Side Trip

Currently, the cheapest way to fly back to San Antonio is on Southwest which means flying out of Jackson, MS. Jackson is almost 3 hours from here, but Avery's grandparents live right outside of Jackson. This make for a great pit stop on our route to Texas. I can't tell who had more fun with the bubbles, Gramps tor Avery.

On this special occasion, we were able to meet up with our dear friends from Laredo. Gavin's family is from further south in Mississippi with some family near Jackson. They came to visit family and squeezed in some time to see us. The kids clearly welcomed the play time, and the mommies enjoyed catching up. This was such a treat!

P Man

I've got A LOT of updating to do. We've been super busy since the last post, so first things first. We had a fun filled visit with Todd's brother and his family. Avery is enamored with her baby cousin Palmer. She couldn't stopping hugging, kissing, holding hands, and patting him at every opportunity. When she would wake up from a nap the first thing she usually asked was, "Baby Palmer awake?" So cute! Their visit included attending an Ole Miss football game, so the kiddos dressed the part. In the photo below, Avery was trying to hold Palmer's hand. He apparently thought her hand would make the perfect chew toy. We were lucky enough to have the grandparents come in town to visit and watch the kids during the game. It was fantastic to have the whole family here! You know Brooke and her photography, so I barely pulled out my camera while they were in town. I'm sure I'll have lots more to share from behind her camera lens.

I'm Back!

I'm back from my trip to Texas, and I have so much to blog about!! I promise to get it all down for you to see, but first I must do some shameless begging. If you would pretty please go vote for my little baby outfit for Silas here, I could win some free fabic. I told you it was shameless, but I can't help but try.

Homework

I don't have any glamorous before and after photos to show you of the work we've been doing on the house. Mostly we've just been personalizing the space with our furnishings. This is part of our living room.

This is the "new to us" dining set. It actually came from my grandparents, and I feel so blessed to have it. We recovered the chairs in the needlework my grandmother had used. Thankfully my Aunt and Uncle saved it when they covered the chairs in a Southwest print that matched their style. The needlework fits great for us, and each chair is unique.

My treasured, mostly vintage, mirrors have a grand spot above the buffet.

Thanks for taking this mini tour with me.

All About Babies

Hope you like baby pictures, because here comes another one. This little miracle is baby Silas. He is such a precious gift to his parents, my amazing friend Kara and her husband Rick. I love those cheeks! Can you tell how much I love seeing pictures of my handmade gifts in action?!?

Meet Chloe

Please meet Avery's newest friend, Chloe. Their favorite activities include story time at Square Books Jr., sliding, and giving each other hugs.
Fun times!

An Avery for My Avery

Don't you just love it when things just seem to come together perfectly? That's how I feel about this whole outfit. Let me share the history. First, I found the buttons in NYC at M&J Trimming. (Oops, don't look too close at the threads I still need to trim.)



Brooke gave me the adorable pattern with the perfect name for my birthday. The pattern is Avery by Pintucks and Pettiecoats. I love those scallops! I'm always on the look out for cute purple fabric, so this new McKenzie line by Dena Designs really caught my eye.



Finally, I found this sweet Gymboree sweater at a consignment sale for $4.





I'm just thrilled with how it all came together.

Showing Off

I know it's all about my nephews lately, but they're just so stinking cute! I can't miss the opportunity to brag about them. Do you remember this outfit I made as a shower gift for my sister in law, Brooke? Well baby Palmer is 4 months old now and he's showing off for us. Check out this pose! If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know Brooke is one awesome photographer. (Click on her name over there in the label section of my side bar to see what she's done for us.) She's getting more and more talented with this little subject to work with all the time.

You really have to go check out more of Brooke's work and find out about precious Palmer on their blog, Our Life in Focus. The whole family is coming for a visit in 4 MORE DAYS! We can't wait!!

The Happy Family

Welcome to the world baby Ford. God made another sweet miracle.

Watford "Ford" Charles Allen

Introducing my newest nephew born to my sister, Casey, and her husband this morning at 11:14 in Dallas. This is the first peek I've had. He is a healthy 9 lbs 1 oz, 20.8" baby. Can't wait to meet you Ford! We're sending our love.

The Grove

For those not familiar with Ole Miss, the Grove is tailgating central for pregame festivities. Filled with tents (some even sporting chandeliers) and college students dressed to impress, it is nothing like football in Texas. The weather was beautiful, and we enjoyed taking Avery to see the drummers, cheer on the players, and people watch. She has made fast friends with Molly whose family was able to stay with us the night before the game.

Family photo time.

Molly's dad, Matt, is one of Todd's old college buddies. It has been nice to be closer to him and his family since we moved to Oxford. Molly's brother, Bradley, is peeking out of the stroller.

Moms and kiddos returned to our house after the pregame, and the dads went in for the game. Unfortunately the loss was pretty bitter, but we're hoping it doesn't fortell a completely bleak season.

For those interested, I did make Avery's dress for the occasion. It is another Sweet Dress pattern complete with pom pom fringe. The fabrics are from Tanya Whelan (my favorite red) and Michael Miller.

Meet The Rebels

Football season has arrived. This is usually a dreaded time of year for me, because our weekend schedules revolve around who's playing when. I generally lose my husband to the couch, but this year will be a bit more exciting. In case you didn't know, Oxford is the home town of Todd's beloved Ole Miss Rebels. The whole town has been gearing up for the first kick off this weekend. I hear football weekends bring about quite a transformation.

A couple weeks ago Todd took Avery to Meet the Rebels day at the indoor practice field. Avery loves to talk about the "Ole Miss players" now.
I've sewn up a dress for Avery to wear to her first Grove pregame festivities, but we'll have much more on that later. Have a great weekend and go Rebels!

Gig'em Aggies too!