Viking Fishing Trip

I almost forgot that I had not posted about the fishing trip! Thank goodness I went back to double check or ya'll would have never known just how much fun we had back in April!

Every year Jimmy's boss provides a get away weekend for his employees and their families. Last year Jimmy went alone. I just didn't know how I was supposed to go with a 3 month old, so I didn't. This year we made the trip as a family. We brought the Pack-N-Play and were prepared to use it.

We went to Paradise Point Resort and Fishing Lodge for the weekend. It's more fishing lodge than resort but it did the trick. It is on Lake Buchanan out in Tow, Texas with lots of cabins that were rented out to Viking Fence for the weekend. It was nice to get to hangout with some of the people that I hear Jimmy mention and it was nice that the whole camp was full of just co-workers and their families.

We got there late Friday night so Mac and I just went to bed but Jimmy met up with his buddies on the lake for some late night fishing.



The next morning we walked down to the cafe for breakfast. Jimmy and I are suckers for cafe breakfasts and this place was awesome. We ate there again at lunch and for breakfast Sunday morning before we headed home. The food was so good, just like you know it would be from a place like that, and the "locals" that were in there were so much fun to talk to and were thoroughly entertained by Mr. Mac.

After breakfast we walked down the to the water to look around, I wanted to take some pictures and Jimmy wanted talk to the guys there were already fishing again.





After our brief photo session, ha, we walked back up to the cabin to put our porch to good use. We pulled the play pin out and put Mac in it.


Jimmy opened a vacation beer (vacation because it was probably around 10am (don't judge) and I opened my book (and then got jealous of his vacation beer and got one of my own).


We sat. And sat. And. Did. Nothing! It was fantastic! Mac was totally chill in his play pin. He was walking around it looking at different things and then the next thing we knew...


That is how most of the afternoon was spent. On the awesome porch. I read a lot and Jimmy did walk down to check on the fishermen at one point but that's about it. Bliss. Later in the afternoon we did drive down to the nearby winery, Fall Creek. We had both had their wine before and were not terribly impressed but we thought we would check it out anyway to see if they had anything new.




They didn't but we did do a wine tasting and bought a riesling to share at supper. By the time we got back people were beginning to stir around DJ's cabin, he was the one appointed to cook the steaks for supper! It was fun sitting in the lawn chair circle talking and hanging out. And, of course, lawn chairs circles don't exclude anyone...


The steaks were delish and the company great. There were picnic tables on every porch so everyone split off to different porches to eat. Our table became a quick hit with the kids, they LOVED Mac! And he was so funny with them. The other kids were standing around his play pin and he was going to each one giving them hugs, over and over in a circle hahaa. It was too cute and he was having a blast with all the attention!




But even the popular babies have to go to bed sometime. We went to the cabin to get him ready for bed. After his bath he got away from me and, um, "marked his territory". Luckily on his Dad's bag and not the floor haha.


I put him to bed and then rejoined the group for a while. The next morning Jimmy had a tournement so we left pretty early. We got home and Jimmy had to leave but Mac and I finished up a lovely weekend with a brunch of leftover smore's...




Who love love loves s'mores?? This little guy and his mom...


We had a fantabulous weekend. I can't wait until we get to go again next year! (especially now that we know to bring milk with us for our child... geez, luckily there was a veterian mom of 3 in our group that was happy to share!)

Wordless Wednesday

A Derby Birthday Party

Jimmy is super into horse racing. As in we have the U-verse sports upgrade package so he can get the horse racing channels. As in he knows horse stats like he knows his favorite baseball and football players stats. So when we found out that the big spring softball tourney was moved up a weekend and left the first weekend in May open which happens to be the weekend they run the Kentucky Derby and also happens to be the weekend after Jimmys May 4th birthday it was only natural for him to say to me "I want to have a Derby Birthday Party with fancy food". Ha. Ok.

Luckily he told me early enough that I had time to plan and get some decorations together. I told him it would not be all out since I was in the middle of session and my errand running time was seriously limited. I did what I could and tried very hard to make it a great party. I didn't want session taking away from his birthday. I think I found the right middle ground and a great starting off point for (hopefully) many Derby parties to come. In the end I love the way it turned out and the few items that ended up getting cut due to time constraints will be perfect new additions next year.


My spin on the theme was Kentucky Derby meets Southern backyard BBQ. For the food I wanted to do traditional Kentucky Derby fare but I had to modify things a bit to accomodate my work schedule. The menu consisted of items that could be done ahead of time so that the morning of the party I would simply be heating things through and not actually cooking. It worked perfectly. The decor was simple. I made seersucker and burlap table runners and used up-cycled glass jars turned vases filled with daisys and roses. A little lace here and there and doily lined plates added to the southern feel. I also printed out copies of the official race packet so that the guests could have information on each horse and make wise betting decisions :)






The Menu:
Mini Quiche


Benedictine Spread


Cucumber Sandwiches


I made hot ham and cheese sliders instead of the Kentucky Hot Brown open faced sandwiches. I didn't get a picture of those but let me just say TASTY!

For dessert I made Kentucky Derby Pie aka chocolate chip bourbon pecan pie and strawberry shortcake.



I never did get a great picture of the table as a whole but it's really hard playing hostess with the mostess and party photographer. This horseshoe was hanging on the front door but I never got a picture of it outside so this will have to do...


In the beverage department we had Mint Juleps, Bourbon on the rocks and non-alcolic Mint Tea Punch and Lemonade. A note on the Mint Juleps... equal parts mint syrup and bourbon and that's all I'm say'n. I served the drinks in mason jars and had name tags attached for guests the "tag their glass".




Of course you can't have a Kentucky Derby Party without Derby hats! We asked the ladies to wear hats and for the guys to dress preppy.




The guys had a "dress up fail" except for Jimmy, Budro and Matt... and I never did get a pic of them together and I am still blaming my lack of hostess/photographer skills.
(Mac was there too and in preppy clothes until he had to have a wardrobe change but he was in a white tshirt and seersucker pants.)




We had tons of fun... even though the race was an upset.




Till next May...

April 19, 2011 Big Day For Mommy and Mac

So, as you know, I am behind in blogging because of the ol'job so this will not be news to most of you who see Mac everyday or have seen recent pictures of him, basically it's old news but the pictures of this day have only been seen by Me and Jimmy!

Mac's First Haircut! April 19, 2011. I had put this day off for waaayyy longer than I should have. I think people were presetting their speed dials with the number for CPS just incase I took even a week longer to get this child a haircut. His poor bangs were almost even with the bottom of his nose! He had resorted to puffing his hair out of his eyes. His teachers and friend's Moms were flat out telling me to get it cut. My brother, mother, cousin and aunt all had comments but I. Just. Could. Not!

This is my littly bitty baby. Little bitty babies do not need haircuts because they are little bitty!! If a little bitty baby needs a haircut that means they are not little bitty anymore!! (ok how bad is it that I can feel myself starting to tear up right now??)

The Sunday before this fateful day Jimmy and I were sitting at the table and Mac walked over and tilted his head back as far as he could so he could look under his hair at us. Jimmy just looked at me and I said "I know. Ok. It's time. I will get his haircut as soon as I can".

Originally my best friend Melinda was supposed to cut his hair but since I was in the middle of session and could not take off for her to cut it and because I had gotten the look from Jimmy I did some quick online research, asked a couple daycare moms and went with Birds on South Congress. They don't take appointments which worked perfectly for my session situation.

Tuesday, the 19th, ended up being an early workday so I picked Mac up and off to Birds we went. On the way there I asked "Do you want a haircut?" To which he replied...


I said "What? You don't want to get your haircut?" He said "Ohhh, sorry I misunderstood. YES, PLEASE!"


Now Birds is a hip place. They have a disco ball and 3D artwork on the walls. They also have oldschool video games that you can play for free while you wait. I grabbed Mac some 3D glasses and we pulled up a vintage yellow chair and waited for our turn.


Mac loved checking out the retro video game and messing around with his 3D glasses. See how long those bangs are...




I never did put the glasses on to see the walls...


but this kid is cute in any color.


We didn't have to wait long, maybe 10 minutes, and Cat was ready for us. She put the smock on him and then it was time.


Time to snip snip snip.





Mac did SO good too! I was worried he would cry but he didn't. Ok, he did cry when I walked out of his line of sight to retrieve the diaper bag but that was my fault but I mean, I needed to get the diaper bag with my wallet and phone...



And then the next thing you know, your child can see. Free of hair puffing and neck tilting.


Cat brought us an envelope so I could save a piece of his hair. I wish I had put a rubber band around a lock and had her cut it... I might cheat and do this the second time around (which will be soon).


On the way to pay Mac knocked over a shelf full of product. At least he tried to help Cat put it back. I use the term "help" loosely here.


While I was paying we was slamming the door on this game repeatedly so I sat him in one of the chairs...


Where he promptly jumped down...


And spilled a cup of water that was on the table full of magazines. By that time she just needed my signature. I apologized and we quickly left. I don't think Cat was too thrilled about having to clean up water soaked magazines and floor but it was probably best to just get out while we were still welcome back. HA!

Wordless Wednesday