousins!!

Anna and the boys came by a few weeks ago before these pictures were taken and we spent some time at the pool and hanging out. They left while Eli was down for his nap and when he woke up he was hysterical! I could not calm him down because he was so sad his Jake, Sam, and Aunnie were not here anymore. I had to call her...they were not too far and they came to say goodbye. It is amazing how he just knows family is special!

It is hard to believe Jake can read books to Eli! It was so sweet! Boy do these cousins love each other!

Look at the way Eli is looking at Jake. He thinks Jake hung the moon!!!

We spent Saturday at the pool...here is Sam carrying Eli around. Eli is in hog heaven!

We were taking care of Cody this week ...here is Eli locking himself into Cody's crate! He would just laugh and laugh!

Barcelona, Spain Trip

July 17th-25th

Eric and I went on a Edward Jones trip that he won with our great friends Charlie and Holly.

The trip was awesome and it was a wonderful time spent with friends!

The architecture was so beautiful!

This was our typical day...Eric and Holly figuring the map out and Charlie and I just sitting back waiting to follow along.

A very old church....Catedral de Barcelona

This was at the top of the church. You could ride a elevator that was a bit rickety to the top. A little scary, but the view was worth it!

Climbing our way to Park Guell. Yes we are dorks...but that is why we have fun together!

Holly and I had our moments of not sure what to do with ourselves without children...but we quickly figured it out!

Gaudi was an amazing architect and much of Barcelona's lure is due to him.

A fort

Barcelona's most unforgettable landmark, Guaudi's Sagrada Familia. This church that has been being built for over 100 years is like a stone Bible....It was the most amazing thing Eric and I have ever seen.

This side of the church was the Nativity facade. This was soft and curvy...amazing!!

The other side of the church represented the Passion facade. Dramatic contrast to the other side.

The view from the bell tower.

Inside the church was breathe taking. Every single thing had meaning. The large pillars here were to represent trees.

The stained glass was the most beautiful that I have ever seen.

We did a wine tour at one of the countries largest wineries Codorniu.

More awesome arhitecture!

The market which was so cool.

Some of the street attractions on La Rambla

The beach was just ok...lots of topless because that is how they do it there. The sand was like dirt which was strange. The really cool thing was people would just walk around and offer massages for like $6. Holly and I thought that was so nice.

We enjoyed great food and tons of fun things to do too! Shopping was fabulous here I think Holly has a few really good pictures that I may have to add to my collection.