JAMSquared

Sunday, August 8, 2010

James, Jessica and I went down to McDade’s Emporium, the little pastry & ice cream parlor near the lobby, and picked up some breakfast tacos. We then wandered outside to enjoy our breakfast on a bench under a massive oak tree. We then returned to our room to change into our swimsuits.

At the pool, we floated the Crooked River, the resort’s registered name for a lazy river, with everyone except Jason’s family who had already going swimming and went to take a nap.

Everyone then met up for lunch at Old Buck’s Place, the poolside cafe.

While Jessica napped in our room, and Cameron and Trevor napped in Jason and Julia’s room, the adults played a round of Balderdash in Mom and Dad’s room while Aspen played on the floor. Jason won. He had a real knack for guessing the real answer.

After nap time, Cameron rode a pink tricycle that was still too big (it was smaller than the blue tricycle).

And Jessica and Trevor talked to each other in their strollers.

Jason, Julia, Aspen and Dad went swimming some more.

Jessica then rode the horse in the lobby.

We drove into Bastrop and enjoyed dinner at Nancy’s Steakhouse. The bacon wrapped shrimp and chicken appetizers were very good.

Back at the beginning of August, we went on a mini vacation getaway with the Dzubinski side of the family. I tend to be really picture heavy in my travel blog posts, so I’ve decided to do separate posts for each day. Check out Julia’s post here and Sarah’s posts here and here. I apologize for the delay in sharing our trip. James and I are making some behind the scenes changes to our website and I had hoped to be finished before posting about the trip. Alas, grout sealing has taken up our time until recently so the web changes are still not in place yet.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

After partying with Aspen at her birthday celebration and Jessica’s afternoon nap, we arrived at our travel destination, the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa. Granted, the destination wasn’t far from home, off of Highway 71 just west of Bastrop but it was a perfect getaway. Everyone settled into their rooms. Sarah’s family’s room was on the 3rd floor while the rest of us were on the 4th floor. Dinner was then eaten at the Firewheel Cafe, one of the resort’s six dining facilities. They had a buffet that everyone decided to try. I tried a variety of dishes including salmon, prime rib, and a cauliflower au gratin that would have tasted better if the cauliflower pieces had been more uniform in size. The dessert table of the buffet had many delicious choices. I loved how many of the desserts were bite-sized or small so you could try multiples desserts without feeling guilty.

After dinner, we walked around the grounds a bit. Cameron tested out the covered wagon.

We scoped out the pool. Then we let the kiddos play on the playground.

Don’t you love that little tongue sticking out? Ever since this trip Jessica has been sticking her tongue out a lot too. I don’t know if it is because she saw Trevor doing it or what, but it sure is cute.

Our beautiful little niece turned one last Thursday. Her birthday celebration was held last Saturday around lunchtime. We had a blast and I think Aspen did too. Check out Julia’s post and Sarah’s post for more pictures.

When we arrived, Jason, Julia and some of their friends were putting last minute touches on the food. The lunch of kabobs, pasta salad and chips and salsa was delicious. I especially enjoyed the shrimp kabobs. Here’s Grant holding up one of the kabobs he threaded.

Aspen had a beach themed party. Don’t you like the little lanterns Julia picked up at Party City? You might remember that Julia and I had gotten together for lunch and shopping last week.

Aspen had to show off her walking skills to her admiring audience.

Of course, I had to get some photos of Papa with his grandkids. Although, somehow, I didn’t get a single picture of Cameron the entire party.

After lunch, Aspen opened her presents. She didn’t seem too interested in unwrapping the presents, except for the big one. Jessica was interested in that one as well and helped out.

Then came cake. At first, Aspen didn’t seem to know what to do with the cake. Then she started picking the blueberries off the whipped cream frosting.

A little later, they cut the cake in half with a spatula and then she really went to town.

Bella seemed excited about Aspen’s cake too. I guess she knew if she stuck around, she might get a little nibble.

While Aspen ate her cake, Trevor spent some time with Nanny.

And Jessica checked out all of Aspen’s new toys.

Here’s a mish-mash of pictures from the last two weeks of my cutie pie.

My parents were in town for a tax conference recently. We got to have dinner with them and my Dad read Jessica a story before she went to bed. Don’t you like this photo of them with their granddaughter?

I really like this next photo.

I’m rather fond of my baby girl and her Daddy. Aren’t they cute?

Jessica started crawling on hands and knees July 20th. A few days later, there was no more army crawling. Around the same time, she started pulling up and standing. She has become pretty stable standing up. She will even cruise along the length of the couch. Needless to say, the same day I took this photo of her standing up in her crib, James took down her mobile.

We’ve started playing more in her room (especially this week while the tile is being installed) and she has discovered how well she can pull books off of her bookshelf.

This next picture shows how fast her hair is growing. She got her first haircut the beginning of June and now two months later, she needs another one. Luckily, we’re seeing her Aunt Sarah this weekend and she will get another trim.

Yesterday, we met Julia and Aspen for lunch and then shopping at the Party Pig Superstore. The girls seemed to enjoy their shopping excursion. I have to say I really love the Floppy Seat. Jessica is constantly chewing/sucking on the straps that hold her in and I’m so glad the Floppy Seat comes with its own straps so she’s not chewing/sucking on high chair/cart straps that have been in who knows how many other kid’s mouths.

I’ll end with the last picture of Jessica as a two-toothed baby. I noticed this morning her upper right central incisor has erupted, which explains her recent fussiness.

My parents came to town for a quick visit. My Dad dropped my Mom off Thursday afternoon while Jessica was napping. He then had a business meeting and afterward went and had dinner with Jason, Julia, and Aspen. My Mom had dinner with us.

Yesterday, Jason and James took a break from work and came for lunch. Julia and Aspen came for lunch and a play date. (See Julia’s post about our last play date.) After lunch, Aspen and Jessica got to play. Aren’t Aspen’s dimples cute?

Jessica and Aspen aren’t quite to the point where they know how to play with each other. I put them next to each other and Jessica wanted to pull on Aspen’s ears.  At her house, Aspen was rough. At our house, Jessica was rough. Oh well, it will come as they get older.

Papa had fun playing with his two grand-daughters.

Aspen is quite mobile. She enjoyed standing up on the Crawl-n-Cruise Jungle. Both girls enjoy the balls that are with it.

After Julia and Aspen left, Papa read Jessica a story before her nap.

My parents then left during her nap to head on to Houston for a wedding they’re attending. It was nice getting to visit with them.