Summer Fun

Our small group from church got together for a cookout/pool party on Saturday at Karl and Anna's house. We had lots of great food (Anna hands down makes the best cookies I've ever had) and I think everyone enjoyed our time together. I was only able to get pictures of Cale, Hannah and Allie. Thatcher and Karl Michael (sorry if I spelled his name wrong Anna) joined after I got in the pool.

Hannah loves the water. I wish I would have gotten a picture of her jumping off the diving board! She is such the little daredevil!

There's No Place Like Home

Jarod had to go to Austin for work so Allie and I decided to tag along. We went down on Tuesday and came back on Thursday so it was a really quick trip. I'm glad that we were able to go with him b/c usually he goes out of town during the school year and we can't go. Before we left I made sure I had directions on how to get to Barton Springs and Central Market. I knew both places would be great to take Allie so she could play and run off some energy.
Tuesday night we quickly checked into our hotel and then drove to San Marcos to meet our good friend Kevin and his sweet wife Ashley for dinner. Kevin, Jarod and I became friends in college and we hadn't seen him for a few years b/c he was living in Virginia. He is in the secret service and was recently promoted to being an agent and he relocated to San Antonio about a month ago. It was so good to see him and catch up. Hopefully it won't be as long until we see each other again.
We got in pretty late and Allie went to bed sometime after ten. I was so afraid that Jarod would wake her when he got ready in the morning but she never even stirred. She slept until 10:00! While she was sleeping I made a pallet by the bathroom door, drank coffee and read (thanks Miranda for the book; it was a life savor). We were able to eat lunch with Jarod and then she and I went to Barton Springs so we could ride the train and play at the park. Later that day we went back to San Marcos to hit the outlet mall, but rain hit us instead! Usually I love being at the outlet mall, but shopping in the rain isn't a lot of fun.
The next day Allie slept until 10:30 and I read and drank coffee. Our plans were altered by the incoming rain from Hurricane Dolly. We did go to Central Market for lunch but the rain came in before she could play outside. Luckily Jarod called and we headed out of town before the traffic hit.
I'm so glad we were able to get away for a few days as a family but I am so glad to be home!



Allie excited to ride the train.
Allie and mommy on the train.
She loves to slide.
Playing the piano.
I love this picture. This was our last day and we were waiting for Jarod to come get us for lunch. I decided to read the paper and she wanted to read it too!

Trip to Austin

The Varner Crew (minus Allie): Declan, Jarod, Pearse, Grandpa D, Aunt Vicki, Me

Last week we headed down to Austin for a little vacation with Jarod's dad, aunt and brothers. It was a very busy couple of days but we all had a blast. This was the first time Allie got to meet Jarod's dad (Grandpa D), brothers and aunt. His dad lives in Mexico and is not able to visit very often and his brothers live in Ireland. This was also the first time we were able to meet Jarod's brothers too! Declan and Pearse are such neat boys. I loved listening to them talk. I think they enjoyed having a big brother around for a few days.
While we were there we ate some great food (Chuy's, Romeo's, Central Market, Kirby Lane), went to the lake and hung out at Barton Springs Park. Barton Springs is very neat. We went there the first day and hung out in the picnic and play area (which Allie loved). We also ate great sandwiches and some wonderful fruit from Central Market. The second day we were there we went up Lake Travis where they have a mini water park right on the lake. It was almost like being at a mini resort. Allie had a great time playing in the pool and lake. Jarod, his brother's and dad rode some of the rides. The last day we were there, we went back to Barton Springs for everyone to swim. The water was freezing! Allie only lasted about 10 min. It's a really neat place and everyone looked like they were having fun in the water but it was way too cold for me! We ended our time together with lunch and pictures. I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked but I think I got some good ones. Of course Allie didn't want to cooperate for pictures so she isn't in many of the group pictures we took before we left. We had such a great time and Allie loved her Grandpa D. One of her favorite things to do with him was eat strawberries and she ate a lot! We hope we can all get together again soon!

Beating the Heat

My friend Kristen invited Allie and I on a play date at the mall with her daughters Gabby and Madeline. Gabby and Allie are 11 days apart and Madeline is 3 months old. Kristen and I have been able to get the girls together about a couple of times a week this summer. Our usual spot is Hawaiian Falls (water park) but we both got a little sunburned the day before and decided the mall would be a great place to play out of the heat! I love when Allie and Gabby are together because they are both very shy in different ways. They hardly ever say a word to each other. But when we are heading to our destination all Allie does is talk about playing with Gabby and Gabby does the same thing about Allie. It took Allie a little while to play (again very shy of her surroundings) but once she did she had a great time. I was only able to capture one picture of Allie and Gabby together, because like I said they don't have much to say to each other.

I love taking Allie to places where she can interact with other children around her age. I think it's important for her to be around them because it reminds her of sharing and that the world doesn't revolve around her! Kristen and I feel like we are both magnets for children misbehaving and their parents are no where in sight. Why do parents think they can go to a play area and not supervise their children? Don't get me wrong, I of all people know that my daughter is not perfect and does things that are not kind to others, but I am right there watching her and disciplining her and redirecting. Before we left to get lunch at the food court, Gabby was eating goldfish out of a Ziploc bag and this little girl that was probably 3 or close to it, just came over to Gabby and grabbed her cracker right out of her hand. Kristen kindly told her that she couldn't do that and asked her to stop and the little girl continued to try and grab Gabby's snack. I was looking all around for her mother and didn't see her. Kristen finally told her that she needed to ask her mother if she could have any. She left for all of a minute and came right back trying to pull the Ziploc bag out of poor Gabby's little hand. Finally after Kristen firmly telling her no and putting it away the little girl skipped off and I watched where she was going. Her mother was completely outside of the play area. From where she was standing she couldn't even see where her daughter was. I mean seriously! I know that one day Allie could do the same thing, but I plan on being there when she does!
All in all, we ended our play date with a lunch and a little browsing in Gymborree. Which by that time both girls were in strollers and didn't like it if they weren't right by each other so they could laugh and talk.



Allie enjoyed dancing on the grapefruit.
The one picture of the girls together. I wonder what they were talking about.

Allie laying on a plate of eggs.

Playing Peek-a-Boo

Practice With Two

There are many things I enjoy about my summer. One of them is obviously the time I get to spend with Allie and the other one is that I am able to help friends out. Our friends Jeff and Mitzi asked me if I would mind watching their sweet little boy for two days last week. I was so excited that I didn't have anything going on and was able to help them while their regular babysitter had to be out of town. Thatcher is a very busy 8 month old and so much fun! He crawls everywhere and enjoys putting things in his mouth. Before he came I made sure I had all little toys put away and that my floors were as clean I could get them. Allie wasn't quite sure of what to think of having to share me with another baby. I've held other babies before and she was find, but it's a different story when the other baby is at our house sharing her toys and her mommy! Once we got past the fact that Thatcher wasn't taking her toys anywhere, she really enjoyed having him around. He loved following her where ever she went and she was quick to console him if he got upset. It was great having a baby around to get an idea of what life would be like with 2! Very busy!

This is Allie telling Thatcher that he is sweet.

Allie trying to help Thatcher find some good toys to chew on!

I took so many pictures of him. He loves the camera! When Allie was that age every time I took a picture, she would close her eyes as soon as the flash went off. Not Thatcher; his smile just got bigger.
He is such a happy baby and a sweet boy to love on. Thanks Jeff and Mitzi for letting me watch your precious boy! We had a great time.

Play in the Water

Play in the water is what Allie calls swimming. She loves to play in the water and we've tried doing that as much as we can. I bought a season pass along with a few of my friends to Hawaiian Falls (water park) this summer. It has a wonderful area for kids. She loves going there with her friends Gabby and Eli. We've only been able to go a few times but she loves it. She really likes to sit on the outskirts of the wave pool and splash or jump over the waves. Her least favorite thing is water splashing over her head, but she is getting used to it. At the end of last summer, I bought her a pool and we didn't get it out until last weekend. She loves it too! I think her favorite thing to do is pour water on her daddy!
This is Allie waiting patiently while we air up the pool.

Allie watching her daddy blow bubbles in the water.

This picture is at Hawaiian Falls. Most of the water in her area goes up to her ankles. 45min. after this picture was taken a huge storm came in!

She loves playing in the fountains!

Texas Ranger Game

Jarod and I took Allie to her first Texas Ranger game last night. It was a great family outing and I think we all had a great time. We got to sit in my favorite section; The Home Run Porch in right field. I love going to ball games and the entire atmosphere. I grew up going to games with my family and I hope we continue to do so as well. I wasn't quite sure how long Allie would last but we left at the bottom of the 8th inning only b/c I had to drag Jarod away. It was already 9:30 and poor Allie needed to get to bed at least by 10:30 or we would have a grouchy bear the next day! I think Allie's favorite part was eating! She ate a hot dog, grapes, cotton candy, M&M's, and some cookies. I know it was a lot of junk but that is what ball games are all about.

Right after I took this picture of Allie and Jarod a ball was coming right at us (it was batting practice for the Braves). I think I was more upset about not getting the ball (it landed right in front of us) than I was concerned about the ball hitting us. Terrible I know! Jarod really could of had the ball, but he let the lady in front of us have it. He was being nice.

Sassy Allie eating her hot dog!

Yummy Cotton Candy!

Even more Cotton Candy!

Love this picture! I loved seeing Jarod and Allie share such a sweet moment together. Just a daddy and his girl watching the game. At home she tells us that she wants to watch baseball.